Database of good practices on ageing

Data users and policy makers

Amid the changing demographic landscape in Malaysia, with increasing modernisation and urbanisation, NHMS found more older persons living alone. Living with one or more morbidities may happen as one ages. The goal of healthy ageing is to promote happiness and well-being while ageing in place without the need for institutionalisation. Everybody can experience healthy ageing, as being free of disease is not a necessity for it. Many older persons have one or more health conditions that, when well controlled, have little influence on their well-being.

This survey was conducted as a nation-wide community-based survey targeting elderly aged 60 years or more and pre-elderly aged 50 to 59 years. Data was collected via face to-face interview at respondent’s homes using mobile devices with various assessments done based on topics. A total of 5,636 living quarters were approached with 7,117 respondents successfully interviewed. The survey was conducted by trained and experienced personnel, under the expert tutelage of the Institute for Public Health.

It is the first nationwide survey on elderly health conducted by the Ministry of Health, exploring both familiar scopes such as non-communicable diseases and newer scopes such as dementia and abuse. 

The primary beneficiaries are Cambodians aged 60 years and over, targeted to receive integrated, equitable access to essential health services including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

While a formal action plan was still under preparation as of 2021, the policy framework envisioned that Cambodian older people would benefit from equitable access to a quality health care package aimed at achieving welfare, active, productive ageing with dignity. For instance, the Older People’s Association (OPA) community model in Cambodia has shown practical community‑level benefits: “OPAs addressed their members’ health concerns by providing health education sessions, home visits, transportation, health check‑ups, and referrals.” They also assisted members in obtaining ID Poor cards, although advocates called for more tailored Senior Citizen Equity cards.

The policy was developed by the Ministry of Health in 2016, built upon a holistic, multisectoral life‑course approach. It emphasizes advocacy, awareness‑raising, multi‑sector collaboration, and strengthening capacity at primary to tertiary health services to ensure equitable access for older people pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+6extranet.who.int+6UNFPA Cambodia+6. Formal implementation has relied on creating integrated systems, but as of the latest data, detailed action plans are still being finalized.

This policy is a good practice because it adopts a holistic, life-course and multisectoral approach that explicitly addresses older people’s needs through integrated services and equitable access, setting the foundation for dignified, healthy ageing.

• https://www.population-trends-asiapacific.org/files/documents/KH_MIPAAsurvey_2021.pdf

Older persons (60+) in Bangladesh, particularly those with chronic diseases and age-related health needs.

Developed within national health planning processes, aligned with WHO healthy ageing frameworks. Implementation occurs through integration into health service delivery, workforce planning, and public health programming.

This is a good practice because it shifts ageing from social welfare alone to health-system integration, addressing chronic disease and long-term care needs. It is replicable in low and middle-income settings facing rapid demographic transition.

The Welfare Organization reports that around 6.5 million older adults currently benefit from services such as home care, counseling, day and night care, and social support.

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Graduates and individuals with a 10th‑grade education interested in geriatric care benefited—specifically, around 11 students enrolled in the one‑year PG Diploma and 520 caregivers completed the three‑month Certificate Course during 2015–16.

The programme successfully trained over 520 bedside caregivers, thereby expanding the pool of skilled personnel tasked with addressing elderly healthcare needs. This strengthened support frameworks for senior citizens and contributed to improved geriatric service delivery through enhanced caregiver competence.

Built upon the National Policy on Older Persons, NISD designed institutionalised training courses—with curricula covering gerontology, counselling, management, and practical placements in old‑age homes and hospitals. Admission was merit‑based, and courses were offered free of cost to ensure accessibility.

Because it provides free, structured, and competency-based training that produces a dedicated cadre of geriatric caregivers, filling a critical skills gap while enhancing elder care capacity.

• https://www.nisd.gov.in/annual_report/annual_report15-16.pdf

All Cambodian citizens benefit, as the plan targets prevention and control of the four main NCDs—cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes—by addressing major risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, and inactivity.

