'Car Cane' aid for elderly getting in and out of cars. Recomendations

Grumpysally

My mum is really struggling to get in and out of our new car. I'm looking at 'car canes' handles that you hook in to the car door latch.

There are lots of different ones available but its difficult to know which is the best design in terms of both sturdiness and the risk of damaging the car.

Also are there any other aids that may help or should be avoided? 

Thanks 

  

Brie

MiL had trouble getting up into my OH's Volvo SUV.  Frankly I'm 30 years younger than she was and I have trouble as it's a very high car.  What helped for her was a small step so that she could be about 6 inches higher and so be able to get in more easily.

Didn't know about the car canes but that would have been helpful as well.  

Spoonie_Turtle

A swivel seat could also help.

Usually aids made by reputable mobility companies are more likely to be sturdy and safe than random Chinese or unbranded ones dropshipped via eBay or Amazon (especially Amazon). 

[Reputable mobility companies do sometimes sell on those marketplaces as well though, so it can be okay, it's just a case of being savvy about what you're buying.]

I would say we've not found Coopers to be very reliable in terms of quality or value.  Some stuff is great and some is really not.

OutdoorQueen

Halfords do a swivel seat and a handle for the door catch:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/car-seat-covers-cushions/halfords-car-seat-swivel-cushion-585320.html

Unfortunatly my seats (Ford Kuga) have edges to them so the seat didn’t turn very well and didn’t help Dad at all.  

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/interior-car-accessories/simply-car-handle-aid-585205.html

Not the cheapest but easy to take back if it doesn’t solve the problem.  

Cyclamen

I was told to try a plastic bag.. put it on seat to help slide swivel in.. but then rock to take it out as safety with wearing one when car moving.

I have a car handle that goes on a loop when the door is open but as its not my car i go out in havent tried it. 

Other times ive had physio OT suggest putting window down to allow another balance point.. but i'm a chunky lady and worry about breaking cars that arent mine. 

beanielou

I did not find mine helpful.

EnPointe

Cyclamen said:

I was told to try a plastic bag.. put it on seat to help slide swivel in.. but then rock to take it out as safety with wearing one when car moving.

I have a car handle that goes on a loop when the door is open but as its not my car i go out in havent tried it. 

Other times ive had physio OT suggest putting window down to allow another balance point.. but i'm a chunky lady and worry about breaking cars that arent mine. 

the plastic bag  suggestion is valid  as it;s the same  mechanism asa  slide sheet  - and slide sheets are  used widely across health and social care to  moving and handling tasks  with  patients / service users/ residents 

you are not  going to break a car   by  leaning on the  window sill  with the window down 

Cyclamen

Thanks Enpointe. 
I have huge anxiety about my body size and breaking things, or being too big for my PAs to help etc.. they all reassure me its fine.. but it makes me nervous.  Just how my restricted mobility body can feel ..  and i am working on the emotional side of accepting it... 


i have used the plastic bag a couple of times but struggled to get the hang of it.. mostly someone grabs my trouser legs  and shoves or drags..