In general, it is a good practice to respect our elders. Those who have been alive longer than we have. Yet there is an exception, which is if the elder is unwise, meaning not ebodying wizdom, they deserve lesser respect on an individual case-by-case basis.
As we age, the body, and thus the physical mind and physical heart, and other organs and muscular systems will all start to go. It's said we have maximum energy at age 10, then it's all physically and even mentally downhill from there. As an example, the United States just had a cringy presidential debate between the two oldest potential candidates in the country's history, one is an 81 year old elder statesman, and the other is only three years younger at 78. The 81 year old elder, has had bad doll hair plugs which have been upgraded with newer hair growing technology, has had a face lift, has a natural stutter and that combined with a bad cold resulted in him coughing often and speaking more quietly, thus appearing more frail, and when not speaking lingered with a strange cold stare. While the 78 year old elder is overweight with a gut, has a flappy neck vagina, bad toupee to cover up his bald clown head, wears bronzer and secret lift shoes to make himself appear an inch or two taller, and has severe fecal incontinence which essentially requires him to wear adult diapers and results in him being smelly. And probobally both have to pee three times during the night due to prostate issues. But none of those physical traits should be made fun directly at, cause fellas, all of us are inevitably also headed towards some of those things. What is of concern with both of them are their mental and moral capacities to be responsible for such a high stress, high tension, high stakes job, with the 81 year old elder having trouble efficiently and forcefully finishing sentences while having a superior heart and moral compass and the 78 year old elder also occasionally slurring a word, yet while serial lying and having zero moral compass. So in that case, we would say one is wiser than the other, and thus deserves more respect.
Historically, since about the beginning of the Reformation in the early 16th century, Western cultures have placed greater value on younger adults not because of physical youthfulness and not having any of the previously stated traits, but primarily because of immature and off-balanced Protestant values that tie a person's worth almost exclusively to their ability to "work". Eastern cultures tend to value age and the wisdom and experience elders can share more than Western ones. With multi-generational households being more common there than they are in the West.
In modernity, wise elders can offer into their retirement years, via past experience - guidance, perspective, support, contributions, legacy, and hopefully wisdom. All of which have huge value to enrich those younger than themselves, fostering a culture where experience and knowledge are cherished and passed on. Yet some elders are just not very wise. They are young or immature souls. Resulting in physically older bitter grumpy curmudgeons stuck in bad routines and outdated mindsets that add to ageism. While elder neglect, or abuse is unacceptable, and self respect should not decline on the curve of life, respect is a two way street so the caregiver, guardian, role model, parent, grandparent, and great grandparent also need to earn that on a flowering young mind. Via first practicing respect for themselves and others. Thomas Paine once said: “Give to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself”. This goes beyond respect into dignity and legacy.
In indigenous traditions around the world, respect for elders held and still holds a profound significance rooted in cultural values, spiritual practices, and community harmony for providing leadership, healing, guidance, sacrifices, passing down tradition, and most of all... as wisdom keepers. Typically being led for eons by councils of wise elders with learned experience within nature.
Even though their meat suits are failing and internal operating systems are slowing, respecting wise elders should be a timeless virtue that spans cultures and generations. When those elders embody some level of wisdom.