You may already know the blood donations are required throughout the year, but supply is usually at its lowest in January and February. As an older adult, you may be considering donating to help out. However, you may not be too sure whether that’s the best idea for your health. While the answer to this will differ by individual, there is no reason that a healthy older adult cannot donate blood. Of course, if you are in doubt, always make sure to clear this by your doctor first.
Read on to find out some ways older adults can donate blood while making sure it does not compromise their health!
Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you have donated blood before, you will already know that there’s a minimum weight requirement in place. This is typically 110 pounds. The reason being that if an individual weighs less than that, their body may not be able to withstand the removal of the required amount of blood.
Before showing up to your appointment, always make sure that you are well hydrated and that you have had a full meal beforehand. After the procedure has been completed, you will be allowed to rest for a while and given some snacks and water to get up your blood sugar levels.
Check Out the Requirements Beforehand
There may be different or more specific requirements for donating blood in your state or area. Before making an appointment, it’s wise to check out exactly what is required to make sure that you will not get turned away on the day itself. For instance, you may be required to produce a note from your doctor stating that you are in good health. Make sure to get this in good time so that everything can go smoothly on the day.
Delay Your Appointment If You Are Unwell
Have you already made an appointment but found yourself feeling unwell in the days leading up to it? If that’s the case, your best option is to delay or cancel the appointment. When you donate blood on a compromised immune system, this can affect how soon it takes you to get well. It can even worsen your symptoms, which is something you do not want. As much as blood donation is about the recipients, it’s also about making sure that the donors can give blood without compromising their own health.
Make the Move to Active Independent Living at TerraBella Windsor Lake
As an independent senior who is looking to make the move to a retirement community, TerraBella Windsor Lake is the right choice for you. Our active independent living program allows our residents to customize a retirement lifestyle that suits their needs. With a range of exclusive lifestyle programs to make your life more comfortable and convenient, there are plenty of area attractions to explore around campus during your downtime. Come and schedule a tour of our community today and find out what we can offer new residents!
