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Overview 2

The “demand-side” of the gerontech ecosystem refers to Hong Kong’s tech savvy culture is not limited to the younger
organisations and individuals that purchase and consume generation. In recent years, the city has seen a significant rise
gerontech products and services. End-users include the in older people’s information technology use and penetration. As Demand-side
elderly, persons with disabilities, and caregivers, which is of 2020, more than 80 to 90% of persons aged 45 to 64 years
further differentiated by end-users living at home within (“yound-olds”) have had experience in using a major form of
a community setting, versus those who live in residential information technology device (Table 3) (C&SD, 2013; 2021,
institutional settings. Also, many professionals from the April). These numbers signal stronger market potential in the next
healthcare and welfare service sectors use gerontech to help 10 to 20 years, when young olds will be willing to spend more
end-users, such as nurses, occupational therapists (OT), money on using technology to improve their lives. Hence, we
physiotherapists, speech therapists, and social workers. It is anticipate significant market potential for gerontech.
important to recognise that the elderly and PwD are not mutually
exclusive population groups, as many elders also suffer from
disabilities. Every elderly and PwD have unique and diverse
needs; therefore, any policy seeking to address their needs
should remain flexible and accommodating. For this chapter,
our research and analysis will primarily focus on the elderly for
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illustrative purposes.

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Many of our analyses and recommendations can also be extended to PwD as well.
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