Healthy Living

Social Security Disability (SSDI) Benefits and Kidney Failure or Disease

Any kind of kidney disease can be painful, cause serious complications, and require great deals of money to treat. This can make many patients unable to work and earn the income that they are used to. Because of this, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits for Kidney Failure that can be used to deliver needed financial resources.

Evaluation for Social Security Disability

The Social Securrity Administration (SSA) BlueBook lists conditions that may make someone eligible for disability benefits. It also goes into the symptoms and test results required for the condition to be a disability. Meeting or exceeding at least one criteria is typically needed to qualify for benefits. The Blue Book puts kidney failure under Genitourinary Disorders in Section 6.

Social Security Disability Insurance and Chronic Kidney Disease

For your kidney disease to be considered a disability, you must qualify for one of the below:

• Your kidney disease is chronic and requires the use of dialysis
• You have chronic kidney disease and have had a kidney transplant in the last year
• Your chronic kidney disease has led to at least three hospital visits in the last year
• Your kidney disease results in reduced kidney function that causes any of the things below
• Renal osteodystrophy
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Fluid overload syndrome
• Anorexia with weight loss by a BMI of 18 or less

Kidney Disease or Failure and Nephrotic Syndrome

Another situation that might make you capable of getting disability benefits for kidney failure is known as nephrotic syndrome. Essentially, this means that protein is being lost during urination. There are specific requirements for this syndrome to be approved for benefits. The syndrome needs to have been seen twice in tests in the same year but at least three months apart. It also must have resulted in skin swelling for 90 days or longer. To ensure you meet all requirments it is adviseable that you contact an attorney for disabled such as the Disability Help Group Arizona.

Kidney Failure or Disease Complications

Several different complications can occur from kidney disease. Those who have not had a kidney transplant and are not undergoing dialysis need to prove a few other things. Either you must have low serum creatinine levels over 90 days, a clearance level of 20ml or lower per minute, or one of the following complications:

• Chronic fluid overload syndrome accompanied by anorexia, diastolic hypertension, or vascular congestion
• Sensory or motor nephropathy
• Renal osteodystrophy

Medical Evidence for Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Kidney Failure

The SSA uses a particular set of medical guidelines, called the Blue Book, to determine whether a person‘s case qualified them for disability benefits. In some cases, even though you have kidney disease, the SSA will decide you can still work and should not receive benefits.

However, if the condition does make it impossible to work, the SSA will ask for a residual functional capacity form. A doctor fills out and submits the form to ensure the information you filled out in your application is accurate. As the doctor knows about your condition and takes care of the treatments, they also understand what you are capable of and what you aren‘t.

Kidney Failure or Disease Transplants 
An individual who has had a kidney transplant will automatically get 12 months of disability. However, once that time is up, Social Security will decide whether the person continues to be eligible based on residual impairments. When it comes to a kidney transplant, the following items are considered:

• Systemic infections
• Kidney rejection situations
• Side effects of corticosteroid treatment
• Renal infection treatment

The SSA will also consider whether a person no longer has signs, symptoms, and lab findings showing kidney failure when deciding whether to approve or reject an application for benefits.

Kidney Failure or Disease Functional Limitations 
Even when kidney disease doesn‘t meet all the listing requirements, functional limitations play a part in deciding on benefits. This involves looking at symptoms and whether they preclude someone from working.

If you have kidney disease or kidney failure, Disability Help Group Arizona offers a free disability evaluation. Our team can also help you work towards a claim to get the benefits that you deserve.

Disability Help Group Arizona
18444 N 25th Ave, Suite 420
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Call: (888)939-4692…

When is it Time for Assisted Living?

Many seniors and those with seniors in their lives often wonder: when is it time for assisted living? In this guide, our caring professional at St. Paul’s Senior Services assist you in answering that question. Generally speaking, if you have a loved one senior in your life who needs more and more care with each passing, it may be time to consider assisted living or other senior care services services.

On a more specific level, your individual needs or the needs of the senior in your life will determine just what type of assisted living may be the best fit. Below, our experts here at St. Paul’s Senior Services have put together an Assisted Living Checklist to help you get a better understanding for when it is time for assisted living.

Assisted Living Checklist

Use the following Assisted Living Checklist to determine if it’s time to consider assisted living center or nursing care for yourself or your loved one.

• Are you or your senior loved one having increased difficulties with daily tasks?
• Are you or your senior loved one incurring injuries due to falling, clumsiness, and fragility more often than before?
• Do you or your senior loved have a growing list of intensive medical needs?
• Are you or your loved one experiencing increased isolation?
• Are your currents needs or the needs of your senior loved one placing stress on family, friends, and/or in-home caregivers?

If you answered “yes,” to any of the above questions, it may be time to consider assisted living for yourself or your loved one. Use the checklist below while touring prospective assisted living communities to help you find the right community for your needs. This list also applies to skilled nursing facilities you may be interested in.

• Overall Environment: Are the grounds of the community well-maintained? Do the residents and staff seem happy and cheerful? Are there outdoor areas for residents to enjoy?
• Rooms and Apartments: Do the floor plans differ from one to the next? Is there ample closet space in the apartments? Does the living space offer private kitchens and baths? What furnishings are included?
• Safety: Are the stairs and hallways well lit? Are all exits well marked? Do doors and windows have safety locks? Are there security and fire alarms located throughout the premises?
• Food and Dining: Does a chef or dietitian plan menus? How are special dietary needs handled? Are there set dining times? Is there a sit-down restaurant for residents and their guests?
• Recreation and Amenities: Is there an activities program with a posted daily schedule of events? Is there a fitness facility? Does the community offer religious services? What about housekeeping and laundry?
• Staff and Licensing: Are staff background checks conducted? Is there staff training, and what does it entail? Is the community staffed at night/weekends? Is the community state-licensed and Medicare-certified?
• Fees and Finances: What types of financing are accepted? What are the entrance fees? What’s the monthly rent? Are there other fees?

Learn More

For more assistance on making the move to assisted living, please contact our professionals here at St. Paul’s Senior Services or better yet, come in and visit our San Diego senior living community today!…