News & Events
Discover new information and educational offerings that we provide. Explore our newsletters, blogs and upcoming webinars/conference calls.
Contents:
New Online Pain Management Course
DPC Education Center is now offering an online, free-to-use resource center to learn more about chronic pain and effective ways to live with it. In the program, you will explore the concept of pain, learn ways to talk about it, and discover methods of managing pain including medication, alternative medicine, nutrition and exercise, self-management, and laughter and humor. You will also have the opportunity to tell your story and hear from others about their experiences. Check out the Course
Where Kidney Patients Can Get Help with Medical Bills and Employment
There is a resource—developed by patients with kidney disease—that provides an overview of where to get help with medical bills and employment. The types of medical bill tips highlighted include: An overview of Medicare coverage for people with End-Stage Renal Disease Where you may find help in getting supplemental coverage for the 20% Medicare doesn't pay Assistance for special populations (e.g., veterans, children, people with disabilities, etc.) Programs that help cover expenses related to health insurance premiums, living organ donation and medications. Assistance provided by some electric companies for home hemodialysis patients Employment tips featured include where to find help with: Returning to work Beginning a new line [...]
5 Ways to Improve Your Heart Health
If you worry that you or someone you love will get heart disease or even have a heart attack, it’s understandable. February is American Heart Month, and heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Research shows you can lower your risk, particularly if you team up with family, friends or co-workers. This kind of social support may be the key to your success. “Studies show that having positive, close relationships and feeling connected to others benefits overall health, blood pressure, weight and more,” said NHLBI’s Dr. David Goff, director of cardiovascular sciences. Consider these five tips [...]
Ideas for Packing a “Go Bag” for Unanticipated Overnight Hospital Stays
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.
Having Your Donor Find YOU!
During this webinar the following points will be covered: 1) Learn about the benefits of receiving a kidney from a living donor, 2) Learn how to talk to others about kidney donation, 3) You don’t need to “ask” someone to donate, it’s all about “telling your story” and 4) Join us to develop a plan for a successful living kidney transplant experience.
Survey: Seeking Advice from Parents of Children with Kidney Disease
The DPC Education Center is developing an online program to serve as a resource for parents of children with kidney disease. In order for this program to be successful, we need the guidance of parents willing to share tips and stories about how they helped their child thrive while living with this condition and juggling life's multiple demands. Feedback is needed in the areas of treatment, medication and mental health. If you are a parent of a child with kidney disease and would like to help us with this project, please click this link (or answer the questions in the box below) to fill out the short survey: Create your own user feedback survey
Disability Benefits for Kidney Disease Patients
There are more than 37 million people in the US living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and over 700,000 with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). ESRD patients require multiple dialysis treatments a week in order to stay alive. Many CKD and ESRD patients find it difficult to continue working because of the time consuming treatments and the toll it has on their bodies. If you have kidney disease or ESRD and are not able to continue working, you may file a claim for Social Security benefits. While not guaranteed, these benefits help many patients cover some of their lost wages. Many CKD or ESRD patients use disability benefits to pay for living expenses like food, rent, [...]
January is National Mentoring Month
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 and engaged in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior like skipping school, drug [...]
There’s a Grant for That!
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.
Cooking with Latin Flavors
En Español By María Eugenia Rodríguez, MS, RD, CSR, LND, Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist You have probably heard about the importance of eating a low sodium diet. The general recommendation for people with kidney disease is to consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day. According to statistics from NHANES 2007-2010, the adult man in the United States consumes 4,240 mg of sodium and the adult woman consumes 2,980 mg.1 In some South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica sodium intakes have been reported between 4,400 and 4,700 mg per day.2 One of the sources of sodium in our diet are the condiments we use for [...]
Cocinando Con Sabor Latino
English Version Por María Eugenia Rodríguez, MS, RD, CSR, LND, Nutricionista Dietista Licenciada Probablemente, ha escuchado sobre la importancia de llevar una alimentación baja en sodio. La recomendación general para personas con enfermedad renal es consumir menos de 2,000 mg de sodio al día. Según estadísticas de NHANES 2007-2010, el hombre adulto en Estados Unidos consume 4,240 mg de sodio y la mujer adulta consume 2,980 mg.1 En algunos países de Sur América como Argentina, Brasil y Costa Rica se han reportado ingestas de sodio entre 4,400 y 4,700 mg al día.2 Una de las fuentes de sodio en nuestra alimentación son los condimentos que usamos para cocinar. Muchos condimentos comunes [...]
The Kidney Citizen Issue 10
An article in Spanish; cooking with Latin flavors; dialysis, caregiving and emotional health; discover the humor perspective; and more!
Today is Your Day
Support the Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center We want to take this opportunity to say thank you. As you know, it is our mission to reduce the occurrence and delay the progression of kidney disease. We work to accomplish our goals by: developing unique educational programs to empower patients and increasing public awareness of kidney disease. Our organization is led by kidney disease patients for kidney disease patients. We cannot accomplish our critical mission without you. Join in our efforts to improve patient quality of life and delay the occurrence of end-stage renal disease by donating today. For more information about our programs, visit us HERE. Make A Gift From all of us [...]
2020 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2020 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs. Medicare Part B Premiums/Deductibles Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. Each year the Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayment rates are adjusted according to the Social Security Act. For 2020, the Medicare Part B monthly premiums and the annual deductible are higher than the 2019 amounts. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $144.60 for 2020, an increase of $9.10 from $135.50 in 2019. [...]
Dialysis, Caregiving and Emotional Health
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 this experience. First, expect a period of adjustment to your new roles. Immediately following [...]
Holiday Hints: The 3 Biggest Kidney Disease Diet Mistakes People Make
Join us for this dynamite webinar to learn the three biggest mistakes people with kidney disease make during the holidays with their diet and how to avoid. We’ll go over our best tips to make your food go from “blah” to “hurrah” and give you all the tools you need for your best holiday tips this season.
CDC Advises Patients and Their Families to Be Antibiotics Aware
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 do not work on viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, bronchitis, or [...]
November is National Diabetes Month
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 greatly lower your risk. To help prevent type 2 diabetes: Watch your weight Eat [...]
Treatments and Modality Options for Kidney Disease
During this webinar you will learn: 1) how kidneys work, 2) about chronic kidney disease stages and symptoms, 3) how to slow progression, 4) end stage options for treatment and 5) about accesses. About the Presenter: Joanne Smith is a DPC Education Center Advisory Council member and has had multiple positions in the dialysis field since receiving her RN degree, ranging from Staff RN to Director of Nursing to Home Therapies Manager. She is currently a Kidney Care Advocate responsible for educating CKD and ESRD patients on kidney disease and options for treatment, focusing specifically on home dialysis. Unlike in other nursing fields where patients are encountered on an annual or limited basis, Joanne enjoys working [...]
Are Pupils the Answer to Pain Evaluation?
Some researchers are exploring a new method for measuring pain that involves studying the pupils of a patient. After observing an involuntary response in pupils as a result of pain or medication, a device was developed that "measures a patient’s pupillary response and, using proprietary algorithms, provides a diagnostic measurement of pain intensity, pain type and, after treatment is administered, monitors efficacy." The traditional method for measuring pain involves a 0 to 10 scale that is subjective and self-reported. This approach increases the chances for misdiagnosis, over-treatment or under-treatment since it is not objectively measured. Benefits for this new approach include understanding the effectiveness of alternative methods for pain management (e.g., acupuncture, laughter therapy, virtual [...]
