Not only aren't there many older characters on the shows, but the ones that are still around weren't so stellar when it came to morality and clean living - and still aren't.  Reva has, on occasion, been the "older influence" on her granddaughter, Susan. But her advice has to be more like "Do as I say, not as I STILL do". 

There are no more role models on soaps; young or old.

They aren't writing stories for the older generations, not because the writers can't do it, but because their bosses don't think the audience they have defined so narrowly, is interested in anything other generations have to say.  They also tend to only look at soaps in terms of skin & sex opportunities, not rich, well told stories about something other than frequent, meaningless sex scenes.  Even romance has gone out the window.  Soaps have suffered for all those losses!