Pocket Reference Journals

Diabetes and the Importance of Keeping Good Records

Many people have found that a pocket reference journal is a great tool for managing their diabetes. By keeping good records of your insulin use, diet, exercise and other events, you and your healthcare provider can make more-informed decisions about managing your blood glucose levels. (Always bring your records from the last 90 days when you visit your doctor.)

In addition, a pocket reference journal can provide an important written record in the unlikely event your pump or meter's memory is erased.

What Should Go in to a Pocket Reference Journal?

Use your pocket reference journal to record:

• Daily blood glucose test results
• Carbohydrate intake
• Meal and correction boluses
• Basal rates
• Exercise
• Ketones
  

Discover New Way of Coping

When you receive a life-altering diagnosis such as diabetes, you can easily feel overwhelmed. Here, a pocket reference journal can be a great tool for managing your diabetes. Use it to not only record blood glucose readings, but also to share your experiences and challenges. Using your pocket reference journal, you can write a paragraph or two about what you’ve eaten, its carb content, as well as activities, how you felt, and any thoughts, questions or fears about your diabetes.

Over time, you can review the entries in your pocket reference journal and note the issues or patterns that appear. For example, does your pocket reference journal show that you tend to eat a candy bar in the afternoon of days you've skipped a meal or eaten very little? Here, your pocket reference journal provides the opportunity to examine your behavior and begin to make more conscious choices about managing your diabetes.

By recognizing issues or repeated patterns outlined in your pocket reference journal, you can begin to move forward and discover new ways for coping.

Take Charge With Your Pocket Reference Journal

Other items that could go in to your pocket reference journal include the following:

• Your food plan and dining out
• Counting carbs, BMI, and Glycemic Index
• Medications
• Illness complications “what to do”
• Testing and blood glucose log
• Foot and skin care
• Blood pressure and weight logs
• Spaces to record your medical history, insurance and personal information
• Exercise and leisure
• Smoking and alcohol
• Travel guidelines
• Web and phone resources

Remember, the ultimate goal for a pocket reference journal is to help you organize, record and understand the important issues surrounding managing your diabetes — and make that information easily accessible.

Diabetic Seniors Team

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