Database of good practices on ageing

Older people across New Zealand—especially in rural communities, Māori, Pacific, and culturally diverse populations—benefited from improved income security, health services, housing, transport, community safety, and opportunities for participation.

The Strategy fostered cross-sector integration, prompting agencies to embed positive ageing goals into policies and annual action plans, and enabled the abolition of compulsory retirement—resulting in 22% of those aged 65+ remaining in paid work in 2014, contributing economically and socially.

Developed through extensive public, sector, and community consultations led by the Advisory Council for Senior Citizens, it set out ten aspirational goals and annual action plans across government agencies to ensure monitoring, accountability, and implementation.

It integrates a comprehensive, consultative framework across multiple sectors, ensuring sustained, inclusive, and rights-based ageing policy implementation.

• https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/planning-strategy/positive-ageing/action-plan-and-annual-report/index.html

Those aged 50+ (pre-elderly)

Since opening in 2024, the building has now become a fully functioning service hub. Data collected from the hubs assessments is being used to shape the National Action Plan on Older Persons (Phase 3 2023-2037).

This project bridges the gap between medical research, elderly care and technology. It promotes active-ageing and independence in elderly citizens.

Citizens of Bhutan aged 65 years or over

Many banks, such as Bank of Bhutan, have dedicated Senior Citizen Priority Counters at all branches. There has been reported satisfaction of no longer having to wait in long queues. In healthcare facilities, there is Priority Signage for those with disabilities and elderly ages 65+. This fast track system reduced waiting room times, and as such encouraged seniors to seek medical help more frequently. 

The senior citizen cards were developed as a result of many years of evidence-based research conducted by the Royal Society for Senior Citizens and the Ministry of Health. They identified that wait time and physical access were barriers to the wellbeing of older citizens in Bhutan.

Views seniors as a priority rather than a burden on the healthcare system, and respects the challenges they may face in many situations. 

All elderly Sri Lankans, as the amendment strengthened protection for their rights, welfare, and dignity.

Post-amendment, the Act established the National Council for Elders, supported a dedicated Secretariat for implementation, and enabled local-level elders’ committees to execute welfare programs. This institutional framework has facilitated elders’ participation in decision-making and better access to services.

Developed through legislative amendment, the government revised sections of the original Act to strengthen oversight. The Council and Secretariat were empowered to roll out programs via local divisional and village elders’ committees, bringing services closer to communities.

It created a formal governance structure for elder welfare—integrating national oversight with local implementation—and fostered elders’ representation and improved access to tailored services.

• https://social.un.org/ageing-working-group/documents/fourth/SriLanka.pdf

Older persons in Kochi, India. 

The school of seniors created learning opportunities for older persons, including on digital literacy. As a result, older adults gained basic digital skills, enabling them to use smartphones, social media, and online services confidently. The programme also reduced isolation by creating a vibrant community where seniors interact, share experiences, and build friendships.

The School of Seniors in Kochi was developed as part of the Age-Friendly Kochi City initiative to promote lifelong learning and active aging. It was conceptualized by the Sports & Management Research Institute (SMRI) in collaboration with CEDAC (Center of Excellence for Developing Age-Friendly Communities). First, gaps in engagement and learning opportunities for older adults in Kochi were identified. Then the curriculum was designed with courses focused on health, technology, hobbies, and social interaction to keep seniors mentally and physically active.

The initiative leads to positive outcomes improving the situation and health of older persons. It has also been recognized as a scalable age-friendly practice under the Kochi Age-Friendly City framework.

The "School of Seniors": A Lifelong Learning Model - Age-Friendly World

The plan targets Thai citizens aged 60 and above, with emphasis on vulnerable groups, caregivers, and community stakeholders at all administrative levels.

As a strategic framework, the plan sets measurable goals across five pillars but does not contain results or evaluation data. Implementation outcomes were intended to be assessed in 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021, but no summary was included in this revision document.

Led by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the plan was revised in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University and local stakeholders. It features five strategic pillars—from healthy ageing to policy monitoring—with clear indicators and provincial/local focal points for implementation and evaluation.

It is a good practice due to its comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach and clear accountability framework. The plan sets specific, measurable, and time-bound targets for each strategy, ensuring progress can be tracked and evaluated effectively.

Adults in Seoul roughly 50–64 (“50+ generation”).

In 2024, the “Seoul Run 4050” project expanded mid-life support, enhancing job-skills and digital training through 50+ Centers and strengthening pathways from mid-career talent to paid employment.

Led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the city launched a Comprehensive Support Plan for the 50+ Generation and created the Seoul 50+ Foundation (2016) to design and coordinate programs. Delivery is through a citywide network of 50+ Campuses/Centers that provide education, career redesign and matching, community/volunteer engagement, and spaces for intergenerational exchange.

