Kidney Smart On-line Program Menu Content Version 5...Kidney Smart On-line Program Menu Content...

Kidney Smart On-line Program Menu Content Version 5.0

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Kidney Smart On-line Program Menu Level Content

Video Script and On-screen Text

Home Page

Introduction (video):

Welcome to the Kidney Smart Education Program.

Right now you’re probably experiencing a wide range of emotions if you, a family member,

friend, or loved one has just received a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, often referred to by

the initials “CKD.”

The Kidney Smart program is here to offer you hope, and information, to keep you feeling vital,

and on a course of well-being. This program combines presentation modules, downloadable

resources, and visual animations with tips to help you meet the challenges that CKD may bring

to your body, your spirit, and your budget.

The program is designed to help you understand your stage of CKD and what it means to your

life. If you have questions specific to your personal health, please contact your doctor. To get

started, click on the section that best fits your needs. If you are not sure, click on the section

guide to learn more.

Early Stage Section Guide (video):

The Early Stage Section is designed for patients who have just been diagnosed with CKD, and

may have been told they should take action to maintain and protect their kidney function. You

may have heard this described as Stage 2 or 3 CKD, or your doctor may have given you a GFR

number that suggested action is necessary. You may be feeling fine, with no symptoms that your

kidneys are having trouble. Even if you don’t yet need dialysis, it is very important to

understand that planning ahead and following your doctor’s advice about your diet, medicines,

and exercise can help you to delay dialysis or to avoid it in the future. This section will guide

you to better kidney health.

This content has been reviewed once and recorded.


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Late Stage Section Guide (video):

The Late Stage Section is designed for people who have been told that they have reached Stage 4

or Stage 5 CKD. You and your doctor are likely discussing when you will start dialysis, or

perhaps you have already had your first dialysis treatments. You may also be discussing the

possibility of kidney transplant. This section will help you to understand whether you are a

transplant candidate, how to get onto a transplant list or find your own donor, and how you will

prepare for transplant. While you are awaiting transplant, or if you choose not to try for

transplant, this section also describes the different kinds of dialysis, and provides guidance to

help make the decision about which kind of dialysis fits best with your life. You’ll find other

information about diet and healthy living, to help you to support your kidneys and your general

health as you enter this next phase of your life with CKD.

Care Partner Section Guide (video):

The Care Partner Section is specifically geared to providing information and support for family

and friends helping to care for people with CKD, at whatever stage. As a Care Partner, you are

an essential part of the health care team. You may be deeply involved with the decision-making

process about treatment, and interested in finding resources to keep yourself as well informed as

possible about the kidney-friendly diet, medications, dialysis treatments, and personal needs.

Through all of this, you, as Care Partner, need care, too. This section provides resources to help

support you in your very important role.



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Early Stage CKD Page (1)

Early Stage Editorial (on-screen text):

In three sections, called Living, Learning, and Choices you will find information about diet,

lifestyle, and treatment choices that will help to maintain your kidney function and overall

health. Click on one of the titles to get started.

Early Stage Section Panel Editorials (on-screen text below “>Go” button):

Living

Understand how CKD may affect your life and ways to maintain better kidney health.

Learning

Find explanations about how your kidneys work and how CKD affects their function.

Choices

Learn about kidney-friendly diet and lifestyle choices, and begin to plan for the future.

Early Stage Introduction (video):

This section of the Kidney Smart Program is specifically geared toward people with Early Stage

Kidney Disease. In three sections, called Living, Learning, and Choices, you will find expert

information that will help you create a plan that includes healthy diet, lifestyle, and treatment

choices, as well as links to helpful resources.

It can be confusing to hear from your doctor that you have kidney disease, especially becauseyou

may feel fine, and be symptom-free. But your blood tests show that your kidneys are not

working properly, and you need to take special care of your body. Your doctor and health care



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team may prescribe a diet that is “kidney-friendly,” and encourage you now, more than ever, to

make healthy choices, to stop smoking, and to get regular exercise. Your team will ask that you

closely follow recommended treatments for your kidneys as well as other health conditions you

may have, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Many people feel a combination of worry, sadness, and even anger that their body is somehow

letting them down. Life may suddenly have become chaotic, as you try to absorb a great deal of

information from new doctors or health care providers, who often use medical terms that are hard

to understand.

