As many patients start dialysis, they often think that they have to immediately stop working. While that may have been the case at one point, it’s not anymore. Not only can many dialysis patients continue to work, but working while on dialysis provides several benefits.
Working is more than a source of income—it also provides normalization, socialization, and the gratification of ongoing productivity. All of these are important factors for your health and wellbeing.
How, where, and how much you work while on dialysis are questions that can only be answered by combining education and a team effort, but it begins with you. Here are some practical steps you can take to get the process going.*
Your first steps
The first steps are all about preparation. Once you are well-informed, it’s easier to educate your supervisor and colleagues about your condition and how it might affect your ability to carry out your job duties.
- Make an informed treatment choice. Explore all possible dialysis options with your doctor to find the treatment that best suits your lifestyle, work schedule, and comfort level. Realistically, you will have to make changes and adjustments, but the extent of those changes can vary.
- Evaluate your current insurance. Speak with an agent before starting dialysis to ensure that you have the best plan available.
- Educate yourself. Use all available resources to find out as much as you can about the short-term and long-term effects of living on your chosen form of dialysis. This includes:
- Possible side effects of medications and other treatments
- Physical limitations due to underlying medical conditions
- Any movements and/or activities that your doctor recommends you avoid
Considerations for your current job
Many people start feeling better and more energized once they’re on dialysis, so consider how you might carry out your work duties, even with adjustments. Be prepared to offer some solutions before you inform your place of employment.
- Speak with your supervisor. Let your direct report know your health situation insofar as it may affect your ability to perform your job. Share your ideas and actively engage in jointly brainstorming solutions to potential barriers.
- Consult your social worker. Based on previous experience, your dialysis social worker may have additional ideas to help you navigate issues at work due to your condition.
- Speak with HR. The Director of Human Resources (HR) at your place of employment is a rich source of information concerning your rights. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes people on dialysis. Your current employer may be able and/or obligated to make certain accommodations to help you stay with the company, even if it’s in another capacity.
Additional options to consider
It’s possible that, even after all due consideration, you may find remaining with your current employer to be either not feasible or not desirable. If this is the case:
- Assess your finances. If you suspect that you can’t continue in your current job, ask HR about short- and long-term disability benefits and unpaid job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Social Security (SS) can help you estimate disability income. Consider other possible income streams, including work-from-home options. You likely have translatable knowledge and skills.
- Consider taking some “me” time. Before leaving, think about taking advantage of your employer’s sick leave policy and/or FMLA. Beginning dialysis already marks a major life change; you might want to take time to clear your head before making any other big decisions.
- Gather your support network. Reach out to both your friends and family and new peer support groups. Share your concerns, plans, and ideas. You may help others as much as they help you.
*DaVita Kidney Care. (n.d.). How to Talk to Your Employer About Your Kidney Disease. https://www.davita.com/education/ckd-life/employment/how-to-talk-to-your-employer-about-your-kidney-disease
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