From SanoLabs, the makers of the Sam app
Support type 2 diabetes without taking over
Supporting a parent with type 2 diabetes means offering everyday backup, preparing the doctor visit together and leaving the decisions about food and medication with your parent.
What can you do, concretely?
- Ask what is hard right nowFood, medication, appointments: your parent says where help is welcome.
- Help with the medication listWrite down together what is taken. Only the doctor changes a dose.
- Offer to come to check-upsYou drive or take notes. Your parent does the talking.
- Ask the practice about low blood sugarIf your parent takes medication that can cause it, ask what family should do.
Sentences you can say
You could say What would help you most in your day right now?
You ask instead of judging.
You could say Want me to come to the next appointment and take notes?
You only take over the notes.
You could say I will not ask about numbers. You tell me what you want to share.
Help does not feel like checking up.
What goes in the bag for the appointment?
- Medication listEverything that is taken, with names.
- Notes from recent weeksWhat stood out and when.
- Your questionsWritten down so nothing gets lost.
Sam for your parent
Go to the check-up with a history, not a guess
Your parent notes in Sam how the weeks were and decides what the practice or you get to see. Sam does not measure blood sugar.
- Note symptomsThirst, tiredness or dizziness go in with a day and strength, in a few taps instead of on loose paper.
- Apple Health feeds inSam picks up sleep, steps and resting heart rate from Apple Health, so your parent does not have to type anything.
- Monthly report for talkingSam sums up a month of sleep and activity in a report your parent takes along as a PDF.
- Share what they chooseWith Care Circle your parent shares selected entries. You see them read-only, and you both need Sam.
Excessive thirst, Fatigue
Duration and history
from today
from today
The way to the check-up, a bit easier
Instead ofloose notes that stay at home on the day of the visit
In SamNotes and monthly history in one place, taken along as a report.
Instead oftelling the doctor from memory how the last weeks were
In SamThe last weeks with dates, in your parent's own words.
Instead ofasking how things are going right now
In SamSelected entries your parent shares, read-only.
Sam records and shows what your parent enters; it does not measure blood sugar, and only a doctor can make sense of it.
Questions adult children ask
EmergencyWhen should I get help right away?+
This is general safety information, not a diagnosis. It does not tell you whether your parent has a health condition. These signs need help right away:
- Unconscious or not responding normally (then give nothing to eat or drink)
- A seizure
- Very high blood sugar with nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
- Fast, deep breathing or fruity-smelling breath
- Heavy drowsiness or confusion with very high blood sugar
In these cases get help now: call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US). Do not use this list to decide on your own whether something is wrong.
Can a smartwatch measure blood sugar?+
No. In 2024 the US regulator FDA warned about smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood sugar without a needle. An Apple Watch does not measure blood sugar.
How do I tell my mother I am worried?+
Start with a question, such as how she is coping day to day. Offer concrete help and let her decide.
What if my father forgets his medication?+
It happens. Offer to keep a list with him. Only the doctor changes a dose or how it is taken.
Can Sam tell me whether my mother's blood sugar is off?+
No. Sam does not measure blood sugar, rate values or warn. Sam keeps trends from Apple Health that she can show the doctor.
Does Sam replace the doctor?+
No. Sam is a wellness companion, not a medical device. A doctor makes the assessment.
Prepare the next appointment better
Sam sums up the trends as a monthly report, so you both have something concrete to bring to the doctor.
Sam is a wellness companion, not a medical device. Sam does not measure blood sugar, does not diagnose or treat anything and does not replace a doctor. For acute symptoms call your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US).