The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026-02-26; Senior Commission; 02; Department Report on Senior Activities and ProgramsMeeting Date: Feb. 26, 2026 To: Senior Commission From: Ashlee Benson, Recreation Services Manager Staff Contact: Eric Biggin, Recreation Area Manager eric.biggin@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2648 Subject: Department Report on Senior Activities and Programs Recommended Action Receive a report on recently completed and upcoming Adults 50+ activities, donations and grants, as well as other topics of interest. Executive Summary Recreation Area Manager Eric Biggin will report on recently completed and upcoming senior activities, donations and grants, as well as other topics of interest. Exhibits 1.Department Report on Senior Activities and Programs Feb. 26, 2026 Item #2 1 of 4 \ Exhibit 1 ADULTS 50+ ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT REPORT Feb. 26, 2026 GENERAL Commission Work Plan Goal 1: Determine the needs of adults 50+ The Carlsbad Senior Center continues to integrate community feedback into programming and outreach for adults 50 and older. •Instructor Mike McMahon introduced new topics in his ongoing Digital Photo & Tech classes, addressing community requests related to cloud storage, transitioning to Windows 11, and managing phone photos and apps. •In response to high demand and lengthy waitlists, a second trip to the Gemological Institute of America was added in December and a second bus was added for the Safari Park trip in February, nearly doubling the number of attendees. •Staff attended the Volunteer Expo at Cole Library on Jan. 24, 2026, to promote senior programs and volunteer opportunities, resulting in new partnerships and volunteer sign-ups. •Based on the popularity of the Carlsbad Cruisers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a new Saturday offering began Feb. 7, 2026, led by a new volunteer from the Volunteer Expo. Commission Work Plan Goal 2: Support the Age-Friendly Carlsbad Action Plan Senior Center programming supported multiple domains of the Age-Friendly framework, including Outdoor Spaces & Buildings, Social & Civic Participation, Health & Wellness, and Mobility. • A presentation on the federally funded CaptionCall service was offered on Nov. 10, 2025, highlighting how captioned calls can support individuals experiencing hearing loss. •Medicare workshops and resource tables were offered in November and December 2025 to help patrons understand coverage basics and prepare for changes in 2026. •To support healthy New Year’s goal setting, instructor Joanne offered a free yoga workshop on Dec. 27, 2025, and instructor Fay offered a free Qigong class on Jan. 28, 2026. •Fall Prevention and Hydration presentations were offered on Dec. 9, 2025, and Jan. 6, 2026, sharing practical strategies to reduce fall risks and promote overall health for older adults. •A new monthly Senior Panel launched in February to cover a range of topics and encourage questions from attendees. The first session, Unlock Aging in Place, was held on Feb. 2, 2026, focusing on resources to support independence and aging at home. •Lecture Series Sessions in February addressed Alzheimer’s-related care and support, including presentations on the benefits of music therapy on Feb. 17, 2026, and personality and behavior changes on Feb. 19, 2026. Commission Work Plan Goal 3: Create Adult 50+ opportunities & collaborations beyond Senior Center Programs and partnerships extended the Senior Center’s impact beyond its physical location. •Yoga at Stagecoach returned in December 2025 with volunteer instructor Nancy Tabeling, combining traditional Hatha and Yin postures at a mindful pace. •The Carlsbad Fire Department provided free blood pressure screenings on Feb. 11, 2026, as part of Love Your Heart Month. •In partnership with the Carlsbad Rotary Club & Sage Creek High School, the Senior Center hosted the first annual Senior Prom on Feb. 25, 2026. Feb. 26, 2026 Item #2 2 of 4 •New partnerships are currently in development with Persian Place and the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego to expand arts and cultural programming for older adults at the Senior Center and other community centers in Carlsbad. Commission Work Plan Goal 4: Increase social inclusion, enhance connectivity & minimize isolation Programs and communications promoted engagement, digital access, and intergenerational experiences. •Veterans were honored through a month-long public display of military photos provided by community members, along with a special musical program honoring each branch and free yoga for veterans on Nov. 10, 2025. •In December, the Hawaiian Dance Club students presented their 23rd annual Holiday Recital, and the Seaside Singers performed two holiday concerts, drawing an overall total of 400 attendees. •Festive holiday lunches were offered on Nov. 26 and Dec. 23 and 30, 2025. Free for adults 60 and older with a reservation, with a high attendance of over 100 patrons per day. •Monthly Courtyard Concerts continued this Winter, featuring classic rock, yacht rock, jazz fusion, and a special Margaritaville experience. •A new intergenerational program, Saturday Game Exchange, launched in February, bringing together local high school students and older adults to share and