Life has not hardened them, they have overcome hardships which make bitter. They have gone beyond. They are there for us, as examples to consult them, to respect them and by doing so , we learn to respect ourselves. They don't want to dominate, they are not in the game for power and influence any more. They simply are there.
Many cultures respect their old and wise men and women.
In our western society we seem to have forgotten the value of these great human beings. If a young person says it, I understand. The question of trust has little to do with age - a thief remains a thief no matter what age. The same is true for the liars and all the other unpleasant fellow travellers on Mother Earth. Either the character and the qualities are there or not.