Aids and Equipment at Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Residents in Grand Rapids, MI who are living with disability, chronic illness, or age-related mobility issues can access a range of subsidized or low-cost aids and equipment to help them live safely and independently at home. These supports can also make it easier for family members and caregivers to provide care.

While the original information you may see online often refers to other states or countries, this guide focuses on Grand Rapids and West Michigan resources, and is optimized to help you find home medical equipment in Grand Rapids, MI quickly and safely.

Who Can Get Help With Aids and Equipment in Grand Rapids?

In Grand Rapids, access to subsidized or discounted home medical equipment (also called “aids and equipment” or “assistive technology”) generally depends on:

  • Your age
  • Your diagnosis or disability
  • Your insurance coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, VA benefits)
  • Your income level (for some community programs)
  • Whether you are in long-term care, at home, or in rehab

You may qualify for assistance if:

  • You are a resident of Grand Rapids or Kent County
  • You have a health condition, illness, or disability that affects your mobility, breathing, communication, or daily activities
  • You are over 65 with age-related mobility or safety needs
  • You have Medicare, Medicaid (including MI Medicaid), VA benefits, or certain private insurance plans that cover durable medical equipment (DME)
  • You are not already receiving full coverage for the same equipment through another program

Common situations where people in Grand Rapids seek home aids and equipment include:

  • Recovering from surgery at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health
  • Managing chronic conditions like COPD, heart failure, diabetes, or arthritis
  • Living with neurological conditions (stroke, MS, Parkinson’s disease, ALS)
  • Age-related mobility and balance problems, especially during icy West Michigan winters

Types of Aids and Equipment Available at Home

Home medical equipment in Grand Rapids can help with:

  • Mobility

    • Walkers and walking frames
    • Canes
    • Manual and powered wheelchairs
    • Mobility scooters
    • Ramps and threshold ramps for home access

  • Home safety and accessibility

    • Grab bars and railings
    • Shower chairs and bath benches
    • Raised toilet seats
    • Bed rails
    • Stair lifts (often through private vendors, sometimes partly covered)

  • Respiratory support

    • Home oxygen (domiciliary oxygen)
    • Nebulizers
    • CPAP/BiPAP machines (for sleep apnea)

  • Continence and personal care

    • Incontinence pads and reusable pants
    • Bedside commodes
    • Urinary catheters and related supplies (depending on insurance)

  • Communication and vision

    • Electronic communication devices and tablets with communication apps
    • Specialized switches and mounting systems
    • Magnifiers and low-vision aids
    • Talking clocks, large-print devices

  • Vehicle and home modifications

    • Vehicle hand controls or lifts (often through private funding + insurance)
    • Widened doorways, ramps, and bathroom modifications
    • Non-slip flooring and other fall-prevention changes

In many cases, equipment is loaned, rented, or partially subsidized, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Key Grand Rapids & Michigan Programs and Resources

1. Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurance

Most basic home medical equipment in Grand Rapids is funded through:

  • Medicare Part B – Covers medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME) such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, and some hospital beds when ordered by a provider.
  • Medicaid (MI Medicaid / Healthy Michigan Plan) – May cover a wider range of equipment for low-income residents, including some home modifications with prior authorization.
  • Private insurance – Coverage varies; check your policy for DME benefits.
  • Medicare Advantage plans – Some local plans in Grand Rapids offer expanded home health and equipment benefits.

You will usually need:

  1. A prescription or order from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or specialist.
  2. Documentation that the equipment is medically necessary.
  3. To use an in-network DME supplier.

2. Veterans Affairs (VA) Programs – Grand Rapids Area

Veterans in Grand Rapids can access aids and equipment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

  • VA may provide or subsidize:
    • Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
    • Home oxygen and respiratory equipment
    • Home safety equipment and some modifications
    • Communication devices for service-connected disabilities

Who may be eligible:

  • Veterans enrolled in VA health care
  • Some VA disability rating requirements may apply for certain items
  • VA clinicians must authorize the equipment

Local connection points for Grand Rapids veterans:

  • Grand Rapids VA Clinic (part of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center network) – for evaluation and referrals to prosthetics/DME.
  • VA social workers can assist with home safety assessments and equipment requests.

3. Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health Resources

The Kent County Health Department and local public health partners in Grand Rapids can:

  • Connect residents to low-cost or loaner medical equipment
  • Provide information on fall-prevention programs for seniors
  • Offer chronic disease management programs (for diabetes, heart disease, COPD) that may include referrals for home aids

These resources are especially important in West Michigan due to:

  • Slippery sidewalks and icy conditions in winter, which increase fall risk
  • Higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease in some Michigan populations

Search for:

  • “Kent County Health Department medical equipment”
  • “Grand Rapids senior services durable medical equipment”

4. Local Hospitals and Health Systems

Major Grand Rapids health systems often help patients access home equipment when they are discharged:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health

Hospital-based case managers, discharge planners, and occupational/physical therapists can:

  • Assess your home safety and equipment needs
  • Arrange prescriptions and referrals to approved DME suppliers
  • Coordinate with home health agencies that can deliver and set up equipment

5. Nonprofit and Community Equipment Loan Programs

In addition to insurance-based programs, Grand Rapids and West Michigan have community-based options:

  • Loan closets – Some churches, senior centers, and local nonprofits maintain loan closets of:

    • Walkers
    • Wheelchairs
    • Shower chairs
    • Crutches and canes
      Often free or low-cost.

