Parental Perspectives on the Financial Impact of Caring for a Child With CKD

Parents focused their resources and attention on meeting the complex needs of their child. Inability to sustain employment due to focus on their child's care and both medical and nonmedical expenses were major contributors to the financial impact, with financial stress compounded by difficulties accessing government support. As a result, parents experienced profound financial and social instability and physical and psychological fatigue and exercised extreme financial vigilance. Increased access to respite and domestic support and financial and psychosocial interventions are suggested to minimize the financial impact of caring for a child with CKD, which in turn may lead to better care, quality of life, and health outcomes for children with CKD and their families.