You may feel stressed and overwhelmed about the many choices ahead concerning treatments,

and how your home life and work life may be affected by all of these choices.

The good news is that the progression of kidney disease is usually slow – over the course of

years. Although receiving a diagnosis of a chronic disease – one you will live with for your

whole life – is distressing, it is important to understand that you have time to learn, live, and take

action to choose a path that may slow or even prevent the progression of disease. You can

maintain your well-being for many years to come, but knowledge and action are essential.

These three sections will help you navigate the new world of CKD, and the physical, emotional,

insurance, and budget challenges ahead.

Early Stage Living Section Guide (video):

In the Living section you will find information about the very first stages of CKD, and what this

means for you, your family, and your work life. Although life may start to change, your doctor

and health care team will likely encourage you to enjoy your usual routines, even with this new

diagnosis. You’ll understand the ways your health care team will monitor your kidney function

over time, and learn about some modifications to medications or diet that your doctor may

suggest to support your health. You’ll also hear about a strategy we call “Take Control - Make a

Plan – and Stay Your Course” – so that you feel well-informed and able to be a ready partner in

your own health care.




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Early Stage Learning Section Guide (video):

In the Learning section, you will find state-of-the-art visual explanations of the anatomy and

function of your kidneys, and some common causes of CKD. You’ll also find step-wise

information about how your health care team determines the stage of your CKD, and ways they

will monitor your health over time.

Early Stage Choices Section Guide (video):

In the Choices section, you’ll find information, strategies, and tools to “Take Control - Make a

Plan – and Stay Your Course.” Making a plan includes important information about a kidney-

friendly diet, exercise, healthy living, and keeping up-to-date on insurance and budget matters.

Understanding this information will help you to create a plan that keeps stress to a minimum, and

takes good care of your body, your feelings, and your budget, as time goes on.



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Early Stage “Living” Page (1a)

Early Stage “Living” Editorial (on-screen text):

A diagnosis of CKD doesn’t mean completely letting go of your life, but you will start

incorporating some new health and lifestyle routines into your everyday life, now and in the

future. Meet the members of your new health care team, and understand the guidelines they’ll

suggest for keeping your kidneys working as well as possible, for as long as possible. This

section will help you to Take control - Make a plan- and Stay your course for a healthier future.

Early Stage “Living” (video):

Living with Early Stage Chronic Kidney Disease doesn’t mean completely letting go of your life

-- your normal daily routines, such as spending time with family, recreation, and work activities,

including travel, can and should be maintained. At the same time, you and those around you will

be adapting to this new situation. In this section, there are strategies for letting people know

about your diagnosis, and some important things to keep in mind, both on the home front and the

work front. You will find an introduction to the members of your new health care team, and how

each plays a special role in your care. Included are some immediate steps your doctor may

recommend to help keep you and your kidneys as healthy as possible, such as the basics of a

“kidney-friendly diet” and a heads up about common elements of a treatment plan, like making

sure that your blood pressure is carefully controlled, and if you smoke, getting serious about

stopping. If you have diabetes, watching what you eat will be very important. Living starts with

understanding your situation and taking action. This section will help you Take Control-Make a

Plan-Stay Your Course for a healthier future.



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Early Stage “Learning” Page (1b)

Early Stage “Learning” Editorial (on-screen text):

Learning about your kidneys and how they are affected by CKD is a good first step to taking

control of your health and life. With this understanding of the anatomy and function of your

kidneys you’ll see how the diet, lifestyle, and treatment routines that your health care team will

suggest will help to support your kidneys. Hopefully, this will make it easier to incorporate these

changes into everyday life, and appreciate why it’s important for your health care team will to

carefully monitor your kidney function over time.

