• Remind your loved one to take his or her medication. The transplant recipient should be responsible for keeping track of his or her kidney transplant medication schedule. But you should also know it well and give a reminder if he or she seems to forget.
• Know the signs of organ rejection. Things to look out for include soreness in the area over and around the new kidney, fatigue, fever and sudden weight gain. Talk to the transplant team so you are familiar with all the symptoms and side effects to watch for.
• Help your loved one maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. With your support, he or she can get into a good routine and take an active role in maintaining wellness.
• Be understanding of moods and emotions. Your loved one may experience a range of emotions about his or her situation, so just being a good listener and a supportive presence can make a huge difference.
• Don't make it all about the transplant. For example, if your spouse is the one with the transplant, go on a date, like old times, and try not to talk exclusively about the transplant. Enjoy the time you have together, even though you are now a caregiver as well as a spouse, child, or friend.
• Know how you can help as a long-distance caregiver. If you're giving care from a distance, be in contact with people in your loved one's community and be prepared physically and financially to make periodic visits. You can also be extremely helpful by taking care of your loved one's necessary paperwork.

Don't be afraid to ask for help as you take on this responsibility. There are people and resources that can help. Learn more about taking care of your own health.

Find and print tools from the Wellness Tools page that can help you keep track of your loved one's wellness.