The numbers are staggering. 1 in 3 American seniors age 65 and older live alone, and nearly a quarter — roughly 180,000 San Diegans — are at risk of becoming orphans or already in this situation. That number is expected to swell to 300,000 in San Diego County by the year 2030.
These senior orphans represent the most vulnerable subset of the aging population and are at increased risk of social isolation, elder abuse, and serious health concerns. Social isolation has been deemed the new “silent killer” with negative health impacts equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.