Database of good practices on ageing

Primary beneficiaries are children who receive age‑appropriate physical activity, learn body awareness and emotional intelligence, and engage in creative development; and pensioners, who regularly attend health groups (physical training, Nordic walking, eye gymnastics, Tibetan practices, painting) and receive individual diagnostics and psychological support, all without payment.

Regular activity improves participants’ health, supports emotional well-being and decreases social isolation. Doing sports, arts and leisure activities together also constitutes a meaningful intergenerational activity.

Delivery combines experienced teachers (with methods proven over time, diagnostics, and participant feedback) and a funding model that invites support from partners, socially responsible businesses, and private donors to cover venue rental, instructors’ work, and equipment. The programme emphasises access without payment so participants can care for physical and mental health regardless of financial constraints.

The practice is notable for its longstanding, no‑fee, community‑based delivery, its holistic design (physical health, mental health, and creativity), proven methodologies refined since 1991, and accessibility of venues that bring services close to everyday life. Its sustainability model—partner and donor backing—supports scaling demand and ensures continuity, while the focus on preventive, regular activity underscores health and immunity benefits for both seniors and children.

• Конаковский район участвует в социально-оздоровительном проекте «Подари здоровье»
• Тверских пенсионеров приглашают на бесплатные оздоровительные занятия - Агентство социальной информации 

Beneficiaries are older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and sick residents in Bullagon.

As of 2024, more than 2100 Go Bikers have been certified and the project has served over 42000 people.

The project started in 2019 working with the Philippines Red Cross and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to train 70 young "Go Bikers" to become community responders during emergencies. In 2020 it expanded to have the Go Bikers conduct regular health monitoring - sharing the information with health workers and medical professionals who can take further action in case of irregularities. In 2021, the Go Biker Leadership Training Program was introduced to help build confidence and help volunteers to lead their teams effectively.

The costs (training, bicycles, medical equipment etc.) are covered through a combination of government assistance, foundation grants, and in-kind support.

It promotes intergenerational respect and communication and instills awareness of healthy living among youth.

The regular check-ins are important not just for older persons' physical health but also emotional well-being.

Addresses healthcare needs of underserved populations, particularly in regions with limited access to medical facilities.

It promotes intergenerational respect and communication and instills awareness of healthy living among youth.

The regular check-ins are important not just for older persons' physical health but also emotional well-being.

Addresses healthcare needs of underserved populations, particularly in regions with limited access to medical facilities.

Older persons and their caregivers. 

Older persons can more easily apply for and track welfare benefits digitally, reducing administrative barriers.

It reflects a government-led digitalization initiative, combining service delivery, information dissemination, and user support into one accessible tool.

Overall, the initiative has contributed to more accessible, user-centered, and integrated service delivery for older persons in Thailand.

Older persons in the state of Selangor

The programme has provided financial relief and improved the quality of life for thousands of elderly and disabled individuals by enabling them to purchase basic necessities during festive seasons.

The scheme was developed as part of the Selangor State Government’s economic agenda to support vulnerable groups. After its initial launch in 2008, it was rebranded and improved in 2019 to provide annual shopping vouchers instead of death benefits. Implementation involves distributing vouchers through State Assembly Service Centres, where registered members present their identity cards. Vouchers can only be redeemed at designated supermarkets to ensure proper use.

 It provides practical, recurring support that helps seniors meet essential needs, promotes social inclusion, and reflects a sustainable and replicable model for other regions aiming to value and empower their elderly population.

Older persons in Indonesia

This regulation resulted in the first formal infrastructure for elderly care in Indonesia, mainly from the Posyandu Lansia, or Neighborhood Health Posts, providing monthly health screenings as well as social community activities. Elderly were also given concessions such as discounts on public transport and priority lines in hospitals and banks. The regulation transitioned elderly care into a permanent government obligation.

It respects the diverse capabilities of older persons. By distinguishing between the 'Potential Elderly' and the 'Non-Potential Elderly', the government/community can provide more targeted interventions. The regulation also places emphasis on community care over institutionalized care, aligning with ageing in place principles. 

