Very sorry to read this , Ian .
Glad to hear Mrs. F is on the mend .
For a replacement car , how about a nice S Class ? The W140 is about as safe a car as you'll find anywhere , built like tanks , and easily within the budget you mentioned ; you might just pick up a W220 for that money - my neighbour got an early S500 for less !
I likewise have had lifehammers for many years , although thankfully have never had occasion to use one , I received my first one as a Christmas gift a long time back then bought more to have one in each car .
Maybe it should be the gift of choice this coming year - the perfect thing to give all your loved ones , at the same time making the task of Christmas shopping easier ?