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GERONTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG

6. In our report, a total of 72 innovative products have been studied, and
categorised into four areas: Living (住), Healthcare (醫), Diet (食) and Transport
(行). Details of the products can be found in Chapter 2, with a brief description
of each of the four categories below:

i. Living (住): The concept of “Ageing in Place” aims to enable the elderly to remain
at home in their community and avoid institutional care for as long as possible.
“Smart” homes integrate a range of technologies to support the ageing population
Executive Summary in the comforts of their own homes, with intelligent sensor networks, information

and communication technologies, such as surveillance and emergency assistive
systems; daily living products for basic activities, such as products which assist
with bathroom usage and personal hygiene; daily living products for instrumental
activities, such as products which assist with supplementary tasks e.g. devices
which supports communication and reading.

ii. Healthcare (醫): As our study focuses on ageing in place, traditional medical,
biotechnology and pharmaceutical methods are outside the scope of our study
and are excluded from our coverage of healthcare. The healthcare category will
encompass products relating to the maintenance or improvement of physical
and mental health through diagnosis, treatment and prevention only. With
advanced technology, early diagnosis is made possible to enhance healthcare
and enable treatments to be safer, more efficient and reliable. For example,
by using robotic innovations, high-tech monitoring and therapeutic devices
enhanced with servicing software for physiotherapy procedures, the ageing
population will have access to alternative options other than traditional care,
with an extra layer of communication between healthcare providers and the
elderly.

iii. Diet (食): As seniors grow older, they may face certain difficulties in eating as
the ability to bite, chew and swallow food deteriorates. Loss of vision may also
limit the ability to shop for food and cook, while loss of teeth and sensitivity to
tastes of foods will reduce their appetite and subsequently, the quantity and
types of food consumed. This can result in an imbalanced diet and malnutrition,
but with the help of dental prosthesis and aesthetically pureed “soft” meals,
some of these problems can be alleviated.

iiii. Transport (行): Transportation is essential to ensure access to fundamental
services such as medical care and grocery shopping, but it is also crucial for
enabling the elderly to stay connected with the outside community. Innovative
services and technologies can help elderly stay mobile and live independently,
by physically assisting their movement or preventing injuries and accidents.
Types of product include wheelchairs and walking canes, transportation
services and location devices.

Executive Summary 5