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PATIENT SERVICES PROGRAMS
Assistance Programs
Dental Assistance:
• One of the most important hopes for a patient whose kidneys
are failing is to have a kidney transplant. In order to be put
on the waiting list for a transplant, the person must be as healthy
as possible. This includes having healthy teeth, free of infection.
We offer assistance to pay some or all of the dental care for
eligible kidney patients needing dental work in order to be eligible
for a transplant.
I.D. Jewelry:
• Every kidney patient has specific medical needs, particularly
in an emergency. That is why we provide free ID jewelry (necklaces
or bracelets) for dialysis and transplant patients, specifically
stating medication allergies or other health concerns that need
to be addressed in a medical emergency.
Nutritional Supplements:
• Dialysis patients have to overcome many obstacles. One
of them is making sure they receive enough nutrition to keep their
strength up to battle kidney disease. We offer a free nutritional
assistance program that allows eligible dialysis patients to receive
the nutrition that they so desperately need to survive. Some examples
of the monthly supplements we provide are Nepro, Prostat, Novasource
Renal, Glucerna, Boost and Ensure.
Transportation:
• Another important program we offer kidney patients is
transportation assistance. Kidney patients have to travel to dialysis
clinics at least three (3) times a week for several hours in the
clinic to receive dialysis. Transplant recipients also have to
travel extensively for follow up appointments after their life-saving
transplant has occurred.
• This financial weight can be lifted by having the NKFETN
pay for some or all transportation costs to get to and from these
life-sustaining treatments. In many cases, this is keeping more
dialysis and transplant patients patients alive longer and lifting
some of the financial burden off their shoulders and focus more
on remaining as healthy as possible.
Prevention:
KEEP, Kidney Early Evaluation Program, is the first public health
campaign of its kind. We offer it right here in East Tennessee;
it is run by the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee
(NKFETN). KEEP is specifically designed to identify individuals
who are at increased risk to develop kidney disease (this includes
people with high blood pressure and/or diabetes or has a family
member with kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes).
We know that if we start early with education, detection, and
if necessary, intervention with medication, we can in many cases
help prevent kidney disease or significantly slow its development.
KEEP screenings include blood, urine and blood pressure tests
and a consultation with a physician about preventing and managing
kidney disease. Screening tests are valued at $250-$300 per participant.
Participation is free to the individual and takes approximately
thirty minutes. This KEEP health risk assessment saves lives.
On average, 3 out of 4 people find they have kidney disease as
a result from our free screenings.
Empowerment/Inspirational Programs
Patient Picnic:
• Every fall since 1987, we host a picnic for all the kidney
patients in East Tennessee. There is great food, fun and entertainment.
Patients look forward to this event and walk away with great memories.
Support Groups:
• We are piloting a transplant support group called “Coffeehouse
Conversations”, designed to educate and empower patients
and their families about specific issues transplantees have to
face. It is offered in a more casual setting with a social worker
and transplant recipient as facilitators, in order to make conversation
flow more easily and freely. DINNER IS PROVIDED!
• Meetings are the SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH from October 2007-January
2008 at 6pm at the NKFET office (4450 Walker Blvd, Suite 2-Knoxville)
• Transplant waiting list support groups are still held
every THIRD Monday and Thursday at 9:30am at the University of
TN Medical Center.
• Parkwest Medical Center has Chronic Kidney Disease support
groups the THIRD Monday of every month at 7pm at the Parkwest
Professional Building.
• New Heart Society has monthly support group meetings for
all transplant patients and their families. They meet the LAST
TUESDAY of every month at the Shoney’s Restaurant on Alcoa
Highway, beginning at 6pm.
Transplant Games:
• Every two years, there is a national Olympic-like celebration
for transplant recipients and their families called the Transplant
Games.
• People come from across the nation to come together to
celebrate life and share stories of hope and inspiration! Our
organization helps organize sports teams of transplant recipients
and help them fundraise to get the necessary money for uniforms,
registration, travel expenses, etc. so they can get to the games
as easily as possible.
• The next games are July 11-16, 2008 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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