January is Blood Donation month. Blood donations help all kinds of patients in need: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. A common question is “How old is too old to donate blood?” It’s simple, there isn’t an age limit to who can donate. Still, when it comes to older adults and donating blood, there are precautions that must be taken.
Weight
There isn’t an age limit to blood donations, but there is a weight requirement to ensure donors remain healthy after the procedure. The minimum weight to donate blood is 110 pounds. Anyone under that weight requirement won’t be able to comfortably withstand losing the amount of blood taken with each donation. Fainting while donating blood is likely to happen to someone under 110 pounds. For this reason, underweight candidates should avoid donating altogether.
Health
Take into consideration your immune system before taking a trip to the blood bank. It is important to be in good health before giving blood. So, if you’ve recently experienced an illness like the flu or a cold, you’ll be rejected from giving blood this time around. This is because the chances of the illness returning after donation are high and symptoms may worsen.
Requirements
Some states and blood banks may have their own requirements for elderly members who wish to donate. For instance, some associations may require a doctor’s note that ensures the patient’s good health before donating blood. Give your local blood bank a call to find out if there are requirements for donators over the age of 65. If you can’t donate blood, sign up to recruit for upcoming drives or consider a financial donation.
If you are considering a nursing home or assisted living for a loved one in northern NJ, The Little Nursing Home of Montclair offers a cozy and calm atmosphere with the comforts of home. We are family-owned for over 60 years and run by experienced registered nurses. Call or email us for more info or to schedule a tour.