Database of good practices on ageing

Older and younger people in India are beneficiaries benefitting of a changed image of older persons. 

It has  raised awareness, generated nationwide participation, and released research reports on intergenerational dynamics, promoting respect and inclusion for older persons.

The “Walk in My Shoes” campaign by HelpAge India was developed as a response to growing concerns about elder abuse, neglect, and ageism. To address these issues, HelpAge India conceptualized the campaign around empathy-building, encouraging younger generations to “see life through the eyes of elders.” Findings from national studies on elder abuse and intergenerational gaps informed the campaign’s core message.

The campaign tackles ageism and elder abuse through an empathy-driven, intergenerational approach. It combines research-based advocacy with engaging activities that encourage youth to understand the experiences of older persons, fostering respect and inclusion.

Walk In My Shoes - A HelpAge India Campaign | HelpAge India

older adults (aged 60+) enrolled in the University of the Third Age (Tazelenme Üniversitesi) at Ege University, and high school students from several technical high schools in İzmir.

In nine months, the programme more than doubled in scale, fostering intergenerational connection and cultural exchange through monthly high school game sessions.

The project was conceptualized by PhD candidate Buğçe Kamer Baybaş from the Department of Internal Medicine’s Gerontology group at Ege University. Inspired by intergenerational values and the Turkish National Ageing Action Plan (2007), she collaborated with teacher Ülker Orhan to bring the idea to life. Initially piloted with a small intergenerational group, the project quickly scaled when Baybaş encountered the Ortak Değerler Hareketi (Shared Values Movement) and received support through its support program. Participants were then selected from multiple schools and Tazelenme University, and they met monthly across different high school venues over a nine-month period.

The project used play as a universal bridge to connect older and younger generations, fostering mutual respect, empathy, and cultural exchange. Elders shared traditional folk games while youth introduced contemporary ones, creating a holistic value exchange that evolved from a 3-month pilot into a 9-month programme with a public festival. Rooted in community and backed by institutions like Ege University and Ortak Değerler Hareketi, the scalable model broke down age stereotypes, gained public recognition, and demonstrated potential for replication in other communities.

Primary beneficiaries are older people in the Russian Federation and neighbouring countries through better integrated care and long‑term care. Secondary beneficiaries include health and social‑care professionals who receive training and guidance, and policymakers who gain evidence‑informed analyses and recommendations to adapt systems to demographic change.

Early outcomes are system‑level: the Centre is mandated to exchange and disseminate information on geriatric services and long‑term care, assess country progress and barriers, prepare policy reviews, and develop educational programmes for health and social‑care workers. At national level, the Ministry highlights an existing three‑tier geriatric infrastructure (regional centres, outpatient offices, beds) that provides the operational base for Centre‑supported improvements.

Designation followed multi‑year groundwork at RCRCG: research on ageing, creation of a biobank of long‑livers, development of clinical and organizational solutions, and an education pipeline for specialists. WHO/Europe’s designation formalized this role and positioned the centre within the WHO CC network to share data, co‑develop policies, and train practitioners across the Russian Federation and the wider region.

It couples a national centre of excellence (RCRCG) with WHO’s collaborating‑centre framework, ensuring replicability, policy relevance, and regional reach. The model integrates research, clinical practice, training, and policy support, directly addressing rapid population ageing and aligning with global healthy‑ageing agendas. Clear terms of reference (innovation in care models, training, policy evaluation) and an established national geriatrics infrastructure increase feasibility and potential impact.

• New WHO Collaborating Centre in Moscow advances care for ageing populations
• https://innovanews.ru/info/press_release/rossijjskijj-gerontologicheskijj-nauchno-klinicheskijj-tsentr-rnimu-im-ni-pirogova-naznachen-sotrudnichajushhim-tsentrom-voz-po-ukhodu-za-pozhilymi-ljudmi/ 

The programme benefits Age Pensioners and eligible seniors, particularly those who are still working. It allows them to earn income from employment or self-employment without reducing their pension entitlement.

The scheme substantially improved income retention for older Australians by excluding a portion of their work income from the pension income test and allowing accumulation of unused credits. As of 2023, the Work Bonus balance cap increased to $11,800—allowing seniors to earn more without impact to their pension, thereby enhancing financial autonomy and workforce inclusion.

The Work Bonus was developed by the Department of Social Services to support workforce participation among older Australians. It is administered by Services Australia, with automatic income concessions applied through pension assessments.

It provides a clear, flexible financial incentive that aligns work and pension policy—empowering older individuals to stay engaged in the workforce without financial penalty, while minimizing administrative complexity.

• https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/featured-news/boost-for-working-pensioners

New migrant aged‑care workers—especially from the Philippines, Pacific nations (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu), India, and China—as well as their employers in New Zealand’s aged care sector.

