Most comfortable cars for elderly and infirm

To the young and healthy, getting in and out of a car takes only a matter of seconds.

However, older passengers and drivers are more likely to find that it can become a struggle to comfortably take their seat or make their way back onto the pavement.

Make sure that you’re able to choose a car that suitable for older drivers and more appropriate for infirm passengers by having a look at the most comfortable options available.

Best cars for comfort

Drivers who have noticed that they’re finding it increasingly difficult to sit comfortably in their car may be ready to switch to a slightly more forgiving model. Our guide to age appropriate cars could have some handy hints. But don’t forget, you’re only as old as you feel! There’s also some good advice from Aol Autos, which has a useful article detailing the smartest cars for seniors. However, if you’re looking for a car that’s perfect for a passenger who needs a more comfortable ride, rest assured there’s plenty of help out there.

For some advice on the kind of features you might want to prioritise, have a read of this interesting article about cars for caregivers from AARP. It covers all kinds of things you may not have thought of and highlights the benefits of minivans and crossovers when it comes to picking accessible vehicles. There’s also an excellent discussion about cars perfect for driving elderly relatives around in to be found in the Independent. James Ruppert suggests some great models for transporting elderly passengers in comfort and style.

Finding cars that are wheelchair accessible

Finding a car that will easily accommodate a wheelchair user can present a challenge, but there are a number of available resources that can help. Rica, a consumer research group for older and disabled people, has some excellent articles and information. Get started with a look at its mobility guides, which can help with everything from cars to buses, and be sure to take advantage of its excellent car search function. All you need to do is answer a few questions about the kind of amenities you need and it will return a list of suitable makes and models. What’s more, you can quickly find out more about any car with its quick factsheet function.

Elaine Benton has written an illuminating article for The Huffington Post about her experiences in buying a wheelchair friendly car, highlighting the fact that you often have to ask salespeople whether certain models are suitable because there’s no information readily available on the glossy brochures. If you already have a car that you’re thinking about converting, a site like Motability is a good place to visit. There, you can find out more about the process of converting a vehicle and which cars and vans are suitable for the change. If you ever have concerns about whether the car you’re thinking of will be suitable or not, don’t be shy about asking for further details – or a test drive – that’s what dealers are there for.