TL;DR: - Hong Kong’s elderly population (65+) now exceeds 23% — the city is officially a “super-aged” society - Government I&T Fund reaches $2 billion with expanded scope for home-use technology products - AI-powered robots emerging as core support force: companion robots, exoskeletons, fall detection, rehabilitation systems - 270+ exhibitors at GIES 2025 showcased nearly 1,000 gerontech products - Key opportunity areas: AI companion robots, smart home monitoring, mobility-assist exoskeletons, rehabilitation technology

Executive Summary

Hong Kong stands at a pivotal moment in its demographic history. With the world’s highest life expectancy at 85.9 years and a median age of 47.9, the city has crossed the threshold into “super-aged” society status — where more than 21% of the population is aged 65 or above. For elderly services NGOs, this presents both unprecedented challenges and transformative opportunities.

This industry report examines the current state of gerontechnology in Hong Kong, analysing government initiatives, emerging technologies, funding landscapes, and practical implications for NGO leaders planning their digital transformation journey.

The Demographic Imperative

Hong Kong’s Ageing Profile in 2026

Indicator	Value	Source
Population aged 65+	~23%	Census & Statistics Dept
Median age	47.9 years	UN Population Projections 2024
Life expectancy (both sexes)	85.9 years	Worldometer
Total Fertility Rate	0.7	UN 2026 estimate
Elderly without self-care ability	~35 million (China-wide)	Ministry of Civil Affairs

The implications are stark. With a fertility rate of just 0.7 — far below the 2.1 replacement level — Hong Kong’s working-age population is shrinking while its elderly population grows. The elderly population will be more than twice the young population by 2026, according to population pyramid projections.

“Hong Kong will become a ‘super-aged society’ as defined by the World Health Organization, with the number and proportion of the elderly continuing to increase.” — Hon Elizabeth Quat, Legislative Council (July 2024)

The Care Gap Challenge

Conventional elderly care models face multiple structural challenges:

1. Workforce shortage — Professional caregivers are increasingly difficult to recruit and retain
2. Service efficiency — Manual processes limit the number of elderly who can be served
3. Personalisation barriers — Generic services fail to meet individual needs
4. Cost pressures — Rising operational costs strain NGO budgets

Gerontechnology offers a pathway to address these challenges — not as a replacement for human care, but as an enabler of more effective, dignified, and sustainable service delivery.

Government Investment Landscape

Innovation and Technology Fund for Elderly and Rehabilitation Care

The I&T Fund represents Hong Kong’s most significant public investment in gerontechnology adoption.

Funding Overview:

Phase	Investment	Status
Initial allocation (2018)	HK$1 billion	Deployed
Additional injection (2024-25)	HK$1 billion	Active
Total funding	HK$2 billion	Available

Impact to Date (as of June 2024): - $750 million in approved grants - 2,000+ service units subsidised - 21,000+ technology products procured or rented

Expanded Scope in 2024-25

A significant policy shift in the 2023 Policy Address expanded the I&T Fund scope to include:

• Home-use technology products — Enabling service units to lend devices to elderly persons and carers for household use
• Community Care Service Voucher expansion — Now covers rental of assistive technology products (since September 2023)
• Emergency Alarm Systems (EAS) — Including AI home fall detection devices, smart watches with health monitoring, and wireless EAS subsidies

This represents a fundamental shift from institution-centred to home-centred gerontechnology deployment.

Gerontechnology Platform

Established in 2021 under the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund, the Platform has:

• Provided 1,800+ support and consultancy services to startups and SMEs
• Completed testing of 10 theme-based gerontech products in residential care homes (end 2023)
• Developed Gerontechnology Product Evaluation Frameworks covering:
  • Fall prevention
  • Companion robots
  • Health monitoring
  • Transferring and lifting
  • Infection control
  • Anti-wandering systems
  • Communication devices
  • Care food
  • Smart environment
  • Cognitive training

Emerging Technology Categories

1. AI Companion Robots

AI-powered companion robots have emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories in gerontechnology. These devices address what the Beijing Association of Senior Citizens describes as the “increasingly prominent demand for emotional companionship.”

Capabilities: - Natural conversation and emotional support - Game-playing (chess, puzzles) - Medication reminders - Emergency alerting - IoT device integration

Real-world example: Sense, an AI robot priced around $285 (RMB 2,000), plays chess with elderly users while offering companionship. Family members report it “strengthens bonds” by creating shared activity opportunities.

