“Most go to clinics because of a lack of awareness of home dialysis and the other is the fear of doing it at home,” Soi said in a telephone interview. “When you have clinics, there is an incentive to have patients. That’s why I came to Johnstown in the 1990s — I was a proponent of home dialysis even with others moving away from it. Now they are moving back to home dialysis.”

Hong Kong has the most usage of home dialysis versus clinics — about 80 percent. In Canada, 20 to 30 percent of people on dialysis use the home system. The U.S. peaked at 15 percent of patients on home dialysis in the 1980s and 1990s. It is now down to only 10 percent.

Home dialysis is less expensive — $50,000 a year compared with $73,000 a year for dialysis in clinics.

People who chose home dialysis and their home support person need to be trained in the procedure.

“You are not alone — there is a full team that supports you: nurses, dietitians, a social worker and a kidney specialist,” Soi said. “A plan of care is set up. It is pretty intensive training. We can also provide respite care (when the caregiver needs a break) or find a care

partner if you live alone.”

Home dialysis also takes less time.

“It’s very convenient at home. I can do it when I want and not miss work,” Hoffman said. “It’s better than going to a clinic. It’s a lot less of a hassle. I absolutely recommend it.”

People are even able to travel while on home dialysis. Soi has one patient who went on a hunting trip in Canada. He took the portable machine with him and the supplies were mailed out.

“You can scheduled your life around your activities,” he said. “Your life is no longer ruled by dialysis.”

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