Community public spaces constitute an essential component of the urban public space system. Considering the distinctive physiological and psychological attributes of elderly residents, whose activities are predominantly limited to their residential areas, the quality of these spaces plays a crucial role in their overall well-being. Thermal comfort, as a fundamental factor influencing the quality of public space, should be assessed from both the node (activity areas) and pathway (pedestrian routes) perspectives, given that elderly residents primarily access these spaces on foot. The Yinhang Community in Shanghai, exemplifying notable aging characteristics, has been selected as the study area. Through field measurements and questionnaires, this study investigates the impact of microclimatic parameters on the thermal perceptions of elderly residents, examines differences among various age groups, and assesses how thermal comfort at nodes and pathways influences overall satisfaction. The results indicate that during winter, the thermal perception of elderly residents is predominantly influenced by mean radiant temperature and air temperature. Conversely, in the summer, air temperature and relative humidity emerge as more critical factors. Sensitivity to microclimate conditions escalates with age, with significant changes observed within the 70～79 age group. Furthermore, overall satisfaction is collectively affected by the thermal comfort of both nodes and pathways, with the primary influence transitioning from pathways to nodes as age advances. Based on these findings, tailored microclimate strategies for nodes and pathways are proposed to facilitate precise and age-friendly design of community public spaces.