Navigating the health system can be overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with a new kidney disease diagnosis. Many are unaware of home dialysis options and the supports available to them. Patients can find themselves overwhelmed, trying to make sense of unfamiliar terminology and figure out what this life-changing information means, all while being asked to make some hard decisions.

At Kidney Health Manitoba, the focus is keeping patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in their homes longer and supporting them to make this experience less frightening. The Home First team and the Peritoneal Dialysis Community Care (PDCC) Program are two of the many areas in Kidney Health whose mission is to put patients first and help them adjust to life with CKD.

Home First

The Home First Program is a new project for Kidney Health Manitoba that launched in January of 2025. Transition Coordinators support patients with end-stage renal disease by providing ongoing education and support, ensuring patients have the time and information needed to make informed decision about home-based therapies.

“We revisit a lot of conversations with them, because people are just so overwhelmed by the news that they’ve been given that they just need time to process,” says Alexis Moar-Reimer, a Transition Coordinator for the Home First Program. “So that’s the beauty of this program, we have the opportunity to continue going back and seeing patients.”

Alexis and Adam Krasnesky, the program’s other coordinator, will see an average of 15-30 patients a week from across Manitoba, following their progress for one to three years. Alexis says patients are often overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive.

“People are scared. You know, they’re just newly diagnosed, and they have never been exposed to the medical language or the whole system, really. And they’re overwhelmed. So, you see a lot of people who don’t want to make a choice. They just will let things happen.”

Alexis sees her job as helping educate patients about their options and being a sounding board and support for them during a difficult time.

“One of the most meaningful parts of this work is witnessing the shift that happens. Patients may come in feeling overwhelmed or even traumatized by the news, and over time, you can actually see that change,” she says. “Home First allows people to make informed decisions during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives while giving them time to reflect rather than react.”

PDCC Program

Helping support people in times of need is also what drew Amanda Birtwhistle to the Peritoneal Dialysis Community Care (PDCC) Program. Amanda, a Charge Nurse for the program, started her role in July of 2025 and has been with the program since its inception.

“I value the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with patients in their home environments and to witness firsthand the positive impact our support has on their quality of life,” she says.

The PDCC program is a specialized nursing service dedicated to supporting patients who perform peritoneal dialysis at home. They provide services to individuals who may be physically unable to independently set up or manage their dialysis equipment, as well as those experiencing mental or emotional fatigue related to the demands of ongoing treatment.

“Our primary goal is to enable patients to continue their peritoneal dialysis therapy in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes, thereby reducing the need to transition to in-center hemodialysis whenever possible. Through personalized support and compassionate care, we help promote treatment adherence, patient confidence, and overall quality of life.”

The program operates during both day and evening shifts, with a staff of five nurses providing hands-on care in the community, and Amanda working in the office to coordinate everything. This coordinated approach ensures seamless care, strong communication, and continuity of service for all patients enrolled in the program.

Amanda says being able to work with people in the community is something she values about her role.

“Building those relationships and seeing the impact of our work firsthand reinforces why I am so passionate about this program. Contributing to its growth and development, and expanding access to home-based dialysis care, is both professionally fulfilling and personally meaningful to me.”

March is Kidney Health Month, and March 12 is World Kidney Day.