Database of good practices on ageing

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.

Vulnerable groups, particularly those at risk of being discriminated, including older persons

Non-discrimination in employment in Azerbaijan is grounded in the country’s legal and institutional framework. Article 16 of the Labour Code expressly prohibits discrimination in labour relations during hiring, changes in employment, and termination on grounds such as citizenship, sex, race, nationality, language, place of residence, social origin, age, family circumstances, religion, political views, trade union membership, or other factors unrelated to professional qualifications and job performance. Employers are barred from directly or indirectly limiting rights or establishing privileges based on these prohibited grounds. Legal protections are reinforced through the Law on Employment, which guarantees equal opportunities to exercise the right to free choice of job and employment irrespective of personal characteristics. Persons who believe they have faced discrimination may seek recourse in courts under the Labour Code.  

The non-discrimination provisions in Azerbaijan’s labour framework are a good practice because they codify clear legal prohibitions against discrimination across multiple grounds in employment relations, linking them to both the Labour Code and the Law on Employment. This provides a comprehensive legal basis for equal treatment in hiring, conditions of work, and termination. The model is replicable, as the legal norms align with international standards (including ILO Convention 111 on discrimination in employment) and can be adopted or strengthened in other legal systems. It is sustainable insofar as the rights are enforceable through the judicial system, offering legal remedies to individuals who experience discrimination in employment.  

Older persons at retirement age

It was developed by the government of Uzbekistan as a presidential decree and implemented by relevant state bodies responsible for drafting/adjusting labour rules and applying them nationally.

It supports older persons by addressing age discrimination through retirement age as an automatic grounds for dismissal, thus protecting older persons right, income and social participation.

https://ageing-policies.unece.org/browse-policy/3192

Senior citizens aged 55 years and over and their care givers living in rural areas of the Kurgan region.

The "Hello!" project reached over 800 people and 24 municipalities in the Trans-Urals region.

It targeted rural areas where older people and their caregivers often face isolation and limited access to specialized services. The project supported older adults by strengthening their physical, emotional, intellectual, and creative capacities, building social connections, promoting healthy‑lifestyle literacy and awareness of pensioners’ rights, and reinforcing their social participation. It also stimulated volunteer engagement among older people and fostered a sense of community. For organizers, it provided an opportunity to further develop their professional skills.

Проект Здравствуйте!Повышение качество жизни пожилых людей в сельской местности.. Охват проекта: Курганская область ID: 15311 | DOBRO.RU

Socially vulnerable people with home care needs in in Gyumri & Vanadzor (Armenia), including persons over 65 years of age.

The project was developed through partners with Governments and faith-based organizations. To ensure long‑term sustainability, the project developed specialized gerontology and geriatrics training modules, approved by the Ministry of Health, partnered with vocational schools to train 120 nursing students and provides qualification training for 30 active nurses.

The project promotes a community-based care model, with adequate training and oversight.

Eligible Singaporean families, married couples, and singles (35+) purchasing resale HDB flats to live with or within 4km of their parents or married child.

Up to 2020, around 30,100 applicants had applied, with about 4,500 families and singles choosing to live in the same block—or even the same flat—as their parents or children, and HDB disbursed about S$550 million under PHG.

PHG was established following extensive “Housing Conversations” in 2014 under the theme “Closer Families; Stronger Ties,” and was embedded into the housing subsidy framework by the MND and HDB in August 2015.The scheme was later enhanced in February 2018, increasing grant amounts and simplifying proximity rules.

It promotes stronger family support networks, is widely inclusive, and has demonstrably enabled thousands of families to live closer together—enhancing informal caregiving and social support.

• https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/hdb-disbursed-550-million-under-035820369.html

Older persons in Malaysia

PAWE has improved the quality of life for thousands of older persons by providing opportunities for physical fitness, social interaction, and continuous learning. It has helped reduce isolation, enhanced mental and physical health, and fostered a sense of belonging among seniors. The centres have become focal points for community engagement and support for older persons.

The initiative was developed by the Malaysian government in collaboration with other government agencies and NGOs. PAWE centres were established across Malaysia to provide structured programs, including exercise sessions, social gatherings, educational workshops, and health services. Recruitment and participation are promoted through community outreach, social media, and partnerships with local organisations.

PAWE addresses multiple dimensions of older persons’ well-being, including physical, social, and mental, through an inclusive and community-based approach. It promotes active ageing, lifelong learning, and social support, ensuring seniors remain engaged and empowered.