2. Smart Home Safety Systems

AI-powered home monitoring systems integrate multiple safety functions:

Feature	Technology	Benefit
Fall detection	Large vision models, contactless monitoring	Automatic emergency contact
Medication supervision	Facial recognition	Active intake monitoring, family alerts
Health monitoring	IoT-connected devices	Real-time blood pressure, glucose syncing
Gas/appliance monitoring	IoT sensors	Emergency video calls for hazards

3. Mobility-Assist Exoskeletons

Wearable exoskeleton robots help elderly individuals with mobility issues walk independently.

Key developments: - Weight reduction to 2.4 kg - AI algorithms adapting to different walking postures and speeds - Target price point: ~$1,000 for senior-customised versions - Integration with flexible materials in next-generation products

“Elderly people who can barely walk with a cane can walk independently and easily once they wear the exoskeleton.” — Yu Yunbo, Founder, Shenzhen Kenqing Technology

4. Rehabilitation Technology

Rehabilitation robots are becoming essential in elderly care institutions and hospitals:

• Lower-limb rehabilitation robots — Gait training for patients with injuries or muscle function loss
• X-SPA Rehabilitation Therapy Robots — Integrating moxibustion, precision vibration, and endogenous heat
• Transfer machines — Safe patient movement preventing falls and fractures
• Dining-assistance robots — AI visual recognition for independent eating

5. Institutional Care Solutions

For residential care homes and day centres:

• Room-patrolling robots — Automated checkups and record-keeping
• Intelligent bowel management robots — Fully automatic, dignity-preserving care
• Smart sleeping beds — Position monitoring and pressure sore prevention
• Cognitive training games — Motion-sensing and gamified brain exercises

GIES 2025: Industry Snapshot

The Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES) 2025, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, provided a comprehensive snapshot of the industry’s current state.

Event Statistics:

Metric	GIES 2025	Cumulative (Since 2017)
Exhibitors	270+	1,000+
Products showcased	~1,000	3,500+
Visitors	Controlled access	230,000+

The event demonstrated strong representation from: - Hong Kong-based innovators - Mainland China technology companies - International gerontechnology vendors - Academic research institutions - Social welfare sector representatives

Practical Implications for NGOs

Assessment Framework

NGOs considering gerontechnology adoption should evaluate opportunities across four dimensions:

1. Client Impact - Does this technology genuinely improve elderly quality of life? - Does it preserve dignity and autonomy? - Is it accessible for users with varying cognitive and physical abilities?
2. Operational Efficiency - Will it reduce caregiver burden without reducing care quality? - Can it help address staffing shortages? - Does it integrate with existing workflows?
3. Financial Sustainability - Is I&T Fund subsidy available? - What are ongoing maintenance and training costs? - What is the realistic ROI timeline?
4. Implementation Readiness - Do staff have capacity for training? - Is infrastructure adequate (WiFi, power, space)? - What change management support is needed?

Funding Pathways

Funding Source	Eligible Items	Application Process
I&T Fund	Procurement, rental, trial of tech products	Via SWD-approved service units
Community Care Service Voucher	Assistive technology rental	Service user application
HKHA/HKHS Subsidies	Emergency Alarm Systems	Housing authority application
CSSA Subsidies	EAS for eligible elderly	Via SWD
Gerontechnology Platform	R&D partnerships, product testing	HKCSS intermediary

Technology Adoption Roadmap

Phase 1: Foundation (0-6 months) - Conduct technology needs assessment - Identify pilot user group - Apply for I&T Fund or relevant subsidies - Staff training on digital literacy

Phase 2: Pilot (6-12 months) - Deploy selected technology in controlled setting - Gather user feedback (elderly, carers, staff) - Document outcomes and challenges - Refine implementation approach

Phase 3: Scale (12-24 months) - Expand successful pilots organisation-wide - Integrate with existing service delivery - Establish ongoing support and maintenance - Share learnings with sector peers

Case Study: Integrated Gerontech Implementation

The Jockey Club Olink Hub (傲齡匯), developed by the Hong Kong Society for the Aged, demonstrates what integrated gerontechnology can achieve.

This virtual community platform for seniors and caregivers combines: - Live online classes and workshops - Mentorship programmes - Social connection features - Digital literacy training

The platform addresses the three levels of the digital divide — access, skills, and meaningful engagement — while complementing physical services rather than replacing them.

