Browse Ageing Policies

The COVID-19-related health crisis has highlighted various shortcomings in the care and support of the mental health of older persons, particularly those living in residential care homes. To address these, the Walloon Agency for a Quality Life (Agence Wallonne pour une Vie de Qualité – AVIQ) has hired coordinating psychologists in seven pilot institutions. The latter are responsible for cooperating with the existing psychiatric home care services for older persons (soins psychiatriques pour personnes agées à domicile), developing a mental health network in nursing homes, raising awareness among caregivers in the field by setting up specific and thematic workshops, and working in partnership with the establishment’s coordinating physician. The primary objective is to improve the psychological monitoring of older persons living in residential care homes and to reduce mental health disorders in nursing homes (and care homes). At the same time, the AVIQ also wishes to better equip the teams and promote well-being at work.

The "Working Together to Improve Health Care in Canada: Aging with Dignity Bilateral Agreements" was introduced by the Government of Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments in 2023-24. Implemented at the national level and led by the Minister of Health, this initiative targets older persons across Canada and aims to enhance the quality, accessibility, and dignity of home and long-term care services. Key measures include $3 billion over five years to improve the availability and quality of long-term care, ensuring that national standards are applied and permanent improvements are made. Additionally, $2.4 billion over four years is dedicated to expanding home care services, allowing individuals to age at home as long as possible, in line with the Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities. To support these services, $1.7 billion over five years is allocated to improve working conditions and wages for personal support workers, who play a critical role in home and long-term care. These priorities are supported by federal investments totaling $200 billion over ten years through the "Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians Plan" announced in February 2023, with funding adjustments planned in 2024-25 to further strengthen support workers’ conditions.

The "Safe Long-Term Care Act" is being developed by the Government of Canada, led by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Seniors, with a planned introduction in 2024-25. Implemented at the national level and informed by extensive consultations and engagements during summer and fall 2023, the Act targets long-term care recipients across Canada, with particular focus on the needs of older persons. It aims to enhance the safety and quality of long-term care while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Key measures include consultations with experts, stakeholders, individuals with lived experience, provinces, and territories to shape the Act’s provisions. Additionally, the government has collaborated with First Nations and Inuit partners and conducted a public online consultation on safe long-term care, gathering diverse feedback to inform the Act. The feedback received from these consultations has been wide-ranging and very informative. The legislation will respect provincial and territorial jurisdiction; it will not mandate standards or regulate long-term care delivery.

The "Long-Term and Continuing Care Framework" was initiated in 2023 by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), following a commitment in the 2021 mandate letter of the Minister of Indigenous Services. Implemented at the national level and led by ISC, this framework targets Indigenous populations, particularly those in need of long-term care, aiming to ensure Indigenous people have equitable access to high-quality, culturally safe long-term care services in or near their communities and to strengthen First Nations and Inuit control and autonomy over these services. Key measures include ISC’s funding of two existing LTCC-like programs: the Assisted Living (AL) program, which provides non-medical and social support services for older persons, adults with chronic illness, and those with disabilities on reserves or in Yukon, and the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care (FNIHCC) program, which funds medical in-home and community care for First Nations people on reserves and Inuit people north of the 60th parallel. ISC also initiated community engagements across First Nations and Inuit communities, collecting insights from stakeholders of the AL and FNIHCC programs. In May 2023, the Ontario Native Welfare Administrators’ Association (ONWAA) released the final First Nation’s engagement report, “National Community Engagement in First Nation Long-Term and Continuing Care (LTCC)”.

The "Supporting Canadians Aging at Home: Ensuring Quality of Life as We Age" report was developed in 2024 by the National Seniors Council (NSC) in Canada. Implemented at the national level and guided by the NSC, this initiative targets older persons, aiming to examine measures that could further support Canadians to age at home or in their community. As part of this examination, the NSC reviewed literature, examined existing measures, conducted engagement activities, and gathered evidence on gaps and areas of greatest needs. The outcome is a report containing 20 recommendations and advice for the federal government. These recommendations align with the five domains of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada—Prosperity, Health, Society, Environment, and Good Governance—and the NSC’s four priority policy pillars: Affordability, Accessibility, Availability, and Accountability (4As). The findings and recommendations provide insights into measures that can support aging at home in Canada while improving or maintaining quality of life as people age. The NSC’s work was supported by officials from Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada, ensuring a coordinated approach to address the needs of Canada’s ageing population.

