With global population aging accelerating, the need for effective, personalized elderly care services is urgent. This study applies situational theory to the design of smart community elderly care services, aiming to enhance their adaptability and responsiveness to the diverse needs of older adults. Focusing on China’s rapidly aging society, the research examines the current state of smart elderly care services and the challenges in providing tailored solutions. The smart community care model involves collaboration among governments, service providers, medical institutions, technology companies, and families, utilizing technologies like sensors and cloud platforms to deliver personalized services. Through field observations, in-depth interviews, and literature reviews, this study analyzes the smart community model in China, identifying key challenges and gaps in service. The research defines “elderly” as individuals aged 65 and above, especially those with physical or cognitive impairments. Interviews with 100 elderly individuals, 30 healthcare professionals, 7 family members, and 4 community managers provided valuable insights. The study introduces the CSE (Character, Service, Equipment) framework to categorize key contextual factors influencing service design. Based on these findings, the study proposes user-centered design strategies that integrate adaptive technologies and social support systems to better address the evolving needs of elderly individuals. This research offers practical insights for developing future smart community elderly care services, contributing to the innovation of elderly care technologies.