play board games. SPECIAL REVENUE FUND Senior Center Special Revenue Fund budget and donations review: •Current fund balance – $528,503.89 •November 2025 – February 2026 o DONATIONS: $100.00 o MISC REVENUE: $6,345.00 – Consists of Fitness Center drop-in fees and memberships. o EXPENDITURES: $5,240.00 – Includes costs to host Concerts in the Courtyard, Garden Club supplies and maintenance, and the volunteer appreciation event. PROGRAM STATISTICS Nutrition Services 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 Me a l s S e r v e d Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 Congregate 1015 1112 1130 1012 1167 1087 HDM 966 965 1019 983 1048 957 Nutrition Feb. 26, 2026 Item #2 3 of 4 Transportation Services Adults 50+ Classes and Programs 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 1- Wa y R i d e s Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 1-Way Rides 264 288 290 268 298 256 Transportation 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 At t e n d a n c e Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 Class Attendance 5242 5452 5596 4411 4918 5312 Classes & Programs Feb. 26, 2026 Item #2 4 of 4 Senior Commission Department Report Eric Biggin, Recreation Area Manager Andi Koller, Recreation Supervisor II Parks & Recreation Department Feb. 26, 2026 TODAY’S PRESENTATION •General Programming •Special Revenue Fund •Statistical Reports ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 2 Goal 1: Determine the Needs of Adults 50+ •Contracted instructor Mike McMahon added topics on cloud storage, Windows 11 and phone app management. •Staff added a second December trip to the Gemological Institute of America and a second bus for February’s San Diego Zoo Safari Park trip due to high demand. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 3 Goal 1: Determine the Needs of Adults 50+ •Staff attended the Volunteer Expo at Cole Library to promote senior programs and volunteer opportunities. •Carlsbad Cruisers launched a new Saturday session on Feb. 7, 2026. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 4 Goal 2: Support the City of Carlsbad Age- Friendly Carlsbad Action Plan •CaptionCall presentation covered support for hearing loss. •Medicare workshops helped patrons review coverage basics and 2026 changes. •Free yoga and Qigong classes were held to support healthy New Year’s goals. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 5 Goal 2: Support the City of Carlsbad Age- Friendly Carlsbad Action Plan •Fall Prevention and Hydration presentations shared strategies for reducing fall risks and promoting health for older adults. •A new monthly Senior Panel launched, sharing resources for aging at home. •Recent lectures on Alzheimer’s care covered music therapy and personality changes. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 6 Goal 3: Create Opportunities and Collaborations Beyond the Senior Center •Yoga at Stagecoach resumed with volunteer Nancy teaching Hatha and Yin styles. •Carlsbad Fire Department offered free blood pressure screenings for Love Your Heart. •First Senior Prom hosted with Carlsbad Rotary Club and Sage Creek High School. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 7 Goal 3: Create Opportunities and Collaborations Beyond the Senior Center •New partnerships with Persian Place and Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego are in development to expand arts programs. •Veterans honored with a month-long photo display, branch-specific music program, and free yoga. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 8 Goal 4: Increase Social Inclusion, Enhance Connectivity, and Minimize Isolation •Hawaiian Dance Club presented its 23rd Holiday Recital, and Seaside Singers held two holiday concerts. •Festive holiday lunches were offered free to adults 60+, drawing more than 100 attendees each day. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 9 Goal 4: Increase Social Inclusion, Enhance Connectivity, and Minimize Isolation •Courtyard Concerts continued featuring classic rock, yacht rock, jazz fusion, and a Margaritaville-themed show. •Saturday Game Exchange launched in February, connecting high school students and older adults through board games. ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 10 Special Revenue Fund/Donations •Current balance: $528,503.89 •Donations: $100.00 •Miscellaneous revenue: $6,345.00 •Expenditures: $5,240.00 ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 11 ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 12 NUTRITION PROGRAM 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 Me a l s S e r v e d Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 Congregate 1015 1112 1130 1012 1167 1087 HDM 966 965 1019 983 1048 957 Nutrition ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 13 TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 1-Wa y R i d e s Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 1-Way Rides 264 288 290 268 298 256 Transportation ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT 10 CLASS & PROGRAM ATTENDANCE 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 At t e n d a n c e Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25 Jan-26 Class Attendance 5242 5452 5596 4411 4918 5312 Classes & Programs ITEM NO. 2 – DEPARTMENT REPORT QUESTIONS & COMMENTS 11