Dementia Affects People Differently

Dementia does not look the same for everyone in Grand Rapids.

One person may begin to struggle with:

  • Managing bills or online banking
  • Understanding contracts or business decisions
  • Keeping track of credit cards or automatic payments

while another person may keep these skills much longer. Over time, however, dementia will usually affect a person’s ability to make independent financial, legal, and medical decisions.

Planning ahead early can:

  • Make it easier for Grand Rapids families and caregivers to manage day‑to‑day affairs
  • Allow the person with dementia to share their wishes while they can still participate
  • Reduce family conflict and stress later on

Because Michigan winters can be harsh and emergency situations (like falls on ice, flu, or pneumonia) are more common, having plans in place before a crisis is especially important in West Michigan.

Why Early Planning Matters in Grand Rapids, MI

Involving the Person with Dementia

Whenever possible, seek advice and begin planning:

  • While the person with dementia can clearly understand information
  • While they can sign legal documents (they must be legally competent)
  • Before a medical emergency or hospitalization at places like Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids

Early planning helps ensure that:

  • Their values and preferences guide future care
  • Their finances are protected
  • Loved ones know what to do and who is responsible

If the person loses the legal capacity to make decisions, someone else will have to make medical, financial, and legal decisions for them. Planning early allows them to choose who that person will be.

Planning Ahead for Medical Treatment in Michigan

In Michigan, adults can plan ahead for medical decisions if they later become unable to speak for themselves. This is especially important for people with dementia in Grand Rapids, where serious infections, winter‑related injuries, and hospitalizations are common among older adults.

Two Main Ways to Plan for Medical Decisions

1. Appoint a Healthcare Agent (Patient Advocate Designation)

In Michigan, you can appoint a trusted person (called a patient advocate) to make medical decisions if you cannot. This is often done through a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Patient Advocate Designation.

For a person with dementia, this means:

  • They choose who will make medical decisions for them in the future
  • Their advocate can talk with doctors at Spectrum Health, Metro Health–University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health, or Trinity Health Grand Rapids on their behalf
  • Decisions can be made more quickly in an emergency

2. Create an Advance Care Directive / Advance Care Plan

An advance care directive (or advance care plan) is a written document where a person explains:

  • What types of medical treatment they would or would not want
  • Their wishes about life support, resuscitation (CPR), feeding tubes, and breathing machines
  • Their goals for quality of life (for example, staying at home as long as possible, avoiding burdensome treatments)

These documents may have slightly different names, but the purpose is the same: to guide doctors and family when the person can no longer explain their wishes.

Things you can do to plan ahead for medical treatment:

  • Talk openly with the person with dementia about their values and goals of care
  • Help them appoint a medical decision maker (patient advocate) while they are still competent
  • Complete a durable power of attorney for health care and an advance directive
  • Keep copies at home, with the healthcare agent, and share with their Grand Rapids primary care provider or specialist
  • Make sure local hospitals (e.g., Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids) have a copy in their medical record

Who Can Help with Medical Decision Planning in Grand Rapids

  • Your GP / primary care doctor (e.g., Metro Health or Spectrum Health primary care clinics)
  • Local hospitals: Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health–University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department – information on local health resources and advance care planning support
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local community health centers – education and referrals
  • Michigan Legal Help (online resource) – information about medical powers of attorney and advance directives
  • Local elder law or estate planning attorneys – to prepare legally valid documents

Money Matters and Dementia in Grand Rapids

Dementia can make managing money more difficult and increase the risk of financial mistakes or exploitation. In a city like Grand Rapids, where many older adults manage pensions, Social Security, and retirement accounts, planning ahead protects both the person with dementia and their family.

Joint Bank Accounts and Financial Access

If a bank account is in joint names, the partner or co‑owner can usually continue to use it without changes. Problems can occur when:

  • The person with dementia has accounts or credit cards in their name only
  • They give away money, fall for scams, or make unusual purchases
  • Bills, property taxes, or utilities in West Michigan winters go unpaid

To avoid these difficulties, while the person is still legally competent they can:

  • Give written authority for a trusted person to help operate their accounts
  • Set up joint accounts with a spouse or adult child
  • Put limits on daily withdrawals or credit card use

Note: This authority may become invalid once the person is no longer legally competent, so early action is important.

