Abstract: In the process of social transformation and social change in China, the family structure and family function have changed obviously, and the role of the family in the elderly service has also changed with it. This study takes the role of the family in the elderly service as the main line, and combs the change of it based on the background of economic and social change. In traditional society, families dominate the provision of elderly service, providing almost all of the elderly service of older persons, especially in rural areas. In modern society, socialized elderly service has become an inevitable trend, but the role of family elderly service is still very important, and the daily care and spiritual consolation plays an irreplaceable role. Families face many difficulties in providing elderly service, such as shrinking resources for family elderly service, insufficient government support for families, and the decline of traditional family filial piety. In the future, we should deal with the relationship between family elderly service and social elderly service, help families from many aspects, and give better play to the role of family in elderly service.

Key words: family, elderly service, inheritance, change, prospect