Policy Age for Kidney Transplant

@hana121706 There is a recent discussion that includes a lot of information and links that you will find very interesting. It is all about living donor topics!

I hope you will take time and read through those postings. Feel free to ask questions there. Please remember, we are here for you to ask questions or clarify things as much as we can. We aren't medical people, but fellow patients.
Ginger

That's great - my wife donated her kidney to me, I completed 3 years couple days back, so far so good ... I am grateful to my wife. 🙂

@hana121706
Age wise just fyi ..we both are seniors, ( my wife had one issue but the transplant Donor team worked with her, diagnosed & resolved the issue, overall in general she is more healthier (no meds)

@vernonx, please see the response from Mayo experts in this blog post
- Is There a Cut Off Age for Kidney Transplant? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/newsfeed-post/is-there-a-cut-off-age-for-kidney-transplant/

Excerpt
If you are age 65 or older and in need of a kidney transplant, or a caregiver of someone who is, here are three key factors to keep in mind as you begin on your journey to transplantation.

1. Thorough evaluation is imperative for determining whether or not you are well-suited for transplant. One key aspect of transplant evaluation in patients age 65 and older is analysis of frailty. Frailty is typically measured by using assessment tools that look at the ability to complete activities of daily living, risk of developing bed sores, and likelihood of falling. Often patients who have frailty pre-transplant are more likely to experience surgical complications, delayed graft function, a longer hospital stay as well as discharge to a skilled nursing facility for further recovery. Do what you can to maintain a level of strength pre-transplant in order to reduce your risk of these complications.

2. The best results for kidney transplant in patients 65 and older are when the kidney is from a living donor. These kidneys are more likely to function immediately and provide better outcomes. When living organ donation is not an option, your transplant provider will look at deceased kidney transplant as an alternative.

3. Interestingly, older recipient age is associated with lower risk of rejection because the immune system weakens with age. Each transplant center has its own protocol for immunosuppression in the elderly. At Mayo Clinic, immunosuppressant medications are tailored to minimize the risk of infection.

After my transplant at age 75, I started showing signs of rejection. I wasn’t given enough immunosuppressants, because it was assumed that because of my age, my immune system would be weaker. I was in the 17% of elderly who’s immune system was stronger. They gave me several days of Medrol infusions, which corrected the problem. It’s been 4 years since my transplant and I’m doing well- no more signs of rejection.

@hana121706, I commend you for your willingness to be a living donor for your husband. Will your husband be seeing his doctor in the near future? Will you be able to accompany him to the appointment and learn about kidney donation?