Lesson 6:
Living with kidney failure

What questions do you still have about kidney failure and treatment?

Is there anything you would do differently as a result of these classes?

• What to expect once you start dialysis
  • Will take time to feel better (won't happen after first treatment)
  • Medications may change
• Basic diet changes for dialysis
  • More protein is needed due to protein losses during dialysis
  • Maintain low sodium and phosphorus
  • May need potassium and fluid restrictions with hemodialysis
  • Dietitian is part of dialysis team
• Financial concerns
  • Employment and rehabilitation
  • Cost of treatments
  • Cost of medications
  • Transportation
  • Social worker is part of dialysis team
  • If self - employed
• Quality of life
  • Sexual function
• Transplantation
  • Waiting for transplant
  • If transplant fails

• Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Hemodialysis (NIDDK)
• Treatment Methods for Kidney Failure: Peritoneal Dialysis (NIDDK)
• Your Medicare Coverage database (CMS) (can select different types of treatment)

• Eat Right to Feel Right on Hemodialysis (NIDDK, 8/08)
• Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure (NIDDK, 4/09)

• How is your diet likely to change when you go on dialysis?
• True of False: The Medicare program covers the cost of treatment for kidney failure for most people.

Other outcomes:

• Patient lists three ways that his/her diet will change and two ways medication use will change when dialysis begins.
• Patient explains that Medicare will pay for the cost of treatment for kidney failure.
• Patient states what he/she will do with information from today's session?

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