Dementia and Mental Health Changes in Grand Rapids, MI

Living with dementia can be challenging for individuals and families throughout West Michigan. In Grand Rapids, where cold winters, icy roads, and seasonal changes can already affect mood and memory, recognizing mental health changes in dementia is especially important. Local healthcare systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health offer support, but understanding what’s “normal” and what may be dementia is the first step.

As people in Grand Rapids age, many notice some changes in memory. This is a normal part of getting older and does not always mean dementia.

What Normal Forgetfulness Looks Like

Normal age-related memory changes may include:

  • Misplacing your car keys, then finding them later
  • Walking into the kitchen and forgetting why you went there
  • Occasionally forgetting a name, then remembering it later

These changes:

  • Do not significantly interfere with daily life
  • Do not prevent you from managing your home, finances, or work
  • Are usually occasional, not constantly getting worse

Research shows that:

  • Some nerve connections in the brain are lost with age, but
  • It is possible to form new connections and maintain brain function by staying mentally and physically active

Immediate memory (such as remembering a phone number for a few seconds) and long-term lifetime memories (such as major life events) often remain relatively stable in healthy aging.

Memory loss in dementia is:

  • Persistent and progressive – it continues to get worse over time
  • Interferes with daily life – work, hobbies, and basic tasks become harder

Examples of dementia-related memory changes:

  • Losing the car keys and then forgetting what they are used for
  • Getting lost on familiar streets in Grand Rapids neighborhoods such as Eastown, Alger Heights, or Wyoming
  • Forgetting how to dress, bathe, or prepare familiar meals
  • Needing frequent reminders about appointments, bills, or medications

Over time, dementia can affect:

  • Stored knowledge – forgetting historical or political information, or facts once easily recalled
  • Everyday skills – gradually losing the ability to cook, dress, manage money, or follow recipes

If you notice these types of changes in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids for a thorough evaluation.

Managing Memory Changes in Dementia

Carers and family members in Grand Rapids can use practical strategies to help manage dementia-related memory loss.

Helpful Approaches for Caregivers

  • Avoid stressful situations

    • Provide calm, emotional support
    • In winter, plan extra time for travel to avoid rushing in snow or ice

  • Reduce background noise

    • Turn off TVs or radios when having a conversation
    • Choose quieter seating in restaurants or during church activities

  • Encourage regular exercise

    • Short walks in local parks like Riverside Park or Millennium Park (weather permitting)
    • Indoor walking at malls or community centers during icy or very cold days

  • Maintain a regular routine

    • Consistent wake-up, meal, and bedtime schedules
    • Regular days for shopping, appointments, or visiting adult day programs

  • Use memory aids

    • Lists, calendars, and diaries
    • Clear written instructions for daily tasks
    • Labels on drawers and cupboards
    • Pill organizers for medications

These strategies can:

  • Reduce confusion and anxiety
  • Improve sense of security
  • Help the person with dementia remain as independent as possible

Depression and Dementia in Grand Rapids

Depression is common in people with dementia and can make memory and thinking problems worse. In Michigan, seasonal changes—especially shorter, darker winter days—may further affect mood.

How Common Is Depression in Dementia?

  • Around 40–50% of people with Alzheimer’s disease experience depression
  • People in long-term residential care or nursing homes may be at higher risk

Other factors that can contribute to depression in dementia include:

  • Side effects of medications
  • Reaction to receiving a diagnosis of dementia
  • Worry about the impact on lifestyle and independence
  • Physical illness or chronic pain (such as arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes—common in Michigan)
  • Social isolation, especially during winter storms or when driving becomes difficult
  • Tiredness and poor sleep

Symptoms of Depression in Someone With Dementia

Because dementia and depression share many symptoms, it can be hard to tell them apart. Signs that may suggest depression include:

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities they previously enjoyed
  • Lack of energy or motivation
  • Poor sleep (too much or too little)
  • Loss of appetite and weight changes
  • Expressing feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or sadness
  • Being unusually emotional, tearful, angry, or agitated
  • Increased confusion or seeming more “foggy” than usual

If you suspect depression in a person with dementia:

  • Speak with their doctor – this may be a primary care provider, neurologist, geriatrician, or mental health professional at a Grand Rapids clinic or hospital
  • The doctor can:
    • Rule out other medical problems
    • Review medications
    • Assess for depression and other mental health concerns

Treatment for Depression in Dementia

Medical Treatment

A doctor in Grand Rapids may:

  • Prescribe an antidepressant medication
  • Refer to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor
  • Arrange follow-up through local systems such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health

Antidepressants:

  • Can improve mood, appetite, and sleep
  • May take at least two weeks before you notice benefits
  • Can have side effects, which should be discussed with the doctor

If side effects occur:

