Browse Ageing Policies

The “National Week of Older Persons” was held in 2024 in Lithuania to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons. Implemented at the national level, this initiative targets older persons and is organized with the aim to promote social activity among seniors and foster a positive image of ageing in society. Key measures include organizing over half a thousand various activities and events held for older persons in 45 Lithuanian municipalities during the week. During the week, older persons could visit museums, cinemas, and art galleries; have coffee or cake at cafes; exercise in sports clubs; take part in excursions to the country's archives; attend trainings and seminars organized by public health offices; receive special medical rehabilitation services tailored to them; and spend meaningful time at events planned by municipalities specifically for older persons. Such an initiative, which is becoming traditional, makes an important contribution to motivating older people, promoting their social activity and promoting a positive image of older people and ageing in society.

The Final International Conference of the Project “Work Ability Management” was held in 2023 in the Czech Republic by Age Management, z.s. in collaboration with organizations from Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Slovakia. Implemented at the international level, the project targets ageing employees, aiming to promote work ability as a comprehensive approach to health, employment, and lifelong learning to enable employees to balance work, personal, and family life. Key measures include the collection of examples from each participating country on measures to support ageing employees and compiling them into a publication. It also developed new methodologies for working capacity applicable to both employed and unemployed persons, focusing on those at risk of reduced working capacity and helping them find their way back to the labour market. These methodologies are designed to advance the promotion of work ability not only in the participating countries but also in other interested countries. The project results emphasize that understanding work ability can enhance labour market positions for both employed and unemployed individuals, while supporting preventive programs in physical and mental health and lifelong learning may positively influence retirement; additionally, the "Digital Coach" web platform, available in five languages, was developed to support these goals.

The Project "Work Ability Management" No. 2020-1-CZ01-KA204-078204 Erasmus + Program Key Action 2 Strategic partnerships for adult education was introduced in 2020 in the Czech Republic under the Erasmus+ Program Key Action 2 for Strategic Partnerships in Adult Education. Led by Age Management, z.s. in collaboration with partners from Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Slovakia, the project is implemented at the international level, targeting both employed and unemployed adults. This project aims to equip organizations with goal-oriented strategies to address demographic challenges through age management, to ensure that older workers are supported in maintaining work ability and that workplace designs are attractive and flexible for both younger and older employees. Key measures include applying the Work Ability Model and Work Ability Index (WAI), a tool that assesses the alignment between individual resources and work demands. The project uses written and oral surveys, workshops, and counseling sessions to identify needed changes and recommend measures that enhance work ability. Project outputs include an electronic publication, "Supporting Ageing in the Workplace," and a methodology for managing work ability targeted at those employed, considering a career change, or unemployed. The “Digital Coach” web platform further supports this by offering resources and guidance.

The “Measuring the Work Ability of Employees in the Czech Republic” initiative was introduced in 2022 by the Union of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic in collaboration with TREXIMA, spol. s.r.o. and Age Management, z.s. Implemented at the national level, this initiative focuses on the manufacturing industry, transport and storage, and health and social care sectors, analyzing employee work ability across age and gender since 2011. Its aim is to identify factors affecting work ability at each stage of an employee’s life, enabling the development of targeted measures based on these insights. Key measures include using the Work Ability Index (WAI), a tool based on a certified questionnaire available in 29 languages, to evaluate work capacity. The study results in 6 thematic areas for final recommendations: integrating age management and work ability into national strategies, establishing legislative support for work capacity, using WAI data for research and decision-making, enhancing information and advisory services, providing public support for maintaining work ability at both individual and corporate levels, and promoting the development of personnel capacities in age management. This approach emphasizes the importance of work ability for older workers, addressing the effects of ageing in the workforce and supporting sustainable employment.

The objective of the establishment of an Ombudsman for older persons is to promote and assess the realisation of the basic and human rights of older persons in legislation and decision-making. The Ombudsman for older persons is an autonomous and independent authority. It collaborates with various authorities, organizations, and other parties to promote the best interests of older persons. The policy covers older persons broadly, considering factors like age, ability to function, disability, native language, financial position, place of residence, sexual orientation, or minority status. It is national in scope, focusing on the rights and status of older persons in society. The Ombudsman advocates for the rights of older persons, ensuring their consideration in legislation and decision-making. It monitors and influences matters proactively, working to ensure the best interests of older persons are met. The Act on the Ombudsman for older persons will enter into force on 1 January 2025.

