do you know about organ donation?

1. Elderly people are not suitable candidates for donation.

True

False

Organs have been donated from people over ninety five years of age, and as a result, lives have been saved. While some bone and tissue from elderly donors may be inappropriate for transplantation, donation for medical research may be an option that your clients may consider.

Explanation

Organs have been donated from people over ninety five years of age, and as a result, lives have been saved. While some bone and tissue from elderly donors may be inappropriate for transplantation, donation for medical research may be an option that your clients may consider.

2. The costs of donation and recovery come out of the deceased person’s estate.

True

False

This is not and has never been the case. There is no charge to a donor’s estate or family.

Explanation

This is not and has never been the case. There is no charge to a donor’s estate or family.

3. People who do not document or register their wishes to donate probably didn’t want to donate.

True

False

Just as we do not presume that a person who failed to draft an advance directive didn’t care about his treatment, we cannot presume that silence on the donation option is tantamount to a “no”. Many people choose to leave the decision to a family member, with the tacit understanding that “I will not be around to care anyway”. While this may not be a good result for the family member, it is a perfectly valid option for the client, and one which they exercise by doing nothing.

Explanation

Just as we do not presume that a person who failed to draft an advance directive didn’t care about his treatment, we cannot presume that silence on the donation option is tantamount to a “no”. Many people choose to leave the decision to a family member, with the tacit understanding that “I will not be around to care anyway”. While this may not be a good result for the family member, it is a perfectly valid option for the client, and one which they exercise by doing nothing.

4. Social Workers should not counsel people about the donation option when discussing end of life decisions with clients.

True

False

False, for the most part. Social Workers who endeavor to counsel individuals on end of life care face an increasing need to be able to deliver or find accurate information on donation, to share with clients. Doing so facilitates the planning, dying and bereavement processes. However, if a Social Worker is a purveyor of any of the Myths described here, perhaps you should direct your client to a better source of information, such as a local organ or tissue procurement organization!

Explanation

False, for the most part. Social Workers who endeavor to counsel individuals on end of life care face an increasing need to be able to deliver or find accurate information on donation, to share with clients. Doing so facilitates the planning, dying and bereavement processes. However, if a Social Worker is a purveyor of any of the Myths described here, perhaps you should direct your client to a better source of information, such as a local organ or tissue procurement organization!

5. Health care proxies, agents and holders of a durable power of attorney may not make post-mortem decisions concerning donation, because the power of attorney dies when the patient dies.

True

False

The answer is, False, in most states. But if you got this wrong, you can be forgiven, because the law allowing for health care agents to make donation decisions is new to most states. For a list of states which have enacted the new Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and a discussion of its provisions, see www.anatomicalgift.org.

Explanation

The answer is, False, in most states. But if you got this wrong, you can be forgiven, because the law allowing for health care agents to make donation decisions is new to most states. For a list of states which have enacted the new Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and a discussion of its provisions, see www.anatomicalgift.org.

6. Most people are uncomfortable with the idea of anatomical donation, for themselves or their loved ones, and it is too sensitive to bring up.

True

False

This is what people used to say about death, and pain. If people are to be empowered, they need to know the facts. Facts fight fear.

Explanation

This is what people used to say about death, and pain. If people are to be empowered, they need to know the facts. Facts fight fear.

7. In most states, regardless of the deceased patient’s organ donor card, donor registry or advance directive, the families consent is still required.

True

False

In most states, the documented wishes of the deceased may not be revoked by any other person. Best practices include notification of the family, to answer questions, coordinate funeral arrangements and provide long term support, bereavement counseling and recognition.

Explanation

In most states, the documented wishes of the deceased may not be revoked by any other person. Best practices include notification of the family, to answer questions, coordinate funeral arrangements and provide long term support, bereavement counseling and recognition.

8. Understanding and facilitating anatomical gifts is not a core element of end-of-life and bereavement care.

True

False

Please take the time to read the attached chapters from Reg Green, a donor father who has devoted his recent years to the destruction of myths.

Explanation

Please take the time to read the attached chapters from Reg Green, a donor father who has devoted his recent years to the destruction of myths.

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Do You Know About Organ Donation?