Database of good practices on ageing

The program served older adults in the Whampoa estate—many aged 50+, especially those at higher vulnerability due to social isolation, cognitive risk, or limited health access.

The program achieved measurable improvements in participants’ Quality of Life: stronger self-perception of ageing, life satisfaction, interpersonal communication, civic engagement, and social support—all strongly correlated to better QoL.

ComSA was developed via an applied BioPsychoSocial (BPS) theory. It includes three integrated components: SCOPE (Self‑Care of Older Persons): 16-week lessons on ageing well and health self‑management; GAB (Guided Autobiography): 8-week group reminiscence activities enhancing life satisfaction and interpersonal communication; SWING (Sharing Wellness and Initiatives Group): 8-week participatory workshops leading into community action, fostering social support and civic engagement.The design stemmed from community assessments and mapped theoretical constructs (B, P, S and connective sub‑constructs) into practical programming.

ComSA exemplifies a well-theorized, holistic, and community-rooted approach—embedding Bio, Psycho, and Social dimensions in a seamless model that’s grounded in empirical theory, locally tailored, and promotes active ageing across dimensions.

• https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-019-1277-x

Older persons, particularly those living alone, the oldest-old, older persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses, and older persons requiring community support.

The initiative strengthened community preparedness for extreme heat by expanding proactive outreach, increasing access to cooling facilities, improving meal delivery services and enhancing coordination among community workers, volunteers and care institutions. It helped ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable older persons during periods of exceptionally high temperatures.

In response to prolonged high temperatures, community governments coordinated with neighbourhood committees, volunteers, community dining facilities and elderly care.

The initiative demonstrates how community-based care systems can strengthen climate resilience for older persons through coordinated local action. By integrating emergency preparedness with routine community care services, the model can be adapted by other cities facing increasing risks from extreme heat events.

Older persons and their caregivers.

A key reason for IRL's success has been its focus on working with local communities, including local leaders and health centers (Puskesmas). IRL focused not only on the older persons themselves but also on informal caregivers, who are often overlooked. Moreover, its training materials and a book on lessons learned made it easy to replicate the program nationwide. The 2021 guide book can be downloaded from the link in "Supporting documents" and it is also featured as its own good practice in this database under the title "Guidelines on establishing community-based older persons schools". The approach has led to rapid replication across Indonesia.

• https://ahwin.org/indonesia-elderly-friendly-community-program/
• https://ramahlansia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kode8.pdf
• https://dp3ap2kb.blitarkota.go.id/page/405/selantang

• https://dinsosp2kb.pekalongankota.go.id//upload/file/file_20230606110355.pdf

   

People who wish to remain in their lifelong home despite needing care due to aging, accidents, illness, or disability.

In the context of this ministry programme, many efforts were made. For example, various housing concepts have been implemented in many local regions across the country, such as shared housing in Busan and care-safe housing in Jeju. Support for renovating and repairing housing is also provided to improve living environments for seniors.

In November 2018, a road map was created to promote integrated community care. This was based on four pillars: housing, healthcare, long-term care and support, and service connection. The core principle of implementing this plan is that services are demand-driven, based on the needs of the individual rather than supply-driven. This involves creating an Individualised Service Plan for each person and providing services accordingly.

With a clear roadmap, the aim is to establish supportive, community-based living conditions for those in need of care. It sets the groundwork for ageing in place.

Evaluation of the integrated care policy pha-22-7.pdf

Older persons in Seoul City

The  programme is implemented by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) as a coordinated response to demographic pressures, specifically the rapid growth of Seoul's senior population. The SMG's Senior Citizen Implementation was structured around 29 discrete projects organized into four policy sectors, timed for phased rollout through 2025, with a dedicated government budget of KRW 1.4433 trillion allocated to fund them. 

This initiative demonstrates good practice through its comprehensive, multi-sectoral design, addressing seniors' economic, health, social, and environmental needs simultaneously rather than through fragmented programs, which supports holistic and sustainable impact. Its innovation lies in integrating technology-driven solutions, such as 24/7 safety management solutions that take care of seniors with sensor technologies, alongside preventive measures like elder-abuse protection agencies and financial crime safeguards, reflecting a forward-looking approach to senior welfare.

Seoul Disclosed “Comprehensive Senior Welfare Plan” to Prepare for Super-aged Society - Seoul Metropolitan Government

Policymakers in all Ministries will benefit from this strategy. 

