What is the role of Palliative in Chronic Kidney Disease?

“End stage renal disease is a progressive, debilitating, chronic illness requiring nursing and medical interventions. The development of the disease affects quality of life, potentially influencing physical and mental health, functional status, independence, general well-being, personal relationships and social functioning.” (Cleary et al., 2005)

Chronic kidney disease is a complex chronic condition. Given the complexities of other comorbidities, close monitoring and mitigation of symptoms related to the interplay of other chronic conditions and managing multiple medications is a complicated process. Our goal in palliative is to support the patient’s quality of life as an integrated approach. Sharing information with the primary provider to support symptoms is measured by the patient’s self-rating of quality of life. Patients in palliative are still pursuing curative treatments, and they are engaging in meaningful activities in spite of having progressive conditions.

What is the role of Hospice in Chronic Kidney Disease?

“End stage renal disease is a progressive, debilitating, chronic illness requiring nursing and medical interventions. The development of the disease affects quality of life, potentially influencing physical and mental health, functional status, independence, general well-being, personal relationships and social functioning.” (Cleary et al., 2005)

Kidney disease involves complex care management for multiple systems. The role of hospice is meant as a support for the patient and their family as they approach end-of-life. Identifying components that meet the patient’s desired quality of life and creating plans to support these desires is the primary purpose of an interdisciplinary team. The care team is comprised of nursing, social work, and chaplains. We also provide bath aide support and massage therapy for creating comfort and non-pharmacological methods of pain reduction. Because of our unique status as a home health and hospice agency, we also can provide consultation from physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and medical dietitian.

What is the role of Home Health in Chronic Kidney Disease?

“End stage renal disease is a progressive, debilitating, chronic illness requiring nursing and medical interventions. The development of the disease affects quality of life, potentially influencing physical and mental health, functional status, independence, general well-being, personal relationships and social functioning.” (Cleary et al., 2005)

Kidney disease involves complex care management for multiple systems. The role of home health is to support patients understanding their disease process. The role of nursing guides patients through setting up health care regiments to effectively manage their disease and pull in specialists from other disciplines to address changing levels of function. Access to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, medical dietitian, and social work are integral to an evolving disease process.

Weekly Pulse for March 14, 2022

Home Health (Therapy) Start DateHospice (Nursing) Start Date
Clarkston3/143/14
Lewiston3/143/14
Moscow3/163/15
Orofino3/163/15
***Start Dates are contingent on receiving a complete referral***

Clinical Focus

March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month!

Early diagnosis is critical in creating a comprehensive treatment plan for kidney disease. Individuals with diabetes and hypertension are at especially high risk.

We assess comorbidities to identify risk factors and create plans to reduce rehospitalization risks and support interventions that maintain health by proactively triaging new symptoms to support immediate interventions. We also offer 24-hour telephone nursing supports for urgent needs.

These measures have allowed us to provide one of the lowest re-hospitalization rates to our patients in all of our service areas. 

Question Corner

What makes Elite’s hospice services different from others?

Your care team at Elite creates a customized care plan for our patients. While Medicare standards dictate visits every 2 weeks by the nursing professional, Elite creates treatment plans that address the patient and family needs. This often means a weekly visit or more.

This personalized care plan means increased visit frequencies to support creating a comprehensive comfort strategy. Nursing aide visits to provide personal care for comfort and quality of life. Chaplain and social worker visits to address the patient and family holistically and beyond their physical needs. Access to therapy professionals with specialized training in hospice support the team to create comfort and optimize end-of-life care for basic needs, like being comfortable in bed, eating a meal, and engaging in massage for pain management.

If you have questions about what makes Elite different, send us an email at info@EliteHHH.com  

People to know

Clarkston Liaison – coming soon

Lewiston Liaison – Beth (509) 254-1381

Moscow & Orofino Liaison – Scott (509) 234-3102

Business Development – Ashley (509) 843-7605

Weekly Pulse for March 7, 2022

Home Health (Therapy) Start DateHospice (Nursing) Start Date
Clarkston3/83/8
Lewiston3/83/8
Moscow3/93/8
Orofino3/103/8
***Start Dates are contingent on receiving a complete referral***

Clinical Focus

We are focusing on kidney disease awareness this month!

Complexities with kidney disease are known to cause nerve damage, cardiovascular complications, weak bones, increase risk for heart attack, increase blood pressure, increase risk for stroke, can cause anemia, and often results in kidney failure over long-term disease progression.

Our focus as home health providers is to partner in the management of complex diseases and support treatment plans that offer patients their best life. Let us know how we can support your patients.

Question Corner

What makes Elite’s hospice services different from others?

Elite has the unique opportunity of providing the core services of nursing, chaplain, and social work. We pride ourselves in treatment frequencies that meet the patient and their family where they are in the process.

Since we are connected to a home health agency, we can tap into the unique expertise of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and medical dietitian. These services are uniquely available, because we provide coverage in Asotin and Garfield counties in Washington and Nez Perce, Latah, Clearwater, and Lewis counties in Idaho.

We also offer the support of bath aides and massage therapy to support comfort and alternatives to pain management.

If you have questions about what makes Elite different, send us an email at info@EliteHHH.com  

People to know

Clarkston Liaison – coming soon

Lewiston Liaison – Beth (509) 254-1381

Moscow & Orofino Liaison – Scott (509) 234-3102

Business Development – Ashley (509) 843-7605

March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month!

We are focusing on kidney health. Treatment and management are often a long process with many comorbid conditions being managed. Kidney disease is known to complicate blood pressure management and the individual’s ability to maintain balanced nutrition. Long-term effects include anemia, compromised bone density, and nerve damage.

37 million Americans have CKD with resultant heart disease as a primary cause of death. Diabetes and hypertension are known comorbidities of the disease, creating unique complexities for management. Educating the community on common risk factors, including diabetes, elevated blood pressure, a family history, being over 60 years of age, and belonging to a high risk ethnic group, is a primary goal for us this month.

We are encouraging community members to reach out to their providers for comprehensive treatment plans, including consultation with dietitians and social workers. Home health can support these endeavors. Let us know how we can support your patients.