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Executive Summary

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1. Hong Kong’s population is ageing rapidly. By 2040, it is estimated that approximately 30% of
Hong Kong’s population will be aged 65 or over, and the elderly dependency ratio will increase
dramatically from 198 in 2014 to 494 in 2040.

2. Along with a declining labour force, coupled with rises in anticipated spending on elderly
healthcare, welfare and other services, it is expected that tremendous pressure will be exerted
on Hong Kong’s public finances. Hence, it is imperative for Hong Kong to tackle these challenges
head-on, invest in the ageing ecosystem, and turn these challenges into an opportunity instead.

3. Gerontechnology, combining gerontology with technology, is the key to turn this challenge into
an opportunity, as it would not only benefit elders and their caregivers, but would also create
momentum for the Innovation and Technology sector to develop new products with innovative
technology, which in turn would increase productivity for the overall economy.

4. Integrating technology within the elderly healthcare system should be viewed as an investment
and not an expense. The application of gerontechnology will reduce the government’s expenditure
in the long run by revamping Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector, and transforming
Hong Kong into a technologically advanced city.

5. The functional capacity of an individual increases in childhood, peaks in adult life, then gradually
declines with ageing. The rate of decline is largely accelerated by sedentary lifestyles and the external
environment. Hence, compared to Hong Kong’s neighbouring countries, we have a relatively high
institutionalisation rate. Gerontechnology could fundamentally improve the livelihood of Hong Kong’s
senior citizens through improving their functional capacity and delaying institutionalisation. Functional
decline can be slowed with the use of assistive health technologies, ranging from simple handrails
to sophisticated robots. In addition, these technologies may also facilitate caregivers in providing
care, increasing efficiency and freeing up valuable time for caregivers to complete more important
tasks, hence alleviating the pressure and workload on institutional caregivers and public resources.

4 Executive Summary