Condition-Specific Hospice Care
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Expert hospice care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
When kidney disease is no longer responsive to treatment or when dialysis is no longer desired, we're here to help with compassionate, comfort-focused care.
37 Million+
U.S. adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD)
808,000+
Americans are living with kidney failure (end-stage renal disease)
536,000+
Americans are treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant
34%
Increase in kidney failure deaths in the U.S. from 2019 to 2023
Sources: CDC (2025) CKD Surveillance System; United States Renal Data System (USRDS) 2025 Annual Data Report; CDC National Center for Health Statistics (2025)
Why Pacific Hospice
Our Approach to Kidney Disease Care
CKD often progresses silently. Many people don't know they have it until it is advanced. In the U.S., more than 37 million adults — about 1 in 7 — have CKD, and millions more are at risk. When kidney disease reaches its final stage, treatment may no longer improve quality of life. Hospice care can help.
Our hospice team provides expert symptom management for the complex challenges of end-stage kidney disease — including fluid overload, uremic symptoms, pain, and fatigue — while supporting the patient's dignity and the family's peace of mind.
Why Hospice?
When Hospice Makes Sense for ESRD
When kidney disease is no longer responsive to treatment or when dialysis is no longer desired, hospice provides comfort, dignity, and support for patients and loved ones — focusing on quality of life at every step.
*Average life expectancy without dialysis is approximately 1–6 months, though it varies by individual. (Clinical Kidney Journal, 2023)
Seamless Transitions
P2P Bridge — Home Health to Hospice
Our P2P Bridge ensures a seamless transition from home health to hospice — honoring your patients' needs and goals every step of the way.
Assess for Hospice When You See:
- Stage 5 CKD or ESRD not pursuing dialysis or transplant
- Decline in kidney function (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73m²)
- Uremic symptoms: nausea, vomiting, itching, restlessness, confusion
- Recurrent hospitalizations
- Significant weight loss or muscle wasting
- Fatigue, weakness, or decreased activity
- Fluid overload not responsive to treatment
Progression of Kidney Disease (Stage 5 / ESRD)
- Kidneys are no longer able to filter waste and extra fluid
- Symptoms worsen and daily life becomes more difficult
- Complications increase (anemia, fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, heart problems)
- Life expectancy is often measured in months when dialysis is stopped or not pursued
Comprehensive Hospice Services
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease Surveillance System. 2025. cdc.gov/kidney-disease
- United States Renal Data System. 2025 USRDS Annual Data Report: Epidemiology of Kidney Disease in the United States. usrds-adr.niddk.nih.gov
- Murtagh FEM, et al. How long do patients with advanced kidney disease live without dialysis? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Kidney Journal. 2023. academic.oup.com/ckj
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Hospice Benefits. 2024. medicare.gov
Statistics are provided for educational purposes. Clinical decisions should always be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
We're Here to Help
Contact our care team to discuss hospice care for a patient with end-stage renal disease.