Market scope note: This article draws on data from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
Have you noticed your parents saying they feel more tired than before, or that their ankles seem a little swollen? It's easy to chalk these changes up to aging or the heat and move on. But the kidneys are an organ that sends no clear distress signals until function has already declined quite significantly — which makes it all the harder for family members to catch the problem early.
🇰🇷 Korea According to the '만성콩팥병-투석전문의 팩트시트 2026 (Chronic Kidney Disease–Dialysis Specialist Fact Sheet 2026)' published by the 대한신장학회 (Korean Society of Nephrology) in 2026, the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among Korean adults aged 19 and older was 6.3% as of 2024 — but among those aged 70 and older, that figure climbs to 25.9%. In other words, more than 1 in 4 older adults in our parents' age group is already living with chronic kidney disease. 🇰🇷 Korea Data from the 건강보험심사평가원 (Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service) show that the number of chronic kidney disease patients in Korea more than doubled in ten years, rising from approximately 170,000 in 2015 to over 346,000 in 2024.
🇺🇸 U.S. According to the 미국 국립당뇨·소화·신장질환연구소 (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK), chronic kidney disease (CKD) is most common among adults aged 65 and older, with a prevalence of 34% in that age group. 🇺🇸 U.S. The 미국 국립신장재단 (National Kidney Foundation) reports that approximately 37 million American adults have CKD, and that most of them are unaware of their condition. The numbers from both countries make clear that kidney health in older adults is a serious public health challenge.
As the kidneys age, their ability to concentrate urine declines, and their capacity to maintain function during dehydration or high-heat conditions diminishes as well. When high blood pressure and diabetes are added to the picture, kidney damage progresses even faster. Chronic kidney disease also raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is why kidney health must be managed hand in hand with heart and vascular health. If you notice that your parent's urine is unusually foamy, that their body is swelling, or that they have lost their appetite or feel persistently lethargic for no clear reason, please don't dismiss these as simple aging — we encourage you to have their kidney function tested.
🇰🇷 Korea Once chronic kidney disease reaches the stage requiring dialysis or a transplant, patients can make use of the 국민건강보험 산정특례 (National Health Insurance catastrophic illness cost-sharing reduction) program. Patients receiving care related to hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation qualify as severe and intractable disease beneficiaries, which reduces their out-of-pocket share of outpatient and inpatient costs from the standard 20–60% down to 10%. The benefit is maintained for 5 years after approval and can be applied for by submitting a registration application — issued by the attending physician — to the 국민건강보험공단 (National Health Insurance Service). In addition, patients who have been on hemodialysis for 3 months or longer can register as persons with a kidney disability, unlocking additional benefits such as income tax deductions and discounts on communications and transportation costs.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are eligible for Medicare regardless of age. This means that even if a person is under 65, they can enroll in Medicare if they have permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to NIDDK data, annual per-person spending for Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 and older with chronic kidney disease is $28,162 — more than twice that of peers in the same age group without kidney disease — making it especially important to confirm insurance eligibility.
The most important thing you can do as a family caregiver is to make sure regular check-ups are never skipped. Blood tests (creatinine and eGFR) and urine tests (proteinuria) are the key tools for detecting chronic kidney disease early. Because symptoms are virtually absent in the early stages, we recommend arranging at least one kidney function check per year for parents who have high blood pressure or diabetes, or who are 65 or older. When test results are hard to understand, or when you're unsure what care step should come next, 시에라 케어 어드바이저 (Sierra Care Advisor) is here to help your family make sense of the information and find a clear path forward.
Sources: 대한신장학회 '만성콩팥병-투석전문의 팩트시트 2026' (published June 2026); 건강보험심사평가원 Health and Medical Big Data (2024); 국민건강보험공단 guidance on the 건강보험 산정특례 program; NIDDK Kidney Disease Statistics; National Kidney Foundation CKD Fact Sheet; Kyunghyang Shinmun, 'Chronic kidney disease patients double over 10 years' (June 2026).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.