Diabetes Care During the Pandemic: ADCES 2020 President on Support, Telehealth, and Flexibility

The COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare systems, patients, and providers to rethink how chronic conditions were managed, and diabetes care during the pandemic was no exception. One of the clearest messages from the ADCES 2020 President on diabetes care during the pandemic was that people with diabetes still needed consistent, practical support even as in-person care became more difficult to access. The pandemic did not pause the need for diabetes education, medication management, nutrition guidance, or emotional support. Instead, it made these needs more urgent.

For people living with diabetes, the biggest concern was not only the risk of infection, but also the disruption of everyday care. Appointments were delayed, routines changed, activity levels dropped, and stress increased. These factors made blood glucose management more challenging. In response, diabetes care and education specialists had to adapt quickly, using telehealth, remote coaching, and flexible care plans to keep patients connected to support.

Why diabetes care needed special attention during the pandemic

People with diabetes were widely recognized as a group that could face higher risks of severe illness from COVID-19, especially when blood glucose levels were not well controlled or when other health conditions were present. That made ongoing care even more important.

The main challenge was that diabetes management depends on consistency. Patients often need regular follow-up to adjust medications, review glucose patterns, troubleshoot devices, and reinforce healthy habits. During the pandemic, many of these touchpoints were interrupted. At the same time, stress, limited access to exercise, changes in food availability, and financial pressures made self-management harder.

The ADCES perspective during this period emphasized that diabetes care should remain accessible, patient-centered, and practical. The focus was not just on avoiding complications from COVID-19, but also on preventing diabetes-related problems caused by delayed or disrupted care.

That is why diabetes care during the pandemic had to move beyond the traditional clinic model. Providers needed to think about the whole person: their home environment, their emotional state, their access to technology, and their ability to obtain supplies. The pandemic made it clear that the best diabetes care during the pandemic was care that could travel with the patient, not just care delivered inside a medical office.

What the ADCES 2020 President emphasized

The ADCES 2020 President highlighted several key priorities for diabetes care during the pandemic:

1. Keep people connected to care

A major concern was that many patients stopped scheduling routine visits because they were worried about exposure to the virus or because clinics were closed or operating with limited capacity. The response needed to be proactive. Patients had to be reminded that diabetes care remained essential, and healthcare teams had to find new ways to stay in touch.

This message mattered because diabetes care during the pandemic could not be treated as optional. Delaying appointments often meant delayed medication changes, missed screening opportunities, and less timely problem-solving. The longer those gaps continued, the more likely it became that patients would struggle with avoidable complications.

2. Expand telehealth and remote support

Telehealth became one of the most important tools in diabetes care during the pandemic. Virtual visits made it possible to review glucose data, discuss medication adherence, answer questions, and provide education without requiring an in-person appointment.

For many clinicians, this was also a new learning curve. They had to decide what kinds of visits worked best remotely, how to coach patients through technology issues, and how to keep appointments organized and efficient. Even so, telehealth quickly proved that diabetes care during the pandemic could remain effective when communication stayed strong.

3. Focus on self-management support

Because patients spent more time managing diabetes on their own, self-management education became even more valuable. This included guidance on monitoring blood glucose, recognizing patterns, handling sick days, eating well under difficult circumstances, and staying active at home.

Self-management was not just about checking boxes. It was about helping people make small, realistic decisions every day. During the pandemic, that practical approach was often more helpful than rigid goals. Many patients needed diabetes care during the pandemic to be simplified, personalized, and easy to follow in a stressful environment.

4. Address emotional and mental health needs

The pandemic created anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty for many people. For those managing diabetes, these emotional stresses could affect self-care and glucose control. Support needed to include empathy, stress management strategies, and screening for emotional burnout.

Emotional support was a core part of diabetes care during the pandemic because fear and exhaustion can lead to missed doses, irregular eating, or avoidance of care. When clinicians acknowledged that reality, patients were more likely to stay engaged and ask for help early.

5. Protect access to medications and supplies

Reliable access to insulin, testing supplies, continuous glucose monitoring devices, and other medications was critical. Diabetes care teams had to help patients avoid gaps in treatment and solve practical barriers quickly.

This included helping people find refill options, understand pharmacy delays, and plan ahead for shortages. In many cases, diabetes care during the pandemic depended on simple logistics: making sure the patient had what they needed before an urgent problem developed.

How diabetes care changed during COVID-19

The pandemic accelerated changes that may have taken years otherwise. Diabetes care became more flexible, more digital, and more focused on patient independence. Many educators and clinicians shifted from traditional office-based education to a combination of phone calls, video visits, online resources, and secure messaging.

