Self-Defense for Seniors
More than 90 percent of crimes against seniors are property crimes, such as burglary and auto theft, with robbery accounting for one in four violent crimes against seniors.
Because so many criminals see older Americans as potential targets, many seniors find themselves living their lives in fear. Two-thirds of seniors believe they will be crime victims at some point, with nearly half of those 75 and older afraid to even leave home after dark.
To break free from these fears, seniors must take action to safeguard against becoming crime victims. In this article, we’ll look at critical strategies for reducing the chances of you or an older loved one being targeted, as well as how to be ready if trouble does find you.
Take Basic Precautions
Many problems can be avoided with commonsense precautions that reduce your vulnerability to criminals. When you’re out and about, this means:
- Be alert to what’s around you and walk with a purpose
- Park in well-lit areas and have your keys ready in hand
- Don’t load yourself down with packages
- Carry a whistle to alert others for help.
When you’re at home, steps include:
- Always lock your doors and windows
- Never open your door for strangers
- Monitor and report suspicious neighborhood activity
- Call 911 if there’s trouble.
These simple steps can reduce your likelihood of becoming a victim, but they only work if you commit to following them at all times.
Improve Your Physical Fitness
Many older Americans are afraid of being victimized because they aren’t as strong as they once were. One way to address this is to take a self-defense course for seniors, which can give you proven techniques for avoiding injury during a confrontation. These classes are often available for free at your local YMCA or through your local government.
Improving your physical health also makes you less vulnerable to criminals. Eating healthy, getting your daily vitamins, taking regular walks and engaging in low-impact strength training all help you become stronger, so you’re less likely to be hurt and better able to fend off an attack.
Arm Yourself
While some experts warn against seniors using weapons for self-defense, they are appropriate for some individuals and situations.
For example, just the sound of cocking a shotgun can be enough to scare off a burglar, though it’s important to consider whether you can actually fire it if necessary. A handgun is easier to fire, but more difficult to aim. Guns and knives can be turned against you, so you’ll want to think carefully before relying on these weapons.
Pepper spray is a popular, non-lethal weapon for stopping criminals in their tracks, and it can be used both at home and when you’re out. The key is to have easy access to spray, such as carrying it on a keychain and having it in your hand while you walk to your car.
Use Your Wits
Ultimately, one of your best defenses is your own mind, both in terms of preventing an incident as well as responding to an attack. Examples include:
- Carry a fake wallet to give to potential robbers, and keep cards and cash in a travel wallet or pocket
- Take anti-burglary measures at home, such as using auto-timed lights when you’re away or a security bar so criminals can’t kick in your door
- Use what you have nearby as a weapon, whether that’s a cane or even a set of keys
- Participate in efforts such as the Watch Your Car program, which allows cops to pull over your vehicle during hours when you don’t normally drive it.
Many seniors say their fear of becoming crime victims makes them feel both lonely and isolated from the outside world. This means the criminals have won, even if these people never end up being victimized directly.
The only way to eliminate fear is through action. A good place to start is with the steps outlined here, using a combination of commonsense and proven physical protection methods to keep yourself safe from those who want to harm you.
As a teen and as an adult into my 40’s, my slim frame seemed to invite bullies and their belligerence.
Ten years of Shotokan Karate (the official JKA discipline, not the Amnericanized “Black Belt” in 2 weeks fad) and I haven’t had a single encounter since.
Is it my posture? My carriage? My awareness? My confidence?
Or is fate simply saving a thug from getting killed by a skinny 70 year old?
I agree those are great ideas to help the elderly !!! But how about using something that everyone has but is used less and less as the years go bye. How about neighbors being more neighborly and looking in on our elders. Including them in neighbor hood activities so we can show them we care and are going to look out for them bcuz we owe it to them for what they went through building this country and fighting for our freedom in the many wars this country has endured over the years. I feel the younger generation takes all that is available to them now for granted. I’m raising my kids to know exactly how much our elders gave up for all of us today. Please pass this on to the younger generation
One of the best deterrent to possible assailants is trained, medium-sized (45 lbs) or larger DOG. Even when I was a teen, I obedience-trained a Doberman-German Shepherd mix we adopted from a surprise litter. Dallas would accompany my Mom anytime she left the house, including sitting in the front passenger seat of the car. O trained Dallas to heel and to walk beside me off-leash. When I had to take some college courses at night, she went with me! There was a creep from one class who started following me out to the parking lot: the night he actually grabbed my arm all I did was yell “Dallas!” and she was out the window like a flash, and the creep found himself literally face-to-face with 70 lbs of snarling, growling Doberman! Many years later, my Staffordshire terrier, who believed herself to be a 55 lb lap dog for me and my daughter, heard someone come into the apartment building after midnight–not an uncommon thing in San Francisco–but could smell that it was not someone who belong there. She went right to the door at the back stairs, and GROWLED. We heard “Oh, shit!” followed by very fast footpounds down the stairs and back out to the street. This same sweetheart heard an intruder in the backyard, a skinny guy who had squeezed around the gate. She went to the rear security gate–we had the door open on a hot night–stood near the light, and barked ONCE. That guy tore his gang jacket on the fence as he scrambled back out! A good dog can certainly be a gal’s best friend! Do properly obedience-train your dog, and work with your dog every day to reinforce the lessons. To your dog, it’s playtime and companion time with his/her best bud. Introduce people who are OK to enter your space to the dog, and the dog will learn who is a friend and who is not. Though, do remind your friends and lovers to watch their behavior around the dog: my Dad made the mistake of raising his voice to Mom, Dallas in the next room. The he raised his arm, and Dallas took him down! She was very gentle and accepting of my baby daughter, but, of course, I NEVER left the baby and the dog alone together. But I do have the cutest picture of my baby girl sitting up on Dallas’ back, as if Dallas were a pony! Yes, seniors, get a dog: even a little yappy one will deter a burglar.
