The WHO Global Standards for Quality Health Care Services for Older People aim to define what quality health care means for older people and provide practical standards, indicators and implementation guidance to support countries in delivering person-centred, integrated and responsive care for older people. Building on WHO’s quality of care frameworks and the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach, the project seeks to strengthen care that promotes functional ability, autonomy, dignity and quality of life for older people across diverse settings.
To support this work, WHO has convened a multidisciplinary Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising individuals from 24 countries. Members serve in their individual capacities and provide independent technical advice throughout the development process, bringing expertise in quality of care, healthy ageing, integrated care, primary health care, health systems, service delivery, measurement and evaluation, and lived experience. The group reflects diverse geographic, professional and lived-experience perspectives, including older people and carers, to help ensure that the standards are evidence-informed, equitable and relevant across different settings and contexts.