Caring For Senior Dialysis Patients: How To Help Them Deal With Daily Health Challenges

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Caring For Senior Dialysis Patients: How To Help Them Deal With Daily Health Challenges

Chronic kidney disease is on the rise, and it’s affecting one of the most vulnerable age groups in the US today. According to recent data from the CDC, 34 percent of adults aged 65 and older are currently dealing with this health issue, and those who develop kidney failure later on choose to manage it with dialysis. This treatment is essential for older adults with CKD since it performs some of the functions of a healthy kidney, such as removing waste and toxins from the body and controlling the levels of minerals in the blood. However, this procedure also comes with a few side effects that may affect a person’s quality of life. 

If you have a senior family member who’s currently on dialysis, it’s likely that you’ve seen signs of certain health complications on your loved one. Helping seniors deal with these should be a priority to keep them healthy and comfortable at all times. Here are some tips to care for a senior dialysis patient, and how to help them cope with daily health challenges.

Low Blood Pressure

A drop in blood pressure is common among older dialysis patients, and in medical terms this is referred to as intradialytic hypotension. This happens because their bodies are unable to properly recover from the loss of volume after all the waste, extra salt and water are removed from their blood during dialysis. If not treated right away, extremely low blood pressure can lead to shock, as well as damage to the heart, brain, or other vital organs. 

This is why senior patients should always be monitored after undergoing dialysis, and they should never be left alone since they’re also at risk of high blood pressure. If you’re the patient’s primary caregiver and you need to take a break for a few days, arrange for respite services to provide short-term care and support to your loved one while you’re away. The carer will keep track of your family member’s blood pressure and look after their overall wellbeing while you attend to other matters or take some time for yourself. 

Meanwhile, to reduce the risk of intradialytic hypotension, patients should take steps to avoid retaining salt and water. Since their kidneys are unable to excrete fluids properly, any excess fluid or salt intake is retained by the body, and these will have to be removed during dialysis. If there’s less salt and fluids that need to be removed, then the body’s circulatory system can function better to maintain blood pressure. According to the National Kidney Foundation, it’s advisable to limit your senior patient’s water intake to three or four 8-ounce cups of water a day. Also, cut back on sodium when cooking their meals. Use herbs and spices instead to add flavor to their food, and encourage them to eat kidney-friendly produce like pears or apples.

Itchy Skin

Having dry, itchy skin (pruritus) is another common side effect of dialysis, and this condition is marked by constant itching, red marks, and dry or leathery-looking skin. Since excess fluid is removed from the body through dialysis, this makes it difficult for the skin to stay hydrated. It’s likely why your loved one is always scratching or unable to sleep because of the discomfort. 

To treat pruritus, encourage your elderly relative to take short showers, and use fragrance-free soap or body wash to cleanse their skin. After showering, provide them with a moisturizing lotion or cream with ingredients like shea butter or jojoba oil to hydrate their skin. They may also use a topical ointment as often as needed to get rid of itchiness or extreme dryness. Lastly, let them wear soft, comfortable clothes made from natural materials, such as cotton, since these feel better and are less irritating to the skin. 

Lack of Sleep

Sleep disorders like insomnia is a prevalent condition among people who are on dialysis. According to a study, individuals undergoing dialysis experience disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle, and 73 percent of dialysis patients had no circadian rhythm at all. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders not only results in poor sleep quality, but they can also make a person feel unwell, irritable, nauseated, and dizzy. Finding ways to improve your family member’s sleep should be at the top of your priority list to improve their mood and health. 

To get a good night’s rest, encourage your loved one to go outside with you for a short walk during the day. The physical activity and fresh air may help them to fall asleep quickly later on. Keep their bedroom dark, neat, quiet, and at a slightly cool temperature, and spray their bed linens and pillow with a bit of lavender pillow spray to help them relax at night. If your senior patient loves to watch TV at night, remind them to turn it off before bedtime since leaving the TV on can prevent them from slipping into a deep and restful sleep.   

Senior dialysis patients experience a host of side effects while on dialysis. Keep these tips in mind to help your loved one feel better before and after treatment, and see how these can improve their overall wellbeing. If certain side effects seem to worsen, or if they don’t improve with daily care, take your relative to the doctor for proper treatment.