"The ""National Strategy on Long Term Care and Active Ageing 2023-2030"" was introduced in 2023 by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity in Romania. Implemented at the national level and led by the Ministry, this strategy targets older persons (65+) and the long-term care (LTC) workforce. It aims to promote independent living among older persons for as long as possible and enhance access to equitable and sustainable long-term care services. Key measures include strengthening the responsibility and management of LTC services, ensuring a continuum of care that respects fundamental rights, and establishing sustainable financing for the LTC system. The strategy addresses disparities in LTC service availability and affordability, particularly in regions where services depend on local authority resources. Outcomes also focus on enhancing LTC quality, supporting the formal and informal LTC workforce, and encouraging active social participation for older persons. This approach aims to reduce dependency on residential care by fostering community-based services that prevent institutionalization. Monitoring and evaluation are conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, ensuring continuous improvements in social assistance for Romania’s ageing population."

The "Law to Strengthen Nursing Education at Universities, to Facilitate the Recognition of Foreign Nursing Qualifications and to Amend Other Regulations (Nursing Studies Strengthening Act)" was introduced in 2024 in Germany to amend the Nursing Professions Act. Implemented at the national level and led by the German government, the law targets nursing students and foreign-trained nursing professionals to address growing demands in healthcare, especially concerning the care of older persons. The law aims to enhance nursing education and support the integration of foreign nursing professionals. Key measures include making nursing studies a dual course of study beginning in 2024, allowing students to gain both academic and practical experience while receiving training remuneration for the entire duration of their studies. From 2025, the curriculum will incorporate expanded medical skills, with a focus on diabetic metabolism, chronic wounds, and dementia—conditions commonly associated with older persons, thereby enhancing the quality of care for older persons. Additionally, the law seeks to standardize and simplify recognition procedures for foreign nursing qualifications, facilitating the entry of qualified professionals into the German healthcare system to support the needs of an ageing population.

The “National Strategy on Long-Term Care and Active Ageing for the Period 2023–2030” was introduced in 2023 in Romania by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity (MMSS). Implemented at the national level and led by MMSS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, local authorities, and non-governmental organizations, this strategy targets all older persons in Romania, particularly people over 65, especially those in rural areas or in economically and socially vulnerable conditions. It aims to address the challenges of an ageing population by establishing a comprehensive long-term care (LTC) system that ensures all dependent older persons have access to adequate support, care, and assistance by 2030. Key objectives include strengthening accountability and management of LTC services, ensuring a continuum of care that respects fundamental rights, and providing sustainable financing for the LTC system. Specific measures focus on improving infrastructure, expanding home care services and day care centres, and implementing programs to prevent social isolation and abuse of older persons. Additionally, the strategy emphasizes protecting and strengthening the formal and informal LTC workforce through training programs for caregivers. Expected results include increased access to integrated LTC services, a lower dependency ratio, and improved health and well-being for older persons.

The Long-Term Care and Active Ageing Strategy aims to ensure access to adequate support, care, and assistance for all older persons in Romania, regardless of location or income, by 2030. It focuses on the sustainability of financial and human resources for the ongoing development of the long-term care system. The strategy involves the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, local and central public administration authorities. The policy covers the entire nation of Romania, targeting the older population, especially those over 80 years old, who require long-term care services. The strategy aims to enhance the administrative capacity to manage long-term care services effectively, improving service performance, developing social services, ensuring sustainable financing, and implementing the principle of “funding following the beneficiary.” Additionally, priority support is given to home and community care, allowing older persons to live independently for as long as possible. The strategy is a continuation of the National Strategy for Active Ageing (2015–2020) and responds to demographic, epidemiological, and social trends in Romania. It also addresses issues highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy is set for the period 2023–2030.

