Lifestyle 10 Top Car Features for Seniors 3/5/2024 | By Kari Smith Car travel enhances our lives, transporting us to places we need to go, like the grocery store or doctors’ appointments, and places we want to go, like restaurants, movies, and grandchildren’s dance recitals and ball games. If mobility becomes an issue, getting in and out of a car can become more difficult, but helpful car features for seniors can help transport them beyond the challenges. Other features make driving safer and easier – well, really, for anyone – and help extend independence for older adults. Whether you’re purchasing a new car or modifying an existing car, important features provides seniors and caregivers the ability to extend comfort, convenience, and safety. Some features come standard, others are optional but can be added when getting a new car, and others can be added later to modify an existing vehicle. All can make life on the go easier and more enjoyable. Cargo space It may seem obvious, but be sure that your new car has sufficient cargo space. Even if you don’t need room for a walker or wheelchair, now that eventuality could come sooner rather than later. Looks can be deceiving, so don’t eyeball it. If you already have a wheelchair, bring it along to make sure that it fits well and that the space is easily accessible. Choosing a car model that includes hands-free entry to the cargo space will also help save your back, either by utilizing a key fob to access the space, or a model that allows you to “wave a foot” underneath to open it even when your hands are full. Hands-free navigation Choosing a car that provides navigation assistance can be helpful when driving to appointments or in unfamiliar places. It can also suggest alternate routes in case of traffic issues. These systems typically provide spoken instructions as well as visual representations to help navigate in unknown locations to help avoid getting lost. Keyless entry Many modern cars feature key fobs that allow a driver or passenger to open a locked car door without even removing keys from their pocket or purse, as long as the key is on their person. This avoids potentially dangerous situations while standing by a vehicle, fumbling for keys. Keyless entry allows a driver to stay alert to their surroundings and facilitates a quicker entry to the vehicle in case of inclement weather. This is especially helpful when a caregiver is assisting with loading a passenger. Child-safety doors and electric locks Buying a new car with manual locks is essentially a thing of the past. If you are transporting a passenger with cognitive issues, be sure to familiarize yourself with the child-safety features of the car to ensure that doors and windows are electronically locked while the car is in motion. Related: Is it time to hire at-home help? Seat height Each Sunday at choir practice, there is one couch that I avoid sitting on. Its seat height is so low to the ground that I always joke, “I can get down, but I can’t get back up.” Seat height is especially essential if you will be helping someone else enter the car, as the lower the seat, the lower you may have to lean to help support them while they are being seated, and it will require more support while standing up. Look for a car that features seat adjustment and distance to the steering with the push of a button. Leg room Sufficient leg room, whether in the front or back seat, is essential for swinging legs into a car. Don’t just check for the space between the front and back seat – make sure that the space between the seat and the door frame are sufficient for those entering the car who have little flexibility. Remote start Choosing a car with remote start – or having it added later – adds several benefits. Starting a car remotely can heat or cool the car, which may be essential in extreme weather conditions. Heated and cooled seats don’t hurt, either! I often use my remote start feature to remind myself where my car is, since the remote starts the car, quickly honks the horn, and turns on the headlights. Electronic parking assistance When selecting a vehicle, consider opting for one with parking assistance – a favorite among car features for seniors and everyone else – especially if you frequently parallel park or navigate parking garages. As of May 2018, all new vehicles sold in the U.S. are required to be equipped with backup cameras. Even using this feature can help prevent accidents by providing a clear view of the area behind the vehicle, reducing the risk of backing over pedestrians or other obstacles without requiring twisting and straining of the neck and body. Swivel seats For individuals with mobility issues or injuries, transferring into a car seat can be challenging and even potentially harmful if not done with care. Using mobility aids such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair can further complicate the process. A swivel seat can provide a simple solution by allowing for easier entry and exit from the vehicle without the need to twist the body. This can be beneficial for those experiencing hip pain, injuries, or post-surgery discomfort. You can have a swivel seat installed permanently in a car or use a pivoting disk seat cushion. Assist / grab bars Having a sturdy grab bar can significantly enhance stability and prevent falls, especially for individuals who may require additional support. Assist bars, also known as grab bars, serve as a convenient tool to create a handle where one may not exist. These lightweight devices can be easily carried in a purse or pocket and inserted into the latch that holds the door closed on most vehicles. They can be quickly removed before closing the door. While some brand-name options may be more expensive, generic versions are available for less than $10 on platforms like Amazon. Some assist bars also come with added safety features, such as a hidden blade for cutting seatbelts and a hardened tip for breaking window glass in emergency situations. Assist strap Assist straps, also known as car caddies, support straps, or transfer straps, are devices that can be attached to the frame of a front-door window in a vehicle. These straps feature a wide handle that users can grab onto to assist with rising out of the vehicle. By turning to the side to face out the door and using the assist strap, individuals can make it easier to exit the vehicle safely and comfortably. Incorporating one or a combination of these car features for seniors can significantly alleviate challenges associated with car trips for individuals with mobility issues and their caregivers. By leveraging these technologies, the overall driving experience can be made safer and more convenient for all parties involved. As an Amazon Associate, Seniors Guide earns from qualifying purchases of linked products. Read More Kari Smith Kari Smith is a frequent contributor to Seniors Guide, helping to keep those in the senior industry informed and up-to-date. She's a Virginia native whose love of writing began as a songwriter recording her own music. In addition to teaching music and performing in the Richmond area, Kari also enjoys riding horses and farming.