Total: 413 good practice(s). Download
NASPAL is a comprehensive action plan developed to promote healthy and active lifestyles among Malaysians. It aims to reduce sedentary behavior and encourage physical activity through community-based programs, infrastructure improvements, health education, and inter-agency collaboration. The plan serves as a blueprint for creating a national culture that supports physical activity and contributes to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Entire Malaysian population, with a focus on individuals, families, and communities across all age groups
The plan has strengthened multi-sectoral collaboration and raised awareness about the importance of physical activity in healthy human development. It has guided interventions to reduce insufficient physical activity by 10% by 2025, contributing to Malaysia’s efforts to meet global NCD targets. NASPAL has also influenced policy reforms in urban planning and workplace health promotion to create environments conducive to active living.
NASPAL was developed using a population health approach, involving collaboration between government and non-government sectors, as well as key areas such as education, urban planning, transportation, and communication. Implementation includes evidence-based strategies such as integrating health promotion into workplaces and healthcare facilities, improving built environments to encourage physical activity, and conducting community programs to foster active lifestyles.
NASPAL adopts a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to promoting physical activity, addressing both individual behavior and environmental factors. It is evidence-based, scalable, and aligned with global health targets, making it an exemplary model for reducing NCDs and improving the well-being of older persons through active living.
It establishes a comprehensive, rights‑based framework to respond to rapid population ageing. The strategy recognizes older persons as an important human resource for national development and aims to both protect their rights and promote their active contribution to society. It sets the overarching goal of building a modern, inclusive, and sustainable system of policies for older persons, ensuring improved material and spiritual well‑being, equitable access to basic social services—particularly health care, rehabilitation, and social assistance—and stronger protection against abuse and neglect. Key strategic directions include promoting healthy and active ageing, expanding employment and income‑generation opportunities for older persons who are willing and able to work, strengthening pension coverage and social protection, developing age‑friendly communities and long‑term care systems, and scaling up community‑based models such as Intergenerational Self‑Help Clubs. The strategy defines specific national targets for 2025–2030, including universal health insurance coverage for older persons, expanded access to employment and vocational support, and wider availability of cultural, sports, and social participation activities at the local level. Implementation follows a whole‑of‑government approach, with ministries and local authorities responsible for sector‑specific action plans, monitoring progress, and mobilizing social resources, setting the foundation for long‑term adaptation to population ageing in Việt Nam.
Primary beneficiaries are all older persons in Viet Nam with special emphasis given to vulnerable older persons.
Việt Nam’s National Strategy on Older Persons to 2035, with a vision to 2045 was developed through a formal and inter‑ministerial policy process led by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), based on its legal mandate under the Law on the Elderly (2009). The strategy was prepared in response to Communist Party Resolution No. 42‑NQ/TW (2023) and Government Resolution No. 68/NQ‑CP (2024), which called for renewed and higher‑quality social policies to address rapid population ageing. Drafting was informed by national demographic evidence, assessments of previous ageing programmes, and accumulated implementation experience, and involved coordination with line ministries, provincial authorities, and institutional stakeholders such as the Viet Nam Association of the Elderly. The strategy was aligned with international commitments including the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and was formally adopted through Prime Ministerial Decision No. 383/QĐ‑TTg on 21 February 2025, providing the national framework for subsequent ministerial and provincial implementation plans.
It is a good practice because it adapts the earlier policy to new developments and considers older persons as agents of development.
Việt Nam repositions older citizens as economic asset under long-term ageing strategy
The New Part-Time Re-Employment Grant (PTRG), implemented by Workforce Singapore, Singapore Government Agency and Ministry of Manpower, provides funding support of up to $125,000 per company who offers part-time re-employment opportunities, flexible work arrangements and structured career planning to older workers. Employers recieve funding support to implement the part-time re-employment policy for older workers and encourages them to remain in the workforce by offering flexible working opportunities.
The grant benefits senior workers aged 60 and above by incentivizing employers to offer part-time re-employment, flexible work arrangements (FWAs), and structured career planning (SCP)—thus aiding retention and sustained workforce participation.
Employers can receive up to S$2,500 per resident senior worker, capped at S$125,000 per company—enabling them to adopt age-friendly workplace practices and offer greater employment flexibility to seniors.
Developed by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore, PTRG is delivered through the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). Employers apply via formal channels and must adopt specific HR policies while attending workshops to qualify.
