Everyone reading this is getting older (3 seconds in fact if you got this far). Age impacts everything we do. While it affects us all personally, it also significantly influences our protective operational coverage. In 1925, the average life expectancy of men in the United States was 58, and women’s life expectancy was 61. Major causes of death in the last century included poor maternal care, workplace hazards, infectious diseases, and limited medical technology. Today, those numbers have dramatically increased for men (74.8) and women (80.2). Improvements in medical care and public health systems, antibiotics, and nutrition have all increased life expectancy and the elderly population.
According to current statistics, the average age of a Fortune 500 CEO is 58 – 60 years old. While most CEOs are in their late 50s or early 60s, the age range can go from the early 40s to the mid-70s, with younger CEOs often leading technology companies. For those providing protective services in Hollywood, aging protectees are commonplace even for action stars like Kevin Costner (70) and Sylvester Stallone (78). Actively touring musical entertainers like Billy Joel (76) and Rick Springfield (75) are also getting older. Regardless of the protection sector you work in, we are all protecting an ever-aging population, and that trend will only continue.
Vulnerability to Exploitation
We are hired to provide physical protection, but that coverage usually extends to other personal protection areas. While physical protection is the primary focus of most protection providers, elderly clients are routinely targeted through online and instant messaging scams by criminals. Older citizens with access to technology are often the unknowing victims of social media attacks in various crimes, including online romance scams and instant lottery scams. These attacks aren’t limited to clickbait schemes but often include targeted attacks based on the protectee’s position within a corporation. Whaling, Spear Phishing, and Business Email Compromise attacks occur frequently in corporate environments despite corporate education efforts, robust network security teams, and business acumen stop gaps. Over the last decade alone, Business Email Compromise has resulted in losses exceeding 55.5 billion dollars. The need for protectors to be technically proficient in cyber-based attacks has increased exponentially.
Beyond online criminal attacks, older protectees are also vulnerable to their caregivers and, in some unfortunate cases, family members. As the population ages, so does the incidence of Elder Abuse, which can include physical, emotional, and financial abuse. These crimes frequently go unreported because of the dependency of the victim.
The increase in Family Offices in the protective operational sector directly correlates with wealthy protectees who often require protection beyond traditional physical coverage. Aging adults frequently experience a tension between their desire for autonomy, their need for personal care, and the necessity for security. Those who aspire to live independently in their homes face an increased risk of unnoticed medical emergencies and delayed responses to falls. The incorporation of Family Offices into protective operational coverage reduces the limited social contacts many elderly protectees face. Family Office protective coverage, along with emergency alerting, fall sensors, and electronic tracking technologies, increases the safety of protectees in their twilight years.
Physical Limitations of Protectees
Regardless of the significant medical advances to counter the physical consequences associated with advanced aging, cognitive and sensory decline continues to impact many of our protectees. Common cognitive ailments like Dementia and Alzheimer’s can lead to serious security-related incidents like wandering, confusion, or the inability to assess personal danger.
Slower reaction times associated with mobility issues, impaired vision/hearing, and musculoskeletal conditions can also hinder a protectee’s ability to escape from physical threats or respond promptly to alarms and the guidance of their protectors. As individuals age and face physical limitations, their agility and speed may also diminish, making it challenging to react swiftly in emergencies. This delay can complicate their ability to navigate obstacles or evacuate effectively, increasing their vulnerability to targeted attacks. When protectees struggle to understand or follow instructions due to cognitive decline or physical constraints, the effectiveness of the protective team’s response may be compromised.
The physically demanding and often dynamic physical movements associated with removing a protectee from harm’s way during covering and evacuating by the protective detail can themselves cause physical harm to protectees.
When you consider the additional dependence on assistive devices like walkers, wheelchairs, or oxygen tanks, protective movements can be significantly impacted during emergencies. Protective details should have detailed Advanced Medical Guidelines and specific Emergency Action Plans that take into consideration the protectees’ cognitive abilities and mobility limitations for natural disasters, fires, and active shooter situations. These plans should always include considerations for communication barriers when alerting protectees of emergencies and communicating with medical providers.
The Increased Need for Medical Training by Protectors
An aging population has increased healthcare demands that can strain societal and organizational resources. For older protectees, the risk of experiencing a medical emergency often far exceeds the likelihood of a physical attack. As a result, the importance of protectors being trained in emergency medical care, as certified EMTs or paramedics, is gradually increasing within the industry. While conducting a medical survey or threat assessment should remain a standard practice in protective planning, basic emergency medical measures can often be implemented without requiring advanced or specialized training for all team members.
One such measure is AED training and use. In the event of a cardiac arrest with loss of pulse, the timely use of an AED significantly improves survival rates. When an AED is used within 3–5 minutes, survival rates are estimated between 50% and 70%, compared to just 5%–10% without intervention. Each minute of delay in defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 7%–10%. Studies show that when CPR and AED use are administered immediately by bystanders, survival rates can exceed 70%. This statistic alone underscores the need for basic life support training by all protectors.
The most common injuries among older adults in the U.S. are falls and fall-related injuries. Hip fractures are among the most serious outcomes, often requiring surgery and extended recovery periods. Wrist and arm fractures frequently occur when individuals attempt to break their fall, while head injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBI), are a leading concern, as falls are the primary cause of TBIs in older adults. Spinal injuries are also common, ranging from mild back pain to severe vertebral fractures.
One in four Americans aged 65 and older experiences a fall each year, and falls remain the leading cause of injury-related death in the elderly. This is one of the many reasons protectors also should be aware of the medications used by their protectees, which could cause side effects such as dizziness, low blood pressure, or drowsiness that could lead to falls and injuries.
