Is there an age limit to donate plasma

Is Donating Plasma Safe?

Donating plasma is similar to donating blood. As long as you donate in a certified center, donating plasma is completely safe. If you’re considering donating plasma, the first thing you should do is look for a center that is certified by the International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP). These centers are sterile and staffed by highly-trained professionals. All of the equipment that’s used in the plasma collection process is sterilized and cleaned after use. Any equipment that comes into contact with you as a donor is only used one time to ensure cleanliness and prevent the possibility of transmitting any kind of bloodborne pathogens.

Does donating plasma hurt?

Donating plasma shouldn’t hurt. Donating plasma should feel the same as a regular blood donation. You might feel a stinging sensation when the needle is inserted, but after that, the staff will do its best to make sure that you’re comfortable throughout the donation process.

Am I Qualified to Donate Plasma?

There are different requirements for the various types of blood donations. These requirements are put in place to guarantee your safety and health. In order to donate plasma, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be in good overall health
• Weigh 110 pounds or more (50 kilograms)
• Pass a medical screening
• Test negative for viruses that can be passed through blood, like HIV and hepatitis
• Complete a medical history screening

Some states allow teens ages 16 or older to donate with the permission of a parent.

The ideal blood types for plasma donation are AB positive and AB negative. You can donate plasma every 28 days, no more than 13 times in a year.

There are those in high-risk groups who should not donate blood or plasma. They include people who have:

• Injected drugs or steroids not prescribed by a doctor within the last three months
• Tested positive for HIV
• Had close contact in the last 12 months with someone who had viral hepatitis
• A congenital blood clotting condition
• Babesiosis, a disease from ticks, or Chagas disease (a parasitic infection)

How Do I Prepare to Donate Plasma?

On the day of your plasma donation appointment, make sure that you get some rest and have a healthy breakfast. You should drink lots of fluids, but avoid coffee, tea, and alcohol, as these drinks actually dehydrate you. Opt for water or juice instead. You should not eat anything oily or greasy before donating plasma since this can affect the quality of your plasma.

How Do I Donate Plasma?

It’s normal to feel a little nervous about donating plasma if you’ve never done it before. Here’s what to expect:

Getting started. Before you donate plasma, you need to fill out a medical history form. This form may ask you about some behaviors that carry a higher risk of bloodborne viruses. Next, a staff member will give you a medical screening. This will check your pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature.

A staff member will give you a finger-prick test that checks the levels of protein and hemoglobin in your blood. This is done each time that you donate plasma.

How long does it take to donate plasma? In total, you can plan to spend about 90 minutes at your plasma donation appointment. This includes registration, screening, and donation. The donation itself takes about 25 minutes.

After you’ve finished the screening process, you’ll sit back in a reclining chair, and a pressure cuff or tourniquet will be put around your arm to help find your veins. The pressure also helps to fill up the donation bag faster. A trained staff member will then place the needle into your arm using clean, sterile equipment. During this time you can relax, listen to music, or watch videos to pass the time.

Once you’ve finished the donation process, you should have a snack and drink some fluids. This is often provided to you at the donation center. You should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day to let yourself recover.

The short answer is simple. Most blood donors are proud to have been able to serve their community throughout the course of their lives, and there isn’t an age limit to who can donate blood.

However, when it comes to senior-aged loved ones and donating blood, there are always some precautions that must be taken. We know that even though your elderly family members may want to continue donating blood, you still have concerns about their well-being in the process.

Before you schedule their next donation appointment, here are some of the requirements to expect for blood donors aged 65 and up.

Weight

Although there isn’t an age limit to blood donations, there is definitely a weight requirement in place to ensure donors remain healthy after the procedure. The minimum weight for someone to donate blood is 110 pounds.

Those under the weight requirement may not be able to comfortably withstand losing the amount of blood that’s taken out with each donation. If someone donates while underweight the chances are high that they will faint on the donation table. Once this happens, technicians remove the needle and dispose of the blood they’ve collected, since donations are only collected by the pint.

General Health

Consider your loved one’s immune system before taking a trip to the blood bank. Being in good health before giving blood is essential, so if the donor has recently experienced an illness like the flu or a cold, they’ll be rejected from giving blood this time around.

The danger of the elderly donating after a recent recovery from an illness is that their chances are increased that the illness will quickly return or symptoms will worsen. Although most people can shrug off the common cold or virus, the elderly can face life-threatening complications when prolonged illnesses arise.

Be Prepared for Individual Circumstances

Some states and blood banks may have their own individual requirements for elderly community members who wish to donate. For example, some associations may require a doctor’s note that ensures the patient’s good health before donating blood.

Before making the trip to the blood bank, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and find out if your local bank has any restrictions or requirements for donators over the age of 65.

How Seniors Can Help Without an Actual Donation

If your loved one is unable to donate blood due to their health, weight, or other underlying circumstances, there are still several ways they can help the cause.

Blood banks always seek volunteers to help with:

• Recruitment for Upcoming Blood Drives
• Donor Registration
• Collecting Donations

Find out from your local blood bank how your loved one can still make a difference!

Make Healthy Senior Choices With Cornerstone Senior Living

At Cornerstone Senior Living communities, the well-being and health of our members is our number one priority. If you know that your elderly loved one is having difficulties living on their own at home, it may be time to discuss moving to independent or assisted living.

We are always happy to welcome new residents to our communities and invite you and your family to take a tour of a Cornerstone community near you. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help your loved one live out their Golden Years in a community that meets their needs.

What is the oldest you can be to donate plasma?

Can you give blood if you're over 65?

What medications prevent you from donating plasma?

How much money do you get from donating plasma?