Kulkarni and other experts share tips for getting organized and managing time while helping with all diabetes care tasks.
- Use a notepad, PDA, or other scheduling system to keep track of diabetes care tasks, such as checking blood glucose, taking medications, exercising, and going to medical appointments.
- Enhance the implementation of your diabetes care plan with sticky notes or other message reminders. “The more reminder signs at home or in the office, the better,” Kulkarni said.
- Keep all medications, needles, test strips and other related items in the same place in your home so you don’t waste time looking for things, and you can see at a glance what’s understocked without having to wait until things run out to remember to buy new ones.
- Take your diabetes care “travel kit” with you whenever you leave home. Pack all your medical supplies, snacks, and water in the kit. Don’t forget to pack glucose tablets and hard candy to take in case of hypoglycemia. “Whenever you leave home, you can have a drop in blood sugar and then an emergency,” says Pamela F. Kelly, a Chicago-based consultant who has consulted on how to manage the time needed for diabetes care.
- If you’re worried about how to manage your diabetes, find a care partner, such as a partner or friend. “A lot of times, people with diabetes feel sad or frustrated either because they simply don’t have their diabetes under control or are in a very difficult time because it’s a constant battle,” Pamela says, “and a care partner will help with that by understanding where you are, what you’re taking medications, and any other illnesses you have, and they will understand what you need and how to help you.”
Visit your doctor before you ask all your questions and doubts
A visit to the doctor doesn’t take long – it may only take 15 minutes for a meeting – but be prepared beforehand.
- List all your questions and concerns before the visit, so you don’t forget anything important. For example, are there any new symptoms? Have low blood sugar? Any questions about food and medications?
- Put all your medications in a bag for your doctor to check, including any diabetes medications you take and other health medications.
- When talking to your doctor, mention the primary concern first, not last, or you may not have enough time to address it.
- Jot down what your doctor says so you can help remember your doctor’s orders, or bring a friend or relative to help take notes.
Make a healthy meal plan
A busy daily schedule can make it difficult for people with diabetes to find ample time to prepare healthy meals and snacks, and some tips are listed below.
- Keep the foods you should eat close at hand. Kulkarni says, “Research shows that most of us eat the same 100 foods most of the time, and it’s important to get familiar with them and keep them balanced.” For example, stock up on whole-grain bread, cereals, milk, vegetables and fruits at home.
- Find recipes that are easy, diabetes-friendly and take less than 30 minutes to prepare, or check out a diabetes cookbook.
- Buy bags of broccoli.
- Buy bagged broccoli, bagged lettuce, baby carrots, and sage fruit to reduce the time it takes to chop and prep.
- Stock the pantry with foods that contain common nutrients, such as low-sodium broth, whole-grain pasta and lentils. Kulkarni says, “If there are base ingredients, feel free to mix and match them together.”
- Ask a dietitian for advice on how to read food labels so you can accurately assess convenience foods as a way to make sure they’re not too high in carbohydrates, salt or fat.
Choosing the right exercise for people with diabetes
Many diabetes educators often hear the statement, I just don’t have time to exercise, when talking to patients about exercise. However, exercise is critical to improving blood sugar and controlling weight, and here are some ways to exercise that are appropriate for people with diabetes.
- Check your daily schedule carefully to schedule exercise. “Try to find some odd hours to exercise,” Kulkarni says. You can find some odd hours between work to go for a walk or climb the stairs!
- Use a buddy walk system. “If the plan is to exercise with someone 3-4 times a week, then that’s where the accountability exists,” says Kulkarni.
- Work out with a personal trainer. Appointments are already scheduled and require payment for the sessions, so it’s less likely that you’ll miss a workout.