This change was especially important because many patients were dealing with new obstacles such as:

• Canceled appointments
• Reduced access to labs and routine screenings
• Job loss and insurance changes
• Difficulty finding healthy foods
• Less physical activity
• Increased stress and sleep disruption

The goal was to help patients adapt without feeling abandoned. Instead of waiting for perfect circumstances, care teams encouraged small, realistic steps that patients could sustain at home.

That shift also changed the meaning of diabetes care during the pandemic for many families. Care was no longer only a scheduled visit; it became a more continuous process supported by check-ins, digital tools, and patient-led tracking. In many cases, this made care feel more immediate and more responsive to real-life needs.

For readers who want another perspective on how diabetes education adapted to changing patient needs, 2018 diabetes highlights: Key Wins, Trends, and Moments offers a useful related look at support strategies and patient guidance.

Why telehealth mattered so much

Telehealth became a lifeline for many people with diabetes during the pandemic. It allowed healthcare professionals to continue supporting patients while reducing the need for travel and in-person exposure.

Telehealth was especially useful for:

• Reviewing glucose logs or continuous glucose monitoring reports
• Adjusting insulin plans
• Teaching carbohydrate awareness
• Discussing medication side effects
• Supporting behavior change goals
• Checking on emotional well-being

For many patients, telehealth also made care more convenient. It reduced time away from work, eliminated transportation barriers, and helped people living in rural or underserved areas stay engaged with their care team.

Still, telehealth was not perfect. Some patients lacked reliable internet access, devices, or comfort with technology. That is why flexibility was so important. Phone visits, mailed resources, and simplified care instructions also played a major role.

The most successful diabetes care during the pandemic often combined several options. A patient might review glucose numbers through a portal, speak briefly with a clinician by phone, and then receive follow-up instructions by message or mail. That layered approach helped bridge gaps and kept support moving.

Telehealth also made it easier to reinforce habits that mattered every day. Instead of waiting months for the next appointment, patients could make small corrections sooner. That early response is one reason diabetes care during the pandemic may have helped prevent some people from drifting too far off track.

What patients with diabetes needed most

During the pandemic, people with diabetes often needed reassurance as much as medical guidance. They wanted to know what to do if they became sick, how to manage supplies, whether they should avoid appointments, and how to keep blood sugar stable under stress.

The most important needs included:

Clear sick-day guidance

Patients needed simple instructions on how to monitor glucose more closely when ill, stay hydrated, continue essential medications, and know when to seek medical help.

That kind of advice was especially important because diabetes care during the pandemic had to account for both COVID-19 and everyday illnesses. The basic principle remained the same: do not wait too long to ask for help when glucose patterns start changing.

Practical nutrition advice

With changes in shopping habits and food budgets, many people needed help planning meals using available ingredients. Diabetes care had to focus on flexibility rather than perfection.

It was not realistic to expect every household to maintain the same food routine throughout the crisis. Instead, good diabetes care during the pandemic meant helping patients build meals from what was available, affordable, and familiar. This practical approach reduced stress and made healthy eating more achievable.

Support for activity at home

As gyms, walking groups, and community programs shut down, patients needed alternatives for staying active indoors or in their neighborhoods.

Even short bouts of movement could help. Simple home routines, stretching, household tasks, or brief outdoor walks were often enough to support better glucose control and overall wellness. Diabetes care during the pandemic worked best when exercise goals were realistic and safe.

Help with medication access

In uncertain times, ensuring patients had enough insulin and other prescriptions on hand became a major priority.

Care teams encouraged patients to refill early, keep a current medication list, and contact their pharmacy or clinician before supplies ran out. When access became difficult, quick problem-solving was part of effective diabetes care during the pandemic.

Emotional reassurance

Many people felt overwhelmed. Knowing they were not alone and that care teams were still available made a real difference.

This is where human connection mattered most. A calm, steady conversation could lower fear and help patients take the next step. Diabetes care during the pandemic was not only about numbers; it was also about trust, encouragement, and consistency.

Common questions about diabetes care during the pandemic

Was diabetes care still necessary during COVID-19?

Yes. Diabetes care remained essential throughout the pandemic. Skipping follow-up visits or delaying treatment could lead to poor blood glucose control and other complications. Even when in-person care was limited, people still needed regular support.

That is one of the strongest lessons from diabetes care during the pandemic: chronic disease management does not stop when public health conditions become difficult. It may need to be delivered differently, but the need itself remains.

Is telehealth effective for diabetes management?

Yes, telehealth can be very effective for many parts of diabetes care. It works well for education, medication review, glucose pattern analysis, and coaching. Some needs still require in-person care, but virtual visits became a valuable tool during the pandemic.

Telehealth also helped preserve continuity. For diabetes care during the pandemic, continuity often mattered as much as the appointment itself because it kept problems from building up unnoticed.

