VAntage Point
Nutrition essential for managing kidney disease
A VA partnership is helping Veterans do just that
Many VA partnerships and initiatives focus year-round on providing Veterans information and resources to help them access nutritious food that suits their needs and lifestyles. One example is the VA partnership with American Kidney Fund (AKF), which was established in November 2020.
This collaboration adds to existing VA programs and services that support Veterans through early identification of kidney disease and referral for appropriate treatment. VA’s eKidney Clinic is one such resource. There, Veterans can learn about proper kidney nutrition. They’ll also learn how and why to pay attention to potassium, protein and sodium, and much more.
Alexis MacKay-Dunn
A Vancouver mother of two is searching for an organ donor after going into acute kidney failure on Christmas Eve.
Interior designer Alexis MacKay-Dunn was first diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, a chronic kidney disease, in 2018 while pregnant with her first child.
“My kidneys were discovered to be silently deteriorating and scarring themselves for some undetermined time without me displaying any symptoms,” she said.
Despite the diagnosis, her kidneys performed well throughout her first pregnancy. In early 2020, MacKay-Dunn was given a small window to have another child before her disease progressed further.
A difficult part of the condition, she said, is that there is no clear timeline for how long it will take the kidneys to decline.
Meet our top nurse finalists
We decided to recognize every nurse who was nominated in our biennial program.
December 17, 2020 8:05 AM Maija Inveiss
Updated:
Courtesy of Oakwood Village
Every year, selecting only a select few Top Nurses is nearly impossible. Each nominee is deserving of an award. This year especially, as our nurses have become essential workers, we decided to recognize every nurse who was nominated in our biennial program.
Find profiles on the six selected top nurses here.
Teaming up
In transitioning to treat patients with the coronavirus, four teams of local nurses had to readjust. Every day, the
Oakwood Village Hebron Oaks Nursing Team, also had to take on extra responsibilities. From coordinating family FaceTime chats to accompanying patients during meals, nurses worked to ensure not just the physical safety of their patients but their mental health as well. Oakwood Village was among the first nursing homes to handle a small out