| Sumario: | Issue Following the global trend, some have forecasted that the aging population (65 years old and older) in Taiwan will reach 14% by 2018 and 20% by 2025, which makes the nation the most rapidly aging society1. In addition, reports showed that from 2005 to 2015, there will be an average annual growth of 5.3% in unnecessary spending by or older adults in Taiwan2. With this background, one naturally expects that the growing demand will open opportunities for a new 'gerontechnology industry'. However, in Taiwan, although required technologies are widely available and most companies have been paying attention to this segment of the market, the gerontechnology industry actually did not grow as much as expected. In this symposium, we intend to address the critical issue, "Is there a gerontechnology industry?" Obviously, the need exists. However, does a market exist for a sustainable gerontechnological industry? How can companies from different industries cut into this market? Content By looking at case studies in retail, healthcare, and traditional industries and education in Taiwan, this symposium will first present how organizations can be a part of the gerontechnological marketplace by finding appropriate products or services in various fields. Presentations include: (i) the creation of a portal of, by and for the elderly on the Internet, which provides older adults with physical, mental, and spiritual health toward happy aging; (ii) analysis of the concept of a 'houspital', a house plus hospital, which allows elderly patients to stay at home with higher-quality home care services; (iii) developing a bed-centered smart home integrated with interactive lifeware designs for older adults; and (iv) the responsibility of the university as an educational institution for human resource development of the gerontechnology industry. In addition to describing their products and services, all presentations will address the issue of how the products or services can sustain and grow by designing a proper business plans in their respective fields. Structure There will be four 15-minute oral presentations including commentary, followed by a 20- minute panel discussion. Based on insights from the case studies, the panel discussion will focus on the more general issue of "Is there a market in which the gerontechnology industry can sustain?" and ultimately, "Is there a gerontechnology industry?" Conclusion This symposium expects to give the audience an overview of the challenges and opportunities of the gerontechnology industry in Taiwan. We also hope to raise the attention on the key issues to the success of gerontechnology products and services in Taiwan, and how these issues can be properly addressed to achieve sustainability and long-term viability.
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