Home-based conservative kidney management was perceived by 53 stakeholders as a meaningful alternative to dialysis, though caregiver burden and communication remain significant challenges.
Home-based conservative kidney management is valued as a patient-driven alternative to dialysis, but highlights the critical need for care coordination and support for vulnerable informal caregivers.
Rationale although increasingly involved in organizing care, they frequently experienced substantial burden, anticipatory distress, and mutual protective silences within families. Limitations Single-region study; limited generalizability; possible selection bias. Conclusions Conservative kidney management involves complex relational, emotional, and practical dynamics. Incorporating the perspectives of various stakeholders may help optimize coordinated, home-based care pathways tailored to older adults with advanced CKD.
Samyn et al. (2026) studied advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n=53). Coordinated home-based conservative kidney management (CKM) was evaluated on Perceptions and experiences of stakeholders participating in a coordinated home-based CKM pathway. Home-based conservative kidney management was perceived by 53 stakeholders as a meaningful alternative to dialysis, though caregiver burden and communication remain significant challenges.