Database of good practices on ageing

Older persons, particularly those who are disabled, living alone, empty-nest, economically disadvantaged, or residing in rural communities.

The programme established a national framework for expanding community-based meal services and set phased targets to increase service coverage by 2025 and further strengthen the service network by 2026. It also promoted diversified service delivery through collaboration among government, communities, social organizations, and private-sector providers.

The programme was jointly developed by 11 government ministries in response to the growing demand for community-based care amid rapid population ageing.

The programme demonstrates a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to strengthening community-based care through accessible meal services. Its flexible implementation model allows adaptation to different local contexts while promoting sustainable service delivery and supporting older persons to age in place.

Children, Young Adults and Elderly residing in Sh.Funadhoo

The initiative encouraged active participation of older persons, provided valuable information on pension schemes, and featured a family evening with interactive games promoting financial literacy, reinforcing the importance of intergenerational connections and the sharing of knowledge and resources across generations.

The event was developed in collaboration  Ministry of Social and Family Development, Local Government Authority, Sh. Atoll Coundil and Sh. Funadhoo Island Council. It is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Local Government Authority and the Sh Atoll Council including government organizations in the Sh.Atoll

This programme fosters intergenerational connection and community engagement while raising awareness. By combining educational sessions with family-oriented activities, it not only informs participants about issues affecting elderly but also encourages family support, social inclusion, and active participation of elderly in community life.

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.

Iran's Urban Transformation: 15+ Cities Embrace Age-Friendly Initiatives

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.