In response to the challenges posed by the city’s ageing population, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust donated over HK$47 million to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in 2017 to establish the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub, a five-year project aimed at enhancing public awareness of ‘gerontechnology’ and improving residential care home services through the greater use of smart technology.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony and symposium of the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub today (27 October) were Club Steward Dr Rosanna Wong; HKSAR Chief Secretary for Administration The Hon Matthew Cheung; and President of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Professor Timothy Tong.

Dr Wong said she was pleased to see the co-operation between the Club’s Charities Trust and PolyU in launching the project, which would enhance the quality of life of the elderly by actively promoting the application of gerontechnology, as well as fostering sharing and exchange, and supporting the quality design of tailor-made technology products for seniors. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has been actively supporting and initiating a number of pilot projects for the elderly with an aim to build Hong Kong into an age-friendly city,” she said. “Our vision is to promote active ageing by encouraging elderly citizens to live a healthier lifestyle, thus prolonging their active life and making their elderly years more fulfilling.”

The Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub, which includes a Day Experience Centre and Real-life Hostels, will provide a platform for developing and promoting the application of smart ageing technologies in Hong Kong. Located at the Jockey Club Rehabilitation Engineering Clinic of PolyU, the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub Day Experience Centre will showcase gerontechnology products and demonstrate their uses in helping enhance the elderly’s quality of life. A smart home mock-up, modelled on a one-to-one scale of a typical housing unit, will demonstrate how simple modifications and smart assistive devices can enhance the daily lives of the elderly. The Day Experience Centre will accommodate a resource library showing various smart ageing products appropriate for use in Hong Kong.

The Real-life Hostels will be established with PolyU’s partnering NGOs under the project whereby PolyU will source, customise and integrate appropriate technological devices targeting the particular needs of each different NGO hostel’s service users. As each hostel will be equipped with unique gerontechnology features, together they will play a valuable role as demonstration units showcasing to other NGOs and stakeholders a range of technological solutions for meeting the needs of the ageing population in Hong Kong.

Guided visits to the Day Experience Centre and Real-life Hostels will be arranged at a later stage of the project, along with symposiums and workshops, and training for elderly and student volunteers, all aimed at building a knowledge base and extending the capabilities of individuals and NGOs. The Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub Day Experience Centre is expected to attract about 18,000 visitors, while some 1,000 service users will directly benefit from the Real-life Hostels.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.