Like anything else working correctly, when your kidneys are functioning properly, you just sail through your daily activities and don’t give them a second thought.

But if you are among the 37 million people who are dealing with chronic kidney disease, one of the 660,000 who are living with kidney/liver failure, or are on the list of 100,000 people waiting for a transplant, your kidneys become your top concern.

Even if you’re not currently having kidney problems, you should educate yourself on how to prevent them. The fact is 1 in 3 Americans are at risk for the disease, which makes it a smart idea to participate in senior activities that promote healthy kidney awareness whether you’re enjoying residing at home or in a senior living community.

Why Are Your Kidneys So Important?

The main thing these two fist-sized, bean-shaped organs that are located on each side of your spine, just below your rib cage do is filter wastes and extra water out of your bloodstream to make urine. Kidneys perform other important functions as well, like helping regulate blood pressure, red blood cells, and the amount of calcium and potassium you have in your body.

What Happens When Your Kidneys Aren’t Working Right?

Some common signs of early kidney disease can include:

• Swollen feet and ankles
• Feeling tired
• Having trouble concentrating and sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle cramping
• Urinating a lot, especially at night

If you have any of these often subtle symptoms, your doctor may diagnose you with chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, a urinary tract infection, or warn you that you could develop painful kidney stones. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to kidney failure, the need for dialysis or a transplant, or even death.

What Can Seniors Do to Keep Their Kidneys Healthy?

1. Pass on the pizza and Pinot Grigio – As a rule, you should avoid foods high in cholesterol, cut back on salt, and limit how much alcohol you drink. Instead, reach for options rich in iron like leafy green vegetables and eggs, low in potassium like apples and carrots, and rich in antioxidants like fresh fruits and whole grains.


2. Stub out that cigarette – Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of medicines used to treat high blood pressure, a condition which is a leading cause of kidney disease.


3. Drink more water – Seniors should make an effort to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. Fruit juices are good too. However, stay away from highly caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee, and certain soft drinks since they can cause you to become dehydrated.


4. Get up and go – In addition to helping manage risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes, a daily 30 minute walk or other physical activity can help you keep your weight under control. These are all things you can do to help prevent or lessen the severity of kidney disease.

Making these senior activities that promote healthy kidney awareness part of your life can not only help prevent disease, it can have a positive impact on your total health.

MorningStar Senior Living

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offer care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.