The National Center to Reframe Aging, led by The Gerontological Society of America and supported by Leaders of Aging Organizations, aims to eliminate ageism and promote a balanced narrative of aging across the U.S. It serves as a key resource for communication strategies and tools to positively frame aging issues, fostering a nationwide community to advocate for age-friendly policies. The center's initiatives, which have national scope and target older Americans, include developing resources to counteract age bias and collaborating with organizations to influence supportive policies. Some of these resources include a Learning Center and the guide “Reframing Aging Initiative: A Guide to Telling a More Complete Story of Aging” which includes presentations, press releases, academic work, and more. The guide is designed to be accessible and beneficial even for those without expertise in communication or gerontology, ensuring that anyone can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of aging. Since its inception in 2012 and subsequent growth into a central hub for the movement to reframe aging in 2022, the center has made significant strides in raising awareness and shaping policies, with ongoing efforts to ensure an age-friendly society for all as we age.

The Guidelines on eliminating inequalities have the goal to ensure equality, inclusion, non-discrimination, and respect for fundamental rights. It aims to integrate gender equality, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and transition from institutional to community-based care. The guidelines are overseen by the Ministry of Welfare and involves various stakeholders, including state institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the European Union. The guidelines cover national implementation and targets all sectors receiving EU funds. It focuses on gender equality, non-discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities. Key features of the guidelines include promoting gender equality, ensuring accessibility, combating discrimination, and supporting community-based care. The guidelines emphasise on promoting the inclusion of older persons in various social activities and preventing their isolation. The guidelines mandate that all EU-funded activities must reduce segregation and exclusion, and infrastructure projects must ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities. The policy was updated on November 28, 2023.

The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act aims to strengthen legal protections against age discrimination in the workplace. Its primary goals are to revise the evidentiary standard for age discrimination claims, to allow mixed-motive claims where age is a motivating factor, even if not the sole cause, and to align the legal standards with other anti-discrimination laws. The key institution involved is the U.S. Congress, with the bill being introduced in the House. Main stakeholders include older workers, employers, legal professionals, and advocacy groups for older persons. The Act has a national scope across the United States. It affects all sectors employing older workers, particularly those aged 40 and above, who are part of the workforce. Key features of the Act include allowing the use of any admissible evidence sufficient for a reasonable fact-finder to conclude that discrimination occurred, not requiring the complainant to prove that age was the sole cause of the employer's adverse decisions and applying the revised standard to various employment discrimination and retaliation claims.The law was enacted in 2021.

The primary goal of the Open Hiring programme is to create an inclusive labour market without discrimination. It aims to systemically change hiring practices to allow for more equitable job opportunities. The main stakeholders involved are Start Foundation, employers participating in the Open Hiring programme, and job seekers. The programme also involves collaboration with partners like UWV and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The policy targets the national labour market in the Netherlands, focusing on employers and job seekers who are part of the Open Hiring programme. It covers various sectors affected by labour market shortages and aims to engage employers nationwide. Strategies include the Open Hiring model, where job seekers are hired without traditional interviews, and the use of life coaches. The policy promotes organic growth and adherence to Open Hiring principles among employers. Employers officially joining the programme as partners agree to follow the set rules. In 2021, 61 employers started Open Hiring, and about 180 job seekers were employed through the programme. The programme started in 2021.

The study “The prevalence of discrimination in the employment environment in Latvia” was conducted in order to explore the forms and types of discrimination faced by employees in Latvia during employment, understand employees' awareness of discrimination, and evaluate trends by comparing data with a 2011 study. The study was conducted by Norstat Latvia (project coordination and fieldwork) and Dentsu Data Labs (data analysis and report preparation). The study targets employees in Latvia aged 15 and above. It covers various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, services, and others, and spans across different regions such as Riga, Pieriga, Latgale, Kurzeme, Vidzeme, and Zemgale. The study uses an online survey (CAWI) methodology. Key areas of focus include the prevalence of discrimination, types of information shared with potential employers, and sources of discriminatory attitudes. It also examines employees' willingness to seek help and the reasons for not doing so. The study notes that the level of discrimination in workplaces has remained almost unchanged since 2011, with 31% of employees hearing about discrimination cases among acquaintances. The fieldwork for the study was conducted from March 18 to March 30, 2020.

