The three-day Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit concluded on Sunday June 18th attracted over 43,000 attendees. Members of the public, trade professionals and academics experienced first-hand the convenience and benefits that gerontechnology has brought to the lives of the elderly and their carers.

Mr Chua Hoi-wai, Chief Executive of HKCSS, said “I have been asked by many if we would hold the GIES again next year.  With this encouraging response, we will definitely do it  again. We cannot stop now. In fact, we should not allow the development of gerontechnology to lose momentum.”

To continue this momentum, HKCSS will organize various follow-up activities.  Between July and November this year, workshops and visits will be co-hosted  with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, for primary and secondary students as well as E&M Young Ambassadors. These activities   will empower young people to creatively develop innovative smart living concepts and solutions through. understanding the needs of the elderly.

Secondly, we will also collaborate with the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation to jointly launch the “Silver Innovator” project to provide startup funding and support for top-notch innovative ideas. It is hoped that eight gerontechnological products or services can be developed under this project.

Of course, promoting gerontechnology among the public would be crucial. In the coming year, we will cooperate with the China Merchants Charitable Foundation, elderly services and community groups in different districts to stage a territory-wide roadshow in Hong Kong featuring a selection of gerontechnological products. Just like this time, we hope to inspire our ageing population with new ideas that can change their lives.

In the meantime, we will start working on our next expo.  See you then!