REACH Kidney Care invites public to explore new kidney care program

ALBANY, N.Y. - Aug. 3, 2018 - PRLog -- REACH Kidney Care is inviting the public to learn more about their kidney care program during an open house on Thursday, August 9, from 4 – 7 pm located at 178 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, New York.

The general public is invited to tour the facility, enjoy refreshments and learn about slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease through the REACH Kidney Care education program.  Cathy Pothier, RN, REACH Care Coordinator; Michele Walcek, RD, REACH Dietitian; and Brenda Cassidy, LCSW, REACH Social Worker will be available to answer questions.

"At the end of 2017, there were 29,851 dialysis patients in New York. With these numbers, we know that there is a need for REACH Kidney Care's free chronic kidney disease education program," stated Cathy Pothier, RN, REACH Care Coordinator. "Our team speaks to people one-on-one, gets to know their health goals, and introduces them to strategies for managing their kidney disease."

Individuals with chronic kidney disease can be referred to the REACH program by their physician. The referral form is available online.

"We know that offering free chronic kidney disease education may potentially be able to help someone avoid dialysis or at least slow the progression of kidney disease until that person can make a treatment choice that fits his or her lifestyle," explained Brenda Cassidy, LCSW, REACH Social Worker.

Services offered through REACH include:

·       Chronic kidney disease education

·       Nutrition consultation with a dietitian

·       Prescription analysis

·       Care planning

·       Coordination of care with other physicians

·       Assessments

·       Dialysis options education

"When someone is diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they are usually surprised and they don't know what to do next. We're here to explain those next steps. We talk about the foods to eat and avoid. We review medications to make sure they are safe for someone with kidney damage. As someone draws closer to kidney failure, we'll discuss a kidney transplant along with all the treatment options for kidney failure," stated Michele Walcek, RD, Dietitian. "We help people take practical steps to live their best life in spite of kidney disease."

For more information about the REACH Kidney Care open house, please call 518-452-0891 or visit http://www.reachkidneycare.org/albany-ny/.

REACH Kidney Care is a division of the nationwide non-profit Dialysis Clinic, Inc.