Can You Do Dialysis at Home?

Yes — and it may be more accessible than you think. Learn about the types of home dialysis and how Crown Dialysis brings professional care to your doorstep.

Yes, Dialysis Can Be Done at Home

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with kidney failure, you may be wondering whether dialysis has to mean spending hours at a clinic three times a week. The answer is no. Home dialysis is a well-established, medically proven option that allows many patients to receive treatment in the comfort of their own home.

There are two main types of home dialysis: home hemodialysis (HHD) and home peritoneal dialysis (PD). Both are effective at filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood when your kidneys can no longer do so on their own. The right choice depends on your medical condition, lifestyle, and personal preferences.

At Crown Dialysis Center of Palm Beach, we offer both options — including a staff-assisted home hemodialysis program where a licensed dialysis nurse comes to your home for every treatment. This level of support is rarely available elsewhere.

Two Types of Home Dialysis

Each approach works differently, but both allow you to dialyze from home on a schedule that fits your life.

Home Hemodialysis (HHD)

Home hemodialysis uses a machine to pump your blood through a dialyzer (artificial kidney) that filters out waste and excess fluid, then returns the cleaned blood to your body. It works the same way as in-center hemodialysis — just in your own home.

How often: Typically three times per week, for 3 to 4 hours per session.

Crown's approach: Our staff-assisted model means a licensed dialysis nurse comes to your home for every treatment. You don't need to learn to operate the machine yourself or recruit a family member to help. The nurse handles everything — setup, monitoring, medications, and cleanup.

Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your abdomen (the peritoneum) as a natural filter. A cleansing solution called dialysate is introduced through a catheter, absorbs waste products, and is then drained. No needles are involved.

How often: Continuous Ambulatory PD (CAPD) involves manual exchanges several times daily. Automated PD (APD) uses a cycler machine that performs exchanges overnight while you sleep.

Crown's approach: We provide thorough training, ongoing support, and regular follow-up. Our social worker and dietitian visit you at home, and your nephrologist, Dr. Bharat K. Gupta, monitors your progress closely.

Benefits of Dialyzing at Home

Flexible scheduling

Dialyze early morning, evening, or overnight — whatever fits your routine.

Comfort of home

Receive treatment in familiar surroundings with your own bed, chair, and entertainment.

Keep working

Many home dialysis patients maintain their jobs by scheduling treatments around work hours.

Less travel time

Eliminate the commute to a dialysis center three times a week.

Family involvement

Loved ones can be nearby during treatment without the restrictions of a clinical setting.

Better preservation of kidney function

Research suggests PD may better preserve residual renal function compared to in-center HD.

Fewer dietary restrictions

More frequent or longer treatments can allow a more liberal diet for some patients.

Personalized care

With Crown's staff-assisted model, you receive one-on-one attention from a dedicated nurse.

What Makes Crown's Home Dialysis Different

Most dialysis providers that offer home hemodialysis require patients to learn the procedure themselves or train a family member. Crown Dialysis takes a fundamentally different approach.

Licensed nurse at every session

A trained dialysis professional comes to your home for every treatment — setup, monitoring, medications, and cleanup.

Monthly lab work at home

Blood samples are collected during your home treatments and reported directly to your nephrologist.

Social worker home visits

Our licensed social worker visits you at home to provide emotional support, resource guidance, and care coordination.

Dietitian home visits

A renal dietitian comes to your home to help you manage nutrition and work with your care team on dietary goals.

Supply delivery and waste pickup

All dialysis supplies are delivered to your door, and biohazard waste is collected per regulatory guidelines.

Equipment maintenance included

We handle all equipment maintenance and repairs — you never have to troubleshoot a machine on your own.

This staff-assisted model is unique to Crown Dialysis — national chains typically do not offer this level of home support.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Home Dialysis?

Home dialysis is not the right fit for everyone, but it works well for a wide range of patients. You may be a good candidate if you:

Are medically stable and your nephrologist approves home treatment
Want more control over your schedule and daily routine
Have a safe, clean home environment with access to water and electricity
Are motivated to manage your health with the support of a care team
Work or have caregiving responsibilities that make in-center scheduling difficult
Prefer the privacy and comfort of receiving treatment at home

With Crown's staff-assisted home hemodialysis, even patients who would not be able to perform dialysis independently can receive treatment at home. Our nurse handles the entire process, so you don't need a trained care partner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Dialysis

Can you do dialysis at home by yourself?

Some forms of home dialysis, like peritoneal dialysis (PD), can be performed independently after proper training. Home hemodialysis (HHD) typically requires a trained care partner or, in Crown Dialysis's case, a licensed dialysis nurse who comes to your home. You are never truly alone — our facility has a 24/7 call service, and a home health professional is always just a phone call away.

How much does home dialysis cost?

The cost of home dialysis varies depending on the modality. Medicare covers peritoneal dialysis costs, supplies, and training. Staff-assisted home hemodialysis, like the program offered by Crown Dialysis, can be covered by private or commercial health insurance, managed care organizations, or self-pay. Your social worker can help you understand your specific coverage options.

Is home dialysis as effective as in-center dialysis?

Yes. Research shows that home dialysis can be equally effective — and in some cases offers advantages. Peritoneal dialysis provides a more steady-state treatment that avoids the large fluid and solute fluctuations seen with in-center hemodialysis, which can be easier on the cardiovascular system. Home dialysis also tends to better preserve residual kidney function. Your nephrologist will monitor your labs and adequacy closely regardless of where you dialyze.

What equipment do I need for home dialysis?

For home hemodialysis, you'll need a dialysis machine, water treatment system, and related supplies — all of which Crown Dialysis delivers directly to your home. For peritoneal dialysis, you'll need a cycler machine (for automated PD) or bags of dialysate solution (for manual exchanges). Crown handles equipment setup, supply delivery, maintenance, and biohazard waste collection so you can focus on your health.

Can I work while on home dialysis?

Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of home dialysis is schedule flexibility. Home hemodialysis treatments can be scheduled early in the morning or late in the evening to work around your job. Peritoneal dialysis can be done overnight while you sleep using an automated cycler. Many home dialysis patients maintain full-time or part-time employment.

Does Medicare cover home dialysis?

Medicare covers peritoneal dialysis, including supplies and training. Medicare does not currently cover nurse-assisted home hemodialysis. However, private insurance, commercial health plans, some managed care organizations, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration benefits may cover home hemodialysis. If you have employer group health insurance, it serves as primary coverage for the first 30 months, with Medicare as secondary.

Ready to Explore Home Dialysis?

Talk to our team about whether home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is right for you. We'll walk you through every step.

561-372-3700