I am very concerned about people being able to defend themselves against a physical attack. That’s why I’ve taught self defense and martial arts since the early 1960’s.
I’ve focused on Women’s Self Defense in this Substack section during the past 2 1/2 years. What I’d like to do beginning this month is to focus on protecting another group of vulnerable people.
Protecting the Elderly
What does it mean to be ‘elderly?’
Here are some interesting definitions:
Rather old — Merriam-Webster
Being past middle age and approaching old age — The American Heritage Dictionary
Of advanced age — Dictionary.com
Someone has said that “age is just a number,” but there is something about aging that we need to notice. Some people in their 60’s are in great physical condition, but some are not. Some people in their 70’s are in great physical condition, but some are not. The same is true for people in their 80’s and 90’s.
Moses lived to be 120 years old, yet the Bible says that when he died – “His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished” (Deuteronomy 34:7). Moses lived an unusual life and was physically blessed through his many personal meetings with God. So, it’s interesting that Moses wrote these words:
The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10
King David died at 70 years of age and the Bible records that he was “old, advanced in years” (1 Kings 1:1). David was not physically well at the end of his life. He was a vigorous warrior king in his younger life, but fighting and ruling took a toll on him. He didn’t have the strength to continue after 70.
The Apostle Paul told churches to take care of widows after they turned 60, ‘if’ they didn’t have children and grandchildren to take care of them, and if they had led an exemplary life. (1 Timothy 5)
So, who should we consider “elderly” and in need of protection? The Free Medical Dictionary has an interesting definition that may help.
Individuals over 65 years old who have functional impairments
The aging process affects people differently at various stages in their lives. One of the benefits of martial arts training is that it is a healthy physical system of exercise, in addition to preparing someone to defend themselves in a variety of situations. However, people begin to lose muscle strength as they age. Some also lose flexibility and speed, so running from an attacker may not be a feasible option.
I will celebrate my 78th birthday this year. I also have some physical limitations because of a chronic illness, so running from an attacker without first disabling that attacker is not an option for me. That’s how it is for many people my age (and even younger).
One of the reasons I like teaching Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts and Hwa Yu T’ai Chi Ch’uan self defense to older people is because they learn how to use minimum physical force for maximum efficiency. They may not be able to run from an attacker, but they can redirect an attacker to the ground or into an object that allows them (the older person) to escape unharmed. If the older person uses a cane, walker, or wheelchair, they can learn how to use them for personal self defense as well.
Next Time
In the next part of our series I’ll look at what older people can do to assess their physical ability to defend themselves against personal attacks.
Sensei McGee is a 9th Degree Black Belt in Yon Ch’uan Martial Arts and a Senior Instructor in Hwa Yu T’ai Chi Ch’uan. He is also a 7th Degree Black Sash in Shaolin Kung Fu, and has Black Belts in several other martial arts systems.
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You can be attacked anywhere, at anytime, by anyone. Be ready.
