Database of good practices on ageing

Vulnerable older persons with no other source of income

Women who receive this pension make up approximately 60-70% of the total recipients. Through this pension, they have more autonomy over their money, fostering  a sense of independence. 4.11 million indigent persons nationwide receive this pension. 

Developed as a response to the gap in coverage, where millions of Filipinos who were informal workers became elderly without any form of income security. Seniors may apply at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affair or the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in their local town.

This is a gender-responsive good practice focusing on protection of 'invisible' workers, those who were a part of the informal economy their whole lives. It also shifts the burden of care for older persons from family onto the government, recognizing that contributory pensions are not enough for a developing country such as the Philippines. This pension can also help break intergenerational cycles of poverty by ensuring grandparents are not a financial drain on the rest of the family. Funds can then be redirected to the younger members.

Department of Social Welfare and Development

All older women and men in Fiji

The scheme covers over 50,000 beneficiaries, providing them basic income security. 

It evolved from a means-tested targeted cash transfer to a more universal scheme, excluding only those who achieved superannuation through the Fiji National Pension Service. 

It provides basic income security for older persons and also enables access to transportation for older persons through a specific transportation allowance. Thus, it also contributes to reducing isolation of older persons.

50,000-plus elderly citizens in Fiji benefit from social pension scheme - The Fiji Times

Presentation by the Government of Fiji, ESCAP

The primary beneficiaries are lonely older adults, many of whom are persons with disabilities, whose finances are largely consumed by essential bills and medication. The model addresses material deprivation through the provision of basic goods and attends to social‑psychological needs through companionship, cultural participation, and counselling. It also reaches older people who are not ready to approach formal psychological or medical services, but who are willing to engage with the foundation’s psychologists in a lower‑barrier setting, thereby widening access to support for a highly vulnerable group.

Older people receive regular home‑based support, goods of daily necessity, free access to cultural events, and confidential psychological assistance in a format they perceive as simpler and non‑binding, which encourages participation. The home‑visit model helps mitigate loneliness and delay moves to nursing homes, while cultural activities and club meetings help restore social connections and interest in life following bereavement. The programme’s continuous operation since 1999, together with its expansion to multiple components, demonstrates institutional continuity and sustained impact rather than short‑term relief.

The programme was the foundation’s first and began in 1999. It initially supplied veterans in Moscow’s Kuntsevo district with food packages and new clothing. Within a year, the programme expanded to include a cultural component and a clothing reception and distribution point, establishing the multi‑component model that has guided the initiative since then. Assistance continues under the foundation’s broader programmes “You will help—others will help you” and “Social support of the Kuntsevo district population.” The programme evolved from material support into a holistic, person‑centred approach that integrates practical home assistance, material aid, cultural engagement, and psychological support. Volunteers act as social companions and “do what a close relative would do,” while the foundation explicitly states that it does not replace social workers or other state services; instead, it seeks to ensure their delivery for beneficiaries. By partnering with a social service center to offer accessible counselling and group therapy, and by creating low‑threshold cultural activities, the programme enables older people to re‑engage socially in ways they find comfortable and non‑intimidating.

This practice is holistically designed, integrating practical home help, material aid, cultural engagement, and mental‑health support within a coherent, prevention‑oriented model. It explicitly aims to postpone institutionalization while ensuring the fulfilment of state services, complementing rather than duplicating public provision. Its low‑threshold, dignity‑affirming access enables seniors who avoid formal services to engage with counselling and cultural clubs, reducing isolation and despair. Finally, its proven longevity since 1999 and iterative expansion reflect sustainability and adaptability to evolving needs.

The initiative benefits experienced senior citizens across India seeking dignified re-employment. It also serves corporate employers, providing them access to a pool of seasoned professionals.

As of August 2022, a total of 4,527 senior citizens registered on the SACRED portal, with 63 actively applying for job opportunities via the platform.

Developed by India’s Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, SACRED was launched by the Vice President in October 2021. The portal was technically opened in September 2021 to corporations for posting job vacancies, and the government continues promoting it among both job-seeking seniors and employers.

It fosters age-inclusive employment access through a dedicated, scalable digital platform—leveraging experience-driven senior talent while enhancing workforce diversity.

