Preventing Hypoglycemia with your CGM: A Senior’s Safety Guide

This article provides general information about preventing hypoglycemia with CGM devices. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice. In case of a medical emergency, call 911.

Preventing hypoglycemia CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) technology doesn’t have to be complicated. As a Medicare senior with diabetes, your CGM device can be your reliable partner in avoiding dangerous low blood sugar episodes before they happen.

Understanding How Your CGM Helps Prevent Low Blood Sugar

Your CGM works like a faithful friend who checks your blood sugar every few minutes. Instead of waiting until you feel shaky or confused, your device alerts you when your numbers start dropping.

Think of your CGM as a weather forecast for your blood sugar. Just like knowing rain is coming helps you grab an umbrella, knowing your blood sugar is dropping helps you take action early.

Setting Up Your CGM Alerts for Preventing Hypoglycemia

Let’s walk through setting up your CGM alerts step by step:

1. Find your alert settings:

• On Dexcom G6: Tap Menu → Settings → Alerts
• On FreeStyle Libre 2: Tap Menu → Alarms

2. Set your low alert:

• Most doctors recommend 70 mg/dL
• You can adjust based on your doctor’s advice

💡 Having trouble seeing the screen? Ask a family member to help set the text size larger or use the device’s magnification features.

Understanding Your CGM’s Warning Signals

Alert Types and What They Mean

Urgent Low Alert (Below 55 mg/dL):

• Sound: Loud, repeating alarm
• Action: Treat immediately with fast-acting sugar
• Cannot be turned off (for your safety)

Low Alert (Your set level, usually 70-80 mg/dL):

• Sound: Gentler tone
• Action: Check trend arrow and treat if needed
• Can be customized

Predicted Low Alert:

• What it means: CGM thinks you’ll be low in 20 minutes
• Action: Prevent the low before it happens
• Very helpful for nighttime safety

Reading Your Trend Arrows Like a Pro

Arrow Quick Guide:

↓↓ Two arrows down: Dropping FAST (more than 3 mg/dL per minute)

• Action: Treat immediately, even if not low yet

↓ One arrow down: Dropping steadily (2-3 mg/dL per minute)

• Action: Have snack ready, monitor closely

→ Sideways arrow: Stable

• Action: You’re doing great!

↑ One arrow up: Rising steadily

• Action: Good if recovering from low

↑↑ Two arrows up: Rising FAST

• Action: May overshoot target

The 15-15 Rule Made Simple

When your CGM alerts you to a low:

1. Eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbs:

   • 3-4 glucose tablets
   • 4 ounces regular juice
   • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
   • 6-7 hard candies
2. 
   

   Wait 15 minutes

   
   
3. 
   

   Check your CGM again

   
   
4. 
   

   Repeat if still below 70

   
   

Keep these in every room and your car!

Preventing Nighttime Lows

Bedtime Safety Checklist:

• [ ] CGM reading above 100 mg/dL
• [ ] No downward arrows
• [ ] Alerts set and volume up
• [ ] Snacks on nightstand
• [ ] Phone charged (if using app)

Smart Bedtime Habits:

• Check CGM 30 minutes before bed
• Have a protein snack if trending down
• Set alarm 3 hours after bedtime initially
• Share data with family member
• Keep glucose tablets within reach

Common Causes and how we are Preventing Hypoglycemia with CGM

Understanding helps prevention:

Too much insulin or medication:

• Solution: Work with doctor on dosing
• CGM helps track patterns

Delayed or missed meals:

• Solution: Set meal reminders
• Watch CGM when meal is late

More activity than usual:

• Solution: Check before and during exercise
• Adjust food or insulin

Alcohol consumption:

• Solution: Never drink on empty stomach
• Monitor CGM closely for 24 hours

Medicare Coverage for CGM

What’s Covered:

• CGM device and sensors
• Replacement supplies
• Initial training
• Follow-up education

Requirements:

• Diabetes diagnosis
• Insulin use or history of lows
• Doctor’s prescription
• Regular monitoring

Call 727-831-3729 to verify your Medicare CGM coverage

Creating Your Personal Low Prevention Plan

Morning Routine:

1. Check CGM first thing
2. Note overnight patterns
3. Adjust breakfast if needed
4. Plan day based on trends

Before Driving:

• Rule: Never drive below 90 mg/dL
• Check CGM and arrows
• Treat if dropping
• Keep supplies in car
• Recheck every hour on long trips

Exercise Safety:

