Do all transplant programs expect candidates to have an identified support person?
No, but some do. It depends upon the program and your circumstances. Each team has different rules.
A transplant team may expect you to have a support person nearby if your health is very fragile, if you must move away from home for the transplant, or if the team believes that you will heed help with certain chores. It is their responsibility to ensure that you have the resources available to successfully wait for and recover from transplantation.
You may not be able to name one person who can commit to this role. Sometimes, candidates can arrange a group of people who are willing to take turns on their behalf. One heart-lung candidate whom we met had a friend who maintained a roster of supports. There was always a person available if help was needed. Volunteer agencies can often help. We have known church groups to organize help for a candidate through transplantation. Usually, the transplant team will have some people who are able to offer some extra time for those who do not have an identified support person.