推動「樂齡科技」建設長者友善及智慧城市 Promoting the "Gerontech" to create an Age-Friendly & Smart City

【社聯頻道】推動應用「樂齡科技」建設長者友善及智慧城市

在日常生活中，許多對大眾而言很簡單的生活環節，卻可能令長者感到社區生活充滿挑戰。為了令長者在社區生活變得更加安全及放心，多年來香港社會服務聯會（社聯）與政府、商界、社福界等不同持份者攜手合作，共同推動香港成為長者友善城市。樂齡科技博覽暨高峰會2024亦特設「長者友善城市」主題館，鼓勵各界透過科技與社會協作，共創更美好的未來。

國際老齡聯合會全球顧問Jane Barratt博士說：「香港是2007年最早發展的長者友善城市之一。自那時以來，世界一直關注香港的領導地位。香港有獨特的模式，是長者真正參與長者友善城市的發展，而不是政府由上而下的模式。世界各地仍然繼續看重香港的領導和創新地位，特別是在空間數據運用的工作中，針對特定人群，及推動城市應用科技。善用科技是現時香港發展長者友善城市其中一個重要的影響因素。」

Jane續指出，香港的長者積極參與社會，而官商民合作建設長者友善的環境，加上近年社會積極應用樂齡科技，都進一步推動了長者友善城市的發展。她說：「因為全球人口正在急速高齡化，特別是在這個地區。科技在未來將在市民健康方面發揮根本性作用。因此，樂齡科技博覽暨高峰會對於香港、中國及全球的領導地位至關重要。科技使我們能夠更加獨立生活，這正是社會所需要的，並確保未來的醫療系統更具韌性。」

樂齡科技不僅提升長者的獨立性和生活質素，還讓智能家居技術進一步保障家居安全與便利，例如傳感器及警報系統的應用，亦可讓照顧者更掌握長者的情況。另外，數碼共融培訓讓長者掌握智能技術，幫助他們更好地參與社區生活，融入智慧城市的發展。

社聯長者服務總主任黃婉樺女士說：「其實現在香港都很著力成為一個智慧的城市，長者在科技應用 方面，一直以來都很努力地去學習。我知道很多長者都會在中心或者參與一些政府的數碼外展計劃，去學習使用不同的科技。正正就是長者自己進一步去建設一個長者友善的城市。另外，我覺得都很重要的就是一個跨平台的協作，包括社福機構，一些創科公司，還有長者本人都參與在整個研發的過程裡面，這樣才會讓到公司，長者，甚至社福機構的同事，都真正知道那個供需雙方的需求，我相信加強這樣的溝通會有助科技配合長者的需要去發展。」

 
【HKCSS Channel】Promoting the use of Gerontech to create an Age-Friendly & Smart City

In daily life, many aspects that seem simple for the general public can pose significant challenges for the elderly. To make community living safer and more reassuring for them, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) has worked closely with various stakeholders including the government, business sector, and social welfare sector to jointly promote Hong Kong as an age-friendly city. The Age-friendly City Pavilion was staged at the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES) 2024 to encourage the society to adopt technology and social collaborations in creating a better future.

“Hong Kong was one of the very early developers in 2007. And since then, the world has been looking at Hong Kong for leadership. There are unique models in Hong Kong. You know, really involving the seniors of Hong Kong in developing age-friendly in the community, rather than a top-down model from the government. And so around the world, we continue to look towards Hong Kong for leadership and for innovation, particularly in the work of spatial mapping, targeting particular populations, and also the use of technology. So the power of technology is a great influencer in age-friendly cities and communities in Hong Kong today.” Dr. Jane Barratt, Global Advisor, International Federation on Ageing, said.

Jane highlighted that the elderly in Hong Kong actively participate in society. The collaboration among the government, the business sector, and the community to create an age-friendly environment, along with the increasing adoption of Gerontech in recent years, has further advanced the development of an age-friendly city. “Because the world is ageing very fast, and particularly in this region. So technology is and will play a fundamental role in helping people remain healthy in the years to come. So GIES is fundamental to the leadership in Hong Kong, China, and around the world. Technology enables us to be more functionally independent, and that's what we need to be a contributor to society, and to ensure that the health system is resilient into the future.” She said.

Gerontech plays a vital role in enhancing the independence and quality of life of the elderly. It also ensures greater home safety and convenience through smart home technologies. For example, the use of sensors and alarm systems allows carers to better monitor the well-being of the elderly. Additionally, digital inclusion training empowers the elderly to acquire smart technology skills, enabling them to actively participate in community life and integrate into the development of smart cities.

“Hong Kong has been making significant efforts to transform into a smart city, and our elderly population has been diligently learning how to use technology. Many elderly attend NGO centers or participate in government digital outreach programs to gain proficiency in various technologies. This proactive approach by the elderly is instrumental in driving the continued development of an age-friendly city. Cross-sector partnership is equally important. Partnership among social welfare organizations, tech startups, and the elderly individuals throughout the research and development process are essential. Such collaboration ensures that both the supply and demand sides understand each other’s needs. Strengthening this communication will help in developing technologies that truly meet the requirements of the elderly, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.” Ms Katie Wong, Chief Officer (Elderly Service) of HKCSS, said.

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