Early Stage “Learning” (video):

Until now, you may not have ever thought about your kidneys. Although you can’t see them or

feel them, they have suddenly become the focus of a great deal of attention. The knowledge you

will gain from state-of-the-art pictures and explanations of how your kidneys work, the most

common causes for why and how kidneys stop working, the different stages of CKD, and the

treatments that your doctor might suggest now and in the future are powerful tools for you to rely

on, as you adjust to life with CKD. You’ll also learn about some of the ways that your health

care team will keep close tabs, to track how your kidneys are doing.



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Early Stage “Choices” Page (1c)

Early Stage “Choices” Editorial (on-screen text):

Diet, lifestyle, and treatment choices that you make right now, may delay or even prevent future

health problems. But you don’t have to go this alone. Even at this early stage of CKD, creating

good support networks among family and friends, and developing healthy routines will help you

to Take Control - Make a Plan - Stay Your Course to keep you feeling well for a good, long time.

Early Stage Choices (video):

You are at an early stage of kidney disease, which means that you’re hearing this at the best

possible time to delay or even prevent future health problems. The key is careful planning,

which starts with choices you can make right now. We call this: “Take Control – Make a Plan –

Stay your Course.” Here in the Choices section you will learn about the foods and drinks that

are easiest on your kidneys, and also foods and some medicines that you should avoid. Another

great way to get or stay healthy is to exercise regularly, control your weight, and pay close

attention to the treatments that your doctor may have prescribed for your kidneys, and any other

health problems you may have, like diabetes or a heart condition. If you smoke, now is the time

to get help to quit. Sometimes it may seem hard to keep track of all of these choices and

decisions, and still live a normal life. Now, and going forward, finding support from your

family, your community, and your health care team is especially important. We’ve got

suggestions and resources to help you Take Control - Make a Plan – and Stay Your Course,” to

keep you feeling well for a good, long time.



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Late Stage CKD Page (2)

Late Stage Editorial (on-screen text):

In three sections, called Living, Learning, and Choices you will find information about diet,

lifestyle, and treatment choices, including kidney transplant and dialysis, that are necessary for

continued health, once your kidneys being to fail. Click on one of the titles to get started.

Late Stage Introduction (video):

This section of the Kidney Smart Program is specifically geared toward people with Late Stage

Kidney Disease. In three sections, called Living, Learning, and Choices, you will find

information on the ways that continuing loss of kidney function affects how you feel and the

treatment options that you will soon be deciding upon. Expert information will help you

understand the elements of a treatment plan for transplant and or dialysis, as well as palliative

care, and the diet and lifestyle choices that maximize your treatment’s success. Also available are

links to helpful resources.

Late Stage Section Panel Editorials (on-screen text below “>Go” button):

Living

Understand the symptoms of Late Stage CKD and treatment options to help control symptoms

and preserve your health.

Learning

Find explanations about how your kidneys work, how your CKD is monitored, and the ways that

continuing loss of kidney function affects how you feel.

Choices

Learn about treatment options, including transplant, dialysis, and palliative care or comfort care.


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Late Stage Living Section Guide (video):

In this Late Stage Living section you will find information about Stages 4 and 5 of CKD – what

it means when your kidneys begin to fail, how you may expect to feel, and how treatment may

affect your everyday life. You’ll understand the important roles played by various members of

your health care team, and how they can help you make some useful modifications to lifestyle,

medications, and diet to support your health. You’ll also hear about a strategy we call “Take

Control - Make a Plan – and Stay Your Course” – so that you feel well-informed and able to be

a ready partner in your own health care.

Late Stage Learning Section Guide (video):

In this Late Stage Learning section, you will find state-of-the-art visual explanations of the

anatomy and function of your kidneys, some common causes of CKD, and the ways that

continuing loss of kidney function affects how you feel. There is also step-wise information that

explains how your health care team determines the stage of your CKD and when you have

moved from one stage to the next, as well as ways they will monitor your health and kidney

function over time.

