The Spouse's Role in Home Hemodialysis

The role of the spouse as a factor in the success or failure of home dialysis becomes increasingly important as expectations rise that hemodialysis patients be home-trained. Home hemodialysis offers advantages to the patient but may add stress to the spouse. We present cases illustrating the types of responses spouses have to home hemodialysis. Present conditions are such that the spouse's ability to participate in home hemodialysis may be less affected by aspects of the patient-partner's chronic renal disease than the potential change in the marital relationship that can derive from home hemodialysis. Success in home dialysis is at risk when the spouse is naturally dependent on the patient-partner. These spouses will often require special supportive measures.