Adult education boon in Scotland

Press, 5 March 1987, Page 35

Adult education boon in Scotland

PA Hamilton Scotland’s Lothian region is producing a host of super grandmothers and grandfathers, according to the Lothian Education Department’s development co-ordinator for elderly people, Mrs Hilary Kirkland.

People from 50 to more than 100 plus were strengthening their minds and bodies in a range of activities — art, yoga, university : study, canoeing, and sailing. Mrs Kirkland is in New Zealand! on a three-week visit \ofganised by the National Council of Adult Education.

ThS education of the elderly was both formal and informal and a lot was done in groups to encourage elderly people to make new friends.

“We are trying to reach the people who perhaps had very little education in their lives before — those who are poor, in poor health, and living in bad environments and poor housing,” she said. Some elderly people had very low self-esteem and needed a lot of con-fidence-building. Not all were up to outdoor pursuits or university studies so for the wheelchairbound there were gentle exercises and for the very elderly in geriatric hospitals, reminiscence exercises.

"It involves talking in a structured way to old people about their experiences in life,” she said. Projects involving old and young people together were also encouraged. Education encouraged

the elderly to keep alert and active and helped them keep their health longer. Their well-being was beneficial to others.

“They all have such an enormous contribution to make to society. They have skills of a lifetime and time to develop them and offer them to young people and other old people. They are a tremendous resource for society,” she said.

Mrs Kirkland said New Zealand could learn shortcuts from Scotland’s example because her country had been working in the elderly education area for several years. “I think you are very fortunate in New Zealand because your population has not aged quite so early as ours did. You still have a little time.”