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.
My friends mother has RA and we are desperately searching for a key turner that was once on the market but have had no luck finding it.
It was used by a friend we use to work with about 6yrs ago have this. It was about 6 inches long and you placed and push down and it would have no turning to it for the patient using it.
I have searched everywhere on the internet for an item close with no luck.
Please, if you can offer us any help in locating this item we would greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Joeye Smith
L HAVE DISABILITY IN MY LEFT ARM AND LEFT LEG. gETTING OUT OF THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT, THE DOOR IS TO HEAVY FOR ME, LT HURTS THE ARM TO PUSH IT AND THE LEG, THEN IT CLOSES BACK AN HURTS AT TIMES, ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS?
tHANK YOU,
lYNETTE mAYO
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.
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
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.
Thanks, Susan
I find it very hard to turn the key in the ignition. Is there an extension or some device that could help this situation?
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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