7.03.2008 - 08:24am ET

(CSRwire) SAN DIEGO, July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eight organizations in San Diego County have been awarded "JumpStart the Conversation" grants for projects designed to promote lifelong learning for older adults.

The grants were introduced after a workshop, Enhancing Lifelong Learning: Developing a Livable San Diego County for All Ages, which took place in March at the San Diego Health Services Complex. The workshop was one of a series of regional workshops focused on creating livable communities for all ages. The workshops and grants are part of a national Aging in Place Initiative undertaken by Partners for Livable Communities (Partners) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), with funding provided by MetLife Foundation. The workshop was hosted by the County of San Diego Aging & Independence Services (AIS) department. Grantees were announced at Aging Summit 2008, held at Town and Country Resort on June 26.

One grant recipient, Peninsula Shepherd Senior Center, will use the award to partner with Sharp HealthCare to create an Older Adult Healthy Lifestyle workshop, focusing on the theme of lifelong learning for older adults. The workshop will be presented at local senior centers, churches and libraries.

"With the aging of the baby boomers, it's important to develop an educational tool for helping people stay healthy," said Jean Durgan, director of Peninsula Shepherd Senior Center. "Through this workshop, we're hoping that older adults can make changes that could possibly extend their life expectancy and help people experience a better quality of life, while remaining in their own local community."

"The range of organizations committed to improving livability for all ages is a good indicator of the strong area-wide support for this initiative," said Robert McNulty, president of Partners for Livable Communities.

The eight winning projects are:

• Alzheimer's Association, which will expand the "Memories in the Making Art" program to provide an art and brain health educational program targeted at older and caregivers
  
• Bayside Community Center in partnership with San Diego Community College Continuing Education Department, San Diego Futures Foundation, and Temecula Valley Bank's Risk Management Department will teach Linda Vista's diverse older adult population computer skills and financial basics in various native languages.
  
• Friends of Adults Day Health Care Centers in partnership with St. Paul's Senior Homes & Services will launch a "JumpStart the Conversation Through a Language Curriculum" that will address the needs of non-native English speaking older adults.
  
• Heritage Clinic will develop a program for clinicians and peer counselors to assist older adult clients in exploring their individual talents through conversation and support groups; and will also encourage clients to express their thoughts, ideas and expectations though diverse media.
  
• La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation in partnership with the City of La Mesa and Rhythm Worx will implement "Rhythm for the Ages," a weekly exercise and educational program utilizing a variety of percussion instruments to create rhythm and movement in educational, recreational, and entertainment venues for any age.
  
• Peninsula Shepherd Senior Center in partnership with Sharp HealthCare will create an Older Adult Healthy Lifestyle Workshop, focusing on the theme of lifelong learning for older adults.
  
• San Diego State University Research Foundation will develop and pilot a university-based intercultural, intergenerational learning experience for older adults, called the Intercultural Conversation Partners Project (ICPP).
  
• The Arc of San Diego will pay for members of the senior program of The Arc of San Diego -- Starlight Center to enroll in community art classes.

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