Press Release
21 January 2017
For Immediate Release
Golden Age Expo and Summit
Celebrating Smart Aging
21-22 January 2017 Hall 1C HKCEC
Organized by Golden Age Foundation, “Golden Age Expo and Summit” opens today (21st January) at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. This is the only large-scale Expo and Summit specially catered for the Golden Age population (i.e. people aged 45 and above, retirees and the elderly). Opening ceremony officiating guests include:
- Acting Secretary for Labour and Welfare - Mr. Stephen Sui
- Former Chairmen of Elderly Commission - Dr. Edward Leong and Mr. TAM Yiu-chung
- Former President of Legislative Council - Mr. Jasper Tsang
- Former Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs - Ms Shelley Lee
- Founder and CEO of Dialogue Social Enterprise GmbH - Dr. Andreas Heinecke
- Chief Officer (Elderly Service) of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service - Ms Grace Chan
- Founder & Chair of Golden Age Foundation - Mrs. Rebecca Choy Yung
Many retired and present government officials, leaders from businesses, NGOs, social enterprises participate at and support the event.
The Expo assembles over 130 booths, showcasing thousands of products and services from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, Europe and Hong Kong, such as smart home design, new technology products, health care products and services, nursing services, tourism, culture and entertainment, employment planning services, life education etc.
Moreover, the Summit gathers over 50 renowned international and local speakers to discuss and explore innovative ways of building Hong Kong into a ‘Smart Aging City’. There are health screening, performances, fitness and product demonstrations, interactive and photography sessions throughout the two-day event.
Golden Age Phenomenon
The world is moving quickly towards a new era of "Golden Age", the proportion of middle-aged and older adults is increasing. The Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department predicts that the proportion of people aged 65 or above in Hong Kong will reach 30% in 2041, the highest on the global list. Our challenge is to enhance the quality of life under the “Golden Age” era by making good use of the latest technology, medical and product innovations.
Mrs. Rebecca Choy Yung, the Founder & Chair of Golden Age Foundation, states that “longevity is a phenomenon that has never occurred in human history before. It presents both challenges and opportunities. Since there are no precedents to follow, we have to tackle the situation with positive actions and lead the society towards a new stage in which the proportion of middle-aged and elderly populations is dominant. Our vision is to build a "Smart Aging City" with a new mindset, new socio-economic and technological environments that enable the elderly to lead a healthy, active and purposeful life. In fact, not only people are aging, the social concepts, systems, facilities, etc. are also aging. Many of them are out of date. Therefore, cross-sector communications, collaborations, and innovative business models have become increasingly important.”
The Only Event in HK catered for Golden Agers
The Expo is twice big as last year with over 130 booths, showcasing thousands of innovative products and services from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Europe, China and Hong Kong specially catered for the Golden Age population. Many of these displays are brand new, bringing a totally new experience to visitors. Major exhibits include
- Rehabilitation Equipment, Massage Equipment, Walking & Mobility Aids, etc. An automatic bath device called “Sit & Shower” attracts a lot of attention.
- Health Check Services, Health Supplements, etc. One of them is the Visiona Intelligent DR Screening Platform that may check diabetes within 40 seconds by scanning the retina.
- Financial Planning, Estate Planning, Insurance, Property, Retirement Homes & Scheme, Job Matching, etc. The Labour Department has set up a computerized job matching system on-site. Golden Agers looking for job may input their details into the system.
- Recreational Products, Anti-Aging Products, Fashion, Footwear, etc.
- Smart & Retirement Homes, Elderly Housing Decoration, Furniture Optimization, Safety Lighting, Kitchenware, Household goods, etc.
- Continuing Education, Skills Training Courses, Hobby Classes, Arts & Culture Master Classes, Sport & Fitness Training, etc.
- Community Service, Volunteer Service, Social Enterprise & NGO Activities
Moreover, a multifarious range of activities, including health screening, performances, fitness and product demonstrations, interactive and photography sessions are also being held throughout the two-day event.
