Artículo
Caring for someone with kidney disease
Caring for a loved one with kidney disease can be rewarding and demanding. It takes knowledge, patience and support. Learn how to manage daily responsibilities, understand treatment options, speak up with confidence and connect with the help you need.
- Revisión médica de
- AKF's Medical Advisory Committee
- Última actualización
- November 18, 2025
What is a care partner?
A care partner (or caregiver) is someone who takes an active role in supporting a person living with kidney disease, often without formal medical training. This role can feel overwhelming, especially at first, and it’s normal to experience stress, uncertainty, or even fear as you adjust. This role can include helping with daily tasks like managing medicines, organizing appointments, providing transportation and keeping track of lab results. Care partners also offer emotional support, help their loved one understand complex medical information and often speak up on their behalf.
What does a care partner do?
Taking on the role of a care partner means becoming a partner in health. To be truly effective, you need a strong understanding of the condition the person you're caring for has and their treatment plan. This basic knowledge helps you make good decisions, handle daily care and keep track of important medical information.
Essentials to understanding chronic kidney disease
Stages
CKD has five stages. In stages 1 and 2, most people don't have any symptoms. As CKD progresses to the last stage of CKD, kidney failure, the kidneys can no longer function well enough to meet the body's needs. Understanding CKD stages helps you know what to expect, track changes and plan care. Each stage affects treatment decisions, foods they can eat and how often lab tests and doctor visits are needed.
Tests
There are two important tests to check how well the kidneys are working. The eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) measures how well the kidneys filter waste and the uACR (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio) checks for protein in the urine. Tracking these numbers helps doctors monitor changes and adjust treatment to slow damage to the kidneys.
Risk factors
High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and a family history of kidney problems increase the risk for CKD. Other factors like age, smoking and race/ethnicity also play a role. Knowing these risk factors helps you look for warning signs and take steps to prevent further damage.
Medicine and symptom tracking
Keeping track of medicines and symptoms is one of the most important parts of caregiving. It helps prevent mistakes, reduces complications and gives doctors the information they need to make the best decisions about treatment.
- Start by keeping a detailed medicine list that includes the name, dose, timing, purpose, prescriber, and pharmacy for each medicine.
- Track refill schedules, use pill organizers, and make sure medicines are stored safely and out of reach of children.
- Avoid overusing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, since they can make kidney function worse.
In addition to tracking medicines, note things like:
- Blood pressure changes: A rise in blood pressure may mean the kidneys are struggling to remove fluid or that medicines need adjusting. Very low readings could indicate dehydration or medicine side effects.
- Changes in weight: Sudden weight gain often means the body is retaining fluid. Rapid weight loss could signal dehydration, poor nutrition, or illness.
- Swelling: New or worsening swelling in the feet, legs, hands, or around the eyes can be a sign of fluid buildup, which may mean the kidneys are not working well.
- Changes in urine: Foamy urine may mean protein loss. Very little or no urine can signal kidney failure or dehydration. Blood in the urine or dark-colored urine could mean infection or kidney damage.
These details can reveal early signs of infection, fluid buildup, or other complications. Write down when symptoms appear, what might have triggered them, and how long they last. Regular, accurate tracking helps doctors adjust treatments quickly and keep your loved one feeling their best.
The importance of knowing the cause of kidney disease
Download this guide to learn why finding the cause of kidney disease matters, what common tests mean and what to ask at appointments. Care partners are a vital part of the care team, and your voice plays an important role in making sure your loved one gets the best care possible.
How can I stay organized as a care partner?
Caring for someone with kidney disease involves keeping track of several details, from medicines to lab results. Staying organized helps reduce stress and makes it easier to manage your loved one's care.
Helpful tips:
- Create a health summary
- Keep medical records organized
- Use a calendar or set reminders
- Know how to request records
- Prioritize daily tasks
- Keep contact lists updated
- Keep a routine
- Back up important information
How do I prepare for a doctor's appointment?
Being prepared before each appointment helps you make the most of your time with the care team. Bring an up-to-date list of all medicines and supplements, copies of recent lab results, and your loved one's insurance card. Having everything ready ensures your loved one's care team has accurate information to guide their decisions.
Know their care team
Familiarize yourself with the people involved in your loved one's care, such as their nephrologist, primary care provider, nurse, dietitian, and social worker. Knowing each person's role and how to reach them makes it easier to get answers, share updates, and stay organized.
Get clarity
Clear next steps help prevent confusion and missed follow-ups. Before you leave, make sure you have a written plan that includes any new instructions, warning signs to watch for, after-hours contact information, and the date of the next appointment. This makes it easier to manage care between visits.
