Get Relief. Get Comfort. Get Kidney Smart®.
You and your loved ones will get the key information on how to best manage late-stage CKD. Kidney Smart is a no-cost kidney education class from DaVita delivered by kidney experts.
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Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
The number one cause of kidney disease is diabetes. Understanding this connection is the first step to helping avoid kidney problems. Kidney disease affects one in seven adults in the U.S. The Living with Diabetes, Kidney Care initiative, supported in part by DaVita, can help you improve your lifestyle to manage your health.
Fight back against CKD
Where are you in your journey? Approximately 1 in 3 adults with diabetes has chronic kidney disease (CKD).[1] Because the symptoms of CKD are often mild and go undetected, it’s critical to understand the risk factors and take necessary steps to protect your health. We are here to help you!
Educational Toolkit
Find a toolkit full of educational materials to help you understand the connection of diabetes and kidney disease. Recognizing this link is crucial for preventing kidney issues. Educate yourself on diabetes and kidney health and learn how to lower your risk with these English and Spanish resources.
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I want to prevent kidney disease
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I'm living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
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I'm diagnosed with late-stage kidney disease
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I want to stay connected
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I’m treating people at risk
Understand the Leading Causes of Kidney Disease
Understand the causes and risks for and learn the answers to some common questions.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. High blood glucose (blood sugar) levels can damage blood vessels and lead to decreased kidney function.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney disease. High blood pressure can hurt blood vessels and increase stress on the kidneys.
Family History
While kidney disease isn't contagious, it can run in families. If you have a family member who has diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, you may be at risk.
Smoking
Smoking can affect blood flow and blood pressure. It increase the risk of kidney disease, especially for people with diabetes and/or high blood pressure.
Better Diabetes Management
Learn more about proper management of diabetes
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Simplify Your Routine
There are things you can do that may help slow down kidney disease. Start by managing diabetes and making your life easier at the same time. Learn quick, easy ways to simplify your daily routine.
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Refill Meds Better
Most insurance companies cover a 90-day supply of medication. That means fewer trips to the pharmacy. Talk with your pharmacist to coordinate your meds to refill them all at once.
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Stay Organized
Keep medical information and supplies in one place for easy access. Having all these important materials in one place makes it easier to prep for doctor’s visits and reordering supplies.
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Shop for Food Online
Whether you want to have groceries delivered or want to pick them up, shopping online can help limit impulse purchases. And it can help make sure you have all the healthy foods you need.
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Late-Stage Kidney Disease
Stage 4 or stage 5 of chronic kidney disease means the kidneys are losing more of their function. Get helpful information on how to manage late-stage kidney disease.
Here is some expert advice from nephrologists that can help you manage advanced CKD along with five things to discuss with your doctor.
Treatment Options for Kidney Failure
Know Your Options
Home Dialysis
Home dialysis comes in two different forms, peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis. Both options offer freedom and flexibility by doing treatment in the comfort of your home.
In-Center Hemodialysis
Dialysis centers provide hemodialysis treatments by trained professionals. Many people choose in-center dialysis for the peace of mind of a clinic setting.
Skilled Nursing Facility
If living in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility, residents may be able to receive onsite dialysis instead of travelling to a center for treatment.
Kidney Transplant
A transplant can be an ideal treatment option for those eligible. After a successful transplant, people do not have to perform dialysis for many years.
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Upcoming Events
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Ask the Experts: Talking About Obesity—Strategies for an Empowering Conversation with Your Health Care Team
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. EDT
Cooking Class: Turkey Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Feta, Spinach & Pecan Salad
Monday, April 21, 2025
3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. EDT
2025 Tour de Cure®: Mid-Atlantic
Saturday, April 26, 2025
6:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. EDT
Windsor Castle Park, Smithfield, VA, 23430
2025 Tour de Cure®: Pacific Northwest
Saturday, May 3, 2025
7:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. PDT
Park at Bothell Landing, Bothell, WA, 98011
2025 Step Out® Walk: Hawaii
Saturday, May 10, 2025
8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. HST
Kapi'olani Regional Park, Honolulu, HI, 96815
Ask the Experts: Empowering Women Through Health Education—Addressing Obesity
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. EDT
2025 Tour de Cure®: North Carolina
Saturday, May 17, 2025
6:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. EDT
Bicentennial Park, 151 Sunset Ave, Asheboro, NC, 27203
2025 Tour de Cure®: Greater New York
Saturday, May 31, 2025
6:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. EDT
Manorhaven Beach Park, Port Washington, NY, 11050
2025 Tour de Cure®: Minnesota
Saturday, May 31, 2025
7:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. CDT
Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413
Discover the latest clinical practice recommendations and learn more about the management of diabetic kidney disease with our primary care professional resources below.
2024 Abridged Standards of Care
This collection provides an abridged version of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024 designed especially for primary care professionals.
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Take Charge of Your Diabetes & Kidney Health
5 Steps to Take When Diagnosed with Late Stage Kidney Disease
Dialogue with ADA - What you Need to Know: Diabetes and Kidney Disease
Kidney-Friendly Chicken Wild Rice Asparagus Soup
Kidney Smart® Coffee Talk: Connecting the Dots Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease
National Sponsor of Living with Diabetes
DaVita
National Strategic Partners
DaVita is a health care community focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients living with chronic kidney disease. As one of the largest providers of kidney care services in the U.S., DaVita is a leader in clinical quality and innovation, particularly for those living with chronic kidney disease. Both DaVita and the American Diabetes Association believe in the importance of healthy living for those with diabetes, prediabetes, chronic kidney disease and their families.
Give Today and Change lives!
With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes.