Epilepsy and Aging in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Epilepsy is a brain condition in which a person experiences recurrent, unprovoked seizures. While epilepsy can begin at any age, it most commonly starts in childhood or in older adulthood. Adults over age 65 have the highest incidence of new-onset epilepsy, accounting for nearly one in four new cases.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, an aging population means more older adults are living with epilepsy. Understanding how epilepsy affects seniors is especially important for families, caregivers, and healthcare providers in our community.

Cold Michigan winters, fall risks on ice and snow, and higher rates of stroke and heart disease in the Great Lakes region can all play a role in brain health and seizure risk as we age.

Why Epilepsy Is More Common in Older Adults

The risk of any type of seizure increases significantly after age 60. In older adults, seizures are often linked to other brain or medical conditions, including:

  • Stroke (a leading cause of epilepsy in seniors)
  • Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
  • Brain injuries from falls or accidents (more common in icy Michigan winters)
  • Brain tumors
  • Long-standing high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease

In some cases, no clear cause is found. About half of all seizures in older adults have no known cause, even after testing.

Major Grand Rapids health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health regularly evaluate and care for older adults with new-onset seizures and epilepsy.

Many Possible Causes of Epilepsy and Seizures

Common Causes of Epilepsy in Older Adults

In Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan, common causes of epilepsy in seniors include:

  • Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
  • Traumatic brain injury (including falls on ice or snow)
  • Brain tumors (cancerous or non-cancerous)
  • Degenerative conditions such as:
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Other types of dementia
  • Brain infections (such as meningitis or encephalitis)
  • Metabolic or medical problems that affect brain function, such as:
    • Very low or very high blood sugar
    • Electrolyte imbalances
    • Kidney or liver failure
  • Medication side effects or interactions
  • Lifestyle and health risk factors, including:
    • Heavy alcohol use
    • Smoking
    • Severe or chronic sleep deprivation
    • Ongoing high stress, anxiety, or depression

Even with a full workup at a Grand Rapids hospital or neurology clinic, approximately half of older adults with seizures will not have a clearly identified cause. However, it is still critical to be evaluated and treated.

Why the Cause of Seizures Should Be Investigated

Getting a Proper Diagnosis in Grand Rapids

If you or an older adult you care for is experiencing seizures or unexplained episodes, it is very important to investigate the cause. This helps your healthcare team determine:

  • Whether the episodes are truly epileptic seizures
  • What type of seizures are occurring
  • The safest and most effective treatment options
  • What support and safety measures are needed at home or in a care facility

Diagnosing epilepsy in older adults can be challenging. Seizures may be:

  • Mistaken for dementia or “just aging”
  • Confused with mini-strokes (TIAs)
  • Overlooked because they are brief or subtle

In West Michigan, older adults may first be seen in a primary care office, urgent care, or emergency department at places like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, or Metro Health Hospital. From there, they are often referred to a neurologist or epilepsy specialist for further evaluation.

What Seizures Can Look Like in Older Adults

Everyone’s experience of a seizure is different. Some people have seizures daily, while others may have them rarely or only when they miss medications or are ill.

In older adults, seizures can be especially subtle. A person may:

  • Stare blankly for a short time
  • Seem “out of it,” confused, or unresponsive
  • Perform repetitive movements (lip smacking, picking at clothes, fidgeting)
  • Suddenly stop speaking or lose track of conversation
  • Have brief, jerking movements of one arm, leg, or side of the face
  • Wander or behave unusually without remembering it later

Some people are not aware they are having seizures at all. This is why observations from family, friends, caregivers, and staff at Grand Rapids assisted living or nursing homes are so important.

What Family Members and Caregivers Should Watch For

If you care for an older adult in Grand Rapids—at home, in independent living, assisted living, or a nursing facility—pay close attention to any new or unusual changes, such as:

  • Repeated episodes of confusion or “spacing out”
  • Sudden memory gaps or not recalling events
  • Unusual movements or jerking of the face, arm, or leg
  • Sudden falls without a clear cause
  • Episodes of staring or unresponsiveness
  • Sudden changes in behavior or personality

How to Document What You See

Good documentation can greatly help neurologists in Grand Rapids make an accurate diagnosis. When you notice an episode:

  • Write down:
    • Date and time
    • What the person was doing before it started
    • Exactly what you saw (movements, speech, confusion, staring)
    • How long it lasted (estimate if needed)
    • How the person acted afterward (tired, confused, normal)
  • Note patterns:
    • Do episodes happen at a certain time of day?
    • Do they occur when the person is standing, sitting, or lying down?
    • Are they linked to missed medications, poor sleep, illness, or stress?

Bring these notes to appointments with the person’s primary care provider or neurologist in Grand Rapids. A detailed “witness statement” can be as valuable as some tests.

