Online English/Spanish Treatment Options Tool

My Life, My Dialysis Choice is a free English/Spanish, values-based dialysis treatment matcher developed by the non-profit MEI and endorsed by AAKP and Home Dialyzors United.  You enter your lifestyle preferences, and My Life, My Dialysis Choice suggests treatment options most appropriate for you.  The tool is written at a 5th grade reading level and includes ALL types of dialysis.  Find My Life, My Dialysis Choice at https://mydialysischoice.org/.  It may load in either English or Spanish, but you can switch by clicking on the “English” or “Español” button in the upper left corner of the screen.

New Tools in Depression Toolkit

The Forum of ESRD Networks has added a recording and slides from their October 4, 2018 live webinar on Depression & Dialysis: Removing the Stigma and Strengthening our Mental Health.  The event was hosted by patient leaders from the the Forum in collaboration with AAKP and NKF.  Find these resources, plus ancillary tools, at http://esrdnetworks.org/education/quality-conference/quality-conference-webinar-series-2018-2019.

Depression Toolkit Revised

The National Forum of ESRD Networks has revised the Dialysis Patient Depression Toolkit and added a video.  Find the revised English version at http://esrdnetworks.org/resources/toolkits/patient-toolkits/new-toolkit-dialysis-patient-depression-toolkit/dialysis-patient-depression-toolkit-english and a Spanish version at http://esrdnetworks.org/resources/toolkits/patient-toolkits/new-toolkit-dialysis-patient-depression-toolkit/dialysis-patient-depression-toolkit-spanish.  A related video interview with a dialysis patient has also been recorded.  Find it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Iv6JytQt4.

11/15 Webinar on Supportive Care

The Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients will present a 15 November 2018 webinar on Mapping the Future: Implementation Strategies for Kidney Supportive Care.  This is the first in a series of webinars that parallels a series of Nephrology News & Issues articles on “supportive care” for kidney patients that will begin in the November 2018 issue.  Direct any questions you have to Kelly Brooks at kbrooks@nw5.esrd.net or 804-320-0004 x2706

Register for the webinar at https://qualitynet.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=qualitynet&service=6&rnd=0.9781770900950815&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fqualitynet.webex.com%2Fec3300%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b00000004cb0a9a58476d6bd293b5a9f17210c9e047618e1f532c1a7922440c6f4b391fed%26siteurl%3Dqualitynet%26confViewID%3D107244241343796963%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAATkodchRe-HYk3NR3hmhP3ljworAPoym4g8yOkYBUMOqg2%26.

Current plans include future webinars in the series on Providing Supportive Care: Tools & Resources for the Journey in December and Best Case/Worst Case and Older Patients in January.  Once they are scheduled, you can register for these webinars at https://qualitynet.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=qualitynet&service=6.

The Coalition for Supportive Care is an evolution of the earlier Kidney End-of-Life Coalition.  Their mission is to “Promote effective interchange among patients, families, healthcare professionals, and payers to ensure the provision of patient-centered supportive care for patients with kidney disease.  Supportive care is the continuum of palliative care and includes providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness.  The goal of the Coalition is to improve the quality of life for both patients and families from the time of diagnosis through to end-of-life care.”  Find out more about the Coalition for Supportive Care at https://kidneysupportivecare.org/Home.aspx.

10/23+ NW16 W WA Kidney Support Group

The Road Back to Life is a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring to dialysis patients, patient support groups, and award-winning CKD classes.  They offer patient support groups in Lynnwood WA on October 23, November 27, and December 25, 2018, and in both Monroe and Mountlake Terrace WA on November 13 and December 11.  They also provide November 8, December 6, and December 13, 2018 courses on HOPE (or Healthy Options) in Mountlake Terrace, and a six-part course November 7-December 19 on Survive and Thrive with CKD in Lynnwood WA.  For details see https://www.kidneysupportgroup.com/calendar/.  For more information on The Road Back to Life see https://www.kidneysupportgroup.com/.

10/22+ Laugh Will and Testament Webinar

DPC’s next Educational Call is an October 22, 2018 webinar called Laugh Will and Testament: Using Humor to Contemplate Mortality and Enjoy Life.  See the poster below and http://www.dpcedcenter.org/education-seminars for details.  RSVP at http://www.dpcedcenter.org/education-call-rsvp to get a reminder.

The DPC Education Center is a treasure trove of information on kidney disease; find it at http://www.dpcedcenter.org/.  Mark your calendar for future Educational Calls on November 15 and December 13, and 2019 Calls on January 24, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 22, September 26, October 24, November 28, and December 26.

10/4 Depression Toolkit Webinar

The Forum of ESRD Networks will present a webinar for patients highlighting the new Dialysis Patient Depression Toolkit, which was developed by patients for patients. The October 4, 2018 webinar, Depression & Dialysis: Removing the Stigma & Strengthening our Mental Health, includes presenters from AAKP and NKF.  Find details at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/Dialysis.Depression1.pdf and register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5681662958097152769.  This is a national webinar with limited capacity, so register early.  The Dialysis Patient Depression Toolkit itself can be found at https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/nwrn.org/files/P/DepressionToolkit.pdf.  A second webinar, for care providers and facilities, is being developed for early 2019.