Steady Steps for a Strong Year Ahead: Your Diabetes New Year’s Checklist
A new year is a perfect time to reset your routines and take small steps that support your diabetes diagnosis and your overall health. Sometimes it can feel invigorating to begin the year with a clear plan. Whether you are managing your own diabetes or caring for someone living with the disease, this guide gives you simple checklists to help you stay on track.
Use these lists to organize appointments, request important tests, and make sure you have what you need for a healthy year ahead.
Checklist for People Living With Diabetes
Important Doctor Visits
Start the year by scheduling key visits to check on your overall health.
- Dilated eye exam to check eye health and to look for any changes in vision
- Foot exam to look for nerve or skin issues
- Primary care visit for general health, labs, and yearly check
- Endocrinologist visit for diabetes management
- Dentist visit to check for oral health
- Dietitian or nutrition counselor visit to review eating habits
- Mental health check-in with a counselor or therapist
Standard Tests and Labs to Request
These tests help you and your care team understand how well your plan is working.
- A1C test to check your average blood glucose
- Blood pressure reading
- Lipid panel for cholesterol levels
- Kidney function tests
- Thyroid function tests (if recommended by your healthcare provider)
- Vitamin B12 level if you take certain medications
- Urine test for protein
- Blood glucosemeter check to make sure your device is accurate
Personal Health Reset
A new year can also be a good time to refresh your daily habits.
- Review your meal plan and set simple goals for balanced eating
- Check your diabetes supplies for expiration dates
- Update your emergency contacts list
- Review your physical activity routine and find activities you enjoy
- Organize your medications and refill anything running low
- Clean out your pantry and organize healthier choices
Checklist for Caretakers
If you care for someone living with diabetes, your support matters more than you may realize. Here is how you can help at the outset of a new year.
Supportive Tasks
- Help schedule doctor appointments
- Check supplies and medications quantities
- Offer to join appointments to take notes
- Review emergency plans and contact lists
- Help with organizing meals or shopping lists
- Encourage daily movement or walks
- Encourage rest when needed
What Caretakers Should Watch For
- Changes in mood or stress levels
- Signs of low or high blood glucose
- Foot sores, blisters or skin changes
- Trouble with sleep
- Shifts in appetite or energy levels
Caretakers Need Wellness Checks Too!
Caring for someone living with diabetes also means taking care of yourself. Make sure you’re taking the time to schedule your own yearly medical visits. We all know that being a caretaker for others can be taxing on you and those around you. Remember to stay connected with support groups or caregiver communities so you have people who understand what you are going through. Most importantly, rest when you need to, ask for help when things start to feel heavy and take time to do something you enjoy doing. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup!
Starting the Year With Confidence
A new year does not have to feel overwhelming. With a clear checklist and a fresh outlook, you can take positive steps that support your health or the health of someone you care for. Small actions add up, and every appointment, every lab result, and every routine you strengthen, helps create a healthier year ahead.
Author: Kelley Soucy, RN, CDCES | CCS Health
This site is for educational purposes only. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.
