Providing Live-In Home Care in New Jersey, Since 1985

New Jersey Home Care News

Common Challenges Seniors Face in Cars

When cars are less comfortable for seniors and they have more trouble with everyday tasks, driving or riding in a car might be less enjoyable and less safe.

As seniors age, getting in and out of the car might be more difficult than before. Driving could even start to become impossible, simply because of the challenges seniors can face. Working around these issues begins with figuring out what is making the situation uncomfortable. Home care assistance providers can take over the driving if that’s what seniors need most.

Home Care Assistance New Brunswick NJ - Common Challenges Seniors Face in Cars
Home Care Assistance New Brunswick NJ – Common Challenges Seniors Face in Cars

Trouble Entering and Exiting the Vehicle

Very often, seniors struggle with reduced flexibility, stiff joints, and muscle weakness, which all make it more difficult for seniors to get into and out of a car. Lower car seats, higher steps, and even awkward door placements for older adults can also be contributing factors. Home care assistance providers can offer stabilizing support as seniors try to maneuver into and out of cars. They can also help recommend mobility aids, like swivel cushions, that make the job easier.

Seating Issues and Lack of Customized Support

Other problems with seating in cars can be made worse because of existing health issues, like arthritis or circulation trouble. Standard car seats might not offer the support that seniors need, which can make the seats uncomfortable and difficult for seniors to sit in, even for shorter trips. Adjusting the seat and adding cushions and supports, like lumbar pillows, can make a difference. These small changes can keep aging adults from feeling as if they can’t ride comfortably in the cars they used to have no trouble sitting in.

Safety Risks

Aging affects reaction time, depth perception, vision, and more, which can all make driving less safe and incredibly stressful. Even as passengers, older adults may not feel comfortable when they’re not in control of what happens in the car. Home care assistance can take over transportation duties, making it easier and safer for seniors to get to social engagements, appointments, and errands.

Increased Sensitivity

Some seniors may also be more sensitive to variables like temperature, motion, and road conditions. They might experience motion sickness more easily, for instance, or be more uncomfortable with rougher roads. All of this can make driving or riding in the car more disorienting and less comfortable. Home care assistance providers understand that these issues can cause seniors to feel insecure in the car, so they can drive gently and offer reassurance during the trip.

Trouble Working Seatbelts and Car Doors

Seniors may also have trouble working car doors, seatbelts, and other adjustable features in the car. Weakened grip strength, arthritis, and other issues can leave seniors feeling frustrated and less independent. Home care assistance allows seniors to remain as comfortable and safe as possible and safer while retaining as much independence as possible. As seniors adjust to accepting that assistance, it becomes easier for them to know that they’re supported while they’re traveling with home care providers.

So many factors can play into cars becoming more challenging for seniors to drive and ride in comfortably. Addressing some of these specific issues is a lot easier with home care assistance. Professional caregivers can take over the driving for them, making a big difference in helping seniors maintain their mobility and independence.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Assistance Services in New Brunswick NJ, please contact the caring staff at Expert Home Care today at (732) 937-5320.

We provide exceptional live-in home care in New Jersey, including Monroe Township, Edison, New Brunswick, Red Bank, Lakewood, Princeton, Morristown, Flemington, Stockton, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Montclair, Livingston, Summit, and surrounding communities.

David Goodman & Frank Esposito

Recent Posts

Categories

Contact Us About Home Care

Skip to content