Our sister website www.homedialysis.org.au
Australia’s comprehensive source of information on Home Dialysis
When kidneys fail and the decision is made to start dialysis there are many questions to be answered:
- where and how should I do my dialysis?
- how will my lifestyle be affected?
- will I be able to cope in a life with dialysis?
- how can I stay healthy and travel on dialysis?
We hope the information we provide will support you to make your treatment choice decision easier.
|
IMPORTANT NEW HOME DIALYSIS RESOURCE
An Introduction to Home Dialysis Dialysis
This A5 booklet focuses on lifestyle aspect of choosing home dialysis.
It provides informaton on daily routine, work and leisure activities,
diet and fluids and associated health benefits.
Download a free electronic copy from our Home Dialysis website.
For a hard copy of this important resource, call our Kidney Health Information Service on 1800 4 KIDNEY - 1800 4 543639 or email khis@kidney.org.au
Collaborative project - Kidney Health Australia & Renal Resource Centre
|
 |
When do I need Home Dialysis?
You may need Home Dialysis if your kidneys fail. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is long-term permanent damage to the kidneys. Signs and symptoms usually start when the kidneys are working below 40%. Once they are working below 10%, dialysis or a transplant is needed to stay alive.
What type of dialysis is right for me?
When kidneys fail and the decision is made to start dialysis there are many questions to be answered:
- which type of dialysis is right for me?
- how will my lifestyle be affected?
- what supports are available to me to help me cope in a life with dialysis?
- how can I stay healthy on dialysis?
If the most suitable option of dialysis is chosen, the impact of dialysis on your usual lifestyle will be less. If the dialysis program you choose is started in a timely manner, you are also supported by health professionals and outcomes will be better.
What is Home Dialysis?
Home dialysis includes both Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) and Home Haemodialysis (HDD). There are various lifestyle and health benefits associated with these options. You can choose to dialyse at home during the day or night. Almost all peritoneal dialysis is performed at home given the ease of the procedure and the need for ongoing exchanges several times every day or night.
UKHA webpages: Live Kidney Donation and Organ Donation KHA webpage
RRC: Haemodialysis – a treatment option * Conservative care of Advanced Kidney Disease * Withdrawing from dialysis
Home Peritoneal Dialysis
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) has been used at home since the 1970s. Currently in Australia nearly 25% of the people on dialysis are using PD at home. About 40% of new patients do PD early in their journey with end stage renal failure. In New Zealand 35% of people use PD.
PD is gentle and works 24 hours a day. The remaining kidney function is well preserved on PD. The remaining kidney function helps to keep individuals healthy. How to manage PD at home is easily learned by the majority of people. More than fifty patients aged 85 years old or more are on PD at home around Australia. Everything you need is provided to your home and the waste can be placed in your rubbish bin.
There are two types of Peritoneal Dialysis:
- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)
- Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) see photo
Useful weblink: Introduction to Peritoneal Dialysis Renal Resource Centre
Home Haemodialysis
Home Haemodialysis (HHD) uses a machine which delivers your blood to a dialyser. The dialyser cleans your blood, and then the blood is returned to you. At minimum, it is 3 times a week for 4-5 hours. Vascular Access is required to access your blood.
HHD treatment schedules are decided by you in collaboration with your health care team. Ideally a minimum of fifteen hours a week is completed in regular sessions. This allows maximum flexibility for work, lifestyle activities and time to be spent with your family. Options are:
- dialysing in the day (daytime dialysis) or overnight (nocturnal dialysis)
- hours that range from 2 to 8 hours a session (long sessions overnight usually)
- sessions from 3 to 7 times a week
The machine for haemodialysis is free and is installed in your home. Most homes are suitable but sometimes a community centre is used when the home is unsuitable. The health care team can answer any queries about your home. Special plumbing will be installed in your house and the quality of your home water supply is tested. All supplies are delivered free of charge to your home.
The dialysis training is done by a nurse at your pace. It is given to you and your support person (if you choose to have one). Dialysis once you are trained is independent, but with on-call support at all times.
Useful weblink: Find out more about new age of Home Dialysis being trialled in Australia now.
