Dialysis is a life-saving treatment. Attending all of your scheduled dialysis appointments and staying for the full treatment session is important to feeling your best. Committing to dialysis can be tough, but it can improve your physical health and emotional well-being. Some days may be more difficult than others, but there are ways to handle even the worst days.
It is normal to experience many feelings when you think about attending treatments. You could experience a range of strong emotions. Recognizing your feelings can help you figure out what might keep you from going to your treatments. Your social worker can help you find ways to address these feelings and also talk through any obstacles that you may identify. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with your family, friends, and others in your support network can help as well.
In addition to identifying feelings about treatment attendance, there are a variety of reasons why people on dialysis may not be able to complete their treatments as prescribed, such as scheduling, finances, or feeling unwell. Knowing what to do when you experience these challenges can help you prioritize yourself and commit to your care. Talk with your care team to address these obstacles. By taking an active role in your care and prioritizing your health, you can feel more in control.
Here are a few tips to improve your health and well-being:
If you are not feeling well… Call your dialysis center and ask to speak with a nurse. Your nurse can talk to you about how you are feeling and whether you can attend a later treatment or complete your treatment on a different day. This can help decrease your risk of hospitalization. If you have any new or worsening medical symptoms, talk with your doctor about possible solutions.
If you are tired… Not completing your dialysis treatment can actually make you feel more tired. You will be carrying around extra fluid which is hard on your body, and you may also miss doses of medication that help with anemia. If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or are having trouble sleeping, talk to your social worker or doctor.
If you have a doctor’s appointment… Schedule doctor’s appointments around dialysis to ensure you receive your full dialysis prescription. Let your doctor’s office know that you need to prioritize your dialysis treatments. If you have no other option, speak to your dialysis nurse as soon as possible about how you can complete your dialysis treatment.
If you do not have transportation…Your social worker can connect you with community resources. It’s a good idea to have a back-up plan in case your regular transportation is not available. Can a family member, neighbor or friend offer a ride? Do you know about public transportation options or shared ride services? Your back-up plan can also help in bad weather. If you can’t make it, call your center and reschedule your treatment as soon as possible.
If your schedule does not work for you… Talk to your team about options to complete treatments from the comfort of your home. Let the staff know if you have commitments such as work or family obligations and need a different time or schedule.
If you have a concern about your care or care team… Let the center manager or administrator know. The facility has a process to investigate concerns and must inform you about the results of that investigation. The team wants you to feel comfortable about all aspects of your care.
If it’s a holiday… Check the dialysis facility schedule and your transportation provider’s availability. There may be a change during the holidays. You can feel your best for the holiday by making sure to attend treatment. If you are looking for more flexibility with your plans, talk to your care team about home dialysis options.
If you are feeling alone or sad… Your support system can listen and provide help when you feel overwhelmed. Build a stronger support system by connecting with professional organizations, asking your social worker to connect you with a dialysis peer mentor, joining a book or fitness club, or even volunteering. Talk with your social worker. They are trained to provide support through tough times.
Attending treatments and following your treatment plan helps you stay healthier longer. Partner with your care team to prioritize your health and be an active participant in your own wellness journey.
Jessica Farrell, MSW, LCSW, NSW-C is the Senior Manager of Social Work Services at Fresenius Medical Care for the Eastern and Western North Carolina Regions. Jessica leads a team of 100 social workers and has spent her entire 20-year career devoted to kidney and dialysis patients. Jessica received her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 2004 and has been a member of the Council of Nephrology Social Workers, a Board Member of the Nephrology Social Worker Certification Board, and a member of the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings Planning Committee. Jessica strongly believes in the importance of collaboration and partnership, having worked in multiple capacities as a dialysis facility level social worker, dialysis social work manager and a kidney transplant social worker at Duke University Hospital. Jessica’s passion is teaching others the techniques of Motivational Interviewing to allow a person-centered approach to care.
Web ID 4093
