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    Home Dialysis Benefits

    Reviewed by Medical Contributor Dinesh K. Chatoth, MD, FASN on December 11, 2023.
    Home dialysis on your schedule
    Enjoy flexibility with your treatment schedule with home dialysis so you can continue working, traveling, or spending time with loved ones. A home dialysis advocate can help.
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    More control, greater independence, and flexibility—these are just some of the benefits that may come with choosing home dialysis. Whether you're just starting treatment or you're currently going to a dialysis center, you may be able to switch to dialysis from the comfort of your own home.

    There are two types of home dialysis to consider—peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (home HD). Your nephrologist, or kidney doctor, will help you decide if home dialysis is the right option for you.

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    Home peritoneal dialysis
    With PD, your blood is filtered naturally using tiny blood vessels in the lining of your abdomen (also called the peritoneum).

    Did you know? With incremental PD, dialysis is slowly introduced into your routine, which is gentler on your body and can help you keep your remaining kidney function longer. You can ease into dialysis and may be able to bein with as little as one treatment per day, as prescribed by your kidney doctor. 
    Learn more
    Home hemodialysis
    During home HD, your blood is filtered outside your body through an artificial kidney (also called a dialyzer).
    Learn more

    Both PD and home HD are safe, reliable options for people who want the freedom and flexibility of doing dialysis at home. Set up a call today to learn more about home dialysis.
    of nephrologists would choose home dialysis1.
    Rob's dialysis journey
    Starting home peritoneal dialysis (PD) left Rob feeling healthier and more energetic while keeping up with his busy work schedule. 
    Read his story

    What are the benefits of home dialysis?

    Home dialysis lets you schedule treatments around your lifestyle—not the other way around. There's a reason why 91% of nephrologists would choose home dialysis as a treatment option1. Here are some of the main benefits of performing dialysis at home.


    • Control—You have greater control over your time and schedule. With no drive time to and from a dialysis center, you free up time to do more of what you love, whether that's enjoying hobbies or spending time with family.
    • Flexibility—With home dialysis, you have more flexibility with where you can do dialysis. Your machine can travel with you. And with PD, you do not need a machine or electricity to do your treatment.
    • Gentler start—PD may offer a gentler start to dialysis. And with PD, your kidneys can continue to function for as long as they possibly can.
    • Freedom—Did you know you can travel while on dialysis? We'll help you schedule appointments and manage treatments while you're on the go.
    • Energy—Longer and more frequent treatments, if prescribed by your doctor, can reduce your recovery time after dialysis. This can help you feel better and more energetic.
    • Independence—You can be successful with home dialysis independently or, if you choose, with a care partner. Some people even choose to have more than one care partner. You get to decide how many people will support you during treatment.
    • Fewer restrictions—You may have fewer food restrictions and need fewer medications while on home dialysis.
    • Better outcomes—People who choose home dialysis are often healthier and, overall, may live longer.

    Is home dialysis with Fresenius Kidney Care the best choice for me?

    Home dialysis can be an ideal treatment option for many people—even you. There are many factors to consider when choosing a treatment option, and your nephrologist will consider all of them when determining whether home dialysis is a good fit for you.

    Anyone who has been prescribed home dialysis is qualified to do it—no medical experience necessary! When undergoing home dialysis, you will receive plenty of training and support to ensure safe and effective treatment. Resources include:

    Award-winning home dialysis training

    Treatment at home begins with our award-winning home dialysis training. Your home dialysis nurse will walk you through every step of the process. If you choose to have a care partner, your partner will go through training with you.

    A dedicated home dialysis care team

    Your care team is made up of many individuals, including your nephrologist, nurse, social worker, and dietitian. If you have a care partner, they can assist you with your treatments, make sure your sessions are done on schedule, provide moral support, or just keep you company. You will also have access to 24/7 on­ call nursing coverage.

    Support with preparing your home and managing your equipment

    An important part of your home dialysis training is preparing your home for treatment. Your home dialysis nurse is an expert at setting up your space for dialysis while making sure you still feel right at home.

    PatientHub, a convenient online platform

    The PatientHub platform helps you stay connected with your care team between monthly visits. You can also use it to track your treatment data, which can help you make healthier choices.

    Access to the Kidney Care Community

    Our Kidney Care Community is an online forum where you can share experiences, ask questions, and find support from others affected by CKD.
    Empowered at work and at home
    Home hemodialysis (home HD) gave Frances greater flexibility and a new outlook on her dialysis care, allowing her to keep up with her teenage daughter and stay active at work.
    Read her story

    You have the power to switch to home dialysis

    You may be surprised to learn how many choices you have when it comes to your dialysis treatment—choices that fit into the life you want to live. For example, did you know that many people switch from one type of dialysis treatment to another at some point? Even if you start on PD, your nephrologist could switch you to home HD later on.

    Your needs may change throughout your dialysis journey—so can your treatment. Talk with your nephrologist to learn which options are available for you and determine which treatment plan best fits your needs.

    Frequently Asked Questions about home dialysis

    Click on a question to reveal the answer.

    You will work with your nephrologist to create a customized plan for your home treatment. Some plans include shorter dialysis treatments that occur every day. That means there is less time for waste and extra fluid to build up in your body between treatments. Other plans include longer treatments that occur a few times a week. This means you may have one or two treatment-free days each week. The treatment schedule you are prescribed will be designed to help you feel better so you can enjoy more time doing the things you love. 

    Many insurance plans cover home dialysis. Benefits and coverage vary by plan. There may be other costs for home dialysis based on your home and the type of dialysis you choose. Factors that affect the total cost include where you live, the equipment you use, and your insurance plan. An insurance coordinator can help you understand your insurance coverage. They can also provide information about resources to help manage expenses. 

    Yes. Doing dialysis at night while you sleep is an option, and it has many benefits. Doing treatment at night frees up your days to work, travel, spend time with loved ones, or pursue hobbies. Talk to your nephrologist to learn if doing dialysis at night is a good fit for you. 

    For some people, yes. If you still have some kidney function, your nephrologist may recommend incremental PD. This is considered a gradual start to dialysis, taking your remaining kidney function into account and helping ease your symptoms with as little as one dialysis exchange per day in the comfort of your own home.

    Your care team will monitor your health and adjust your treatment if your needs change over time. This gradual start to dialysis can help you stay connected to the activities and routines that matter most to you, while also allowing you to supplement the remaining kidney function you have. 

    Source:

    1 2021 Nephro ATU Study