As in other western countries, those aged 65 and older are the fastest growing portion of the population. People are now living longer lives and the ability to live independently is one of the indicators, when measured overtime, that can assess whether there is an increase or reduction in disability or interdependence in the population. Evaluations, such as Blue Zones, Healthy People 2030, all measure the Quality of Life as an indicator for success.

Call to Action: What We Can Do to Improve Quality of Life?

Incorporate exercise and physical activity into organizations and programs to affect individually-adapted health behavior changes. Exercise as a ‘prevention strategy’ can prevent disability, even in older adults. The LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) trial showed that a carefully structured, moderate-intensity physical activity program can reduce risk of losing the ability to walk without assistance, perhaps the single most important factor in whether vulnerable older people can maintain their independence. The ability to complete basic daily activities may decrease if illness, chronic disease, or injury limits physical or mental abilities of older adults.

Each year, 1 out of 3 older adults falls; ‘Fall Proofing Your Home’ outreach campaigns for seniors & disabled can help reduce this risk. Falls often cause severe disability among survivors, and injuries from falls can lead to the following.

• Sedentary behavior
• Impaired function
• Lower quality of life

Quality of Life Expanded

In 2023, 92.2% of the population lived without independent living or self-care difficulties

Definition: Percent of the population 18 and older, not residing in nursing homes or other institutions, that is sufficiently healthy to be able to live independently without self-care difficulties.

Why it matters: The expanded indicator related to Quality of Life measures population without independent living or without self-care difficulties. This measure includes the percentage of individuals who do not experience challenges with basic self-care activities, such as bathing or dressing, and supports our understanding of independent living across the population.

Data Source(s)

• Data year: 2025. Source: ESRI Community Analyst, Vintage 2025.

The reports below show the trend in Quality of Life-related expanded indicators over time in San Diego County. Tracking these expanded indicators across multiple years helps us understand long-term patterns and progress toward improving population health.