Upgrading the Basic Skills of Older Nova Scotians

SENIOR CITIZENS' SECRETARIAT--Upgrading the Basic Skills of Older Nova Scotians

Older Nova Scotians will have access to lifelong learning programs and educational resources that better meet their specific needs and interests, thanks to a project initiated by a committee of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat.

The Seniors for Literacy Committee of the secretariat released two publications today, Oct. 20, that will help Community Learning Networks upgrade the basic skills of older Nova Scotians.

"Older Nova Scotians represent a large part of our population," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister responsible for the Senior Citizens' Secretariat. "If we want them to be able to upgrade their learning skills, it is important to offer programs they are interested in."

The first publication, a report entitled Enhancing the Basic Learning Skills of Older Nova Scotians - Context and Strategies, provides background information and statistics about older adults and gives an overview of learning in later life. It outlines the barriers to learning and suggests strategies to overcome them. It also includes a list of resources that can be used with older learners.

The second publication, Enhancing the Basic Learning Skills of Older Nova Scotians - A Resource Kit, is a binder of learning resources on topics of interest to older adults such as storytelling, health, safety, hobbies and history, nutrition and fitness, information technology, personal finances, computer learning and everyday math.

Both publications will be provided to Community Learning Networks across the province to help them design programs and effective learning opportunities for older adults.

Currently, only 14 per cent of the people attending upgrading programs offered by Community Learning Networks in Nova Scotia are over the age of 50.

The publications are the result of the Cultivating Lifelong Learning Opportunities Project, sponsored by the Seniors for Literacy Committee and funded by the National Literacy Secretariat of Human Resources Development Canada, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Education.

The publications support the province's skills initiative, Skills Nova Scotia. Skills Nova Scotia involves partners in business, labour, industry, education and training and communities in programs that narrow the skills gaps, and create a stronger, prouder, Nova Scotia.

For a copy of the context and strategies report or to borrow a resource kit, contact the Senior Citizens' Secretariat at 1-800- 670-0065.