FacebookXYouTubeInstagramLinkedIn

Advance Care Planning

2024-03-28T20:59:22-04:00March 15th, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Lifestyle, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By David Mahoney, MD As a member of Dialysis Patient Citizens, you have chosen to become involved, speak up for what is important to you and take charge of the management of your health. Dialysis modality, diet, medications, exercise, management of your other health-related issues, all require your informed decision-making and action. But despite this high level of involvement in their health care, few dialysis patients have addressed the issue of advance care planning. “I don’t want to talk about that now.” “That’s for sick people, and I am doing well.” “That really scares me.” “I am NOT ready to talk [...]

Insights from the Dialysis Patient Citizens 2018 Patient Survey: Patients’ Priorities for Quality Measures and New Innovations in ESRD Care

2024-03-28T20:59:23-04:00March 11th, 2019|Categories: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, In-Center Hemodialysis, The Kidney Citizen|

By Jackson Williams, Director of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, Dialysis Patient Citizens Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) thanks everyone who completed its 2018 Patient Survey. It is another way to make your voices heard. We use our patient survey to get your input on current issues and to convey your opinions to policymakers in Washington, DC. This year, our survey included questions on two recent developments in Washington: Medicare’s “Meaningful Measures” Initiative: In early 2018, Medicare officials announced plans to reduce the number of quality measures it uses to hold health care providers accountable. This meant that for dialysis care, the [...]

New Course – Sepsis and Kidney Disease

2024-03-28T20:59:24-04:00March 7th, 2019|Categories: Online Courses, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

Print out the flier The DPC Education Center has a new, easy way to help you learn! We are kicking off National Kidney Month with a brand-new course titled, "Sepsis and Kidney Disease." With this free, online mini course you will learn about sepsis, including its causes and symptoms, and how to get treatment for this potentially devastating and life-threatening condition. Explore topics by watching videos, reading articles and participating in online activities. Go at your own pace as you learn what sepsis is and what actions to take. Be an advocate for your health, and get started [...]

Improvements in Dialysis Care Are Outpacing Other Serious Chronic Disease Conditions – Including Cancer and Heart Failure

2024-03-28T20:59:25-04:00March 4th, 2019|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Diagnosis of Kidney Disease, eNews|

Improvements in dialysis care are outpacing outcomes for other chronic disease conditions, improvements that allow patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) to live longer lives – and yielding substantial savings to Medicare – according to a new fact sheet created from the health care consulting firm Discern Health, which analyzed United States Renal Data System (USRDS) data. An analysis of the USRDS data set by Discern Health reveals that, although ESRD patients are among the most complex and costly Medicare beneficiaries to treat, improvements in dialysis care have led to improvements that translate into larger gains in patient survival than other [...]

Growing Up On Dialysis

2024-03-28T20:59:28-04:00February 25th, 2019|Categories: Lifestyle, Pediatric Kidney Disease, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By Julie Crandall, CBCS, CMAA, Patient Ambassador, DPC Education Center Board Member How was it to grow up with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)? Since I didn’t know any other way; for me, it was normal. I can tell you that in my case, my family was the most important people that helped me navigate childhood. It helped that they didn’t treat me like the ‘sick kid’ of the family; I was a daughter and a little sister. I didn’t know what to focus on for this article. It was difficult to narrow down my childhood with ESRD and dialysis to write [...]

When Your Parent is Sick: Tips for Children on Managing Feelings

2024-03-28T20:59:35-04:00February 11th, 2019|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, Mental Health, Pediatric Kidney Disease|

By Elizabeth Lewan, Communications & Grassroots Program Coordinator at the American Psychological Association Having a sick parent can be scary and stressful, especially if there are long hospital stays or physically intense treatments. Having a parent diagnosed with a serious health condition, like kidney disease, can seem especially frightening if you don’t know how it will affect your family. It is estimated that one in seven adults have chronic kidney disease.1 Your parents, doctors and family members can help you get through this tough time. Here are some tips to help you manage your feelings: Prepare for change. You may notice [...]

Become Heart Healthy This February

2024-03-28T20:59:36-04:00February 8th, 2019|Categories: eNews, What Causes Kidney Disease|

February is American Heart Month. Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with kidney disease? Furthermore, you are more likely to develop heart disease if you have kidney disease. You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease and kidney disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have these conditions. To lower your risk: Watch your weight Have your blood and urine checked Manage your blood glucose if you have diabetes Control your cholesterol Keep your blood pressure below 140/90 Be active for 30 minutes [...]

When Your Child Is Diagnosed with Kidney Disease: Tips on How to Cope

2024-03-28T20:59:42-04:00January 3rd, 2019|Categories: eNews, Fact Sheet, Pediatric Kidney Disease|

By Elizabeth Lewan, Communications & Grassroots Program Coordinator at the American Psychological Association Parents want to make sure their child has a healthy and happy life, but sometimes a health complication can change things. Having a child diagnosed with pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) can leave parents feeling overwhelmed, anxious and scared for their child’s overall well-being, especially in the beginning. However, you can play an active role in your child’s care and treatment by providing the emotional support he/she needs and educating yourself about kidney disease and its treatments. Below are some tips that parents and caregivers may find helpful [...]

Dialysis Patients Looking to Quit Smoking May Be Eligible for Free Counseling Sessions

2024-03-28T20:59:45-04:00November 30th, 2018|Categories: Costs for Treatment, Early Intervention, eNews, What Causes Kidney Disease|Tags: |

Smoking cigarettes can damage your kidneys. Quitting smoking may help your blood pressure, which can lower your risk for having heart attack or stroke. Individuals with high blood pressure have a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure may have chronic kidney disease). Medicare Part B covers up to eight counseling sessions centered around quitting smoking during a 12-month period. Make sure your healthcare professional is recognized by Medicare and accepts Medicare’s payment. Visit Medicare’s website for more information.

CDC Advises Patients and Their Families to Be Antibiotics Aware

2024-03-28T20:59:51-04:00November 14th, 2018|Categories: eNews, Medication, News & Events, Treatment, What Causes Kidney Disease, What Is Kidney Disease|

People with chronic medical conditions, such as kidney disease, are at a higher risk of getting an infection, which can lead to sepsis. Antibiotics are life-saving drugs and critical tools for treating infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising patients and their families to use antibiotics only when necessary to further reduce antibiotic resistance, the spread of superbugs, and protect patients from side effects from antibiotics. During U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and throughout the year, CDC promotes Be Antibiotics Aware, an educational effort to raise awareness about the importance of safe antibiotic use. The Be Antibiotics Aware initiative educates the public about [...]

Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top