Resources
Dialysis
The Kidney Coalition website is designed to help patients and professionals understand palliative and supportive care.
Today’s treatments for kidney failure allow you to participate in life and enjoy your family and friends. Many people on dialysis say they feel better knowing that they talked with their family or social worker about their wishes for the future. Communicating your wishes helps you to take control of your care by telling your healthcare providers and your family about your wishes and the type of care you want now and in the future.
There are many resources available to help you understand your treatment options and your new life as a dialysis patient.
Here are a few websites that might be helpful to the new patient:
The National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease for healthcare professionals and patients and their families. The NKF supports a patient information help line. NKF Cares offers free support for people affected by kidney disease, organ donation, or transplantation. Patients and families can call to speak with a trained professional who will help answer questions and listen to concerns. Call toll-free at 855.653.2273 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time) or email nkfcare@kidney.org.
The American Association of Kidney Patients is a non-profit, patient-focused organizations that support patient education and empowerment.
The Renal Support Network is a non-profit, patient-focused organizations that support patient education and empowerment.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) publication entitled You Can Live: Your Guide for Living with Kidney Failure provides tips on treating kidney failure, making treatments better, and living a healthier lifestyle.
Kidney School, an interactive online learning center, focuses on self-management skills and attitudes as well as facts. Kidney School has 16 modules written at the 7th–9th grade level. Access is free, 24 hours a day. Each module covers one topic and can be completed in about 30 minutes.
The Forum of ESRD Networks serve as contractors to CMS and are responsible for quality improvement activities and for processing patient grievances. You can obtain contact information for the Network organization in your area through the Forum of ESRD Networks.
Today’s treatments for kidney failure allow you to participate in life and enjoy your family and friends. Many people on dialysis say they feel better knowing that they talked with their family or social worker about their wishes for the future. Communicating your wishes helps you to take control of your care by telling your healthcare providers and your family about your wishes and the type of care you want now and in the future.
