Dale Goldhawk coming to the Highlands

By Angelica Ingram

Popular radio personality journalist and author Dale Goldhawk wants to help you navigate some of the difficulties of aging.
Host of Goldhawk Fights Back on Zoomer radio the seniors’ advocate is coming to Haliburton on March 3 to deliver a free presentation titled Growing Older Shouldn’t Hurt.

Held at the Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre the event will feature Goldhawk as the keynote speaker discussing topics pertinent to the senior demographic in a conversational and jovial way.
“Getting older shouldn’t hurt” refers to both financial or physical pain says Goldhawk.
“What I’m going to talk about is the history of some of the dealings I’ve had with people who are and have abused elderly people” he said. “Sometimes from a physical point of view. Just as often perhaps more often from a financial point of view which also can hurt quite a bit and change people’s lives.”

A broadcaster with close to 50 years of experience Goldhawk 72 has hosted numerous consumer advocacy programs on networks such as CTV Rogers Television CPAC and CFZM. He has been nominated for  a Gemini award and is a recipient of both the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

He says he never stops learning about scams or abuse that is hurting seniors. He points to the growing number of online and phone scams as a major cause of concern.
“They are absolutely growing exponentially” he said. “And many of them of course target older people … many many more people are being victimized.”
An initiative of the Elder Abuse Prevention Network for Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes the information session will include issues such as elder abuse in a financial sense area scams targeting seniors and more said Raeann Rideout central east consultant for the network.
“Dale has a lot of experience in terms of advocating for older adults who have either been scammed or mistreated or abused in the past” said Rideout.
Financial abuse can lead to other types of abuse such as emotional or physical and create a significant impact on someone’s life one which can last for years or decades.
To help navigate these topics Goldhawk aims to provide anecdotal and personal experiences he has had with individuals to help those in attendance deal with situations they may face.

Although it is his goal to try to help people Goldhawk says he often is given new information as well.
“I get feedback from people who may have stories to tell me. I consider these talks to be very much a two-way street” he said. “I really want it to be a conversation around all the issues surrounding elder abuse.”
Seniors are often victims of abuse because they come from an era of trust and honesty however anybody can get conned said Goldhawk.
Rideout agrees adding seniors are more likely to become targets of scams and abuse for a variety of reasons including they tend to be a more trusting demographic have more disposable income and may be more vulnerable.
She believes information from Goldhawk may help one or many people.
“When he does his presentations he talks from the heart and about what he’s learned over the years and that advice he passes on to older adults” said Rideout.

Along with Goldhawk’s talk there will be a presentation from Haliburton Highlands OPP Const. Dianna Dauphinee on how to report frauds and scams against seniors as well as area exhibitors providing information and resources to seniors.
“She’s going to talk about the incidents of fraud they are seeing in the local community” said Rideout. Dauphinee will also be giving out information on dealing with scams and fraud in a rural community which can often leave seniors isolated.
The event is being funded by a grant through the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat.
Getting Older Shouldn’t Hurt will take place from 9 a.m. to noon is accessible and an assisted listening system will be available.

The event is free and anyone interested is welcome to attend regardless of age. Donations will be gratefully accepted.
To register in advance call 705-457-1600 or 1-800-263-3877 ext. 3131.
Refreshments will be provided.