Choosing the right option for me
For some people a medical reason may indicate that a particular option is not available. For most however it is your life and your choice. Your doctor and the education nurses will support you in deciding. You may change your treatment choices later if your first choice does not work out.
You should be provided with education sessions for yourself and your family and friends. These may be individual sessions or by attending one of the treatment options sessions that many units hold. Ask your doctor or nurse where you can get more information and discuss your options with them. Some important questions to consider are:
- do I like to be at home?
- do I value flexibility and freedom?
- do I like to control my own health-care?
- do I have a home where I could complete dialysis?
- would I like a diet without too many restrictions?
If you answered YES to the above questions - this indicates that you will prefer Home Dialysis.
- Would I prefer a gentle dialysis without needles?
- Would I prefer a treatment overnight?
- Can I operate a machine if I am taught how?
- How much time can I spare for training?
- What do my health professionals recommend to best suit my health needs?
- Would I like to travel easily?
Answering questions like these will determine whether PD or HHD suits your lifestyle.
These specially selected YouTube video will help you consider options for treatment
Home Dialysis Playlist on KidneyEd TV - on YouTube
A KHA YouTube playlist: progress to next video, hover your mouse over second forward arrow on the bar.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Refer to Finance this website or go to the Home Dialysis Support webpage
Carer's Pension
If a carer is supporting you, they may be eligible for a Carer's Pension.
Financial concessions and travel reimbursement
Patients on Home Dialysis treatment may be eligible for financial assistance for costs related to, but not exclusive to electricity and water. The HOME Network has put together Fact Sheets (see links below) providing a guide to concessions available in each State of Australia.
Essential Medical Equipment Payment
An annual $140 payment to people who experience additional increases in home energy costs from the use of essential medical equipment to manage their disability or medical condition. This payment must be claimed, and payments will be available from 1 July 2012. This applies to you if you run a Home Dialysis machine in your home. See more here at Clean Energy Future - Q&A> and Centrelink - Essential Medical Equipment Payment
Electrical costs on home dialysis
Check with Yahoo Moneyhound for energy price comparison to find the best deal for all your energy needs - uses postcode and questionnaire to find the best deal to provide information on cheapest energy provider in your State. Using the information you find here, it is possible to obtain better deals for electricity prices, especially rural, by phoning around.
Financial Support
Comprehensive summary provides general information and links to relevant agencies Financial Support for Home Dialysis Patients in Australia (update February 2012) and further advice is available in Electricity and Home Dialysis. Links to state based information listed here:
Dialysis Transport Information books
These transport information booklets detail the options that should be available in your State, to assist you in attending your local dialysis clinic. You may need to use a combination of services. Please talk to your local dialysis clinic, if you are unable to find a transport solution.
Dialysis Transport Support - ACT update Jan 13
Dialysis Transport Support - New South Wales
Dialysis Transport Support - Queensland
Dialysis Transport Support - Sth Australia update Jan 13
Dialysis Transport Support - Tasmania
Dialysis Transport Support - Victoria
Dialysis Transport Support - Western Australia
Australian Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) state information
Isolated Patient Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)
Patients travelling to the city for treatment may be eligible for a government scheme to provide financial assistance for travel and accommodation.
The HOME Network is a national initiative to engage healthcare professionals in the field of home dialysis, empowering these individuals to develop solutions to overcome the barriers that currently inhibit the uptake of home therapies in Australia.
Refer to our sister website www.homedialysis.org.au at
Home Dialysis website - Health Professionals
Home Haemodialysis in Australia is used by approximately 10% of those on dialysis. Research is starting to determine that it is the best therapy for many with a good quality of life, improved life expectancy and less time spent in hospital.
Newsletters - Home Dialysis website
Pre-dialysis Education: April 2013 * Home Updates: April 2013
Update of End-Stage Kidney Disease Project - May 2013
Archived Home Dialysis Newsletters
Kidney Community News
UPDATED 14 JUNE 2013
Disclaimer: Information provided is intended as an introduction to this topic and not meant to substitute for your doctor's or health professional's advice. All care is taken to ensure this information is relevant and applicable to each Australian state. Kidney Health Australia recognises each person's experience is individual and variations do occur in treatment and management due to personal circumstances. Consult a healthcare professional for specific treatment recommendations.