For elderly services NGOs seeking similar transformation, i2 Hong Kong provides expertise in building digital platforms that integrate gerontechnology with human-centred service delivery. Explore our elderly care solutions or contact us for a consultation.

Looking Ahead: 2026-2028 Projections

Technology Trends to Watch

1. Generative AI integration — More sophisticated natural language interactions for companion robots
2. Wearable evolution — From exoskeletons to smart clothing with embedded sensors
3. Home-institution connectivity — Seamless data sharing between home monitoring and care facilities
4. Preventive health focus — AI-driven early warning systems for health deterioration

Policy Developments

The government’s commitment to gerontechnology is expected to continue expanding, with potential areas including: - Further I&T Fund enhancements - Broader eligibility for technology subsidies - Standards development for product safety and efficacy - Enhanced training programmes for sector workforce

Market Opportunities

The “silver economy” represents one of Hong Kong’s most significant growth sectors. Elderly services NGOs that successfully integrate gerontechnology will be better positioned to: - Serve larger populations with existing resources - Attract younger caregiving talent through technology-enabled work - Demonstrate impact to funders and stakeholders - Build sustainable service models for the super-aged era

Conclusion

Hong Kong’s gerontechnology landscape in 2026 presents a clear message for elderly services NGOs: the question is no longer whether to adopt technology, but how to do so thoughtfully and effectively.

With $2 billion in government funding available, a robust ecosystem of technology providers, and proven implementation frameworks, the barriers to entry have never been lower. Yet success requires more than technology procurement — it demands strategic planning, staff development, and unwavering focus on the dignity and wellbeing of the elderly people served.

The organisations that navigate this transition successfully will define the future of elderly care in Hong Kong.

FAQ

Q: What is the I&T Fund and how can my NGO access it?

A: The Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly and Rehabilitation Care is a HK$2 billion government fund that subsidises elderly and rehabilitation service units to procure, rent, or trial technology products. Eligible service units can apply through the Social Welfare Department. The fund now covers home-use products that can be lent to elderly persons and carers.

Q: What types of gerontechnology have the highest adoption rates in Hong Kong?

A: According to GIES 2025 and government data, the most widely adopted categories include: fall prevention/detection systems, emergency alarm systems, health monitoring devices, and cognitive training tools. AI companion robots and exoskeleton mobility aids are emerging categories with rapid growth.

Q: How do we ensure elderly users can actually use these technologies?

A: The government has expanded all 214 subvented elderly centres to promote gerontechnology (since October 2023). Centres organise training activities and provide personalised support. The key is adopting a “living manual” approach — focusing on functional restoration rather than technical instruction, with guidance matched to individual health conditions and learning abilities.

Q: Is gerontechnology cost-effective for smaller NGOs?

A: Yes, with proper funding utilisation. The I&T Fund covers procurement and rental costs, and the Community Care Service Voucher now includes assistive technology rental. Start with pilot projects in high-impact areas (e.g., fall detection) and scale based on demonstrated outcomes. i2 Hong Kong helps NGOs design technology adoption strategies that maximise grant utilisation while achieving genuine service improvements.

Q: How do we balance technology adoption with the human element of care?

A: The most successful implementations position technology as an enabler of human care, not a replacement. Robots can handle routine monitoring and companionship during off-hours, freeing human caregivers for complex care tasks and meaningful relationship-building. The goal is “human-first, tech-enabled” service delivery.

Sources

1. Legislative Council Question — Promoting the application of gerontechnology (July 2024)
2. Social Welfare Department — I&T Fund Programme Information (2024-25)
3. UN Population Projections 2024 Revision
4. GIES 2025 Official Press Release (November 2025)
5. China Daily — Robotics, AI innovations put elderly care on fast track (December 2025)
6. HKCSS Gerontechnology Platform Reports
7. Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department Population Estimates

Ready to transform your elderly services with gerontechnology? i2 Hong Kong specialises in digital solutions for elderly care organisations, from virtual community platforms to integrated technology ecosystems. Explore our elderly care and gerontechnology solutions or contact us for a free consultation.

Published: 19 March 2026 Category: AI Solutions Tags: gerontechnology, elderly services, Hong Kong NGO, AI in elder care, I&T Fund, industry report