As A Senior, Do You Feel More Vulnerable When Out All Alone Somewhere?

Wow Jillaroo; you have presented some great ideas on protecting your items while out in public. I see too many people mainly elders and women walking around looking like targets with their bags hanging loosely or just sitting in a cart. I'm glad I read your reply so I can pass this information on to others I know. Thank you! It saddens me when people are criminalized by some weak minded person looking for an easy score.
 

Very sad; the weak praying on the weaker. Unfortunately we all have to get old sometime and one of the dysfunctions is losing our senses and strength. I truly understand what it means that youth is wasted on the young.
 
Another thing i do is i have a small silver chain with clips on either end, and as soon as i get a shopping trolley i clip my bag onto it, no b@#$%ds going to get my handbag, i will have a great laugh if ever a moron tries to take it.:wink:
 

My wife had her clutch purse knocked out of her hands & stolen;
she had a bruised & sprained wrist, had to get all her cards cancelled & replaced.
Yes we both are very careful, especially when A couple of young men are walking near us.
 
My mother, many years ago, had her purse pulled off her arm and stolen by a teenage girl. My husband's mother also had her purse stolen in the same manner...this was a long time ago. On a daily basis I keep my wallet in my back pant pocket, and use a small bi-fold, just like a man's. If they want to get my money, we're gonna dance, that's for sure! :p
 
Not all all. I have always been a cautious person. I have always locked my car doors, and been aware of any strangers approaching me.
 
Hi ..am I on an American site..I am English and my son lives in Atlanta..I live in Manchester England and I'm coming over to see him in May
 
This seems to be a multinational site, Joan. I am in the US, but people here are from all over, which is partly what makes it so interesting.

To get back to the "how safe are seniors" topic, I always use a bag with a shoulder strap, which I crisscross (strap on left shoulder, bag at my waist on right). It would be nearly impossible for anyone to snatch it without cutting my head off!
 
Do you think that you appear more like an easy target to criminals on the street, or someone who would be passed up for an easier victim?

If I'm out walking in a wooded area alone, I usually have some pepper spray with me. Mostly for coyotes that may decide to attack, but also to slow down or deal with a potential creep looking to prey on women. I will do whatever it takes not to be a victim, regardless of my age. I think I'm probably viewed as someone to pass on for an easier target, hoping anyway, so far so good.
 
I think you always look more vulnerable alone. I would agree older people just look ​more vulnerable. I took a self defense class years ago. It's always made me feel more confident. :)
 
I took some martial arts classes myself when I was younger, although I didn't continue to practice, there are some things I learned that gave me more confidence if I ever need to fight anyone off in a serious situation.
 
One of the "tricks" of self-defense for seniors is to have the ability to go full-animal on your assailant. Too many of us are ruled by our desire not to harm another human being, but in a successful defense you have to go all out.
 
I agree Phil, if someone is out to seriously harm or kill me, I will in no way hold back to defend myself.
 
Of course I'm an easy target.
At 5' 1.5" I have always been an easy target.
But I am not afraid.

I would never go walking in the woods alone though.
In OZ there are snakes and the risk of having a fall and you always need a buddy with you to get help or to administer first aid.
 
Of course you don't want to look like an obvious target. I always nod good evening to the bangers on the corner. But it's funny, my boy even when he isn't with me has given me confidence. I usually wear a Villa Lobos hoodie. Black with an outline of a very serious looking pup. Even when he's not with me I feel I could hurt somebody if I had to...or run like the dickens.
 
I'm not afraid either Warri, there's rattlesnakes in my area too, we've killed them right in our own backyard. I'm careful when I go out alone, I don't think of the worst happening. My husband usually knows the area I'll be in and the time I left, so in the rare event I would fall and break my leg or something, he'd know where to look for me. So far, I've been out on walks alone both in the city and the woods, and nothing terrible has ever happened yet.
 
I'm aware that there is no way to conceal the fact that I am older, and thus a potentially 'easier' or 'soft target'. However, I've learned from working in jails and prisons to present self assurance, and not have fear. I walk like I am ready and willing to kick anyone's a$$ that might think they're going to mess with me. I don't carry a firearm, probably should but I don't want the responsibility that comes with it.
 
Yes, I suppose that in these days of mobile phones it is easier to get help if you need it, provided of course that you are conscious.

Your last sentence applies to me too is a slightly different way. I have walked wherever I have wanted to all of my life and I have never needed to kill anyone or any creature in self defence so I continue to walk around unarmed. If did think that there might be danger I would pack a shrill whistle. That's what we always carried when bush walking back in the day. That and a packet of matches. And water. And a bit of first aid gear. Nothing else was necessary.

Today in my daily rounds I don't even bother with the whistle.
 
I am 5'-6", keep my wits about me, remain aware of things going on nearby, try to follow Massad Ayoob's excellent advice. One can avert a potential personal disaster by being aware, vigilant, not "paranoid", as anti-gunners view it, but rather ever-aware of one's surroundings and goings-on. Besides, it's fun to watch the other guy's wife.......er....it's rewarding to feel safe. imp
 
You experience everything, true, but it shifts back and forth as need be. When I walk down a dark alley in the rain, I first register that it IS raining, and how much. Then the awareness shifts to the guy hiding behind the dumpster.

I remember - or my body does - that it's raining, but the priority becomes Dumpster Danny.
 

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