Suffered by more than 30 million people throughout the United States, or approximately 10 percent of the total adult population of the country, chronic kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death. Those who suffer from kidney disease are at risk for a variety of complications and consequences, including cardiovascular disease, heart attack, nerve damage, high blood pressure, and weakened bones. One of the most severe complications of kidney disease, however, is kidney failure. Unfortunately as many as 90 percent of those who are suffering from stage 3 chronic kidney disease do not even know that they are living with it. This makes it extremely important for you as a family caregiver to help your parent recognize when they might be showing the signs and symptoms of this disease so that you can get them the medical attention that they need to properly manage their condition.

Some of the signs and symptoms of kidney failure include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• High blood pressure that is more difficult to manage properly
• Shortness of breath, caused by fluid building up in the lungs
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Difficulty sleeping or marked changes in sleep patterns
• Itching
• Swelling of the ankles and feet
• Changes in the amount of urine produced or frequency of urination
• Confusion or decrease in mental sharpness
• Twitches or cramping in the muscles

It is important to remember that these symptoms can be indicative of other health complications and problems, and if they are connected to kidney problems, they might not appear until the damage is already severe. This makes it critical for you to get your parent into the doctor as soon as possible after you notice these or other unusual symptoms so that they can get the proper diagnosis and be put on a course of management and treatment that is right for them.

If your aging parent has recently been diagnosed with kidney disease or kidney failure, or is at increased risk of suffering such issues, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior care for them. A senior home care services provider can be with your elderly loved one on a customized schedule that is tailored specifically for your parent’s needs, challenges, and limitations, but also the amount and type of care that you give them. This ensures that their needs are addressed while also keeping you at the forefront of their care routine. This care provider will evaluate your loved one’s needs as well as their personality, preferences, and goals so that they are able to design a highly personalized set of care, support, and assistance services that will help them to manage their condition while also living the quality of life that they desire and deserve. If they have been diagnosed with kidney disease or kidney failure, this senior care provider can help your parent understand the guidelines, instructions, and prescriptions set forth by their doctor so that they can offer valuable reminders and support to remain compliant with these. This means taking medications or following through with treatments when and how they are supposed to, and making lifestyle choices that support their kidney health and help reduce the risk of further complications and consequences associated with this condition.

Source
http://www.kidneyfund.org/assets/pdf/kidney-disease-statistics.pdf
https://www.kidney.org/content/national-kidney-month

If you or an aging loved-on are considering elder care in Rolling Meadows, IL, please call the caring staff at A-Abiding Care today. Serving North and Northwest Chicago and the surrounding area for over 30 years. Call 847-698-1400.