These are all excellent comments/ideas, and I do carry concealed. However, the most important thing is to keep your head on a swivel. Being alert and aware can help you avoid those potentially bad situations. Always carry yourself with confidence. Whether you can defend yourself or not, criminals are largely cowards looking for an easy mark, so appear to be prepared. If you simply LOOK like a challenge, they are likely to leave you alone and move to someone who looks like an easier mark.
Some good information here, some not so good. Not too many places offer self-defense classes. An alternative would be to find a class in Aikido. Make sure the instructor is a master.
As for concealed carry, my one comment would be, if you live in California, MOVE1
When I leave a store and have a shopping cart full…I have my purse strapped with the child restraint on the cart. I have my keys ready and before I get to MY car I stop and look around before I proceed. Then I open door and throw my purse in first and hold my keys between my fingers in case I have to defend my self. Then I empty the cart. Close the door push cart away and then get in my car and lock the doors and go on my way….safe.
Dear Frank,
There is an old timers credo we know is true from life experience.
“Old age and treachery will out do youth and exuberance. every time!” Enough said,
Your Friend,
Orrin M. Knutson
Peace Officer Retired
Survival Trainer and Author
I carry a cane made by Cold Steel. It’s a weapon disguised as a room. TEXAS says we can carry swords now.I can carry my cane. anywhere.. One pop to the groin and anyone, man or woman, goes down. Hit the muscle on the back side of the thigh, everyone drops.
As soon as you get into your car at a service station, parking lot or wherever lock the car doors. Then look for things, put away your credit card.
An Infra Red trail camera seems as if it would make an effective deterrent to property crimes in and around your home. I’m going to check this out!
Lights around outside of house,mix solar, low voltage, 120v with timers, motion sensors .. leds and cameras
Guard Dog makes a variety of flashlights that are also high voltage stun guns, Some are club sized so you have more reach. The NRA has carry guard training for concealed carry training.
Put your car keys by your bed, if an intruder comes hit the alarm. Any siren will probably scare them off. (a hint)
IF U WANT U & URS 2 STAY ALIVE ?
STAY CONSTANTLY AWAKE/AWARE !
NEVER HESITATE !
PUT ANY/ALL OF ‘EM DOWN PERMANENTLY
& NEVER LET ‘EM UP !
DARN THE RESULTS !
I will soon be 62 years old. My husband died last year in April. Two weeks after he died, while I was at work, two men driving a SUV pulling a black trailer, popped the lock that I had put on a gate to my house. They came into the yard and stole all of the disk blades, plow points and small tractor parts that my husband had saved for years. When the theft was reported to our sheriff’s dept. they took the report and that was it. I had to go to sheriff’s office to make the report. I have yet to see a deputy or anyone else investigate it. After I found out who had done this, they still have not picked them up. So I spent $250 for a eight camera set with night vision that had dvr and is accessible by smart phone. I also told the sheriff that now that Mississippi has the castle law, they had better not come on my property. I know one woman who is scared to leave her house at any time of day unless someone is with her. One guy had a commercial system in and when the law was called, the law never showed up. Around here it is every person for themselves. We also have any unofficial neighborhood watch going on too now.
Refuse to be a victim. Obtain your concealed carry permit and join a local gun range and practice practice practice.
A problem with ‘Watch Your Car’ and similar programs. If I have to use our car at an unusual hour, it likely means a medical issue where wee didn’t want to wait for the ambulance. That’s just the time I DO NOT want the cops stopping me.
I was blessed to have lost everything during the hurricanes of 2005. I took the insurance $$ and moved to a small town in Appalachia and now live in a subsidized senior complex of apartments. It’s beautiful, it fits my budget, and there is no crime to speak of. These apartments are open to anyone, they are all over the country, and the rent is based solely on income. I have realized the “great American dream” of home ownership, but there is a wonderful freedom in just calling the maintenance man to make any repairs to my apt, and it is nice being surrounded by neighbors who are, like me, getting up in years.