The "Draft Regulation for Integrated Community Assistance" was introduced by the Government of the Republic of Moldova in 2023, building upon earlier pilot projects in three districts, including the integrated care model approved by the Falesti District Council at the end of 2020. It is implemented at the local level in the Republic of Moldova, specifically involving local public administrations (Level I and II) and community-based institutions. The regulation aims to integrate health, social, and other services for continuous, comprehensive support, promoting a shift from a disease-centered to a person-centered care model, particularly focusing on the complex needs of vulnerable populations. To develop the capacities of those involved in the process and to establish an efficient management in the field of integrated care, seminars are organized on basic elements of integrated care, organizational culture and individual-centered approach, involving experts from the International Foundation for Integrated Care. The regulation also places special emphasis on community involvement, encouraging the support of vulnerable groups through volunteers and civil society organizations. Local public administrations and other cooperating entities are required to ensure the necessary infrastructure and funding for service delivery, including transportation, home care, and cleaning services.

The Informative Report “Final evaluation on the implementation of the Strategy on the Development of Social Services 2014–2020” aims to promote equality, inclusion, non-discrimination, and respect for fundamental rights. It aims to integrate gender equality, ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, and transition from institutional to community-based care. The report is overseen by the Ministry of Welfare, specifically the Social Policy Planning and Development Department. Key stakeholders include various EU funds, national institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The report targets all sectors receiving EU funds, focusing on national implementation. It addresses gender equality, disability access, racial and ethnic inclusion, religious freedom, age, and sexual orientation. The report evaluates specific actions such as ensuring accessibility in infrastructure projects, promoting gender equality in employment, and supporting community-based care. It emphasizes monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance with EU regulations. The report was published on April 19, 2022.

The 2022 National Family Caregiving Strategy is a comprehensive plan to improve the lives of millions of Americans who provide unpaid care to their loved ones. The strategy was developed by two advisory councils created by Congress, with input from the public and various stakeholders. The objectives of the strategy are to increase awareness, advance partnerships, strengthen services, support financial security, and promote innovation for family caregivers. The institutions involved in the strategy include 15 federal agencies, state and local governments, public health departments, philanthropies, and community-based, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations. The scope of the strategy covers family caregivers of all ages. The key features and implementation of the strategy include more than 350 federal actions and 150 measures that others can take in the next three years to begin to implement the strategy. The outputs and results of the strategy are expected to improve the quality of life of family caregivers and their care recipients, promote social cohesion and solidarity, create employment and professional opportunities in the caregiving sector, and contribute to the sustainability of the public social protection system. The timeline of the strategy is from 2022 to 2025, and it will be updated as the caregiving landscape evolves.

The “Prospects for Returning to Work Programme” (GAPS) was launched in 2022 in Germany by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth (BMFSFJ), and implemented at the national level. It aims to increase equal opportunities and promote equal participation of women and men in the labor market and a partnership-based division of work and family care work. It also aims to support interested parties in the complex challenge of a professional re-entry or a professional reorientation and thus create the conditions for independent livelihood and old-age security. This programme targets people who want to reorient themselves professionally, who want to find out about the compatibility and division of gainful and care work or who want to return to work after a professional break. Companies, associations, counselling centres, trade unions and many more can also benefit from the programme. Key measures include setting standards for equality between men and women in the digital world of life and work and the equal distribution of gainful employment and unpaid private care work. Another component of the GAPS action programme is currently the re-entry calculator.

The Digital Spring Project, initiated in 2021 and ongoing, is led by the Ministry of Family and Social Services at the national level in Türkiye. It targets older persons in nursing homes across the country, aiming to increase the participation of older persons and their families in social life, enhance their independent living skills through digital technology, and encourage practices that improve quality of life. Key measures include free, voluntary digital literacy training. The training project was launched in 5 pilot nursing homes in Istanbul in 2021 and has expanded to 43 provinces by September 2023, helping 1,923 older persons receive digital and financial literacy training under the ministry. It also established 10 "Digital Spring Rooms" in 9 nursing homes. In these rooms, older persons can actively use technology tools and the Internet to meet, see, and hear the voices and images of their distant loved ones.

The Government Bill 2020/21:175, Enhanced skills in health and social care – regulation of the profession of assistant nurse has the purpose to ensure the competence of assistant nurses by introducing a protected professional title. The law thus aims to enhance the quality and safety of care and social services. The law is mainly implemented by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Key stakeholders include municipalities, regions, and private care providers. It applies nationally across Sweden. It affects assistant nurses working in both municipal and regional healthcare and social services, particularly in older care. Some of its main features are its protected title (only individuals with a certificate of competence can use the title “assistant nurse”), education requirements (the new educational content in the upper secondary school's health and social care program will be the basis for obtaining the protected title), transition measures (current assistant nurses can continue using their title for ten years without the new certification). The law emphasizes the importance of assistant nurses in care, ensuring they have the necessary skills and qualifications. The law was adopted on 8 April 2021.

