Can a 65 year old donate liver? Eligibility, evaluation, and factors

Oct 28, 2025 4 min read •

senior care Healthy Aging organ donation

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), more than 30% of all deceased organ donors since 1988 have been aged 50 or older, proving age is not an automatic barrier to donation. This raises a critical question for many potential donors: Can a 65 year old donate liver?

Quick Summary

A 65-year-old may be able to donate a liver, with eligibility depending on the type of donation. For living donation, age limits vary by transplant center, with 65 often being the upper range, while for deceased donation, health is the primary factor, not age.

Key Points

Age is Not an Automatic Barricade: A person's overall health and the type of donation are the primary factors, not age alone, in determining if a 65-year-old can donate a liver.
Living Donation Limits Vary: Age limits for living liver donation depend on the transplant center, with some accepting candidates up to 65 and others having lower cutoffs.
Deceased Donation Has No Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for deceased organ donation; eligibility is based on the health of the organs at the time of death.
Comprehensive Evaluation is Key: All potential donors undergo a rigorous evaluation, including medical and psychological testing, to ensure safety and transplant success.
Health Over Age: For older donors, excellent physical health, a healthy liver, and the absence of major chronic disease are more important than chronological age.
Consult a Professional: Potential donors should discuss their eligibility with a transplant professional to understand the specific requirements and risks involved.

Living vs. Deceased Liver Donation at Age 65

When considering if a 65-year-old can donate a liver, it is crucial to understand the two different types of donation: living and deceased. The eligibility criteria for each differ significantly, especially regarding age.

Living Liver Donation

For a living liver donation, an individual donates a portion of their healthy liver to a recipient. The liver is the only human organ capable of regeneration, meaning both the donor's and recipient's liver will grow back to full size. Most transplant centers have strict age criteria for living donors due to the surgical risks involved. While some centers set the upper limit at 60, many, such as UCSF Health and Gift of Life Michigan, consider candidates up to age 65, provided they meet all other health requirements. Factors like a person's overall physical health, cardiovascular fitness, and mental well-being are often more important than their chronological age. A rigorous evaluation is mandatory to ensure the safety of both the donor and recipient.

Deceased Liver Donation

In contrast, there is no upper age limit for deceased organ donation. A person over 65 who has registered as an organ donor can potentially donate their liver and other organs upon death. At the time of death, an organ procurement organization (OPO) will perform an evaluation to determine which organs are viable for transplant. The quality of the organs, not the donor's age, is the deciding factor. The United States has even seen successful organ donations from individuals over the age of 90. This means a 65-year-old in good health at the time of death has an excellent chance of being a successful organ donor.

The Comprehensive Evaluation Process

Regardless of age, all potential liver donors must undergo a thorough medical and psychosocial evaluation. This process is designed to ensure the safety of the donor and to maximize the success of the transplant for the recipient. The evaluation is conducted by a multidisciplinary team and typically includes:

Physical Examination: A complete physical to assess overall health.
Blood Tests: To check for liver function, infectious diseases, blood type compatibility, and general health.
Imaging Tests: Such as a CT scan or MRI, to assess the liver's size, blood vessel patterns, and overall structure.
Psychosocial Evaluation: A comprehensive assessment to ensure the donor is mentally and emotionally prepared for the process, understands the risks, and is not being coerced.

Important Eligibility Factors for Older Donors

While age is a consideration for living donation, a donor's overall health and lifestyle are far more critical. For older adults, the evaluation may focus more intently on certain health markers.

Key eligibility criteria for a living liver donor, including those at age 65, often include:

Being in excellent physical and mental health.
A BMI below a specific threshold (often 32 or 35, depending on the center).
Being a non-smoker.
Having no history of substance abuse.
A functioning, healthy liver.
No major chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease or untreated cancer.
A strong support system for the recovery period.

Living vs. Deceased Liver Donation


Feature	Living Donation	Deceased Donation
Age Range	Varies by transplant center, often up to 65.	No age limit; based on organ viability at time of death.
Health Criteria	Excellent physical and mental health required.	Viability of organs assessed at the time of death.
Evaluation	Intensive, multi-stage process for donor safety.	Evaluation by OPO after death.
Procedure	Elective surgery for donor; partial liver removed.	Organ recovery procedure after patient is deceased.
Recovery	Recovery period for donor is several weeks to months.	N/A for donor.

The Decision to Donate

Deciding to donate an organ is a deeply personal and significant choice. For a 65-year-old, the decision carries specific considerations related to recovery from surgery and long-term health. Talking with family and medical professionals is essential to making an informed decision. Living donors at any age should understand the risks and be prepared for the recovery process. For deceased donation, ensuring your wishes are known to your family and documented on your driver's license or a donor registry is the key step.

Ultimately, a 65-year-old's ability to donate a liver is determined not by a simple age cutoff, but by a comprehensive health assessment. While the process is rigorous, many older adults in good health have successfully given the gift of life. To learn more about organ donation and for state-specific information, visit the official government resource: OrganDonor.gov.

Conclusion

In summary, the age of 65 is not an automatic barrier to liver donation. While eligibility for a living liver donation may depend on a specific transplant center's age policy and the donor's overall health, there is no age limit for deceased organ donation. For any potential donor, especially an older adult, a thorough medical and psychological evaluation is the final determinant. Those wishing to give this life-saving gift should initiate a conversation with a healthcare provider and register their wishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The typical age range for a living liver donor is between 18 and 65 years old, although the upper limit can vary depending on the specific transplant center and the candidate's overall health.

Yes, the rules are different. For a living donation, health and age limits (which can include 65) are evaluated. For deceased donation, there is no age limit, and the health of the organ at the time of death is what matters most.

Major health conditions like severe cardiovascular disease, active cancer, or significant liver disease would likely prevent donation. Other factors like a high BMI or substance abuse history can also be disqualifiers.

The safety of living liver donation for a 65-year-old is a top priority for transplant teams. The extensive evaluation process is designed to minimize risks, but older age can be a factor. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis after assessing all health metrics.

No, it does not. The quality and function of the liver are more important than its chronological age. Many older adults have healthy, functional livers that are suitable for donation, particularly in the case of deceased donation.

For an older donor, the evaluation process might place a greater emphasis on cardiac health, a history of any chronic conditions, and an overall assessment of physiological age versus chronological age.

A 65-year-old can register to be a deceased organ donor by signing up at the DMV when renewing their license, registering online at a national or state registry, or informing family of their wishes.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.