  • Disease-specific organizations (statewide or regional), such as:

    • ALS Association (for motor neuron disease/ALS equipment libraries)
    • Multiple Sclerosis Society
    • Parkinson’s foundations
      These groups may loan equipment like wheelchairs, communication devices, and specialty aids.

Search terms that work well locally:

  • “Grand Rapids medical equipment loan closet”
  • “West Michigan free durable medical equipment”
  • “Grand Rapids ALS equipment loan program”

Reused (Reissue) Equipment and Waiting Lists

Because home medical equipment can be expensive, many Michigan and Grand Rapids programs:

  • Provide reissued (second-hand) equipment when available

    • These items are cleaned, inspected, and refurbished.
    • Common reissued items include wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and scooters.

  • Use waiting lists when:

    • Funding is limited
    • New or reissue items are not immediately available

You may be asked to:

  • Contribute a portion of the cost if the program only covers part of the equipment price.
  • Pay the difference between:
    • The subsidy amount and
    • The full cost of a new item, if you do not want or cannot wait for a reissued item.

Most loan or subsidy programs:

  • Provide items on loan for as long as they are medically needed.
  • Retain ownership of the equipment, unless:
    • The item is a personal use item (for example, shoes, some braces), or
    • You have paid more than 50% of the total cost, in which case you may own the item outright.

Programs generally do not reimburse you for equipment you bought on your own before applying, so it is best to seek assistance before purchasing major items.

Common Eligibility Limitations

You may not be eligible for certain subsidized programs if:

  • You already receive coverage for the same type of equipment through:
    • Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance
    • VA benefits
    • A workers’ compensation or auto accident insurance settlement (e.g., Michigan no-fault claims)
  • You have received a legal settlement or court award that specifically includes money for aids and equipment.
  • You are a resident in a long-term care facility (nursing home) where equipment is expected to be provided by the facility, except for certain communication or personal devices.
  • You are currently an inpatient in a hospital; equipment is usually provided by the hospital while you are admitted and arranged for discharge.

Because rules vary, it is important to:

  • Speak with a social worker, case manager, or discharge planner at your Grand Rapids hospital or clinic.
  • Ask your insurance company what is covered under your plan.

How to Apply for Aids and Equipment in Grand Rapids

Step 1: Get a Professional Assessment

Start by talking with:

  • Your primary care provider in Grand Rapids
  • A specialist (e.g., pulmonologist, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon)
  • A physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT)

They can:

  • Assess your mobility, breathing, communication, or safety needs
  • Recommend specific aids or equipment
  • Provide the prescription or documentation required by insurance or programs

Step 2: Confirm Coverage and Programs

Next:

  1. Contact your insurance provider (Medicare, Medicaid, or private plan) and ask:

    • “Is [specific item] covered as durable medical equipment?”
    • “What documentation do you need?”
    • “Which DME suppliers in Grand Rapids are in-network?”

  2. If you are a veteran, contact:

    • Your VA primary care team or Grand Rapids VA Clinic
      Ask about:
    • Mobility devices
    • Home oxygen
    • Home safety equipment

  3. If you have limited income or no insurance:

    • Contact the Kent County Health Department or local senior services.
    • Ask about:
      • Medical equipment loan closets
      • Community-based equipment programs
      • Referrals to nonprofits that support people with disabilities

Step 3: Work With a Local DME Supplier

Your provider or hospital may refer you to a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplier that serves Grand Rapids and West Michigan. They will:

  • Verify your coverage
  • Arrange delivery and setup of the equipment
  • Provide instructions for safe use

Seasonal and Local Considerations in Grand Rapids

Living in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan / Great Lakes region means dealing with:

  • Long, cold winters with snow and ice
  • Slippery sidewalks and driveways
  • Periods of poor air quality or high humidity that can affect breathing

Because of this, aids and equipment that are especially important locally include:

  • Winter-safe mobility aids
    • Walkers with good grips
    • Ice tips for canes
    • Non-slip footwear and cleats
  • Home safety upgrades
    • Proper lighting for early sunset hours
    • Railings on stairs and entryways
    • Non-slip mats and grab bars in bathrooms
  • Respiratory equipment
    • Home oxygen or nebulizers for people with COPD or asthma, especially during cold weather and respiratory virus season

Discuss these Michigan-specific safety needs with your provider when planning for home equipment.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you’re unsure where to start, these are good first steps:

  • Your primary care clinic (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, or Mercy Health)
  • Hospital case management if you are currently admitted or recently discharged
  • Kent County Health Department – for public health resources and referrals
  • Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan – for seniors needing home safety and equipment support
  • Local nonprofits and disease-specific organizations – for equipment libraries and loan programs

When you call or visit, be ready to explain:

  • Your diagnosis or main health concerns
  • What daily activities you are having trouble with (walking, bathing, climbing stairs, communicating, etc.)
  • Any falls, breathing issues, or mobility problems you’ve had recently
  • What insurance you have (Medicare, Medicaid, VA, private)

By using the medical, public health, and community resources available in Grand Rapids, Michigan, many residents can access the home aids and equipment they need to stay safe, independent, and engaged in their community—through all four seasons of Michigan weather.