In this article, we have reviewed car transfer assistive devices. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot or you can scroll down for detailed reviews.
Contents
Riding a car is an activity that many of us enjoy. In our youth, getting behind the car wheel or even sitting on the passenger side is a simple activity, one that we perform without giving it a second thought.
With age, however, we start realizing the many complications, twists, turns, and slides that we need to sit inside a car. When the time comes when it is near impossible for us to perform this simple task, we should start thinking about car transfer devices.
Car transfer assistive devices are gadgets that help us navigate the task of moving into or out of a car with ease. Whether we are trying to move in from a standing position or we are already in a wheelchair and our caregiver is supporting our move, the right transfer gadget can make life easier and a lot less painful.
Factors to consider when buying a car transfer device
Type of Vehicle
Transfer systems tend to vary with the size and make of your car. The same device that works for your SUV might not fit into a Sedan.
Some transfer systems are detachable, whereas others are affixed, and some even become embedded in the car (for example certain types of transfer assist car seats, which can swivel and their heights be adjusted as per need).
Usage
There are transfer assist devices that are specifically focused on solving the car transfer problem, whereas others are generic transfer devices that can be used for the car as well as in other places. You should buy the assistance device depending on your need – if you do need assistance outside the car itself, you should look at options that are detachable and generic.
Ease of movement
The system that you go with finally has to be easy for you to operate. If the transfer is not effortless you will struggle every time and become frustrated.
Level of comfort
Of course, one of the important factors whenever choosing any transfer device or for that matter, anything adaptive to the elderly is to first seek their consent on whether they are comfortable with it. Do they feel ok using the transfer board, or do they feel like they might slip off it?
Is the swivel chair ok to use, or does it feel awkward? Their decision on how comfortable they are with the device is the most important deciding factor
Safety
Last, but not the least, is the safety aspect. Study the capacity constraints and other important directions for the system you are about to purchase.
It should be able to comfortably support the person for whom it is being purchased in terms of height and/or weight. Ask a lot of questions to the seller on performance-related aspects, do your research on Amazon and other sites. Also, talk to those around you who may be using similar devices.
In the next section, we will discuss our top picks for car transfer assistive devices.
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Best Car Transfer Assistive Devices
Stander CarCaddie
The Car Caddie is a device meant for light assistance to the person entering the car. It is beneficial if the person entering the car needs a bit of support and balance to enter the car, but is otherwise mobile and can walk up, sit in and walk out of the car without support.
The CarCaddie is in the shape of a grip attached to a looped handle made of nylon. It is a simplistic device, which can be attached to your car door by rolling down your window, passing the looped end of the CarCaddie through it and then affixing it in place by closing the window.
You can then adjust the strap for length and find the most effective place in the window for maximum assistance.
The CarCaddie has a maximum weight-bearing capacity of 250 pounds and the nylon strap adjusts from 7 to 16 inches. It features a 5 inch, cushioned, contoured and ergonomic handle for easy grip whose height can be adjusted as per requirement.
The video below shows how to setup and use Stander CarCaddie.
Pros
- Easy to install and use, inexpensive
- Ergonomic, contoured and adjustable handle
- Works in any kind of car
Cons
- Pulling on the device tends to pull the car door towards you, hence need to have a strong person to hold the car door for it to work
- Frequent use tends to wear out the door hinges
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NOVA Swivel Seat Cushion
A swivel car seat consists of two parts – a cushion to sit on, connected with a base on which the cushion can pivot, thus allowing it to swivel so that the person sitting on it can rotate in when sitting into the car, and can rotate out when moving out.
The NOVA swivel car seat features a 360-degree pivot design, which is handy since it can be used on any side of the door both front and back.
It has a non-skid base on which the cushion swivels, which allows the seat to remain in place and not slip when the user sits on it.
The cushion itself is made of 2-inch thick high-density foam, which makes for a comfortable seating experience.
The swivel seat is not limited in usage to the car only, it can also be used as a cushion for any chair that you are sitting on, and would instantly convert that chair into a swivel chair.
The seat has a maximum weighing capacity of 225 pounds, which is a bit low. It requires a seat with minimum dimensions of a 15.25-inch flat surface so that it can be placed comfortably. The cushion features a removable and machine washable cover as well.
Pros
- Can be comfortably used both within the car and elsewhere as well
- 360-degree rotation allows usage on any side of the vehicle
- Foaming cushion provides extra comfort
- Handy removable and washable seat cover
- The non-skid base ensures low chances of the seat slipping off during transfer.
Cons
- The seat works best only on flat surfaces and may not work for car seats that are not flat
- The foaming cushion can be too hard and tends to depress easily.
- Minimum weight capacity (225 pounds) is a bit low
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Sammons Preston Transfer Disc
A weight transfer disc or pivot disc is used to rotate a person from one seat to another (like moving them from a wheelchair to a car seat or a bed to a wheelchair. Pivot discs are useful when the patient can stand up with support but has trouble rotating their body or do not have enough balance and strength to twist their body to rotate themselves.
The Sammons Preston transfer disc features a base connected with a turntable to provide the pivot function needed. Both base and turntable are covered with non-slip, grooved material for grip. The rotation is frictionless, thus needing little or no support from the caregiver.
The disc comes in two varieties – 12 inches and 15-inch diameter. The 12 inches is meant for smaller sized shoes and the 15 inch is useful for taller people with longer feet.
The disc can rotate a full 360 degrees for maximum flexibility and can withstand a weight of up to 330 pounds.
Pros
- Full 360-degree rotation for maximum flexibility
- Non slip grooved material in both turntable and stand for grip
- Available in 12 inches and 15-inch sizes
Cons
- Turning motion becomes stiff after a few months
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Stander HandyBar
The handybar is an alternative to the Car Caddie, which is used for support while getting up or sitting down inside a car.
While the CarCaddie needs to be installed between the window and door frame, the handybar is far more safely installed by inserting it into the U-shaped door-striker or door latch. It fits parallel to your car and provides extra support when lifting the
Another advantage of the handybar is that it is compact, lightweight and easy to store, pick up and carry all the time with you.
The handybar is a heavy-duty tool, which can provide support to a person of up to 350-pound weight.
Apart from these great features, the handybar is also a 3-in-one seat belt cutting and window breaker tool, which can be used in case of emergencies.
Pros
- 3-in-1 safety device
- Can support a person of up to 350 pounds.
- Can be used with any car that has a U-shaped hook
Cons
- Fits only in Card with U-shaped door latch
- The product tends to break when used too frequently
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DMI Wooden Slide Transfer Board
Wooden slide transfer boards are used for shifting a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, sofa or any other place. The DMI wooden slide transfer board offers extra leverage through
the integrated dual cutout handles on either side
The board is strong enough to hold weights of even up to 440 pounds. The sealed and sanded wood ensures frictionless transfers.
The board is 29.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide, to provide a large surface for patient transfer.
Pros
- Simple design
- Integrated cutout handles
- Maximum weight capacity of 44 pounds
Cons
- The top surface is gritty making it difficult to transfer a person while sitting on it
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