An Older People's Association (OPA) is a group of older people working to help the members of the group, organise social activities, provide

microfinance Microfinance is a category of financial services targeting individuals and small businesses who lack access to conventional banking and related services. Microfinance includes microcredit, the provision of small loans to poor clients; savings ...

or conduct other

charitable work The practice of charity is the voluntary giving of help to those in need, as a humanitarian act, unmotivated by self-interest. There are a number of philosophies about charity, often associated with religion. Etymology The word ''charity'' ...

. Organisations of this kind also enable information sharing and peer support. OPAs were first created by

HelpAge International HelpAge International is an international NGO that helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination, and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. Five organisations from Canada, Colombia ...

with the first opening in 1998 in Cambodia to provide relief for seniors following the civil war. The model then spread, a 2016 study by

found more than 1,700 OPAs in 11 countries in Asia were established since 2000. The structure and operations of OPAs differ from country to country meeting local requirements.

Country-specific OPAs

Cambodia

In January 2018, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the creation of Older People’s Associations in each community of his nation, totaling over 1,600.

China

The government of China (PRC) provides OPAs; as of 2010 there were over 400,000 in China representing 43,890,000 people.

Sierra Leone

Age International Age International is a UK-based charity focusing on older people in developing countries. It works in over 30 low and middle-income countries. It was founded on 24 April 2012 by Age UK and HelpAge International. The charity's working name is Age I ...

and

Restless Development Restless Development (formerly known as Students Partnership Worldwide) is a non-governmental organization which organizes volunteer placements for young people in the areas of civic participation, livelihoods and employment, sexual rights, and l ...

created 85 OPAs in parts of Sierra Leone, giving out loans to help old people start their own businesses.

References

Seniors' organizations {{org-stub