Being a senior doesn’t mean losing the freedom and capability to move around, especially if one has to drive. Being active in old age is healthy, and that includes being able to drive and go places one wants to go without depending on anyone. Seniors just need to approach their independence with a different set of safety and convenience measures—and devices.

When it comes to devices that help you get around safely and with ease, you can’t go wrong with these:

Devices that help with getting into and out of the car

1. Car cane / vehicle support grab bar

This is a portable standing aid and weight support device that multitasks as a car window glass breaker and seatbelt cutter in case of emergency. It is insanely easy to use: The grab bar fits perfectly when hooked into a U-shaped door striker or latch. No modifications are necessary. Just be sure to keep this device within reach—in your glove box or in your car door pocket.

2. Automotive standing aid

This adjustable safety vehicle support comes with a nylon strap and a non-slip car bar grip, and buckles around window frames in most cars or vans to allow elderly drivers to get up/down and out from their vehicle. This can be used with the car cane for maximum ease of movement.

3. Leg lifter straps

These straps are helpful for seniors who are either recovering from an injury/surgery or have weak leg muscles. They are likely to have difficulty lifting either leg to get in their car.

The straps have a loop on each end—one for the foot and the other for the user to hold in their hand. A semi-rigid aluminum rod within the strap runs the length between loops to provide stability and make it easy for the user to slide their foot into the bottom loop without bending over.

The straps can accommodate users of different heights. The lengths range from about 32 inches for those on the short side to 40 inches for taller users. Just be sure to check the size you need before placing your order.

Gadgets that aid with parking and navigating blind spots

4. Night vision camera

Senior drivers should have a night vision camera to ensure safe and easy nighttime driving. The best ones are those that are compatible with most cars and come with a 3-degree wide-angle vision for a broad image of the road.

5. All-view rearview mirror

This device offsets the shortcomings of convex and plane mirrors and enhances the vision of senior drivers. It effectively eliminates the blind spots that are created in traditional mirrors. The all-view mirror provides users a seamless view, is free from distortion, and reduces glare at night.

Devices/tools that provide additional support

6. Seatbelt extender

This device is designed for those who have difficulty putting on their seat belt. The belt allows the user to reach the seat belt and put it on. Just make sure to get the right size to fit your car’s buckle.

7. Car mount

This helps senior drivers not get distracted by having to use their phone for navigation (unless they’re strictly old school and prefer to use a map, in which case they should pull over and stop to consult their trusty map). With their phone conveniently mounted at eye level, they can easily check their routes without having to compromise their safety.

8. Gas cap remover tool

For seniors with arthritis in their fingers or with weak wrists/hands, gas cap remover tools are a great help. This tool can be easily stored in the car door pocket (if you get a flat one), the glove box, or the pocket in the back of the seat.

An alternative to the flat version is the wrench-type opener. In this opener, the handle comes straight out of the device, so the user can turn it with both hands.

Choosing which type to get will depend on the user’s strength deficits in their fingers, hands, or wrists.

9. Seat belt unbuckle tool

Unbuckling a seat belt requires about 9 pounds of pressure. That’s not something many elderlies with fingers and hands weakened by arthritis can easily manage. With a seat belt unbuckle tool, the amount of pressure required from the user is considerably reduced.

10. Tile

Tile is as much a lifesaver for elderly drivers as it is for their younger counterparts. There’s absolutely no reason for senior drivers to have a hard time finding lost or misplaced things, on top of needing to get around safer and easier.

EverCare’s EverKey Key/Tile and Key/Tile Bundles are just the right gadgets to help senior drivers not worry about forgetting or misplacing their things, especially their keys!