New migrant aged‑care workers—especially from the Philippines, Pacific nations (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu), India, and China—as well as their employers in New Zealand’s aged care sector.

The Settlement Unit, MBIE, and sector stakeholders co-developed the guides, which were disseminated through Settlement Information, local communications, and included with visa application materials to reach both migrants and employers effectively.

It proactively addresses both migrant and employer needs with clear, practical guidance—fostering smoother integration, workplace harmony, and improved service delivery.

• https://www.careerforce.org.nz/new-guides-for-employers-and-migrants-in-the-aged-care-sector/

Older persons in Thailand and their families who participate in the initiative

Over 50,000 members actively participate in YoungHappy initiatives which led to increasing their digital literacy and social connections. 

YoungHappy was founded when its CEO and co‑founder, Charkhris “Gap” Phomyoth, witnessed firsthand the loneliness and lack of purpose experienced by his own retired parents. Recognizing that retirement often led to depression, social isolation, and missed opportunities for lifelong learning, he was inspired to combine his personal motivation with the principles of social business to build a platform that empowers seniors. They launched YoungHappy in 2017–2018 in Bangkok as a hybrid online and offline community—offering activities, tech training, peer engagement, and volunteer opportunities—to help older adults stay active, valued, technologically connected, and socially engaged.

The project supports human-centered innovation. It directly increases older persons digital literacy, promotes intergenerational support and empowers older persons to stay active. 

Presentation by Mr Charkhris Phomyoth

Informal sector workers in Solomon Islands

The youSave program enabled self‑employed and informal‑sector workers—including many older adults—to open voluntary retirement savings accounts for the first time.

youSave was developed as part of a broader government strategy to expand access to financial services, especially in remote areas where older persons struggle to reach banks. The National Financial Inclusion Strategy supported the programme. 

In the absence of a comprehensive pension scheme it allows access to basic income security to those in the informal sector and promotes financial inclusion. 

Older adults, particularly retired seniors, who need a supportive living environment.

The most recent data shows that 11 life apartments have been built nationwide in China, serving over 5,000 senior residents. Residents of these apartments reported increased satisfaction and greater involvement in social activities.

The Jiangsu Yunlin Elderly Care Group built the Life Apartment project based on the "happy retired life" philosophy of Dutch life apartment projects. The apartments are equipped with smart technology. These include smart sensors and emergency alarms, as well as an online platform where senior residents can easily access community activities and earn points on their "time banks" that can be exchanged for other services.

The living concept integrates into society by providing spaces for different generations and giving older adults easier access to medical services and social activities. It also sets a positive example for adapting projects from different cultural backgrounds to local contexts.

Community links help keep residents happy in city

The primary beneficiaries are older people and people with disabilities, including residents of nursing homes and residential social institutions; as well as older people living alone or at home who require support due to limited mobility or health conditions. Secondary beneficiaries include families of older people, volunteers, and local communities involved in care and support activities. The foundation’s work covers hundreds of residential care institutions and reaches beneficiaries across many regions of the Russian Federation.

As a result of the foundation’s work hundreds of residential institutions across the Russian Federation receive ongoing support. Thousands of older people benefit from improved care, better living conditions, medical and hygiene support, and regular communication. Older people experience reduced isolation and improved emotional wellbeing through contact with volunteers and participation in social activities. Also, public awareness of the challenges of ageing and long‑term care has increased, helping to shift societal attitudes toward greater respect, solidarity, and responsibility for older generations.

The foundation developed its activities from a volunteer movement launched in 2007 into a registered charitable foundation in 2011, combining grassroots engagement with institutional capacity. Implementation relies on direct targeted assistance in institutions and at home; engagement, training, and coordination of volunteers; cooperation with state authorities, businesses, and non‑governmental organizations; and development of methodological and educational materials, including training programmes for long‑term care and social service professionals. This combination allows the foundation to address immediate needs while also contributing to long‑term systemic improvements in older persons' care.

The foundation’s work integrates direct care, emotional support, and systemic change within one model; places human dignity, communication, and meaningful social connection at the center of older persons' care; combines volunteerism with professional expertise and institutional partnerships; operates at scale while maintaining individual, needs‑based support; and contributes to the development of long‑term care approaches that can be replicated by public institutions and other organizations.

Local residents of Miyakonojo City, especially older adults at risk of dementia.

Within one month of launch, over 200 residents across multiple age groups registered and used the services, demonstrating cross-generational adoption and strong local engagement.

The project was developed using a national smart city data integration framework, linking services to the My Number Card and issuing a city-specific digital ID (“Miyakonojo ID”) for access via smartphones.

It demonstrates how a government-backed digital ID platform can deliver personalized, preventive health services at the local level while remaining scalable nationwide.