I'm definitely old, but may be considered 'young at heart'. Our generation are very different to our parents who were kids in WWII. It's a state of mind even when the body is failing.
The deal between employer and worker ought to benefit both sides and treating people decently makes for better employees. If you treat them well then they may be willing to do a little extra. It may be different where the job does not need a lot of skills and everything is cut to the bone and the company relies on desperate people who need some money. I consider myself fortunate, but then I have built up valuable skills and experience.
I consider myself fortunate as well, but even know I see new people coming into where I work that don't have the same attitude or mentality. It's quite interesting. It's not even people around me, but people over me as well.