Database of good practices on ageing

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/ 

Policymakers at national and local level benefit from evidence and data to use for policy design. 

The framework has institutionalized regular monitoring of ageing policies across government for nearly three decades. Annual reports provide information on demographic trends, policy implementation and future measures, covering fields such as employment, pensions, health, long-term care, social participation and living environments. The system also supports evidence-based policy adjustments. In employment policy, annual employer reporting under the Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons enables the Government to monitor workforce participation and implementation of measures supporting longer working lives for older persons.

The monitoring framework was established through the Basic Act on Measures for an Ageing Society in 1995. The Act created a legal obligation for government-wide monitoring and annual reporting to the National Diet. Over time, the framework has been strengthened through the Guideline of Measures for Ageing Society and periodic policy reviews. According to the MIPAA survey, when the guidelines were revised, the Cabinet Office established a Study Group on Basic Measures for Ageing Society that included scholars and older persons. Monitoring also incorporates employer reports, surveys and research undertaken by government and independent agencies. 

This practice provides a legal and institutional mechanism for ensuring accountability, continuity and evidence-based policymaking on ageing. Annual reporting requirements ensure that ageing issues remain visible in national policy processes and that implementation is reviewed regularly. The framework combines monitoring, forward planning and stakeholder participation, including the involvement of older persons in policy review processes. Because it is mandated by legislation and coordinated across government sectors, the system supports a coherent response to population ageing and helps align policy implementation with changing demographic trends.

Basic Act on Measures for an Ageing Society (English translation)

Act on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons

Annual Report on the Ageing Society 2024 (explains Article 8 reporting requirements)

Government of Japan. 2021. Voluntary National Survey on the Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) in Asia and the Pacific. Asia-Pacific Fourth Review and Appraisal of MIPAA. ESCAP. Questions 3.1.2 and 3.1.3

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, particularly older adults with limited digital literacy or age-related visual and functional impairments.

The initiative improved the accessibility and usability of smart TVs for older users by providing simplified interfaces and voice-enabled interaction. It also supported the national effort to promote age-friendly digital products and services.

The initiative was developed in response to China's increasing digitalization and population ageing.

The initiative demonstrates how private-sector innovation can support digital inclusion through accessible product design. Its approach can be readily replicated by other technology companies seeking to improve the accessibility of digital devices for older persons and contribute to age-friendly digital environments.

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

• Family members and informal caregivers providing care at home.
• Individuals responsible for supporting patients requiring home-based care.
• Potentially older persons and other care recipients who benefit from improved quality of home care.

The initiative was developed by EVSAD as part of its mission to support health and social services in home settings. The programme uses an online learning platform through which caregivers can access educational content and training videos focused on home-care practices. The association presents the programme as a resource to strengthen caregivers’ ability to provide effective home-based care.

• Supports capacity-building for home-based caregivers through accessible online learning resources. 
• Promotes care provision in home settings, which can support ageing in place and community-based care. 
• Uses digital technology to expand access to caregiving knowledge and practical guidance