What should people with diabetes do if they get sick?

They should follow sick-day instructions from their healthcare provider, monitor blood glucose more often, stay hydrated, take medications as directed, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen. People with diabetes should not stop essential treatment without professional guidance.

When possible, patients should keep written sick-day instructions available before they need them. That preparation was an important part of diabetes care during the pandemic and remains useful today.

How did stress affect diabetes during the pandemic?

Stress can raise blood glucose and make self-care harder. During the pandemic, many people experienced increased anxiety, disrupted routines, and sleep changes, all of which could affect glucose management.

This is why emotional support is not separate from diabetes care during the pandemic. It is part of it. A patient who is sleeping poorly, worried about finances, or dealing with isolation may need a different care plan than someone whose routine is stable.

What if someone could not get diabetes supplies?

Diabetes care teams encouraged patients to reach out early if they were running low on insulin, testing strips, sensors, or other supplies. Providers, pharmacists, and educators often helped find alternatives or refill solutions.

That coordination was one of the most practical forms of support available. In many cases, prompt communication made the difference between manageable disruption and a serious care gap.

For a broader look at how people with diabetes cope with unexpected complications and delayed recognition of symptoms, see the CDC’s guidance on living with diabetes.

Lessons learned from diabetes care during the pandemic

The pandemic revealed how important adaptability is in chronic disease management. Diabetes care could no longer rely only on traditional office visits. It had to become more responsive to real-life barriers and patient needs.

Some of the biggest lessons included:

• Patients benefit from simpler, more flexible care plans
• Remote education can be highly effective
• Emotional support should be part of diabetes management
• Access to technology matters, but backup options are necessary
• Consistent follow-up is critical even when the healthcare setting changes

These lessons continue to shape diabetes care today. Even after the most disruptive phases of the pandemic, many of the innovations developed during that time remain useful.

Diabetes Care During the Pandemic also reinforced a broader idea: patients do best when healthcare systems are designed around their daily reality. That means understanding work schedules, family responsibilities, technology access, and the pressure that comes with long-term self-management.

In practice, these lessons encouraged care teams to communicate more clearly, reduce unnecessary complexity, and help people set goals they could actually maintain. Those habits improved care quality not only during the pandemic but also beyond it.

The role of diabetes care and education specialists

Diabetes care and education specialists played a central role in helping patients cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Their work included education, coaching, problem-solving, and advocacy.

They helped patients:

• Understand diabetes treatment changes
• Use glucose monitoring tools
• Adjust routines safely
• Set realistic goals
• Stay motivated during stressful times
• Navigate access issues with medications and supplies

The pandemic showed that diabetes education is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing partnership that helps people make informed decisions every day.

In many communities, diabetes care and education specialists became the bridge between patients and the rest of the health system. They translated medical recommendations into daily action, which was especially important when ordinary routines were disrupted. Their role showed that strong diabetes care during the pandemic depended on both expertise and empathy.

This period also highlighted the value of peer support and patient communities. People managing diabetes often needed encouragement from others who understood their concerns, and that sense of shared experience helped reduce isolation.

What this means for the future of diabetes care

The message from the ADCES 2020 President on diabetes care during the pandemic remains relevant. People with diabetes need care that is accessible, adaptable, and centered on their lived experience. The pandemic highlighted the importance of meeting patients where they are, whether that means in a clinic, at home, or online.

Going forward, the best diabetes care will likely combine in-person support with telehealth, self-management tools, and individualized education. It will continue to emphasize prevention, early intervention, and practical strategies that fit into everyday life.

There is also a growing need to protect continuity of care. When systems are flexible enough to survive a crisis, they are usually better for patients in ordinary times too. That is one reason diabetes care during the pandemic has lasting value: it revealed a care model that can be more responsive, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

Healthcare teams can continue to build on that progress by making communication simpler, using digital tools wisely, and checking in on emotional well-being as part of routine follow-up. Those improvements help people stay engaged, reduce avoidable setbacks, and make chronic disease management feel less isolating.

Conclusion

The ADCES 2020 President on diabetes care during the pandemic underscored a simple but powerful truth: diabetes management cannot wait for better circumstances. Even in a public health crisis, people with diabetes need steady support, clear information, and reliable access to care. Telehealth, education, and flexible care models helped bridge the gap during COVID-19 and continue to influence how diabetes is managed today.

The pandemic challenged the healthcare system, but it also strengthened the case for patient-centered diabetes care that is ready to adapt when life changes unexpectedly. Diabetes care during the pandemic showed that when support is practical, compassionate, and consistent, patients are more likely to stay connected and better able to manage their health.

The long-term lesson is straightforward: if diabetes care can adapt during a crisis, it can become stronger in everyday practice too.