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Daily Living > Do It Easier > On the Road > How to Get In and Out of the Car
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How to Get In and Out of the Car

When you have arthritis, car trips of any length can be excruciating. Getting in and out of a car especially can take the joy out of the joyride when complicated by arthritis. Driving can be easier if you try these tips:

1.  Use a swivel maneuver. Back yourself into your car and swing your legs into a forward-facing position. Do the reverse to get out. There are swivel seats you can install to make this even easier.
 
2.  Buy a beaded seat cover, which not only makes long drives more comfortable, but also helps you "roll" in and out of your seat.
 
3.  Grab the car's interior handles to balance yourself on the way in or pull yourself when getting out. Install grab handles if your vehicle doesn't have any or has them in the wrong spot.
 
4.  Add running boards to your car or choose vehicles with them so your step in and out of a car is smaller and more manageable.
 
5.  Bag it. One AT reader recommends placing a large trash bag in the car seat. Getting in and out is easier because the bag slides with you.

Brian March
30 Jul 2010, 13:41
My friend is a right sided stroke patient and has difficulty in operating the ignition key. as two well retired engineers and very arthritic I would appreciate any suggestions as to where an ignition key extension piece may be obtained
janet
20 Jul 2010, 22:41
The 360 degree swivel seat is a GOOD THING!!
Cynthia Carson
28 Apr 2010, 08:02
I am having difficulty getting my seat belt hooked. Having had 6 major joint replacements I was doing all right, but a recent right shoulder revision has really slowed my ability to do certain tasks. I cannot find a seat belt extender anywhere. HELP.
Rehability
22 Apr 2010, 14:41
Check out rehabilitystores.com for seat belt handles, swivel car seats, key turners, dressing sticks and much more!
Lynne
07 Dec 2009, 23:45
I have osteoarthritis in my hands also. I recently had CMC surgery. Job related so my therapy was helpful in the Ocupational Therapy. I grasp alot at work. The one exercise that my O.T had me do was pinch a clothes pin. I had to do 3 sets of 10. 2 x a day. I did it with my thumb and the first two fingers. At first I couldn't do it. Now I'm up to 7 pounds. It helped tremendously. I can now turn my key in the ignition. Working on getting back to full time work grasping. going to be a challenge but not impossible. Good luck!
VJ
30 Nov 2009, 06:34
Blen,

The car dealers have seat belt extenders they can sell you to bring out the seat belt a foot more so that you don't have to twist to latch or squeeze your fingers between yourself and the middle compartment. It is sold for overweight people, but works great if you have RA. If you buy a new car, ask and they will give it to you for free.

I have trouble opening the car door from the inside because my fingers don't fit between the handle and the door. It hurts to pull. I bought a dog leash hand holder (looks like a noose made out of thick leash=like belting) that normally ties to a dog leash to make it easier to hold. You slip it around the door handle and simply pull on the end when you want out.

I also use a short (24" i think) dressing stick to close the door from the inside. I also use it to turn the indoor car light on - the switch is on the ceiling of the car and far to reach!

The key holders that are sold in disability stores don't fit the keys for the new cars. There is a chip in the key which makes the keys too thick to fit. I am currently using pliers to start the car, but am planning on making an extension to the key itself since the steering wheel air bag is always in the road when trying to turn it, and it's also hard to grope around for the key with the pliers at night.

I have an Aids for Daily Living group for RA in Facebook with lots of tips.
Blen
15 Sep 2009, 09:25
It is painful to turn and grab my seatbelt and fasten it. Any ideas?
Erin
24 Jul 2009, 14:59
Re: Betty, difficulty turning key

Ask an occupational therapist to help you adapt the key itself to make the portion you grasp larger. There are key holders you can buy in specialty equipment catalogues that your OT can show you as well. You can look at pictures on the internet and try to make one yourself, try searching for key holder or key turner.

-Erin
occupational therapist
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Jan
16 Jul 2009, 16:16
I know there are things to adapt your key. Ask your O.T. You can also get an after market remote starter. My friend has one. She got hers to warm up the car in the winter.

I am looking for a new car. Are there any brands or models that are RA friendly?
Some times I have trouble shifting gears in my Honda because I have to squeeze the stick to shift.
Susan
15 Jul 2009, 17:28
I have RA. My hands hurt after short period driving. Does anyone know of steering wheel cover that is comfortable?
Thanks, Susan
Carmeletta
03 Jul 2009, 19:20
I'm having the same problem as Betty, above.
I find it very hard to turn the key in the ignition. Is there an extension or some device that could help this situation?
Betty
01 Jun 2009, 16:27
I have been having trouble turning the ignition key in my car, having to twist around the steering wheel and use two hands to turn the ignition on. Please advise recommended products.
Betty
01 Jun 2009, 16:27
I have been having trouble turning the ignition key in my car, having to twist around the steering wheel and use two hands to turn the ignition on. Please advise recommended products.
Helen
22 Apr 2009, 15:51
Hi,

I have a terrable time getting into/out of cars without having so much pain. I have tried the rolling out, but when I go to move my legs the pain is alful. I have had to have someone lift my leg to get it in the car and then try to find a comfortable position that it doesn't hurt in. If anyone has any ideas I can try, I would appreciate them.

Thank you,

Helen

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