It uses targeted incentives to embed structured flexibility and age-friendly policies in workplaces, enabling senior workers to remain active contributors in an adaptable, inclusive employment model.
The New Zealand Framework for Dementia Care, implemented by the New Zealand Government and Ministry of Health, is a framework that provides district health boards (DHBs) and the health and social suppor sector with a guide for developing dementia care pathways. This framework provides a guide that DHBs can use to develop clear, consistent, well-resourced and easily accessible dementia care pathways, whilst promoting national consistency in dementia care.
Primarily people living with dementia and their family/whānau carers across New Zealand—benefiting from structured, community-oriented, primary care among DHBs.
The programme supports improved diagnosis and care coordination, easing pressure on specialist services. It enabled primary-care-led, standardized dementia pathways with clearer referral routes, education for providers, and routine carer respite. This structure has been noted as a promising, transferable model for enhancing dementia management. The approach has also mitigated long-term residential care costs by promoting earlier, community-based intervention that delays entry into aged residential care with potential savings estimated up to NZ$22 million per month.
Developed centrally by the Ministry of Health, the framework was funded for roll‑out through DHBs. It adopted a primary-care‑led model, offering education to primary providers, structured referral mechanisms, and consistent support tools for carers, all delivered via the DHB network.
It is a nationally implemented, primary-care-led, evidence-based model that standardizes dementia care pathways, enhances early diagnosis, supports carers, and reduces reliance on costly institutional care—demonstrating both cost-effectiveness and improved patient outcomes.
The Cook Islands’ social pension scheme is a universal, non-contributory benefit for all residents aged 60 and over, designed to ensure financial security in old age. Administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it requires residency of at least 10 years for Cook Islanders and 20 years for non-Cook Islanders, plus continuous residence for 12 months before applying. Payments are made twice monthly, with those aged 60–69 receiving NZ$250 per payment (NZ$500/month) and those 70+ receiving NZ$350 per payment (NZ$700/month). This long-standing program, in place since the 1960s, provides nearly universal coverage and promotes social inclusion and dignity for older persons.
The beneficiaries are older persons in the Cook Islands.
The non-contributory pensions provides basic income security to older persons in the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands’ universal social pension was developed as part of a long-standing commitment to social protection and inclusion for older persons. Introduced in the mid-1960s, it aimed to provide a basic income for all residents aged 60 and over, regardless of employment history or income, to reduce poverty and promote dignity in old age.
It is a good practice because it provides basic income security to older persons in the Cook Islands. It is a universal scheme. With clear residency rules, it is simple to administer and easy to access.
Social Protection in the Cook Islands: A Case Study - P4SP
The Nonthaburi Municipality Older Persons Quality of Life Development Centre is a municipal initiative established to promote active ageing, lifelong learning, health and social participation among older persons. Opened in 2012, the centre provides a dedicated space where older persons can engage in physical exercise, recreation, educational activities and social interaction. The municipality regularly engages volunteer instructors and specialists to provide training and learning opportunities. Activities include fitness and rehabilitation exercises, dance, music, arts, language learning and cultural programmes. The centre aims to strengthen physical and mental well-being, encourage social inclusion and support older persons to remain active contributors to their communities.
Adults aged 45 years and above eligible for membership programmes in Nonthaburi Province
The centre has become a focal point for older persons in Nonthaburi Municipality and a platform for exchanging experiences and developing skills.
Recognizing the growing number of older persons and the need to support their well-being, Nonthaburi Municipality designated the promotion of older persons' quality of life as a policy priority. The municipality constructed a dedicated centre and established a programme of daily activities designed around health promotion, recreation, lifelong learning and social engagement. The centre collaborates with volunteer experts, instructors and community resource persons who provide training and activities in diverse fields. Implementation is municipality-led and enables older persons to choose activities according to their interests, abilities and needs.
The practice demonstrates how local governments can create an integrated community-based environment for active ageing. Rather than focusing solely on care services, the centre promotes health, lifelong learning, recreation and social participation in a single facility. The broad range of activities allows older persons with different interests and capacities to remain engaged in community life. Municipal leadership, dedicated infrastructure and the use of volunteer experts contribute to sustainability. The model supports several dimensions of active ageing, including health promotion, social inclusion, continued learning and opportunities for meaningful participation.