Teach-back method
The teach-back method is a simple way to make sure you understand what the doctor or nurse is telling you. After they explain something, repeat the instructions back in your own words. For example, you might say, "I want to make sure I understood this correctly. Here's what I heard…" This gives the care team a chance to confirm the information or clear up any confusion before you leave the appointment.
Questions to ask:
- What is the goal of today's visit?
- How are their kidneys doing compared to last time?
- What should we watch for at home that might need a call or visit?
- What are the next steps and when should they happen?
- Who do we call if we have questions after hours?
When should I seek urgent care?
Some symptoms can't wait. Acting quickly can prevent a small problem from becoming an emergency. Call the doctor right away or go to the emergency room if the person you're caring for has any of the following symptoms:
- High fever (103°F or higher)
- Severe pain
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Heavy bleeding
- No urine output (if not on dialysis)
- Signs of infection, such as chills or weakness
How can I support my loved one with meal planning?
Your loved one may have guidelines to follow for what to eat and drink based on their stage of kidney disease and lab values. Nutrition needs also shift for people who are on dialysis or preparing for or recovering from a kidney transplant. Because nutrition plays such a key role in kidney health, care partners are often essential partners in helping with food planning, shopping, and meal preparation.
You can support your loved one by understanding what their doctor or dietitian recommends for a kidney-friendly eating plan. You can learn how this may change with each stage of kidney disease.
Care partners can support their loved one by reading food labels, planning meals in advance, and keeping a record of what foods work best and which ones cause symptoms. Talk with a registered dietitian or kidney care team to adjust the plan as needs change.
Kidney Kitchen makes healthy eating easier
Explore kidney-friendly recipes created by registered dietitians, with filters for each stage of kidney disease and nutrition goals. Find meal plans, cooking videos, and tips to help you support your loved one’s health.
Kidney Kitchen makes healthy eating easier
Find kidney-friendly recipes created by registered dietitians with filters for each stage of kidney disease and nutrition goals. This tool offers meal plans, cooking videos and tips to help you support your loved one's health.
Become a paid care partner through a state Medicaid program
If someone with a disability already receives Medicaid, their state may allow a family member or friend to become a paid care partner.
Many states call this a consumer-directed personal assistance program. Each state has different requirements and rules.
What are my rights as a care partner?
You and the person you care for have the right to clear information, participation in decisions, privacy, and respectful care without discrimination. Understanding these rights can help you feel more confident when speaking up or making decisions together.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
You are also protected under laws such as the FMLA, which allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave to care for a seriously ill family member. This law entitles someone to up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave per year to care for a parent, spouse or child.
Legal and planning documents
Legal documents help make sure your loved one's wishes are followed if they can't speak for themselves.
- Power of attorney gives someone the legal right to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf.
- Medical directives outline the types of treatment your loved one would or would not want in serious or end-of-life situations.
Having these documents in place can prevent confusion, reduce family stress, and ensure that care decisions reflect values and preferences.
Advocate for your loved one
Advocacy means making sure your loved one's needs and values guide their care. It can be as simple as asking for a second opinion or requesting materials in your language. As a care partner, you play a key role in helping them speak up, ask questions, and make choices that reflect their values, culture, and goals. Start by talking openly about their goals, beliefs, and daily life needs. Encourage them to express their preferences during appointments, and if something doesn't feel right, ask for a second opinion.
Discrimination
Every patient deserves fair treatment no matter their race, language, income, or background. If you notice your loved one being dismissed or offered fewer options, speak up and take notes on what happened. Ask to speak with a patient advocate, a hospital staff member who helps patients resolve concerns and ensure fair care.
The Kidney Health for All website provides information and education to help patients and care partners understand and address health disparities in kidney care.
How can I care for myself?
The demands of caregiving can lead to burnout, stress and serious mental health challenges. Taking time to care for yourself is not selfish; it's necessary to stay strong, healthy, and emotionally balanced for the journey ahead.
Recognizing and preventing burnout is one of the most important parts of self-care. Learn to notice signs of stress, fatigue, and emotional strain, and give yourself permission to step back when you need rest.
Building a support network of family, friends, or other care partners can help you share the load and feel less isolated.
It's also important to set boundaries. Say yes only to what you can handle and schedule regular breaks, even short ones, to recharge. By protecting your own well-being, you'll be better able to provide the best care for the person you care for.
Get our caregiver burnout guide
Our caregiver burnout guide offers practical tips to help you manage stress, set boundaries, and care for your own health while supporting someone with kidney disease. Learn how to recognize burnout early and find balance so you can focus on caring for your loved one.
This content was funded through our Unknown Causes of Kidney Disease Program with support from our Title Sponsors:
