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Senior advisory committee outlines outreach, program and accessibility goals for 2025
Summary
The San Ramon Senior Citizens Advisory Committee presented its 2024 annual report to the City Council, detailing facility outreach to five local senior residences, planned updates to the senior needs assessment and goals for improved communication and accessibility for residents age 55 and over.
The San Ramon Senior Citizens Advisory Committee presented its 2024 annual report to the San Ramon City Council on Jan. 14, highlighting outreach to local assisted-living and 55-plus communities, plans to revise the senior needs assessment and goals to broaden communications with older residents.
The committee’s chair, Colette Clark, told the council the advisory group’s charge is to provide recommendations to staff and the council on programs for residents age 55 and older and to act as a liaison between the senior community and city departments. "Our objective and charge are what guides the Senior SAC," Clark said.
In 2024 members visited five local assisted-living or 55-plus communities — Valley Vista, Brookdale, Ivy Park, Sunny Glen and Deer Creek Apartments — to gather feedback about services the Alcosta Senior and Community Center might provide or improve. The committee also worked with staff to revise survey questions for an updated senior needs assessment and plans to assist with outreach and analysis for that survey.
Committee members explained how they distribute the committee’s ENCORE newsletter and other information: mailed copies are sent to optional ENCORE members, printed copies are available at the center, and staff send email links and flyers with QR codes. "We're trying to get it out there through as many means as possible and make it as convenient to the senior population as possible," Steve Cox, the city staff advisor to the committee, said.
The committee described a welcome packet for first-time visitors to the Alcosta Senior and Community Center that includes a welcome letter from the city and the San Ramon Senior Center Foundation, a facility contact list, the ENCORE newsletter, membership forms, program schedules and transportation options.
Council members asked about outreach, accessibility and services for homebound residents. Clark and staff said senior-advisory work includes monthly meetings with private entities that provide aging services, outreach visits to assisted- and memory-care facilities, and a suggestion box at the center. Meetings are recorded and posted to the city boards-and-meetings webpage, though there is not a live video option for the SAC; staff said American Sign Language interpreters or other accommodations can be arranged on request.
The committee listed several intergenerational activities and partnerships: a regular quarterly lunch with the San Ramon Police Department, Teen Council–led tech days where students help seniors with devices, and other educational workshops. Committee members said the Senior Center’s volunteer programs include meal-service volunteers, front‑desk ambassadors and other peer supports.
Cox highlighted a set of near-term program details: an AARP Tax-Aide free tax-preparation program by appointment from Feb. 5 through April 9 (weekdays, by appointment); recent computer upgrades donated by the Senior Center Foundation (four new computers and a new printer); and ongoing exercise and activity classes for a range of ability levels. The committee said exact counts of people served in 2024 were not specified in their presentation to the council.
Mayor Mark Armstrong and council members thanked the committee and encouraged continued outreach and measurement of program results. Council members also asked the committee to report back on successes of the updated needs assessment and on specific measures to expand language and disability access.
The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee recommended four principal goals for 2025: evaluate ENCORE and other communications for effectiveness; collaborate on development and outreach for the revised senior needs assessment; develop a volunteer outreach program with community stakeholders; and review the committee bylaws, including meeting frequency and possibly the committee name.
The council did not take formal action on the report; the presentation concluded with Council and public questions and the committee’s offer to return with updated survey results and further outreach metrics.