The Concept was prepared using demographic forecasts, census data (2009 and 2022), and socio-economic trend analysis, explicitly aligning its targets with the 2018–2040 National Development Strategy. For the elderly-focused components, it draws on projections of rising life expectancy, growing old-age dependency, and increased demand for geriatric and long-term care, and calls for attracting international organizations to introduce best practices for elder care. Implementation is structured through a designated authorized state body responsible for demographic policy, supported by an advisory council under the Cabinet of Ministers. 

This is a good practices because it  focuses on the ageing population as a core demographic challenge requiring a dedicated "active longevity" policy  with comprehensive overhall in pension system, geriatric services, and social participation of  olders. It is replicable, since its indicator-based monitoring system and cross-sectoral coordination model (health, social protection, pensions, employment) offer a template other ageing societies could adapt. Sustainability is reinforced by its long 2040 horizon, an annual progress review by the Cabinet-level advisory body, and a dedicated evidence-based monitoring and evaluation system. 

Senior citizens of Sangam Vihar in South Delhi

Over 1800 adults were covered by this police check in programme, and a follow up study 4 months later showed that over 50% of adults still had their contact card with police information on it.

Developed as a direct response to  concernsby older persons within the community. Implemented by local police.

This good practice took concerns that were voiced in the community and addressed it with a direct solution.

Older persons are direct beneficiaries

The council has more than 21,000 members, operating in 76 regional and city organisations, running events and meetings engaging older persons in civic and socio-cultural life, as well as promoting intergenerational learning and solidarity. Therefore, the result is increased participation of older persons .

The Council of Elders of Azerbaijan was established in 1989 as a public association, operating on principles of volunteerism and equality among members.  It is implemented through a nationwide organizational structure: the Council reports having more than 21,000 members and 76 regional and city organizations (including structures in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic), which enables activities to be carried out locally across the country.  Its work is delivered via organized meetings, round tables, and discussions involving older persons, youth, and other public representatives, and through cooperation/engagement with relevant institutions as described in official profiles.  

It is a good practice because it provides a structured mechanism for older persons’ civic participation—mobilizing large-scale membership through volunteer-based engagement and organized dialogue activities.  It is replicable (the model relies on a scalable network of local branches) and sustainable (volunteerism-based, embedded across regions with established membership and regular activities)

• Older persons participating in local governance processes.
• Local governments and municipalities.
• Community organizations and civil society groups.
• Residents who benefit from more age-responsive local planning and services.
• Younger generations through initiatives promoting intergenerational relations.

The 2021 MIPAA Survey identifies councils of older persons as the country's most significant local-level mechanism for older persons' participation in decision-making. Through these councils, older persons discuss urban issues, raise community concerns and contribute to planning and policy discussions. The survey notes that councils operate through thematic groups including healthy life, intergenerational relations, environment, sustainable and accessible cities, culture and art. 

The example from Muratpaşa Municipality shows how the model has been operationalized locally. The municipality's Elderly Council, established in 2019, involved 60 volunteer members (30 women and 30 men) and created seven subcommittees on areas including older persons' rights, healthy ageing, accessibility and intergenerational relations. The municipality reported that participants valued the opportunity to express their views and contribute to community development.

The practice emerged from Türkiye's efforts to strengthen local governance and citizen participation through city councils. Under this framework, councils of older persons were established to ensure that older residents could participate in discussions on local development and community needs. Municipalities facilitate the councils, while older persons engage through thematic working groups addressing issues such as accessibility, healthy ageing, intergenerational relations, environment and culture. The approach is supported by national ageing policies that emphasize participation and inclusion of older persons in decision-making processes at local level.

The practice provides a structured mechanism for older persons to participate in decision-making and contribute their experience to community development. It advances active ageing by promoting civic engagement, social inclusion and dialogue between generations. Through thematic working groups, councils help ensure that local planning considers the perspectives of older persons on accessibility, health, culture and urban environments. The approach is embedded within existing municipal governance structures, making it replicable and sustainable while supporting the principles of participation and inclusion emphasized in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

Türkiye, Voluntary National Survey on the Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) in Asia and the Pacific, 2021, Questions 3.1.4 and 6.

UNECE, National Report of Türkiye: Fourth Cycle of MIPAA/RIS Implementation (2018-2022)

Older persons, youth and women

The programme is in its initial stage, with agreements signed with the winners of the grant program. Results can be measured at the end of year.

The initiative was developed internally and publicly announced to invite proposals under the broader theme of “Building Resilient and Inclusive Communities”.

This programme was designed to deliver in partnership with community based organizations, supports all age groups, promotes social cohesion, and empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. By funding initiatives like youth skills development, women’s empowerment, and active aging, it creates lasting benefits for community well-being and gives agency and ownership to communities.