![Discuss home hemodialysis with your doctor.](/_next/image?url=%2F-%2Fjssmedia%2FFresenius%2FFKC%2FImages%2F2_3_4_At_Home-Hemodialysis_HD-TRAINING%2FL2_2_3_At_Home_Hemodialysis_835x313_1253x470.jpg%3Fh%3D450%26iar%3D0%26w%3D1200%26hash%3D1AF497989729F5CC6805D6C81265618C&w=3840&q=75)
What Is Home Hemodialysis
![a group of people playing dominos](/_next/image?url=%2F-%2Fjssmedia%2FFresenius%2FFKC%2FImages%2F2022%2FTreatment-Form%2FRHR_Picnic_Vert.jpg%3Fh%3D192%26iar%3D0%26w%3D468%26hash%3DC3216B13C1723A6B0ED9CBBCF420108A&w=1080&q=75)
How does home hemodialysis work?
During home hemodialysis, your blood is filtered outside of your body through a dialyzer or “artificial kidney” to remove unwanted waste, toxins and excess fluids. Hemodialysis uses a solution called dialysate to remove unwanted substances from your blood. Clean, chemically balanced blood is then returned to your body.
![Learn about which dialysis treatment is best for you.](/_next/image?url=%2F-%2Fjssmedia%2FFresenius%2FFKC%2FImages%2F2_3_1_At_Home-Hemodialysis_WHAT-IT-IS%2FFKC_Treat_HHD_benefits_thumbsup_icon.png%3Fh%3D151%26iar%3D0%26w%3D151%26hash%3D32A19B6FC882780C96C4B4BD33D442EF&w=384&q=75)
What are the benefits of home hemodialysis?
- You may be able to do at-home HD on your own, without assistance.
- You have the comfort of being home during treatment—while having access to an on-call nurse over the phone.
- If prescribed by your doctor, you can stay on your machine longer or more frequently, which can help you feel better—you may have more energy and less nausea and cramping.
- Along with your doctor or nurse's advice, you can choose your time for treatments, so you have more flexibility for work or school or other social activities.
- You don't need to leave home for treatment, which saves on travel time and transportation costs, plus alleviates weather-related travel worries.
- You or your care partner will put in your own needles, which some people prefer.
- You have more freedom with your diet if your doctor prescribes more frequent dialysis treatments.
![Home hemodialysis success.](/_next/image?url=%2F-%2Fjssmedia%2FFresenius%2FFKC%2FImages%2F2_3_1_At_Home-Hemodialysis_WHAT-IT-IS%2FFKC_Treat_HHD_needsuceedhandshake_icon.png%3Fh%3D150%26iar%3D0%26w%3D150%26hash%3D28CA92462B5087712B3A115E5129379D&w=384&q=75)
What do you need to succeed at home hemodialysis?
- Anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks of training—along with your care partner (a family member or friend), if you need one.
- If you have a care partner, he or she needs to be dependable—to commit to either participating in your home hemodialysis treatments or staying with you to monitor them.
- You or your care partner must be willing to set up for treatments and clean up afterward.
- Before you begin, check with your health insurance provider—or your social worker—so you know whether more frequent at-home hemodialysis treatments will be covered.
- Your water and electrical systems need to be checked in case they need to be upgraded or modified.
- Space that’s set aside in your home to store supplies and equipment.
![Hemodialysis partner.](/_next/image?url=%2F-%2Fjssmedia%2FFresenius%2FFKC%2FImages%2F2_3_1_At_Home-Hemodialysis_WHAT-IT-IS%2FFKC_Treat_HHD_choosepartner_icon.png%3Fh%3D150%26iar%3D0%26w%3D150%26hash%3D76771F8008F492D876F37A47221BB054&w=384&q=75)
Choosing whether to partner up for home HD
You can do home hemodialysis solo or with a care partner, depending on what you and your doctor decide is best for you. If you decide to do treatment with a care partner, you'll need someone who's willing—and committed—to train with you and be with you during each home dialysis treatment.
![a man and a woman in bed reading with a home dialysis machine](/_next/image?url=%2F-%2Fjssmedia%2FFresenius%2FFKC%2FImages%2F2022%2FAward-Winning-Training%2FPhotography_Home_BedroomLibertyCycler_3_20190206-copy.jpg%3Fh%3D330%26iar%3D0%26w%3D792%26hash%3D7147489FD1ABA06BE80195E52F488B02&w=1920&q=75)
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