  • The medication may need to be changed
  • If a medication is not effective, it should not be continued long-term

Non-Medication Strategies

To help manage depression in a person with dementia:

  • Keep a daily routine

    • Predictability can reduce anxiety and confusion

  • Encourage daily exercise

    • Gentle walking, stretching, or chair exercises
    • Use indoor spaces in winter, such as senior centers, YMCA, or mall walking programs

  • Limit noise and overstimulation

    • Reduce loud TV, multiple conversations, or crowded environments if they cause distress

  • Choose appropriate social activities

    • Some people feel worse in large groups, while others enjoy busy gatherings
    • Consider smaller family visits, church groups, or adult day programs in Grand Rapids

  • Have realistic expectations

    • Expecting too much can lead to frustration for both the carer and the person with dementia
    • Plan important tasks for times of day when the person is usually most alert

  • Use positive communication

    • Offer frequent praise and reassurance
    • Include the person in conversation as much as they feel comfortable

Treatment and support can significantly improve mood and ability to participate in daily activities.

Hallucinations, Delusions, and False Ideas in Dementia

Some people with dementia experience:

  • Hallucinations – seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not really there
  • Delusions – strong beliefs that are not based in reality (for example, thinking someone is stealing from them)
  • Misidentification – not recognizing familiar people or even their own reflection

These experiences may cause:

  • Extreme anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Panic or agitation

For example, a person might:

  • Be frightened by their reflection in a mirror, believing it is a stranger
  • Insist that someone is in the house when no one is there
  • Believe a family member is an impostor

Medical Support for Hallucinations and Delusions

If hallucinations or delusions are distressing or dangerous:

  • Contact the person’s doctor
  • A trial of antipsychotic medication may sometimes be appropriate

Important considerations:

  • Older antipsychotic medications can cause stiffness, shakiness, or drowsiness
  • Newer medications may have fewer side effects, but can still cause drowsiness
  • Benefits and risks should be carefully discussed with the doctor

Practical Ways to Respond

Caregivers in Grand Rapids can use the following strategies:

  • Do not argue

    • Acknowledge that the person is frightened or upset
    • Arguing about what is “real” often makes things worse

  • Do not scold

    • Avoid blaming them for losing or hiding objects

  • Investigate suspicions

    • Check whether there is any basis for what they are saying (for example, missing items)

  • Try to distract

    • Gently change the subject
    • Offer a snack, a walk, or a favorite activity

  • Respond to feelings, not just words

    • Focus on reassurance and comfort: “You’re safe here. I’m with you.”

  • Control the environment

    • Maintain familiar surroundings and routines
    • Increase lighting in the home, especially during dark Michigan winters
    • Use night-lights to reduce shadows that may be misinterpreted
    • Reduce mirrors if they cause distress

Some hallucinations or false ideas can be ignored if they are harmless and do not cause agitation. Remember:

  • Do not take accusations personally
  • The person is not able to fully control these behaviors

Caring for Someone With Dementia in Grand Rapids: Getting Support

Providing day-to-day care for a person with dementia is demanding—physically, emotionally, and mentally. In Grand Rapids, you are not alone, and support is available.

Local and Regional Resources

Caregivers can seek help from:

  • Primary care providers and specialists
    • Neurologists, geriatricians, and psychiatrists at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Information on local aging services, vaccination, and public health resources
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local senior services
    • Programs supporting older adults and caregivers
  • Support groups
    • Dementia and Alzheimer’s support groups offered through local hospitals, community centers, and faith communities
  • Home care and respite services
    • In-home aides, adult day programs, and short-term respite care so caregivers can rest

Family caregivers should:

  • Talk with an understanding family member, friend, or professional
  • Consider counseling or caregiver support groups
  • Learn about dementia education programs offered in West Michigan

Taking care of yourself is essential to providing good care for your loved one.

Key Points to Remember

  • Normal forgetfulness might mean misplacing keys or forgetting why you entered a room;
    dementia-related memory loss can include forgetting what keys are for or getting lost in familiar places.
  • Memory loss in dementia is persistent and progressive, not just occasional.
  • Depression affects an estimated 40–50% of people with Alzheimer’s disease and can worsen memory and quality of life.
  • People in long-term residential care are at particular risk of depression.
  • Because symptoms of dementia and depression overlap, it can be difficult to tell them apart; professional assessment is important.
  • Hallucinations and delusions in dementia can cause severe anxiety, but medical treatment and environmental changes can help.
  • In Grand Rapids, MI, families can access local hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and support groups to help manage dementia and related mental health changes.

If you are concerned about dementia or mental health changes in yourself or a loved one in Grand Rapids, contact your healthcare provider or a local health system for evaluation and support. Early recognition and treatment can make a meaningful difference in quality of life for both the person with dementia and their caregivers.