Traveling - Helpful Gadgets for Seniors in the Winter

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1: Preventing Falls
Part 2: Keeping Warm
Part 4: Beating the Winter Blues

Introduction

Helping your elderly loved ones remain warm & safe while on the go during winter weather is of paramount importance. While its generally advised that the elderly remain inside during icy and snowy weather due the greater chance of taking a dangerous fall, such excursions are often unavoidable and many healthy & robust seniors will still prefer a hands on approach when it comes to driving and maintaining their own cars.
 
The following items, while particularly helpful for those who may have with problems with strength during physical activity, hand dexterity, or other mobility problems, are also useful for anyone of any age that would like an added bit of comfort and convenience while traveling in the winter months.

Gadgets

Windshield De-icers

• Instead of being forced to manually scrape ice and snow off a car's windshield and windows, here are a collection of manual de-icer sprays that will chemically remove icy build-up. Note that the Prestone brand is generally well known for being one of the best versions available and it's Trigger De-icer has been found to be easy to activate for those with arthritis or other hand issues
• Prestone Trigger De-icer | Wisebread's Top 5 De-icers | Home Made De-icer Recipes
  

Windshield Covers

• Instead of having to resort to a chemical de-icer after the fact, many prefer the use of weather windshield covers to avoid the manual labor of scraping at ice. These covers will protect the car's windshield from ice, snow, and rain without having to resort to the overall bulk of a full body covering tarp and can be fastened down in various ways including being strapped to doors, mirrors, wheels or by using magnets.
• Top 10 Windshield Covers | Google Shopping
  

Heated Car Seat Cushions

• A bit of added extra comfort during those chilly moments spent waiting for a car to warm up during the winter months. Especially helpful for those with arthritis, joint, or other body pain. These can be installed internally in the upholstery of the car seats or be external cushions or seat covers placed atop the car seats. While the latter is the less expensive option, always make certain that the heater's writing and power cord (to be plugged into the car's cigarette lighter socket) remains in pristine condition and keep the warmth settings on low while avoided extended periods of use to help prevent toasted skin syndrome.
  
• Top 5 Best Heated Car Seat Cushions | Safe Products Heated Cushions |  Amazon.com |  Google Shopping
  

Heated Steering Wheel Covers

• While these steering wheel covers can be helpful for any driver clutching unto the chilly bulk of a steering wheel, these gadgets are particularly helpful for those with arthritis and other finger or hand conditions. These covers are designed to provide warmth through various mechanisms including through rechargeable batteries, through the car's cigarette lighter socket, or through the cover's own material.
• Zone Tech  | True Power  | Battery Operated | Steering Wheel Cover | Disability Steering Wheel Cover | Amazon.com | Google Shopping
  

Travel Mugs

• These mugs are helpful while on the go, whether that be in a car, on the train, walking inside a building or outside in chilly weather. While drinking hot beverages can help warm the overall body, certain styles of mugs such as the Easy Grip-in Mug can specifically warm the gripping hand that is holding it while the Kug can self-warm the drink itself, avoiding having to deal with the awkward weight of a kettle or pot. Also keep in mind that mugs meant for the elderly or for those with arthritis or other hand problems should remain lightweight and be of a size that is easy to grasp with one hand, whether that is with or without a handle.
• Easy Grip-in Mug | The Kug | Contigo Autoseal Transit