What to do when dad gets home from hospital

[dadinfo]

My dad 79 and a veteran, just started kidney dialysis in the hospital. I live an hour and I am hoping they can setup rides to dialysis when he gets home. I am worried about his new diet plan. Because of my health I can only get there once a week. Any tips are appreciated. I am new to this, and I am scared. I would give him one of my kidneys, but I have a kidney stone disease.

[REVRay]

Might look into so.e sort of home health care his age and veteran status along with dialysis should be covered

[dadinfo in reply to REVRay]

Ty

[Hidden]

While all of this seems overwhelming at first, you will get a handle on it quickly. First, your father should qualify for home support as well, possibly a social worker who can help to advocate and coordinate his care. Second, consider whether home dialysis is doable, depending on your father's current physical and cognitive condition. Locally, elderly dialysis patients may have someone come in to set up their dialysis machines for them daily. Perhaps this is an option for your dad, too. Or, maybe he prefers going to the hospital for social contact. Finally, as far as diet goes, there are a lot of resources available online in terms of diet tips and recipes. No doubt, he will be assigned to a nutritionist. Use this person as a resource. Most importantly, what your father eats should be guided by his most recent bloodwork, which the nutritionist should also be following. He will need to keep calcium, phosphorus, and potassium in line. Nutrition is important when in kidney failure because appetite is already suppressed.

[dadinfo in reply to Hidden]

Ty

[dadinfo in reply to Hidden]

Ty

[Darlenia]

Hi! I'm so sorry your dad's kidneys deteriorated to the point he needs dialysis. Hopefully, the dialysis will make him feel better. You'll want to talk to the professionals at the hospital about his needs and resources he would find useful. Also talk to the social worker at the dialysis center that he will be attending. Social workers have the resources available, often at little to no cost, that will help you and your dad enter this new phase in his life. It's hard for older folks to do this all themselves; it's great you're there for him. Trusting things work out well for both of you!

[dadinfo in reply to Darlenia]

Ty