Sick Day Management for Diabetics: A Senior’s Guide to Staying Safe
This article provides general information about sick day management for diabetics. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
When you’re living with diabetes, managing your health during illness requires extra attention and care. Sick day management diabetics need becomes especially important for seniors, as even minor illnesses can significantly impact blood sugar levels. Let’s explore how to handle these challenging times with confidence.
Understanding Sick Day Challenges for Diabetic Seniors
Being sick can make your diabetes harder to control. Your body releases stress hormones when fighting illness, which often raises blood sugar levels. For seniors with diabetes, this presents unique challenges that require careful monitoring and management.
🔍 Keep a sick day kit ready with essential supplies like extra test strips, glucose tablets, and easy-to-digest foods. Store emergency contact numbers in large print for quick access.
Essential Steps for Sick Day Management Diabetics Should Follow
- Check blood sugar more frequently (every 2-4 hours)
- Continue taking diabetes medications unless directed otherwise
- Stay hydrated with sugar-free fluids
- Test for ketones if blood sugar is over 240 mg/dL
- Keep simple carbohydrates on hand
When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if:
- Blood sugar stays above 240 mg/dL for over 24 hours
- You can’t keep food or liquids down
- You have a fever over 101°F
- You experience severe stomach pain
Creating Your Sick Day Action Plan
Before You Get Sick: Preparation is Key
Stock Your Medicine Cabinet:
- [ ] Extra blood glucose test strips
- [ ] Ketone testing supplies
- [ ] Thermometer
- [ ] Over-the-counter medications (approved by doctor)
- [ ] Sugar-free cough drops
- [ ] Anti-nausea medication
Prepare Your Pantry:
- [ ] Sugar-free sports drinks
- [ ] Low-sodium broth
- [ ] Sugar-free gelatin
- [ ] Crackers
- [ ] Applesauce
- [ ] Regular soda (for emergencies)
Emergency Contact List (Large Print)
Create a visible list including:
- Primary doctor: ___________
- Endocrinologist: __________
- Pharmacy: _______________
- Emergency contact: ________
- Senior CGM Support: 727-831-3729
Managing Blood Sugar During Illness
Why Illness Affects Blood Sugar
Common effects include:
- Stress hormones raise glucose
- Reduced appetite affects levels
- Dehydration concentrates glucose
- Medications may work differently
- Less activity changes needs
Monitoring Guidelines
Check blood sugar:
- Every 2-3 hours when awake
- Before each meal
- Middle of the night if very ill
- Anytime you feel worse
- Before taking correction doses
Record everything:
- Time of each check
- Blood sugar reading
- Medications taken
- Food and fluids consumed
- Temperature readings
Medication Management When Sick
Continue Taking These:
✅ Long-acting insulin ✅ Basal insulin ✅ Metformin (unless vomiting) ✅ Blood pressure medications ✅ Cholesterol medications
May Need Adjustment:
⚠️ Short-acting insulin – May need more ⚠️ Oral diabetes meds – If not eating ⚠️ SGLT2 inhibitors – Risk of ketoacidosis ⚠️ GLP-1 medications – If nauseous
Always consult your doctor before changing medications!
Staying Hydrated: Critical for Recovery
Fluid Goals
Aim for 8 oz every hour while awake
Best Choices:
- Water
- Sugar-free sports drinks
- Broth (watch sodium)
- Sugar-free popsicles
- Herbal tea
- Diet soda (occasionally)
Signs of Dehydration:
- Dark yellow urine
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness when standing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusion
Medicare Tip: Some Medicare Advantage plans cover nutritional drinks for sick days. Call 727-831-3729 to check your coverage.