ศูนย์พัฒนาคุณภาพชีวิตผู้สูงอายุเทศบาลนครนนทบุรี
Organized through a public Facebook group with over 1500 members as of early 2026, Nordic Walking in Tashkent has become quite the informal grassroots movement for older persons (and not only) to look after their health through age-appropriate physical activity. The Facebook group organizers run trainings for new participants to learn the right techniques. Aside from the health benefits, it is also an enjoyable social activity, as people come together in groups for organized walks and friendly competitions, such as the "Tashkent Friendship Marathon". Often the walking destinations are an exhibition or other social activity. In some cases, whole families take part, adding a distinctly intergenerational dimension.
The Nordic Walking group is focused mainly on older generations, but participation by all generations is welcome.
It all started with a solitary New Year's walk of one of the movement's pioneers, Ms. Tamara Sanaeva - who also created the Facebook group. At first, the sight of a woman striding briskly along the pavement with two walking poles drew curious glances. Just a few years later, groups of Nordic walkers have become a familiar feature of Tashkent’s urban landscape.
One of the advantages of Nordic Walking is that you can do it nearly anywhere and little equipment is needed. Not only does it improve older persons' health and wellbeing but also helps bridge social isolation and finding new friends.
Новости Узбекистана, России, Казахстана, Украины, Белоруссии — Вести.UZТашкент учится скандинавской ходьбе | Новости Узбекистана, России, Казахстана, Украины, Белоруссии - Вести.UZ
The Old Age Allowance (OAA) Programme was implemented in 1998 by the Bangladesh Government, Cabinet Division and General Economics Division of Bangladesh Planning Commission. This pogramme aimed to provide income scurity for older persons from poor, vulnerable and insecure families, whilst removing th perception of older persons being a burden. This programme is one of the schemes that the Bangladeshi Government has in place to ensure older persons that face poverty are recieving social safety, with plans to bring all older persons under the ’universal social pension scheme’.
The allowance targets vulnerable elderly citizens—men aged 65+ and women aged 62+—from low-income households, especially those who are physically or mentally frail, landless, or socially isolated.
The programme significantly expanded its coverage and benefit level over time, enhancing the income security of older persons in Bangladesh. It contributed to improved well-being and social dignity of beneficiaries, enabling better access to basic needs such as food, healthcare, and personal care.
Established under the Social Safety Net Program by the Department of Social Services, the allowance is distributed through local administrative units using a means-tested, multi-tiered selection process involving community and Upazila committees. Funding is allocated each fiscal year through the national budget with implementation overseen by government authorities.
It demonstrates scalable, inclusive social protection—targeting the most vulnerable seniors with financial support that restores their dignity, improves access to basic needs, and fosters social inclusion across decades.
Old People’s Home for 4-Year-Olds, a factual documentary television series on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), brings together older persons and 4-year-olds in a social experiment to explore whether intergenerational contact can improve older persons’ health and well-being. The series includes expert guidance and tests the impact of children’s interactions on the elderly, showing significant improvements in mood, movement and mobility.
older adults living in residential aged care and 4-year-old preschool children. Both generations benefited socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
By 2023, The programme supports over 40 new intergenerational centres nationwide, strengthening social inclusion, enhancing older persons’ well-being, and inspiring new jobs and funding models for community care.
Developed as a structured social experiment, the show brought together experts in child development, geriatrics, and physiotherapy. It introduced shared activities, clinically monitored impacts, and later inspired replication through local organisations and pilot programs.
It demonstrated strong, evidence-based intergenerational impact, drove policy change, and inspired replication—bridging entertainment, research, and public engagement.
A monthly non-contributory cash benefit provided by the Thai government to citizens aged 60 and over, aimed at easing living expenses and ensuring a basic social safety net. The scheme is near-universal. It is for citizens not receiving other significant state-supported pensions or benefits (e.g., military or civil service pensions, salary from government entities, or welfare targeted at specific groups). The allowance is tiered by age.
Older persons over 60 in Thailand
Now over 10 million older citizens are covered. It provides a basic income for older persons.
It was developed as part of the government’s social welfare policy to provide a basic income for older persons without pensions or formal retirement benefits. It was introduced in the early 1990s as a small-scale welfare initiative for vulnerable seniors only targeting low-income older persons. In 2009 it was scaled up to cover nearly all Thai citizens aged 60 years or over. It is funded entirely by the national government budget.
It provides basic universal income security for all older persons in Thailand
Expansion of Thailand’s social pension policy and its implications for family support for older persons - Teerawichitchainan - 2021 - International Journal of Social Welfare - Wiley Online LibraryOld-age income security in ASEAN Member States
