Abstract
To provide information on specific difficulties faced by, and service needs of, families with a parent affected by kidney disease, we conducted a needs analysis with dialysis and transplant patients (N = 123) whose children were under 18 years old. Because treatment (dialysis vs. transplant) has not been explored as it relates to service needs, we examined effects by treatment type. Significantly more difficulties in providing for children's needs were found for low-income families. Compared to transplant patients, dialysis patients reported significantly more child care-related difficulties. Significantly more dialysis patients reported difficulty supporting their children financially, and significantly more transplant patients reported difficulties paying for medications. Findings are discussed as they relate to specialized supports for dialysis and transplant patient families, including policies aimed at improving transplant donor recruitment and access to adequate children's health care.