Lesson 6: Living with Kidney Failure

The content of this lesson, Living with Kidney Failure, meets the needs of qualified providers seeking to deliver the Kidney Disease Education (KDE) Services benefit as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (beneficiaries must have an eGFR of 29 or lower).

Lesson Objectives

By the end of each session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify that diet recommendations and medications may change when dialysis treatment begins
  • Identify that Medicare has a special program that may pay for the cost of treatment

Session Starter

What questions do you still have about kidney failure and treatment?

Is there anything you would do differently as a result of these classes?

Topics & Points to Cover

  • What to expect once you start dialysis
    • Will take time to feel better (won't happen after first treatment)
    • Medications may change
  • Basic diet changes for dialysis
    • More protein is needed due to protein losses during dialysis
    • Maintain low sodium and phosphorus
    • May need potassium and fluid restrictions with hemodialysis
    • Dietitian is part of dialysis team
  • Financial concerns
    • Employment and rehabilitation
    • Cost of treatments
    • Cost of medications
    • Transportation
    • Social worker is part of dialysis team If self - employed
  • Quality of life
    • Sexual function
  • Transplantation
    • Waiting for transplant
    • If transplant fails

Materials/Content for Learners

Background/Clinical Information for Educators

Sample Outcome Assessment Questions

  • How is your diet likely to change when you go on dialysis?
  • True of False: The Medicare program covers the cost of treatment for kidney failure for most people?

Other outcomes:

  • Patient lists three ways that his/her diet will change and two ways medication use will change when dialysis begins.
  • Patient explains that Medicare will pay for the cost of treatment for kidney failure.
  • Patient states what he/she will do with information from today's session.
Last Reviewed March 2012