How Epilepsy Is Diagnosed in Older Adults

Only a specialist—usually a neurologist—can diagnose epilepsy. In Grand Rapids, this evaluation may happen through:

  • Hospital systems such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Outpatient neurology clinics and epilepsy centers
  • Referrals from your family doctor or geriatrician

Common Steps in Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves:

  • Detailed history
    • Description of episodes from the patient and witnesses
    • Review of medical conditions and medications
  • Physical and neurological exam
  • Blood tests
    • Checking for infections, electrolyte problems, blood sugar issues, kidney/liver problems
  • EEG (electroencephalogram)
    • Measures electrical activity in the brain
    • May be done in a hospital or outpatient EEG lab in Grand Rapids
  • Brain imaging
    • CT scan (computed tomography)
    • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
      These help identify stroke, tumors, prior bleeding, or other brain changes.

In some cases, more advanced testing or monitoring may be needed, which can be arranged through larger regional epilepsy programs serving West Michigan.

Treatment Options for Epilepsy in Older Adults

Anti-Seizure Medications (ASMs)

The main treatment for epilepsy is anti-seizure medication (ASM). Choosing the right medication is especially important for older adults in Grand Rapids because many:

  • Take multiple medications for other conditions
  • Have age-related changes in kidney or liver function
  • May be more sensitive to side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, or balance problems

Your neurologist will consider:

  • Your other medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, dementia)
  • Your current medications (to avoid harmful interactions)
  • The type of seizures you have
  • Your lifestyle and support system

Never stop or change seizure medication on your own. Always talk to your doctor first.

Other Treatment Approaches

Depending on the cause and type of epilepsy, your treatment plan may also include:

  • Emergency (rescue) medication
    To stop a prolonged seizure or a cluster of seizures
  • Dietary approaches (in selected cases)
    Such as modified ketogenic or low-glycemic diets, usually under medical and dietitian supervision
  • Surgery or device-based treatments
    In a small number of cases, especially if seizures do not respond to medications, referral to a specialized epilepsy center may be considered.

Epilepsy in Assisted Living and Long-Term Care in Grand Rapids

Older adults living in assisted living facilities, memory care units, and nursing homes in Grand Rapids and Kent County have a higher rate of epilepsy than the general community.

In these settings, seizure activity and related behavioral changes can be very subtle. Staff may mistakenly attribute episodes to dementia, medication side effects, or normal aging.

Why Staff Training Matters

It is important that aged care workers and caregivers in West Michigan:

  • Know the signs of seizure activity
  • Understand that not all seizures involve shaking or convulsions
  • Document episodes clearly and promptly
  • Communicate with families and healthcare providers

Facilities that partner with local health systems and follow evidence-based epilepsy protocols can better protect residents’ safety and quality of life.

Living With Epilepsy as an Older Adult in Grand Rapids

With proper diagnosis and treatment, many older adults in Grand Rapids live safely and independently with epilepsy. Helpful strategies include:

  • Taking medications exactly as prescribed
  • Using pill organizers or reminders
  • Keeping regular sleep schedules (especially important during long winter nights and time changes)
  • Avoiding excessive alcohol and smoking
  • Managing stress and depression, possibly with counseling or support groups
  • Staying physically active and safe, especially during icy Michigan winters (using proper footwear, assistive devices, and fall-prevention strategies)

Talk with your healthcare team about driving, working, and safety at home. Michigan has specific regulations about driving with seizures, and your Grand Rapids provider can guide you based on your situation.

Local Resources for Epilepsy Support in Grand Rapids

If you or a loved one is dealing with epilepsy and aging in West Michigan, you’re not alone. Local and regional resources include:

  • Your Grand Rapids primary care provider or geriatrician
    First point of contact for new symptoms or concerns.
  • Neurology and epilepsy specialists at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) neurology clinics
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids neurology services
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health neurology
    • Mercy Health neurology clinics
  • Kent County Health Department
    Offers information on chronic disease management, senior health, and referrals to local services.
    Website: accesskent.com/Health
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community health programs
    Can connect seniors and caregivers with education, transportation, and support services.
  • Local senior centers and aging services
    Many offer classes, fall-prevention programs, and caregiver support in Grand Rapids and surrounding communities.

If you notice possible seizures, new confusion, or sudden changes in behavior in an older adult, contact their doctor promptly or seek emergency care if the situation is urgent.

Key Points to Remember

  • Epilepsy is a common brain condition that causes recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
  • It can begin at any age but is especially common in older adulthood, including seniors in Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
  • There are many possible causes of epilepsy in older adults, including stroke, brain injury, brain tumors, dementia, and other medical or lifestyle factors.
  • The cause of seizures should always be investigated by a healthcare professional, ideally a neurologist.
  • Careful observation and documentation by family, friends, and caregivers can greatly help with diagnosis.
  • Effective treatments are available, and with proper care, many older adults can live well with epilepsy in Grand Rapids, Michigan.