Anyone know anything about kidney failure in the elderly?

[Greekgoddess]

My dad has been called to have 3-monthly tests on his kidneys via his GP- up from annually and 6-monthly. He tells me his kidneys are failing and seems fairly sanguine about it all. he says he's been told nothing other than he needs more regular tests and when I asked him what they had found he didn't know- or is lying!

Mum knows nothing except what I've said here- she's going to make an appt to find out what she can and as he is hard of hearing she has consent to see his notes etc via the GP.

Can anyone tell me how rapidly this may progress and what next? I did google and 3-monthly tests are recommended at stage 4 ( out of 5) of kidney failure. :(

How old is he? And I assume you don't know his kidney function? If he has got stage 4 chronic kidney disease, then he should have already been referred to a nephrologist (kidney specialist). If he hasn't, he should be.
Kidney function can decline very slowly, so it's difficult without knowing the time period over which this has happened and his function now to make any more comments about how close to end stage kidney failure he is.
If his kidneys do fail completely, then unless he is very frail, he would be offered (and benefit from) dialysis.

He's 89. I don't know anything and neither it seems does he!

He says he has not been referred to the GP at the practice, only told by the nurse after having a test recently ( routine) that he has to go back in 3 months for another test. we don't know if this means they have found low kidney function or need to check the last result in case it was a 1-off.

Function can go up as well as down. I would just wait and see what the next result is. If it's gone back up, then great. If not, probably worth going to see the GP with him to see where to go from there.
Have . I have an elderly father and it really is emotionally difficult seeing the problems they have as they age.

Thanks- much appreciated.

I would book a telephone consultation wtih the GP. It really is the GP's place to interpret the bloodwork, especially in your father's case. If the nurse offered you father this advice based on the GP's input, then a review in 3 months is reasonable. But I'd hear it from the horse's mouth (the GP in this case), just to be sure.

Most 89 year olds would have some decline in their kidney function. Its good that his gp is checking his bloods regularly as this will ascertain if the decline is stable or if its progressing. Ask for a referral to a nephrologist if you are worried. The gp has probably already checked this but ask for a review of your dads medication, some tablets may not be suitable.

Agree with MrsHenry .

My 94 yr old mother was told she had stage 3 kidney failure years ago . suspect it's linked to the diuertics she takes .

It doesn't seem to cause her any problems .