The Autonomous Province of Bolzano of Italy launched a campaign in 2020 to combat multigenerational stereotypes and promote understanding between age groups. It aligns with the Active Ageing Law by promoting a society where older individuals are respected and integrated, aiming to raise awareness of the social impact of generational stereotypes and foster solidarity across different age groups. The province provides a set of measures addressed to District Communities and Municipalities for the promotion of these campaigns. It was implemented at the regional level in Bolzano, Northern Italy, by the Department for Family, Social Affairs, and Community. It targeted the whole community, with a particular focus on younger and older populations. The campaign utilized public media, workshops, and educational programs to facilitate dialogue and break down prejudices. Collaborative efforts between NGOs, schools, and community groups further supported these goals. As a result, the initiative has helped to raise awareness, enhance social cohesion, and foster mutual respect between generations.

In 2019, Lithuanian retailers "IKI" and "Rimi" launched significant campaigns aimed at changing society's attitude towards older persons, addressing ageism, and promoting their inclusion in both the workforce and society. "IKI" introduced a loyalty card specifically for seniors, which led to over 150,000 older customers benefiting from special discounts and privileges. They also launched an image campaign that portrayed older adults as vibrant and energetic, effectively challenging negative stereotypes about ageing. "Rimi" conducted the social experiment “#AmžiusNesvarbu” (“Age Doesn't Matter”), focusing on the employment challenges faced by older people. This campaign resulted in a 10% increase in the hiring of older employees within the company, demonstrating that age should not be a barrier to employment. The campaign also sparked widespread public discussions on age discrimination. Overall, these efforts contributed to a broader societal awareness, initiating a shift towards greater inclusion and appreciation of older adults in both the workplace and public life.

The Parliament of Austria created the media awards “Senior Citizen Rose” and “Senior Citizen Nettle” in 2019 which are created to promote a society for all ages. The goal is to give importance to age discrimination which does not receive the attention that discrimination based on gender or origin, for example. In conferring the “Senior Citizen Rose” and “Senior Citizen Nettle” (Senioren-Rose and Senioren-Nessel) media awards, the Austrian Senior Citizens Council has attracted attention from the public and promoted social participation and positive images of age and ageing. The annual event for assigning the awards is organized by the Austrian Senior Citizens' Council and the Austrian Journalists' Club (ÖJC). A jury of senior citizens and journalist representatives awarded prizes to contributions to journalism and advertising as well as accurate images of older persons. The "Senior Citizens' Rose" is awarded to media makers for realistic depictions of the lives of senior citizens, while the "Senior Nettle" is awarded to those who still spread unrealistic clichés about older persons.

The Information on the Situation of Older Persons in Poland report is an annual publication by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, mandated by the "Social Policy for Older Persons 2030: Safety - Participation - Solidarity", which was adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2018. The report's primary goal is to monitor and evaluate the socio-economic conditions of older adults in Poland. The report includes demographic analysis, economic and health conditions, family and social support, social participation and services, and the implementation of policies targeted at older persons. It also presents comprehensive statistical data and concludes with recommendations for policymakers to enhance the effectiveness of services and policies for the ageing population. The findings from these reports are crucial for informing and adjusting national and regional policies, ensuring that they remain relevant and responsive to the ageing population's needs.

The "Age of Action" campaign, supported by HelpAge International, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, and the German Federal Republic (BMZ), was launched on June 15, 2018, aligning with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It advocates for older persons' rights to autonomy, long-term care, and protection against violence. Participants included government agencies of the Republic of Moldova, international organizations, civil society organizations and media representatives. The campaign stresses the need for "Active Ageing" in government agendas, urging involvement in UN discussions on older persons' care and rights. Four discussion groups explored the following theme: How to ensure that statistics on the impact of abuse and violence against older persons are regularly collected and their development monitored? What are the existing social, nursing and medical services in the Republic of Moldova? What services need to be created or expanded for older adults experiencing violence and abuse? Are there enough professionals to meet the demand for these services?

