Since the formation of the NCA in 2003, public education and awareness of the ageing process has been very important. Raising the profile of older persons has also been a priority since highlighting them as a resource to the community helps to dismiss certain myths that surround older people and their abilities as they age.
An acknowledgment of the ageing process is very important to all sections of society and essential in order to prepare and plan for old age.
The NCA produced the Older Women Health Education Booklet in 2005 as an information and educational tool for women’s groups. It highlights conditions common to all women, not just older women, and provides information particularly about reproductive health that should be acknowledged in order to stay healthy in later years.
The Golden Years Radio Programme
The National Council on Ageing through its Education and Media Committee has embarked on a media campaign with a view to provide access to information and education while promoting a positive image of ageing. To this end, the National Council on Ageing’s radio programme -“The Golden Years” debuted between 8 and 9pm on Sunday August 19, 2007 on Love FM. This radio programme was the first in a series of bi-monthly radio shows that the NCA produces. Through this medium, older persons are given the opportunity to share their experiences, talents and discuss issues affecting them such as health, finance, security, abuse among others.
The show is hosted by Mrs. Gwen Gillette a member of the NCA from the Belize Council of Churches, a former educator and a volunteer on many NGO’s and co-hosted by the NCA’s Programme Officer Mr. Raphael Martinez.
Through this programme, NCA hopes to reach older persons countrywide by encouraging representatives of their various ethnic groups and cultures to participate in discussing issues affecting them. The NCA also encourages our audience to send in their recommendations and comments in order for us to tailor the programme to best suit the audience it was intended for.
Intergenerational Work
The NCA has embarked upon several intergenerational programmes in an attempt to create greater acknowledgement and understanding among both old and young persons. This work is essentially a practical education programme that benefits both parties.
Project 1: Mentorship Programme.
It has been proposed that the older members of Belmopan VOICE become mentors to some younger members of the 4 H Programme. Acknowledging that many older persons have specific skills as retired teachers, public officers or in business/ trades, they can pass on their expertise to younger people who need extra tuition for schoolwork, learning a skill or just having someone to talk to (counselor). There are a number of benefits that can be achieved from this work:
- younger persons will receive mentorship
- younger persons have the opportunity to develop a close working relationship with an older person
- younger persons will gain respect for older people.
- younger persons no longer fear older persons and ageing
- older persons will recognize that they are still useful and continue to be a resource.
- older persons have the opportunity to understand and appreciate troubled youths
- older persons will develop friendships
- older persons no longer fear young persons
Project 2: Life Histories
This project involves younger persons being involved as interviewers of prominent older persons in various communities to obtain their life histories. These histories will be documented in both written and oral form to be presented in a format that can be used in schools as part of a history or social science class. The idea behind this project is that older people have a wealth of knowledge about life in communities that younger persons have no understanding of. As older persons die this history disappears with them so documenting this information will be very important.