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Carlsbad senior center reports program growth, transportation increases and $314,931 in special revenue funds
Summary
Recreation staff told the Senior Commission about recent program expansions, excursions, five Medicare presentations planned for October, growing transportation usage supported by county funding, and a special revenue fund balance of $314,931.45; donations and expenditures for the reporting period were also cited.
Recreation staff briefed the Carlsbad Senior Commission on Oct. 3 about recent and upcoming senior center programs, excursions and funding. Staff reported a special revenue fund balance of $314,931.45, miscellaneous revenue of $5,965.60 and expenditures of $6,906.90 for the reporting period.
Recreation area manager Eric Biggin and recreation supervisor Andy Koehler described program highlights including Yin Yoga at Calavera Community Park, chair yoga and new sound-bath classes at Stagecoach Community Center, cyber-safety and advanced care planning workshops, an Alzheimer's Association dementia presentation and a Parkinson's education session by UCSD neurosciences. Biggin said the senior center has been taking programs into the community to reach more participants and called the AI and tech session taught by staff a success.
The department noted growing transportation usage: monthly rides rose from the low hundreds in mid-2023 into the 300-to-400 range after the department secured county funding to support that level of service. "We did secure funding from the county of San Diego in order to keep supporting 300 to 400 per month," staff said.
Staff also summarized social activities and excursions: seniors visited Old Town San Diego and attended TGIF concerts and Broadway events; a sold-out casino trip generated requests for repeat outings. For large events, staff now use neon name badges and phone numbers to track and assist participants, and they provide pick-ups for some homebound seniors.
On special events, staff reported the first end-of-summer bash in Pine Park and described lessons learned about timing and programming. Upcoming in October are five separate Medicare presentations to help seniors navigate changes for the new year, plus a set of Halloween-themed games and activities scheduled in the dining room before lunch.
Commissioners praised staff for responsive programming and singled out the online safety presentation as particularly useful. Staff said they will continue to monitor attendance and adjust offerings; the commission requested updates on the Age Friendly Carlsbad program and additional reporting aligned with the Age Friendly Action Plan and the department master plan update.
