Because empathy (one day we will be elderly too), and because they did contribute value throughout their lives. In return for that, they earn respect and care.

Because empathy (one day we will be elderly too), and because they did contribute value throughout their lives. In return for that, they earn respect and care. On some level, it is a selfish empathy (if I help this old person, it helps normalize that helping old people is a thing we should do, and then I can cash out on that when old), but maybe all empathy is anyways...its ok if its selfish internally if the result is consistently positive.