Rheumatoid arthritis and driving: What to know

From medicalnewstoday.com

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of inflammatory arthritis that may impair a person’s ability to drive. However, various assistive devices and modifications can help a person maintain their driving independence 

Although there is no evidence to suggest that people with RA have a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents than those without, the condition can make certain aspects of driving — including getting in and out of the car and checking to the left and right — more difficult.

This article discusses how RA affects a person’s ability to drive. It also provides tips on how to maintain safe driving and options to consider when a person can no longer drive safely.

How rheumatoid arthritis affects the ability to drive

RA is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body, leading to inflammation.

Although many people associate RA with joint pain and stiffness, the condition can also affectTrusted Sourceother areas of the body, including the organs. The combined effect of pain, stiffness, fatigue, and other signs and symptoms can reduce a person’s ability to drive a car comfortably and safely.

In a 2020 reviewTrusted Source, researchers looked at the prevalence of driving issues among people living with RA. They found that it was quite common for these individuals to experience difficulty when driving and to need assistive devices to help them safely operate a vehicle.

In a 2021 studyTrusted Source, researchers looked at how RA affects driving ability. They noted that an increase in disease activity correlated with an increase in variability when braking and accelerating on high speed roads.

RA can affect a person’s ability to drive in various ways, including:

• pain and stiffness in the hands and wrists can make it difficult to grasp the steering wheel, signal turns, or put on a safety belt
• limited mobility in the neck and shoulders can make it difficult to turn the head and check blind spots
• pain or stiffness can prevent a person from braking safely

In addition, some of the medications that doctors prescribe to treat RA can make a person drowsy, which can affect their reaction time and reflexes. Fatigue resulting from the disease can also have a similar effect. As a result, a person may have a reduced ability to stop safely and react to traffic situations.

Tips for driving with rheumatoid arthritis

Despite the added challenges, a person living with RA or other forms of arthritis can typically drive safely. The following are some tips for driving safely and comfortably when living with RA.

General changes

In some cases, a person can take extra steps to prepare before getting behind the wheel of their car. They may find it beneficial to make some changes to their routines and how they plan their trips.

People with RA can help improve their safety when driving by:

• adjusting the mirrors as necessary prior to driving
• avoiding manual transmission vehicles
• making adjustments to the seat, armrest, and other areas that affect comfort
• wearing compression socks and supportive shoes when driving
• considering using a donut cushion, lumbar spine support, or heated seat cover for added comfort and control
• considering taking a course geared toward driving with arthritis
• getting regular exercise to minimize stiffness and maintain range of motion
• allowing time for stops and breaks during a long car trip
• taking RA treatments as the doctor prescribed them

If a person wants assistance with understanding their options and training for driving safety, they can consider scheduling an evaluation with a driver rehabilitation specialist. 

Adjustments to the car

In some cases, making modifications to a person’s vehicle could improve their ability to drive safely. A person can consider some of the following modifications to help with their driving:

• using a steering wheel cover that provides extra grip
• installing a spinning knob on the steering wheel to aid in making turns
• adding adaptive foot and hand controls to the car
• installing a support bar to help with getting in and out of the car

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides more information about adaptive tools that people can use for their vehicles.

Other adjustments

A person may also find it helpful to make some of the following adjustments and adaptations to help them maintain their driving independence:

• using a key turning device or installing an automatic start button
• using a key topper to help locate and grasp the keys and turn on the car
• using cruise control when possible
• attaching a seatbelt ID with medical information that would be helpful in the event of an accident
• carrying an unbuckling device to help with taking a seatbelt off
• learning when they should not drive due to safety concerns
• registering for a disabled parking permit

What to do if driving is no longer an option

If RA symptoms get worse or a person no longer feels comfortable driving, they can consider other ways of traveling around. The NHTSA suggests:

• arranging rides with friends or family
• using public transportation
• using a taxi or another driving service
• walking, if possible
• talking with organizations, such as religious groups, charities, and clubs, about the possibility of shuttle services

Summary

A person living with RA does not have to stop driving altogether as long as they feel that they can safely and comfortably operate their vehicle. Various approaches can make driving easier, including the use of assistive devices in the vehicle.

If a person can no longer safely drive, they can look for shuttle services, use public transportation, rely on friends and family, or use taxi or driving services in their area.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rheumatoid-arthritis-and-driving

'What is the best small car for an urban driver with arthritis?'

