Benefits of Home Dialysis

• Gain Freedom and Flexibility
• Maintain an active lifestyle
• Gain Employment or Continue Working
• Maintain Independence
• Control and Convenience for You and Your Family
• Improved Quality of Life, Safety and Quality of Care

Clinical Benefits reported from dialyzing more frequently or for longer periods of time at home include:

• Increased diet flexibility
• Better blood pressure control
• Improved sleep
• Reduced fatigue and nausea
• Reduced need for medications
• Reduced frequency of hospitalization

HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE
It has been demonstrated that quality of life may be superior for patients performing dialysis in their home, especially more frequent or extended dialysis. Benefits reported include: improvements in mental clarity, sexual function, sleep, energy, strength and rehabilitation. Home dialysis often results in better blood pressure, as well as reductions in thirst, pruritus, restless leg syndrome, fatigue and depression. The post-dialysis "low" many patients experience may disappear. It has also been reported that dialysis in home is as safe as in a facility, and actually enhances patient survival.

CONVENIENCE AND INDEPENDENCE
Home dialysis allows patients the flexibility to dialyze at their convenience. Greater control of time enables patients to schedule dialysis around work, family and other obligations. Because the patient is in control of their treatment schedule, there is greater opportunity for adequate dialysis. Reduced travel time is another important benefit, especially for rural patients who, instead of driving miles to a center three times a week for dialysis, can check in once per month for a clinic visit.

What messages can we share with patients to encourage home dialysis?

There are multiple benefits for patients who do home dialysis:

• Choose a treatment that fits your lifestyle.
• Get Medicare right away. This may help patients get coverage for PD or HD access placement if surgery is scheduled early in the month that dialysis starts, and training starts before the first day of the third full month of dialysis.
• Schedule your dialysis treatment around work and other responsibilities vs. having the clinic schedule your dialysis to fit its needs.
• Be in more control of your treatment, with better understanding of the dialysis process.
• Travel to a clinic only once or twice a month compared with 13-14 times.
• Reduce your risk of infection due to exposure to other patients and staff.

Do dialysis in the comfort of your home where you can eat and drink when you want to, have friends and family over, watch your favorite TV shows, or listen to

TRAINING AND 24-HOUR SUPPORT
U.S. Renal Care Home Therapies provides comprehensive training for patients who meet the clinical and social criteria for in-home dialysis. Training needs will vary from patient to patient, but typically a patient (and his or her dialysis partner, if any) can learn the required skills to successfully perform peritoneal dialysis at home within two weeks, and to perform hemodialysis at home within six to eight weeks. The training is provided on an individualized basis and will be tailored to your type of therapy and learning needs.

Patients, physicians, or family members can contact U.S. Renal Care Home Therapies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for assistance and support with any renal care related issues.

With U.S. Renal Care Home Therapies, you are never alone!