Total: 413 good practice(s). Download
The Government adopted the country's overarching development strategy by resolution of the Majlisi namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of 1 December 2016, No. 636. Ageing was included. Older persons were identified as a separate social group, instead of being counted under pensioners or persons with disabilities. The strategy set out measures on the quality and accessibility of social services for older citizens, minimum social standards, a gerontological service, per-capita financing of residential institutions, flexible employment mechanisms, a 'one-stop shop' for social protection and long-term pension sustainability. The strategy also includes ageing-related policy commitments and a monitoring framework with some indicators related to population ageing/older persons, such as growth in pensions, pensions-to-wage ratio, living space, standards for services to vulnerable groups.
Whole population, with older persons designated as a distinct priority group
Ageing was included at the drafting stage on the strength of the 2010 national study and the growth in the 60+ population; adopted by parliamentary resolution.
This is a good practice because it mainstreams ageing into the central national development instrument rather than confining it to a sectoral social policy and classifies older persons as a separate social group.
Process of Review of Implementation of the Tajikistan National Development StrategyTajikistan Systematic Country Diagnostic: Making the National Development Strategy 2030 a Success - Building the Foundation for Shared Prosperity
A nationwide research project to establish evidence for elder abuse (which was previously unmeasured). The Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale was used to conduct a longitudinal study of ageing New Zealanders living alone. Abuse was categorized into 4 themes: vulnerability, coercion, dependence, dejection. Questions were embedded into a existing study, allowing researchers insight into real feelings of the elderly, as shame plays a large role in getting accurate data on elderly abuse.
Older persons surviving abuse, as the study had made abuse visible.
Analysis of abuse of older persons was made available with a separate analysis of Maori older persons.
Since primary data on abuse of older persons had not been available, the center decided to develop a tool to screen abuse of older persons and to conduct a survey to collect data. The Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale tool was chosen as it asks questions about elderly abuse without addressing it obviously, and therefore people were more likely to give a genuine answer. Longitudinal study allows data to be linked with health and economic records. It was executed as a nation-wide survey via post.
Before this study, elderly abuse was a hidden issue, and now it is a documented government priority. Disguising questions in order to get data where participants did not feel shame was an effective methodological choice.
China launched a nationwide programme to expand community-based meal assistance services for older persons. The programme supports the establishment of elderly canteens, meal service points, and home meal delivery services, particularly for older persons with disabilities, limited mobility, or living alone. It promotes a diversified service model involving government agencies, social organizations, communities, and private-sector providers to improve access to affordable and nutritious meals and support ageing in place.
Older persons, particularly those who are disabled, living alone, empty-nest, economically disadvantaged, or residing in rural communities.
The programme established a national framework for expanding community-based meal services and set phased targets to increase service coverage by 2025 and further strengthen the service network by 2026. It also promoted diversified service delivery through collaboration among government, communities, social organizations, and private-sector providers.
The programme was jointly developed by 11 government ministries in response to the growing demand for community-based care amid rapid population ageing.
The programme demonstrates a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to strengthening community-based care through accessible meal services. Its flexible implementation model allows adaptation to different local contexts while promoting sustainable service delivery and supporting older persons to age in place.
The Grandparents’ Day Celebration brings together older persons, their families, and the wider community to celebrate and support the well-being of grandparents through information awareness sessions and a family evening.
Children, Young Adults and Elderly residing in Sh.Funadhoo
The initiative encouraged active participation of older persons, provided valuable information on pension schemes, and featured a family evening with interactive games promoting financial literacy, reinforcing the importance of intergenerational connections and the sharing of knowledge and resources across generations.
The event was developed in collaboration Ministry of Social and Family Development, Local Government Authority, Sh. Atoll Coundil and Sh. Funadhoo Island Council. It is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Local Government Authority and the Sh Atoll Council including government organizations in the Sh.Atoll
This programme fosters intergenerational connection and community engagement while raising awareness. By combining educational sessions with family-oriented activities, it not only informs participants about issues affecting elderly but also encourages family support, social inclusion, and active participation of elderly in community life.
The objective of the NHMS survey was to provide health related community-based data and information to the Ministry of Health to review health priorities, program strategies and activities, and to plan for the allocation of resources for pre-elderly and elderly health care services.
Data users and policy makers
Amid the changing demographic landscape in Malaysia, with increasing modernisation and urbanisation, NHMS found more older persons living alone. Living with one or more morbidities may happen as one ages. The goal of healthy ageing is to promote happiness and well-being while ageing in place without the need for institutionalisation. Everybody can experience healthy ageing, as being free of disease is not a necessity for it. Many older persons have one or more health conditions that, when well controlled, have little influence on their well-being.
This survey was conducted as a nation-wide community-based survey targeting elderly aged 60 years or more and pre-elderly aged 50 to 59 years. Data was collected via face to-face interview at respondent’s homes using mobile devices with various assessments done based on topics. A total of 5,636 living quarters were approached with 7,117 respondents successfully interviewed. The survey was conducted by trained and experienced personnel, under the expert tutelage of the Institute for Public Health.
