Treatment Decision Guide
The power of choice in CKD treatment
What to consider when choosing a dialysis option
| Factors to consider | At-home dialysis |
In-center dialysis |
In-center overnight (nocturnal) dialysis |
|
| You are employed or attending school FT/PT | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You travel daily or frequently take overnight trips | ||||
| You’re a parent with dependent children or you’re a care partner | ||||
| You want to avoid travel time to and from a clinic | ||||
| You want to take an active, hands-on role in your care | ||||
| You want freedom and control over your treatments | ||||
| You enjoy the comfort of your home | ||||
| You want trained medical personnel to administer your dialysis treatment | ||||
| You want to be around other people receiving treatment for kidney disease | ||||
| You need help learning, remembering or performing manual tasks | ||||
| You have trouble keeping up with housework and cleaning | ||||
| You do not want dialysis supplies or equipment in your home | ||||
| You want more flexibility in what you can eat and drink | ||||
| You are socially active and prefer to dialyze at night | ||||
| You are young and otherwise healthy, without any other serious health conditions | ||||
| You want the treatment most similar to your body's natural function | ||||
What to know about a kidney transplant
Kidney transplant is the best treatment option for treating ESRD whenever possible. A successful kidney transplant is closest to your natural kidney function—and with today's advances in technology, donor matching and surgery, many people with kidney disease are living longer, healthier lives.
Keep in mind that the kidney transplant option depends heavily on certain factors:
- Your overall health
- A good kidney donor match
- Timing
Be sure to discuss transplant pros and cons with your doctor. Because there's often a wait before surgery, it's also helpful to talk about dialysis options you may need in the meantime.
Learn more about kidney transplant considerations here.
Considering supportive care without dialysis
Sometimes dialysis or a transplant just isn’t the right course of action for someone with ESRD. Supportive care without dialysis, also called palliative care, is an option that focuses on maintaining quality of life while treating the pain and stress of ESRD—rather than treating to prolong life.
Considerations such as other serious health conditions, life preferences or religious beliefs may influence this treatment decision. It's a choice that should be discussed in-depth with your doctor and close family members.