Protecting the Older Members of Your Family: A Security Guide That Could Save a Life

Published by Vertex Security Services | February 2026

The recent abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson, Arizona home has shaken families across the country. Nancy, the mother of NBC's Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her residence in the early morning hours of January 31st while she slept. Investigators believe an armed intruder tampered with her doorbell camera, exploiting the fact that the device lacked an active recording subscription. Blood was found on the porch. A ransom demand followed. As of this writing, Nancy has not been found.

This case is every family's worst nightmare — and it raises an urgent question most of us have been putting off: Are the older members of your family truly safe?

At Vertex Security Services, protecting people is what we do every day. We've spent years providing executive protection, school security, and threat assessments across Colorado and beyond. But some of the most important security work doesn't require a trained detail or an armed guard. It starts with a few simple, practical steps that any family can take right now.

Why Seniors Are Vulnerable

Older adults living independently face a unique combination of risk factors. Physical limitations can make it harder to respond quickly to a threat. Many seniors live alone — according to Pew Research, more than a quarter of Americans over 60 live by themselves. Predictable daily routines, reduced mobility, and a natural tendency to trust others can make them appealing targets for criminals ranging from scam artists to home intruders.

The Nancy Guthrie case illustrates how even a home equipped with modern technology can fail if the right protocols aren't in place. A camera that doesn't record. A pacemaker app that goes silent in the middle of the night. Small gaps in security that, under normal circumstances, seem insignificant — until they aren't.

Seven Steps You Can Take Today

The good news is that meaningful security improvements don't have to be expensive or complicated. Here are practical measures your family can implement right away.

1. Audit Their Camera and Alarm Subscriptions

Having a doorbell camera or security system is a great first step, but hardware without active monitoring is like a smoke detector without batteries. In the Guthrie case, motion was detected at the front door at 2:12 a.m., but no video was captured because there was no active service subscription. Make sure every camera and alarm in your loved one's home is fully subscribed, recording, and sending alerts to at least one family member's phone.

2. Establish a Daily Check-In Routine

One of the simplest and most effective security measures costs nothing at all. Set up a daily check-in — a morning phone call, a text exchange, or even a quick video chat at a consistent time. If your loved one doesn't respond within a reasonable window, you have an early warning that something may be wrong. In abduction and medical emergency scenarios alike, hours matter.

3. Upgrade Exterior Lighting

A well-lit home is one of the most powerful deterrents against criminal activity. Install motion-activated lights at every entry point — front door, back door, garage, side gates, and along walkways. Solar-powered path lights are inexpensive, require no wiring, and eliminate dark zones where someone could approach unseen. Criminals prefer to operate in darkness; take that advantage away from them.

4. Eliminate Spare Key Hiding Spots

The spare key under the mat, inside the fake rock, or on top of the door frame is one of the oldest — and most exploited — security vulnerabilities in residential settings. Replace hidden keys with a smart lock or a simple combination lockbox mounted in a discreet location. Share access codes only with trusted family members and update them periodically.

5. Build a Neighbor Network

Strong relationships with neighbors are an underrated security asset. Introduce yourself to the people living on either side of your loved one and across the street. Exchange phone numbers. Ask them to keep an eye out for unfamiliar vehicles or people, especially during unusual hours. A watchful neighbor who notices something off at 2 a.m. can be the difference between an incident and a tragedy.

6. Review and Secure Digital Vulnerabilities

Many seniors are targets of phone scams, phishing emails, and social engineering attacks that can expose personal information — including home addresses, routines, and financial details. Help your loved one set strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication on important accounts, and establish a rule: never share personal or financial information with anyone who contacts you unsolicited, regardless of who they claim to be.

7. Create a Family Emergency Plan

Does your family know what to do if an elderly relative suddenly can't be reached? Who calls first — a neighbor, local police, or another family member? Is there a spare key accessible to someone nearby? Are medical conditions, medications, and doctor contacts documented somewhere accessible in an emergency? Write it down, share it with everyone involved, and revisit it at least once a year.

When Simple Steps Aren't Enough

These measures go a long way toward reducing risk, but every family's situation is different. A retired couple living in a quiet neighborhood faces different threats than a high-profile individual living alone in an urban area. The layout of the home, the surrounding environment, local crime patterns, daily routines, and even the specific health conditions of your loved one all factor into a comprehensive security picture.

That's where professional expertise makes a difference.

Get a Full Security Assessment From Vertex

At Vertex Security Services, we specialize in evaluating the unique vulnerabilities that affect real people in real homes. Our Threat and Vulnerability Assessments go far beyond a checklist — we examine physical security, technology gaps, routine patterns, emergency response readiness, and the specific risk profile of your loved one's situation.

Whether your family member lives here in Colorado's mountain communities or anywhere in the country, our team — which includes former Special Forces operators, law enforcement veterans, and certified protection professionals — can provide a tailored security plan designed to give you and your family genuine peace of mind.

Don't wait for a crisis to find out where the gaps are.

Contact Vertex Security Services today to schedule a comprehensive security assessment for your loved one's home and personal safety.

📞 970-989-4610 📧 admin@vertexsecurityservices.com 🌐 www.vertexsecurityservices.com 📍 P.O. Box 8604, Aspen, CO

Vertex Security Services is a woman-owned, Colorado-based security company headquartered in Aspen, providing executive protection, armed security, school security, event security, and threat vulnerability assessments nationwide.

If you or someone you know has information regarding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.