From telegraph.co.uk

By Alex Robbins

As the Telegraph's motoring expert, I weigh in on your car dilemmas to save you money and make your driving life easier 

Dear Alex,

I am looking for a small car that is easy to get in and out, as well as to drive and to park, as I’m 78 and have arthritis. I do less than 1,000 miles per year, and I don't do any motorway driving. I would like a three-year-old car as that’s when it will have had most of its depreciation in value. I don’t mind buying new if it is better value. What would be the best for me? 

– JJ

Dear JJ,

It’s become something of an in-joke in this column that the answer to everything is a Honda Jazz; in this case, that would certainly seem to be true. Its high driving position, excellent visibility and solid reputation for reliability would seem to meet all of your criteria. But I think we can do better.

For example, in this case I think a three-year-old Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10 might make more sense for you. These cars are very similar under the skin, as they’re built on the same platform, and with their big, wide-opening doors and raised seating positions both are as easy to climb aboard as the Honda – you won’t have to stoop painfully to get in and out. 

They’re also about the easiest cars out there to drive, and you can opt for an automatic version if you want to make your life even easier (though I should add that these are pretty few and far between). 

Both feel surprisingly upmarket inside, too, with a smart-looking dashboard and plastics that are higher quality than most of its rivals’. What’s more, for its size, there’s a lot of space, and visibility is excellent. 

Of the two, I’d go for the Picanto – it’s a little cheaper than the i10 like-for-like. But its biggest trump card is its warranty – as with all Kias, you get seven years’ worth of cover from new, which means if you’re buying one at three years old, you’ll still get four years of that warranty left – compared with two years on the Hyundai, or none at all on the Jazz.

I should also mention the Smart ForTwo. If you never go on a motorway, it’s very much worth a look; it truly is an urban specialist, with just two seats and a diminutive wheelbase that makes it a doddle to park. It’s so small you can even park it nose-in to the kerb, meaning you can take advantage of odd-sized spaces you just can’t in a bigger car.

It’s smart and funky looking both outside and in, while the clever safety cell means it’ll protect you just as well as a bigger car in a crash. It also means you sit up high, so climbing in and out needn’t be any trouble. And because both ends of the car are so close to you, visibility is excellent, and the turning circle is fabulous.

Of course, the Smart doesn’t give you the same sort of warranty you’ll get with the Kia or the Hyundai, and that’s important because its reliability record isn’t as good, either. Indeed, that’s probably its biggest downside – but if size and manoeuvrability are your top priorities, it’s still worth a look. 

If I were you, though, I’d bag myself a nice little Picanto with a good service history, preferably the 2 model, which gets you a few extra niceties that make life easier. And I’d feel very pleased for having done so. 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advice/ask-expert-best-small-car-urban-driver-arthritis/

Car Features That Ease Arthritis Pain Behind the Wheel

From thenewswheel.com

A car that offers systems such as Remote Keyless Entry, Keyless Open and Keyless Start like the compact 2020 Chevrolet Trax means no key fumbling or painful key twisting in the door lock or ignition. You just need to push a button for entry and for starting up the car. Under proper conditions, your key fob doesn’t even have to be in your hand to activate these convenient, pain-free systems.

The perfect seat position can make a huge difference in your driving comfort. But, pulling levers and manually shimmying the seat forward or backward can be taxing, not to mention annoying, when arthritis pain flairs up. That’s why a power-adjustable seat is a must-have feature. The 2020 Chevy Equinox offers an available 8-way power driver seat to help you find the perfect seat position every time you get in to drive.

Arthritis pain can be crippling and interfere with daily activities, including driving. If you’re struggling with arthritis pain, there are several car features and accessories available to ease your suffering behind the wheel

A backup camera is a blessing for most drivers, even drivers who don’t suffer from arthritis. Why? Because it’s hard to see what’s behind you when you’re backing up, especially when you’re reversing out of a tight parking space or your driveway into traffic. For drivers with arthritis, though, backing up without a camera poses significant risks.
“It can be very difficult for a person with arthritis to turn their head to back up. Using the rear view and side mirrors gives some perspective but that doesn’t assure a clear view of what’s behind the car,” according to VeryWellHealth writer Carol Eustice.

Opening the trunk or gaining access to the cargo area is practically effortless with a power programmable liftgate, a feature available on the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer.

Other features you should consider to make driving with arthritis less strenuous are cruise control and an infotainment system equipped with navigational assistance. Cruise control is a game-changer for long drives on the highway while a navigation system will help keep you moving in the right direction.

Arthritis is a serious condition, but tech advancements like the above systems can help make your time behind the wheel more comfortable. Seek out systems and accessories to improve your driving experience.

https://thenewswheel.com/car-features-that-ease-arthritis-pain-behind-the-wheel/