Adaptive Car Items, aka, Car Travel Aids

Mom was always ready to go for a car ride for an ice cream cone!

Adaptive Car Aids Help Seniors Get Into and Out Of Cars

Getting into or out of a car when you’re elderly can be quite painful. In some cases, the ability to sit in or step out of a car might be lost to those afflicted with such issues as dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Anything that can assist the senior citizen in these tasks is welcomed in my book.

Our favorite adaptive car aids were the swivel seat and the handybar, shown below. Both were invaluable in Mom’s comfort in dealing with our car or our SUV.

My own father-in-law loves his car swivel seat. By being able to twist around easier when sitting in a car, his legs are easier for him to control when getting in and out. This means that he is usually up for more car rides – a big bonus to trying to talk him into going out.

Frequently, our elderly loved ones have problems twisting and bending to get into and out of a car. The items on this page are designed to aid anyone with mobility issues.

 Standers Automobility Solution- 2-in-1 Handybar and Swivel Cushion Seat Combo, 1.9 Pound
If you’re looking for the best value and most important items to assist a senior citizen with auto travel, you can’t go wrong with that combination on the right.

The swivel seat is one of the most highly rated, as is the Handybar. For those unfamiliar with the Handybar, the metal pointed end fits right into the car’s inside door latch, on the driver’s or passenger’s side, front or backseat.

After being inserted, the Handybar can be used to create leverage when getting out of the car.

When getting in, the Handybar gives a very secure handle onto which to hold. Once your passenger is safely in the car, pull the Handybar out from the door, stash in the glove box and that’s where it remain until called into action again.

These items not only can make a car ride much easier for our senior friend but they can also aid in avoiding falls – that is always a good thing.

Car Steps Make Getting Into A Car Much Safer

If your elderly loved one is of short stature like my mom was, here’s a few steps that may help get them up high enough to get into the car. I particular liked the 1st link below, the Duro-Med Step Stool with Hand Rail, but I only brought it with us when we were in the SUV, otherwise I don’t think it would have fit. It now serves me as a wonderful step stool for the kitchen though.

 North American Health and Wellness – JR5919 – Non-slip Outdoor Step – Mobility Step – Black and Gray Miles Kimball Fox Valley Traders Portable Help Step, 16” W x 12” D x 4” Tall – Folds to Small Size for Storage, Non-Slip Rubber Step Surface for Safety, Durable Plastic Construction Supports 300 Lbs. Hoovy 3.5” Step Riser – Portable One Step Stool for Elderly & Disabled –Antislip Half Step for Indoor & Outdoor Stairs, Cars, Bed, Chair, Shower – Lightweight Mobility Safety Tread for Up to 400lbs Evelots Mobility Step, 3.5” Tall Step Stool, Indoor/Outdoor Non-Slip Plastic Half Step Giantex Step Stool with Handle Footstool for Adults and Kids Non-Slip Foot Platform Handy Support Safety 330 Lbs Load Capacity Home Kitchen Portable Lightweight Step with Handrail Bathroom Safety Step Step Stool Folding Aluminum RV Step Platform with Anti-slip Surface Sturdy Lightweight Maximum Load is 550 LB Perfect as RV Motorhome Trailer SUV Camper Extra Step by NORDSD

Now That They’re In The Car, Here’s Some Help Getting Out!

 Sporthfish Automotive Adjustable Standing Aid Safety Handle Vehicle Support Grip Handle Disability Help Car Hand Hook- 2 pcs Car Handle with Car Assist Door Handle Grip Strap, Glass Breaker and Belt Cutter- for Elderly and Disabled Stander CarCaddie – Automotive Standing Aid and Adjustable Safety Vehicle Support Handle Portable Nylon Car Assist Device

Adaptive Car Items – Car Swivel Seat Cushions

The car seat cushions swivel making it much easier for a senior citizen to just swing their legs into a car (probably with a little help from the caregiver too).

I had one of these swivel cushion in my Honda Pilot when Mom was with me (they fit any car).

She was much more comfortable getting into and out of the car which made going to the doctor appointments or just out for an ice cream cone much easier.

These are a great gift, especially for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s who might not understand how to get into a car any longer.

