Does Your Age Determine When To Stop Giving Blood?

January is National Blood Donor Month, and MediNurse, the premier provider of private duty nursing care for more than 30 years, reminds the public that age is not a determining factor when it comes to donating blood.

Donating blood is actually one of the most important ways to give back to the community. Blood donations are critical to providing quality care at hospitals and do quite literally save a life. Is it safe for senior citizens to donate blood?

The answer is yes. While there is a minimum age requirement for giving blood, there is no maximum age restriction. With that being said, there are three things to know before you consider donating:

• There’s a weight requirement—to be considered eligible to give blood, donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. Not meeting the weight requirement makes giving blood potentially too destabilizing for your body.
• Your immune system shouldn’t already be compromised—if you have recently been sick or are feeling under the weather, it’s best to delay giving blood until you have made a full recovery, because giving blood could worsen your illness or cause it to return.
• Some states or blood banks may have additional regulations—while the American Red Cross does not impose age restrictions, some states and individual blood banks may have different policies.

It’s important to understand your health restrictions before you consider giving blood. Hepatitis C, a virus transmitted through blood, is common among the older generation. According to the CDC, more than 75% of adults currently living with hepatitis C were born between 1945 and 1965. Before giving blood, be sure to visit your doctor and get tested for hepatitis C. The Red Cross will not accept blood donations from anyone who has ever tested positive for hepatitis C.

MediNurse is St. Louis’ premier provider of private duty nursing services. MediNurse provides services that are customized to the individual needs of the client or patient and loved ones to ensure the best care possible. For more information, call 314-781-2800 or visit www.medinurse.com.