Car handle assist (car cane) for elderly: fit and safe use

Who needs a car handle assist?

Standing up from a low car seat means pushing up with little to hold. Many people grab the open door, which can swing, or a walking frame, which can roll.

A car handle assist gives a fixed point to push on. It locks into the door frame, which does not move, so the user can push up and steady themselves before stepping away. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists mentions this kind of portable door handle, sometimes called a bunny handle, as an option.

It helps people who can stand with some effort. It is not a lifting aid, and some people pair it with a swivel cushion, which helps turn the legs out first.

• Can stand from a seat with a firm push
• Currently grabs the door or a walking frame for support
• Rides as a passenger or drives, in different cars
• Wants an aid small enough for a door pocket or glove box
• Not for someone who needs another person to lift them

Will a car handle assist fit your car? A two-minute latch check

Most portable handles slot into the U-shaped striker, the metal loop on the door frame that the door latches onto. Vive says its handle is made for compact and midsize cars, trucks and SUVs with this kind of latch, on the driver or passenger side.

Vive's own page also notes that some owners reported a loose fit on certain newer vehicles, including a recent pickup and some Subaru models, where the latch opening is sized differently. So treat fit as something to confirm on your own car, not something to assume.

Position matters too. A tall SUV puts the latch near hip height, while a low sedan puts it below the seat, and that changes how much the handle helps.

• Open the door fully and find the metal loop where the door latches.
• Check it is a U-shaped loop with clear space behind it, not a flat pin or a covered latch.
• Sit in the seat and reach for the latch area; it should be within easy reach of your stronger hand.
• Check both front and rear doors if the user travels in different seats.
• Try the handle once, parked, with a helper nearby, before the first real trip.

Car handle assists compared: Vive LVA2098 and Stander HandyBar

We list two car handle assists that are sold on Amazon.com and have manufacturer pages: Vive Health's Car Assist Handle (SKU LVA2098) and the Stander HandyBar 3001. The figures below come from the makers' pages.

Use these numbers to check fit and capacity. Extras such as the HandyBar's window breaker and seat belt cutter do not change how well the handle supports you, so judge fit and rating first. Keep the receipt and packaging until the handle has been tried in each car it will be used in; Vive offers a 60-day guarantee on its own store.

How to use a car cane to stand up, step by step

Only use the handle with the car parked, the engine off and the door fully open. RCOT suggests using the car's fixed frame for support rather than balancing on a walking frame.

The Ability Toolbox guidebook notes that the handle can be set facing forward or sideways to suit different arm positions. Try both once to see which lets the user push straight down.

A helper should stand to the side, not in front, so the user has room to rise.

• Turn to face out of the car and place both feet flat on the ground.
• Insert the handle fully into the latch and test it with a light push.
• Hold the handle with one hand and the seat edge or frame with the other, then push down and up.
• Stand fully and find your balance before letting go or reaching for a walking aid.
• Remove the handle before closing the door.

Common mistakes with a car cane

The most common mistake is using the handle while the door could move or the car is not fully stopped. Another is leaving it in the latch and trying to shut the door, which can damage the latch or the car.

Some people buy a handle without checking their car, or keep it in the trunk where the user cannot reach it from the seat. Store it in the door pocket or console so it is always at hand.

• Using it before the car is parked and the engine is off
• Closing the door with the handle still in the latch
• Pulling sideways instead of pushing down
• Ignoring the weight rating

When to get personal advice

RCOT notes that its tips do not replace one-to-one advice from an occupational therapist or another health professional. Ask for advice if standing from the car has become much harder, or after surgery or a fall.

A therapist can watch the whole transfer and suggest the right mix of aids, such as a handle, a swivel cushion or a different seat. Bring the car if possible, or photos of the door frame and latch.

• After hip, knee or shoulder surgery
• After a fall getting out of a car
• If the user cannot push up with their arms
• If the user's weight is close to the rating