Background

In 2015, the Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR Government released the “Hong Kong Population Projections 2015 – 2064”. According to the statistics, the ageing population in Hong Kong is expected to remain on trend and the proportion of the population aged 65 or above is projected to reach 34% of our population in 2064 ^[1].

To tackle the challenge of a continued ageing population in Hong Kong, in 2016, a 5 years project named “Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub” (the “Project”) was proposed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to promote new gerontechnologies and to improve the service quality of residential care for the elderly. The proposal was included in the list of the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Community Project with a donation of HKD 47.95 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (from 2017 December).

The Project aims to establish a cross-disciplinary network, not only to raise the public’s awareness on gerontechnologies but also to connect stakeholders of elderly care (E.g. scholars, health care workers, residential care service providers, technology developers, caregivers, elderly…) and to share and exchange ideas for enhancing the quality of gerontechnology products and elderly care services.

Objectives

• To establish a platform for both individuals and the society to be aware of the new technologies that can facilitate healthy and active aging population and support people with disabilities so that more elderly and disabled can be cared in the home and community
• To provide opportunities of interactions among elderly and disabled people, their family, caregivers, researcher, industry etc. to better adopt new technologies, to improve the quality of life and develop more innovative technologies

Duration

Dec 2017 – November 2023

Key Project Components

• Day Experience Centre

A “Day Experience Centre” was established within The Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus (the “Centre”). The Centre contains 4 key areas: a reception (thematic zone), an interactive experience zone, a smart home show flat and a resource library. Through showcasing gerontechnology products, conducting demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops and experiential activities, the project aims to enhance public awareness of gerontechnology products and devices.

• Real-life Hostels (6 in total)

The Project also collaborates with six non-governmental organizations to set up “Real-life Hostels” with gerontechnology devices. We provide appropriate gerontechnology devices in hostels for the staff to support older persons, thereby relieving the work pressure of frontline staff. Industrial visits will be arranged for elderly care service providers, so as to let them see in-person the practical uses of gerontechnology and to encourage the industry to make good use of technology for providing quality services.