Tips For Supporting Dialysis At Home

A diagnosis of kidney failure or end stage renal disease can be overwhelming and life-changing for your loved one. Dialysis is a common treatment recommended when the kidneys no longer work properly. 

Whether you’re just starting the journey of at home dialysis or you’re in the midst of it, this article will offer insights on how to keep your loved one comfortable and safe during their dialysis treatment. 

If you’re interested in learning more about caring for someone with chronic kidney disease, check if you have free access to Trualta. 

What is Dialysis? 

Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that helps people with kidney failure filter waste, toxins, and excess fluid out of the body. The recommendation to go on dialysis is made by a kidney doctor who examines:

• The current function of the kidneys
• The severity of the symptoms affecting the patient’s quality of life

The two main types of dialysis that can be performed at home are: 

1. Hemodialysis. A process where blood is filtered out of the body through a machine that removes the waste products and toxins. The blood then flows back into the body. 

2. Peritoneal Dialysis. A process that filters blood without removing it from the body. For this procedure, a special solution (called dialysate) is administered into the abdomen. This solution helps the abdominal lining (also known as the “peritoneum”) filter the waste out of the blood. This solution stays in the abdomen for multiple hours, and the patient can go about their day as they desire. After a few hours, they must perform an “exchange” where the fluid and waste products are drained into an external bag. Exchanges can occur during the day or at night.

Important: Dialysis does not cure kidney disease. This means that when someone starts dialysis, they will be on it for the rest of their life or until they get a kidney transplant.

How Often Does Someone Get Dialysis? 

The frequency and duration of treatments depend on the type of dialysis the patient receives. Some people do multiple shorter rounds of dialysis during the day, while others opt to do nocturnal dialysis overnight. Talk to your loved one’s doctor to determine the most appropriate frequency for their health condition.

What Are The Benefits Of At-Home Dialysis? 

There are many reasons why undergoing dialysis treatment at home is a preferred option for both patients and caregivers, including: 

• Comfort. Your loved one gets to remain in the comfort of their own home. 
• Convenience. There is no need to schedule appointments or travel to a clinic, which saves the hassle of making appointments, stress, and money.
• Privacy. The patient receives more privacy during the at-home dialysis sessions and doesn’t have to share space with others. 
• Saves time. Because your loved one doesn’t have to travel to an appointment, they can continue working or be engaged in an enjoyable activity, such as watching TV, taking a phone call, or pursuing a hobby, during the process. Studies also show that less recovery time is needed for home dialysis (1 hour) versus in the clinic (8 hours).
• Improved quality of life. Research reports that approximately “58% of patients reported increased happiness compared to in-clinic dialysis.” Additionally, at home dialysis allows the patient to feel a sense of autonomy and control over when they have their treatment. This enhances their overall self-efficacy and quality of life.

What Are The Challenges Of At-Home Dialysis? 

While there are many advantages to pursuing dialysis at home, it also comes with some challenges, including: 

• The need for a care partner. The recipient must have a properly trained caregiver to assist with setup and monitoring during the process. 
• Storage needs. You must store the dialysis equipment, like machines and supplies, in your home. 
• No on-site medical professionals. No healthcare professionals are monitoring the patient during the home dialysis session.
• Home modifications. Sometimes, additional installations may be required for electrical plugs or plumbing to support hemodialysis at home. 
• Feeling isolated. While the care recipient remains in the comfort of their home, this limits their interactions with other patients going through a similar treatment. This can lead to feelings of isolation and sadness. 

Tips For Success With Home Dialysis

Below, we’ll review 6 tips for supporting dialysis at home. 

Tip 1: Set Up a Comfortable Environment 

The environment is key when it comes to having success with dialysis at home. A dialysis patient will be more likely to remain compliant with their treatment if the environment is less clinical and more personal. 

Here are some suggestions: 

• Ensure the area is decluttered, with a designated space for the dialysis machine. 
• Clean the area and machine to keep supplies organized and minimize infection risk.
• Position a comfortable chair with a blanket and pillow in front of a television, by a radio, or in a quiet space where the patient can read a book or work.

Tip 2: Undergo Proper Training 

As a caregiver to someone starting at-home dialysis, you are responsible for overseeing the process and keeping them safe. The dialysis training process is performed by a nurse or another member of the care team within a dialysis clinic. Often, they will have you come into their clinic and assist with the training process for multiple days or weeks until you feel confident and ready to complete this at home. For your first few sessions at home, a nurse will supervise either in person or virtually to ensure all goes smoothly. 

