1. < Aging & Health: Take Charge

Tranplants on the rise in older adults

Mar 24, 2020 | Joey Keillor | @joeykeillor | Comments (7)
Graph: Transplants in adults age 65 and older.

Graph 3-5 year transplants

In the past, not many organ transplants were performed on older adults. In 1988, adults 65 and older received just 265 organs, or 2% of all transplants.

But the transplantation landscape has drastically changed since then. As you can see in the graph above, the annual number of adults age 65 or older receiving transplants has since increased from about 1,800 transplants in 2000, to about 8,600 transplants in 2019. That increase is due to the aging population, better transplant results and updated transplantation guidelines.

When determining whether someone should receive a transplant, many doctors place more significance on an adult’s overall health — their physiological age — than just their chronological age.

Join the discussion with others at the Transplants Support group.

2 Reactions

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australia | @australia | Apr 9, 2020

Like the transplant graph. I am 85 but still drive, active, tutor in bio tech and physics and am definitely hope to be a kidney transplant candidate. American in Australia.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Apr 9, 2020
In reply to @australia "Like the transplant graph. I am 85 but still drive, active, tutor in bio tech and..." + (show)
@australia

Like the transplant graph. I am 85 but still drive, active, tutor in bio tech and physics and am definitely hope to be a kidney transplant candidate. American in Australia.

Jump to this post

@australia, I am a liver and kidney transplant, and I want to extend a sincere Welcome to you. I am a volunteer mentor, and I want to share this discussion. The conversation is not limited to liver transplants, and there are some infromative links included.

Groups>Transplants>Does age matter for liver transplant evaluation?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/age-for-liver-transplant/

I also invite you to scroll thru - there are many discussions available where you can read, ask questions, or make a comment.
Groups>Transplants>Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/

I look forward to meeting you there.

REPLY
3 replies
silverwoman | @silverwoman | Apr 9, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "@australia, I am a liver and kidney transplant, and I want to extend a sincere Welcome..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@australia, I am a liver and kidney transplant, and I want to extend a sincere Welcome to you. I am a volunteer mentor, and I want to share this discussion. The conversation is not limited to liver transplants, and there are some infromative links included.

Groups>Transplants>Does age matter for liver transplant evaluation?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/age-for-liver-transplant/

I also invite you to scroll thru - there are many discussions available where you can read, ask questions, or make a comment.
Groups>Transplants>Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/

I look forward to meeting you there.

Jump to this post

Hello to all of you Connectors from Florida. I imagine that many of us are isolating as much as possible and hungry for contact with other warm and alive human beings. I am a liver transplant who received my gift of life in November 2018, one month after my 74th birthday. When I started the journey at Mayo Jacksonville, I never thought I would be eligible at my advanced age. My message to the more mature candidate is don't assume anything. You could be as astounded as I was when you wake up with a new (to you) beautiful organ that works. Obviously, with age, come some complicating factors for some, obstacles that may or may not, be overcome. Never lose hope. I am a testimony to the fact that age does not necessarily rule out a transplant.

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 9, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "@australia, I am a liver and kidney transplant, and I want to extend a sincere Welcome..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@australia, I am a liver and kidney transplant, and I want to extend a sincere Welcome to you. I am a volunteer mentor, and I want to share this discussion. The conversation is not limited to liver transplants, and there are some infromative links included.

Groups>Transplants>Does age matter for liver transplant evaluation?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/age-for-liver-transplant/

I also invite you to scroll thru - there are many discussions available where you can read, ask questions, or make a comment.
Groups>Transplants>Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/

I look forward to meeting you there.

Jump to this post

@rosemarya Last year a friend of mine from the kidney disease support group I was attending, an elder of age 75, received a live donor kidney from a person who was 68 yrs young. Both are doing very well. Age is arbitrary. Excellent health is a must for transplant.
Ginger

REPLY
benlam11 | @benlam11 | Apr 9, 2020

I received a Liver and Kidney transplant plus a Carotid artery stent in June 2019 at age 69, at the MAYO in Phoenix, I feel amazing. My HE is gone at everything is functioning normal. Never accept diagnosis that you don't trust, until you are diagnosed at a major health center - like the MAYO. It was almost a two year journey to the transplant - with one month misdiagnosed at local hospitals.

REPLY
australia | @australia | Apr 11, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "@australia, I am a liver and kidney transplant, and I want to extend a sincere Welcome..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@australia, I am a liver and kidney transplant, and I want to extend a sincere Welcome to you. I am a volunteer mentor, and I want to share this discussion. The conversation is not limited to liver transplants, and there are some infromative links included.

Groups>Transplants>Does age matter for liver transplant evaluation?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/age-for-liver-transplant/

I also invite you to scroll thru - there are many discussions available where you can read, ask questions, or make a comment.
Groups>Transplants>Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/

I look forward to meeting you there.

Jump to this post

Thank you Rosemary. Good to hear from those who have transplant experience as doctors don't like to tell you "much" before hand so as not to scare you I suppose. All my organ removals or damage could have been easier for me if they talked in more technical terms. instead of "kindergarten med talk". Georgia -American in Australia.

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Apr 11, 2020
In reply to @australia "Like the transplant graph. I am 85 but still drive, active, tutor in bio tech and..." + (show)
@australia

Like the transplant graph. I am 85 but still drive, active, tutor in bio tech and physics and am definitely hope to be a kidney transplant candidate. American in Australia.

Jump to this post

@australia, Connect has recently introduced a Group named - Aging Well.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/

I have a strong hunch that you have some terrific tips that have allowed you top remain active and involved in life.
This one looks like a good place to begin.
Remaining independent: Tips & tricks for creating good habits
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-group-and-1st-post/

I hope you will make yourself at home and join in the conversation.

REPLY
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