Aging Well: News & Insights for Seniors and Caregivers
Key takeaways
- Maintain strong situational awareness; lock doors, check your car interior and surroundings before entering; treat awareness as practical safety.
- Create a emergency folder with photo, medical history, contacts, insurance, and copies of Power of Attorney and DNR; share updates.
- Install video doorbells, hard-wired cameras, and a medical alert system with fall detection; set daily check-In calls.
- If threatened, use your elbow, toss your purse away and run, or prioritize escape by driving off if safe.
The following warnings and preparations were given to me by a trusted friend who worked with law enforcement for many years. Although they are suggested for seniors, this is valuable information for everyone. We were encouraged to share these with everyone.
9 Safety Tips, Especially For Women
- Your elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to an assailant, use it!
- If a robber asks for your purse or wallet, do not hand it to him. Rather, toss it away from you and run in the opposite direction. He is likely more interested in your money than in pursuing you.
- If you are put in the trunk of a car, kick out the back taillights and stick out your arm and wave like crazy to draw attention to your situation.
- Once you enter your car, lock it and drive off. Do not sit in your car and do something else. If someone is watching, your sitting and being distracted is a perfect opportunity for someone to try to get into your car.
- If someone is in your car with a gun to your head and you are told to drive: When you are in a public area, gun the engine and speed into anything. Your air bag should protect you. As soon as the car crashes, get out and run.
- When getting into your car in a parking lot, be aware of your surroundings. Look into your car, at the passenger side floor and in the back. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, consider going back and getting a male to walk back out with you or wait for the person to leave.
- If someone has a gun and you are able, Run! – preferably in a zig zag pattern.
- Women often want to be sympathetic, which is appropriate in many situations but predators prey on this quality. Call for help for the person if they seem to be in trouble but do not leave your vehicle to help. Rapist especially look for vulnerable and sympathetic women.
- If you hear anything outside that causes you alarm, such as a call for help or a crying child, do not open your door. Rather phone for help. This could be a ruse to get you to open the door.
Awareness is not paranoia, but just facing reality.
7 Preventative Safety Measures (especial for those living alone)
- Prepare an emergency folder, including a recent photo, medical history, vehicle information and your usual schedule. Make copies for your family and update regularly.
- Install video doorbells and hard-wired cameras.
- Use a medical device system – preferably one that has fall detection.
- If possible, set up a time for daily “check-In” phone calls with family or friends. Alert them if your routine will change and where you will be going.
- Put a GPS tracker in your shoes.
- Post emergency information on your refrigerator. This would include health conditions, medicines you take, contact information for family, friends and or neighbors, hospital preference, physicians names and numbers, insurance information. If you have a Power of Attorney for health, provide a copy, along with a copy of your DNR if applicable.
- If you have elderly or disabled neighbors, check on them and know their routines.
Preparation takes a little time, but may pay off immensely when needed.
Latest posts by Pam Stone , BSW, Certified Case Manager (CCM) (see all)
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