A nurse or other healthcare professional will train you to know the following: 

• The different parts of the machine and how to set them up
• How to use the dialysis access site (often a catheter or fistula)
• Proper disinfecting and cleaning to avoid infection
• Monitoring of vitals and what to watch for in case there are any complications
• How to troubleshoot any issues that arise during the dialysis process

Tip 3: Monitor Your Loved One Closely 

It’s important to monitor the care recipient closely during and after dialysis treatment to ensure they tolerate it well.

Here are some tips for monitoring to make it easier: 

• Take frequent vitals and write them down in a tracker. A “smart blood pressure cuff” can link to a smartphone, where blood pressure and heart rate can be displayed automatically for easy recording. 
• Keep track of your loved one’s weight. Dialysis requires a delicate balance of fluids and can lead to weight gain. 
• Monitor for lightheadedness or dizziness. Because dialysis removes blood from the body to filter it, patients sometimes experience low blood pressure and lightheadedness. 
• Monitor the access site. Pay attention to the fistula or catheter for any signs of infection.
• Document any problems or alarming machines. If there are issues, the machine often alarms and relays an error message. Keep track of these and note what happened in case you need help troubleshooting.

Tip 4: Be Prepared For An Emergency

While it’s rare, emergencies can happen during dialysis, both with the actual equipment and with the care recipient. Understanding what could happen and being prepared for these events can allow you to take action quickly to minimize negative results.

Some common emergency situations with dialysis include: 

• Low blood pressure and lightheadedness. Always have a blood pressure cuff available and track blood pressure during dialysis. It’s also wise to have the care recipient undergo dialysis in a chair that can recline.
• Machine malfunction. Have the phone number of a nearby dialysis center written down in case your machine does not work. This way, you know which dialysis facility you can take your loved one to for their dialysis treatment.
• Running out of supplies. Be sure to have a stack of extra supplies to avoid running out. 
• Unresponsiveness. Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in case your loved one has a medical emergency during dialysis. 

Tip 5: Keep A Consistent Schedule

Doctors will recommend the ideal dialysis treatment schedule for your loved one. Maintaining this schedule and staying on track with dialysis is essential to avoid the buildup of toxins in the blood. You might set a reminder on your phone or place a visual schedule on the refrigerator to keep you on track. 

Tip 6: Promote A Healthy Lifestyle

When someone is in end stage kidney disease, dialysis is just one part of the lifestyle adjustments they must undergo. It’s also important for the patient to make healthy choices with their diet, engage in daily activity, and protect their mental health. 

Some key lifestyle tips for someone with chronic kidney disease include: 

• Dietary adjustments 
• Avoiding excess salt
• Exercising daily 
• Managing stress

Key Takeaways

• Dialysis basics: A life-sustaining treatment for kidney failure that filters waste and fluid when kidney function is too low. It does not cure kidney disease but helps patients live longer and feel better.
• Types of at-home dialysis:
  • Hemodialysis: blood is filtered outside the body by a machine.
  • Peritoneal dialysis: fluid in the abdomen uses the peritoneum to filter waste inside the body.
• Frequency of treatment: Varies depending on type; can be done daily, overnight, or multiple times per week as prescribed by the doctor.
• Benefits of at-home dialysis: Comfort, convenience, privacy, time savings, faster recovery, and improved quality of life with more control over scheduling.
• Challenges of at-home dialysis: Requires a trained care partner, equipment storage space, possible home modifications, lack of onsite medical staff, and potential feelings of isolation.
• Tips for success:
  • Create a comfortable, organized environment for treatments.
  • Get thorough training from healthcare professionals.
  • Monitor vitals, weight, access sites, and machine alerts closely.
  • Be prepared for emergencies with supplies, contacts, and CPR knowledge.
  • Stick to a consistent treatment schedule.
  • Encourage healthy lifestyle habits, including diet changes, exercise, and stress management.

References

1. American Kidney Fund. (n.d.). Empowering choices: Your guide to making the best dialysis decisions for you. 
2. American Kidney Fund. (n.d.). Kidney failure (on dialysis). Kidney Kitchen. 
3. Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Dialysis.
4. National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Home hemodialysis.
5. National Kidney Foundation. (2025). Preparing for home dialysis.
6. National Kidney Federation (UK). (2023). Home dialysis the advantages.