Database of good practices on ageing

Older workers aged 50+, with an emphasis on diversity across Māori, Pacific, disabled, and regional communities.

Over 1,000 businesses have used the toolkit to redesign their jobs to work for an ageing workforce. This strategy has contributed to New Zealand having very high labour force participation rates for those over 65 years.

Developed through  collaboration between governments, community groups and different businesses. It is now a core aspect of employment strategies to tackle ageism as well as skill shortages, as it keeps experienced workers contributing to the economy.

This strategy treats older persons as economic agents, as they have much to contribute to the workforce. It addresses age discrimination while still applying wage subsidies for employers to hire seniors.

Older persons who need daily assistance with various goods and services but do not (yet) want to move into a long-term care facility.

The One‑Stop Community Elderly Service Program operates on a non‑profit basis. Clients pay only for the specific services they use, while more than half of the total service costs are subsidized by the government or covered through a person’s social insurance. Local small businesses providing  the needed goods and services benefit by increasing sales and reducing marketing costs, and as the age‑friendly network grows, more providers and businesses are applying to join.

By 2024, the program had expanded to nine regions and enrolled more than 3,100 older adults, most of whom are over 80 years old.

Many of the older adults catered for by this program live in apartment complexes without elevators resulting in limited mobility. They often also are not comfortable with or have no access to digital technology to order goods and services online. Developing such a liaison program has ensured that "no one is left behind". While it enables older persons to stay in their own home longer, it also is a trust-building exercise if seniors later need to move to the Longzhen Senior Care institution.

https://ahwin.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Innovation-for-an-aging-Asia_web.pdf 

The policy provides guidance to practitioners in relevant Ministries. The ultimate beneficiaries of this policy are older persons across China, particularly those with disabilities, low-income seniors, and childless elderly who require public care support. Rural seniors benefit from improved access to integrated medical and elderly care services at the county level.

The policy has led to significant improvements in China’s elderly care system, including expanded service coverage, better integration of medical and social support, enhanced digital and legal inclusion for older adults, and the emergence of the silver economy as a national development priority.

The policy was jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in 2021 after nationwide consultations. It was implemented through a coordinated, multi-level approach involving central ministries and local governments. Key mechanisms included pilot programs (e.g., long-term care insurance), integrated planning (e.g., combining elderly care with health services), and clear timelines and targets for local authorities to follow.

This policy represents a good practice due to its comprehensive and forward-looking design. It adopts a whole-of-government approach, integrating elderly care, healthcare, digital inclusion, legal protection, and economic development. It promotes both top-down planning and local innovation, encourages public-private partnerships, and aligns with international best practices. Its adaptability and strong emphasis on inclusive, people-centered services make it a replicable model for aging societies.

This is designed for those who provide in-home care, especially for the elderly with dementia, and also for those who wish to create a warm place for their grandparents.

The guidelines provide evidence-based, actionable advice for caregivers of the elderly. The positive impact of these guidelines has been acknowledged in Japan and has also received media attention.

Keio University originally launched a researchproject to apply the concept of "pattern language" from architectural theory to daily life with people with dementia.The project was tested in a practical context to verify its effectiveness. These outcomes have been disseminated through the publication of books and card collections under the title Words to Live Together.

The guidelines provide evidence-based, actionable advice for caregivers of the elderly. The positive impact of these guidelines has been acknowledged in Japan and has also received media attention.

Words for Journey: A Pattern language for living with dementia

All adults aged 18 and above who, due to mental or physical infirmity, disability, or incapacity, are unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, or self-neglect.

The Act provided mechanisms for state intervention such as investigations, entry into premises, temporary placement, and court protection orders. It strengthened Singapore’s safety net for vulnerable adults, filling protection gaps where families or communities could not intervene, and enhanced safeguarding efficiency.

The Act was developed after public and professional consultations, first read in Parliament in March 2018, passed in May, and implemented in December. Led by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), it defined “vulnerable adults,” set out intervention and court procedures, and emphasized least-restrictive intervention, prioritizing best interests and autonomy.

