Do you receive Dialysis and need a private dialysis caregiver?
March is National Kidney Month. Did you know a Dialysis Caregiver referred by Abby Services can help you while receiving dialysis and at home. We wanted to first highlight healthy habits to promote kidney health which are especially important for those at risk for kidney disease.
- Strive for a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can improve blood pressure readings.
- Get a good night’s rest. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.
- Choose healthy food and beverages. Selecting fruits and vegetables, lean meat, whole grains, and other heart-healthy foods can help your kidney health.
- Quit smoking. You have heard it before, if you smoke, take steps to quit.
- Manage stress and make physical activity part of your routine. Engage in healthy stress-reducing activities. Strive to get at least 30 minutes or more of physical activity each day.
- Take medications as directed by your physician. Your doctor may prescribe blood pressure-lowering medications that are effective in slowing the development of kidney disease.
Sometimes steps to prevent Kidney Disease are not enough.
Unfortunately, some individuals, regardless of the preventative steps taken, require dialysis. Often Dialysis can be managed independently or with the support of a loved one. However, some individuals require additional support. That’s where Abby Services can help. If you or your loved one requires assistance during dialysis we can help by referring a private dialysis caregiver. With the support of a private dialysis caregiver you can receive the treatment you need in a safe and effective setting.
The following tips are adapted from Fresenius Dialysis and provide practical tips to support those undergoing dialysis, their loved ones, and caregivers.
- Get it in writing: Private dialysis caregivers may have to work with their patients’ treatment team to write down important information including follow-up appointments, details about dialysis sessions, or other important information. Dialysis caregivers may need to write down questions your patient wants to ask their dietitian, social worker, nurse, dialysis technician, or nephrologist.
- Stick to the schedule: Consistency is key with Dialysis. Dialysis caregivers can help clients maintain a consistent dialysis schedule. Remember to arrive 15 minutes early for each appointment, to allow time to get ready for their full treatment. Missing even a few minutes of one treatment can make dialysis less effective, have a negative impact on a patient’s health, and could potentially affect others’ dialysis schedules.
- Keep important information on hand: Be sure to have important info written down and available if necessary including all medications and Doctor’s information. Emergencies can happen quickly and this information can be important. This information can be left with your dialysis caregiver while receiving treatment.
- Know Their Limits: Even though inactive while receiving dialysis, the process can leave a patient fatigued. It is not a good idea to schedule activities on dialysis days. Often patients may need the support of their dialysis caregiver even after their scheduled treatment.
- Stay Active: Patients on dialysis do better when they move around and stay active. Dialysis caregivers can encourage and assist their patients to walk and remain active as often as possible. Encourage dialysis patients to stay engaged with their work or hobbies. Studies show that people on dialysis do better when they stay active.
- Every dialysis center is different: Unless your patient actively needs your assistance many dialysis centers prefer to have only patients in the treatment area. Be sure to ask staff what they would prefer and how a dialysis caregiver can help.
- Track Symptoms: As a dialysis caregiver, you can help your patients track their symptoms and share this feedback with dialysis staff. Flu-like symptoms, such as feeling tired or weak and having chills, are common for people on dialysis. You may notice they sleep more or are more forgetful. These symptoms can be related to anemia—a shortage of red blood cells—and can be treated. Be sure to keep the nephrologist and treatment team informed about how the person you care for is doing.
- Follow a proper Renal Diet: Following a proper Renal Diet is imperative when managing kidney disease. Generally, protecting the kidneys or reducing strain on them involves limiting the intake of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Limiting these nutrients is commonly referred to as “the renal diet.” A dialysis caregiver can help with meal preparation to be sure you receive proper dietary support to stay safe and healthy.
Your dialysis caregiver through Abby Services can help you.
Are you still curious how a private caregiver referred by Abby Services can help you? Just call us at 239-590-0861 to speak with Scott Strachan RN. He is one of the owners of Abby Services and has assisted patients while receiving dialysis.