 Standers Auto Swivel Cushion Seat Drive Medical Deluxe Swivel Seat Cushion, Gray HealthSmart Deluxe Swivel Seat Cushion for Car or Chair, Black Leatherette Essential Medical Supply Deluxe Swivel Seat HealthSmart Deluxe Swivel Seat Foam Cushion for Car or Chair, 15 DMI Deluxe Swivel Pivot Disc Seat Cushion – Foam Cushion, 15

Personal GPS Trackers

If your elderly friend is still driving, it might be a good idea to get one of these personal GPS trackers. That way, should they be lost, you’ll be able to quickly (in real time…) identify where they are.

Note: There are monthly fees for these gps trackers but, especially if your elderly loved one shows signs of confusion, it’s worth the $25/month….

 Personal GPS Tracker – Mini, Portable, Track in Real Time – 4G LTE – with SOS Button – Locator Tracking Device – for Seniors, Kids, Cars, Vehicle, Bicycles, Spy Tracking, Travel [New 2019 Model] GPS Tracker, GPS Tracker for Kids, Car Tracker, 4G LTE – GPS Location Tracker – SOS Emergency Alarm, External Battery Accessible, Motion Detection, Quick Start Up Spy Tec STI GL300 Mini Portable Real Time Personal and Vehicle GPS Tracker Pack of 2

Hidden GPS For Cars

The hidden GPS trackers plug right into the car, usually somewhere under the dashboard. They are small and usually undetectable. BUT, they allow you to see where the car is at any moment. Some even have a notification to your phone if a car passes a certain location which you set.

Note: Most of these have a monthly fee which, imho, is way worth it!

 Tracki 2020 Model Mini Real time GPS Tracker. Full USA & Worldwide Coverage. For Vehicles, Car, Kids. Magnetic Hidden small Portable Tracking Device. Child, elderly, Dog pet drone motorcycle bike auto GeoZilla GPS Location Tracker No Monthly Fee for Loved Ones and Valuables | Works with Cellular, WiFi and GPS | Precise and Lightweight | SIM Card and 1-Year Data Plan Included Driving Connected – GPS Location – Route History – Speed Monitoring – GeoFence – Roadside Assistance – Engine Diagnostics – Family or Fleets – No Activation Fees – Cancel Anytime

Help With Getting Into Or Out of a Car

And, here’s a few items to help the elderly stand up or sit down in a car.

Even as Mom aged and became weaker, she could still grab the Standers Handybar to help steady herself when getting into or out of a car.

The Standers HandyBar just fits right into the door frame of any car and is a great aid in stability.

 Stander HandyBar – Car Assist Cane Handle Automotive Standing Aid + Vehicle Emergency Escape Tools with Window Breaker & Seat Belt Cutter Able Life Auto Cane – Automotive Support Handle Mobility Aid & Car Cane Vehicle Stand Assist Grab Bar Handle – Blue Emson 9663 Car Cane Portable Handle Stander Handybar & CarCaddie Combo Pack – The Original Automotive Standing Aid and Car Safety Support Handle + Emergency Escape Tool Able Life Auto Assist Grab Bar – Vehicle Support Handle & Standing Mobility Aid Portable Car Bar + Hidden Key Compartment Emson 9814 Limited Edition Round Car Cane Mobility and Standing Aid with Built-In Flashlight

Car Safety Rescue Tools

I firmly believe that every vehicle should have one of these car rescue tools within easy reach – just in case.

 resqme The Original Keychain Car Escape Tool, Made in USA (Orange) – Pack of 2 Lifehammer Brand Car Safety Hammer, the Original Emergency Auto Escape and Rescue Tool with Seatbelt Cutter, Made in the Netherlands, Glow Yellow (Pack of 2) Ztylus Stinger USB Emergency Escape Tool: Life-Saving Rescue Car Charger, Spring Loaded Window Breaker Punch, Seat Belt Cutter, Dual 2.4A USB Ports (Stinger-1) LUXON Emergency Tool 7-in-1 Car Safety Tool Includes Window Hammer Seat Belt Cutter LED Flashlight Rescue Tool Contains USB Charger SOS Light & Hand Cranking Charge for Vehicle Escape/Field Survival