Poster Presentations

Amid rapid technological advancement and population ageing, China is developing smart elderly care that integrates technological and service innovation to address increasing demands. Based on analysis of more than 50 national policy documents, case studies, and firsthand investigative experience, this study identifies three application scenarios—home-based, community-based, and institution-based care—and five supporting technologies: IoT, big data, AI, 5G, and cloud computing. It highlights progress in pilot projects and industry planning, while identifying challenges in digital adoption, age-friendly products, and the industrial chain, and outlining future priorities for policy, consumption, and market development.

Taichang Chen China Research Centre on Aging

This study examines how digital monitoring and surveillance technologies are shaping the care of older persons and considers their ethical and effective use by families and unpaid caregivers. A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and media reports found that current applications often do not adequately respect older persons’ autonomy and privacy. Their use can affect trust and family relationships, increase caregiver burden, and reduce in-person interactions that help protect against social isolation and loneliness. The study proposes shared decision-making between caregivers and older persons as a framework for more ethical and appropriate implementation.

Samir K. Sinha Sinai Health System and the University Health Network

As Singapore faces a ‘silver tsunami’, dementia prevalence is expected to increase. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia can be unpredictable and distressing for both persons living with dementia and their caregivers, yet these symptoms remain poorly understood and lack standardised management methods. Education and caregiver support are therefore paramount. Conventional caregiver education cannot fully demonstrate the confusing and changing world experienced by persons living with dementia. This study presents Virtual Reality as an exciting and novel educational tool that can help caregivers better understand the nature and causes of behavioural and psychological symptoms as experienced by their loved ones.

Vivian Barrera Changi General Hospital

As populations age rapidly worldwide, shortages of paid and unpaid caregivers are driving interest in ‘care robots’. This global evidence review examines physical care robots and social engagement robots across care settings for older adults. Current evidence remains mixed: some physical robots may modestly reduce transfer time and caregiver strain, while social robots show small effects on anxiety and agitation among persons living with dementia. High costs, care provider reluctance, limited real-world effectiveness, dehumanisation, informed consent, dignity, human connection, algorithmic bias, and data privacy remain important concerns for the responsible development and deployment of care robots.

Matthew B. Downer University of Toronto Canada

In the context of rapid digitalization and population ageing, this study examines how digital back-feeding supports older adults’ adaptation to digital society and well-being. Using 2023 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey data, it finds that digital back-feeding is positively associated with well-being, but benefits differ across social groups. Older adults with higher education, closer intergenerational relationships, and urban residence gained more. Attitudes towards ageing and social participation mediate this relationship. The study argues that digital inclusion should move beyond technical training and adopt a comprehensive social approach that considers stratified ageing, family dynamics, and broader structural contexts.

Shujun Chai Renmin University of China

This study investigates determinants of long-term care among elderly Indonesians with non-communicable diseases, caregiver availability, and unmet LTC needs. Using the first wave of the Indonesia Longitudinal Ageing Study 2023, it focuses on older respondents across nine provinces with ageing populations. Dependency levels will be assessed using the Barthel Index and linked to specific NCD categories, while caregiver profiles—paid, unpaid, or absent—will highlight unmet needs. The findings aim to guide targeted interventions, promote NCD prevention through life-course approaches, strengthen integrated care strategies, and improve Indonesia’s preparedness for equitable long-term care provision.

Sri Moertiningsih Adioetomo Demographic Institute, Faculty of Economic and Business University of Indonesia

This paper examines the growing demand for professional caregivers among older persons in India as traditional informal and unpaid family care becomes less available. Demographic ageing, migration, urbanization, declining fertility, and rising female labour force participation are widening the gap between care demand and family support. Using data from the Indian Survey on Ageing and Care across six states, the study analyses socio-demographic, economic, and health-related determinants of professional care needs and unmet caregiving needs. It argues for investment in formal long-term care systems, caregiver training, and community-based support services beyond assumptions of unlimited family care.

Sanjay Kumar UNFPA India

This study investigates the association between institutional trust and demand for formal long-term care services under South Korea’s social long-term care insurance scheme. Using data from the 2014–2022 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, it finds that greater trust in the SLTCI agency is associated with higher odds of applying for formal care. The relationship is particularly relevant for women and the oldest-old. Demand is also higher among older adults facing functional disability, depression, cognitive impairment, poor self-rated health, and limited insurance protection. The findings highlight the importance of good governance, accessibility, and financial sustainability in strengthening institutional trust.

