These principles, or steps, will help you manage your loved one's diabetes and live a long and active life.

Principle 1: Learn As Much As You Can

The more you know about diabetes, the better you can work with your health care team to manage your disease and reduce your risk for problems. You should know what type of diabetes you have. If you do not know, ask your doctor whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Terms that suggest that diabetes is not serious, such as “a touch of diabetes,” “mild diabetes,” and “sugar’s a little high,” are not correct and should no longer be used.

Principle 2: Get Regular Care

If you have diabetes, it is important to:

• See your health care team regularly
• Make sure your treatment plan is working. If it is not, ask your health care team to help you change it
• Ask your family, friends, and co-workers for help and support when you need it
• Work with your health care team to get the best help to control your diabetes
• Ask your health care team how often you need to see them for check-ups 
• Write down the date and time for your next visit  

Ask your doctor, clinic or office staff, or pharmacist to help you find resources if you have problems paying for food, medicines, and medical supplies. You should be able to get Medicare or other insurance to help you pay for diabetes supplies. 
 
Make a list of questions and concerns you want to talk about at your next visit to your health care team. Use the back of the Diabetes Care Record at the end of this brochure.

Principle 3: Learn How to Control Diabetes

Diabetes affects many parts of the body. To stay healthy, it is important to know how to eat the right foods, how to be physically active, and how to look after yourself. Using the following checklist will help you learn how to control your diabetes.

Talk to your health care team about:

• Secial needs to help control your loved one's diabetes
• Ways to improve ABC numbers: A1C,* Blood pressure, and Cholesterol
• Aspirin therapy to prevent heart problems
• Getting regular physical activity
• Quitting smoking, if needed

Learn from your doctor, diabetes educator, podiatrist, pharmacist, or dietitian how to:

• Follow a meal plan to control diabetes
• Check feet every day
• Take medicines as prescribed
• Check blood glucose levels