Arthritis pain can make the simplest task difficult. Even driving can feel like an unpleasant task, but the last thing you want is to lose your mobility. What can you do to extend your time riding in your car, short of hiring a personal chauffeur?

It’s Demos books to the rescue. The latest offering in their “300 Tips” series takes on arthritis. You’ll be amazed at the ground this paperback covers, and all of the hints are geared to be as simple and economical as possible. Topics range from cooking to self-empowerment, covering everything you need and including a section on cars and driving.

Here are a few of our favorite tips, gleaned from many:

1.    Use a beaded seat cover to make it easier to get into or out of your car. The beads not only make sliding into your seat easier, they make long drives more comfortable and protect you from seats that are too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.

2.    Install an automatic car starter/keyless entry system. If you have difficulty using keys, an automatic car starter with keyless entry system might be helpful. Install one on any automatic transmission, fuel-injection vehicle, and you can lock, unlock, or start your car from up to 2,500 feet away.

3.    Pack a small overnight bag with emergency supplies. In a zipper-locked plastic bag, pack medications, mints, gum, high-protein snacks (nuts, energy bars), candy, a pack of cards, a book, and a change of clothes. Keep it within easy reach while driving, and if you need a snack along the way or you are delayed in your travels, you and your passengers will have what you need.

4.    Stay warm when traveling with an electric car blanket. For extra warmth when traveling on a cold winter’s day, plug a specially designed electric car blanket into your vehicle’s power port or cigarette lighter. Look in automotive or discount department stores for a high-quality fleece blanket, large enough for two people, and a power cord long enough to reach the back seat.

5.    Try a sheepskin seatbelt cover. If you find wearing a seatbelt uncomfortable due to sensitive skin or body pain, a genuine sheepskin cover will cushion the pressure of the belt against your neck and chest and make driving or riding more comfortable . Available in automotive sections.

6.    Install a backup alert warning alarm and light. For added safety when backing up, install a backup alert light in the tail light of your light truck, RV, car or van. Whenever your vehicle is in reverse, it automatically emits a continuous beeping sound. Installation is as easy as changing a light bulb.

7.    Jump your car without opening the hood. If it is hard for you to get out of the car and open the hood, or you get confused or outright scared at the thought of jumpstarting your car (now, where do I attach the red wire???), the Easy Quick Jumper is for you. This handy device charges your car through the power ports or cigarette lighters of two vehicles – no need to open the hood or connect cables to the battery.

Simply plug one end into the power port/cigarette lighter socket of your car and the other into another car, wait five minutes, and start the engine. LED lights confirm correct connection and charging, so you know you are doing everything correctly: the 18-foot cord makes connection easy even in tight spaces and it’s compact enough to fit in the glove compartment. Compare with other models at automotive departments or online.

8.    Don’t forget your personal disabled driver/passenger windshield placard. Disabled parking permits are honored in most states, including on a rental car or in a car in which you are a passenger. If you forget to bring your permit with you, your only option will be to visit the nearest motor vehicle department office and request a temporary permit; don’t be surprised if they want to see a doctor’s letter certifying your disability or medical condition. Don’t leave home without it!

9.     Support your legs and back on long trips. To reduce leg and back pain on long-distance drives or commutes, Drivease, a simple but effective ergonomic device, can really add to your comfort. Position the firm, flexible support under your right leg to aid circulation and support the sciatic nerve and lower back, helping you to maintain a comfortable driving posture.

10.    Use a gas cap wrench. If opening a gas cap is hard because of weak hands or sore muscles, there is an easier way. The Gas Cap Wrench has a long handle and a formed X shape, designed to fit over bar-style gas caps and five you extra leverage to twist and turn the cap with ease. Look for this or similar products at an automotive store.

Excerpted with permission from Arthritis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier by Shelley Peterman Schwarz, and available for purchase from publisher Demos Medical Publishing, which publishes numerous health- and disability-related books on topics such as layperson’s guides to conditions, traveling with a disability, creating independent lifestyles, career and finance guides for people with disabilities, and more.

Arthritis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier, by Shelley Peterman Schwarz. 2009 Demos Medical Publishing, LLC, New York, N.Y. 165 pp. ISBN-13: 978-1-932603-67-5.