Joelle H. Fong National University of Singapore

Singapore’s rapidly ageing population has increased the need for sustainable, community-based approaches that enable seniors to remain active while contributing meaningfully to the care of their peers. Kindred Circle, Allkin Singapore’s micro-job initiative, engages active seniors as peer carers supporting frail and vulnerable older adults through centre-based and home-based engagements. This study evaluates structured capability-building among 27 senior peer carers using a mixed-methods approach. Findings demonstrate improved confidence, role clarity, skill application, and sense of purpose, while highlighting the importance of continued training, supervision, practical learning, and peer mentoring to strengthen senior micro-job models.

Jocelyn Toh Allkin Singapore Ltd

This study examines how climate change intersects with ageing to increase the vulnerability of older persons in climate-stressed rural districts in India. Based on a mixed-method study across 10 states involving more than 2,000 older persons, caregivers, medical and government functionaries, and local representatives, it explores challenges, adaptability, and resilience through an Intersectional Place Perspective framework. The findings highlight gaps in healthcare, social care, housing, livelihoods, and access to essential support during climate events. The study calls for climate-informed care planning, resilient infrastructure, community-integrated care networks, and elder-friendly early warning systems.

Girish Chandra Mishra HelpAge India

Population ageing in Malaysia is accelerating, yet sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) remain largely excluded from ageing policies and care systems. This study examines gaps in SRHR through the ICPD+30 monitoring review and a qualitative case study of older women in Kelantan, Malaysia. Findings highlight limited integration of older women’s SRHR within national frameworks, including unmet needs, low reproductive cancer screening uptake, and limited data on elder abuse and neglect. The study calls for a life-course approach, gender-responsive data systems, and stronger civil society engagement to build inclusive, age-friendly societies that leave no one behind.

Sharmilah Rajendran Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) Malaysia

This study examines whether the association between sedentary breaks and grip strength is moderated by total sedentary time among Korean adults. Using KNHANES 2014–2016 data, the analysis included 1,766 adults aged 19–64 years with accelerometery and grip strength measurements. A significant positive interaction was found, with the association becoming statistically significant above approximately 7.43 hours of sedentary time per day. The association was significant among women but not men. Model-based predictions suggest modest grip strength differences at high sedentary exposure, although the cross-sectional design means these findings are exploratory and require longitudinal replication.

Chanhyeok Kang Seoul National University

This study examines whether essentialist beliefs about ageing influence how older adults respond to community-based and intergenerational interventions. Among 197 community-dwelling older adults participating in Japan’s REPRINTS program, higher perceived malleability of ageing significantly predicted better executive function and cued recall at follow-up, while biological determinism did not predict cognitive outcomes. The findings suggest that older adults who view ageing as modifiable may derive greater benefits from social participation and cognitively engaging activities. Addressing ageing beliefs may therefore offer a promising strategy for strengthening sustainable and inclusive approaches to healthy cognitive ageing in rapidly ageing societies.

Xinning Su Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology

This presentation explores how playgroups for young children within residential aged care facilities can strengthen connectivity between older people and children. As generations become increasingly separated, this divide can have adverse consequences for both older people and young children. Facilitating playgroups within nursing homes creates greater interaction, with positive impacts on older people’s mental health and wellbeing and opportunities for children to learn from older people’s wisdom and experience. Drawing on successful implementation in Australia, the presentation considers how this age-friendly, intergenerational model can be replicated in other countries and the benefits it can bring to all involved.

Sonia Di Mezza Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services Australia

This study examines the association between grandchild caregiving intensity and cognitive function among older adults in India. Using data from 26,112 individuals aged 60–80 years in Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, grandchild care was categorised as no care, low-intensity care, or high-intensity care. Both low- and high-intensity caregiving were associated with higher cognitive scores, with greater cognitive advantage among those providing high-intensity care. The findings suggest that structured and socially embedded caregiving roles may act as cognitively stimulating activities and highlight grandchild caregiving as an important form of productive ageing.

Anukul Barman International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) India