Well I work at a pharmacy, so most of the people are old-ish - both the customers and the other workers. But you know, we have a 70 yr old pharmacist and I get on with him great. You just have to find something to joke about with them, something that they like or something - Peter and I speak German to each other, Celia and I talk about the weather, I ask Patricia how university is.
Customers, you just need to ask something about their day or ask how the weather is outsidce (lol, only try that if you're in the middle of a shopping center).
People at work, I'll generally just ask about their weekend when I first come in... because I don't get lunch breaks. If they volunteer more information, we'll have a little chat. Then they'll ask me about school or something. If not, well that's OK, I'll just get on with my work.
Sometimes I like it just as much as working with young people. You know, they're not so different... they've just had more life experience. Everyone was young once.