An active senior activist

By Elizabeth Stieber
Times Staff Writer

Betty Goldberg isn’t just an advocate for senior citizens. She prefers to think of herself as an activist.
"That’s how I describe myself," the 77-year-old Torresdale resident said.
An active member of the AARP and the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, she has become a fighter for seniors’ rights and an informational resource who offers free lectures in the region on topics of interest to the older population.
That devotion to the needs of senior citizens like herself has earned Goldberg the U.S. Administration on Aging’s Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award.
Goldberg, one of 20 seniors across the country to receive the award, was honored last month at a Washington, D.C., conference hosted by the federal agency, which oversees programs and policy decisions that benefit senior citizens.
"It has enriched my life beyond expectations," Goldberg said of her activism.
And she feels obligated to help lead the fight.
"We are the fastest-growing age group of any age group," she reasoned. "It is not unusual for seniors to reach one-hundred."
U.S. census figures indicate that senior citizens represent just over 12 percent of the nation’s population, a segment that is projected to reach 21 percent by 2050.
"We’re growing at a very rapid rate," Goldberg agreed.
And this large group of seniors — their numbers growing even more with the graying of the baby-boom generation — has to deal with the ever-rising costs of health care and prescription drugs.
For that reason and many more, Goldberg said, she is empowered to reach out to others and empower them.
A few years ago, she began following the activities of Action Alliance, a coalition of senior organizations in Philadelphia.
Four years ago, she joined CARIE, the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, a Philadelphia non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults.
After receiving her training, she began speaking before groups in the community about different topics specific to older folks. Goldberg didn’t wait for people to call her. Instead, she called a bunch of clubs, churches and synagogues, offering to give free lectures.
"I deliberately sought out groups," she said.
Prior to any lecture, she reviews all the information she has on her topic and even checks the news for related developments so that she can answer any questions her audience may have.
"These seniors are very bright, and I get asked a lot of questions," Goldberg said.
She also brings handouts and structures her discussions to the amount of time she is given.
Mostly, Goldberg talks about fraud and Medicare topics, such as how to read your Medicare summary notice and staying abreast of updates on the new prescription-drug card.
Fraud is an important subject for her. Luckily, in her own case, Goldberg knew the telltale signs of a fraudulent phone call.
A few months ago, a woman from the "charge card bureau" called to let her know of an inconsistent charge of $500 for linens from a department store. Goldberg told the caller she didn’t put any such purchase on her credit card, and the woman told Goldberg she would remove the charge from the bill and asked for her credit-card number.
Goldberg was suspicious. When she asked why the card number was needed, the caller hung up.
Unfortunately, Goldberg has met too many people who were duped.
Her advice?
Never give out your credit-card number — or any private information, such as a Social Security number — unless you initiated the call, she said.
It also isn’t wise to carry your Social Security card. Some health-care cards use Social Security numbers. Goldberg suggests that seniors should ask a health-care carrier if it would put a "dummy" number on the card instead.
"They should be very aware of their surroundings and be careful with what they carry in their possession," she said of her senior comrades.
Goldberg also recommends that carrying one credit card is sufficient — and only if you plan to use it. Seniors who may have been victims of credit card or Social Security fraud should call 1-800-ID-THEFT, she said.
Goldberg would like to see senior citizens educate themselves as much as possible on fraud and health care.
"Knowledge is . . . protection. Forewarned is fore-armed," she said.
Her voice is heard not only by people in her age group, but also by the legislators who create the bills that could make a difference for senior citizens.
As a member of the AARP legislative committee, she meets every few months with fellow members in Harrisburg to meet legislators and discuss current issues.
"We pick a strategy to pursue legislation that will benefit our aging population," she said, noting that such issues include everything from health-care topics and surcharges on utility bills to removing expired food products from store shelves and stopping businesses from putting an expiration date on gift certificates. oo
Reporter Elizabeth Stieber can be reached at 215-354-3036 or estieber@phillynews.com

Betty speaks

Betty Goldberg is offering free lectures next month on several topics:
• Medicare Drug Discount Card — 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, and also 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the JCC Klein Branch, 10100 Jamison Ave.
• Piecing Together the Health-care Puzzle — 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Holy Redeemer Senior Health Center, 8580 Verree Road.