QUIZ: Could You Be a Home Dialysis Care Partner?

If you are thinking of becoming a peritoneal dialysis (PD) or home hemodialysis (HHD) care partner, learn more about what it takes to be a helpful and effective care partner by answering these true or false questions.

Question #1: TRUE or FALSE

A PD or HHD care partner should have a flexible schedule and good time management skills.

Answer: TRUE

Treating at home can be time consuming for the patient and the care partner. It is helpful for both parties to adjust their schedules to be flexible with treatment times.

Question #2: TRUE or FALSE

A PD or HHD care partner must be related to the patient.

Answer: FALSE

A care partner does not need to be related to the patient, but they should have a positive relationship with each other. A neighbor, close friend or a professional caregiver are all common.

Question #3: TRUE or FALSE

Care partners go through the same training as home dialysis patients.

Answer: TRUE

During training, patients and care partners learn how to perform PD or HHD treatments, maintain a sanitary environment, keep accurate treatment records, troubleshoot dialysis problems and more.

Question #4: TRUE or FALSE

With the help of a care partner, patients dialyzing at home may experience a greater quality of life than in a center.

Answer: TRUE

Home dialysis can offer more control over your time and a flexible schedule, which may be associated with benefits1 such as

  • Better chance of receiving a transplant2
  • More energy3 and improved sleep quality4
  • Quicker recovery between treatments5
  • Fewer diet restrictions6
  • More opportunity to pursue work and life goals7
  • Greater flexibility when traveling
  • Fewer trips per month to the dialysis center
  • Fewer symptoms of depression8 and improved mental and physical health9
  • Increased satisfaction with sex life10
  • Decreased need for blood pressure medications11
  • Less stress on the heart12

Question #5: TRUE or FALSE

A care partner will be responsible for tackling treatment complications.

Answer: TRUE

Care partners will be trained to solve patient complications such as low blood pressure, muscle cramps or a dialyzer blood leak.

Become a care partner

DaVita trains thousands of patients and care partners to succeed with PD and HHD each year, and you could be one of them.

Not all patients are eligible for each modality. This quiz is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.

1. Benefits may vary based on frequency of prescribed dialysis treatments, as determined by your physician. 2. Weinhandl E et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2012 May; 23(5): 895-904.3. Finkelstein FO et al.Kidney Int. 2012;82(5):561-9.4. Jaber BL et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011;6(5):1049-1056.5. Jaber B et al. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010;56:531-539. 6. Galland R et al. Kidney International. 2001;60:1555-1560. 7. Helantera I et al. Am J Kidney Dis.2012;59(5):700-706. 8. Jaber B et al. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010;56:531-539. 9.Fiinkelstein F et al. Poster presentation - Annual Dialysis Conference, 2011. 10.Kraus MA et al. Abstract presented at the American Society of Nephrology Conference, 2011. 11. Jaber BL et al. Poster Presentation-American Society of Nephrology Renal Week, 2009. 12. FHN Trial Group. N Engl J Med. 2010;63(24):2287-2300.