Research on Community-Embedded Elderly Care Services Powered by Digital Technology: Wuhan’s Dongfang Elderly Care Home

The community-embedded elderly care system in China integrates the advantages of home-based and institutional care, leveraging digital technologies and innovative service models to meet the diverse needs of elderly individuals. However, existing embedded elderly care service systems face challenges, such as service singularity and insufficient functional coverage, making it difficult to meet the increasingly complex demands of elderly individuals. This study adopts the Dongfang Elderly Care Home in Wuhan as a case study focus and employs service design methods. Through semi-structured interviews, user personas were constructed to identify user characteristics and core needs. A stakeholder map was created to categorize and clarify the roles and needs of core users, internal operational staff, and external partners. The study systematically analyses the needs of elderly individuals, service providers, and other stakeholders, providing a theoretical foundation for system development. In addition, a collaborative model that integrates community service centers, embedded nursing homes, and medical centers is proposed. The study also develops an embedded elderly care service system framework centered on the Haha Elderly Assistance App. By utilizing internet-based data-sharing technologies, this study optimizes information transmission efficiency, enhances the diversity of service functions, and, in turn, strengthens the psychological security and health of elderly individuals. Through the integration of service design and digital technology, this research promotes the systematic, standardized, and convenient development of community-embedded elderly care services, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the innovative construction of high-quality urban community elderly care services.