In Asia and the Pacific, increased longevity and declining fertility are hallmarks of development success. Taken together, they have also brought about a demographic shift: a rapidly aging population. The impact of this is being felt by almost every country in the region, and governments are grappling with how best to develop effective policies and programs to address the needs of older populations, including the accelerating demand for long‑term care (LTC). The coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) pandemic has underlined the importance of strengthening existing systems and developing new capacities. As with many other aspects of development, COVID‑19 has exposed systemic and societal weaknesses, and has had a disproportionate impact on older persons and on existing care systems.