If there is an emotional trigger for seniors, it may be related to driving. Some seniors pride themselves on their driving abilities. Others worry they will lose their license with age and wonder how they would manage without their own transportation. Still others recognize their potential difficulties with driving as age and disabilities like arthritis affect their ability to drive safely.
The fact is that our drivers licenses provide necessary transportation in our lives, and we cannot afford to be without one. But when arthritis hits aging bodies, driving becomes more and more difficult. Let’s look at some tips to keep us on the road longer and more safely.
Keep Your Driver’s License Up-to-Date
About 10 years ago, my husband thought he was renewing my driver’s license online. By mistake, he clicked the button to send me a copy of the existing year’s license. By the time I realized what had happened, my license had expired by 2 months!
The trip to the DMV became a comedy of errors. When my name was called, I told my sad story to the lady in charge. She sympathized and shared a similar “husband story.” She said she would renew my license without making me take the written and driving tests again, but I would need to do the vision test.
I flunked the vision test – twice!
She gave me the new license anyway and told me to get my eyes examined, pronto! No, I wasn’t safe to drive and cataract surgery soon followed in one eye.
Most DMV staff would have said, “Sorry, no deal! Get your eyes checked and come back,” and I wouldn’t have blamed them. But I was grateful that day!
With Seniors, the Eyes May Be Just the First to Go
I have heard other stories of seniors failing the driving part of the test when required to take it. Some find the written test in Florida extremely difficult. When we first moved to Florida and visited the DMV to exchange our Tennessee licenses for Florida ones, we listened to other seniors in that office. One man argued with the lady behind the desk when she refused to give him a Florida license without taking the written and driving tests. After a small tantrum on his part, he sat down to take the written test…and he flunked it! Stories like his made our wait much easier.
Don’t risk a problem with DMV! Keep your driver’s license in good standing at all times.
What Seniors with Arthritis Should Consider When Shopping for a New Car
Do not put up with disrespect from a car sales person! Ever! Car sales people often treat women with a lack of respect and I have seen it happen with an older man. If such a thing happens to you, ask to see the manager and request a different sales person. If that isn’t possible, go to a different dealership. Seniors with arthritis struggle enough without having to deal with rude people
As a woman, I have dealt with my share of chauvinistic salesmen who treated me as a dummy who didn’t know anything. And it happened once to my mother when I went with her to a Nashville Ford dealer to look at a car. She was in her 60’s, suffered from severe arthritis and wouldn’t talk back to the rude man. I had no problem telling him to find us a different salesman with better manners. He was livid and brought in his sales manager. After I politely explained to him that my mother knew what she wanted in a car and knew what she could pay, and we did not need to be treated as idiots by his employee, he found us someone else who treated Mom with respect and patience as she tried out various parts of several cars.
We women do not have to put up with rude behavior, no matter what our age! Neither do senior men.
Adjustable Mirrors Are a Must!
If arthritis affects your neck or shoulders, then you know the misery of having to turn around and look behind you to check traffic. A car with large, adjustable mirrors so you don’t have to turn around makes that task easier.
Adjustable Steering Column Helps Those with Arthritis
Some brands offer vehicles with a steering column that adjusts up and down. For someone with arthritis, this perk is a blessing! When my shoulders hurt, trying to hold my arms out to control the steering wheel causes pain. If I could pull the steering wheel/column closer to my body, there wouldn’t be so much strain on my arms and shoulders.
Lighter-weight Doors
Certain makes of cars come with doors so heavy, you could almost forget about daily work-outs. I won’t name names here but you would know when you try out a potential new car if the doors seems heavy to open and close. If so, avoid that one for obvious reasons! Your arms and shoulders will thank you!
Adjustable Seats
As far as I know, all vehicles offer seats that move back and forth. But not all do so with the push of a button. Certainly, automatic would be easier, but even manually-adjustable seats are doable for many of us with arthritis. The best seats for us are the brands that offer seats that automatically adjust up and down. Yes, that option will cost a bit more but for us long-legged drivers, it might be worth it.
Ignition – Push Button or Key
Many newer vehicles offer the push button ignition instead of the older, key-operated type. Which one is best depends on the condition of your hands and fingers.
Car Cane
This one is new to me but, oh, what a good idea! It attaches to the car frame beside the driver’s seat, making it much easier for someone with a disability or just very sore from arthritis to hold onto it to get out of the vehicle. If a car cane doesn’t come with your car, you can purchase it at Walmart, among other stores.
Back-Up Camera
I never thought this would matter but it does! With arthritis in my neck, turning around to look for oncoming traffic or pedestrians is painful, and the rear-view mirrors aren’t that large. The back-up camera viewer sits to the right of the steering column on the dash and is large enough to guide you as you back up. My next car will have one.
Before You Buy
Always drive a car you are considering. This is a large purchase, and you want to be sure it’s comfortable for your sore joints.
- Can you see behind you with the rear-view and outside mirrors?
- Consider an SUV. They sit higher, and it’s easier to see over the hood and rear. An SUV is also easier to park than a sedan. Anyone with aching joints knows how difficult it is to climb out of a low-slung sedan or sports car.
Don’t Let Arthritis Keep You from Driving
As my arthritis worsens with age, I’ve learned to adapt. You don’t want to lose the independence of driving, so stay on top of those little things that may not seem so important to others. Keep your driver’s license current; get annual eye exams so you won’t be a danger on the roads. And when you shop for a new vehicle, be conscious of the car options that could make driving easier and more comfortable for you.
