5 things you need to know before you register for family hemodialysis

As with primary treatments for kidney disease and failure, patients can choose to use family hemodialysis as part of their daily treatment regimen. The ability to sustain life outside the dialysis center can almost motivate some patients, especially those who feel their independence is impeded by treatment.

However, since hemodialysis will be performed in someone's home, the patient and his or her caregiver [if applicable] will be responsible for maintaining treatment. This is not a small task, although it does bring a significant boost to confidence because they are part of the process, but it does raise a lot of questions.

Before deciding that family hemodialysis is right for you, consider the following:

The history of hemodialysis does help to have a place in the patient's home. Nearly half of these patients were treated at home during the decade of hemodialysis treatment. This is good for patients considering home treatment.

Participating in this process initially creates a lot of anxiety. Keep in mind that many patients who receive hemodialysis at home have no medical background. Their caregivers, usually spouses, may not have medical experience, so both of you will experience some degree of hesitation and worry about making sure everything goes well so that patients are not vulnerable.

3. Patients who manage hemodialysis at home experience less social interaction. The dialysis center was set up to make the patient feel comfortable. Sometimes, the patient must be in the center several times a week, for a few hours. However, this becomes a new normal, and patients who are adjacent to each other become intimate because they have a common connection. Patients who receive treatment at home can interact with their caregivers, or if they live alone, there may be no one unless they receive visitors.

4. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK], "hemodialysis is a method of treating kidney failure, which uses a machine to filter extracorporeal blood." In short, this treatment is done for your child. Work is necessary, which is vital to your survival. You and/or your caregiver will also need to be trained for several weeks to ensure that you can be treated at home. There is a major ' if' therefore, if you and/or your caregiver cannot handle the treatment steps, there is no guarantee of a safe environment.

The law requires patients to be aware that they can choose to have hemodialysis treatment at home. They must get information about where they can go to receive process training and where they can receive general education in treatment options.

Family hemodialysis can be a suitable way for patients to get used to a new lifestyle, feeling as if they are still independent and not obstructed by kidney failure. However, this independence does have a lot of responsibility, and all departments of the medical team, including patients, need to understand this responsibility and choose the treatment that best suits their health.

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