Kidney Disease

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common among older adults and associated with adverse health outcomes. Despite the high burden of CKD at older ages, the general approach to kidney disease is based on evidence from young and middle-aged adults and may not apply to older adults with CKD. The purpose of this chapter is to identify the unique aspects of caring for older adults from early stages of CKD through end of life. We describe an approach that recognizes the impact of non-CKD factors on the lives of CKD patients and recommends geriatric assessment to facilitate the development of individualized care plans.