It balances family-and community-based care with state intervention, while safeguarding autonomy through least-restrictive, best-interest principles.

• https://www.lawsociety.org.sg/our-community/legal-fact-check/understanding-the-vulnerable-adults-act/
• https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/family/protection-for-vulnerable-adults
• https://www.msf.gov.sg/media-room/article/First-Reading-of-the-Vulnerable-Adults-Bill

It is a clear action plan assigning responsibilities to Government entities and civil society. The eventual beneficiaries will be older persons in the Philippines. 

The PPASC 2023–2028 was created through a collaborative, multi‑stakeholder process led by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). It was developed in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and key national government agencies, together with other development partners. The process included planning activities, workshops, briefings, and a national validation summit, which ensured technical input, inter‑agency alignment, and stakeholder validation at national level.

It is a plan with defined expected outcomes and actions. 

Older persons in Viet Nam who want to stay active. 

Pickleball is becoming a very popular sport in Viet Nam in all age categories. Tournaments encourage seniors to stay active. 

Pickleball is a sport that is friendly for older persons because it is a low impact but effective exercise. It encourages muscle engagement in legs, core, shoulders and arms and improves balance and coordination, thus supports fall prevention. It can also support intergenerational interaction. 

The whole population of Malaysia, including vulnerable groups such as older persons

The directive provides clear guidelines on the management of disasters, including the responsibilities and functions of various agencies involved. It also emphasizes the need for an integrated disaster management system to effectively handle disasters on land. 

The development of NSC Directive No. 20 involved a collaborative effort among various agencies and stakeholders in Malaysia. The directive aimed to establish a systematic and integrated disaster management and relief mechanism to handle disasters effectively. It was developed to reduce casualties and minimize damage to properties and the environment, and to ensure effective coordination among agencies involved in disaster management and relief activities.

The directive covers total disaster risk management, increases in complexity, engagement of private, NGO, and community involvement, and consideration of international treaties.

People in pre-retirement age

The National Secretariat for Elders reported on an increased financial security and literacy. The Employee Provident Fund found that participants who attended the pre-retirement seminars were less likely to burn through their retirement savings in the first three years. Additionally, they are trained to identify financial predators and scams. Participants have a higher healthy living score, and are more proactive in managing non-communicable diseases. The programme also encourages new retirees to join rural elders communities earlier as they are more aware of their benefits.

The programme was implemented using a life-cycle approach, with the National Secretariat for Elders realizing that 60 is too late to make large changes in life-style and financial preparation. Therefore, a programme was started to increase awareness on the need to prepare for ageing and equip people with knowledge on retirement. 

This practice promotes resilience among seniors. It is proactive by addressing financial and mental health before people reach retirement, therefore reducing the burden on public healthcare systems. It empowers them with a sense of agency over their future. Finally, it ensures that the lump sums seniors receive during retirement are used properly.

Older persons in Malaysia

These initiatives have created safer and more inclusive living environments for seniors, enabling them to maintain independence while staying close to family. They have improved access to healthcare, reduced risks of accidents through thoughtful design, and promoted active ageing through community activities and recreational spaces. Retirement villages such as Green Acres and Eden-on-the-Park have provided seniors with opportunities for social engagement and healthy living, reflecting a growing trend toward independent and active lifestyles among older Malaysians.

Developers conducted research on seniors’ daily needs and incorporated universal design principles into homes and townships. Implementation involved strategic planning to include healthcare facilities, safe pedestrian pathways, ramps, and community spaces. Projects like Sunway City, Bandar Bukit Raja, and Gamuda Cove were designed to integrate accessibility with lifestyle amenities, while retirement villages were established to offer independent living with optional care services.

This approach addresses the evolving needs of seniors by promoting ageing in place within inclusive communities. It combines safety, accessibility, and social engagement, ensuring older persons can live independently while maintaining a high quality of life.