The Coalition for Decent Longevity is an informal network comprising representatives from various organizations and experts dedicated to improving the quality of life for older people in Belarus. The Coalition's primary activities include preparing proposals for the content of the National Strategy for Active Longevity and other regulatory documents related to ensuring a dignified life for older adults. It also facilitates the exchange of information and best practices on activating older adults, enhancing their quality of life, and fostering intergenerational dialogue. Additionally, the Coalition organizes discussion platforms to address issues concerning the protection of the constitutional rights and interests of older people, counters ageism, and increases the capacity of organizations working in this field. The Coalition plays a crucial role in initiating and promoting research focused on the needs and conditions of older adults, as well as the quality of services provided to them. It also advocates for raising public awareness about the real situation of older people in Belarus and works on creating a positive image of older adults in the media. The Coalition actively engages in public discussions on matters related to decent longevity and monitors the effectiveness of the National Strategy for Active Longevity and other related plans. Since its establishment in 2018, the Coalition has contributed significantly to the development of the National Strategy “Decent Longevity – 2030” and has organized the Academy of Golden Age Leaders for activists involved in self-governance in universities for the third age and other platforms aimed at empowering older adults. It also hosted the first Belarusian Forum “Decent Longevity: Equal Opportunities for All Generations,” which brought together over 200 participants from all regions of Belarus, as well as experts and guests from Austria, Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Sweden, and Switzerland. Additionally, the Coalition developed an interactive Decent Longevity Map, providing information about organizations and initiatives focused on enhancing the quality of life for older citizens.

The Office of the Commissioner for Older Persons has the objectives to promote and safeguard the interests and human rights of older persons, eliminate age discrimination, and ensure their active participation in society. The Office was established by the Commissioner for Older Persons Act, Chapter 553 of the Laws of Malta. Key stakeholders include the Council for Older Persons, various government ministries, NGOs, and the general public. The Office's functions target the elderly population of Malta, which constitutes over 20% of the total population. It covers national-level interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for older persons. The Office purposes include raising awareness about the rights of older persons, promoting healthy and active lifestyles, preventing elder abuse, and ensuring social inclusion. Specific measures include educational campaigns, collaboration with other entities, and providing guidance and support to older persons and their families. The Office's work is implemented through various initiatives such as media participation, public consultations, and collaboration with other stakeholders. The Office also investigates complaints and provides advice and guidance to older persons. The establishment of the Office has led to increased awareness about the rights and needs of older persons. The Office of the Commissioner for Older Persons was established on October 15, 2016.

The Law No. 2016-87 of 2 February 2016 creates new rights for the sick and for people at the end of life aims to create new rights for patients and individuals at the end of life, ensuring they receive appropriate care and support. The main institution involved in its implementation is the French Government, namely the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, and Women's Rights. Key stakeholders include healthcare professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, caregivers, and clinical psychologists. This policy affects the healthcare sector across France, targeting patients and individuals nearing the end of life. It mandates the inclusion of palliative care education in the initial and ongoing training of healthcare professionals. The law introduces several key features, such as mandatory training for healthcare professionals on palliative care, several enhancements to patient rights, including the right to refuse treatment, and the establishment of advance healthcare directives to respect patients' wishes. Regarding observed impacts, as of now, the law has led to increased awareness and integration of palliative care in medical training and practice. The law was adopted on February 2, 2016.

The "Tested and Approved by Seniors" label was created in April 2016 by AFNOR, the French standards association. The label is managed by AFNOR Certification at the national level, in collaboration with laboratories like Calyxis and Medialis, as part of efforts to support ageing in place and improve older persons' quality of life. Considering various criteria (unpacking of the product, ease of installation and use, intuitiveness of handling), this label indicates to consumers that the product is ergonomic, adapted to the abilities of the greatest number of people and in particular older persons. It is issued following a series of tests carried out by people aged over 60, ergonomists and occupational therapists. It covers a wide range of products, from home goods to technology. Since its creation, many products have obtained this label after passing the tests: telephone, washing machine, application, furniture, lighting system, etc. Companies of the Silver economy sector particularly use this label, which aiming at producing innovative goods and/or services that meet the various needs and expectations of older persons.

The "The Citizenship of Older Adults" (La Citoyenneté des Personnes âgées) brochure, published in 2015, is a comprehensive document that addresses the importance of recognizing and maintaining the political citizenship of older individuals, especially those in dependent situations. It challenges the prevailing notion that old age is a period of decline and emphasizes the need for continued electoral participation to affirm the social identity of seniors. The brochure likely involves stakeholders such as gerontology researchers and policymakers and covers the French-speaking older population in institutional settings. It advocates for strategies that support the dignity and autonomy of older persons, ensuring their political rights are respected and suggesting institutional reforms for enhanced participation. The brochure underscores the integrative role of political engagement in preventing the social and political exclusion of older persons. The document reflects ongoing discussions in gerontology, aiming to keep older individuals actively involved in democratic processes.