Note on market scope: This article covers information 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.
The kidneys filter waste from the blood, maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, regulate blood pressure, and support red blood cell production — making them one of the body's most vital organs. Yet as we age, kidney function declines quietly. The glomerular filtration rate decreases by roughly 6–8% every decade, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can accelerate that decline even further. The difficulty is that many people feel no symptoms even after losing more than 30% of their kidney function. This is precisely why family caregivers need to pay attention first.
🇰🇷 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 stood at 6.3% as of 2024. Among those aged 70 and older, however, that figure rises to a striking 25.9% — meaning effectively 1 in 4 older adults is living with the disease. 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 a decade, growing from approximately 170,000 in 2015 to over 346,000 in 2024.
🇺🇸 U.S. According to the latest report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic kidney disease is found in approximately 34% of adults aged 65 and older — a rate far higher than the 6% prevalence seen among adults aged 18–44. An estimated 35.5 million people in the United States are living with chronic kidney disease, and 9 out of 10 adults with the condition are unaware they have it. These numbers underscore just how difficult early detection can be.
Another reason chronic kidney disease is so serious is the range of complications it brings. When the kidneys lose function, anemia can develop, blood pressure and metabolic regulation become unstable, and both bones and blood vessels can be damaged. The risk of cardiovascular disease also rises. If your parents mention foamy urine, leg swelling, unusual fatigue, changes in urine output, or persistent itching, it is worth arranging a kidney function test without delay.
The most important thing that can be managed at home is diet. 🇰🇷 Korea Clinical guidelines from 순천향대학교병원 (Soonchunhyang University Hospital) and 연세대 세브란스병원 (Yonsei University Severance Hospital) recommend that people with chronic kidney disease limit sodium to no more than 5 g of salt per day and keep protein intake at 0.6–0.8 g per kilogram of body weight. That said, reducing protein too aggressively can lead to nutritional imbalance and muscle loss, so it is essential to work with a treating physician and a clinical dietitian to build an individualized meal plan. Foods high in potassium and phosphorus also require careful attention.
🇰🇷 Korea Regular health check-ups are the key to catching kidney problems early. Periodic screenings that include kidney function tests, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasound, and blood work are recommended. For parents who already have high blood pressure or diabetes, managing those chronic conditions is itself directly linked to protecting kidney health. 🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, Medicare covers dialysis and kidney transplant costs for patients with kidney failure (end-stage renal disease, ESRD) regardless of age. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offers financial incentives to healthcare providers through the Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model, encouraging them to delay the start of dialysis as long as possible and to promote kidney transplantation.
Sources: 대한신장학회 '만성콩팥병-투석전문의 팩트시트 2026'; 건강보험심사평가원 보건의료 빅데이터 (2024); 경향신문 (2026.6.12); U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 'Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023'; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) statistics; CMS 'Kidney Care Choices Model' materials; 순천향대학교병원 and 세브란스병원 dietary guidance for chronic kidney disease.
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.