The Long-Term Care Act aims to regulate the system of long-term care (LTC) in Slovenia, to define the rights and obligations of providers and beneficiaries of LTC, to determine the tasks of the state and local communities, and to establish the sources and methods of financing LTC. The main institutions involved in the policy are Ministries of Health and Social Affairs, the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia, and the National Institute of Public Health. The policy applies to the entire population of Slovenia, regardless of their income, health or social status. The policy includes the following key features and strategies: A set of measures, services and activities aimed at strengthening and maintaining the independence of the beneficiaries, reducing the need for assistance or preventing the deterioration of their condition, and providing assistance with basic and supportive daily activities and health care related to them. A procedure and methods of exercising the rights to LTC, which involves applying for, assessing, deciding, appealing, and implementing the rights, as well as the duties of the beneficiary and the provider. The law entered into force on 1 July 2021.

The “Meeting of Minds on Quality of Care Sure” conference aimed at enhancing the quality of care and patient safety across the WHO European Region, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery process. The conference involved the WHO/Europe and the Government of Greece, with participation from ministers, experts, policymakers, health professionals, and civil society organizations. The conference targeted the WHO European Region, focusing on quality health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It aimed to support the most vulnerable communities and individuals. During the conference, policymakers agreed on the development of new tools for high-quality health services, the establishment of collaboration agreements to support quality services in Greece, and on improving mental health services for children and adolescents. The conference emphasized investment in health as a catalyst for economic growth and social equity. Guided by the WHO's European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe”, the WHO Athens Quality of Care Office will spearhead this initiative throughout the European Region. The conference was hosted in Greece in December 2021. The collaboration agreements, among which there is a “Compendium of applied good practices on quality of care”, were set to begin in 2022.

The programme aims to enhance care services for older persons, focusing on community-based services to improve their quality of life and independence. The initiative is led by the Government of Armenia, with the involvement of the Ministry of Health. It targets the older population across Armenia, emphasizing the development of community-based services rather than institutional care. The plan includes measures to introduce and develop community-based services, such as home care and day centers, and outlines steps for their implementation over the 2021–2023 period. Among other expected outcomes, the plan aims to establish day-care centers in all marzes of the country (with a calculation of at least 50 visitors at each day-care center), establish 3 crisis centres (with a calculation of at least 20 older persons at each center), establish home care services will be expanded in all marzes of the country by introducing also day care services at home. The programme, of cross-sectorial nature, is expected to contribute to better health outcomes and increased autonomy for older persons. The plan covers the years from 2021 to 2023.

The Government Decision no. 426/2020 on the approval of cost standards aims to approve cost standards for the financing of social services provided by public social service providers. The policy involves the Romanian Government, specifically the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Public Works, Development, and Administration, and the Ministry of Public Finance. The policy has a national scope, affecting local budgets and state budget revenues for social services across Romania. It targets social service beneficiaries, including children, adults with disabilities, older persons, and victims of family violence. The policy outlines cost standards for various social services, such as residential services for children and older persons, home care services for older persons, and services to prevent and combat family violence. It includes specific cost standards per beneficiary per year and stipulates that personnel expenses should not exceed 80% of the cost standard. The decision was enacted in 2020.

The Government of Canada allocated $6.4 million in funding over two years (2020–2021) to Healthcare Excellence Canada to expand its LTC+ initiative. The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance pandemic preparedness in over 1500 long-term care facilities and seniors' residences across Canada. It achieves this by providing coaching and seed funding to address gaps in infection prevention and control measures. The initiative is facilitated by Healthcare Excellence Canada, with support and funding from the Government of Canada. The initiative targets over 1500 long-term care facilities and seniors' residences nationwide. Its beneficiaries include residents, staff, and administrators of these facilities who require support in enhancing their pandemic preparedness and infection prevention and control measures. The LTC+ initiative provides coaching and seed funding to support long-term care facilities and seniors' residences in improving their infection prevention and control practices. Through tailored coaching and financial assistance, the initiative aims to address specific gaps identified in pandemic preparedness.