Late Stage Choices Section Guide (video):

In this Late Stage Choices section are complete explanations of available treatment options and

guides to help you decide, along with your health care team, about the one that will work best for

you. You’ll learn about kidney transplant surgery, and the two types of dialysis, called peritoneal

dialysis and hemodialysis. You will also find information about palliative care, sometimes called

comfort care, if you make the difficult decision not to pursue treatment to support life.


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Late Stage “Living” Page (2a)


Starting CKD treatment means fitting new, daily routines into everyday life. . Explaining to

family, friends, and co-workers how you manage treatment will help everyone to become

comfortable with these necessary adjustments. You will be seeing your health care team more

frequently to manage your symptoms and monitor treatment, and the team can also provide

helpful advice for coping at home and at work.

Late Stage Living (video):

Living with Late Stage Chronic Kidney Disease and starting treatment doesn’t mean completely

letting go of your life. Even so, your ongoing treatment will mean fitting new daily routines into

your life. Thoughtful planningwill help you to adjust to these changes and then share the news

about your treatment planswith the folks at home and at work. The members of your health care

team each play a special role in your care. You’ll soon understand a great deal more about

treatment options, and how diet and exercise, lifestyle choices, and careful attention to

controlling other health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, support treatment

success. All of this goes a long way toward living more comfortably with Late Stage CKD, and

will help you Take Control - Make a Plan – and Stay Your Course for a healthier future.


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Late Stage “Learning” Page (2b)


The progression to Stage 4 or Stage 5 CKD signifies that your kidneys have continued to lose

function, which will bring changes to symptoms you may experience, and means that treatment

will start. Your health care team will monitor your condition, and design treatments that match

your health and lifestyle needs.

Late Stage Learning (video):

The significant loss of kidney function that places you in Late Stage CKD, called Stages 4 and 5,

means that treatment will start soon, or may have already begun. Visualizing the changes to your

kidneys through state-of-the-art pictures and explanations, the most common reasons that

kidneys stop working, and the effect that loss of kidney function may have on you, will help you

to better understand the available treatment options. In this section, you’ll find an overview of

these treatments, including transplant and dialysis, as well as more detailed explanations of the

ways that your health care team will keep close tabs, to track your kidney function.


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Late Stage “Choices” Page (2c)

Late Stage Choices Editorial (on-screen text):

In Late Stage CKD and kidney failure, you will need to choose from one of several treatment

options because your kidneys no longer function at a level to maintain health.. These include

kidney transplant surgery, and two different types of dialysis: peritoneal dialysis and

hemodialysis. You will also learn about a fourth option, called palliative care, if you decide

against transplant or dialysis.

Late Stage Choices (video):

In Late Stage CKD and kidney failure, you will need to choose from one of several treatment

options because your kidneys no longer function at a level to maintain health. To Take Control -

Make a Plan –and Stay Your Course, you’ll need to think about which treatment plan, whether

transplant or one of the kinds of dialysis, best fits your health care needs, and lifestyle. This

section provides a great deal of explanation about these choices, and the diet and lifestyle

changes that support each. In the Transplant chapter you’ll learn about what makes someone a

good transplant candidate, the transplant evaluation, how to get on a transplant waiting list for

a kidney and the process involved in finding a living donor. If transplant is not an option,

there are two types of dialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis. Each of these has

distinct benefits and considerations, depending on your own preferences for how involved

you are able to be in managing your own treatment, and the flexibility you may need or

want as to the timing and duration of treatment. With any treatment option, practicing

healthy behaviors in your day-to-day life will help to increase your quality of life and

maintain your overall health. Finally, some people decide that they do not want to start or

continue dialysis or have a kidney transplant to stay alive. If this is your choice, you can

learn more about Palliative Care, which is designed to keep you comfortable as your body

takes its natural course.


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Care Partner Page (3)

Care Partner Editorial (on-screen text):

The Care Partner Section is specifically geared toward those important family and friends

helping to care for someone with CKD, at whatever stage. In two sections, called Caring for

Someone with CKD and Caring for Yourself, you will find information about Care Partner

tasks to support the different treatment options as well as resources to help you balance

your own well-being with your role as an effective Care Partner.