Older persons with disabilities, chronic diseases, advanced age, dementia, or mobility difficulties, including those at home, in communities, or in institutions.

For example, by October 2022 Fujian Province had 182 integrated medical–eldercare institutions with 48,813 beds, up 76.7% and 60.5% respectively from 2019, significantly enhancing service coverage and capacity.

Developed through inter-ministerial coordination, with policy tools such as fiscal subsidies, medical insurance inclusion, service guidelines, and capacity-building actions. Local governments refined implementation to expand home, community, and institutional services.

It integrates health and eldercare resources, ensures targeted coverage for vulnerable seniors, and shows measurable, replicable impact nationwide.

• https://wjw.fujian.gov.cn/xxgk/fgwj/zcjd/bmzcjd/202212/t20221219_6081156.htm

Direct beneficiaries are health volunteers who benefit from improved skills. Secondary beneficiaries are older persons in rural areas who benefit from improved skills of health volunteers. 

The guidebook standardizes, strengthens, and professionalizes the work of Posyandu cadres—who are the backbone of Indonesia’s community‑based primary health care system.

Older persons with dementia 

It was developed as a technical and practice-oriented document aligned with preventive health and standard-of-care principles. It draws on evidence based approaches to dementia care, emphasising physical activity, safe environments and monitoring of physical and cognitive progress. Implementation is reliant upon voluntary adoption by healthcare providers and caregiversand is intended to be implemented into pre-existing care routines and service delivery models.

It provides clear, evidence-informed guidance that promotes preventive, person-centred approaches to dementia care. Its focus on physical and cognitive activities strengthens care quality while aligning dementia care with broader health promotion and long-term care standards.

Guideline of Protective Approaches for Persons with Dementia | Ageing Policies Database - UNECE

Older persons in Cambodia are direct beneficiaries from the establishment of Older Persons Associations. 

The guidelines and subsequent implementation led to the establishment of 247 Older Persons Associations (OPAs) in Cambodia across 25 provinces and cities (As of November 2024). The establishment of OPAs leads to the empowerment of older persons, increases their participation and strengthens social cohesion and intergenerational solidarity. OPAs often organize activities like health awareness, savings groups, and disaster preparedness, improving both individual well-being and community resilience. They also foster intergenerational solidarity, reduce social isolation, and create informal support networks, making communities more inclusive and better equipped to address challenges collectively.

The OPA guidelines were collaboratively developed in 2009 by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation of Cambodia and the National Committee for Population and Development, drawing on technical expertise and financial support from HelpAge International and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). They reflect a joint government–NGO initiative aimed at strengthening older people’s associations nationwide—providing structured processes for community mobilization, governance, capacity-building, and linkages with local authorities—to promote the well-being and inclusion of older adults in line with national policy priorities.

Guidelines to establish OPAs make it a sustainable practice. OPAs themselves empower older persons. 

Elderly Associations in Cambodia Seek Social Protection, Financial Security | CamboJA News

Older persons and their caregivers.

The 2021 BKKBN Guide laid the foundation for creating Sekolah Lansia (Elderly Schools) within the Bina Keluarga Lansia (BKL) groups. This guide has been implemented at national scale. As of 2025, 2122 Sekolah Lansia facilities have already been created across all provinces in Indonesia using the guide as the standard reference for curriculum, structure, and implementation, and over 20000 older persons have participated in the Sekolah Lansia programmes.

The Sekolah Lansia di Kelompok BKL initiative is a national effort led by BKKBN (National Population and Family Planning Agency) in partnership with the Indonesia Ramah Lansia (IRL) Foundation to improve the well‑being of older adults through lifelong, non‑formal education. It operates within Bina Keluarga Lansia community groups designed to strengthen families with elderly members. Overall, the initiative seeks to enable older adults to stay functional, engaged, and valued—while strengthening family resilience and community support systems. The Indonesia Ramah Lansia (IRL) Foundation is presented as its own good practice in this database under the title "Community-based education for older adults and their caregivers in Yogyakarta".