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International experts join Jockey Club Symposium to promote use of gerontechnology

10/11/2013

With advanced technologies, elderly care is moving into the digital age. As part of efforts to improve elderly welfare, CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors today (11 October) staged a gerontechnology symposium to discuss how technology can help improve the quality of life among the elderly and facilitate their independent living in the community.

Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip joined Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung and Elderly Commission Chairman Professor Alfred Chan to officiate at the opening ceremony of the 6th CADENZA symposium, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Stressing the need to create an elder-friendly environment, Dr Ip said the Jockey Club CADENZA Symposium would explore how advanced technologies impacted elderly care as well as helped older people maintain an active and independent life. “For our city to stay competitive, we must create an environment that enables older people to live in a safe place, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in society. Over the years, the Symposium has become an important platform for overseas and local experts to exchange new insights in the understanding of ageing issues,” he commented.

Dr Ko expressed his deepest appreciation to The Hong Kong Jockey Club in establishing CADENZA and its series of Community projects. “The Symposium is a timely call, gathering experts in the field of clinical medicine, nursing, social work etc., to address and exchange on the application of technology. I look forward very much to this Symposium bringing about new and innovative ideas which will ultimately benefit our elderly population in health promotion, caring and independent living in the community, ” he noted. “The total effect of these initiatives has been most instrumental in establishing a benchmark in affecting the direction of development of the local elderly care and services scene.”

With the theme of Matching Technology to Needs, experts from Japan, mainland China and Hong Kong shared their insights on gerontechnology. Key speakers included seal robot PARO inventor Dr Takanori Shibata from Japan, robotics expert Professor Xu Yangsheng, the President of CUHK, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Bio-Medical Electronics Manager Alice Chow. Jockey Club CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo also discussed how researchers could play a more active role in meeting the needs of the elderly with use of technology.

Latest hi-tech devices including a therapeutic seal robot called PARO, which was newly introduced to Hong Kong, a calligraphy robot for upper-limb exercise called Callibot, as well as the world’s smallest reflective device developed by a local institute to measure blood oxygen content and the heart rate were showcased in the exhibition booths. Also featured were Jockey Club CADENZA’s new online platforms on chronic disease management and Liberal Studies learning resources on population ageing. The Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing also demonstrated its brand new Chinese online platform for writing life stories to help enhance family relationships.

CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a project launched in 2006 by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million. The project aims to nurture academic leadership in gerontology and change the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes. Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations, but also Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (right) presents a souvenir to Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (left). Dr Ip stresses the need to create an elder-friendly environment, and the Jockey Club CADENZA Symposium will explore how advanced technologies impact on elderly care and help older people maintain an active and independent life.
Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (right) presents a souvenir to Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (left). Dr Ip stresses the need to create an elder-friendly environment, and the Jockey Club CADENZA Symposium will explore how advanced technologies impact on elderly care and help older people maintain an active and independent life.

Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (front row, 6th left), Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (front row, 5th left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (front row, 5th right), CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (front row, 4th left), Elderly Commission Chairman Professor Alfred Chan (front row, 6th right), Jockey Club CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo (front row, 4th right), Commissioner for Innovation and Technology Janet Wong (front row, 3rd left), Jockey Club CADENZA Training Programme Director Professor Diana Lee (front row, 2nd right), seal robot PARO inventor Dr Takanori Shibata (front row, 3rd right) as well as other guests attend the 6th Jockey Club CADENZA symposium.
Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (front row, 6th left), Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (front row, 5th left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (front row, 5th right), CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (front row, 4th left), Elderly Commission Chairman Professor Alfred Chan (front row, 6th right), Jockey Club CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo (front row, 4th right), Commissioner for Innovation and Technology Janet Wong (front row, 3rd left), Jockey Club CADENZA Training Programme Director Professor Diana Lee (front row, 2nd right), seal robot PARO inventor Dr Takanori Shibata (front row, 3rd right) as well as other guests attend the 6th Jockey Club CADENZA symposium.

Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (back row, centre), Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (back row, 2nd right), CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (back row, 1st left), Elderly Commission Chairman Professor Alfred Chan (back row, 2nd left) and Jockey Club CADENZA Training Programme Director Professor Diana Lee (back row, 1st right) pictured with 97-year-old Wong Wai-chiu, known to be the local oldest active blogger.
Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (back row, centre), Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (back row, 2nd right), CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (back row, 1st left), Elderly Commission Chairman Professor Alfred Chan (back row, 2nd left) and Jockey Club CADENZA Training Programme Director Professor Diana Lee (back row, 1st right) pictured with 97-year-old Wong Wai-chiu, known to be the local oldest active blogger.

Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (2nd right) and Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (centre) and the seal robot PARO, with the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st left), CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (1st right) and Commissioner for Innovation and Technology Janet Wong (2nd left).
Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (2nd right) and Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (centre) and the seal robot PARO, with the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st left), CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung (1st right) and Commissioner for Innovation and Technology Janet Wong (2nd left).

Photos 5/6/7:<br>
Guests tour the exhibition booths to learn more about the latest hi-tech devices.
Photos 5/6/7:
Guests tour the exhibition booths to learn more about the latest hi-tech devices.



The Jockey Club CADENZA Symposium.
The Jockey Club CADENZA Symposium.

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