Seoul’s 50+ policy targets mid-lifers (50–64) through a city-backed foundation and district centers that integrate learning, jobs, and social engagement. The network promotes encore careers and paid volunteering, while adapting—via the “Seoul Run 4050” expansion—to include people in their 40s and strengthen digital and job-skills training in response to labor-market shifts.

• https://50plus.or.kr/upload/im/2024/01/f1ef4786-d584-4e57-9a23-4e5c656024e7.pdf?utm_source
• https://www.who.int/westernpacific/initiatives/innovation-for-health-impact/innovation-challenge/seoul-50-plus-foundation
• https://english.seoul.go.kr/policy/welfare-health-security-ord/support-for-future-50generation-new-driving-force-for-growth/

Elderly and people with disabilities living at home.

In 2023, the “Mir na ladoni” project reported 100% satisfaction with home-based social services and 95% improved psychological well-being, enhancing emotional health, cognitive engagement, and social inclusion for elderly and disabled participants.

The project was developed and implemented by the “Bereh Nadezhdy” Social Service Center in the Mendeleevsky municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. It was designed to run over a two-month period, including preparation and execution phases. The team created individualized cultural and educational experiences that could be delivered in-home, enabling participants to engage meaningfully without leaving their residences. Collaboration with local museums and libraries allowed for remote cultural excursions, while emotional support and social interaction were embedded in the activities. The program effectively combined virtual tourism with therapeutic engagement, making it especially effective for individuals with limited mobility or chronic isolation.

This initiative qualifies as a good practice for its adaptability, impact, and innovation. With a flexible budget, it can be easily replicated in similar contexts. By integrating cultural institutions into social services, it ensures sustainability and efficient use of resources. Most importantly, it delivers tangible psychological and social benefits—supporting mental health, reducing loneliness, and fostering connection—creatively blending emotional therapy with cultural exploration.

The primary beneficiaries were older adults (60+) and persons with disabilities, particularly recipients of social services and residents of social care institutions and residential homes. Secondary beneficiaries included students and young people from schools, colleges, and universities who participated as volunteers or audience members. Additional beneficiaries were citizens interested in creative volunteering, who gained opportunities to contribute to socially meaningful cultural projects. Finally, the wider community benefited as audiences, gaining access to inclusive cultural events and intergenerational dialogue fostered through performances.

Participation in the social theatre increased by 57%, and 55 people became part of the silver volunteer creative team. The theatre collective produced 10 full performances, which were attended by around 5,000 people from the target audience. Participants reported improved psycho‑emotional well‑being, renewed social roles, and opportunities for self‑realization. The practice also contributed to broader socio‑cultural rehabilitation of both participants and older audiences, reinforcing social inclusion and active longevity.

The practice was developed through a structured, year‑long process that combined preparation, training, and staged implementation. It integrates professional cultural expertise (students and graduates of a cultural college) with social work and volunteer engagement. Older adults and persons with disabilities were gradually involved in theatrical activities, supported by mentors and volunteers. Emphasis was placed on silver volunteering, creative collaboration, and inclusive participation. The approach intentionally blends artistic methods with social rehabilitation goals, creating safe and motivating conditions for sustained engagement. The model was designed to be replicable, with clear stages and guidance allowing other regions to either join the existing project or create analogous initiatives.

It combines measurable social impact, low implementation costs, and high replicability. It effectively uses theatre as a rehabilitation tool, achieving strong engagement and emotional outcomes. The model promotes active ageing, silver volunteering, and inclusion rather than passive care. Its success is evidenced by high participation rates, audience reach, and regional transfer. By integrating culture, social services, and volunteering, the practice creates sustainable social value and a dignified, empowering environment for older adults and people with disabilities.

• https://smarteka.com/practices/teatr-na-ladoni-tehnologia-reabilitacii-ludej-starsego-vozrasta-i-invalidov 

Older people who are able to provide support to others and want to receive support in later life are primarily targeted. People of all ages are also encouraged to participate.

Some senior participants reported that activities and support for the elderly have enhanced the sense of community and provided an additional family over the years. Furthermore, the city of Nanjing has over 60,000 volunteers registered with its programme as of 2023.

The system was initially launched in various cities across China starting from the late 1990s. Unlike similar initiatives in Japan, which are led by civil society organisations (CSOs), the time banking system in China is currently more government-led. Recognising its potential to promote the dignity of older adults and mitigate care shortages, the Ministry of Civil Affairs included time banks in its 2018 National Pilot Reform Programme for Home- and Community-based Eldercare.

This programme encourages older adults to participate in the community, stay active, and secure support for themselves in later life by supporting others. It reduces social isolation and strengthens social cohesion.