Seniors Resource Centre -
“Listen to Me” the Sequel

Twenty seniors and ten executives joined the Honourable Judy M. Foote, and Seniors Resource Centre's Chair, Charles Rennie, Rosemary Lester, Executive Director; Clarice Cole, Program Director; Diane Kieley, Program Evaluator; and members of the Literacy Advisory Committee at the Fluvarium on June 6, 2000.

The seniors settled into their chairs, and the executives opened their brief cases and switched off their cell phones. Just the usual gathering, you would think, but this time there was a difference. The executives were there to sit up, listen, take notes, then act upon what the seniors had to tell them.

As present day seniors, we have a lot to be thankful about. For one thing, we are still around, unlike many of our contemporaries. But being a senior also has its downside. Our income dwindles while our expenses, especially for medications, may increase. We may loose the support of our family as they move away or find their own lives very full, and our friends grow old along with us. Even with good health, most have aches and pains, and their memory, eyesight and hearing are not quite what they used to be. But this is what we expected, and we know that we will cope with it as cheerfully as we can.

What we did not expect was the problems we would experience dealing with the modern world. (Just 'Press 1' if you agree, and 'Press 2' if you wished I hadn't asked! Just joking.) Imagine how much worse it would be if you could not read, or your poor vision meant you were no longer able to read. How then would you make long-distance phone calls, call a government agency or a firm or use a bank-machine?

Mary is a senior and a student of Rabbittown Learners Program. She is an excellent student who has just learned to read in the past year. A touching moment came when Mary read aloud her life story, which she had composed herself. When the applause died down, Mary told the group about some of the problems she had experienced when trying to remain independent in today's world.

Enter Clarice Cole who, on behalf of the Seniors Resource Centre, has traveled extensively across the Avalon Region to talk to seniors, in both large and small communities, to find out just how they are coping with today's technology. Clarice presented all the difficulties seniors had found in using bank-machines, telephones, bill paying, and those difficult forms we have to fill out written in tiny print, to the executives who were in a position to make changes.

No one found the Literacy Forum stressful. Under Clarice's warm and sympathetic guidance, everyone at this Literacy Forum relaxed, and with good-humour and laughter settled into small groups to talk about the problems that occur when modern technology and seniors collide. The executives listened, really listened, and came up with some ideas, some suggestions and even some promises, all designed to make seniors more comfortable and confident in modem settings. These promises came from Income Security; Human Resources & Employment; Department of Health and Community Services; Department of Education; NF & Lab. Housing; the Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal, and Scotia Bank; Consumer & Commercial Affairs; Better Business Bureau; Public Legal Information Association of Canada; Newtel, and CAIF NF /Great West Life.

Most offered to review their current forms and also the information they provide, and change them so they become more senior-friendly. These leaders have agreed to stay in touch with the Seniors Resource Centre and make use of the vast amount of expertise and experience that can be found there.