Ideas for Packing a “Go Bag” for Unanticipated Overnight Hospital Stays

2024-03-28T21:00:31-04:00February 6th, 2020|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Stress Management|

Sometimes, having a chronic disease—such as End-Stage Renal Disease—can result in spending the night in the hospital unexpectedly. One tip to make the stay more comfortable is having a pre-packed "go bag". This could be helpful for not only patients being admitted, but also the caregivers that accompany them. To get started, below are some areas to focus on when pre-packing the bag: Comfortable clothes and bedding Entertainment Sleep aids Snacks Copies of important documents and helpful lists Toiletries For more details about specific items to include in these categories, read the full article.

January is National Mentoring Month

2024-03-28T21:00:37-04:00January 11th, 2020|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Quality of Life|

This January marks the 19th annual National Mentoring Month, a campaign aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults. There is a powerful mentoring effect demonstrated by research and the experiences of young people who are connected to a mentor in real life. Mentoring is linked to improved academic, social and economic prospects for young people, and that ultimately strengthens our community. Research has shown that when matched through a quality mentoring program, mentors can play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused [...]

There’s a Grant for That!

2024-03-28T21:00:38-04:00January 1st, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Costs for Treatment, Employment, Humor and Laughter, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Music, Physical Health, Webinar|

Do you have an idea to help others living with kidney disease? Are you interested in going back to school or work? There’s a grant for that. If you’ve never applied for a grant before, don’t worry. With resources to help guide you, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The End Stage Renal Disease National Coordinating Center (ESRD NCC) Patient Grant Library has what you need to help find the grant that’s right for you. It also offers links to sources for writing a proposal, creating a budget and submitting an application.

Dialysis, Caregiving and Emotional Health

2024-03-28T21:00:46-04:00November 25th, 2019|Categories: Fact Sheet, Lifestyle, Sex and Intimacy, Stress Management, Support, The Kidney Citizen|

By Hannah Calkins Dialysis is life-changing in many ways. It may be what makes your life possible, for one. But it may also significantly impact your daily routine, your sense of self and your relationships—and it may impact all three if your significant other or another close relative has taken on a caregiving role. You and your caregiver may be new to this situation or coping with it long-term. Either way, psychologists and social workers who work with people with kidney disease and other chronic illnesses can help you both manage your routines, navigate conflicts and maintain—or even enrich—your relationship through [...]

CDC Advises Patients and Their Families to Be Antibiotics Aware

2024-03-28T21:00:47-04:00November 18th, 2019|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle|

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising patients and their families to use antibiotics only when necessary to further reduce antibiotic resistance, the spread of superbugs, and protect patients from side effects from antibiotics. During U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and throughout the year, CDC promotes Be Antibiotics Aware, an educational effort to raise awareness about the importance of safe antibiotic use. The Be Antibiotics Aware initiative educates the public about when antibiotics are needed, when they are not, how to take antibiotics appropriately, and potential side effects of antibiotics. CDC encourages patients and families to: Get the facts about antibiotics. Antibiotics [...]

November is National Diabetes Month

2024-03-28T21:00:48-04:00November 8th, 2019|Categories: Additional Resources, eNews, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Physical Health, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. To raise awareness about diabetes and healthy living, we are proudly participating in American Diabetes Month. Around one in three adults with diabetes has chronic kidney disease. Depending on your age, weight, and other factors, you may be at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that making healthy changes can [...]

Fight Kidney Disease by Combatting Childhood Obesity

2024-03-28T21:00:55-04:00September 10th, 2019|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Physical Health|

One in 5 children in the United States have obesity. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In fact, childhood obesity leads to an increased risk of kidney disease—a condition that affects over 30 million Americans. The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented. In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, DPC encourages your family to make healthy changes together. Get active outside! Walk around the neighborhood, go on a bike ride, or play basketball at the park. Limit screen time. [...]

8 Things About Living with A Chronic Disease That Others May Not Understand

2024-03-28T21:00:57-04:00August 27th, 2019|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health, Stress Management|

"If you see us 'enjoying' ourselves, it doesn’t mean we aren’t sick." This is one of a handful of ideas shared by a woman who has lived with a chronic illness for the past 12 years. She decided to create a blog to share her experience and spread awareness about others that may be going through something similar. If there are friends or family in your life that are having trouble relating to what you are going through, it may be helpful to share this article with them. Or perhaps it will inspire you to put your thoughts on paper and [...]

Improve the Quality of Life for Dialysis Patients by Submitting Your Ideas in Prize Competition

2024-03-28T21:01:03-04:00July 19th, 2019|Categories: eNews, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Physical Health|

Sometimes the best solution to a problem comes from the people who live and experience the challenge every day. This is one approach that is being taken to help improve the lives of dialysis patients. The KidneyX: Patient Innovator Challenge is a contest where people can submit ideas to help those living with kidney disease, with the chance of receiving a monetary prize. The challenge is organized into two groups: Category 1: "Solutions in Practice," which are solutions already tried or put into practice Category 2: "New Ideas," which are solutions that have not yet been created or tried. If you need additional [...]

Kidney Disease and HIV

2024-03-28T20:59:06-04:00June 13th, 2019|Categories: Early Intervention, eNews, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Sex and Intimacy, What Causes Kidney Disease|

People with HIV are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease. In addition, some HIV medications can affect the kidneys. Getting tested for HIV, understanding your risk, and living a healthy life are steps you can make to better control your health. National HIV Testing Day is June 27, and the DPC Education Center encourages everyone to get tested for HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. Many people with HIV don’t have any symptoms. In the United States, 1 in 7 people living [...]

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