I don’t know why they continue to push the shotgun as the primary defense weapon for people with limited mobility or strength. The shotgun is a relatively large weapon and certainly not ideal for an elderly woman.
A .38 revolver is a good choice, but the trigger pulls on the DAO/hammerless models like the S&W 642 may be too much for elderly women. My neighbor (about 80) bought one and his wife cannot use the trigger (age, arthritis).
Try holding a shotgun and a phone (or a flashlight). Try opening a door while holding a shotgun. Now imagine you’re an elderly woman.
And God help them if they actually fire the thing.
ELDERLY????
That’s why you need a sling and a light mount for your shotgun.
And forget that crap about scaring them off by racking a round into the chamber. If the bad guy is in your house, he needs to be ventilated.
“....for an elderly woman....”
You do realize, don’t you, that 60 is the new 40?