New Features Make Life Easier For Elderly Drivers

Simple tasks such as operating a car can become difficult as we age. Decreased mobility can make common tasks like getting into the car or turning the key painful, if not impossible. Fortunately, there are a number of features available on the market that can make life easier for elderly drivers.

Feeling The Pinch

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability for those over the age of 65. It has many causes, but the result can be crippling joint pain that can make gripping a key or a shifter tricky. Unfortunately, many cars are not designed with arthritics in mind. Here’s what to look for when buying an auto for an arthritis sufferer:

• Transmission
  Automatic transmissions are easier on arthritics because they require fewer movements to keep the car running; however, they still require shifting, so the choice of shifting mechanism is crucial. Floor shifters should be immediately ruled out, as most require a thumb button to operate. In-column shifters are the most widely available option and are preferred because they don’t require any extra buttons. The best option though, if it’s available, is an electronic shifter, such as the ones found in the Toyota Prius and the BMW 7 Series, which are extremely user-friendly, and require less force than mechanical shifters.

• Controls
  Many cars feature knob-operated radio and temperature controls, which force arthritics to make painful pinching movements to operate them. If you have no better option, then go for the biggest knobs possible. Otherwise, buttons are typically more arthritic-friendly. Some models, such as the Prius, use a touchscreen for these controls that requires only a light touch to operate. Placement is also an important factor. Look for a car that requires as little stretching as possible to reach the controls.

• Ignition
  Traditional ignitions can be a nightmare for arthritics, as they require not only pinching the keys, but twisting them to start the car. Push button ignitions built into the dash provide a far more ergonomic option.

• Seats / Steering Wheel
  A heated seat or steering wheel might seem like a frivolous luxury, but it offers a way for arthritics to loosen stiff joints. These two options are available for many models.

All in all, the Toyota Prius just might be the most arthritic-friendly vehicle on the market. With its electronic in-dash shifter, touchscreen controls, and push button ignition, the Prius is one of the most ergonomic and affordable vehicles on the market.

Options For The Wheelchair Bound

For ease of entry and storage, it’s hard to beat a nice, large van if you require a wheelchair. Most vans have removable seat rows for easier accessibility. GM minivans, such as the Chevrolet Uplander, offer a motorized passenger seat that eases entry; unfortunately, GM is exiting the minivan business. But third party companies, such as Independent Mobility Systems, can convert a factory minivan, such as the Chrysler Town and Country, into something a bit more accessible.

Changing Lanes

For those concerned about drifting out of lanes, many of the 2012 models offer a lane-departure warning system to automatically detect when the vehicle is drifting out of the lane and sounds an alert to the driver.

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