Database of good practices on ageing

Older Thai home owners between 60 and 80 years of age

According to studies, the use of the reverse mortgage scheme is still low, mainly because of lack of awareness and many older persons want to leave their home as inheritance. 

The initiative began in mid‑2019, as part of Thailand’s policy response to population ageing and the need for new financial tools to support older persons’ income security.

The reverse mortgage initiative by Thailand’s Government Housing Bank is a promising but still emerging good practice. It addresses income insecurity among older persons by enabling them to convert housing assets into monthly payments while ageing in place, promoting financial independence and dignity. However, its impact remains limited due to very low uptake. While the programme demonstrates strong innovation and policy relevance in an ageing society, further outreach, design improvements and supportive measures are needed to scale up use and achieve meaningful impact on older persons’ wellbeing.

@RM-Final-Report.pdf

All citizens of Timor-Leste who are guaranteed constitutional rights

The old-age allowance is based on the constitutional right to social protection in the constitution of Timor-Leste.

Decree on living allowances for the elderly and persons with disabilities

It takes a rights-based approach. 

Individuals with limited mobility, including older adults. 

The roadmap was developed as part of Kazakhstan's alignment with the National Plan for the Rights and Quality of Life of People with Disabilities. Implementation followed a phased, data-driven approach, involving nationwide identification of relevant infrastructure objects,  gradual adaptation and compliance checks, annual monitoring cycles, use of digital tools an coordination between national ministries and local authorities. 

This policy combines clear targets, systematic monitoring, and public accountability mechanisms. The use of an interactive map and feedback portal promotes transparency and citizen participation, while the scale of coverage (22,000 objects nationwide) ensures both urban and rural inclusion. Alignment with national disability rights frameworks and integration of legal reforms further strengthens sustainability and enforcement.

Road Map on Transport Infrastructure Accessibility for People with Limited Mobility | Ageing Policies Database - UNECE

The beneficiaries are older persons in Viet Nam. 

Plan 4170/KH‑BVHTTDL (2025) was developed as an implementation plan following the formal adoption of Viet Nam’s National Strategy on Older Persons to 2035, with a vision to 2045, which was approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 383/QĐ‑TTg on 21 February 2025. The plan translates the national‑level strategy into sector‑specific actions for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), in accordance with Viet Nam’s policy‑making and planning system. 

The plan is a clear sectoral plan to implement the wider National Policy on Ageing. It also includes Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs, thus giving ownership to older persons and promoting intergenerational initiatives. 

Plan issued to implement national strategy for the elderly

Older persons affected by disasters

Support to approximately 8,000 older people during floods

Following the floods in 2010, HelpAge International began forming OPAs in rural communities. As OPAs had already been in place, they were able to provide support in 2022. 

Use of grassroot organizations and making older persons actors and not only recipients of support. 

FAID – Foundation for Ageing and Inclusive Development

Primarily seniors (aged 60/65+) in HDB flats; EASE 2.0 expanded to include public rental housing (about 26,800 more seniors). Additionally, from 2026, eligible private property households with seniors (70,000+ households) will benefit under EASE (Private).

By April 2024, approximately 293,000 households had installed senior‑friendly fittings since 2012, improving mobility and safety within the flat.

Built as part of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) since 2012, featuring heavy government subsidy (up to 95%), resident opt‑in via HIP polling; EASE 2.0 added new fittings (foldable grab bars, lowered kerbs, bidet sprays, HFAD) from April 2024. Implementation combines flat‑level upgrades and precinct‑level enhancements like neighbourhood improvements and assisted‑living facilities.

It integrates aging-friendly design into existing housing programmes with strong subsidy and resident participation, delivering tangible safety and mobility improvements for seniors while scaling across public and private housing.

The Safer Environment for Seniors Programme, implemented by the Singaporean Housing and Development Board, aims to incorporate universal design principles in public housing, namely ample seating, to make make them age- and user-friendly for older and disabled persons. This programme additionally involves intergenerational play spaces, namely three-generation fitness and play facilities, for families to enjoy together.

Older persons at risk of falls

Over 1900 hand rails have been installed around Naju City, across 610 senior centers since 2020 when the initiative began.

Developed as a result of the Survey of Living Conditions (2019), which found that 20% of Naju city's seniors had suffered a fall that led to injury. The city created this plan as a result of consultations with local senior citizens.

Responds directly to an issue identified in the community and has a direcl positive impact on its citizens. This initiative increases accessibility to social spaces such as the senior centers, having a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

Originally, poor and vulnerable populations with envisaged expansion to a universal scheme. 

The programme expanded access to health care. 

It was initiated as a pilot project in some districts covering only vulnerable populations and subsequently expanded to other population groups and other areas of Pakistan. 

(PDF) Impact of Sehat Sahulat Program on Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditures in Pakistan

Older persons in Indonesia

There were over 2000 Sekolah Lansia facilities across all 38 provinces. Seniors have a sense of empowerment and self-confidence after taking part in the courses. The digital literacy course in tier 3 created a space for the SatuSehat national app to be onboarded with seniors. Additionally, the schools served as a social space for elderly, combatting loneliness. Many elderly went on to become 'Elderly Ambassadors' in their own communities.

Rather than building new schools, the government integrated these elderly schools into existing community groups (Bina Keluarga Lansia). 

This programme is highly replicable, with the ability to be implemented in both rural and urban areas. By holding a graduation ceremony, older persons are able to feel a sense of   accomplishment, pride and achievement for finishing the course. It combats the loneliness epidemic by creating a space that isn't home or the hospital, where elderly can socialize and learn.

Older persons in Brunei Darussalam

The Activity Centre provided seniors with a place to interact with peers, engage in activities, and continue learning, while also acting as a focal point that supports community involvement and strengthens relationships across generations and improves their quality of life.

PKWE was implemented through multisectoral collaboration involving government agencies, private sectors, non‑governmental organisations and local communities. It is administered by an Administrative Committee made up of registered members, responsible for management, activity planning and financial governance. The Centre operates every working day for at least six hours, offering programmes in religion, arts, ICT, health, social recreation and entrepreneurship. Annual allocations from the Community Development Department fund official activities, while other agencies may support programme delivery.

The corresponding guideline was developed by JAPEM under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to support the growing number of PKWE centres across districts. It establishes criteria for centre formation, membership rules, committee structures, financial protocols, programme categories, health and safety standards and reporting systems. PKWE committees implement the guidelines daily, while JAPEM oversees compliance through monitoring, inspections and advisory roles.

The activity centre provides a holistic, inclusive and community‑centred approach to ageing. PKWE empowers older people to remain active contributors, supports healthy ageing, fosters meaningful participation, encourages lifelong learning and helps reduce ageism.