“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.
