Would a car assist handle be an insulting gift for my MIL?

[pontipinemum]

I am looking through amazon at the moment and spotted a gadget to help you get out of the car. It looks really useful

I immediately thought of my MIL. She is mid 70s and has had health issues over the last few years. I have seen her struggle to get in/out of the car.

BUT I have been known to get these sort of things wrong before! I am not insensitive on purpose but my 'helpful', I have found can be rude.

Would it be insulting to get her one?

YABU - Insulting don't do it
YANBU - Get it for her

No i love a practical gift. And would be happy to recieve one

I got one for my mother and she loves it! Go for it.

At 71 with hip issues, one of my favourite presents from my son was a gadget to help me put on my socks! Very thoughtful.

Ask her.

Quite a lot of these gadgets don’t work very well. Can you judge if the reviews are genuine?

I think it very much depends on the person, the relationship with the giver and the way the individual is dealing with getting old.

E.g My DGM would have loved any gift that made her life a bit easier and the way that someone had sought out or seen something that would help and thought of her.

My Dad would insist he didn't need it.

My MIl would probably appreciate it if her DGC or DD got it for her, but would be offended if I did. That said, she is very anti useful gifts anyway and thinks every present should be a "treat", which makes things interesting because I much prefer a useful gift over decorative "stuff".

@Indianajet That reminds me I got her a new shoe horn recently. She was giving out her one is too floppy so I bought a steel one. What is the sock thing? She has given up on wearing socks.

@JuneBringsTulipsLiliesRoses the reviews look good

The one you have pictured does work very well. If I was your mother in law I would be delighted with your thoughtfulness. However I would show her the pictures and ask her first.

I have one to help me get out of the car after a knee op. Very useful
I bought one for my dad years ago and it really helped as he was quite heavy to get out of a car. I gave that away to an elderly person who was struggling to be got ot of a car in Tesco's car park and she was very grateful.
I mean I would not make it a birthday present but they are good!

Would you consider showing it to her on Amazon, and asking,

“This has lots of good reviews. Would you like me to get it for you?”

Would that not bend the metal ring over time and stop the door closing?

I've wondered that. It's something that could help my Dad, but I'm sure he wouldn't use it for fear (valid or otherwise) of damaging the car.

I can't tell if your mother-in-law will feel insulted by such a gift, but I wanted to write that my mother has one of does handles, and she loves it. It makes it so much easier for her to get out of the car.