Browse Ageing Policies

The Maltese National Dementia Strategy 2024-2031, titled ‘Reaching New Heights’, aims to significantly improve the quality of services and the quality of life of persons living with dementia in the Maltese islands. The Strategy builds upon the progress made by the previous strategy and focuses on several key areas, including increasing awareness and understanding of dementia, reducing the risk of developing the condition, enabling early diagnosis, empowering individuals with dementia and their families, developing a dementia-capable workforce, strengthening integrated person-centered care, and advancing dementia research. Specific measures featured in the Strategy include, for example, campaigns to lessen stigma and discrimination associated with dementia, ensuring that day care services for persons with dementia are available and accessible, and increasing the number of beds for persons with dementia in long-term care services. An Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by the Ministry for Active Ageing, will oversee the implementation of the Strategy, involving people with dementia and their families.

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 "Enhancing the Age-Friendly World Web Platform and Global Database of Age-Friendly Practices" project was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2024, with support from a grant by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Implemented at the international level, this initiative targets global communities working to support healthy ageing. It aims to expand the Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) model worldwide by modernizing the Age-friendly World web platform and broadening access to resources that promote healthy, active living for older persons. Key measures include the modernization of the Age-friendly World platform and the Global Database of Age-Friendly Practices, along with the creation of Knowledge and Action Hubs. These hubs will increase access to evidence-based tools and guidance to inform local, evidence-based actions and reduce inequities in access to age-friendly resources. In the longer term, the project seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across communities worldwide and increase the global uptake of the AFC model, leading to improved health outcomes and quality of life for older persons in communities implementing the model. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

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 "Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare (Pharmacare Act)" was introduced by the Government of Canada on February 29, 2024 to establish the foundational principles for national universal pharmacare. Implemented at the national level and led by the Minister of Health, this proposed legislation targets all Canadians, aiming to ensure universal, single-payer, first-dollar coverage for key medications, initially focusing on contraception and diabetes medications. Key measures include a commitment to collaborate with provinces and territories to provide comprehensive coverage and the establishment of a fund supporting access to diabetic devices and supplies. The Act mandates the Canadian Drug Agency to develop a national formulary and a bulk purchasing strategy for cost-effective drug procurement. It also calls for a pan-Canadian strategy on appropriate prescription drug use. Additionally, the Minister of Health is tasked with forming a committee of experts to make recommendations on the operation and financing of a single-payer pharmacare model. By reducing financial barriers to essential medications, the Act addresses the healthcare needs of older persons, who often face higher medication costs due to age-related health conditions.

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 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 "Social Prescription Project" was introduced in 2024 in Lithuania by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture to support retirees’ psychological well-being and mental health. Implemented at the national level and coordinated by public health office project coordinators, this initiative targets older persons, particularly those at social risk, experiencing bereavement, or loneliness. It aims to strengthen psychological well-being and mental health among older persons by engaging them in free, long-term cultural, wellness, non-formal education, and other community-based activities. Participation in these activities helps create social connections that reduce social exclusion, alleviate anxiety, manage chronic diseases, and improve the psychological state and mental health of older people, while also reducing the stigma of disability. Key measures include allowing family doctors or primary mental health care teams to refer older individuals to local classes and activities — such as cultural, scientific, sports, or volunteering events — available in their municipality. As part of the project, a family doctor or primary mental health care team member can refer older individuals to local classes, such as cultural, scientific, sports, and volunteering activities, held in their municipality of residence. These activities are designed to promote active social engagement and psychological resilience.

The "Strategy for Active and Healthy Ageing in the Republic of Serbia for the Period 2024–2030" was introduced in 2024 by the Government of Serbia. Implemented at the national level, the strategy is led by various Serbian ministries, with participation from institutes and local authorities. While the strategy targets the entire population, it emphasizes the inclusion of persons over 65 in all social and other life spheres, addressing their specific needs. The primary goal is to promote active and healthy participation of older persons, fostering intergenerational and intra-generational solidarity and gender equality. Key measures include lifelong learning initiatives, enhancing digital competencies among older persons, and increasing their participation in public life. The strategy promotes support mechanisms, cross-sectoral cooperation, and strong anti-discrimination and anti-violence policies to protect older persons. Additionally, active ageing principles and supportive structures aim to encourage holistic social inclusion, ensuring that people over 65 are empowered to engage fully in society.

The "AGIL – Age-Appropriate, Communal and Inclusive Living" pilot programme was introduced in 2024 in Germany by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). Implemented at the national level and accompanied by the FORUM Gemeinschaftliches Wohnen e.V. (Federal Association for Communal Living), this programme targets older persons and aims to develop and promote living environments that support self-determined ageing in familiar surroundings. The programme’s primary goal is to support generation-appropriate housing that allows individuals to remain at home and live independently even when long-term care or support becomes necessary. Key measures include funding building and investment projects in both rural and urban areas that integrate technology-assisted housing and accessible infrastructure to accommodate the needs of older persons. AGIL emphasizes strengthening communal living by enhancing participation, counselling, and assistance services and promoting community spirit through meeting places and neighbourhood initiatives. It also highlights best-practice examples that showcase how self-determined living in old age can be achieved, with a focus on accessible, supportive, and inclusive environments. The programme is geared towards private initiatives and organizations as well as municipalities or stakeholders from the housing and social sectors.

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 primary goal of the subsidized employment programme is to employ individuals sent by the Employment Service or to retain the jobs of individuals specified in Article 25, points 11, 12, and 13 of the law. This is achieved by reimbursing employers for part of the wage costs of these individuals, as well as retaining the jobs of employed individuals who were placed on downtime or had it terminated under specific conditions. The main institution involved is the Employment Service of Lithuania, with employers as key stakeholders. The programme targets unemployed individuals specified in Article 25, points 2-9, and aims to help them integrate into the labor market. It also creates special conditions for the unemployed specified in Article 25, points 1, 10, 11, 12, and 13 to remain in the labor market. The programme is national in scope. The programme includes wage subsidies for employers hiring the specified individuals. The subsidy amount is calculated based on the provisions of Article 41, parts 2, 3, and 4 of the law. The subsidy is paid for up to 6 months within an 18-month period, up to 36 months within a 48-month period, or indefinitely, depending on the category of the employed individuals. The article's revision takes effect from July 1, 2024.