Traveling with seniors doesn’t have to be difficult. Once you have your travel plans in place, make sure you have the right equipment to make it happen smoothly. This is Part 1 of our series “Make Traveling with Seniors Easier.” In this installment, we’ll look at three ways to make it easier to get in and out of the car using car transfer assists.

Quick and easy transferring with the Handybar and SwivelCushion

For many seniors, the challenge of getting in and out of the car consists of 1) not having a good way to support themselves, and 2) getting turned around in the seat. The Handybar and SwivelCushion combines two complimentary products beautifully to solve both of these problems.

Handybar and SwivelCushion

When getting out of the car, for example, the user can swing his or her legs out using the swivel cushion and face to the outside of the car. Then, the user secures the Handybar to the vehicle’s striker plate and uses it as a handle to help push him or herself up out of the seat. The Handybar and SwivelCushion is lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for traveling.

Sliding transfers with Beasy Transfer Slides

If your loved one is not able to stand and needs to transfer from the vehicle to a wheelchair (and vice versa), a transfer board is helpful. Beasy Transfer Slides use sliding technology to help users get from point A to point B without requiring any lifting from the caregiver. This is important because many people experience back pain at some point in their lives and caregivers are at more risk due to lifting patients and loved ones.

BeasyTrans Transfer System

The BeasyTrans Transfer Slide System is perfect for travelers who need to transfer between vehicle and wheelchair. The patented Beasy technology allows the user to slide across the system on a stable seat instead of the user’s skin or clothing. BeasyTrans Systems are portable and help make seniors more independent by making transfers easier and safer.

Get into position with the Safety Sure Transfer Pivot Disc

Many seniors using a walker or wheelchair can stand but have trouble turning into position once on their feet. For example, a person using a wheelchair who needs to transfer to a vehicle may be able to stand, but can’t easily get turned round to sit down into the vehicle. The Safety Sure Transfer Pivot Disc presents a unique solution to this problem. The caregiver assists the user in standing on the Pivot Disc, which turns to face the user in the appropriate direction for getting in or out of the vehicle.

Safety Sure Transfer Pivot Disc

In our example, the caregiver would assist the individual in standing up out of the wheelchair and stepping onto the Pivot Disc. Then, the caregiver puts their own foot on the disc and gently rotates the disc so that the user’s back is facing the car and they can sit down. The Safety Sure Transfer Pivot Disc is lightweight and includes a grip handle so that it is easy to use for traveling.

Still Cruisin’

Getting in and out of the vehicle can be a challenge for seniors when traveling. But car transfer assists like the ones we’ve described here can help make it easier so that you and your loved one can get back on the road again.

For more tips, see the other articles in the Traveling with Seniors series:

1. Getting in and out of the car easier (you are here)
2. Portable Transfer Aids for Room Mobility
3. Ensure a Comfortable Ride
4. Medication Management on the Go