(I have many questions...so this will be a series)

Question 1:

Should older patients receive the same treatment as younger patients?

Ex. Transplant lists may exclude anyone over age 55.

yes they should

yes... people are still people weather old are young unless... the older aged person is not expected to live past a certain limit of time under a year either way.

Everyone should receive the same treatment regardless of age, economic background, etc.

People are people.

yes

Yes...Why shouldnt or wouldnt they?

I agree, and frankly it scares me to get old. Many elders are not being examined as throughly as younger patients. Cancer is found in late stages (if at all) because "aches and pains" are part of getting older.

when u get 55 or older an setting in an emergency room,,ask youself that question

I can answer this question with experience....I lost my husband 2 1/2 yrs ago to heart diesease. He was intially placed on a transplant list and later denied because of his age. But, in all honesty, I can see why they have to do this. There are so few organs available. They need to rasie the success rate of the transplant. A younger patient is less likely to reject the organ and less likely to have complications. A younger person also may have young children that need their mom/dad around a bit longer. So, yes this is the only right way to do this with the shortage the way it is. More people need to sign their donor cards. The gift of life is the most precious of gifts.

Well.... I turn 54 next week, and I would expect and want the very best of medical care no matter what age I am.

I understand depending on the person's current health condition some older patients could not withstand a heart transplant (for example) and cause for being denied a donar...but should age alone be a factor?

Thank you for sharing this!

Absolutely not.

Ok then...tough question.

2 patients, one heart....both patients are healthy for their age, dont smoke, not overweight, no "pre-existing condition"...but one is 13 and the other 65.

Who gets the heart? If age alone is NOT a factor?

We all know the right answer to that...

I know ethics is always a very heavy topic, and i just wanted to make a note that no one should judge anyone by their answers nor is this an arguementive thread. Just a look at the difficult decisions doctors and family members have to make everyday.

well the 13 year old,if it was me or him,id choose him

That is an extreme example, but what upsets me is that older patients do not (in my opinion) get the same preventative care. We are all getting older each day but seeing a doctor doesn't mean you are in denial. I hated how the doctors treated my grandma when she had visits. If she mentioned any complaints they wouldnt look into it, or examine her. Just just look as if to say "Your 89, what do you expect?" That scares me to death.

I would not want that type of pressure to make that decision - Wow. I think the decision must be made not on one stand-alone factor, but several.

Ready for question #2?