The society does not provide medical services of any kind, as its expertise lies in the areas of support, education, information and patient representation.
Kidney Society services are free for kidney failure families in Northland and Auckland, although membership is encouraged.
The Society works closely with the professionals providing medical care for people with kidney failure but is a strictly independent patient society providing support in the community.
"Walking Alongside" Patients and Families
Help with your feelings
Most people with kidney failure feel afraid and confused when they first find out they have kidney failure. Your family may not understand that your kidneys are not going to get better, but that you are still the same person. They may be afraid and confused too.
Kidney failure changes your life in many ways. your role in the family and the community may have changed. Maybe you are no longer working and there may not be much money.
It is not easy to make these changes, but there are many people who can help you, in the hospital and other place. The kidney society can help you find these people and show you how to get the help you need.
Learning new things and having to make decisions about the treatment you will have is not easy, but most people get used to living with their kidney failure. You can get used to your new life too and feel good about yourself again. It is possible to live well with kidney failure and the treatments you need to stay alive. The kidney society has social workers who can visit you at home, or talk to you on the phone about your kidney failure, and about the choices you have. Click here to contact us
"Thanks for everything!! I feel so much lighter..."
you might like to check out the following links:
Emotional issues - Fresenius Ultracare site
Skylight - helping children and young people deal with change, loss and grief
