Planning ahead

Because of their special, ongoing requirements for medical care, individuals with kidney disease shouldn’t leave things up to chance. Planning ahead can ensure you get the care you need in good times and bad.

Travelling with Kidney Disease

It’s always a good idea to be prepared when you plan a trip. When travelling with kidney disease, your health depends on it. Whether you have early kidney disease, you’re on dialysis, or you have had a kidney transplant, there are things you can do to make your trip go more smoothly. The following brochures contain information that may be helpful as you plan your next holiday.

Emergency preparedness

Disasters often strike quickly and without warning. For people living with kidney disease, a disaster is a major event that has the potential to negatively affect care. Power and water may not be available for several days. Telephones may not work. Emergency rooms may be crowded, and hospitals will give first attention to people who are injured.

For these reasons, people living with kidney disease and their families are advised to make a plan to handle their kidney care in the case of a disaster.

The links below give some ideas on how to handle the first several days after a disaster until things can return to normal:

General information on emergency preparedness is also available:

Advance care planning

Ensure your wishes for future health care treatment are known, even at a time when you may not be able to speak or communicate for yourself.

By planning ahead you:

  • Make your beliefs, values and wishes for your future health care known
  • Provide your health care team with information to guide them in your care
  • Ease the burden on your loved ones at a difficult time

Providence Health Care’s main website has an Advance Care Planning page with information and resources to help people plan for their future health care.