What factors should be considered when designing a diabetes treatment plan?

When you sit down with members of your health care team to plan your diabetes treatment, be sure to consider the following:
• your age and your physical abilities
• what type of diabetes you have
• how long you’ve had diabetes
• whether you have signs of any diabetes complications
• what kind of lifestyle you lead.

For instance, are you a stay-at-home type? Do you like to eat out often or travel? How do your religious or cultural practices affect how you will manage your diabetes? Do you often feel stressed?

• your favorite kinds of exercise, if any, and when you like to work out
• your favorite foods and cooking style
• your occupation. For instance, are you physically active or do you sit most of the day?
• what you know about yourself. For instance, what are your goals? What has and has not worked for you in the past?
• how much support you have from family, loved ones, and friends. For instance, how much time do you spend alone? Are you able to get around by yourself? Is your family available to help you?
• how diabetes has affected you emotionally and psychologically
• how often you have low blood glucose levels and what happens when you do