Attend classes with professionals to learn about kidney disease

DaVita Kidney Education and You® classes are for people who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their friends and family members.

Why are these classes being offered?

The classes are offered to help empower people with CKD to learn all they can about staying healthy and taking control of their kidney disease. A dialysis health care professional will teach you about your stage of CKD, how to prolong kidney function, how to take control of your health through medications and diet and how to improve your quality of life.

Who should attend classes?

If you have been diagnosed with Stage 3, Stage 4 or Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (your GFR is less than 60), you can benefit from a DaVita Kidney Education and You class. Two classes are offered that focus on the later stages of CKD. During these stages it is important to learn all you can so you can be empowered to make the best decisions about your health. You are invited to bring family members and friends to your class so they can support you and also learn about your health care needs.

What topics are covered?

Two classes are offered: one for Stage 3-4 and another for Stage 4-5. The Stage 3-4 CKD class is dedicated to informing attendees about how to prolong kidney function through diet, medicines and working with their doctors. The Stage 4-5 CKD class helps explain what happens as kidneys begin to fail, how to eat right and stay healthy and introduces treatment choices for people with kidney failure.

What to expect when you come to a class

You’ll be greeted by your educator who is a dialysis nurse, social worker or renal dietitian. You and your guest will join the class (class size ranges from 5-15 people) for about one to two hours of education plus time for questions and answers. You will receive DaVita Kidney Education and You materials to bring home including a Health Diary to help you set goals, keep appointments, organize lab values and take medications.

What people are saying

“You have truly made one more difference in this world — creating a sense of empowerment and trust in my life. Thank you for giving me a 'team' and the tools to get through this new chapter in my life. Words really cannot express the gratitude I feel from this class.”

"It was a great class, much information was learned."

"I appreciate Dr. G responding to my need to be educated and putting me on the list for this class. It was excellent. I also appreciate that while the class was in group format, presenters were able to individualize and really took the time to address my questions and concerns."

“I wish I would have been sent to this class years ago. People need to be sent to this class much, much earlier. Do not wait until you have kidney failure to attend. Every patient with diabetes should go to this class. Thank you!"

"Two of our new patients attended DaVita Kidney Education and You classes before starting dialysis, and they seemed more prepared with greater knowledge of the renal diet. I think Kidney Education and You helped make this happen."