• Check before starting
• Reduce insulin if doctor approves
• Carry fast-acting carbs
• Tell exercise partner about diabetes
• Monitor for hours after

Technology Tips for Seniors

Make Your CGM Easier to Use:

Vision Helpers:

• Increase font size
• Use high contrast mode
• Enable voice alerts
• Get magnifying glass
• Ask for large-print guides

Hearing Helpers:

• Set vibration alerts
• Increase volume
• Use different tones
• Connect to hearing aids
• Place near bed at night

Memory Helpers:

• Set multiple alarms
• Write down alert levels
• Use phone reminders
• Create routine checks
• Post notes in visible places

Family Involvement for Safety

Share Your CGM Data:

• Add trusted family to app
• Teach them about alerts
• Show them treatment supplies
• Practice emergency response
• Update emergency contacts

Create a Low Blood Sugar Action Card:

IF MY CGM SHOWS BELOW 70:
1. Give me 15g fast sugar
2. Wait 15 minutes
3. Check again
4. Call 911 if unconscious
5. My doctor: ___________

Real Stories from Seniors

Barbara, 72: “My CGM woke me at 3 AM with a low alert. I was at 65 and dropping. I treated it before it got dangerous. That alert might have saved my life.”

George, 76: “The prediction alerts are amazing. I see I’m heading low during my walk and eat a snack before I feel anything.”

Ruth, 69: “I used to fear nighttime lows. Now my CGM and my daughter’s phone both alert if I drop. I sleep peacefully.”

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Too Many False Alarms”

Solutions:

• Check sensor placement
• Avoid pressure on sensor
• Calibrate if needed
• Adjust alert levels slightly
• Replace sensor if persistent

“I Don’t Wake Up to Alarms”

Solutions:

• Place device closer to bed
• Use vibration under pillow
• Set multiple devices
• Have backup person alerted
• Consider bed shaker device

“Confused by All the Numbers”

Solutions:

• Focus only on current number and arrow
• Ignore complex statistics initially
• Ask for simplified reports
• Have family help interpret
• Take CGM training class

Your Daily Prevention Checklist

Morning:

• [ ] Check overnight summary
• [ ] Verify alerts are on
• [ ] Test bedside supplies
• [ ] Plan meal times
• [ ] Check sensor expires

Throughout Day:

• [ ] Glance at CGM hourly
• [ ] Respond to all alerts
• [ ] Note any patterns
• [ ] Keep supplies nearby
• [ ] Stay hydrated

Evening:

• [ ] Review day’s lows
• [ ] Prepare bedside supplies
• [ ] Check alert volume
• [ ] Charge devices
• [ ] Set any needed alarms

Emergency Preparedness

Always Carry:

• Glucose tablets
• Medical ID
• Emergency contacts
• Glucagon kit
• CGM supplies

Teach Others:

• How to read your CGM
• Where you keep supplies
• Your low symptoms
• When to call 911
• Your doctor’s number

Gradual Improvement Plan

Week 1: Master Basics

• Respond to every alert
• Practice 15-15 rule
• Check before sleep
• Note one pattern

Week 2-4: Build Confidence

• Adjust alert timing
• Prevent one low daily
• Share successes
• Track improvements

Month 2+: Optimize

• Fine-tune alerts
• Reduce low frequency
• Help others learn
• Celebrate progress

Working with Your Healthcare Team

Questions for Your Doctor:

1. “What should my low alert be set at?”
2. “How can I prevent exercise lows?”
3. “Should I adjust my medications?”
4. “What patterns do you see?”
5. “Can we reduce my low risk?”

Track and Report:

• Number of lows weekly
• Time of day patterns
• Activity relationships
• Treatment effectiveness
• Sleep disruptions

The Most Important Things to Remember

1. Your CGM is your early warning system – trust it
2. Preventing lows is easier than treating them
3. Every alert deserves attention
4. Patterns teach prevention
5. You’re not alone – get support

Your Next Steps

Today:

1. Check your low alert settings
2. Count your glucose supplies
3. Practice reading arrows
4. Tell someone about your CGM
5. Celebrate taking control

This Week:

1. Prevent one predictable low
2. Share data with family
3. Review with pharmacist
4. Stock all locations
5. Track successes

Remember: Every low you prevent is a victory for your health and independence. Your CGM is a powerful tool – use it with confidence!

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Need Help with Medicare CGM Coverage?

Our specialists can help you navigate Medicare requirements and get the supplies you need.

Call Now: 727-831-3729
Email: support@seniorcgmsupport.com

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