Living with Diabetes

Through the First Health® Care Support Program, members with specific chronic conditions may choose to receive extra help.  Here is the story of a 63-year-old diabetic whose nurse case manager taught him the importance of checking his blood sugars. 

“When my nurse asked me if I checked my blood sugars regularly, I said, ‘Why should I?’  I take my insulin once a day—have been for years—so I didn’t think I should have to check them.  But when I told her that my vision was blurry and that it had been four years since my last eye exam, that’s when she really took action.

“My nurse explained to my wife and me that taking my insulin was only managing my condition, and that monitoring my blood sugars was equally as important.  She also convinced me to see an opthalmologist, since my blurred vision could be directly related to my diabetes.  Now, I check my blood sugars more than once a day.  The educational materials and information she gave my wife and  me really helped us to take care of my condition in the best way possible.”