Opinion | Silver economy far from enough for rapidly ageing Hong Kong
Promoting economic activities catering to the elderly is welcome, but more must be done to address the issues the elderly and their carers face
As a carer for two wheelchair-bound parents, I face daily struggles that underscore the urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to ageing. These struggles are not unique to me but reflect systemic gaps that demand immediate attention. Other cities and countries have tackled these issues with foresight and innovation, and Hong Kong has much to learn from their successes.
Singapore, by contrast, was recognised as one of 10 most accessible cities in the world in a 2022 travel survey. Compared to Hong Kong’s barrier-free access manual, Singapore’s barrier-free accessibility code seems to place a stronger emphasis on universal design principles, seamless connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces, and the incorporation of assistive technologies as part of its smart city initiatives.
Hong Kong needs to embrace teleconsultations at scale to improve healthcare accessibility. In Asia, Singapore has mainstreamed telehealth in both public and private healthcare systems.