SENIOR SELF-DEFENSE THAT WORKS: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe, Preventing Falls, Using a Cane, and Protecting Yourself in Everyday Life

Senior Self-Defense That Works is not a book about becoming a fighter.It is a book about staying safe.For older adults, self-defense is not about trophies, tournaments, or complicated moves that require perfect knees, perfect balance, and the reflexes of a twenty-year-old. Real safety is much more practical than that. It is about awareness. Balance. Distance. Clear thinking. Using your voice. Using your cane. Avoiding falls. Getting up safely. Recognizing trouble early. And knowing what to do before fear takes over.Written by Carmen Laski, EMT, and Harold Laski, MD, this practical guide teaches older adults how to protect themselves in everyday life without pretending they are action heroes.Inside, readers will learn how to:Recognize danger before it gets too closeMove with better balance and confidenceUse a cane as a support tool and safety toolAvoid common public-space dangers in parking lots, sidewalks, and store exitsRespond to grabs, shoves, falls, and threatening approachesUse simple movements that work under stressGet up from the ground safely after a fallProtect a spouse or friend without making the situation worseBuild awareness without living in fearStay calm, stay prepared, and get home safelyThis book draws inspiration from Bartitsu, the practical civilian self-defense method made famous through its historical connection to Sherlock Holmes, but it adapts those ideas for the modern older adult. The goal is not to revive old fighting techniques as museum pieces. The goal is to take the useful parts and make them safer, simpler, clearer, and more practical for real people living real lives.No martial arts background is required.No athletic ability is assumed.No fantasy is sold.The lessons are built around ordinary situations: walking to your car, leaving a store, sitting in a chair, using a cane, recovering from a fall, protecting your personal space, and making smart decisions when something feels wrong.This is self-defense for people who understand that the best victory is not winning a fight.The best victory is avoiding one.Whether you are an older adult, caregiver, spouse, family member, instructor, or healthcare professional, Senior Self-Defense That Works offers a practical, respectful, and easy-to-understand approach to personal safety.Because confidence is not about being fearless.It is about being prepared.Stay aware. Stay balanced. Stay safe.That is Bartitsu. Read more