If the person with dementia is unwilling to change financial arrangements, it may help to:

  • Schedule a meeting with the bank manager at a local Grand Rapids branch
  • Involve a financial adviser experienced with older adults
  • Include a trusted family member or healthcare provider in the discussion

Things you can do to plan ahead for money matters:

  • Decide how and when the person with dementia will access their finances
  • Set up automatic payments for regular bills (utilities, property taxes, insurance)
  • Review and simplify accounts, loans, and credit cards
  • Discuss long‑term care costs, including in‑home support and memory care facilities in the Grand Rapids area

Who Can Help with Financial Planning in Grand Rapids

  • Bank manager at your local Grand Rapids bank or credit union
  • Accredited financial adviser familiar with retirement and long‑term care planning
  • Elder law or estate planning attorney – to coordinate financial and legal planning
  • Kent County Senior Millage programs – may offer financial counseling or referrals
  • Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter – education on financial planning and dementia

Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial) and Dementia

In Michigan, a person who is legally competent can sign a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for finances. This is similar to what many people call an “enduring power of attorney.”

A Durable Power of Attorney for finances:

  • Allows a nominated person (agent) to manage financial affairs
  • Can remain valid even if the person later becomes unable to manage their own affairs
  • Continues until death, unless it is revoked

Many people in Grand Rapids have a DPOA even without a dementia diagnosis, but it is especially important for those with early memory changes.

Why a Durable Power of Attorney Is Helpful for Dementia

  • The person with dementia chooses who will act on their behalf
  • The agent can handle banking, paying bills, managing investments, and dealing with property
  • It reduces the need for court involvement later (such as guardianship or conservatorship)

Things you can do to plan ahead for a Durable Power of Attorney:

  • Encourage the person with dementia to complete a DPOA while they clearly understand what they are signing
  • Make sure trusted family members know that the document exists
  • Know exactly where the original document is kept
  • Provide copies to the agent, bank, and financial professionals if appropriate

Who Can Help with a Durable Power of Attorney in Grand Rapids

  • Local attorneys specializing in elder law or estate planning
  • Legal Aid of Western Michigan – may assist qualifying residents
  • Michigan State Bar Lawyer Referral Service – to find an attorney
  • Kent County Probate Court – information about guardianship and conservatorship if needed
  • Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter – education and referrals

Wills and Dementia

A will is a legal document that gives instructions about how a person’s property (estate) should be distributed after death.

A will is only valid if the person making it:

  • Understands what a will is
  • Understands what property they own
  • Understands who might reasonably inherit
  • Is making decisions freely

For someone with dementia in Grand Rapids, it is essential that they make or update their will while they are still legally competent.

Things you can do to plan ahead for a will:

  • Encourage the person with dementia to review or create a will as early as possible
  • Confirm they know who the executor (personal representative) will be
  • Make sure family members know where the will is kept (for example, a home safe, attorney’s office, or bank safe deposit box)

Who Can Help with Wills in Grand Rapids

  • Estate planning or elder law attorneys
  • Legal Aid of Western Michigan (for eligible individuals)
  • Michigan State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
  • Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter – can provide information and referrals

Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Dementia in Michigan

If a person with dementia in Grand Rapids can no longer make decisions and there is no valid power of attorney or advance directive, the court may need to appoint someone to help.

In Michigan, the probate court can appoint:

  • A guardian – to make personal and medical decisions
  • A conservator – to manage finances and property

This may be necessary if:

  • There are serious problems managing the person’s affairs
  • There is family conflict about what is in the person’s best interest
  • The person is at risk of harm, neglect, or financial exploitation

If you are unsure whether guardianship or conservatorship is needed, it is wise to seek advice before applying.

Where to Get Help with Guardianship and Conservatorship

  • Kent County Probate Court – information on how to apply
  • Local elder law attorneys – to guide families through the process
  • Legal Aid of Western Michigan – for qualifying residents
  • Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter – information and support

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Dementia Planning

Dementia planning often involves medical, legal, and emotional support. Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region offer several resources:

Healthcare and Assessment

  • Your GP / Primary Care Doctor – first step for memory concerns and ongoing care
  • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health–University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health – hospitals and clinics with geriatric and neurology services
  • Memory clinics / cognitive assessment services – ask local hospital systems or your GP for referral

Community and Public Health Support

  • Kent County Health Department – information on aging services, vaccinations (important for winter flu and pneumonia), and community resources
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local community health centers – health education and referrals
  • Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan – support for caregivers, care planning, and local programs

Dementia‑Specific Support (Statewide and National)

  • Alzheimer’s Association – 24/7 Helpline: 1‑800‑272‑3900
  • Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter – local education, support groups, and care consultation
  • Carer / Caregiver support programs – through Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and local nonprofits

Taking the Next Step in Grand Rapids

Planning ahead for dementia in Grand Rapids, Michigan means:

  • Addressing medical decisions early with a healthcare agent and advance directive
  • Protecting finances with joint accounts, financial planning, and a durable power of attorney
  • Ensuring legal affairs are in order with an up‑to‑date will
  • Knowing when guardianship or conservatorship may be needed
  • Using local resources in Kent County and West Michigan for guidance and support

Starting these conversations early—before a winter emergency, hospitalization, or sudden decline—gives the person with dementia the greatest control over their future and offers families peace of mind.