A/HRC/33/44 accreditation mechanisms for care institutions. Others have adopted minimum standards or a charter of care rights and responsibilities in home and residential care settings to guarantee high quality ageing and effective services for older persons in need of assistance. 110. Also mentioned were specific training programmes based on a human rights-based approach for informal and formal caregivers. Some States also indicated that they recognize the work of informal caregivers through financial support and other services such as respite care, information and counselling. 111. Some sectors of care, such as palliative care or care of persons with dementia received little attention in those legal, policy and programmes frameworks. The development of targeted strategies regarding persons with dementia is however under way in some countries. Little information was provided about the existence of geriatric services in care settings. Two responses specifically indicated that higher diplomas in gerontology and geriatrics are available. 112. According to the information received, the issue of elder abuse is being considered as one of the main priorities. Several States have adopted specific programmes and laws in order to fight elder abuse, while others have focused on awareness-raising campaigns. Laws prohibiting discrimination based on age have been enacted and programmes promoting non-discrimination on the ground of age are being implemented in a number of States, although the main focus is on the right to work and social protection. 113. Laws or programmes to strengthen the autonomy of older persons covered areas such as persons with terminal or incurable diseases; informed consent in health care; legal capacity, in particular of older persons with disabilities; and the freedom of choice for users of social services. 114. The accessibility programmes mentioned encompassed assistance to older persons receiving care services in their own homes or in care homes; accessibility for persons with disabilities; age-friendly municipalities and cities; standards on accessibility in civil engineering; accessibility of roads and transportation; and digital inclusion. A number of States have adopted specific programmes related to age-friendly housing options, which include accessibility, financial aspects and resettlement options. 115. Several States indicated that since the adoption of the Madrid Plan of Action, they have undertaken reforms of their pension and social protection systems to respond to the challenges of an ageing society, notably by increasing the pensionable age and contribution periods. 116. Volunteering programmes of older persons or specific policies were referenced to encourage older persons to work beyond the statutory retirement age. That sometimes included incentives for employers to hire and/or to retain older workers. 117. The vast majority of the replies indicated that older persons participated in the implementation of the Madrid Plan of Action. That includes situations in which older persons or civil society organizations of older persons participated in the subsequent development of national plans of action on ageing or any policy-related framework at the national level. 118. In a number of countries, that participation has led to the establishment of dedicated institutions, such as national councils of older persons, with varying degrees of participation by older persons and other organs, depending on the country. Other reported forms of participation include direct communication with members of the Government or parliament; participation in national conferences and round-table discussions on the rights of older persons, or other forms of public consultation mechanism, including at the regional level; the establishment of national forums on older persons; and various awareness-raising efforts to encourage the participation of older persons. GE.16-11742 19