Database of good practices on ageing

Citizens of all ages and their families; medical staff. 

Citizens can now create a Living Will in less than 10 minutes from any smartphone, whereas it used to be a paper process that required a physical witness and manual filing. Doctors have immediate access to the patients preferences which prevents over-treatment that the patient never wanted. This reduces legal disputes between doctors and family members, as the patients wishes are clear and legally binding. 

This was developed s a response to a paper issue. Often families and doctors were unsure of the patients wishes in an medical crisis and had no way to find out as the medical records were either lost or in another location. By building an online platform to portray the same information and linking it directly to your ThaiID, it no longer matters which hospital you were taken to, they would be able to honor your wishes.

This practice protects human dignity, and allows the final stage of life to be handled with the patients wants in mind. The old issue of 'lost paperwork' is now solved with the digitization of the will.

LW-Pt.pdf

All senior citizens across India seeking support, guidance, grievance redressal, emotional support, assistance with abuse, rescue, and related services.

Within the first four months, over 200,000 calls were received and more than 30,000 seniors received help, including guidance on vaccination and pension-related queries.

Launched by the Government of India’s Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment as a toll‑free national helpline (14567), functioning 8AM–8PM, seven days a week, operationalized across multiple states via collaboration between central and state governments.

It provides accessible, real-time, free, and centralized support to vulnerable seniors—spanning emotional, legal, medical, and welfare needs—across the entire country, it exemplifies a responsive, scalable, and inclusive elder-care initiative.

• https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx
• https://www.thestatesman.com/india/countrys-first-pan-india-helpline-senior-citizens-1503012591.html

All seniors across Singapore, irrespective of income level, housing type, or frailty. This includes both healthier seniors and those who are more vulnerable or frail.

In Fiscal Year 2021, 60 Active Ageing Centres (AACs) and Active Ageing Care Hubs (AACHs) were onboarded to the new service model, collectively overseeing about 145,900 seniors, including approximately 3,500 befriendees.

MOH, in collaboration with AIC, phased in the new “ABC” service model—Active Ageing programmes, Befriending/Buddying, and Care referrals—across existing eldercare centres. They engaged providers from November 2020, gathering feedback to refine rollout as centres ramped up capacities starting May 2021.

By establishing a consistent “ABC” service suite across all eldercare centres, the model ensures all seniors can access active ageing, social connection, and care referrals in their community—bridging gaps and promoting inclusion.

• https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/befriending-and-eldercare-centre-services

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The programme supports 2,000 vulnerable seniors, strengthening community inclusion, enhancing well-being, and advancing gerontology services through training and curriculum integration at TSMU (WHO, 2023).

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It promotes social inclusion and addresses the needs of vulnerable seniors. The model can be adapted and scaled across communities.

Older persons living alone

It started with only elderly people living alone in 2008. As of 2024, a total of 270,000 households are currently receiving the service.

The programme was developed my the Ministry of Health and Welfare to respond to the number of older persons living alone and the increasing number of unattended deaths. It started initially with a basic emergency call system and was subsequently expanded. Local authorities also play an important role in implementation. By 2025, the programme had evolved into a comprehensive, technology‑enabled safety net aligned with broader policies on community-based care, ageing in place, and disability inclusion, with clear implementation guidelines, stable national funding, and strong coordination between central and local governments.

The installation of technical devices in the home can provide a valuable safety net for individuals living alone, offering enhanced protection in emergency situations.

복지서비스>서비스 찾기>복지서비스 상세(중앙) | 복지로

보건복지 Issue&Focus - 정기간행물 - 발간자료 - 한국보건사회연구원
 

It benefits HDB households with at least one senior aged 65 and above, or those aged 60–64 requiring assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

By 2016, around 63,000 households had benefitted. By 2023, about 283,900 households had installed senior-friendly fittings. The programme supports nearly 284,000 households, enhancing safety, fall prevention, and seniors’ independence—promoting ageing-in-place and reducing home injury risks.

Introduced as an optional add-on under HIP, residents could vote to install grab bars, slip-resistant tiles, and ramps. In 2023, EASE 2.0 expanded to include foldable shower seats and wider toilet entrances for wheelchair users.

It is people-centred, heavily subsidised, and practical, enabling seniors to age safely and independently at home while improving social inclusion.

• https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/105-000-applications-hdbs-ease-040820731.html
• https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/105000-hdb-homes-opt-elderly-safety-upgrades

Older persons in Seoul

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to introduce programmes to engage young and middle-aged adults through three approaches: 1) A 'youth-linked' programme, which promotes leisure activities via university club talent donations, 2) A 'volunteer-based' programme, in which seniors at community centres directly teach local children subjects such as Go and history, and 3) A 'community-linked' programme, which opens diverse small groups and spaces. One 'Eoulrim (Harmony) Senior Centre' will be designated in each district. Centres will be selected through a public process, focusing on newly built centres of around 300 square metres. Each selected centre will receive annual operational funding of up to 10 million won to support activities and services. As part of its long-term strategy, Seoul aims to establish 400 Harmony Senior Centres by 2040.

The facilities promote active and healthy ageing by encouraging social participation, ensuring basic needs are met and providing safer living environments. Intergenerational programmes facilitate interaction between the young and the old, helping older adults to remain socially connected and valued within their communities.

“경로당에 청년들이 왜 왔지?”…서울에 세대통합 경로당 400개 조성 - 매일경제

Older persons residing in Male' City

This place has provided space for socialization, skill building, and well-being for senior citizens, improving their quality of life and fostering a sense of belonging.

Developed and implemented by Ministry of Social and Family Development  

Supporting Senior Citizens' Community Centres promotes active engagement, reduces social isolation, and enhances the mental and social well-being of older adults, allowing them to remain meaningful contributors to society.

Older persons in the Federated States of Micronesia

The Net’s Senior Citizens Association (NSCA) in Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia, was developed through a bottom‑up, community‑driven process led by the Net Indigenous Women Council Association, which identified the lack of a formal platform for older persons to participate in local decision‑making as population ageing increased. Through consultations with senior citizens, the need for an organised and representative body was agreed, and modest financial and technical support was mobilised via the Pacific People Advancing Change (PPAC) programme of the Pacific Community (SPC). This support enabled the group to formalise its governance and successfully register as a legal entity at municipal, state, and national levels, giving older persons an official voice in dialogue with government authorities. Grounded in local cultural values that respect elders and emphasize intergenerational solidarity, the association now facilitates regular engagement between senior citizens and local government to identify needs and improve age‑responsive services.

It contributes to the empowerment of older persons.

New group paves way for FSM’s elderly to have a say in decision making process

Older persons seeking to participate in the labour force

The company created jobs for older persons and challenged the widespread perception that older persons could not perform IT and digital work effectively. 

EverYoung Korea was founded in 2013 by Jeong Eun-seong to address age discrimination in employment and show that older adults can thrive in the digital economy. The company began by hiring seniors aged 55 and above to perform IT-related tasks for Naver, initially focusing on map blurring and later expanding to online content monitoring. Through structured training and short, flexible working hours, senior employees adapted successfully. By operating as a competitive business rather than a charity, EverYoung grew to employ hundreds of seniors, promoted equality and lifelong learning, and symbolized its mission with a retirement age of 100.

The company reframed older adults as productive contributors rather than dependents. Its model demonstrated that age-based employment barriers are socially constructed, not capability-based.

직원 평균 나이 64.9세… ‘시니어계의 삼성’이라 불리는 회사