Living with chronic kidney disease, like many chronic illnesses, can greatly affect your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being. Here, we discuss how to find support.

If you’re living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), know that you don’t have to manage the condition alone. It affects more than 1 in 7 adults (14%) in the United States.

Professional organizations, support groups, and other resources exist to help you or anyone you know who’s managing CKD. Financial assistance programs are also available to help with treatment costs.

When you join a peer support group, you can connect with other people who understand what you’re going through.

These groups provide an emotional support system that may help you adjust to living with CKD. Support groups are also helpful for sharing resources for:

Look for national kidney organizations to connect with. The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) hosts a HealthLine and HealthLine Innovators Webinar and annual National Patient Meeting. AAKP’s website also lists independent support groups across the U.S.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) provides online communities and various support for people with CKD. It was formed in the 1950s to provide resources, news, and other support for people with kidney diseases.

Some groups, such as IgAN Foundation’s Patient Support Group, offer support for family and friends of people living with IgAN-related kidney disease.

NKF Cares offers support for anyone affected by a kidney-related condition and is specifically designed for family members and care partners.

When you join a family support group, you’ll connect with other people who have loved ones with CKD. These groups provide important education about the condition, including how to support a family member or friend.

These groups may also share financial and medical resources that caretakers may find helpful.

If you experience mental health conditions while managing CKD, you may benefit from:

Depending on the mental health conditions you’re facing, your doctor or psychiatrist may also prescribe medication or refer you to a specialist.

Your prescriber will consider any medications you take for CKD or other health conditions when deciding on the right treatment.

While medication and therapy are often effective treatments, they may take time before you see improvements. Start by reaching out for help right away.

If you can’t cover out-of-pocket costs from your CKD treatments, financial assistance programs can help.

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) and the IgAN Foundation offer financial resources for people living with CKD, including financial programs, such as grants, that may help cover treatment costs.

Chronic disease case managers may help people with chronic illnesses manage their long term care needs. Research from 2018 suggests that a chronic disease manager may improve the overall care you receive if you have complex healthcare needs.

Most cities or states have organizations offering local resources. Groups focusing specifically on underlying diseases that cause CKD, such as polycystic kidney disease or Alport syndrome, are also available.

These foundations may help find you support groups, financial assistance programs, clinical research trials, and more.

Resources for CKD support

If you’re living with CKD and would benefit from additional support, the following resources may be helpful:

  • Financial grants: AKF lists grant programs available to help pay for treatment costs associated with CKD.
  • Local CKD support: AAKP lists renal support groups by state.
  • Mental health support: NAMI has resources for people managing mental health conditions. The IgAN Foundation provides Talkspace to its members.

It can be difficult to navigate the long term treatment and management of CKD. But know that you’re not alone, and help is available if you live with this condition.

From support groups to financial assistance programs, several resources to help you manage daily challenges are available.

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