The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) announced today (June 14) that a new round of the ICT Outreach Programme for the Elderly was launched. Through a variety of information and communications technology (ICT) outreach activities, the Programme aims to continue cultivating the elderly's interest in technology and help them experience the convenience brought by ICT in their daily lives.
The OGCIO has earlier engaged six non-profit-making organisations (NPOs) through an open invitation to implement the new round of the ICT Outreach Programme for the Elderly for two years. Under the Programme, ICT outreach activities will be organised for institutionalised elderly people, hidden elderly people, elderly people receiving day care centre and home care services, as well as elderly people with dementia. Apart from introducing digital products to the elderly, the Programme also incorporates technology elements such as robotics, virtual reality and augmented reality in the activities. For instance, robots are deployed in the elderly's fitness exercise; virtual reality devices are used for the elderly to explore the community remotely; and various gerontechnology products are introduced to the elderly with a view to encouraging them to exercise more and manage their health. In addition, over 300 sessions of mobile outreach booth activities will be organised by the NPOs across the territory to introduce commonly used mobile apps to the elderly and help address their questions on using smartphones.
The six funded projects and their implementing organisations under the new round of the Programme are listed below:
| Project title | Funded organisation |
| Joyful Stimulation & Connection Project | The Hong Kong Chinese Women's Club |
| E-Joyful Motion – ICT Outreach Programme for the Elderly | Hong Kong Children & Youth Services |
| Hi Touch Fun Fun Lot | Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service, LC-HKS |
| #lovin tech #lovin eld | The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council |
| I Can Teach (ICT) – Elderly Learning Program for Technology | Tung Wah Group of Hospitals |
| Y Internet E-Force Outreach Program for the Elderly | Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service |
A spokesman for the OGCIO said, "We are very grateful for the support of the NPOs in the previous round of the ICT Outreach Programme for the Elderly, and for their contribution to the promotion of digital inclusion. The Programme has been well-received by the elderly since its launch in 2014. To date, over 24 000 elderly people have benefited from the Programme. It is expected that the new round will serve more than 12 000 elderly people."
For details about the ICT Outreach Programme Programme for the Elderly, please visit the OGCIO website (www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/our_work/community/ict_programmes_for_elderly/2023-2025/).
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