Keeping Kidney Health a Priority for Life
Author: Home Helpers Home Care
Caregivers on my Home Helpers care team have assisted seniors and Veterans with a variety of physical and mental health conditions, including kidney disease and renal failure. Our clients with renal system maladies often struggle with normal activities of daily living, because when their kidneys can’t perform, it impacts their ability to function and think clearly.
March is Kidney Awareness Month, but sadly, we don’t hear as much about kidney problems as we do about other illnesses and health conditions. However, in 2021, Florida ranked third in the nation for kidney disease-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Across America, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects as many as 15% of adults or 37 million men and women, the majority of whom are seniors ages 60+.
Knowing that Florida has a higher prevalence of CKD than the national average, keeping kidney health a priority for life is crucial.
The Job of Kidneys
Kidneys do much more than filter toxins from blood. They help regulate the fluids in your body and release hormones to help regulate blood pressure. They are directly responsible for regulating red blood cell production and activating Vitamin D for healthy bones. That’s quite a list of vital jobs our kidneys handle involuntarily, unless problems exist.
Risk Factors for CKD
One of the primary risk factors for kidney disease is living beyond age 60. According to the National Kidney Foundation, seniors aged 60+ are the most vulnerable to developing kidney issues.
If there is a family history of kidney disease, heredity may dictate that you will, too. The National Kidney Foundation says, “1 in 3 American adults is at risk for CKD. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a family history of kidney failure, and being age 60 or older.”
Diabetes complicates kidney function and negatively impacts how they do their job. High blood pressure also makes the work of kidneys more difficult because they must release more hormones to lower blood pressure.
Symptoms of CKD
Be aware of the following symptoms of CKD, because if you experience any of them, you should consult your doctor or primary care provider for urine and blood screenings to monitor your kidney function and rule out kidney disease:
- Swelling in the face, hands, feet, ankles, and/or abdomen
- Bloody or foamy urine
- Puffy eyes
- Difficult, painful urination
- Increased thirst
- Fatigue
There may be no symptoms as kidney health diminishes, so it is recommended that you have regular doctor visits and lab work, including urinalysis, which will determine the albumin-creatinine ratio [creatinine = waste build-up]; and a blood test to measure how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood, known as the Glomerular Filtration Rate [GFR].
Repercussions of CKD
When CKD exists, there are repercussions resulting from damage to these vital organs which include:
- Nerve Damage
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Heart Attack
- Weak Bones
- High Blood Pressure
- Kidney Failure
- Stroke
- Anemia [low red blood cell count]
When kidneys fail, red blood cell production can’t be regulated properly causing anemia; hormones aren’t produced that lower blood pressure affecting the heart and circulatory system; Vitamin D is not activated to support stronger bones; and waste build-up impacts the entire body, including the brain.
Keeping Kidneys Healthy for Life
There are ways we can curb the likelihood of developing kidney disease.
Hydration is crucial to a body’s health, especially the kidneys. Drinking an appropriate amount of water each day – half your body weight in ounces – allows the kidneys to filter toxins from the blood and flush them out of our bodies.
Consuming a proper diet with appropriate amounts of protein, fluids, and sodium, in conjunction with regular physical activity and exercise, will improve kidney function.
I encourage you to keep plenty of these kidney-friendly foods in your diet:
- Red Bell Peppers
- Cabbage
- Garlic
- Cauliflower
- Apples
- Onions
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Fish
- Egg whites
- Red Grapes
- Olive Oil
For seniors suffering with CKD, kidney failure, or other problematic kidney conditions, a compassionate Home Helpers caregiver can provide transportation assistance to and from doctor appointments, dialysis, and the pharmacy. In addition, our home care services include companion care, light housekeeping, personal care, grocery shopping, meal planning and preparation, medication and hydration reminders, and more. I am happy to offer a FREE Consultation to discuss specific needs and create a personalized care plan to help make life easier.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Activated Insights Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2025 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Awards in 2025, along with the Caring Super Star 2025 Award.
Home Helpers Clearwater proudly serves male and female seniors, veterans, and differently abled individuals in Bayonet Point, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Gulfport, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, Madeira Beach, New Port Richey, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pass A Grille, Pass A Grille Beach, Port Richey, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs, Tierra Verde, Treasure Island, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539
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