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Contents:
Traveling Tips for Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease
The thought of travel may seem intimidating because of your dialysis schedule, but a little planning can make it easier. Ask your local dialysis center or your doctor’s office for help finding a dialysis center away from home. You or a loved one can also visit www.dialysisfinder.com or call 1-866-889-6019 toll free to speak with a dialysis placement specialist. If your dialysis is done at home, either with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, you may also want to consider contacting one of the services listed above, as traveling with the necessary supplies or finding space to do your dialysis may be difficult. Be sure to make your appointments ahead of time and check with your insurance company to [...]
Know Your Kidney Care Team
Kidney Care Team Responsibilities Your doctor, renal dietitian, nurses, and technicians are all part of your kidney care team with you. Each team member has a unique set of responsibilities that can help care for your total health. In the chart below, match the team member with the appropriate description. TEAM MEMBER DESCRIPTION 1. Dialysis technician A. Helps find community resources (support, financial, etc.) to help you manage your chronic kidney disease 2. General practitioner B. The most valuable member of your kidney care team; responsible for following the treatment plan 3. Nephrologist C. Monitors your dialysis treatment and handles any other dialysis issues you may have 4. Pharmacist D. Checks your health and how [...]
Tips for Communicating with Your Kidney Care Team
It’s easy to get confused when you’re trying to talk with your kidney care team. Sometimes they use complicated, unfamiliar terms. But being able to communicate effectively with your kidney care team can help you have some control over your health care. One way to help you communicate effectively is to take P.A.R.T.: Prepare. Make a list of important questions or concerns, and bring these up at the beginning of your visit. Ask. Ask questions regarding tests, treatments, and any follow-up steps that are necessary. Make sure you understand the doctor’s answers. If you don’t, ask until you do. Repeat. Once you have gotten the information from your doctor, repeat some of the key points. This will help [...]
Health Information Trackers
Lab Values You should have your lab work done on a regular basis to help keep track of your progress. You may be tested for the following at different times: Kidney function Phosphorus Potassium Blood pressure Diabetes control Anemia Bone health Nutrition Depending on what your doctor wants to do and any other conditions you may have, he or she may request other labs. Consider making a chart for all your lab values, including phosphorus, or ask your nurse or renal dietitian if he or she has a chart you can use. It can help you follow your progress. Medication Schedule You’re not alone in taking several kinds of medicine. Sometimes, it can be tough [...]
Getting Assistance from Others
Do you find it hard to ask for help when you need it? Try these ideas the next time you need a hand: Even though you don’t want to bother anyone, it’s not a good idea to begin your request with an apology. “I’m sorry to put you to so much trouble” sounds as if an awful chore lies ahead! Try being more specific: “I need help taking some clothes to a charity. Do you have about an hour to help me next Saturday?” When people ask what they can do to help you, give them a job: “Can you help me move this plant outside?” If you’re offered help that you don’t need — [...]
Things to Think About When Evaluating Dialysis Treatment Options
There are pros and cons with each dialysis option. Each person is different and they need to work with their family and healthcare team to decide which will work best for them. For many, dialysis at home is more flexible than at a center, but there are also more responsibilities. This chart compares each of the choices: In Center Home Conventional or Nocturnal Conventional, Short Daily, or Nocturnal* CAPD/CCPD (peritoneal dialysis) Portable No Depends on machine Yes Travel possible With advance planning With portable machine Yes Needles used Yes Yes No Training time None 4-6 weeks (depending on system) 1-2 weeks Amount of storage space Not applicable Depends on machine from 10 to 80 boxes [...]
History and Overview of Home Hemodialysis
History In the 1960's during the early days of home hemodialysis, most treatments were done in the home, primarily because of the lack of hospital or clinic-based facilities. By 1973, 40% of dialysis patients were doing their treatments at home. Decline of Home Hemodialysis The percentage of home hemodialysis patients began to drop after 1973. Today the situation has almost reversed and most people on dialysis (90%) get their treatments at a dialysis center. The drop in home hemodialysis was caused by the following: In 1972, Congress passed legislation that created a Medicare program to pay for dialysis treatment. This program made in-center hemodialysis financially more attractive to providers so dialysis centers started being built. [...]
