Staying healthy with kidney disease is possible if patients learn more about their condition, eat right, and take control of their symptoms.
Itching. Hiccupping. Changes in sleep and appetite. These are just some of the seemingly innocuous warning flags that may perhaps indicate kidney disease. And with as many as 20 million people in the United States alone managing the disease, plus many more who are not yet diagnosed, it’s essential that individuals experiencing these symptoms bring them to the attention of the physician.
What Are Some Kidney Disease Management Tips?
If kidney disease is confirmed, sharing these recommendations from the National Kidney Center with the person in your care can help them get on the road to staying healthy with kidney disease and optimizing quality of life:
- Learn. Power is obtained through understanding, and encouraging the person to learn as much as possible about the disease will help with more effectively managing it.
- Gain control. It is, ultimately, the responsibility of the individual with kidney disease to take note of symptoms, keep an eye on test results and treatments, and control management of the disease and everyday life decisions. As the person’s caregiver, you can empower them to be aware of their sense of control.
- Stay healthy. Sticking to a diet that’s ideal for kidney disease, along with engaging in doctor-approved exercise and taking medications as prescribed are essential for the person’s health.
- Be productive. Both physical and mental wellbeing are positively influenced when the person has purposeful work and activities to do. Help the individual you love to stay active through volunteering with a cause that interests them.
- Remain proactive. Encourage the person with kidney disease to think through a plan for the future, including different treatment options to consider if their condition should worsen or change.
Most importantly for someone with kidney disease – or any other health issue – it’s imperative to remain socially connected with friends and family who can provide motivation and inspiration. As the individual’s primary family caregiver, you play a vital role in providing necessary companionship, meal planning and preparation, personal care services, housekeeping, and the many other tasks you perform to improve quality of life. Make sure that while you are providing care for your loved one you are also taking plenty of time to care for yourself, something that is incredibly important but often overlooked by overwhelmed family caregivers.
At Advanced Home Health Care, our in-home care providers are on hand to partner with family caregivers to ensure the best possible care is provided at all times. Family members can then take time away they need for their own physical and mental wellbeing. Call us at 800.791.7785 to find out more about how we can help.
