ESRD and Health Education

Shatter the Myths About Depression

This poster helps to dispel myths about the depression that can accompany a chronic disease such as end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Pneumococcus Vaccine Fact Sheet

Patients with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of pneumococcus infection. Read this fact sheet to learn more about the pneumococcal vaccine.

Influenza Fact Sheet

Patients with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of influenza infection. Read this fact sheet to learn more about the flu vaccine.

Hepatitis B Fact Sheet

Patients with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of Hepatitis B infection. Read this fact sheet to learn more about the Hepatitis B vaccination. 

Health Education in Multiple Languages(2)

Use these links to find health information in languages other than English. See our quality guidelines for how we select the links on these pages. You can also browse information by health topic.

What I Need to Know About Kidney Failure and How It's Treated

Kidney failure means your kidneys no longer filter your blood well enough to keep you healthy. Learn all about kidney failure including treatment options, questions for your doctor, and tips on eating, diet, and nutrition.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Medicines: What You Need to Know

Because you have chronic kidney disease, you should take steps to protect your kidneys. Make changes to what you eat, manage your blood pressure, and manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes. You also need to be careful about all of the medicines you take. Read this brochure to learn more, and talk with your pharmacist if you have questions. Also in Spanish.

Availability of Auxiliary Aids and Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  (CMS) takes appropriate steps to make sure that people with disabilities, including people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or blind, or who have low vision or other sensory limitations, have an equal opportunity to participate in our services, activities, programs, and other benefits. This site lists free auxiliary aids and services to help CMS better communicate with people with disabilities.

My Plan, My Care

The Little Book About Kidneys: A Guide for Children About Kidney Disease and Treatment

The Little Book About Kidneys by Victoria Hanson and illustrated by Jenny Tulip, will help you talk to young children about your kidneys and the treatments you may experience. It is intended to support you in explaining your kidney failure to children. 

My Plan, My Care Video

Because Your Voice Matters―QAPI Meeting Resource

Because Your Voice Matters Video

You Can Live: Your Guide for Living with Kidney Failure

This booklet gives tips on  treating kidney failure, making treatments better, and  living a healthier lifestyle.

AKF Beat the Heat

When you are on dialysis, fluid (water) builds up in you blood between treatments. Here's some helpful info on fluid management.

AKF Kidney Friendly Diet

Dialysis helps to do some of the work that your kidneys did when they were healthy. But dialysis does not work as well as healthy kidneys, and it cannot do everything that healthy kidneys do. If you have kidney failure/ESRD, you must monitor the amounts of fluid and certain nutrients you take in each day. This can help keep waste and fluid from building up in your blood and causing problems.

American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association website provides information, resources and tools to help patients and families manage diabetes.

Dialysis Facility Compare

This site helps you find and compare Medicare-certified dialysis facilities. You can see how each facility compares to others based on star ratings, services offered, and quality of care.  This tool is especially helpful if you are on vacation and need to find a temporary facility.

Dialysis Facility Compare Educational Resources

This site helps you understand the Dialysis Facility Compare website, where you can find and compare Medicare-certified dialysis facilities. You can see how each facility compares to others based on star ratings, services offered, and quality of care. This tool is especially helpful if you are on vacation and need to find a temporary facility.

American Heart Association Diabetes Self-Management

The American Heart Association provides a free support network for diabetes awareness and management.

Navigating Your ESRD Journey

Navigating Your ESRD Journey provides information that kidney patients have provided to help other kidney patients be an active member of their care team and make the best choices for their life journey with ESRD.

Life Options Fact Sheets

These easy-to-read 2-page fact sheets about anemia, vascular access, hemodialysis adequacy, fluids, dialysis equipment, rehabilitation, and more are available in both English and Spanish. Resource lists and frequently-asked questions make these fact sheets both user-friendly and substantive.

Social Security - Understanding the Benefits

The Social Security Administration wants you to understand what Social Security can mean to you
and your family's financial future. This publication, Understanding The Benefits, explains the basics of the
Social Security retirement, disability, and survivors insurance programs.

Medicare.gov

The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare, family members, and caregivers. Includes the latest information on Medicare enrollment, benefits, and other helpful tools.

Kidney School

Kidney School is a comprehensive online learning center for people with kidney disease and those that care for them. It includes learning modules, audio books, and free postcards

Health Education in Multiple Languages

Use these links to find health information in languages other than English. You can also browse information by health topic.