Home Care for Diabetes and Renal Failure

ESRD (end-stage renal disease) affects one in 1,000 people in the United States. Some 19 million Americans are thought to be at varying stages (1 to 5) of chronic kidney disease. Renal failure can be acute or chronic and greatly affect a person’s quality of life. While most people recover from acute renal failure with proper treatment, chronic renal failure is long-term and can only be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant. 

What Causes Kidney Disease?

Diabetes and hypertension are the major causes of kidney disease. Trauma, major blood loss, autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, and some medications can also cause this condition.

The financial, physical, and emotional burden of chronic renal failure for patients and their families can be huge. Yet, with proper home care for diabetes, recipients of care can still have a reasonably good quality of life in spite of this condition.

Home care support services can be a good adjunct to kidney disease care. Individuals with renal failure may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Persistent itching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite/weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Puffiness around the eyes, hands and feet
• Increased thirst
• Yellowish discoloration of the skin/easy bruising
• Confusion
• Tingling and muscle cramps
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irregular heartbeat

This list of symptoms is long, and it is obvious that renal failure patients experience all sorts of issues that challenge them every day. While waiting for a kidney transplant, patients with ESRD often get started on dialysis. These treatments and some medications are covered by Medicare if your loved one is qualified.

Diabetes care at home is not often covered under existing rules, but there are plenty of affordable help options available to those who need them, including taking on a diabetes personal care assistant.

It is important to follow the doctor’s plan of care for your loved one with renal failure. Hospitalization, in-center, or home dialysis treatments are usually prescribed. 

Home Care for Diabetes

A diabetes PCA can be helpful in assisting an individual with kidney disease at home in the following ways:

• Driving patients to hospitals or outpatient dialysis centers for treatments
• Assisting with bathing, using the bathroom, dressing, and overall hygiene care
• Monitoring blood pressure regularly
• Reminding the recipient of care to take the right medications on time
• Preparing meals that are low in salt, low in potassium, and moderately low in protein
• Keeping the home environment safe and clean at all times to avoid accidents and avoid infection
• Being available to talk frequently about negative emotions by the individual about his condition
• Helping the recipient of care to remain as independent as possible
• Responding to emergency situations

For anyone receiving dialysis, a diabetes PCA can help you manage the symptoms of undertaking dialysis. People may feel particularly exhausted, have itchy skin, experience muscle cramps, or even develop certain infections. Having extra support for diabetes home care can help them to manage these extra side effects and maintain dignity and independence.

Get Support Today

With regular dialysis treatments, adherence to medication, prompt medical follow-ups, and perhaps a kidney transplant, people with renal failure can look forward to an active and worthwhile life after diagnosis. Contact a Best Care (your Minnesota home care agency!) if you think you or a loved one might benefit from PCA services.

Up For Reassessment? Learn about Transitioning from PCA to CFSS
Learn More