Community Resources for Older Adults With Age-Related Disabilities and Chronic Conditions: A Scoping Review

Community resources are essential for supporting older adults with disabilities and chronic conditions, yet how these resources are conceptualized and evaluated across the empirical literature remains unclear. This scoping review synthesizes U.S.-based research on community resources for older adults with age-related disabilities and chronic conditions, guided by the PAGER framework. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science, ultimately including 21 peer-reviewed studies. Findings reveal four primary resource domains: healthcare-based services, home- and community-based services (HCBS), behavioral health supports, and environmental or structural resources. Accessibility and utilization emerged as the most consistently examined dimensions, while quality and effectiveness received limited attention. Structural barriers-including geographic inequities, workforce shortages, financial constraints, and insurance gaps-persistently limit equitable access. Existing research remains fragmented, often treating health, social, and environmental domains in isolation. This review identifies critical gaps in integrated, participation-centered approaches and calls for theory-informed frameworks that account for the intersecting needs of older adults aging with disability.