Lingnan University Survey Shows a High Demand for Healthcare and Exercise Gerontechnology as Over 90 Per Cent of Respondents Urge Government Funding

In order to understand Hong Kong citizens' views on the development of gerontechnology, Lingnan University recently held a public opinion survey. The results show that gerontechnology products related to healthcare and exercise are of the greatest interest to the public, although about 60 per cent of respondents find the cost of such products prohibitively high, which presents a barrier to purchase. At the same time, over 90 per cent hope that the government will increase support for elderly service organisations to adopt gerontechnology, and for research and development. This would stimulate growth and the silver economy, ultimately benefiting more older adults and caregivers.

A research team from Lingnan University interviewed 869 Hong Kong citizens aged 18 and over during this year's Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES), which was held from 20 to 23 November. The results show an ongoing upward trend in public awareness of gerontechnology, and 78 per cent of respondents were familiar with the word, up from 76 per cent the previous year.

Gerontechnology is extremely relevant in everyday life, and the survey reveals that public interest is strongest in development in 'healthcare' (72 per cent) and 'exercising' (52 per cent), which attract greater attention than ‘dining' (42 per cent) or 'living' (38 per cent). These findings reflect the public's different priorities for gerontechnology and its potential role in improving the overall quality of life for older adults.

Lingnan University's recent survey indicates that the public shows the strongest interest in gerontechnology products for healthcare and exercise.

Regarding the potential use of gerontechnology products, 95 per cent of respondents said they are very optimistic or optimistic. However, there are still obstacles as 60 per cent consider high prices the main barrier, 52 per cent cited a lack of product information, and about 34 per cent are unclear about where to buy the products. Compared to a similar survey last year, there is a rising trend in the number of citizens who consider gerontechnology products ‘too expensive’.

Around 60 per cent of respondents viewed the cost of these products as prohibitively high, 52 per cent cited a lack of product information, and approximately 34 per cent were unclear about where to buy them, all presenting a barrier to use.

92 per cent of respondents either ‘strongly support' or ‘support' the government allocating additional financial assistance to elderly care homes and other senior service organisations for the purchase and use of gerontechnology products. 90 per cent also expressed strong or general support for broadening the scope of the Elderly Health Care Voucher Scheme to subsidise older adults wishing to acquire the products. Meanwhile, more than 91 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that the government should boost backing for the industrial and commercial sectors in the research and development of gerontechnology products, thereby encouraging the growth of the industry. On the topic of education, most respondents considered both older adults and caregivers to be important target groups, and indicated willingness to continue disseminating information. 95 per cent of those surveyed recognise that universities play a key role in advancing the development of gerontechnology.

Dr Chloe Siu Pui-yee, Senior Lecturer of the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University, observed that the survey results indicate a particular public interest in gerontechnology in healthcare and exercise, a trend that may be linked to the HKSAR government hosting the 15th National Games this year, which has helped to raise public awareness of sport. This aligns with the government's aim to promote community physical activity, and encourage all sectors of society to exercise regularly.

Dr Siu added that the survey also shows respondents' hopes that the government will support issues such as sarcopenia. As people age, they often experience a reduction in muscle mass and strength, which may impair daily living activities, making walking or climbing stairs more difficult and increasing the risk of falls and related injuries. Some respondents suggested that a greater preventive investment in older adults' exercise and health may help to reduce future healthcare expenditure, and offer broader societal benefits. Such investment might include technology or services designed to maintain muscle strength and encourage regular exercise.

Dr Siu affirmed Lingnan University's continuing commitment to cross-sector collaboration, professional elderly care, and the quality of life for older adults, and is working with partners to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of an ageing society.

Dr Chloe Siu Pui-yee, Senior Lecturer of the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University (second from right), hopes that universities, the government, and industry can collaborate to advance gerontechnology.

In today's highly competitive society, many parents insist their children learn more and learn faster in order to “win at the starting line”. A recent study by the Department of Psychology at Lingnan University examining the relationship between stress and creativity has found that different types of stress, such as competition, noise, confined environments, and engaging in challenging tasks, may actually reduce children's creative performance, but adolescents and adults tend to show more innovative ability under moderate competitive pressure. The research findings have been published in top-tier international academic journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, and provide important insights in workplace management strategies, and for the education sector and creative industries.

Prof Huang Yi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lingnan University, and her research team conducted a meta-analysis of 99 experimental studies on creative performance published worldwide over the past half-century (from 1965 to 2022), involving 8,749 participants ranging from primary school children to adults. The team divided them into three groups for in-depth analysis: children aged 12 and below, adolescents aged 13 to 17, and adults aged 18 and above.

The results showed that the impact of stress varies across different age groups, and different types of stress also affect individual creativity in distinct ways. For children, “common stressors” such as competition, physical stress including noise, confined environments, and performing time-limited or difficult tasks tend to trigger anxiety, and make it harder for them to express creativity. Nevertheless, the study also found that both adolescents and adults show a trend of enhanced creativity under competitive pressure, although examination stress generally has a negative impact on the creativity of all three age groups. Additionally, adults struggle to focus and think deeply under “deadline culture”, which impairs their creativity.

Prof Huang explained that children's brain regions responsible for higher-order thinking are not yet fully developed, resulting in weaker emotional regulation compared to adolescents and adults. As a result, children may not be able to cope effectively with stress, and are more sensitive to failure, and prone to anxiety. In contrast, adolescents and adults tend to perceive competition as a challenge, and under moderate pressure their creativity can actually be stimulated. However, adults juggling multiple roles and responsibilities experience a certain level of stress from the need to manage time effectively.

Prof Huang also emphasised that creativity is extremely important, explaining "From a psychological perspective, creativity is one of the core abilities that people rely on to solve problems in daily learning, life, and work. Creativity helps to connect new things with existing knowledge, and think outside the box and find alternative solutions when facing difficulties. Creativity is also related to mental health, and people with greater creativity tend to have more psychological flexibility and be better able to adjust their mindset when confronted with stress and adversity.”

She also noted that examinations, noise, and tight deadlines are typical forms of “Hong Kong-style stress.” These findings offer helpful guidance to educators, workplace managers, and the creative industries: to encourage creativity in children, competitive pressure should be reduced by cutting back on frequent evaluations, and replaced with a supportive environment that allows for free exploration. This helps children build positive emotions, social competence, and problem-solving skills, which are the best ways to unlock their creative potential.

For adolescents and adults, workplace managers can harness the motivating effects of competition by introducing moderately competitive elements when appropriate, such as establishing healthy peer review and collaboration mechanisms. Meanwhile, educational institutions and businesses should focus on setting reasonable deadlines, avoiding a culture of chronic overwork, and instead creating an environment that allows employees the space for deep thinking.

Prof Huang Yi and her research team publish a study on stress and creativity.

Lingnan University.