Checking blood sugar levels to keep type 2 diabetes under control is part of your parent's daily routine. But constantly pricking her finger can be a pain -- literally. Try these tricks to take the sting out of the stick. Find the right needle, known as a lancet, for your parent: Frail skin will likely appreciate a fine or ultra-fine gauge lancet. And look for alternative testing devices that can analyze blood from the palm, forearm, or abdomen to give your parent's fingertips a well-earned rest.