Counseling Tips for Dialysis Patients

Dialysis is the medical process that includes running all of your blood through an electronic filter to rid it of toxins and potential infections. This is done when a patient's kidney function is not up to par and cannot naturally remove these toxins. Dialysis can be a scary thing, especially for those who need it on a regular basis. There are some appropriate ways to counsel such patients that can help them feel better.

Confirm That a Normal Life Is Possible

• Confirm to the patient that things are going to be OK. There are thousands of patients around the world that require regular dialysis who, otherwise, lead normal lives. All that it takes is a few extra trips to the hospital than most people have to take. Often times, in these situations, people tend to blow things out of proportion, thinking that their situation is much more dire than it actually is.

It Is Better Than the Alternative

• Sometimes, people in these situations think that their lives are going to be awful shells of what they once were because of dialysis. However, it can help a patient to be reminded that, although it is unfortunate that they have to go through it, without the dialysis, their liver would cease to function entirely and their blood would become infected. This would, in turn, cause a prolonged, painful death. Reminding a patient of this fact is usually all it takes to calm them down and make them see things in perspective. However, this should be done with care so that the patient knows that you truly care about her.

It Will Become a Routine

• Patients who face regular dialysis often worry that the procedure may consume their lives and hinder them from living their lives they way they want to. Let them know that receiving dialysis, however, will likely become something they will integrate into their lives. Eventually, regular dialysis becomes a habitual task, like going to the bathroom or going out to buy groceries. It will, in time, become a regular activity.