Living Well with Diabetes at Home (2025 Georgia Edition): A Practical, Link‑Packed Guide

1) Set up your diabetes “home base” (do this once)

• Glucose kit corner: meter or CGM, strips/sensors, lancets, alcohol wipes, batteries/charger, notepad or phone app.

• Sharps safety: place used needles/lancets straight into an FDA‑cleared sharps container (pharmacies carry them). Guidance: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel

• Go‑folder on the fridge: med list, allergies, diagnoses, clinician & pharmacy numbers, preferred hospital, latest A1C.

• Healthy pantry swap: low‑ or no‑salt beans/broth/tomatoes; whole grains; frozen veggies without sauce; fruit packed in water.

2) The daily rhythm that actually works

Morning (5 minutes)

• Check glucose (or review CGM trend).

• Take medicines/insulin exactly as prescribed.

• Quick foot check (skin, nails, blisters, redness, swelling). Foot care basics: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/foot-problems

Evening (10 minutes)

• Plan the next day’s meals using the Diabetes Plate Method (half non‑starchy veg, one‑quarter lean protein, one‑quarter carbs): https://diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/create-your-plate/

• Read the Nutrition Facts label to compare carbs, fiber, and added sugars: https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label

Tip: Consider a CGM if you use insulin—you’ll get trend arrows and alerts: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes

3) Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) — your 1‑minute plan

• The 15‑15 rule: eat 15 g fast carbs, wait 15 minutes, recheck. Examples: 4 glucose tabs; ½ cup juice/regular soda; 1 tbsp honey.
  Low blood glucose (ADA): https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose

• If still <70 mg/dL, repeat 15‑15. Symptoms & steps: https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose/symptoms-treatment

• If severe (can’t swallow, confused, or unconscious): use glucagon if available and call 911. Severe low guidance: https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose/severe

4) Sick‑day rules (copy this to your phone)

• Check more often. Illness can push glucose up or down.

• Hydrate and keep simple carbs (popsicles, juice, regular soda, gelatin) on hand if you’re at risk for lows.

• When to call your clinician: vomiting/diarrhea >4–6 hours, high ketones, sustained high readings, or signs of dehydration.
  Sick‑day planning (ADA): https://diabetes.org/getting-sick-with-diabetes/sick-days
  CDC sick‑day tips: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/managing-sick-days.html

5) Food that loves you back (no math required)

• Start with the Plate Method (visual guide, recipes): https://diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/create-your-plate/

• Eat fiber first (veg/beans/whole grains) and pair carbs with protein to soften spikes.

• Label refresher (carbs, fiber, sugars, %DV): https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label

6) Foot care that prevents big problems

• Every day: wash/dry well (not between toes), moisturize tops/soles, never go barefoot, and inspect with a mirror.

• Call fast for breaks in skin, redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or pain.
  ADA foot‑care tips: https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/diabetes-and-your-feet/foot-care-tips
  NIDDK foot problems overview: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/foot-problems

7) Labs & targets (know your numbers)

• A1C reflects your last ~3 months of glucose; targets are individualized—ask your clinician.
  What A1C means (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-testing/prediabetes-a1c-test.html
  Testing overview: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-testing/index.html

8) Travel with confidence (TSA‑friendly)

• Keep insulin/supplies in carry‑on (not checked). Tell officers you’re carrying medical items.

• Insulin & supplies: allowed in carry‑on with special instructions: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/medical

• Insulin: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/insulin

• Pumps/CGMs: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/insulin-pumps-and-glucose-monitors

• Gel/ice packs: allowed for medical use: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/gel-ice-packs

• ADA “What can I bring?”: https://diabetes.org/tools-support/know-your-rights/what-can-i-bring-with-me-on-plane

9) Insulin storage (and backup plan)

• Store unopened insulin in the fridge (about 36–46°F / 2–8°C); protect from freezing, heat, and sun.
  FDA storage basics: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency
  CDC emergency storage tips: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/articles/managing-insulin-in-emergency.html
  ADA storage & syringe safety: https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/medication/insulin-storage-and-syringe-safety

10) Georgia resources and real‑people support

• Find a diabetes education (DSMES) program near you: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/education-support-programs/find-a-dsmes-program.html

• Georgia DPH Diabetes hub: https://dph.georgia.gov/chronic-disease-prevention/diabetes

• AFHCS can help with medication setup, CGM routines, foot‑care checks, sick‑day prep, and meal planning that fits your life: https://afhcs.com/services

11) Copy‑and‑save checklists

Daily 60‑second scan

• Glucose checked/logged • Meds/insulin taken • Feet inspected • Meals planned using the Plate Method • Sharps safely contained

Sick‑day kit

• Meter/CGM supplies • Simple carbs (juice, regular soda, gelatin) • Thermometer • Fluids/electrolytes • Ketone strips (if advised) • Clinician numbers

Travel pack

• Double supplies in carry‑on • TSA Cares info (855‑787‑2227) • Gel ice pack • Written prescriptions • Insulin kept cool (not frozen)

How AFHCS can help (today)

• Skilled Nursing, Personal Care, Companion Care, and CNA Services—from glucose checks and med setup to foot safety and meal planning: https://afhcs.com/services

• Talk with us: https://afhcs.com/contact • Phone 470‑982‑CARE (2273) • Email corporate@afhcs.com

• Resource hub with printable links: https://afhcs.com/resources

Works cited & helpful reading

ADA — Low blood glucose (15‑15 rule): https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose
ADA — Hypoglycemia symptoms/treatment: https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose/symptoms-treatment
ADA — Severe hypoglycemia (glucagon): https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose/severe
CDC — A1C basics: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-testing/prediabetes-a1c-test.html
CDC — Diabetes testing ranges: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-testing/index.html
NIDDK — Managing diabetes (CGM overview): https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes
ADA — Create Your Plate: https://diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/create-your-plate/
FDA — How to use the Nutrition Facts label: https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label
NIDDK — Foot problems & daily care: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/foot-problems
FDA — Sharps safety (home/work/travel): https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel
TSA — Medical items (diabetes supplies): https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/medical
TSA — Insulin guidance: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/insulin
TSA — Pumps/CGMs: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/insulin-pumps-and-glucose-monitors
CDC — Managing insulin in an emergency: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/articles/managing-insulin-in-emergency.html
FDA — Insulin storage basics (emergencies): https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency
CDC — Find a DSMES program: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/education-support-programs/find-a-dsmes-program.html
Georgia DPH — Diabetes: https://dph.georgia.gov/chronic-disease-prevention/diabetes

Disclaimer: This guide is educational and not a substitute for personal medical advice. Always follow your clinician’s instructions for medications, glucose targets, and when to call.