Care Partner Introduction (video):

For someone with chronic kidney disease, successful treatment often means calling on family or

friends to provide help and support. A Care Partner is someone chosen by a person with CKD to

assist with treatment, as well as everyday life logistics. If you are that important family member

or friend, you should understand that a care partner is not the same as a caregiver – the difference

is that you are sharing responsibility with the person you are caring for.

Depending on the stage of CKD your family member or friend has reached, whether early stage,

or the later stages, when decisions about dialysis or transplant are being made or are underway,

there is a Kidney Smart On-Line program to help.

Two elements of Kidney Smart On-line are geared toward the person with CKD, and are

organized according to Early Stage Disease or Late Stage Disease. In each of these, there are

three sections, called Living, Learning, and Choices, where you can learn about the anatomy and

function of the kidneys, about CDK and its causes, as well as information about diet and

treatment choices. There are also overviews as to how insurance and other benefits help pay for

CKD care and treatment, and helpful resources for further information.

But this section of the program is focused on you, the Care Partner.


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Care Partner Section Panel Editorials (on-screen text below “>Go” button):

Caring for Someone with CKD

Learn about Care Partner tasks to support the different treatment options.

Caring for Yourself

Create a solid Care Partner plan, and recognize the signs of burnout. Find resources to help you

balance your own well-being with your role as an effective Care Partner.

Care Partner “Caring for Someone with CKD” Section Guide (video):

In this section, Caring for Someone with CKD, you’ll learn a step-wise approach to being an

effective Care Partner, which includes understanding the training you’ll need to help with the

chosen treatment program, as well as organizing and assigning the tasks of everyday life.

Creating a reliable safety net of other family and friends who you can turn to for assistance is an

essential part of a good plan. Prioritizing the needs of the whole family, including time for

exercise and rest, is extremely important for care partnering to be sustainable.

Care Partner “Caring for Yourself” Section Guide (video):

When someone you live with or care about has CKD, you are living with a chronic illness, too.

In taking on the role of Care Partner, it is essential to remember that caring for yourself is just as

important as caring for the person with CKD.


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Care Partner “Caring for Someone with CKD” Page

(3a)

Care Partner “Caring for someone with CKD” Editorial (on-screen text):

As the Care Partner of someone with CKD, understanding the various types of treatments is the

first step in appreciating the role you may play to help treatment work as smoothly as possible.

Being well-acquainted with the nuts and bolts of treatment, and creating solid back-up plans will

help to ensure that your family member or friend with CKD will be able to meet any treatment

challenges.

Care Partner “Caring for Someone with CKD” (video):

Taking on the role of Care Partner for someone on dialysis may seem scary at first. Even before

you start, it is beneficial to understand what it takes to be an effective Care Partner. The chapters

on each of the two types of dialysis, peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, provide visual aids and

explanations about how you can help to carry out both of these treatments at home. But be

assured, no one starts home treatment without a thorough training course, and clinics have 24-

hour phone back-up. If you are the Care Partner for someone who has had a kidney transplant,

you can find information on what to expect following transplant surgery.


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Care Partner “Caring for yourself” Page (3b)

Care Partner “Caring for yourself” Editorial (on-screen text):

As important as the care you provide to your family or friend with CKD is the care you take of

yourself. Keeping the caring in balance, and attending to your own health and feelings is Job

One.

Care Partner “Caring for yourself” (video):

It is essential to balance care partnering with your personal emotional and health needs. There

are many ways to keep stress at a manageable level, so investigating techniques and practices to

reduce the stress of everyday and longer-term tasks is time well spent. It’s also important to

recognize when that crucial balance is tipping, so that you’re aware of the signs of burnout. It

will be important to develop coping strategies if the emotions of being a Care Partner start to

outweigh the benefits of the treatment you are helping to provide at home. You’ll learn about the

many resources at hand, including your wider circles of family and friends,the professional

health care team, and care partner organizations in the community, that can provide valuable

resources to help you remain strong and in balance with this generous and rewarding role you

have undertaken.

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