Three Self Defense Tips for the Elderly/Aging

The older we get the less "Life in prison" worries us. Some of us consider this to be a back-up retirement plan. 😲

I listen when my intuition says something is wrong. The last time, my daughter and I were in a mall food court. I was doing what I do, letting my eyes just move over the people around us, when something “pinged.” I turned to my daughter and said, “Let’s go. Now.” To her credit, she didn’t argue or ask questions. We just got up, got our things, and left. Not hurrying or in a panic, just walking with purpose (I was still assessing, trying to figure out what I’d seen). I’m still not sure which of a couple things I noticed was the trigger, but I don’t have to be. When my god-given early-warning system activates, I believe and trust it.

I'm 63 and I have no problem confronting someone who might be following me. I had some young punk following me around the store the other day. I finally turned around and said right in front of people - " I don't know who you are BUT STOP FOLLOWING ME CAUSE IT'S PISSING ME OFF. !!!! He turned around with his head down and got out of the store pretty quick. I checked around outside before I went to my car. I always lock all of my doors as soon as I get in my car. Same goes for home.

I am 75 and a Vietnam vet. I totally agree with you about being aware of your surroundings. I know for sure this is valuable to your situation. It helped me survive and come home thank God.

I’m a 60 year old man. half my lifetime ago, I could bench 400 lbs. and curl 200. Needless to say, no one messed with me. A bout of Pancreatic Cancer, 3 knee surgeries, and a heart diagnosis later, I’ve lost most of that strength. But the one thing I’ve never lost site of, is my sense of preservation. For me, my family members, even a fellow citizen, can still rely on the fact that I won’t run when the heats on. Thanks for the encouragement!!!

As a man of 75 years, I would like to thank you for your excellent advice and guidance. Many elderly people have limited hearing and vision which can impede their situational awareness. Also over the years injuries add up and often disease can impair our strength and agility. I live in a state where it is legal to carry a concealed handgun. The law here tends to justify the use of deadly force by an elderly person against a younger assailant. I would regret having to do that: so I remain cautious but non confrontational while maintaining my safety. Thanks for thinking about us old folks and happy New Year.

I am a woman from the Netherlands,80 years now,I never be in trouble because when I am outside walking ,make myself so big as possible,look the passengers straight in the eyes..I workout 1 our a day..feel healty..and be good to another,I am happy thank you for your words..

How refreshing to hear this young man not mocking, not dismissing us Elders! One of the first things I taught my children and grandchildren, Always be aware of your surroundings!

I will be 80 this November and live in a rural area. My house is about 150' off the road in the woods. Although it's very quiet around here, I am always aware of my surroundings. When I walk out the front door, for any reason, I first take a look around before going down the steps. It's not just people to worry about, but we have black bears and coyotes around the house, among other animals. At night, our yard is well lit on all sides as a deterrent, and I hardened our doors as much as possible. Just saying that situational awareness starts in the home.

Smart advice! There’s no dirty fighting when your fighting for your life or the lives of loved ones.

My favorite and most effective situational awareness tip: Pay attention to who is paying attention to you. Just quickly scan the faces of people in your vicinity and take note of who makes eye contact. A couple of scans will illuminate whether someone is focusing on you and identify them as a threat. I learned this from a high school teacher and it’s never failed me. During exams, she’d bury her head in grading papers only looking up occasionally. Sometimes, she’d stand up and walk directly to someone cheating and bust them. It was incredible! I asked her how she always knew and she told me cheaters would always watch her to avoid being caught and if anyone made eye contact twice when she looked up, she knew to go confirm. Now, if you’re dancing and singing loudly with a giant peacock feathered hat, people gonna’ be staring at you! Otherwise, you won’t catch regular folk paying much attention to you as they go about their business.

I am a 63 year old woman, and I really appreciate this man's kind and sensible way of speaking and advising. Thank you so much. You are such a kind person...I can tell. 😊

Thank you for a fine presentation. I'm a 73 year old, 5'1" woman. You reminded me of some of the things my father taught my brother and me in self-defense. What I learned from him has saved me at least 3 times, twice in New York City, once in Houston. Walk with strength and stand with strength but do no move toward your attacker. Both times in New York the attacker ran away. I'm glad because I really didn't want to hurt him.

I'm getting older and have spinal cord damage that is very limiting and I'm a female. I worked many years with psych patients and violent offenders and have had a lot of training on managing physical situations. There was a time when I was very capable of holding my own, but I learned right away that most physical situations can be avoided. You are 100% right about staying very aware of your surroundings and pay attention to how you carry yourself. For women, use a cart rather than carrying an armload of goods out to your car, be obvious about monitoring your surroundings, stash the sweet little old granny smile and put your b-face on (we all have one), stand up as straight as you can and walk with confidence, clench fist with a key sticking out doesn't hurt either. We are trained to be nice, polite and to always smile at everyone, but there are times and places where these habits can make you look like a good target. When someone is looking for their potential victim, they notice these things and they're going to choose the easiest or most productive target. If you're openly carrying or wearing valuables, they can make you worth the risk when you otherwise wouldn't have been.

At physical therapy last week the man working with me thought that I was at least 10 years younger than I am. When he connected the dots that I left Vietnam 51 years earlier he asked how old I was because I am so much better shape than his father that is 9 years younger than I am. There is a saying about being aware of old men because they didn’t grow old by being wimpy and if they are veterans it is even more true.

62 years old, Retired Soldier. Your tips are great, and should be common sense for everyone.

Speaking of attitude, my dad was always fond of saying that old age and experience would always overcome youth and enthusiasm. He was never a victim, even up in his 80's he still went wherever he pleased, and carried himself with the utmost confidence.

At 82 I was surprised how much stronger I got after an almost terminal illness with just a small amount of frequent exercise

As they say, "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."

For us elderly.....it's all about situational awareness, staying in the best physical shape you can and always carry a weapon. "Nuff said.