“Good ideas have no borders,” says Peter Rundlet, vice president of AARP International.

An example of AARP’s global reach occurred earlier this year when CEO Jo Ann Jenkins led a delegation to Africa to meet with top leaders from Kenya and Tanzania to discuss aging in these developing countries.

“If we are to build a society for all ages, where everyone has a right to age with independence, dignity and purpose, we need to reach beyond our borders to engage leaders in other countries,” says Jenkins.

The visit paid quick dividends. During Jenkins’ meeting with President Hussein Mwinyi of Tanzania’s Zanzibar region, he announced a plan to lower its universal pension age from 70 to 60, dramatically improving financial security for older adults.

In recent years, AARP’s international team has worked with specialists on aging and policy leaders on every continent except Antarctica, exchanging ideas on aging well and preparing for a graying population.

Here are some of the aging innovations going on around the world.

▶︎ Taiwan pioneered a system for accrediting age-friendly hospitals that focuses on four facets of care: administration, communication, procedures and physical environment.

▶︎ Singapore gives subsidies to young adults living in buildings that primarily house older residents. A similar program offers a cash grant to people who move in with relatives or purchase a home close to family members for mutual care and support.

▶︎ The World Health Organization spearheaded a program for age-friendly cities and communities. AARP runs the U.S. version of this initiative, which now counts nearly 900 age-friendly towns, counties and cities as members.

▶︎ Japan has adopted a “watch-over service,” where postal office staff nationwide visit older adults and send updates to family members.

AARP International publishes findings every fall in The Journal, AARP’s award-winning international periodical. To learn more about AARP’s overseas efforts and to request a free copy, go to aarpinternational.org.