In addition to falls, older protectees are particularly vulnerable to other injuries due to age-related physical changes. Burns and scalds often occur during everyday activities such as cooking, bathing, or using heating appliances. Thinner skin makes these injuries more severe, while reduced sensation or mobility can delay reactions to heat sources. Cuts and lacerations are also common, frequently resulting from household chores, gardening, or minor accidents. Slower healing times and delicate skin increase the risk of infection and complications. Bruises and soft tissue injuries are another concern, as older adults bruise more easily due to fragile blood vessels and thinner skin, often caused by bumping into furniture or experiencing minor falls.
Older protectees can also suffer from sprains and strains that frequently result from overexertion, poor balance, or uneven surfaces, with the ankles, knees, and shoulders being particularly susceptible. Overuse and repetitive strain injuries, such as tendinitis or bursitis, are often linked to age-related arthritis and repetitive motions during household or recreational tasks. Additionally, choking and swallowing-related injuries can occur due to weakened throat muscles, dental issues, or side effects of medication. These incidents can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia or airway obstruction, underscoring the importance of proactive medical training by protectors.
Protective Environment Manipulation
When travelling, older protectees face a variety of protection-related challenges when staying in hotels, making proactive advance and logistics planning essential. The selection of the penthouse suite is not always the best choice when considering security for aging protectees. Physically, room location selection is always a concern, as those far from elevators or on higher floors may present mobility or evacuation difficulties. Environmental hazards also play a role; uneven flooring, poor lighting, and cluttered furniture increase the risk of trips and falls, while slippery bathrooms and a lack of grab bars heighten injury risk. Even when choosing handicapped accessible rooms, some support devices may be poorly designed or inadequately maintained.
Medically, delayed response times by local ambulances and a lack of trained hotel staff or available AEDs can prove deadly in an emergency, particularly for solo practitioners who may need significant assistance. Communication can be a barrier as well, with unfamiliar country emergency systems, language differences, and confusing building layouts posing challenges, especially for guests with cognitive or sensory impairments. To enhance safety, advance teams should request accessible rooms near exits, confirm needed security and medical aid features in advance, bring personal safety aids and medical equipment, inform staff of any specific health needs, and select hotels with strong safety reputations and ADA accessible accommodations.
When selecting contract transportation services during protective advances for elderly protectees, advance team members should evaluate service providers through the combined lens of security, comfort, and protectee accessibility. Older protectees may face a range of physical, cognitive, or medical challenges that influence how they experience vehicle transport, requiring services that are tailored to their specific needs. Vehicle accessibility and comfort are important in selecting contract transportation, and vehicles should be equipped to accommodate the reduced mobility of your protectee. This includes features like step assists, wide entryways, wheelchair accessibility (if required), comfortable suspension, and adjustable seating. Attention to environmental factors such as interior temperature, cleanliness, and noise levels can also significantly impact an older protectee’s comfort.
Equally important is medical awareness and emergency preparedness. Security drivers should be trained in basic first aid and know how to recognize and respond to common age-related medical incidents, such as disorientation, falls, or signs of stroke and cardiac arrest. Vehicles should be equipped with basic medical equipment, and hospital routes and surveys should always be completed with drivers during the protective advance. Finally, discretion and professionalism should be discussed with security drivers before the protective visit begins. Elderly protectees often value privacy, dignity, and a personal routine. Contracted drivers and security personnel must respect these preferences, maintain discretion, and avoid unnecessary or intrusive conversations. Professionalism in demeanor and conduct fosters trust and supports the overall mission of ensuring safety and peace of mind for the protectee.
Residential environmental design has an important role in the safety and security of our aging protectees, particularly through the application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. Poorly designed spaces, with inadequate lighting, confusing layouts, video or CCTV dead spots, and overgrown landscaping, can unintentionally limit the detection and increase the risk of accidents. A thorough security assessment should consider whether walkways are illuminated, unobstructed, and accessible. Clear and visible signage is also essential for effective wayfinding, helping individuals navigate areas confidently and safely. Landscaping should be regularly maintained to eliminate potential hiding places near entrances, windows, or pathways, which is especially important for older adults who may be more vulnerable to crime or feel less secure in poorly maintained environments. For elderly protectees, a well-designed and easily visible outdoor space reduces the risk of hidden threats and enhances mobility, confidence, and peace of mind. Thoughtful environmental design contributes significantly to a safer, more accessible, and welcoming environment that supports the aging protectees’ overall well-being.
Protective Team Turnover
Change in Executive Protection is rarely perceived as bad, but in the case of older protectees, it can be. High turnover within protective operational teams should be avoided because it can be challenging for older protectees. Adapting to personnel changes, learning unfamiliar names, and building trust in the close and often intimate setting of close protection can create discomfort for older protectees. These shifts in staffing may also disrupt established routines and relationships essential to the protectee’s sense of security and personal well-being.
To overcome these challenges, protective detail leaders should implement personnel changes gradually, allowing time for rapport to develop organically. Introducing new team members in low-pressure environments and ensuring consistent overlap with familiar staff can ease the transition. Protectors must remain sensitive to the emotional and psychological needs of aging protectees, prioritizing continuity and stability whenever possible to preserve trust and comfort in daily interactions.
Conclusion
As our protectee population ages, their operational protective coverage needs to evolve to effectively address their changing needs and vulnerabilities. This requires a comprehensive strategy that takes into account the protectee’s physical limitations, cognitive changes, health considerations, emotional needs, and flexible options available for team coverage. By proactively adopting age-related protective measures, protective teams can ensure the safety and well-being of aging protectees while fostering an atmosphere of trust and mutual support. This holistic approach not only strengthens the current operational protective framework but also enhances the overall quality of life for the protectee.
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