Car for ferrying elderly in comfort.

[stumpage]

My In-Laws are in their mid 80s and have now decided to stop driving. (Good on them to recognise this)

My wife currently has a Octavia VRS, Me an XF which is fine except it is hard for them to get out of. My FIL is a big fella and although he can fall in the car ok hauling him out is a bit of a task for my Mrs.

We have been looking at a new car for my wife but now this has happened she want a car that she can get them in and out of.

What are 4x4s like for this? She fancies a Disco Sport, XC60 or Skoda Kodiaq but I'm worried they may be to high for them to climb up into (Could get side step I suppose).

Any of you got experience of this?

Cheers

[kdri155]

Probably not what you're looking for but I drive a C4 Grand Picasso as a taxi, I've found that a lot of disabled and elderly passengers find it it just the right height to get in and large and wide opening rear doors.

[captain_cynic]

stumpage said:

My In-Laws are in their mid 80s and have now decided to stop driving. (Good on them to recognise this)

My wife currently has a Octavia VRS, Me an XF which is fine except it is hard for them to get out of. My FIL is a big fella and although he can fall in the car ok hauling him out is a bit of a task for my Mrs.

We have been looking at a new car for my wife but now this has happened she want a car that she can get them in and out of.

What are 4x4s like for this? She fancies a Disco Sport, XC60 or Skoda Kodiaq but I'm worried they may be to high for them to climb up into (Could get side step I suppose).

Any of you got experience of this?

Cheers

I doubt a higher car would help. They'll be more difficult to climb into.

A better solution is a car that will allow the FIL to swing his legs out first without having to bend them too much. What about something like a big Jag saloon? Assuming that they dont live in a city centre where a large car it too hard to park.

[bungz]

My mother has arthritis in here knees and particularly struggles with low cars.

Used to glide in and out of the passenger seat of the Stepway, the Mondeo not so much even if it is twice the size.

My advice would be to take the in laws to try a few.

[james_tigerwoods]

Isn't the answer always this:

[SlimRick]

james_tigerwoods said:

Isn't the answer always this:

If that's the answer, you need to stop asking the question!

[mr_spock]

My mum and stepfather are in their 80s, and although pretty active he particularly has some difficulty bending or climbing stairs. They found my L322 Range Rover possible to get in, but not easy, even on the "access" suspension setting with side steps. My X350 Jag was also a bit of a challenge being of normal saloon height. Previous Citroen C4 Grand Picasso was OK but the door width was a bit limited so they couldn't swing legs in easily (this is 5 years ago too).

They have a Honda Jazz which they find pretty easy to use. I think that may be your answer.

[Pica-Pica]

Skoda Yeti? Range Rover Evoque? They will have the seat height, but his issue (especially on frontseats) is the interference of the inner door panel with armrest, handle and window switches. A neighbour, whose carer drives him, has a Volvo Estate, he uses the top of the door, and a special handle that he hooks into the staple-shaped B pillar door lock catch.

[james_tigerwoods]

SlimRick said:

james_tigerwoods said:

Isn't the answer always this:

If that's the answer, you need to stop asking the question!

I've always had a strange love of these things

Not so much as to **actually** own one though

[irocfan]

I'd imagine a CX25 would be the answer:

- raises up thanks to hydropneumatic suspension
- supremely comfortable
- large

Only problem is they're rare and, now, old


Being more serious though would one of these help for whatever car you end up getting?

https://www.co-opmobility.co.uk//mobility-aids/car...

Car-wise - Peugeot Partner/Citroen Berlingo/Renault Kumgoo?

[ClaphamGT3]

Following a stroke a number of years ago, compounding osteoporosis and arthritic hips, my 82 year-old mother has very limited mobility. My parents find a Volvo XC70 to be ideal in terms of a good height for entry/exit, a compliant ride and excellent seats

[Christian85]

Skoda Yeti would be my choice

[shirt]

A soft roader / mid size suv would be ideal. My mum struggles to get in my discovery even with the air suspension dropped to access. My dad on the other hand struggles getting into low cars.

Edited by shirt on Thursday 3rd May 10:37

[BluePurpleRed]

After my Mum (in 70s) had her knee op I got her this for getting in and out of her Mx5 (lolz)

https://amzn.to/2jnAGE6

Its a handle that doesnt knacker the car as it goes in the strong attachment loop of steel the door uses to stay closed.

It is a perfect height and works with pretty much any car and they can take it around with them for taxis should they wish. Its a good little bit of kit. So having that may lessen the exact need for any 4 x 4 etc.

Other than that you'll need some french sliding door Motbility type jobber.

[louiebaby]

My Dad has just bought a previous generation BMW X3.

One of the main reasons was the lack of a sill to lift his legs over. He's quite tall, so he sits easily in the seat, and swings his legs in no problems.

Height of seat and ease of getting your feet in, along with door size would be your factors I'd have though.

Anything with a sliding rear door might work, how about the Mazda Family bus? Something with a "5" in the name I think...

[PaulD86]

2 series Active Tourer is very good for this. Lots of space and easy to get in and out of. And it's actually quite nice to drive even if it should be hated for being a wrong wheel drive BMW....

[Hugh Jarse]

peugeot 1007 was for crumblies.


but if they aint driving the Focus B-Max has a sliding rear door, i.e. more practical


but in PH tradition:
Low depreciation and petrol for short trips is ok...Ferrari Mondial?

[grumpy52]

I am 6' 1" and have osteo arthritis in knees back and hips also I am a big old lump .
The limiting factors for me having easy entry and exit are ,
Size of appature , many cause me to virtually bend double to enter . Seat height , seat shape , anything with high side bolsters is a pain in the back .
The distance between the front of the seat and A post if in the front and the B post if in the rear .
I find all the large volvos pretty good .
My grandmother was pretty large and loved my volvo 245 back in the day .
My dear old dad was pretty big and he loved my Volvo S70 t5 .
It's the only car that we didn't rub shoulders in , leather seats help to slide in and out the car . An ex boss who was a little round short ass bought a Disco T5 to get the staff in to work in the bad weather , because he was so short and rotund even with side steps he struggled to get in and out of it .
Trying to twist legs about to get in and out can be quite painful as you get older especially with larger size feet .

[Tuvra]

BMW 5GT

[Alex_225]

When my granddad was alive, he bought a Honda FRV due to the height and having a bad hip meant climbing into a lower car was difficult.

It's probably similar to the Multipla but without being quite as ugly. Has three seats in the front and the footwell is completely open. Seemed quite a cleverly designed car.