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Page 30 – Kerby News – August 2013The Healthy SeniorBy Fred CicettiQ. I’m a senior planningto have surgery in a fewmonths. I was wonderingif I can I donate blood tomyself in advance?A. Yes you can. This iscalled autologous blooddonation. It’s done in theweeks before non-emergencysurgery.The bloodis stored until the operation.Autologous donationis most often employed insurgery on bones, bloodvessels, the urinary tract,and the heart, when thelikelihood of transfusionis high.This form of blooddonation is good for thepatient, but it’s beneficialto society, too.People over the age of 69require half of all wholeblood and red blood cellstransfused. Giving blood toyourself cuts down on thedemand for blood.Typically, each donatedunit of blood, referred to aswhole blood, is separatedinto multiple components,such as red blood cells,plasma, platelets, and antihemophilicfactor, for transfusionto individuals withdifferent needs.With an aging populationand advances in medicaltreatments requiringblood transfusions, thedemand for blood isincreasing. Volunteersdonate almost all the bloodtransfused. Using currentscreening and donation procedures,a growing numberof blood banks have foundblood donation by seniorsto be safe and practical; ifyou’re a senior, you canprobably help the cause.To be eligible to donateblood, a person must be ingood health. In general, donorsmust weigh at least 110pounds. Most blood bankshave no upper age limit.Donors are screened for AIDS,hepatitis, other diseases, andother possible problems.Adult males have about12 pints of blood in theircirculation and adultfemales have about ninepints. The donor’s bodyreplenishes the fluid lostfrom donation in about 24hours. The red blood cellsthat are lost are generallyreplaced in a few weeks.Whole blood can be donatedonce every eight weeks.What is the most commonblood type?The approximate distributionof blood types is as follows.Distribution may bedifferent for specific racialand ethnic groups:O Rh-positive: 38 percentO Rh-negative: 7 percentA Rh-positive: 34 percentA Rh-negative: 6 percentB Rh-positive: 9 percentB Rh-negative: 2 percentAB Rh-positive: 3 percentAB Rh-negative: 1 percentIn an emergency, anyonecan receive type O redblood cells, and type ABindividuals can receive redblood cells of any ABOtype. Therefore, peoplewith type O blood areknown as “universaldonors,” and those withtype AB blood are knownas “universal recipients.”If you would like to readmore columns, you canorder a copy of “How to bea Healthy Geezer” atwww.healthygeezer.com.❑❑❑❑Pam worried ❑ vacations❑meant leaving Mom alone…Mom’s now living at Chartwell andneither one wants the vacation to endChartwell’s Guest Stay program is designed to offer short-termaccommodation and temporary support. This includes a respectful andrelaxed environment, tasty and nutritious dining options and accessto on-site services. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing yourloved one is not alone, and they’ll have the comfort and convenienceof being in a safe and secure Chartwell retirement residence.Summer caregiving savvySUMMER BREEZERefreshments & guest tours available.222 - 25 th Avenue SW., Calgary, ABContinued from page 25with good treads, and has anyrecommended mobility aids.• A final piece of advice:don’t forget to protect yourselffrom the ill effects of summersun, heat and smog, too.If your relative lives alone• Make daily checks duringheat waves to ensure heor she is eating and especiallydrinking sufficiently(arrange for more groceriesas necessary), isn’t overdressedand is acting normally.Seek medical attention ifyou have any concerns abouttheir physical or mental state.• Ensure any air conditionersor fans are in goodrepair and being used.• Help your relative obtainan air conditioning unit ifthey doesn’t have one, orarrange during a heat wavefor them to stay with someone(you, another relative, ora friend) whose home is climatecontrolled.• Provide or arrange fortransportation to appointments,for errands, or to takethem to a cool place. Theyshould not be walking anydistance or waiting at busstops in extreme weather.• If your relative lives in adifferent area, arrange for alocal friend or neighbour topay them a daily visit duringheat waves, and to call youwith any concerns. Supplyyour relative with a list ofbusinesses that offer deliveryservice, including grocerystores and pharmacies,so they don’t feel the need toventure out in extreme conditions.If your relative doesnot have air conditioning,call the local public healthoffice or Agency on Aging tofind out if there’s a programthat subsidizes the cost of airconditioners, or else a publiccooling centre in your relative’sarea.