1 Introduction

The global trend of aging population is intensifying, and China's elderly population size and aging speed rank among the top in the world. The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasizes actively addressing population aging. The language ability of the elderly population affects information acquisition and quality of life. By the end of 2023, the elderly population aged 60 and above in China accounted for 21.1% of the total population, while those aged 65 and above accounted for 15.4%. Providing age appropriate language services is an inevitable requirement for achieving common prosperity. Elderly language services are an interdisciplinary research field that involves multiple disciplines such as linguistics and sociology. In recent years, research on elderly language services in China has developed rapidly, but there is still a need to increase efforts in theoretical and empirical analysis. This article will sort out the development origins of elderly language services, clarify their connotations, and propose research and practical directions in conjunction with China's active aging strategy.

2. Language Services for the Elderly and Language Issues and Phenomena in Gerontology

The concept of elderly language services has expanded from traditional language translation to important issues in language policy and planning disciplines. Chen Lianwen (2022) regards the elderly as a language disadvantaged group, emphasizing their multiplicity and dynamism. There are various perspectives for studying elderly language services, including macro framework exploration and specific scenario analysis. Zhuoxiang et al. (2022) defined elderly language services as specialized services that rely on language services and information technology capabilities to meet the diverse needs of the elderly. Shen Qi and Li Xiaoyang (2023) define elderly language services from a rights perspective, emphasizing meeting the needs of elderly people in foreign language learning, digital integration, and other aspects. Teng Yanjiang (2024) believes that language services for the elderly aim to enhance their language abilities, promote communication, and safeguard their rights and interests.

The main development trends of elderly language service construction in China

Explored the main development trends of elderly language service construction in China, emphasized the importance of precise elderly language service construction, and proposed three main development directions. Firstly, language services aimed at providing elderly care require standardized development and supply of service products to improve the quality of life and elderly care experience for the elderly. Secondly, language services aimed at providing medical care for the elderly involve language assisted diagnosis and language therapy activities, aiming to assist elderly patients in their medical process. Finally, language services for the elderly should emphasize the value of the elderly as language resources, promote the development and utilization of elderly language resources, and highlight the role of the elderly in language inheritance and protection. The chapter also discusses the application prospects of elderly language services in social security, healthcare, tourism, media and other fields, as well as the potential of artificial intelligence technology, big data and other technologies in the development of elderly language service products. At the same time, the important role of elderly language services in improving doctor-patient relationships and promoting social participation of the elderly was pointed out, and strategies for the healthy development of elderly language services were proposed.

4 Conclusion

Elderly language services are an emerging topic to adapt to the trend of population aging, and providing language services to the elderly population is an important component of precise language services. China's attention to language services for the elderly is gradually increasing, but there are still shortcomings in research, including incomplete studies on the elderly as a language disadvantaged group, a lack of empirical research based on China's national conditions, and insufficient research on the social participation and language resource role of the elderly population. With the advent of the digital age, elderly language services are facing more challenges and need to adapt to the rapid development of information transmission methods, study the negative impact of digital life on the elderly population, and utilize artificial intelligence to develop elderly language resources. Elderly language services should keep up with the development of the times and provide research and support for the active aging strategy.