Thought- Provoking Summit
The Golden Age Summit gathers over 50 renowned international and local speakers such as Dr. Andreas Heinecke, Founder and CEO of Dialogue Social Enterprise GmbH from Germany. Mrs. Karen Kulp, CEO of Home Care Associates from the USA, Ms. Yorelle KALIKA, CEO of Active Global Specialised Caregivers from Singapore, and many other well-known local speakers will discuss and explore innovative ways of building Hong Kong into a ‘Smart Aging City’.
During the Keynote Speech “On Search of Gained Time”, Dr. Heinecke states that we are not getting older, but younger. Because in the old age, we still have the abilities to do more things than our last generation. Nowadays, even at 60, our mental and physical functions are similar to that of a 40-50 old person of the past. Age has become just a number. Our identity can be irrelevant to our age. Many people become matured entrepreneurs or politicians at their golden ages. Smart technology and mainstream digital solutions are not the solution to live a happy and healthy life, whereas humanistic solutions are more important than technological application and robotics. He called for the promotion of cross-generation dialogue through education to arouse genuine care for the elderly.
During the Policy Dialogue session, The Hon Matthew Cheung, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, introduces through a video, about the Government's support for a holistic retirement protection, including medical care, housing, comprehensive social security assistance and allowance, etc. This is a switch from a purely welfare policy to that of care, specifically targeted to help socially vulnerable groups. Dr Joseph Lee, President of Wofoo Social Enterprise, encourages the industrial and business sector to launch quality products and services for retirees and elders. Businesses may generate profits as well as create social values at the same time. Dr. Jane Lee, Director of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, believes social welfare organizations can re-integrate their resources and expand cooperation with other sectors, for example, the medical and business sectors, to provide personalized and integrated services to the elderly. Mr. Stephen Wong, Deputy Executive Director and Head of Public Policy of Our Hong Kong Foundation, suggests the Government to establish a "Personalized Integrated Care System", which provides medical check-up vouchers for people over the age of 45 to manage chronic diseases. He also suggests establishing a "Health Promotion Network" to provide systematic personalized and integrated care services in the community.
Opening Performance: Inheritance of traditional culture
Golden Age Foundation supports the inheritance of traditional culture with its opening performances. Kicks off with an inspiring drum performance, the well-known Tai Chi Master Li Fai and the Tai Chi Qi Yuan Well Being Club demonstrates the positive and healthy aspects of the golden age generation through a diverse and exciting tai chi and inner boxing performance, stressing that healthy is a footstone for golden age generation to enjoy a quality life.
"In the Mood for Blossoms Cheongsam"
Cheongsam represents a tradition of fine craftsmanship. Golden Agers in Hong Kong may have a collective memory of teachers, office ladies and housewives well-clapped in cheongsam in the 50s and 60s. A group of stunning women executives stage the "In the Mood for Blossoms” catwalk at the Opening, reviving Cheongsam in its modern form suitable for day to night occasions.
Cross Generation Dialogue on Death - a Private Issue or a Public Agenda
Golden Age Foundation has invited Prof. Christine Fang from The University of Hong Kong and Independent Journalist Ms. Leila Chan, to host a cross generation dialogue on death with The Hong Kong Council of Social Service Chairman Mr. Bernard Chan，Legislative Councilor Mr. Roy Kwong and two Golden Age Representatives.
After suffered from a serious illness, Mr. Bernard Chan shares his feeling and his preparations for death. Death is a family and private matter, but it is also a significant social issue. Are there enough hospice and funeral facilities, policies, laws, and services to cater for the aging population? Mr. Roy Kwong shares a number of death stories collected in his book "Tree-hole". He states that death has never been a personal matter, but also a matter of family, friends and the community. As active members of Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service, two Golden Age Representatives share their preparations of death. When the elderly think that they are about to leave the world, and want to prepare for their final journey, their children are usually not willing to talk to them about death. In many cases, the elderly regret that they have no time to have a final review of their lives, and settle their decades of relationships and memories in the world before it reaches the end.
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For more information, please visit http://goldenage.foundation/ or contact:
Ms. Milla Wong
Tel: (852) 2561 5566 / 8102 1068 Fax: (852) 2811 9156
E-mail：Publicaffairs@goldenage.foundation