Your Emotional Health

While dialysis treatments will help address the physical symptoms of kidney failure, it is important to also care for the emotional impact of living with a chronic health condition. Learn more about how U.S. Renal Care cares for the whole you throughout your care journey.

U.S. Renal Care social workers support your emotional health

 

You can still do the things you love while on dialysis. However, it is normal to feel discouraged, sad, or angry about your kidney disease from time to time. Your social worker is your advocate who celebrates your successes, supports you through struggles, and cares for your emotional health through counseling, education, resource identification, and creative problem solving.

 

Here are a few things your social worker can support you with:

  • Quality of life concerns, depression, and anxiety
  • Providing grief counseling, coping and support
  • Advocating for access to transplant
  • Education on health insurance options and financial concerns
  • Disease management and treatment adherence
  • Identifying transportation resources
  • Keeping your job, finding a new job, or volunteering
  • Connecting to community resources
  • Advance directives and end-of-life care

 

Maintaining your emotional health throughout dialysis

  • The more you know – Learning about kidney disease and treatment options can be empowering. Your care team will provide you with education and resources to help you feel informed and confident. Learn more about Kidney Treatment Options.
  • Stay active – Continue to do things you love and make sure a healthy diet and exercise are part of your everyday lifestyle.
  • Talking helps – Talk with your dialysis social worker, family, friends, or a mental health professional to help process your thoughts and feelings.
  • You are not alone – Chronic kidney disease impacts more than 37 million Americans. Connecting with other people with similar experiences can help. Check with your dialysis social worker for any local patient support or mentoring programs. Click here to learn how you can connect with the kidney care community.
  • Be kind to yourself – Everyone has good days and bad days. Offer yourself the same grace you would give to your loved ones, and seek help when you need it.

 

If you or a loved one are struggling, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline Network is free and available 24/7 to anyone in the United States. Dial or text 988 or click here to connect with a provider.