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Original poster

Any tips please on getting into a car painlessly?

36 replies

user1471867483 · 04/04/2025 20:20

My 81 year old mum, who has chronic back issues, finds it difficult getting into my Toyota Aygo X car (the passenger seat). Unfortunately, the seat cannot be adjusted. She is 4 foot 8 inches in height and says the car is "too big and too high". She can't go in 'bottom first', as her bottom can't reach the seat.
TIA.

OP posts:
DuesToTheDirt · 04/04/2025 20:33

Would she be able to use one of those plastic steps that kids use when they can't reach the sink?

SuperLuxuriousOmnidirectionalWhatchamajigger · 04/04/2025 22:18

DuesToTheDirt · 04/04/2025 20:33

Would she be able to use one of those plastic steps that kids use when they can't reach the sink?

Yes, my mum is 4ft10 and has these scattered about her house for all sorts of things.

Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/04/2025 05:20

I'm going to have to part-ex it, as my mum simply can't get into this one without being in pain after 😦

OP posts:
PeopleTalkingWithoutSpeaking · 07/04/2025 05:22

We use the folding plastic steps pps have suggested in a similar situation.

Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/04/2025 08:49

PeopleTalkingWithoutSpeaking · 07/04/2025 05:22

We use the folding plastic steps pps have suggested in a similar situation.

Thank you so much. My mum isn't humble enough to use them and is way too vain. She'll say, "Who do you see use those to get into a car"? 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ She's embarrassed to use them.

OP posts:
nomorezoflora · 07/04/2025 12:14

It's a shame that the nice sports car with the low seats she wants cost a little more than a small step. Perhaps she could get you one for your birthday? That would get past her embarrassment issues.

More seriously, there's no answer other than using step or getting a lower/more adjustable car. And to be even more fair, a step for an 80 year old for the surprisingly complex manoeuvre that is getting in or out of the car might be asking for trouble anyway.

However... mother-in-law in her late 70s bought an Aygo specifically for the tall height of the seats, as she couldn't get out of her Astra easily any more. Try your mum out in a lower seated car, it may be that she can't get out without pain either and you don't want to discover that after spending a few grand on a new car. Given her vanity, it might get a more accurate result from her if you try that out in a car that isn't very impressive-looking rather than in a Porsche!

SingWithMeJustForToday · 07/04/2025 12:17

I'd be nervous that if you get a lower car, she'll get in more easily but find it a lot more painful to actually sit in, and getting out will cause a lot more pain. I've definitely found that post-surgeries, and Google suggests Aygo's are often recommended for people with mobility issues...

Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/04/2025 12:38

PuffinLord · 07/04/2025 12:22

Brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to look into this 👏

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/04/2025 12:43

nomorezoflora · 07/04/2025 12:14

It's a shame that the nice sports car with the low seats she wants cost a little more than a small step. Perhaps she could get you one for your birthday? That would get past her embarrassment issues.

More seriously, there's no answer other than using step or getting a lower/more adjustable car. And to be even more fair, a step for an 80 year old for the surprisingly complex manoeuvre that is getting in or out of the car might be asking for trouble anyway.

However... mother-in-law in her late 70s bought an Aygo specifically for the tall height of the seats, as she couldn't get out of her Astra easily any more. Try your mum out in a lower seated car, it may be that she can't get out without pain either and you don't want to discover that after spending a few grand on a new car. Given her vanity, it might get a more accurate result from her if you try that out in a car that isn't very impressive-looking rather than in a Porsche!

Very interesting! I'll tell my mum this.

OP posts:
RatedDoingMagic · 07/04/2025 12:54

So her problem is that she'd rather either be in pain or have you spend thousands of pounds unnecessarily rather than risking that someone might see her using a mobility aid?

Thule (who make roof racks) do a slide-out step that is designed to be fitted under a caravan or RV door, but it might be possible to install on an ordinary car. Depends what is under the passenger seat on your particular model.

Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/04/2025 12:59

RatedDoingMagic · 07/04/2025 12:54

So her problem is that she'd rather either be in pain or have you spend thousands of pounds unnecessarily rather than risking that someone might see her using a mobility aid?

Thule (who make roof racks) do a slide-out step that is designed to be fitted under a caravan or RV door, but it might be possible to install on an ordinary car. Depends what is under the passenger seat on your particular model.

Gosh I'll look into that too. I didn't know equipment like this existed.

OP posts:
PuffinLord · 07/04/2025 14:16

Also if she has trouble turning around in the chair if you put a plastic bag on the seat there will be less friction and it’s a lot easier to turn.

Original poster
user1471867483 · 07/04/2025 16:46

Mum saying it's not so much getting into a car, but this Aygo X we have, she says she has to put her leg up high to get one leg into the footwell, then bring her other leg up and over to get into the seat and this starts her back off 🤷. I don't know. I give up 🤦. She says the seat is highly positioned and not a seat she can just slide into low enough so her legs don't have to be lifted up and into position. Unfortunately, the seat can't adjust. I didn't even think of this problem before I bought it.

OP posts:
HappyHolidai · 07/04/2025 16:49

Is the back seat any easier for her?

Nakkityknees · 07/04/2025 17:24

I agree with pp who suggested steps. I went on a tour last year that used a mini van and I couldn't get in or out, so they got a step for me and kept it in the back of the van. Problem solved easily and quickly. There will be lots of options if you look on appropriate websites for mobility aids, or ask Age UK.

Nakkityknees · 07/04/2025 17:25

There are loads on Amazon.

JennyWreny · 07/04/2025 18:28

This might help if the problem is to do with getting her legs in the car. https://amzn.eu/d/fwGa5SM

Original poster
user1471867483 · 08/04/2025 06:39

Thank you all so much for your hacks and ideas. I shall look into them and hopefully get mum's back issue sorted 😑

OP posts:
FlippantSeal · 08/04/2025 06:55

Once she's seated, I can't see any difference in how high she needs to lift her legs. The handle recommended above would certainly help with that. Also a swivel seat cover as a step up from a plastic bag.
Don't go buying a different car until or unless you've tried her in a few. My mother was equally awkward, but was willing to use aid once she saw her friends using them.

Xiaoxiong · 08/04/2025 07:07

I don't really understand her description of lifting her legs into position but if she means over the edge of the "bucket" seat, you can get a sacroiliac foam wedge pillow that makes the whole seat flat. I use one as the bucket seat is too deep and angled too far down so my hip hurts after a while.

Doingmybest12 · 08/04/2025 07:09

Has she tried bottom first and turn to bring legs in or are you saying its too high for this. You can buy a pad that helps you swivel I think. A half step might seem more discreet for her and safer. Otherwise go to a car supermarket and try different models to see if its easier.