Can Your Loved One With Arthritis Still Drive?
- Elder Love USA
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
You may not realize it, but driving uses a wide variety of joints.
Your neck helps you check blind spots.
Your shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands help you steer and use the controls.
Your hips, knees, ankles, and feet help you get in and out of the car and safely press the pedals.
When someone has arthritis, those everyday movements can become harder.
Their joints may be painful, stiff, swollen, weaker, or less mobile.
Driving may become more challenging, and in some cases, less safe.
So how can you tell if arthritis is starting to affect your loved one’s driving?
Signs to Look Out For
Start by watching what happens before the car even moves.
Are they struggling to get in or out of the vehicle?
Once they are seated, do they have trouble fastening their seat belt?
Do they struggle to turn the ignition key, adjust the seat, grip the steering wheel, or use the car’s controls? Then, pay attention to how they move while driving.
Arthritis may be affecting their safety if they have difficulty:
• Holding or turning the steering wheel • Pressing the gas or brake pedal • Driving in heavy traffic or during rush hour • Looking over their shoulder to check blind spots • Making turns safely • Watching for oncoming traffic • Reversing into a parking space • Looking left and right at intersections • Moving their head quickly when needed • Driving without becoming sore, tired, or uncomfortable
Medication matters too. You can check if their arthritis medications can cause drowsiness.
Consulting A Professional
A Driver Rehabilitation Specialist can help determine or confirm whether your loved one can continue driving safely They can also make personalized recommendations including changes to the vehicle and adaptive equipment.
The American Occupational Therapy Association has a Driving Practitioner Directory, although the directory may not always be available online. You can try sending them an email at driverhelp@aota.org to ask for local specialists in your area.
You can also search for a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist through The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists: https://www.aded.net/search/custom.asp?id=2046
Another helpful resource is CarFit, a program created by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
CarFit helps older adults see how well their personal vehicle “fits” them and provides education about adjustments and resources that may improve driver safety and mobility. You can either attend in-person events or join their Zoom workshops.
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