Upgrading the Basic Skills of Older Nova Scotians
Senior Citizens' Secretariat (to July 3, 2005)
October 20, 2003 10:09 AM
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.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Two new publications should help older Nova Scotians find
the lifelong learning programs and educational resources they
need to upgrade their basic learning skills.
The publications, which include strategies for working with
seniors and learning resources, are the work of the Seniors for
Literacy Committee of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat.
Called Enhancing the Basic Learning Skills of Older Nova
Scotians, the materials will be available to Community Learning
Networks across the province.
Angus MacIsaac, the Minister responsible for the Senior
Citizens' Secretariat, says older adults make up a large part of
the population and it is important to offer programs that meet
their needs.
For more information contact the Senior Citizens'
Secretariat.
-30-
Contact: Krista Higdon
Senior Citizens' Secretariat
902-424-7957
E-mail: higdonkd@gov.ns.ca
kjd October 20, 2003 10:08 A.M.
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.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Two new publications should help older Nova Scotians find
the lifelong learning programs and educational resources they
need to upgrade their basic learning skills.
The publications, which include strategies for working with
seniors and learning resources, are the work of the Seniors for
Literacy Committee of the Senior Citizens' Secretariat.
Called Enhancing the Basic Learning Skills of Older Nova
Scotians, the materials will be available to Community Learning
Networks across the province.
Angus MacIsaac, the Minister responsible for the Senior
Citizens' Secretariat, says older adults make up a large part of
the population and it is important to offer programs that meet
their needs.
For more information contact the Senior Citizens'
Secretariat.
-30-
Contact: Krista Higdon
Senior Citizens' Secretariat
902-424-7957
E-mail: higdonkd@gov.ns.ca
kjd October 20, 2003 10:08 A.M.