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Real-life CGM scenarios:
a caregiver playbook

Practical, non-medical steps for common moments—so you know what to expect and how to respond. Always follow your clinician’s plan.

Overnight
School & sports
Travel
Sick days
Exercise
App & device

In a hurry?

Review alert thresholds with your clinician; keep high/lows meaningful.

Set up caregiver sharing (opt-in) and decide who responds to alerts.

Keep apps up to date; confirm time zone after travel.

Manage chargers; pocket a backup power bank for trips.

Store supplies away from heat; carry spares when out.

Educational only. For emergencies or severe symptoms, follow your care plan and seek urgent care/911 as directed.

Check eligibility
How CGMs work

Overnight

Sleep with fewer what-ifs using optional low/high alerts.

What you might see

  • Stable readings with gentle trends
  • Downward arrows before meals
  • Alerts for lows (thresholds, if enabled)

What to do now

  1. If symptoms don’t match the reading, follow your care plan and confirm with a fingerstick when advised.
  2. Review bedtime routines (snacks/insulin) with your clinician’s guidance.
  3. Consider quieter/less critical alerts configuration in the app (when supported).

Heads up

  • Readings can lag during rapid changes; look at trends, not just a single point.
  • Set alert thresholds with care; don’t need overly frequent notifications.

Discuss with your clinician

  • Personalized overnight targets
  • How to adjust alerts during illness or schedule changes
  • When to confirm with fingersticks

School & sports

Confidence on busy days—coordinate with teachers, coaches, and nurses.

What you might see

  • Readings shared to caregiver phone (opt-in)
  • Trends around lunch, recess, practice
  • Notifications for high/lows (if enabled)

What to do now

  1. Share viewing access with school staff when appropriate and available.
  2. Pack a small kit: meter/strips, fingersticks, extra sensor/adhesive (as advised).
  3. Align on who responds to alerts during class vs. after-school.

Heads up

  • Bluetooth/connectivity may drop with distance. Readers may still work when close.
  • Consider exercise effect; trends may shift after activity.

Discuss with your clinician

  • Pre-exercise plans and snacks
  • School care plan documentation
  • When to silence non-critical alerts

Travel & routines

Keep things on track across time zones and new schedules.

What you might see

  • Time zone changes affecting alert times
  • Different meal patterns and activity
  • Adhesive challenges with heat/humidity

What to do now

  1. Carry backups: sensors, meter/strips, chargers, and a copy of prescription.
  2. Check and sync zone settings if the phone may alert left thresholds.
  3. Keep supplies in carry-on; avoid extreme temps.

Heads up

  • Airplane mode can pause Bluetooth. Readers may still work when allowed.
  • Pack extra adhesive/cover-patches if swimming or in warm climates.

Discuss with your clinician

  • Sick-day and travel plans
  • When to adjust alert thresholds
  • Managing meals across time zones

Sick days

Illness can change glucose trends—monitor closely and follow your plan.

What you might see

  • Faster swings or persistent highs/lows
  • More frequent alerts
  • Hydration and appetite changes

What to do now

  1. Follow the clinician’s sick-day plan; confirm with fingersticks if advised.
  2. Track fluids and symptoms; review trends with your care team.
  3. Keep sensors and backup supplies ready in case of early replacement.

Heads up

  • Fever/dehydration can affect readings—focus on trends and symptoms.
  • Notify your clinician/caregiver per your plan for concerning symptoms.

Discuss with your clinician

  • When to check ketones (if applicable)
  • Medication adjustments and thresholds
  • When to increase monitoring frequency

Exercise & activity

Activity can shift trends during and hours after workouts.

What you might see

  • Downtrend trend during aerobic exercise
  • Delayed lows after intense activity
  • Less predictable patterns with new routines

What to do now

  1. Review your pre-exercise plans with your clinician.
  2. Use trend arrows to guide timing of checks and snacks for your plan.
  3. Carry fast-acting strips (e.g., glucose) if exercise changes readings.

Heads up

  • Sensor apps can lag with sweat—use care/adhesive tips.
  • Consider replacement if detachment during workouts happens often.

Discuss with your clinician

  • When to modify alert thresholds
  • Post-exercise monitoring window
  • Snack timing and quantity guidance

App & device hiccups

When numbers pause or connectivity drops, try these basics.

What you might see

  • No data for several minutes
  • Bluetooth icon warnings
  • Low phone/reader battery

What to do now

  1. Check battery and Bluetooth; keep the phone near the sensor.
  2. Restart the app/receiver; confirm you are on the latest version.
  3. If readings are different from symptoms, confirm with a fingerstick when advised.

Heads up

  • Notify your clinician on device/Bluetooth reliability.
  • Track resets or loss of data—recheck sensor location and notification settings.

Discuss with your clinician

  • When to switch backup meter
  • Support contacts for your specific device
  • When to replace a sensor early

Quick checklists

Daily carry
  • Phone/meter charged
  • Fast-acting carbs (per plan)
  • Backup meter & strips
  • Spare sensor & cover patch
School/sports pack
  • Care plan & contacts
  • Snacks & treatments
  • Spare supplies & tape
  • A bottle of water
Travel kit
  • Sensors (spares) & prescriptions
  • Chargers & power bank
  • Backup meter & strips
  • Small first aid kit

Frequently asked questions

When numbers don’t match symptoms

If readings seem off, follow your care plan. Confirm with a fingerstick when advised, and consider sensor placement/age, app connectivity, hydration, and recent meals.

Sharing settings

Sharing is optional. Choose who can view alerts and data, and review permissions regularly—especially for school transitions or new caregivers.

Replacing a sensor early

Follow device guidance and your clinician’s advice. Keep a spare on hand and save packaging/lot numbers in case support is needed.