Is Assisted Living Suited to Seniors on Dialysis?
People often ask our assisted living team in Sussex County, if assisted living is the right place for seniors on dialysis. Since it’s American Diabetes Alert Month and National Kidney Month, we’d like to share some insight on this issue with our readers.
Dialysis is an Advanced Medical TreatmentÂ
First of all, we’d like to talk a bit about what dialysis is and how this affects senior caregiving. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for people with kidney disease or health issues like diabetes, which compromise kidney function. Without the kidneys filtering out dangerous waste products from the blood, these toxic substances quickly build up and make patients dangerously sick and — if left untreated — this is fatal.
Dialysis, a vital machine filtering process, drawing the blood out of a patient, circulating it through a filtering process, and restoring it to the body, is a medical treatment. This incredible medical technology saves lives and buys viable patients time before they can receive a kidney transplant.
Dialysis and SeniorsÂ
In certain circumstances this process can be temporary, such as when the kidneys are expected to make a recovery, but in many cases, dialysis is permanent and will form part of regular care, including end-of life care. A qualified medical team and advanced equipment is required for this treatment, and for these reasons, few assisted living communities offer onsite facilities for seniors on dialysis.
Instead, dialysis can be accessed through scheduled hospital treatments on an out-patient basis (if the health condition is temporary and the patient is expected to recover enough not to require dialysis) while staying in an assisted living community (providing they meet the community’s additional requirements).
It can also be accessed through some hospice facilities as part of a palliative care program. This is only provided if the patient meets other hospice admission requirements and may involve visiting a hospital on an outpatient basis for dialysis if it is required as part of the patient care program. This decision is based on putting the needs of seniors on dialysis first and ensuring that they have access to a facility that offers the best possible care for their needs.
If you would like to find out more about what care options our CCRC and assisted living community can offer you and your loved one or would like more clarification on dialysis in an assisted living community, please don’t hesitate to speak to our friendly team.
Assisted Living and Independent Living for Seniors at Our CCRC in Sussex County New JerseyÂ
Bristol Glen is a CCRC with assisted living in Sussex County that aims to provide seniors with comfortable, serviced living arrangements that free up your time to enjoy life. Different living styles under one roof allows residents to access care as needed and remain in their community.
Contact us to find out more about our CCRC and assisted living in Sussex County, New Jersey, please visit our website at https://umcommunities.org/bristolglen/ and book your visit today.
