Kidney palliative care services include medical care for people with serious or chronic kidney disease. Palliative care can help manage symptoms while improving well-being and providing extra support during treatment.
The experts at UPMC understand that living with kidney disease can be challenging. Our palliative care team will work closely with your kidney care specialists to develop a treatment plan that addresses your physical, mental, and social health during your kidney disease treatment.
Palliative care is a type of medical care that focuses on helping people with serious or chronic kidney conditions manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Palliative care can also provide extra support during treatment.
To help you live your life with kidney disease, our experts:
Our palliative care team supports people who are living with a range of kidney conditions, including:
We also care for people who are receiving dialysis, as well as those who are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
If you are receiving treatment for kidney disease and have symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, you may qualify for kidney palliative care services.
Our team offers a range of kidney palliative care services, including:
If you are experiencing pain related to your kidney condition, your care team will help you treat the pain using medications and techniques that are safe for you.
If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or other conditions related to kidney disease, our team will help you manage your condition to improve your overall health.
Our palliative care team will work closely with your care team to provide you and your family with the education and information you need to understand your condition, care plan, prognosis, and treatment options.
You have the right to make decisions about the kidney disease treatments you receive.
Our palliative care experts can help understand your treatment options so you can make decisions about your care, including:
Living with kidney disease can be stressful.
Our palliative care experts can help you manage anxiety, depression, and stress using tools such as:
Your kidney palliative care team will work closely with you and your kidney care team. Together, your care team will identify your needs for palliative care, provide the treatment you need, and connect you with other resources or care providers that can help.
Kidney palliative care services are available through telemedicine and in-person visits.
When you choose UPMC for kidney palliative care services, you will receive:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24 by Evan Ray, MD, PhD.
