Dialysis support group

[jane14]

Hey all,
I am a dialysis social worker.  We are going to be starting a support group for patients at our unit.  We are trying to come up with ideas for topics and format for our group.  We will get feedback from our patients at our units, but sure would like to have any feedback you all could give......Thanks!

[peleroja]

Hey there.  I'm one-half of the folks who run the Kidney Beings support group here in Southern California.  I print out a lot of what okarol puts on here.  We always have handouts of info, especially for the new folks.  We also have a phone list of people who are willing to talk to you between meetings.  We have an email reminder list as well.  We occasionally have speakers, ranging from nephrologists to wound care nurses, renal dieticians, etc. We have a library of renal cookbooks and loan them out.  If you want more info, just email me!

[kitkatz]

Have an information/lending library of things:

General diet info
Dialysis choices

There are videos you can get for people on exercise and other topics.

[Rerun]

Don't deny their feelings of hating dialysis.  A positive attitude will not make things immediately better.  Confirm their feelings and help them work though it.

[okarol]

Topics:
How to apply for disability
How to get waitlisted
Helpful websites (like IHD!)

[hurlock1]

This is a support group.

[jane14]

I agree. I think this is a fabulous support group (IHD).  It helps to have a place that you can be honest.

[tyefly]

Be sure to tell everyone about all the types of Dialysis......  In my unit no one had heard of nxstage or homehemo