State of Seniors Report is Now Live

March 27, 2026

The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation released its 2025 State of Seniors report, revealing critical challenges facing the region's growing elderly population of over 730,000 residents aged 60 and older. The report highlights severe problems including economic insecurity, with two in five seniors unable to afford basic needs costing $30,000 annually, and more than 2,400 seniors experiencing homelessness for the first time in 2025. Additional concerns include elder fraud losses totaling nearly $140 million, widespread ageism affecting employment and healthcare access, unsustainable healthcare costs with nursing homes averaging over $205,000 yearly, and dangerous social isolation affecting one-third of seniors.

Who is affected

Over 730,000 San Diego County residents aged 60 or older (projected to exceed one million by 2040)
Seniors lacking $30,000 annually for basic needs (two in five)
56% of San Diego seniors experiencing housing cost burden
More than 2,400 seniors who became homeless for the first time in 2025
184,000 seniors facing food insecurity
San Diego seniors who lost nearly $140 million to financial fraud in 2025
48% of older adults experiencing lower earning potential due to age discrimination
Approximately one-third of San Diego seniors experiencing social isolation
Healthcare providers (only 5% trained in geriatric care)

What action is being taken

SDSCF held its first "State of Seniors" address
SDSCF introduced the Longevity Fund campaign to combat identified challenges
The Longevity Fund is creating Longevity Clubs (senior wellness centers with programs and services for residents 60 and older)
SDSCF is providing resources to existing senior centers

Why it matters

This report matters because San Diego faces an urgent demographic crisis with a rapidly aging population that will exceed one million seniors by 2040, yet the current infrastructure and support systems are inadequate to meet their needs. The widespread economic insecurity, homelessness, healthcare access problems, and social isolation directly threaten the health, safety, and dignity of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable older adults. Without coordinated action across government, philanthropy, and aging services networks, the window to build adequate infrastructure will close, leaving an unsustainable care model with projected shortages of 3.2 million direct care workers in California by 2030. The social isolation and ageism problems also represent significant public health risks, with isolation raising dementia risk by 50% and early mortality by up to 26%.

What's next

Establishing a proposed Longevity Club in East County
Expanding community education regarding elder fraud
Strengthening coordination with law enforcement and financial institutions on fraud prevention
Launching public awareness campaigns about elder fraud

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint