1. < Caregivers: Dementia
Profile picture for upgirl2013

Keeping Spouse Comfortable While Traveling

Posted by upgirl2013 @upgirl2013, May 4 7:19am

At the end of March, based on the recommendation from the neurologist my surrendered his drivers license. My husband is the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s.
We have the opportunity to buy a new vehicle that has a comfortable passenger seat and I am wondering if it is worth the hassle. My husband is constantly complaining how uncomfortable the passenger seat is in my car.
I took his car to see if a dealer would buy it from me and my husband saw a car that had the luxury front passenger seat. I drove it and loved it. I do feel that it has too many “bells and whistles” and it take a while to learn all the new technology. Our daughters like the safety features. We went back a second time and compared it with the vehicle that I currently drive side by side. I put a deposit on the vehicle my husband was comfortable in and now he does not remember doing it and saying
that or being in the new vehicle. I am supposed to pick up the new car today. Question is: Is this a stupid purchase just to make my husband temporarily happy and for my sanity? Any advice is welcomed!!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

Profile picture for jopa1951
jopa1951 | @jopa1951 | May 4 8:02am

Good job. He likes, your sanity and the surrounding public ( use all the new safety technology) win.

REPLY
Profile picture for callmegram
callmegram | @callmegram | May 4 8:48am

Agreed... if you can afford it, then it is worth the comfort for him, and even moreso the safety features for you. I hope it works out for you!

REPLY
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 4 8:54am

@upgirl2013
Pros:
His comfort will make traveling with him as a passenger easier for you.
You love it.
The "bells and whistles" (ie safety features) will help you to be a safer driver going forward.
Cons:
Cost
Learning a new vehicle.

We are in our late 70's and still travel a lot. When we bought our previous vehicle, my husband resisted the extra cost of the "safety bells and whistles" but I insisted, saying that we are both getting older and need all the help we can get. By the time we bought our current one, he was hooked, and wanted even more features. Now several years older, it is difficult to imagine traveling as we do without the help. And wait until you learn to use the cameras for parking! No more wondering where the lines are, if you are too close to the car in front, how far you can back up...

If you can afford it, go for it! You will be ridding yourself of the cost of maintaining and insuring 2 vehicles.

PS You will need to sit in the new vehicle and try all the new features to get comfortable with them. A perfect place to "chill" when you need a short respite!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for upgirl2013
upgirl2013 | @upgirl2013 | May 4 10:33am

Thank you for your prompt reply. Your insight is appreciated. I am planning on taking time to get to know the new car.

REPLY
Profile picture for ktcosmos
ktcosmos | @ktcosmos | May 4 11:34pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@upgirl2013 Pros: His comfort will make traveling with him as a passenger easier for you. You..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@upgirl2013
Pros:
His comfort will make traveling with him as a passenger easier for you.
You love it.
The "bells and whistles" (ie safety features) will help you to be a safer driver going forward.
Cons:
Cost
Learning a new vehicle.

We are in our late 70's and still travel a lot. When we bought our previous vehicle, my husband resisted the extra cost of the "safety bells and whistles" but I insisted, saying that we are both getting older and need all the help we can get. By the time we bought our current one, he was hooked, and wanted even more features. Now several years older, it is difficult to imagine traveling as we do without the help. And wait until you learn to use the cameras for parking! No more wondering where the lines are, if you are too close to the car in front, how far you can back up...

If you can afford it, go for it! You will be ridding yourself of the cost of maintaining and insuring 2 vehicles.

PS You will need to sit in the new vehicle and try all the new features to get comfortable with them. A perfect place to "chill" when you need a short respite!

Jump to this post

@sueinmn This is exactly what I did last Spring. I sold my 21 year old pick up and traded in the car I’d been driving for something I preferred.
I still feel joy every time I climb in and, yes, it’s like a little get away to sit in it and play with all the settings.
Negotiating and making the purchase on my own was a good experience.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.