How To Increase Seniors Confidence Through Violence Prevention
I am delighted that the first person to access our online SAFE Protocol course is the oldest yet still young-at-heart individual: a 91-year-old going through our violence prevention content with her daughter.
I have had the great privilege of teaching thousands of seniors over the years, and the discussion and questions they bring have been some of the most thought-provoking I have ever encountered. In addition, their life experiences add a unique and invaluable perspective to the quality of all our violence prevention and self-defence courses.
While all our programs emphasize identifying, recognizing, and avoiding violence, it is even more critical for those with further physical limitations.
One seemingly simple example of how violence prevention and self-defence for seniors may be a bit different is that years ago, I had an elderly client in Toronto who used a cane to walk down the street, and she felt vulnerable, not only from the potential threat of violence but also from the fear of falling and harming herself due to her limited mobility. Although there may be some difficulties in protecting herself from an attack, I remember asking her if she could walk closer to the building, using it to provide extra support if she had her cane on the other side.
She immediately smiled and wondered how she did not pick up on such simple but effective advice. See “SELF-DEFENCE BEGINS WITH THE SELF”; often, the most straightforward ideas might be the best. If you are an instructor, never assume any advice you might have is insignificant. Put yourself in the client’s shoes and think as your client.
Keep SAFE!
Chris Roberts, Founder
www.safeinternational.biz