About this trial
The investigators are conducting a study to see which program better helps older patients with kidney disease choose their treatment. Investigators are also investigating if either program can reduce the number of hospital or emergency room visits in the first 6 months of the study, as well as potentially improve end-of-life care for older adults.
Half of the participants will receive Program A, while the other half will receive Program B. Investigators will compare the two groups to see which participants feel better prepared about their kidney therapy decisions, experience improved end-of-life care, and have fewer emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Participants in Program A will receive information from the National Kidney Foundation and meet with a kidney therapy educator. Participants in Program B will get information about kidney disease treatment and meet with a decision-support specialist who's an expert in decision-making.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Age ≥ 75 years old
Has advanced kidney disease with kidney function less than 30%
Speaks English
Has not yet made a dialysis decision
Disqualifiers
Has already decided on dialysis or active medical care without dialysis.
Has already been seen by a Palliative Care (PC) clinician for kidney-related issues or is enrolled in hospice
Currently on dialysis
Unable to provide informed consent or complete verbally administered surveys due to health, sensory, or cognitive impairment.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Program A
- Program B
Treatment groups
Sponsors and collaborators
University of Rochester
Lead sponsor
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborator
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborator