I used to delete my vilagers once they got all the puzzles because I didn't think any of them could get to be esteemed elders without building.

Reading here I found out that you can get the elders through the doctors.....dunno why I didn't figure that out before? DUH!!

This has happened now with two villagers straight in a row (just started the game off and second "child" available):

I start them off on healing when they're 14. They do fine until they reach Adept Doctor then off they go to check out everything and they never go back to the medical herbs again. Even if I put them on a herb they go right back to being lazy again.

Is this because I'm playing on hard? Has it happened to anyone else?