by Kyle Lentz, category analyst and Holly Ockelmann, national accounts analyst, part of Monthly Retailer Category Tips
Refresh your diabetes management and home diagnostics & patient aids for daily living departments to prepare to make the most of National Diabetes and National Family Caregivers months in November.
If you are an IN.store Category Management Tools customer, be sure to follow the most up-to-date planogram and review the New Item Listing for Home Diagnostics and Patient Aids for Daily Living. There have been several innovative at-home tests introduced over the last few years, an overview of them are included in the infographic below. Some of the more specialized tests may be more appropriate than others for your customers; consider the demographics of your community and shoppers to determine which ones you should stock to meet their needs.
November is National Diabetes Month and there are a number of ways you can help raise awareness of the resources you offer to support patients managing the disease.
In-Store Education and Displays
- Focused Endcap: Merchandise blood testing monitors, test strips, lancets, alcohol wipes, and diabetic foot care items together on an endcap near the pharmacy counter.
- Bag Stuffers: Put informational flyers about the indicators of prediabetes and diabetes for Type 1 and Type 2 inside prescription bags.
Clinical Services and Screenings
- Screenings: Provide onsite screenings and risk assessments.
- Medication Reviews: Review proper meter usage, injection technique, and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) support with patients along with their doctor’s recommendations.
Digital and Community Outreach
- Social Media: Post healthy recipe ideas, at-home exercise tips, and a link to the American Diabetes Association for patient resources.
- Host a Seminar: Hold an in-person class on diabetes self-management with other medical professionals such as a doctor, nutritionist, fitness trainer, registered nurse, etc.
November is also National Family Caregivers Month. Caregivers are often the ones purchasing aids for daily living, so plan on ways to recognize and educate these care providers.
- Offer caregivers a special coupon or gift
- Educate them about medical conditions and the available aids for daily living that can make their job easier
- Promote your medication management services
Use social posts or in-store flyers and bag stuffers to share organizations that offer support resources for caregivers: