In daily life, many aspects that seem simple for the general public can pose significant challenges for the elderly. To make community living safer and more reassuring for them, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) has worked closely with various stakeholders including the government, business sector, and social welfare sector to jointly promote Hong Kong as an age-friendly city. The Age-friendly City Pavilion was staged at the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES) 2024 to encourage the society to adopt technology and social collaborations in creating a better future.
“Hong Kong was one of the very early developers in 2007. And since then, the world has been looking at Hong Kong for leadership. There are unique models in Hong Kong. You know, really involving the seniors of Hong Kong in developing age-friendly in the community, rather than a top-down model from the government. And so around the world, we continue to look towards Hong Kong for leadership and for innovation, particularly in the work of spatial mapping, targeting particular populations, and also the use of technology. So the power of technology is a great influencer in age-friendly cities and communities in Hong Kong today.” Dr. Jane Barratt, Global Advisor, International Federation on Ageing, said.
Jane highlighted that the elderly in Hong Kong actively participate in society. The collaboration among the government, the business sector, and the community to create an age-friendly environment, along with the increasing adoption of Gerontech in recent years, has further advanced the development of an age-friendly city. “Because the world is ageing very fast, and particularly in this region. So technology is and will play a fundamental role in helping people remain healthy in the years to come. So GIES is fundamental to the leadership in Hong Kong, China, and around the world. Technology enables us to be more functionally independent, and that’s what we need to be a contributor to society, and to ensure that the health system is resilient into the future.” She said.
Gerontech plays a vital role in enhancing the independence and quality of life of the elderly. It also ensures greater home safety and convenience through smart home technologies. For example, the use of sensors and alarm systems allows carers to better monitor the well-being of the elderly. Additionally, digital inclusion training empowers the elderly to acquire smart technology skills, enabling them to actively participate in community life and integrate into the development of smart cities.
“Hong Kong has been making significant efforts to transform into a smart city, and our elderly population has been diligently learning how to use technology. Many elderly attend NGO centers or participate in government digital outreach programs to gain proficiency in various technologies. This proactive approach by the elderly is instrumental in driving the continued development of an age-friendly city. Cross-sector partnership is equally important. Partnership among social welfare organizations, tech startups, and the elderly individuals throughout the research and development process are essential. Such collaboration ensures that both the supply and demand sides understand each other’s needs. Strengthening this communication will help in developing technologies that truly meet the requirements of the elderly, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.” Ms Katie Wong, Chief Officer (Elderly Service) of HKCSS, said.