The WHO–UNDP‑supported investment case estimated that implementing recommended NCD interventions would avert over 180,000 deaths and generate nearly 700,000 healthy life‑years gained over 15 years, while restoring approximately KHR 1.7 trillion (US $417 million) in economic productivity.

The plan was crafted by Cambodia’s Ministry of Health, building on its 2013–2020 NCD strategy, and developed through a multisectoral consultation. It outlines governance structures, legal drafting schedules, and an action matrix assigning responsibilities across multiple ministries and development partners.

It integrates cost-effective, WHO-recommended “best buys”, is developed through multisectoral coordination, and shows quantifiable health and economic impact—making it scalable, evidence-based, and practical across sectors.

• https://uniatf.who.int/docs/librariesprovider22/default-document-library/cambodia-ncd-report.pdf?sfvrsn=12263136_1

The whole population of Bangladesh, with focus on vulnerable groups such as women, children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities.

The anticipatory action framework under NPDM has expanded to cover 200,000 vulnerable households in 15 climate hotspots. Ahead of Cyclone Mocha, 45,000 individuals received anticipatory cash transfers, reducing losses and strengthening resilience.

Led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), NPDM 2021–2025 was drafted through extensive desk reviews (previous NPDM, Sendai Framework, SDGs) and nationwide consultations engaging multi-sector and whole-of-society stakeholders.

It mainstreams anticipatory action within national disaster governance, ensures inclusive participation, and strengthens preparedness and rapid response capacities.

• https://www.undrr.org/news/visionary-leadership-comprehensive-risk-management-supporting-resilience-building-bangladesh

Citizens of Sri Lanka of all ages

This plan was developed though stakeholder consultation and in alignment with global ageing frameworks such as MIPAA.

his policy uses a rights-based model, treating older persons as rights holders rather than passive beneficiaries. Categorizes elderly as recognized citizens that have autonomy and works towards diminishing age discrimination throughout Sri Lanka. Additionally, this model adopts a life-course approach.  It also aims to strengthen healthcare systems specifically to prepare for a rapidly ageing population.

Senior citizens aged 60 and above across India, particularly those facing economic insecurity, ill health, lack of shelter, or social isolation.

The policy established a framework for state-supported well-being—covering financial and food security, shelter, healthcare, protection against abuse, and access to services. It paved the way for legislative and programmatic measures, such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, enhancing legal safeguards, maintenance support, and establishment of old-age homes.

Formulated in response to demographic shifts and vulnerabilities identified in 1999, the policy was developed with multi-sectoral input. Implementation involved coordination across ministries—Health, Transport, Panchayati Raj, Urban Development, etc.—with institutional mechanisms like awareness campaigns, training programs, transport concessions, and legal provisions under the 2007 Act.

It offers a holistic, cross-sectoral approach to ageing—linking policy to law, services, and social protection—ensuring older persons’ dignity, security, and inclusion for decades to come.

• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1907149

Primarily senior citizens (aged 60+) across Bhutan—especially those vulnerable or without family support—who gain priority access to services and social protection.

The programme ensures that 725 elderly individuals across all 20 administrative unites receive regular medical check‑ups, financial assistance, and support for funeral rites. It also facilitates priority access for senior citizens in hospitals, banks, and public transport, enhancing their inclusion and dignity.

Development began around 2018, with multi‑sector consultations and research. The government, alongside the Royal Society for Senior Citizens (RSSC), facilitated workshops and sensitization programs (e.g. in December 2024), while integrating the policy into the 13th Five-Year Plan and allocating resources for its rollout.

It is a good practice because it provides holistic, rights-based support—combining financial, health, and infrastructural measures—through cross-sector collaboration, ensuring older adults are dignified, included, and empowered in society.

• https://www.bhutantoday.bt/%F0%9D%90%81%F0%9D%90%A1%F0%9D%90%AE%F0%9D%90%AD%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%A7-%F0%9D%90%85%F0%9D%90%9A%F0%9D%90%9C%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%AC-%F0%9D%90%83%F0%9D%90%9E%F0%9D%90%A6%F0%9D%90%A8%F0%9D%90%A0/