Tips on Buying Cars: Shifter for Recovering Patient, buick lacrosse, rotator cuff injury

Question
 My white-haired mother has a rotator cuff injury to her right shoulder, and has major trouble shifting into reverse on her automatic transmission Avalon with the shifter on the column.
 The Avalon's been good for reliability, handling, interior space, ease of entry, etc. -- but fails the shift-into-reverse test.
 She's now in the market for a "coming off 2-year-lease" car that has a shifter that's easier for her to handle.
 In particular, if it's a floor-mounted shifter, it can't have a button under the thumb to get into reverse or park.  But it could have a horizontal bar that all the fingers of her right hand squeezed to get into reverse or park.
 What brands and models can she shop for that meet this shifting criterion?  Where could I look for this information?

Answer
Bill,

Thanks for your question.  Most of the cars these days have the shifter on the floor, or center console.  It is difficult to find one that doesn't have that.  If I remember correctly the Buick Lacrosse and Buick LeCern have an available steering column shifter.  I would start there.  I know that the Cadillac Deville still has it available as well.  As for where to go to look for this particular item, I am not sure of that answer.  You will be hard pressed to find a vehicle that has the button under shifter on the floor where all fingers can press it.  It just doesn't exist on most of the vehicles today.  

I hope you have success.  Let me know if you find any other models.  that would be good information to have.  I am sorry that I can not assist you fully in your search.

Good Luck.

Thanks -

Jb