Database of good practices on ageing

The programme benefits senior citizens in Sarawak, Malaysia, and youth volunteers (“cyber ambassadors”), facilitating mutual mentorship in digital literacy to bridge generational gaps.

DTSP gained recognition, becoming a finalist in the Sarawak Digital Economy Awards 2023 and even winning the Gold Award, demonstrating its community impact. Through digital coaching sessions—both in-person and online—senior participants reported increased confidence with smartphone use, navigating e-hailing (Grab), and using GPS (Google Maps).

Spearheaded by Swinburne and Rolf Schnyder Welfare Association, in alignment with Sarawak Ministry of Welfare’s mandate, DTSP delivers structured, module-based tech training. Youth volunteers provide personalized one-on-one coaching to seniors, delivered both online and physically in community settings.

It exemplifies intergenerational partnership, empowering elders with digital tools while nurturing empathy and teaching skills in youths—resulting in inclusive, scalable digital inclusion.

• https://digital-seniors.com/?page_id=102&utm

Older adults using long-term care and rehabilitation services, and care staff in day care facilities.

The application enabled early detection of oral function decline and aspiration pneumonia risk, supported personalized training, and reduced reliance on specialized dental staff.

The AI application analyzes recorded speech tests (“PA-TA-KA”) on smartphones or tablets and instantly provides visualized scores and training recommendations.

It offers a low-burden, scalable method to integrate oral health assessment into routine elder care and supports preventive health management.

Citizens of all ages and their families; medical staff. 

Citizens can now create a Living Will in less than 10 minutes from any smartphone, whereas it used to be a paper process that required a physical witness and manual filing. Doctors have immediate access to the patients preferences which prevents over-treatment that the patient never wanted. This reduces legal disputes between doctors and family members, as the patients wishes are clear and legally binding. 

This was developed s a response to a paper issue. Often families and doctors were unsure of the patients wishes in an medical crisis and had no way to find out as the medical records were either lost or in another location. By building an online platform to portray the same information and linking it directly to your ThaiID, it no longer matters which hospital you were taken to, they would be able to honor your wishes.

This practice protects human dignity, and allows the final stage of life to be handled with the patients wants in mind. The old issue of 'lost paperwork' is now solved with the digitization of the will.

LW-Pt.pdf

All senior citizens across India seeking support, guidance, grievance redressal, emotional support, assistance with abuse, rescue, and related services.

Within the first four months, over 200,000 calls were received and more than 30,000 seniors received help, including guidance on vaccination and pension-related queries.

Launched by the Government of India’s Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment as a toll‑free national helpline (14567), functioning 8AM–8PM, seven days a week, operationalized across multiple states via collaboration between central and state governments.

It provides accessible, real-time, free, and centralized support to vulnerable seniors—spanning emotional, legal, medical, and welfare needs—across the entire country, it exemplifies a responsive, scalable, and inclusive elder-care initiative.

• https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx
• https://www.thestatesman.com/india/countrys-first-pan-india-helpline-senior-citizens-1503012591.html

All seniors across Singapore, irrespective of income level, housing type, or frailty. This includes both healthier seniors and those who are more vulnerable or frail.

In Fiscal Year 2021, 60 Active Ageing Centres (AACs) and Active Ageing Care Hubs (AACHs) were onboarded to the new service model, collectively overseeing about 145,900 seniors, including approximately 3,500 befriendees.

MOH, in collaboration with AIC, phased in the new “ABC” service model—Active Ageing programmes, Befriending/Buddying, and Care referrals—across existing eldercare centres. They engaged providers from November 2020, gathering feedback to refine rollout as centres ramped up capacities starting May 2021.

By establishing a consistent “ABC” service suite across all eldercare centres, the model ensures all seniors can access active ageing, social connection, and care referrals in their community—bridging gaps and promoting inclusion.

• https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/befriending-and-eldercare-centre-services

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The programme supports 2,000 vulnerable seniors, strengthening community inclusion, enhancing well-being, and advancing gerontology services through training and curriculum integration at TSMU (WHO, 2023).

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It promotes social inclusion and addresses the needs of vulnerable seniors. The model can be adapted and scaled across communities.

Older persons living alone

It started with only elderly people living alone in 2008. As of 2024, a total of 270,000 households are currently receiving the service.

The programme was developed my the Ministry of Health and Welfare to respond to the number of older persons living alone and the increasing number of unattended deaths. It started initially with a basic emergency call system and was subsequently expanded. Local authorities also play an important role in implementation. By 2025, the programme had evolved into a comprehensive, technology‑enabled safety net aligned with broader policies on community-based care, ageing in place, and disability inclusion, with clear implementation guidelines, stable national funding, and strong coordination between central and local governments.

The installation of technical devices in the home can provide a valuable safety net for individuals living alone, offering enhanced protection in emergency situations.

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It benefits HDB households with at least one senior aged 65 and above, or those aged 60–64 requiring assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

By 2016, around 63,000 households had benefitted. By 2023, about 283,900 households had installed senior-friendly fittings. The programme supports nearly 284,000 households, enhancing safety, fall prevention, and seniors’ independence—promoting ageing-in-place and reducing home injury risks.

Introduced as an optional add-on under HIP, residents could vote to install grab bars, slip-resistant tiles, and ramps. In 2023, EASE 2.0 expanded to include foldable shower seats and wider toilet entrances for wheelchair users.

It is people-centred, heavily subsidised, and practical, enabling seniors to age safely and independently at home while improving social inclusion.

• https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/105-000-applications-hdbs-ease-040820731.html
• https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/105000-hdb-homes-opt-elderly-safety-upgrades

Women and men aged 50 years or over. 

The Venture Builder Silver Track has contributed to strengthening older persons’ participation in entrepreneurship by equipping individuals aged 50+ with the skills, mentoring, and financial support needed to launch ventures, particularly in social impact and ageing-related sectors.

The programme builds on the broader policy infrastructure promoting life-long learning and active ageing. It builds on a public-private partnership, with financial support from donors. 

The Venture Builder Silver Track is a good practice because it transforms ageing into an opportunity by enabling older persons to become entrepreneurs. It provides tailored training, mentorship, and funding to overcome barriers faced by seniors, while leveraging their experience to generate innovative solutions, particularly in the ageing sector. Through its integration with national lifelong learning and startup ecosystems, the programme promotes active ageing, economic participation, and social impact, offering a scalable model for other countries facing rapid population ageing.

Older persons in Seoul

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to introduce programmes to engage young and middle-aged adults through three approaches: 1) A 'youth-linked' programme, which promotes leisure activities via university club talent donations, 2) A 'volunteer-based' programme, in which seniors at community centres directly teach local children subjects such as Go and history, and 3) A 'community-linked' programme, which opens diverse small groups and spaces. One 'Eoulrim (Harmony) Senior Centre' will be designated in each district. Centres will be selected through a public process, focusing on newly built centres of around 300 square metres. Each selected centre will receive annual operational funding of up to 10 million won to support activities and services. As part of its long-term strategy, Seoul aims to establish 400 Harmony Senior Centres by 2040.

The facilities promote active and healthy ageing by encouraging social participation, ensuring basic needs are met and providing safer living environments. Intergenerational programmes facilitate interaction between the young and the old, helping older adults to remain socially connected and valued within their communities.

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