As we age, arthritis becomes more prevalent. In general, arthritis contributes to motor skill deficits by causing limited or painful movements of the joints. Almost 50% of people ages 65 and older are affected by arthritis. When arthritis affects an individual's hands, painful or stiff fingers can make simple driving tasks more difficult, such as: seat belt and key use, adjusting seats and mirrors, and steering. Luckily, there are features available that can assist with these tasks.

...four-door models require less strength to open and close than 2-door models, which have longer, heavier doors.

...thick steering wheel requires less hand and wrist strength to grip and handle.

...keyless entry and keyless ignition mounted on the dashboard help avoid pain or difficulty that can occur by turning a key in the lock or ignition.

...power mirrors and seats are easier to adjust for drivers with limited strength or arthritis.

...larger dashboard controls with buttons are easier to manipulate than knobs, especially as drivers age and fine motor skills diminish.