Pan-Chyr Yang, Vice President of IBMI, stated that defining seniors as those 65 years and older originated in Germany in the 1880s. However, in the past 140 years, many 65-year-olds today remain very healthy, making this definition outdated.
At the inaugural Healthy Ageing Tech Show, Yang emphasized, "The future of Taiwan lies in not needing long-term care!" He suggested that the government should establish a volunteer system allowing individuals aged 65 to 75 to continue contributing to society by sharing their experiences and delaying the aging process. Additionally, he advocated for the promotion of precision health to ensure well-being across all age groups.
Former Academia Sinica President Chi-Huey Wong noted that in the last century, the average human lifespan was 40 years, which has now increased to 80 years and is expected to rise further in the next century. Most elderly individuals are healthy or moderately healthy, with only a few requiring special care. In Taiwan, many significant businesses, wealth management, and economic activities still rely on contributions from older adults. However, almost all medical products or clinical trials exclude those over 65, leading to the neglect of geriatric medicine.
Ming-Shiang Wu, Director of National Taiwan University Hospital, pointed out that aging is a trend in advanced countries worldwide. In Taiwan, the economically strongest group is the silver-haired generation, yet few companies design products specifically for this demographic, which is a significant oversight.
Wu noted that this year’s Healthy Ageing Tech Show attracted industries from various fields such as biomedicine, technology, and insurance, which is a positive sign. However, many products are still designed for all ages rather than targeting the elderly. Given Taiwan's advanced technology, medical, and textile industries, there should be enough capability to develop niche products that cater to the longevity economy, allowing Taiwan to capture new economic opportunities globally.
Resource (mandarin): 生策會副會長楊泮池：65歲定義老人已過時
