Palliative Care for Kidney Failure

More than 70,000 people are being treated for kidney failure in the UK right now, according to Kidney Care UK. When your kidneys fail, harmful waste builds up in your body, causing it to retain excess fluid and water in the lungs. Without dialysis or a transplant, kidney failure is fatal.

There are plenty of misconceptions surrounding palliative care for kidney failure, with many believing it’s the same as end-of-life care. However, this isn’t always correct – palliative care can be offered to all people living with serious illnesses, including kidney disease, for years.

Today, we’ll explore palliative care, whether it’s right for you, and how a professional carer can assist you in living with kidney failure.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is a specialised form of medical care that can help people living with kidney failure by managing symptoms and assisting with day-to-day activities. You can have palliative care alongside treatment, and many find it especially helpful during a flare-up of dialysis side effects or while recovering from a transplant.

The goal of palliative care is to improve your quality of life. Kidney failure is a serious disease that can take its toll on you and your family, so a professional carer aims to alleviate some of this strain. It can give you back control of your independence, social life and emotional well-being.

Palliative care for kidney failure

Managing care and treatment for kidney failure is a huge undertaking and can put a lot of emotional and physical stress on your shoulders. Palliative care aims to reduce this for both you and your loved ones by giving you another source of support.

Palliative care doesn’t have to be given in a hospital setting. Complex live-in care services allow you to get the support you need while remaining in the comfort of your own home. As your condition progresses or treatment becomes tougher on your body, palliative care helps you continue living without restrictions on your day-to-day goals.

What does palliative care for kidney failure include?

Palliative carers will work alongside you, your family and your healthcare team to create the best possible support system and treatment plan. This type of care focuses on extensive support for your physical, mental and emotional well-being, rather than only one aspect of daily living.

A palliative carer can help by:

• Managing symptoms through medication and therapies while sharing updates with your kidney specialist.
• Supporting decision making by explaining the risks and benefits of treatments such as dialysis.
• Helping you weigh up whether treatment feels more like a benefit or a burden.
• Assisting with daily tasks, wound care, medication and rehabilitation before and after a kidney transplant.
• Offering emotional support through companionship, hobbies, social outings and a listening ear.
• Improving quality of life by encouraging activity, preparing meals, maintaining hygiene and keeping your home clean.
• Relieving suffering from symptoms and stress by finding ways to ease pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Your palliative carer will always look at the whole picture and your personal situation, tailoring the plan to your needs. They’re there to support you and boost your quality of life as you navigate what comes next.

Can family carers offer palliative care for kidney failure?

Family members often play an important role in providing palliative care at home. They can offer comfort, emotional support and practical help with daily tasks, which can make a huge difference to someone living with a serious illness.

However, palliative care can be complex, especially when it involves managing symptoms, medication or making important treatment decisions. Many families find it reassuring to have the support of a professional carer alongside their own efforts. This allows loved ones to focus on spending quality time together, while trained carers provide expert guidance and practical assistance.

What’s the difference between palliative care and end-of-life care?

Palliative care and end of life care are closely linked, but they are not the same. Both provide comfort and support, yet the timing, focus and goals can differ. The table below outlines the key differences.

Palliative care	End of life care
Can begin at the time of diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness	Takes place when someone is approaching the final stages of life
Supports people of any age with complex conditions such as kidney failure	Focuses on comfort, dignity and respect in the last months, weeks or days
Helps manage symptoms, side effects and emotional wellbeing	Helps manage pain, anxiety and other symptoms at the end of life
Can be given alongside active treatment such as dialysis or surgery	Often provided alongside nursing or hospice care to ensure comfort
Aims to improve quality of life throughout an illness	Aims to make the end of life as peaceful and comfortable as possible

Both types of care are important, but it is vital to remember that palliative care is not only for the very end of life. It can support you through treatment, recovery and times when everyday activities feel more challenging.

Why choose Trinity Homecare?

With more than 25 years of experience, our mission is to enrich lives through heartfelt care and support. Our professional teams deliver personalised hospice care at home that helps people live with dignity and comfort.

Choosing Trinity Homecare means:

• A fully regulated service rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission
• Nationally recognised with multiple awards for quality care
• Trusted by families across England for compassionate support
• Handpicked and thoroughly vetted carers matched to your lifestyle and clinical needs

Talk to us today

If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.

Call us on 020 4572 5583 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.