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Abstract
This investigation sought to explore the contributory factors that impact the attitudes and beliefs of elderly people toward organ donation. Two studies were conducted to assess elderly people's attitudes toward common myths and misconceptions about donation, as well as attitudes toward ethical practices involved with donation. The effects of a brief informational DVD containing narrative and statistical messages designed to educate and dispel myths about organ donation were examined. Participants included 33 elderly people from two senior residences in the Northeast. Data were compared to extant data already existing on college students in order to gain new insight into the impact of accurate, positive messages on attitudes about donation and the likelihood of becoming an organ donor. Higher donor registration rates were observed in the elderly in this sample (63.16%) compared to college students (17.85%). Relationships were found between age and being currently registered as a donor, willingness to be a living organ donor to a family member, and willingness to be a living organ donor to a close friend. Elderly people had more established attitudes toward ethical practices involved with donation; however, their attitudes toward human rights issues associated with these practices generally changed as a result of viewing a brief informational DVD. Findings are discussed in terms of increasing the rate of organ donation across the lifespan.