Antiproton scattering off $^3He$ and $^4He$ targets is considered at beam energies below 300 MeV within the Glauber-Sitenko approach, utilizing the $bar N N$ amplitudes of the Julich model as input. A good agreement with available data on differential $bar p ^4He$ cross sections and on $bar p ^3He$ and $pbar ^4He$ reaction cross sections is obtained. Predictions for polarized total $bar p ^3$He cross sections are presented, calculated within the single-scattering approximation and including Coulomb-nuclear interference effects. The kinetics of the polarization buildup is discussed.