Making the Case for Home Dialysis

[JackieJ_NKF]

Many patients are not informed when they first begin dialysis that there are more options beyond the traditional in-center, in-a-chair, 3 times a week system. Only 14% of patients on dialysis in the US are using at-home options, despite evidence showing that it may be a better option for some patients. Learn more at: kidney.org/newsletter/makin...

[Bassetmommer]

Until they improve the support for Home Hemo patients, there won't be much growth. If you non-dialysis people think it is easy, you are very wrong. I do things that only full-on RN can do, and although I have a healthcare background, I am not a trained phlebotomist, med tech, nurse or any of the other credentialling people need to do this professionally. Something is very wrong with this. We need more mental health support as well as in home support.

[JackieJ_NKF Partner in reply to Bassetmommer]

We are aware that the process to transitioning to home dialysis may present some challenges for some. However, we still attempt to do our best in presenting all dialysis options, which many in-center hemodialysis patients may not be aware of. We're definitely in agreement that mental health support is always a need when managing proper dialysis care.

[bumblebee_tuna]

I feel like the modality needs to change a bit. There should an option for a more assited home care. I remember someone here that started home hemo and a nurse came in every day to help set up the machine. That should be a lot more common option. My center doesn’t have the man power to do something like that there is just a single home dialysis nurse.

[jodaer]

My neph said I would be a good candidate for home PD when the time comes. I live alone in a small apartment. There is no way I could do this myself. I wouldn't have know this until Bassetmommer put her story on here. "they" don't tell you all the little details, the storage and the rest.

[bumblebee_tuna in reply to jodaer]

PD is very much doable alone. I do everything myself, my family doesn’t get involved.

[jodaer]

For you maybe, but not me