Re: Re: Automobile question from Caregiver

[Guest guest]

I just want to add to the Honda mini van feedback. My mother and father got

a used one as it was the one vehicle both could get in and out of without

difficulty with comfortable seats and room enough for wheelchair and

scooter. They are having a device that is a small winch put on the back

lift door that will lift equipment in and out as well. They just hook the

cable on it and push the button and it lifts it up then they guide it over

into the vehicle then let it down some. Works wonderfully.

Hope they find exactly what fits the bill J

Dorothy

From: LBDcaregivers [mailto:LBDcaregivers ]

On Behalf Of

Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 2:37 AM

To: LBDcaregivers

Subject: Re: Automobile question from Caregiver

WOW! Thank you for all the responses :) I passed all of them on to the

local caregiver She is going to be thrilled. Thanks.

>

> A caregiver in my local support group posed the following question:

>

> " I have a Saab 92x (5 1/2 years old) that is becoming harder and harder

for my husband to get into. I am thinking I may have to get another car.

Because of both our health problems and my city driving/parking skills, I

would like to avoid a large car of any kind and especially one that requires

stepping up to get into the car. I am wondering if anyone might have a

suggestion for a smallish car with a wide passenger seat and/or other

features that would improve ease of entry. "

[Guest guest]

I took care of Gram, my mom's mom who lived with me until she died at

almost-95. She didn't have dementia issues, even to the last day, but

she had severe osteoporosis. Bending over to pick up a dropped tissue

could cause a fracture in her spine. I drove a Dodge Caravan and getting

in and out of that was a breeze for her. The passenger seat was " butt

level " so she only had to sit and then put her legs in, she found it

very easy and could get in and out readily with no pain.

With my arthritis in my spine I now have great difficulty getting in and

out of cars, but love my minivan (now a Ford Windstar), mainly for the

same reason you mention.

--

His,

Sherry

daughter/guardian of , dx 4/09 with LBD, living in a nearby NH

> I know that the person who posted wanted a smallish car.

> But...for others, I traded my Honda Accord for a Honda Odyssey (which I

thought was humungous). The reason that I bought it was to be able to go places

with Mom and her rollator walker, her companion chair, groceries or whatever

else.

> This was about 18 days before she passed away...but being 5 ft 2 in, she could

climb in the car because it is an even entry and she did not have to squat down

as she did getting into the car. Before I bought the Odyssey, I posted to this

group about the experiences of caregivers who had minivans...all were very

positive. I have found that it is much better on my spinal issues too, because

when I am driving my left leg is in the same position as if I were sitting on a

chair in the house, and not being slanted forward as in a sedan.

>

> So, if anyone is pondering a minivan...it seemed to be best for me and others

on this group three years ago.