Understanding “Communities” in Community-Based Senior Housing Models: A Scoping Review

Various senior housing models have emerged or been intentionally developed to meet the needs of older adults in the community. This scoping review focuses on the concept of “community” in the literature, aiming to (1) synthesize key topics related to community aspects (e.g., community development, sense of belonging, community attachment) and (2) identify strategies for building and sustaining communities. The review examined 21 peer-reviewed empirical studies, with thematic analysis identifying three major themes: (1) resident experiences of community life and well-being (n = 13), (2) participation in social programs and activities (n = 4), and (3) spatial and physical features in the housing community (n = 4). Also, key components of community building were highlighted: social engagement, shared activities and communal coping, mutual support and informal care, and physical features. Existing gaps in the literature include a limited understanding of social interactions extending into the broader neighborhood beyond housing boundaries, along with a lack of strong theoretical frameworks and longitudinal research in this area. Future studies should integrate social and physical aspects of community building while connecting senior housing to broader communities. Methodological diversity, including longitudinal studies and secondary data analysis, is recommended to improve understanding of community dynamics.