Becoming a Care Partner for a Loved One on Hemodialysis
Home hemodialysis can give patients with chronic kidney disease the opportunity to get back to the things they love.
Today, there are many different treatment options available for patients, including varying frequency, duration, and time of day. These options allow prescriptions to be customized to the patient’s individual clinical and lifestyle needs, while also providing an opportunity for increased independence and flexibility in treatment scheduling.
Some patients may require a care partner to perform home hemodialysis. The trained and qualified care partner needs to be present during treatments for support and to act in the event of a medical emergency.
Provided that both the patient and physician sign off on solo home hemodialysis, having a care partner may not be a requirement to perform treatments. Additional ancillary devices and training are required to perform solo home hemodialysis.
For some patients, having a trained care partner present during treatment gives patients added support. If you have a family member or friend who is interested in home hemodialysis, it is important for them for them to have a conversation with their care team to determine if a care partner is required.
Who qualifies as a care partner? Almost anyone!
With NxStage System One, a home hemodialysis care partner is anyone who has been trained and is qualified to use the home hemodialysis system. A care partner is not a professional caregiver (a live-in medical assistant) and does not have to be a live-in relative, spouse, or family member. A home hemodialysis care partner can be a friend, next-door neighbor, work colleague, church friend, or even a business associate.
Watch Angela’s story and hear how her friend became her care partner.
For more information on all the treatment options available visit our Treatment Options page. If you are interested in becoming a care partner, refer to our Frequent Asked Questions for a list of what you can expect.
