[Expert consensus on disability assessment of the elderly population in the community (2026 edition)].

As the aging process accelerates in China, disability has become a critical public health issue affecting the health and quality of life of the elderly. The incidence of disability significantly increases with age, adding the caregiving burden on families and society. Disability results from the interaction between impairments in body functions and structures and environmental factors, rather than a single cause. This consensus focuses on eight core functional dimensions: mobility, cognition, emotion, vision, hearing, speech and swallowing, excretion, daily activities, and social participation, along with corresponding assessment measures. It systematically reviews clinical evidence and the latest developments of relevant assessment schemes, both domestically and internationally. By integrating expert opinions from multiple disciplines using the Delphi method, the consensus presents eight assessment schemes and recommendations covering the above dimensions and suitable for elderly population in the community, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance for the early screening of disability risks among the elderly in the community.