Opportunities for the Innovative(b)|银发商机，创意无限

Although the aging of society hasn't fully hit Taiwan yet, far-sighted businesspeople are already making preparations. Pihsiang Machinery, which makes mobility devices, developed the world's first electric four-wheel scooter 20 years ago. These cost between NT$30,000 and NT$70,000 and are extremely safe and easy to operate. Many elderly people use mobility devices to buy food, go shopping, or visit friends nearby. The independence these scooters give them helps their physical and mental health.

Detailed examination shows that many products for the elderly that can be purchased in regular stores overseas are marginalized in the Taiwanese market. To combat this problem, in 2007 Keen Chang left his job at a technology company and founded www.ez66.com.tw, which was designed to be a portal for active seniors. Originally an online department store for seniors, the company now also boasts four brick-and-mortar shops across Taiwan. Chang explains that businesses aimed at the elderly ought to serve those who have always been in good health, for creating an active old age is only possible with healthy elderly people.

Through direct contact with seniors, Chang has discovered that the elderly are a diverse group that don't want to be categorized as old, even if they are. They want to age gracefully and with dignity. Consequently, ez66 offers items that can help the elderly get out and about, make life easier, and increase social interaction, which creates happiness and helps them forget about their age. In keeping with the changing ideas about the nature of being old, a revolution in new products and services for the elderly looms in areas ranging from food and clothing to shelter.

　　虽然高龄化的进程尚未完全冲击到台湾，但是有远见的业者却已提早布局。以专门生产电动代步车的必翔工业为例，20年前研发出全球首台 4 轮电动代步车。1 台售价 3 至 7 万元，操作简单、安全性高。许多银发族利用代步车出门买菜、逛街或短距离访友。这些电动代步车所给予银发族的行动自主，有助于他们的身心健康。

　　仔细观察，许多专门针对高龄者需求的贴心产品，在国外的一般商店都能买到，台湾却还处在市场边缘。为了对抗这个难题，张庆光于 2007 年辞去科技业的工作，并创办一个为银发族群设立的『乐龄网』在线购物网站。原先为银发族设立的在线生活百货，如今共有 4 家实体店面遍布全台。张庆光表示，银发产业应该服务那些身体依旧健康的族群，因为唯有从健康老人下手，才能实现『健康老化』的愿望。

　　透过与银发族的直接接触，张庆光发现高龄者是多样的族群。他们就算真的老了，也不想被归类为『老人』。他们想要老得优雅、有尊严。因此，『乐龄网』提供能让年长者走出去、生活变得简单、与增加社会互动的辅具，朝向『乐而忘龄』的境界。随着对『年老』观念的改变，一波供给高龄者新产品和服务的革命潮，将悄悄遍布食、衣、住宿等各个层面。

本社为尊重《台湾光华杂志》，中文原文注销，仅供参考，中英文如有不尽相符之处，敬请包涵。