What is the prevalence of kidney disease in Roanoke?
According to CDC data, Virginia has fewer cases of CKD than the country at large. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the data shows that end-stage renal disease is on the rise both in Virginia and the United States. If your loved one is looking into dialysis facilities in Roanoke, they are far from alone.
Many patients find outpatient dialysis treatments tiring, forcing them to rest afterward instead of spending time with family and friends. The resulting isolation could take a toll on your loved one’s mental health while making it more difficult for you to see them. Finding a great dialysis clinic in Roanoke, Lynchburg, or other nearby cities is the best way to mitigate these adverse side effects of dialysis care.
What should seniors in Roanoke know about the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Since CKD is a chronic medical condition that has different effects over time, the term itself is a poor descriptor of what patients might be experiencing. Therefore, the progression of CKD is measured in set stages corresponding to the degree of kidney function lost. The NIDDK provides additional information below:
Stage 1 | Kidney damage with normal kidney function |
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Stage 2 | Kidney damage with mild loss of kidney function |
Stage 3 | Mild-to-severe loss of kidney function |
Stage 4 | Severe loss of kidney function |
Stage 5 (ESRD) | End-Stage Renal Disease. Kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant for survival |
CKD cannot be cured or reversed at any stage, but the early stages are typically asymptomatic. This is important as physicians can manage the condition to slow its advance, sometimes preventing patients from ever needing dialysis care if it’s discovered early on. Screenings are essential for this happy outcome, so push your loved one to take them seriously.
How do I find the best dialysis clinics in Roanoke?
Finding a great Roanoke dialysis center for your loved one begins by figuring out which type of dialysis they want. Hemodialysis is the standard form and involves your loved one traveling to a dialysis clinic in Lynchburg to have a machine filter their blood. The advantage is that trained medical professionals will handle every aspect of their care, with the biggest disadvantage being that your senior will be spending a lot of time in a healthcare facility. The alternative is peritoneal dialysis which involves a tube and your loved one’s stomach lining to filter their blood. Your older adult won’t have to go to a facility with this method, but they’ll need to take a more hands-on approach to their care.
The next step depends on the type of dialysis. If you’re looking at outpatient clinics, try to find one close to your senior’s home and verify that the staff will treat them well. Home dialysis care should be backed by support whenever your loved one needs it. Our comprehensive guide to choosing dialysis facilities contains further info.
Dialysis centers in Roanoke
We understand how difficult it can be to learn that the senior in your life needs dialysis care, but they need you now more than ever. Seasons makes it easy to compare dialysis clinics in Roanoke, Lynchburg, and surrounding areas, so please use our free resources to find your loved one the top-notch care that all seniors deserve.