You make a difference in your patients’ lives every single day—and this monthly newsletter is here to support you along the way! Each issue is packed with simple, practical ideas to help you promote movement, emotional wellness, nutrition, and even support patients in taking steps toward getting back to work.
Staying Active on Dialysis
Even small movements help dialysis patients maintain strength, reduce fall risk, and build confidence.
How Staff Can Support Movement
Encourage safe movement based on patient ability
Recognize and celebrate small efforts
Make movement a routine part of care
Promote participation through simple activities such as walking challenges or “Move 5 Minutes a Day” initiatives.
Finding the “Purpose” - Purpose turns dialysis from a task into a choice.
When patients remember why they are here, they are more likely to attend treatments, stay engaged, and trust their care team.
How Staff Can Reinforce Purpose
Use supportive, purpose-focused language, especially on difficult days
Acknowledge what matters most to each patient
Incorporate personal goals alongside clinical goals in the Plan of Care
Bring Purpose Into Daily Care
Try these simple, patient-centered activities:
“More Than Dialysis” Boards: Voluntary statements such as “I’m a grandmother,” “I’m a veteran,” or “I love gardening,” displayed privately at stations or on bulletin boards.
Letters From/To Loved Ones: Encourage patients to write letters, read messages, or look at photos during treatment. (Facility can provide stationery and envelopes)
Peer Purpose Pairing: Pair new patients with long‑term patients to share life goals, normalize struggles, and build connections, especially those with shared purposes (e.g., grandchildren, work, faith).
Fuel Better Outcomes Through Nutrition
Dialysis-Friendly Farmers’ Market Choices
Spring farmers' markets can be a healthy option for dialysis patients when they choose lower‑potassium fruits and vegetables, watch portions, and stay consistent with treatment.
Tip: Encourage patients to check in with their dietitian about seasonal or new foods
Dialysis‑Friendly Spring Produce
(Aim for ~½ cup portions unless directed otherwise by your dietitian)
Lower-Potassium Fruits
Apples
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Grapes
Cherries
Pineapple (fresh)
Papaya (small portions)
Lower-Potassium Vegetables
Cabbage
Green Beans
Cucumbers
Bell peppers and Cauliflower
Zucchini and Mixed Greens
Radishes and Onions
Eggplant and Okra
Potassium Education Guide for Dialysis Patients
Use this resource at your facility to reinforce food choices and portion awareness.
Staff can help support patients who are receiving SSDI or SSI and may be curious about employment by sharing this free Social Security Ticket to Work webinar. Consider mentioning this webinar during chairside conversations or social work check‑ins with working‑age patients (18-64) exploring future goals.
Ticket to Work: Support on Your Employment Journey
Guiding Your Patients Through Vocational Rehabilitation
Do you have questions about vocational rehabilitation and how you can help your patients get back to work? Download this Qsource resource on Guiding Your Patients Through Vocational Rehabilitation!
This material was prepared by Qsource, an End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. 26.ESRD.05.062
Qsource, 3725 Champion Hills Drive, Suite 3100, Memphis, TN 38125, USA
