Switzerland recently hosted its very first AgeTech conference at Google, organized by Margerite GmbH, and Panitda Huynh was among the attendees who had the privilege of participating. The event, expertly orchestrated by Dr. Tobias Daniel G. from HealthCare Futurists GmbH, Ivan Büchi, and Silvio Biaggi from Margerite GmbH, brought together leading minds in healthcare and technology to explore the intersection of aging and digital innovation.

Reflecting on the conference, Panitda shared her key takeaways from the day:

1. Financial Abuse in Older Adults:
   A staggering statistic revealed that in 2023, 78.3% of older adults were targeted for financial abuse, with 19.8% falling victim. The financial repercussions are significant, with losses reaching up to 675 million CHF annually (according to research by Haute Ecole Arc – Ingénierie, ILCE). Olivier Beaudet-Labrecque’s presentation highlighted the urgent need for protective measures and increased awareness.
2. Challenges in AgeTech Innovation:
   Insights from “Lab to Live” research conducted by OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences shed light on the development challenges in AgeTech innovation. A key issue identified was the lack of involvement of older adults in the development process, which is often led by younger experts. This disconnect results in technologies that fail to meet the needs of older adults, leading to low acceptance and market entry failures. The perspectives of end-users are crucial for success. Cornelia U., Cora Pauli, and Robert Huber emphasized the importance of involving older adults in technology development.
3. Beyond Technological Innovation:
   The conference emphasized that while technological advancements are significant, they must be complemented by social innovations like “caring communities” and “living in old age.” Die Stiftung Alterswohnungen der Stadt Zürich SAW is pioneering the “digitale Alterswohnung” (digital retirement home), allowing older adults to explore and experience innovative living solutions while championing a self-determined life in old age.

The event was an enriching exchange of knowledge and experiences among experts, with participants eagerly looking forward to the next AgeTech conference in 2025 to discuss further innovations in this vital field.

Panitda extended her gratitude to the hosts and collaborators who made the conference possible, including Ralph Rimet (tooyoo.ch), Swiss Carers, Vincent Tervooren, Simone Eicher (Personal Robotics), Michael Früh (Google Cloud Skills Boost), Sandra Mavrakis-Mistelbauer, Katja Hornung, Dr. Ludwig Hasler, Corina Baumgartner (Innovation Zurich), Life Science Zurich, the Digital Health Center Bülach, Easierphone, and the University of St. Gallen’s Centre for Digital Health Interventions.

The conference underscored the importance of combining technological and social innovation to address the challenges faced by an aging population, and Panitda looks forward to contributing to this rapidly evolving field. Read more about Panitda’s research here.