Taking Care of Diabetes Away From Home

Whether you work outside the home all day, are on vacation or are going to a restaurant for dinner, a few simple guidelines will help you keep your blood glucose under control.

• Monitor glucose levels more often if you deviate from your diabetes care plan.
  • For example, if you eat foods that you don't regularly include in your diet and/or you eat at a different time than your usual meal schedule, you can benefit from checking glucose levels more often.
• Keep all diabetes care supplies with you, using a purse, carry-on bag, backpack or "fanny pack."
  • Pack your supplies in a temperature-controlled pack (or use an ice pack) when it is hot — either outside or even in a closed car on a cool but sunny day.
• Pack extra medication and blood glucose monitoring supplies when planning a trip away from home.
  • This helps you stay in control during unexpected delays.
• Pack extra batteries for your glucose monitor.
• Carry a card or wear a bracelet identifying you as a person with diabetes.
• Bring a quickly absorbed glucose food (such as three glucose tablets, one-half cup of fruit juice, or 5-6 pieces of hard candy) to treat low blood glucose. This can happen to people who take insulin and/or glucose-lowering medications.
• Ask your doctor for new prescriptions for all diabetes supplies and medications when traveling away from home, in case you run out and need to get a refill.
• Time your insulin to the situation.
  • When eating away from home, wait until you see the food before injecting. This helps avoid low blood glucose when meals are delayed (i.e., in a restaurant, on a long car trip, at a friend's home or in an airplane.)

Help Away From Home

When leaving the country go to www.idf.org for a list of International Diabetes Federations.

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