Do older people become more cynical and distrusting of others as a result of their life experiences?

It's possible. Experiences can teach you a lot. But it shouldn't be the end all be all for what determines your decision making.

I can relate to feeling this way. I don't trust anyone or expect anything from anyone.

However, that doesn't mean I wouldn't accept help from people or just completely cut everyone off. I take everything on a case by case scenario. Nobody's perfect and life tends to put us all through the ringer at some point young or old.

That depends on what they are like and what their life experiences have been.

I cannot speak for others but I have become much more cynical as I have aged.

how about more careful, more likely to be skeptical

SOME DO fall to distrusts and cynicism

Yesss