The Hong Kong Jockey Club has long been proactively addressing challenges arising from the city’s ageing population, and the Elderly is one of the four strategic focus areas for its Charities Trust contributions. One of the Trust’s latest donations has been made to support the Gerontech and Innovative Expo cum Summit 2018 (GIES 2018) taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 22 to 25 November, showcasing innovative technological products and creative ideas from local and overseas organisations. The event will also provide an exchange and collaboration platform for enhancing the quality of life of the elderly.

The opening ceremony of GIES 2018 was held today (22 November), at which officiating guests were Club Steward Richard Tang Yat Sun; Chief Secretary for Administration the Hon Matthew Cheung; Secretary for Innovation and Technology the Hon Nicholas Yang; and Chairperson of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Bernard Chan.

This year’s GIES displays around 380 inventions and products that can be useful to the daily lives of the elderly, including smart home devices, elderly care appliances and nutritious foods. A Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Pavilion has also been set up to showcase elderly and technological elements of 12 projects initiated or supported by the Club. For example, visitors can learn about the Jockey Club Community eHealth Care Project through playing a digital interactive game and a virtual reality game, which illustrate how innovation and technology are being applied to encourage the elderly to build self-management habits and gain a better understanding of their own health. There are also displays showing e-tools for elderly care, including online courses and a mobile app created as part of CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors. Exhibition boards feature a new smart training system to be launched by the CADENZA Hub in 2019, providing one-stop integrated medical and social care services to promote the importance of primary healthcare among middle-aged and elderly people.

Also on display are two more mobile apps developed under the Club-supported Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, namely the “Finding Missing Elderly with Dementia” app which helps caregivers find lost elderly people with dementia, and the “One Click to Know Dementia” app which provides caregivers with all-round support.

In addition, there will be a summit during the four-day Expo, featuring keynote and plenary sessions led by local and international experts to exchange views on the future development of elderly care in Hong Kong. It will examine how gerontechnology can be widely and effectively applied to strengthen elderly care at home, as well as to improve the well-being of the elderly.

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.