7 Ways to Avoid a Hospital Readmission if You Have Diabetes

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

If you or a loved one has been hospitalized for a diabetes-related complication, you already know how disruptive and frightening that experience can be. What many people don’t realize is that a large portion of diabetes-related hospital readmissions are preventable. Not through dramatic interventions, but through consistent, manageable habits that keep blood sugar under control and catch problems before they escalate.

Here are seven practical strategies that make a real difference for seniors managing Diabetes at home.

1. Monitor Your Blood Sugar on a Consistent Schedule

Blood sugar monitoring is only useful when it’s done consistently — not just when you feel off. Establishing a daily routine — checking at the same times each day, recording your results, and noticing patterns — gives you and your care team the information needed to catch problems early. A single high reading isn’t necessarily alarming. A pattern of high readings over several days is a signal that something needs to change before it becomes a crisis.

If you’re unsure how often to check, or what your target ranges should be, that’s exactly the kind of question a chronic care management nurse can help you answer and stay on top of between appointments.

2. Never Skip Medications — Even When You Feel Fine

One of the most common reasons diabetic patients end up back in the hospital is inconsistent medication use. Insulin and oral diabetes medications work best when taken exactly as prescribed, on a consistent schedule. Skipping doses — especially when blood sugar feels normal — allows levels to drift upward in ways that may not produce obvious symptoms until the situation is serious.

If cost is making it difficult to stay consistent with medications, tell your care team. There are often lower-cost alternatives, manufacturer assistance programs, or dosing adjustments that can help.

3. Know the Warning Signs That Require Immediate Attention

Not every symptom requires an ER visit, but some do — and knowing the difference is critical. Seek medical care promptly if you experience:

• Blood sugar above 300 mg/dL that doesn’t come down.

• Signs of DKA (rapid breathing, fruity breath, confusion).

• Signs of severe hypoglycemia (shakiness, extreme sweating).

• Non-healing wounds on the feet or legs.

Having a clear list of warning signs — written down and accessible — removes the uncertainty about when to call versus when to wait.

4. Inspect Your Feet Daily

Diabetic foot complications are among the most common reasons for diabetes-related hospitalizations, and most of them start with a small wound that went unnoticed. The combination of peripheral neuropathy (reduced sensation) and impaired circulation means that a blister, cut, or pressure sore may not cause pain — even as it develops into a serious infection. A one-minute daily foot inspection is one of the most effective diabetes management habits available.

Check both feet every day — between the toes, on the heel, and on the sole. If you have difficulty seeing your feet, use a mirror or ask a family member to help. Report anything unusual to your provider promptly.

5. Keep All Your Doctors on the Same Page

Many seniors with diabetes see multiple providers — a primary care physician, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, perhaps a podiatrist. When these providers aren’t communicating effectively, medication conflicts, duplicated tests, and gaps in care can develop. Keeping a current list of all your medications, conditions, and providers — and bringing it to every appointment — helps reduce this risk.

Care coordination is a core function of the UCF Health CareConnect program. Your CareConnect nurse works across your providers to make sure everyone has the same information, reducing the coordination burden that often falls entirely on the patient.

6. Prioritize Hydration — Especially in Florida’s Heat

Dehydration raises blood sugar directly, and for seniors in Central Florida’s heat, it’s a year-round risk rather than a seasonal one. Aim for consistent fluid intake throughout the day — water is best — and be particularly attentive during hot weather, illness, or periods of increased activity. Certain common medications (including some diuretics and blood pressure drugs) increase dehydration risk, making fluid intake even more important.

7. Use Your Monthly Check-In Calls

If you’re enrolled in a chronic care management program, your monthly nurse call is not a formality — it’s a clinical resource. Use it to report symptoms you’ve been putting off mentioning, ask questions about medications, flag changes in how you’re feeling, and get guidance before small concerns become hospitalizations. The purpose of the call is exactly that: catching the things that would otherwise go unaddressed between office visits.

Research from CMS data shows that patients enrolled in chronic care management programs experience up to 60 percent fewer emergency room visits. That number reflects what happens when small problems are addressed consistently, before they escalate.

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