The Senior’s Guide to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): Why It’s a Game-Changer
If you’ve received a recent diabetes diagnosis, know you’re not alone. Over 37 million Americans have diabetes, with seniors accounting for 29.2% of the cases.
Many lead fulfilling lives well into retirement, and you can, too.
Plus, with Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), you can make your ‘golden’ years the best chapter of your life.
In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of CGM for seniors and discover why it’s transforming how seniors manage their diabetes.
Understanding Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Continuous Glucose Monitoring, or CGM for short, is a revolutionary technology that allows individuals with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels in real-time.
Unlike traditional glucose monitoring methods that require finger pricks and manual daily testing, CGM provides continuous insights into your glucose levels without invasive procedures.
The CGM system consists of a small sensor inserted under the skin, typically on the abdomen or arm. This sensor continuously measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid and sends the data to a receiver or smartphone app. The receiver then displays your current glucose reading and trends over time.
Some CGM devices also have customizable alarms and alerts when glucose levels go too high or too low. These notifications are valuable reminders for you to act promptly if needed.
By using CGM technology regularly, you can gain insight into how specific foods affect your blood sugar levels throughout the day.
They can also identify patterns and trends that may help adjust medications or make lifestyle changes for better diabetes management.
Benefits of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Kit for Seniors
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) has emerged as a game-changer in managing diabetes, particularly for seniors. Here are some key benefits that make CGM a valuable tool for you:
- Enhanced Blood Sugar Control: CGM provides real-time data on blood glucose levels, allowing you to monitor your levels more closely and make informed decisions about medication dosage or lifestyle adjustments.
This can lead to better overall blood sugar control and reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes.
- Increased Safety: For seniors at a higher risk of hypoglycemia, CGM offers peace of mind by providing alerts when blood sugar levels drop too low. These warnings enable prompt action to prevent severe episodes and avoid potential emergencies.
- Improved Quality of Life: With continuous monitoring, you can better understand how different factors impact blood sugar levels, such as exercise or certain foods.
This knowledge empowers you to make choices that align with your health goals while enjoying life’s pleasures.
- Simplified Diabetes Management: Traditional fingerstick tests require multiple daily pricks, which can be challenging for older adults with dexterity issues or visual impairments.
CGM eliminates this burden by providing constant glucose readings without frequent painful testing.
- Support for Caregivers: If you require assistance managing your diabetes, CGM can significantly support your caregiver in monitoring glucose trends remotely through smartphone apps or notifications on dedicated devices.
Tips for Using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Kit
Before using a CGM device, consult your healthcare provider. They can guide you on using the device and help you interpret the data.
Other tips include:
- Stay consistent with your routine: To get the most accurate readings, it’s essential to wear your CGM device consistently and follow the recommended testing frequency. Make it a habit to check your glucose levels regularly throughout the day.
- Keep track of your data: Take advantage of the data provided by your CGM device. Use the accompanying app or software to monitor trends in your glucose levels over time. This can help you identify patterns and make informed decisions about managing your diabetes.
- Understand sensor placement: Proper sensor placement is crucial for accurate readings. Follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider on where to place the sensor on your body, and rotate sites regularly to avoid skin irritation.
- Calibrate when necessary: Some CGM devices require calibration with fingerstick blood sugar measurements for optimal accuracy. Ensure you understand how often and when to calibrate based on manufacturer guidelines.
- Stay hydrated: Adequate hydration can enhance CGM accuracy by ensuring proper circulation and adequate interstitial fluid levels around the sensor site.
- Maintain good skin care: Cleanse and dry the area before applying a new sensor, and use hypoallergenic adhesives if needed to prevent skin irritation or allergic reactions.
- Be prepared for alarms/alerts: Familiarize yourself with different alarm settings available on your device, such as low or high glucose alerts, signal loss alerts, etc., so that you’re alerted promptly whenever an issue needs attention.
Insurance for Affordable Diabetes Monitoring
Fortunately, many insurance plans now cover CGM devices, especially for individuals with diabetes who require frequent monitoring of their blood sugar levels. Medicare also covers CGM systems for eligible beneficiaries under certain conditions.
Be sure to check with your insurance provider to understand what is covered and any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.
Some plans may require prior authorization or have specific criteria that must be met before they will cover the cost of a CGM device.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Kit Available at Medguard Medical Supply
At Medguard Medical Supply, we offer FreeStyle Libre – an affordable diabetes monitoring system.
With a sleek and lightweight design that ensures comfort, this brand stands out as a top choice, offering a 14-day wear time for continuous glucose monitoring.
You can conveniently track your blood glucose levels using the provided reader, enjoying a painless scan instead of routine fingersticks.
Skip the complicated coding and fingerstick calibration and enjoy the benefits of personalized alerts and alarms that sync seamlessly with your smartphone.
Ask your doctor about prescribing FreeStyle Libre.
Also, rest assured that our team is ready to assist you, so call us at 877-560-9005 to learn more.