• https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1847850&utm
• *Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) initiative

Older persons in Sri Lanka, especially those without family support

This programme was scaled up through digital integration in 2026. The donor system has allowed many seniors to receive more support than the governments fixed senior allowance, helping them cover food and essential medicine costs. Additionally, having a donor separate from the government provides security for elderly, even in times of economic crisis. The social and emotional bond the elders often have with their donors is also beneficial, as they may receive holiday cards or visits from their donor. This reduces social isolation.

An older person is identified through the local Village Elder Committee and priority is given to those over 70 without children or who live alone. A donor is matched with a senior and commits to a minimum period (usually 1 year). The donor pays the NSE, and the NSE deposits into the elders account. There are periodic visits to ensure the elder is receiving the money and that their needs are being met.

This programme  fosters a sense of community and social solidarity, with the 'emotional adoption' that occurs.

https://www.readkong.com/page/long-term-care-for-older-persons-in-sri-lanka-4121768

All citizens with a particular emphasis on those aged 50 and above through the Silver Universities.

Silver Universities have been established in 35 institutions across the country. In addition, the total number of students enrolled in Silver University courses is about 2,000.

Developed by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan with input from government ministries, national stakeholders, and universities. Implementation involves collaboration with higher education institutions which host Silver University programmes and adult learning opportunities.

The programme supports inclusive life-long learning by extending educational opportunities to citizens of all ages and promoting digital literacy among other useful modern skills. The inclusion of Silver Universities for older persons demonstrates a commitment to active ageing, social participation, and empowerment of older adults through education.

https://ageing-policies.unece.org/browse-policy/2866

The main beneficiaries are local governments and district councils who can use the guidebook to plan and implement age-friendly policies and programmes. Community organizations and NGOs can further benefit from it. 

The guidebook informed district-level planning and contributed to a broader age-friendly city strategy in Hong Kong, China.

The Age-Friendly City Case Book was developed under the Jockey Club Age-friendly City Project (JCAFC) through a collaborative, evidence-based process involving academic institutions, NGOs, and government agencies. It draws on five years of research and community engagement across Hong Kong’s 18 districts, including baseline assessments, surveys, and focus groups to identify local needs. The guidebook consolidates global and local best practices, practical tools, and templates for planning, implementing, and evaluating age-friendly initiatives. Its goal is to provide actionable resources for policymakers and communities to create inclusive, supportive environments for older adults.

It provides a comprehensive toolkit—including assessment questionnaires, focus group protocols, and action-plan templates—that local governments and NGOs can use to implement age-friendly initiatives. Thus, it supports evidence-based policymaking and forms a basis for designing age-friendly cities. 

Strategies for Creating an Age-friendly City: Book - Age-Friendly World

Policymakers in Vanuatu who benefit from evidence on ageing and the situation of older persons in Vanuatu. 

The study generated primary data on the situation of older persons in Vanuatu. 

The research was conducted using a qualitative, multi‑method approach designed to understand both the policy environment and the lived experiences of older people in Vanuatu.

As of 2024, the following results were achieved:
91 projects were implemented across 54 municipalities under the program.

• A total of 64.3 million TL was allocated to fund these initiatives.
• 159,189 older persons received support, covering 106,069 households.
• Services included psychosocial support, home care, technical assistance, mobile teams, and coordination centers.
• The program strengthened local capacity, promoted community-based care, and introduced technology-supported models (e.g., smart monitoring systems for safety).
• Key achievements: improved quality of life, active ageing, family-focused social work, and sustainability through co-financing and local ownership.

The YADES program was developed by Türkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services in 2016 as a response to the country’s rapidly ageing population and growing care needs. It was designed as the first large-scale national grant program in the field of ageing, financed through the state budget and implemented by municipalities under provincial supervision.

YADES promotes community-based care and "ageing in place", allowing older persons to remain in their own homes and cared by communities. It promotes local ownership as it is implemented by municipalities. 

Applications for the Elderly Support Program Started | General Directorate of Disabled and Elderly Services | Applications for the Elderly Support Program Started

Presentation with more information by the Ministry of Family and Social Services

The national dementia plan was developed through a multi‑stage, collaborative process. A Strategic Council, two technical committees, and experts from health, rehabilitation, and social sectors guided its creation. First, a draft was prepared based on existing system structures and international guidance. This draft was circulated to academics, specialists, and relevant organizations for review. Feedback was gathered through group discussions, revised, and integrated into a second and third draft. After multiple expert consultations and revisions, the final version was approved and disseminated to health authorities for implementation.