陈倩：破解四重困境，激发“银发动能”

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is actively promoting the "silver economy" by leveraging the expertise of retired teachers to enhance rural education, while recognizing the potential of the aging population as a new economic driver [1][2]. Group 1: Policy and Implementation - The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance have announced a plan to recruit 7,000 teaching staff for the 2025 Silver Age Teaching Program, aimed at utilizing the professional experience of retired teachers to strengthen the rural teaching workforce [1]. - Despite the issuance of numerous supportive policies for the silver economy, challenges such as fragmented policies and lack of inter-departmental collaboration persist, leading to inefficiencies in service delivery [4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior - The perception of the elderly as "dependent" rather than valuable consumers limits investment and innovation in related industries; however, a growing segment of the population aged 55-64 is emerging as a significant force in quality consumption [2]. - Expenditures on health check-ups, cultural activities, and travel among the elderly are increasing, reflecting a shift in consumer behavior and the need to break down stereotypes surrounding the silver demographic [2]. Group 3: Technological Innovation - While technological innovations such as smartwatches and remote health platforms are entering the silver market, many products fail to integrate into the daily lives of the elderly due to complexity, high costs, and lack of emotional connection [3]. - The current technological challenges stem from a disconnect between product development teams and the elderly, absence of standardized aging-friendly product criteria, and unclear business models [3]. Group 4: Service Integration and Consumer Experience - Many companies offering elderly-friendly products and services lack user insights, leading to mismatches between supply and demand, which negatively impacts the consumer experience [5]. - To address these challenges, a service logic centered on consumer needs is essential, emphasizing community-based platforms that integrate healthcare, entertainment, and financial services [5]. Group 5: Systemic Reformation - The silver economy represents not just a new industry but a comprehensive restructuring of population dynamics, development models, and cultural perceptions, necessitating a shift away from short-term policy approaches [5].