IV. Best practices and gaps in the implementation of existing law

A. Legal, institutional and policy framework
29. A number of countries have adopted national strategies, action plans or specific legislation on older persons, which are sometimes comprehensive in nature or geared towards specific areas such as non-discrimination or the right to health of older persons. The involvement of older persons in the formulation of such strategies is essential in order to target the strategy, policy or law to the needs and concerns of older persons. Older persons can be involved either through the establishment of consultative bodies, which may consist of members of civil society representing the interests of older persons, or through comprehensive consultative processes between the Government and older persons, for example public consultations, working groups or more targeted focus group discussions. Consulting academics also allows for the incorporation of the results of applied research. A participatory approach is required to ensure coordination among all levels of government, such as the national, regional and local levels, and across departments and institutions.

30. There are also programmes and policies that address specific groups of older persons, such as those living on the street, indigenous older persons and older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.

Link to full text of the report: report-ieolder-2016-eng