Promote Renal Health Awareness During National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month and an opportunity to remind your friends and neighbors to think about their kidney health. One in seven American adults is estimated to have Chronic Kidney Disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of the 30 million Americans affected by kidney disease do not even know they have it, and many others are at increased risk of developing the disease.

Chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure and early detection can be  the key to prevention. Highlight the importance of good renal health this March during National Kidney Month and acknowledge World Kidney Day on March 8th.

• Start by visiting the official website for World Kidney Day. Here you’ll find an abundance of helpful information, including a toolbox with quizzes, recipes and educational information, and a section of campaign materials for World Kidney Day.
• You can also visit the National Kidney Month web page of the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for additional information to spark ideas and promote recognition of the disease.
• Sponsor free blood pressure screenings at a community event. High blood pressure is the most common cause of kidney damage. Be sure to have stacks of agency brochures and flyers about kidney disease available.
• Share information about the need for awareness of kidney disease among high risk groups through your website and social media feeds. The groups at a greater risk of developing kidney disease include African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and seniors.
• Lead a senior-focused discussion group on diet and nutrition in a local assisted living facility. Discuss the benefits of healthy eating and proper fluid intake in the prevention of kidney disease. Don’t forget to bring along healthy snack alternatives and bottled water for attendees and be sure to address these snack choices in your presentation.
• Volunteer at your local dialysis center. Approximately 50% of people suffering with diabetes develop kidney damage. Offer to provide samples of kidney-friendly foods and distribute them to patients. Home care professionals can help by providing support and education about dietary

Your March priority: Kidney disease outreach and education

Become a champion for renal health by observing National Kidney Month this month and World Kidney Day on March 9.

More than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease, though most don't know they have it until their condition has progressed. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, more than 660,000 Americans have kidney failure.

As renal conditions continue their course as a serious health problem in our nation, it makes sense to educate about kidney disease while spreading the word about how your services can help. These tips can help you get started.

• Reach out to a local church that serves your community’s African American population and offer to sponsor a National Kidney Sundays event. Here's a great toolkit to kick off your planning.
• Show that your agency cares about kidney health by posting informative graphics about diabetes and chronic kidney disease on your social media feeds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created info cards/memes to make this easy. 
• Feature a kidney-disease related article on your website or in your newsletter. Ready to start a newsletter? TAG Partners offers ready-made newsletters for home care and hospice.
• Have an open discussion forum or teach local community groups about kidney-related topics. Find tons of teaching topics in the National Kidney Foundation's A to Z Health Guide.
• Check out the list of kidney screenings and awareness events being conducted this month across the country and find one where you live. Become a care partner and co-sponsor the event. If there’s no event planned for your community, take charge and plan one for next year. 
• March 28 is American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day. Diabetes is a major risk factor for kidney disease, so this day’s occurrence during National Kidney Month is the perfect time to spread the word. Visit the general practitioner offices in your market and educate them on your agency’s efforts to care for their diabetic patients. Drop off your agency's disease-specific flyers and brochures while you're there. 
• Sponsor a quarterly discussion about kidney disease and other chronic conditions in a local ALF or ILF. Spread the love and get as many facilities as you can to co-sponsor the group discussions. A great class to teach the facility residents is one about chronic disease management. To get individual item pricing, please call TAG Partners at 866-232-6477 ext 2018.

Home care marketing idea: Raise awareness during National Kidney Month

About 26 million American adults have chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Millions of others are at increased risk of developing the disease, which can be caused by heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders.

Over time, chronic kidney disease can progress to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. Early detection can prevent this progression. Highlight the importance of good renal health during National Kidney Month this March and World Kidney Day on March 10.

• Start by visiting the official website for World Kidney Day. Here you’ll find a ton of helpful information, including a toolbox with quizzes, recipes and educational information, and a section of campaign materials for World Kidney Day. Now visit the National Kidney Month webpage of the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for even more materials and ideas.
• Offer free blood pressure screenings at a large community event this month. High blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney disease. Have stacks of agency brochures and flyers about kidney disease available.
• The groups with an increased risk of developing kidney disease include African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and seniors. Use your website and social media feeds to share information about the need for awareness of kidney disease among African Americans.
• Teach a senior-focused diet and nutrition class in a local assisted living facility. Tout the benefits of healthy lifestyles in the prevention of kidney disease. Don’t forget to bring along healthy snack alternatives for attendees and be sure to address these snack choices in your presentation.
• Volunteer to prepare samples of kidney-friendly foods and distribute them at a local dialysis center. Home care professionals can help by providing important support and education about dietary requirements and modifications that can help slow the progression of kidney disease in some patients and improve overall health. Check out these great recipes to get started.