Resources
For Patients & Families
What is supportive kidney care?
Today’s treatments for kidney failure allow you to participate in life and enjoy your family and friends. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment, but it is not a cure. Most people with kidney failure have other diseases or conditions that get worse over time. At some point, you could face failing health and –as all people do, regardless of their health –the end of life. Looking ahead can be overwhelming and scary. But, it helps to take control of your care by telling your healthcare providers and your family about your wishes and the type of care you want as your disease progresses. This will also make it easier for them to make decisions for you if you become too sick to make them yourself.
Supportive kidney care involves services aimed at improving the health-related quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease. Supportive kidney care provides an added layer of support in addition to standard treatments. It focuses on helping people stay comfortable, stay focused on their own personal goals, and plan for a time when they face failing health and the end of life. Supportive care is provided in all treatment settings (home, dialysis center, hospital, or hospice).
Key components include:- Advance care and End of Life Planning
- Palliative Care
- Medical Management without Dialysis and Stopping Dialysis
- Symptom Management