It is the first nationwide survey on elderly health conducted by the Ministry of Health, exploring both familiar scopes such as non-communicable diseases and newer scopes such as dementia and abuse.
The National Health Care Policy and Strategy for Older Persons, implemented by the Cambodian Government and Ministry of Health, aims to support health systems evolve towards systems with integrated primary, secondary and tertiary health care for older persons. The policy considers current socio-economic and demographic trends within the development of a health system, allowing it to respond effectively to the health needs of the ageing Cambodian population.
The primary beneficiaries are Cambodians aged 60 years and over, targeted to receive integrated, equitable access to essential health services including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
While a formal action plan was still under preparation as of 2021, the policy framework envisioned that Cambodian older people would benefit from equitable access to a quality health care package aimed at achieving welfare, active, productive ageing with dignity. For instance, the Older People’s Association (OPA) community model in Cambodia has shown practical community‑level benefits: “OPAs addressed their members’ health concerns by providing health education sessions, home visits, transportation, health check‑ups, and referrals.” They also assisted members in obtaining ID Poor cards, although advocates called for more tailored Senior Citizen Equity cards.
The policy was developed by the Ministry of Health in 2016, built upon a holistic, multisectoral life‑course approach. It emphasizes advocacy, awareness‑raising, multi‑sector collaboration, and strengthening capacity at primary to tertiary health services to ensure equitable access for older people pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+6extranet.who.int+6UNFPA Cambodia+6. Formal implementation has relied on creating integrated systems, but as of the latest data, detailed action plans are still being finalized.
This policy is a good practice because it adopts a holistic, life-course and multisectoral approach that explicitly addresses older people’s needs through integrated services and equitable access, setting the foundation for dignified, healthy ageing.
A national health-sector strategy focusing on healthy ageing, strengthening geriatric care, prevention of non-communicable diseases, age-friendly health services, and integration of ageing into public health planning. It aligns Bangladesh's healthy system with demographic ageing trends.
Older persons (60+) in Bangladesh, particularly those with chronic diseases and age-related health needs.
Developed within national health planning processes, aligned with WHO healthy ageing frameworks. Implementation occurs through integration into health service delivery, workforce planning, and public health programming.
This is a good practice because it shifts ageing from social welfare alone to health-system integration, addressing chronic disease and long-term care needs. It is replicable in low and middle-income settings facing rapid demographic transition.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is actively promoting the initiative of age-friendly communities. 16 cities have already joined this initiative. Each province is required to prepare its own strategic document, and the plan’s success depends on close collaboration among municipalities, local institutions, and governorates. Additional components—like travel and cultural tours designed for older adults—are also being introduced.A National Age‑Friendly Environments Document, officially implemented in 2024, sets national standards and guidelines. It includes:
The Welfare Organization reports that around 6.5 million older adults currently benefit from services such as home care, counseling, day and night care, and social support.
Iran's Urban Transformation: 15+ Cities Embrace Age-Friendly Initiatives
The National Institute of Social Defense: Training Courses on Old-Age Care, implemented by the Indian Government and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, provides a range of training courses on old-age care. One of the training courses provided includes the PG Diploma Course in Integrated Geriatric Care, which aims to develop a team of trained frontline personnel that have a skill for working with aged persons.
Graduates and individuals with a 10th‑grade education interested in geriatric care benefited—specifically, around 11 students enrolled in the one‑year PG Diploma and 520 caregivers completed the three‑month Certificate Course during 2015–16.
The programme successfully trained over 520 bedside caregivers, thereby expanding the pool of skilled personnel tasked with addressing elderly healthcare needs. This strengthened support frameworks for senior citizens and contributed to improved geriatric service delivery through enhanced caregiver competence.
Built upon the National Policy on Older Persons, NISD designed institutionalised training courses—with curricula covering gerontology, counselling, management, and practical placements in old‑age homes and hospitals. Admission was merit‑based, and courses were offered free of cost to ensure accessibility.
Because it provides free, structured, and competency-based training that produces a dedicated cadre of geriatric caregivers, filling a critical skills gap while enhancing elder care capacity.
The National Multisectoral Action Plan (2018-2027), implemented by National and Local Cambodian Governments, focuses on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, specifically cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes.
All Cambodian citizens benefit, as the plan targets prevention and control of the four main NCDs—cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes—by addressing major risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, and inactivity.
The WHO–UNDP‑supported investment case estimated that implementing recommended NCD interventions would avert over 180,000 deaths and generate nearly 700,000 healthy life‑years gained over 15 years, while restoring approximately KHR 1.7 trillion (US $417 million) in economic productivity.
The plan was crafted by Cambodia’s Ministry of Health, building on its 2013–2020 NCD strategy, and developed through a multisectoral consultation. It outlines governance structures, legal drafting schedules, and an action matrix assigning responsibilities across multiple ministries and development partners.
It integrates cost-effective, WHO-recommended “best buys”, is developed through multisectoral coordination, and shows quantifiable health and economic impact—making it scalable, evidence-based, and practical across sectors.