What to Eat When You Don’t Feel Like Eating
If Blood Sugar is High (Over 200):
- Clear broth
- Sugar-free gelatin
- Diet drinks
- Sugar-free popsicles
- Small portions of crackers
If Blood Sugar is Low (Under 100):
- Regular gelatin
- Fruit juice (4 oz)
- Regular soda (4 oz)
- Applesauce
- Toast with honey
Easy-to-Digest Options:
- Plain rice
- Bananas
- Dry toast
- Chicken soup
- Scrambled eggs
Special Considerations for Common Illnesses
Cold and Flu
Watch for:
- Blood sugar spikes from infection
- Dehydration from fever
- Medication interactions
Safe remedies:
- Sugar-free cough drops
- Saline nasal spray
- Acetaminophen (with doctor approval)
- Rest and fluids
Stomach Illness
Challenges:
- Can’t keep medications down
- Risk of dehydration
- Blood sugar swings
- Ketone development
Management tips:
- Sip fluids constantly
- Try anti-nausea medication
- Check ketones frequently
- Call doctor if vomiting persists
Urinary Tract Infections
Why they’re serious:
- Common in diabetics
- Can spike blood sugar
- May lead to complications
- Need prompt treatment
Action steps:
- See doctor immediately
- Increase fluid intake
- Monitor blood sugar closely
- Complete all antibiotics
Using Technology During Sick Days
CGM Advantages When Ill
- Continuous monitoring without finger pricks
- Alerts for highs and lows
- Trend arrows show direction
- Share data with family
- Less effort when feeling weak
Helpful Apps and Tools
- Medication reminders
- Hydration tracking apps
- Symptom diaries
- Telehealth services
- Pharmacy delivery apps
Creating Your Sick Day Routine
Morning Tasks:
- Check blood sugar
- Take temperature
- Assess how you feel
- Take morning medications
- Eat if possible
- Start hydration
Every 2-3 Hours:
- Recheck blood sugar
- Drink 8 oz fluids
- Record readings
- Assess symptoms
- Rest
Evening Checklist:
- Review day’s readings
- Prepare overnight supplies
- Set alarms if needed
- Inform family/caregiver
- Keep phone nearby
When to Seek Emergency Care
Call 911 if you experience:
- Severe confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Uncontrollable vomiting
- Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis
- Loss of consciousness
Go to ER if:
- Blood sugar won’t come down
- Can’t keep fluids down for 6 hours
- Severe abdominal pain
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Ketones remain high
Recovery Phase Management
As You Start Feeling Better:
- Gradually return to normal eating
- Continue frequent monitoring
- Slowly increase activity
- Keep pushing fluids
- Don’t rush back to routine
Post-Illness Follow-Up:
- Schedule doctor appointment
- Review what worked/didn’t work
- Restock supplies
- Update sick day plan
- Share experience with diabetes team
Family and Caregiver Guidelines
How They Can Help:
- Learn sick day procedures
- Know where supplies are kept
- Understand when to call doctor
- Help with monitoring
- Assist with medications
- Provide emotional support
Information to Share:
- Doctor contact numbers
- Medication list
- Target blood sugar ranges
- Warning signs
- Hospital preferences
Sick Day Supply Checklist
Keep These Stocked:
- [ ] 2-week supply of all medications
- [ ] Extra testing supplies
- [ ] Ketone strips
- [ ] Thermometer
- [ ] Easy foods
- [ ] Hydration options
- [ ] Emergency glucose
- [ ] Written sick day plan
Check Expiration Dates:
- Test strips
- Ketone strips
- Medications
- Glucose tablets
- Emergency supplies
Learning from Each Illness
After Recovery, Note:
- What blood sugar patterns occurred
- Which foods worked best
- Effective hydration strategies
- Medication adjustments needed
- When you called doctor
Update Your Plan:
- Add successful strategies
- Remove what didn’t work
- Share updates with doctor
- Teach family changes
- Restock supplies
Medicare Coverage During Sick Days
Often Covered:
- Extra testing supplies with documentation
- Telehealth visits
- Urgent care visits
- Emergency medications
- Home health services (if qualifying)
To Access Benefits:
- Keep detailed records
- Get doctor documentation
- Use approved suppliers
- Submit claims promptly
- Appeal if denied
Your Sick Day Success Plan
Remember These Keys:
- Never stop insulin completely
- Check blood sugar frequently
- Stay hydrated above all
- Call doctor when in doubt
- Keep detailed records
Build Confidence By:
- Practicing your plan when well
- Discussing with healthcare team
- Teaching family members
- Keeping supplies ready
- Learning from each experience
The Bottom Line
Being sick with diabetes requires extra vigilance, but with proper preparation and knowledge, you can manage successfully. Your sick day plan is like insurance – you hope not to need it, but you’ll be grateful it’s there when you do.
Remember: Every person with diabetes responds differently to illness. Work with your healthcare team to create a personalized sick day plan that meets your specific needs.
References
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
