The quality of life for patients undergoing dialysis treatments can often
seem compromised and without benefit due to seemingly endless trips to dialysis
centers and an increased strain due to an increased strain on their personal
lives. Leisure time and simply feeling well enough to keep up with day-to-day
responsibilities may seem to be things of the past. Families and friends of
dialysis patients also often express dismay at the extra expenses and
time-consuming center visits.
Because of these issues, more and more patients are turning tohome dialysis.
In correlation, the types of home dialysis treatment have become more
user-friendly, making it easier for patients to dialyze at home.Peritoneal
dialysis (PD) andhome hemodialysis (HHD) are two options available to people
with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who are looking for greater flexibility and
control of their treatments and lifestyles.
When it comes to distinguishing between these two treatment modalities, it's
hard to say which one is better. The answer depends on each patient's lifestyle,
particular medical needs and what his or her medical team feels is right.
Patients seriously considering home dialysis should meet with their doctors and
family members to determine which method works best for them.
The first and most significant benefit of home dialysis is improved patient
outcomes.
People who choose to dialyze in the comfort of their own homes do so more
frequently and for shorter periods of time. Frequent dialysis more closely
mimics the natural functions of thekidneys, with less waste and fluid building
up in the body between treatments. The increased frequency has contributed to
lower mortality rates, fewer negative side effects and more favorable results
overall. And because patients can perform dialysis on their own schedules, they
receive the health benefits of daily treatments without missing out on the rest
of their lives.
The second major benefit of home dialysis is a reduction in travel-related expenses.
Patients with ESRD who choose home dialysis benefit from a reduction in the amount of driving that they do and thus save money each month on expenses, such as gasoline and auto maintenance. While it might not seem significant, these little savings add up. In addition, most private insurance plans make coverage available to qualified patients who choose to do home dialysis. Qualified patients can also take advantage of Medicarecoverage.
The third major benefit of home dialysis is more time to do what you
like.
When patients spend numerous hours a day in a dialysis center, it's
inevitable that they miss out on time with their family and friends, their
hobbies or whatever it is they love to do in their free time. Home dialysis
changes that. Patients on home dialysis can use their treatment time to surf the
Internet, play games with their grandchildren, watch their favorite TV shows,
pay bills, study for class, talk to friends on the phone and more. Home dialysis
patients have more freedom during their days and are able to live more normal
lives. Also, a change of scenery — from in-center dialysis to home dialysis —
can help make treatments more enjoyable and comfortable.
The fourth major benefit of home dialysis is improved quality of life.
The benefit of improved quality of life is actually an accumulation of all
the benefits that come with doing home dialysis. When patients make the
transition from in-center dialysis to home dialysis, they generally see improved
outcomes overall, have more free time, save money and gain a deeper
understanding of their health conditions. In short, people on home dialysis
enjoy a newfound control over their treatments, their health, their time, and
their lives. These individual benefits add up and result in an improved quality
of life.
The fifth major benefit of home dialysis is an improved understanding of end stage renal disease.
Patients who choose home dialysis often learn more about their disease than those who choose to do in-center dialysis because they are more directly involved in their treatments. This newly-gained knowledge and control over their health conditions often leads to less fear and depression and a more positive outlook on the future. Patients who take on their dialysis get an up-close and personal look at their illness and their treatment, and this often leads to healthier patients who are excellent monitors of their own bodies and health conditions.
Conclusion
In short, home dialysis is growing in popularity due to the flexibility and
benefits it brings to patients’ lives. Patients interested in home dialysis
should talk to their healthcare teams today about getting started.
If you still have any follow-up questions, please contact us immediately, we are here for you.
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