Organ Donation and Seniors

Organ Donation and Seniors

 - How to Make Sure Your Senior Loved One's Organs Are Donated

Organ Donations can be a taboo subject for some people; but due to its' importance, an open conversation and knowing the facts can make it a life or death decision for someone else.

The great news is that over 75 people, per day, will receive a much-needed organ transplant. The sad news is that, on average, 18 people will die during that same day waiting for a transplant of a vital organ, this just due to the shortage of availability. In the United States, over 100 million people are registered to be an organ donor - yet there is still a shortage. In a recent study conducted in 2010, over 60% of women are living donors.

Organ Donation

Statistics to most people are just numbers; but in this scenario, each "statistic" is a real person (a dad, a child, a mom, perhaps even your own brother or sister).

Here is some encouraging news and percentages; a fact survey conducted in early 2009 reported that 5 years after a major organ transplant, the patient is doing well and living a happy and productive life (thanks to an organ donor). The successful numbers of those doing well after 5 years read as follows: Heart transplant patients are close to 75%; Liver transplants come in a very close second at just under 74%; followed by the kidneys (at 70%) and a lung (50%).

According to the latest census poll, in the United States, there are close to 95 million people over the age of 50. Just think for a moment, how many additional lives can be saved if every one of these individuals signed up to be an organ donor. If you think that you or your loved ones will be hit with hidden fees at any time, you would be mistaken. The cost to register you as an organ/tissue donor is completely FREE. There are disreputable places that will sell human organs for profit, but the United States has very strict regulations in this area.

This is one of the times, that being over 50 is a benefit and not discrimination. Perfect health is not required when you sign up; nor is proof of a physical exam or medical history. Donation ability is determined upon the time of death. Most individual and major organized religious groups support and encourage organ donation after death. It is considered to be a final act of generosity and pure love towards another human being.

A living organ donor is usually between family and dear friends and rarely among strangers. The ideal candidate is usually between the ages of 18 to 60. Since we usually have two, the kidneys are the most common type of organ donated by the living. We can live healthy lives and function perfectly fine if we donate a liver lobe, a portion of a healthy pancreas or share some of our intestines. A living donor will have to meet some requirements to qualify for donations, such as: being physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy. If you have or currently have high blood pressure, diabetes, any kidney or coronary disease or cancer of any type, you will be automatically disqualified to be a living donor.

As always, we want to provide you with all the information available for you to make an educated decision. A living donor will have to undergo sedation, major surgery and incur all the risks that any surgery might entail (such as infection, negative side effects to anesthesia, etc.). Don't forget the recovery time, hospital stay and medications that you will be required to take to lower the risk of any potential infections.

A living donor should also consider the psychological aspects of such a charitable act of kindness. Being depressed or feeling anxious after the surgery is very common; grief is usually inevitable if the recipient's body rejects the organ. The United Network for Organ Sharing highly recommends that anyone considering being a live donor has a strong support system in place to assist them in dealing with the psychological complications that may arise.

The recipient's insurance company will cover all medical expenses directly related to the donation. Keep in mind that this will not cover lost wages, travel expenses, nor before and after physical exams regarding the donation. As mentioned earlier, and enforced by the United States agency of organ and tissue regulations, no donor is allowed to accept monetary compensation for the donation of any of their organs.

You still might be asking why I should register to be an organ/tissue donor. That is an easy question to answer; because you as just one individual may have the ability to save 8 lives!