OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to prospectively review our experience with self-care home dialysis in the 60-years-and-older age group since the commencement of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our center in 1989. DESIGN: Data on mortality, morbidity, dialysis technique and complications, quality of life, and rehabilitation were collected prospectively. SETTING: A regional dialysis unit providing full renal replacement services for a population of 292,000. PATIENTS: Twenty-five patients (16 male) with an average age of 64.4 years (range: 58.25 - 76.5 years) at commencement of dialysis. RESULTS: All patients were on self-care home dialysis. Patient survival rates were comparable with the national average at 12 months (90% vs 89%) and two years (84% vs 80%). Dialysis therapy was well tolerated and technique survival rates were comparable for both hemodialysis and CAPD. There was a very low peritonitis rate of 1 episode per 28.5 patient-months. CONCLUSIONS: Self-care home dialysis is a viable therapeutic option with a high degree of technique success and a good quality of life in the older population.

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