BP & WIF, you are both right, it is half a dozen or one and six of the other.
As for “earning” respect that is a “secular” attitude. According to the Torah, RESPECT is a given and we are commanded to respect ALL of Hashem’s creations including people. And when we refer to people there is no age limit, young and old.
However, when one loses another person’s respect, in that case it is that person’s responsibility to earn it back.