Ask how and when to test your blood sugar and how to use the results to manage your diabetes.Use these tips to help with your self-care.Discuss how your diabetes plan is working for you each time you visit your health care team.Step 4: Get routine care to stay healthy.
See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early.
At each visit, be sure you have a:
- blood pressure check
- foot check
- weight check
- review of your self-care plan
Two times each year, have an:
- A1C test. It may be checked more often if it is over 7.
Once each year, be sure you have a:
- cholesterol test
- complete foot exam
- dental exam to check teeth and gums
- dilated eye exam to check for eye problems
- flu shot
- urine and a blood test to check for kidney problems
At least once in your lifetime, get a:
- pneumonia (nu-mo-nya) shot
- hepatitis B (HEP-uh-TY-tiss) shot
Medicare and diabetes.
If you have Medicare, check to see how your plan covers diabetes care. Medicare covers some of the costs for:
- diabetes education
- diabetes supplies
- diabetes medicine
- visits with a dietitian
- special shoes, if you need them
Actions you can take
- Ask your health care team about these and other tests you may need. Ask what your results mean.
- Write down the date and time of your next visit.
- Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your diabetes care.
- If you have Medicare, check your plan.
Things to Remember:
- You are the most important member of your health care team.
- Follow the four steps in this booklet to help you learn how to manage your diabetes.
- Learn how to reach your diabetes ABC goals.
- Ask your health care team for help.
My Diabetes Care Record: Page 1
How to use the record.
First read the shaded bar across the page. This tells you:
- the name of the test or check-up
- how often to get the test or check-up
- what your personal goal is (for A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol)
Then, write down the date and results for each test or check-up you get. Take this card with you on your health care visits. Show it to your health care team. Talk about your goals and how you are doing.
| A1C – At least twice each year | My goal: ______ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | ||||
| Result | ||||
| Blood Pressure (BP) – At each visit | My goal: ______ | |||
| Date | ||||
| Result | ||||
| Cholesterol – Once each year | My goal: ______ | |||
| Date | ||||
| Result | ||||
My Diabetes Care Record: Page 2
How to use the record.
Use this page to write down the date and results of each test, exam, or shot.
| Each Visit | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Foot check | ||
| Review self-care plan | ||
| Weight check | ||
| Review medicines | ||
| Once a Year | Date | Result |
| Dental exam | ||
| Dilated eye exam | ||
| Complete foot exam | ||
| Flu shot | ||
| Kidney check | ||
| At Least Once | Date | Result |
| Pneumonia shot | ||
| Hepatitis B shot |
Self Checks of Blood Sugar
How to use this card.
This card has three sections. Each section tells you when to check your blood sugar: before each meal, 1 to 2 hours after each meal, and at bedtime. Each time you check your blood sugar, write down the date, time, and results. Take this card with you on your health care visits. Show it to your health care team. Talk about your goals and how you are doing.
| Date | Time | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| My blood sugar before meals: Usual goal 80 to 130* My goal: ________ |
|||
| My blood sugar 1-2 hours after meals: Usual goal below 180* My goal: ________ |
|||
| My blood sugar at bedtime: Usual goal 110 to 150* My goal: ________ |
|||
* Your blood sugar goals may be different if you are an older adult (over 65) and have had diabetes a long time. They may be different if you have other health problems like heart disease, or your blood sugar often gets too low.
