The Lingnan University Institute for Policy Studies’ Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing in Place (GTSA) Project conducted a survey on the public’s knowledge and attitudes towards gerontechnology during the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2024. (Left 1: Dr Chloe Siu Pui-yee, Senior Lecturer of the Institute of Policy Studies and School of Graduate Studies)
To discover Hong Kong citizens' awareness and acceptance of gerontechnology, the Lingnan University Institute for Policy Studies’ Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing in Place (GTSA) Project recently held a public opinion survey. The results show that overall awareness of gerontechnology is on an upward trend, but 40% of respondents believe that current government subsidies for the purchase of gerontech products are insufficient, and 90% of respondents would like the government to expand the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to cover the purchase of gerontech products.
During the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2024 held from 21 to 24 November 2024, the Lingnan research team interviewed 743 Hong Kong citizens aged 18 or above. It was the second time in five years that the research team has conducted a similar survey to compare changes in respondents' knowledge of and attitudes towards gerontechnology.
The survey shows that 24% of respondents had not heard of gerontechnology, while 76% said they had heard of it. In 2019, 29% had not heard of gerontechnology, so awareness has shown an upward trend. When respondents were asked which aspects of gerontechnology interest them, most chose health care (75%), exercise (56%), and food (50%).
Nearly 95% of respondents are very optimistic or optimistic about the use of gerontech products, but the major barriers to adopting them are limited access to information (58%), high prices (56%) and how to buy them (42%), but fewer than 10% of respondents find the products impractical. Some said that limited living space affects their use of gerontechnology.
Regarding government subsidies, 41% of respondents think that current government subsidies for the public to purchase gerontech products are insufficient. Furthermore, 90% of respondents would like the government to extend coverage of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to subsidise the purchase of gerontech products.
Education plays an important role in popularising the use of gerontechnology. Over 90% of respondents see gerontech education as very important or important, and the elderly and caregivers are the most important educational target group. About 40% of respondents think that retirees should learn about gerontechnology, and, 92% believe that universities play a very important or important role in promoting it.
Dr Chloe Siu Pui-yee, Senior Lecturer of the Institute of Policy Studies and School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University, explained that gerontech products are developed to address the problems of an ageing population. Compared with similar research in 2019, when only 29% of respondents expressed a very optimistic view of the use of gerontechnology, the number has gradually increased to 41% this year, indicating that people have a more positive attitude. This shows that Hong Kong, one of the cities with the highest ageing population globally, is more inclined to use gerontech products such as smart pill boxes and fall prevention devices to assist older adults, especially those living alone, to age in place, thereby improving their quality of life and reducing the risks associated with living on their own.
In addition, in 2019, their high price was the biggest obstacle to using gerontech products, but in this latest survey lack of information has become the main problem. Dr Siu said that the government has indicated in policy addresses and Legislative Council discussion papers that the scope of the Innovation and Technology Fund will be expanded to include gerontech products suitable for home use, which will allow older adults and caregivers living in the community to borrow them. She believes that the survey shows room for the government and relevant parties to strengthen gerontech education and information dissemination in the future, in order to increase the understanding and use of gerontechnology.
Dr Siu pointed out that gerontechnology is not only for older adults and caregivers, and is also increasingly important for retirees and members of their families. As well as promoting the silver economy, the government should prepare people for life in retirement, and show them which technologies will help them to stay in their homes. The government should continue to educate families in gerontechnology in order to improve their quality of life.
