Life-Sustaining Dialysis Helps Patients Achieve 100 Years of Age

Company Website: http://www.ultracare-dialysis.com/
WALTHAM, Mass. -- (Business Wire)

The nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities is recognizing more than 25 patients across the nation who will be 100 years or older in 2012 and are still leading healthy, fulfilling lives without their kidney function. A healthy lifestyle has helped these dialysis patients reach the century mark in their lives.

Modern dialysis treatments are giving patients with kidney failure a better chance than ever to maintain a healthy, rewarding lifestyle for many years. Patient commitment to their treatment plan and to making changes in their lifestyle that address diet and exercise habits are important factors in doing well on dialysis. Some of Fresenius Medical Care North America's (FMCNA) centenarian patients have been on dialysis for many years. The company honors approximately 350 long-time patients annually with its Quarter Century Patient Recognition Program, which recognizes patients who have dedicated themselves to their treatment for 25 years or more.

One of the reasons that patients can live longer on dialysis today is that there are more treatment options available, and FMCNA is committed to offering a full range of services to its patients. The company offers free education sessions through its Treatment Options Program (TOPs), to educate patients about all available treatments for kidney failure, and encourages them to find the therapy that best suits their lifestyle and personal needs.

"Our number one goal is to provide the best quality care possible to help patients live a better life on dialysis. Seeing patients reach 100 years of age is extremely rewarding for our company and staff," said Dugan W. Maddux MD, FACP, Vice President, Chronic Kidney Disease Initiativesat FMCNA.

Whiledialysis has been widely available since the mid-1970s, there have been significant technological advances that have led to the sophisticated equipment used today. Fresenius Medical Care has more than 30 years of experience in research, development and manufacturing of dialysis technology, and today's equipment is able to clean blood enough to allow a stable life on dialysis.

Most long-term dialysis patients attribute their success to adhering to their treatments, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and maintaining an active lifestyle. Patients who understand their condition and stay on track with their treatment program are much more likely to achieve good results with dialysis. Many long-term dialysis patients are also independent and self-reliant people, who maintain a positive attitude and want to live as normal a life as possible with their condition.

Dialysis is a life-sustaining process that cleans waste products from the blood, removes extra fluids and controls the body’s chemistry when a person’s kidneys fail. Dialysis patients typically require treatment on an ongoing basis unless they receive a kidney transplant.

About Fresenius Medical Care

Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS) is the world’s leading company devoted to patient-oriented renal therapy. Through nearly 2,900 clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, we provide kidney dialysis treatments to approximately 228,000 patients worldwide. We are also the world's leading maker of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Chronic kidney failure is a condition that affects about 2 million individuals worldwide. For more information about the company’s more than 1,800 U.S. dialysis facilities, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com (in English and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, visit www.fmc-ag.com or www.fmcna.com.

Contacts:

Media contact:
Loomis Group
Brooks Helms, 617-638-0022
helmsb@loomisgroup.com
or
Company contact:
Fresenius Medical Care
Rosemary Heinold, 781-699-4171
rosemary.heinold@fmc-na.com

Source: Fresenius Medical Care