Maintaining your quality of life during a life-limiting illness

Maintaining Your Quality of Life During a Life‑Limiting Illness in Grand Rapids, MI

Living with a life-limiting illness in Grand Rapids can be challenging, especially with Michigan’s long winters, changing seasons, and the need to coordinate care across different providers. With the right support, you can still focus on comfort, meaning, and connection while receiving palliative or end-of-life care.

In Grand Rapids, palliative care is available through major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as community-based hospice and home care programs. These teams work with you to help you maintain the best possible quality of life.

What Is Palliative and End-of-Life Care?

Palliative and end-of-life care is more than just medical treatment and pain control. It is person-centered and holistic care that focuses on:

Managing physical symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, fatigue)
Supporting your emotional and mental health
Honoring your spiritual, cultural, and personal values
Including and supporting your family and close friends

In Grand Rapids, palliative care can be provided:

At home
In hospitals such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
In skilled nursing facilities or residential hospice homes
In outpatient clinics

Your care team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, therapists, and counselors who work together to support your overall wellbeing.

Person-Centered, Holistic Care in Grand Rapids

You Are at the Center of Your Care

Person-centered care means:

You are involved in decisions about your care
Your preferences, values, and goals guide your treatment plan
Your care team listens to what matters most to you

Holistic care means your team looks at you as a whole person, not just your illness. They consider your:

Physical needs
Emotional and psychological needs
Social and family relationships
Spiritual or religious beliefs
Cultural background and traditions
Sexual orientation and identity

Local palliative care teams in Grand Rapids can help you create an individualized care plan that reflects your priorities—whether that’s staying at home as long as possible, managing symptoms so you can spend time with family, or finishing meaningful projects.

Staying Connected and Involved

Talking With Family, Friends, and Your Care Team

Open communication is key. Talk with:

Your family and close friends
Your primary care provider
Your palliative care or hospice team
Social workers or chaplains at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, or Mercy Health

Discuss:

What helps you feel comfortable and safe
How you want to spend your time
What kind of help you need day-to-day (meals, rides, personal care)
Your wishes for future medical decisions (advance care planning)

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also provide information about local resources, support groups, and community services for people living with serious illness.

Daily Routines and Self-Care in West Michigan

Maintaining a sense of normalcy can improve your mood and energy, even when you are very ill.

Simple Daily Habits That Help

As you are able, try to:

Follow a routine – Waking up, eating, and resting at regular times can be comforting.
Stay connected – Schedule phone calls, video chats, or visits with family and friends.
Eat as well as you can – Focus on foods you enjoy; when possible, include nourishing options.
Move your body gently – Even short walks indoors, light stretches, or chair exercises can help.
Get fresh air – In warmer months, enjoy a porch, balcony, or park; in winter, a few minutes by an open window or a short, bundled-up walk can be helpful.
Maintain personal hygiene – Bathing, washing your face, brushing your teeth, and changing clothes regularly can improve how you feel.

In Grand Rapids, the long, cold winters and icy sidewalks can make outdoor activity difficult. Ask your care team (for example, a physical therapist at Metro Health or Corewell Health) about safe indoor exercises and fall-prevention strategies.

Eating and Nutrition at the End of Life

Your appetite may change depending on your illness or treatments. For some people, enjoying favorite foods becomes more important than following a strict “healthy” diet.

Consider:

Eating small, frequent meals or snacks
Choosing soft or easy-to-swallow foods if chewing is difficult
Sipping water, tea, or clear fluids regularly, as recommended by your doctor
Allowing yourself treats you enjoy, if they make you feel better

A registered dietitian from one of the Grand Rapids health systems can help you and your family find options that balance comfort and nutrition.

Balancing Rest and Activity

You may feel more tired than usual and need extra sleep. It is normal to:

Need naps during the day
Have days when you can do more, and days when you can do less
Adjust your activities based on how you feel

Sleep Problems and “Sleep Hygiene”

Some illnesses and medications can cause sleep difficulties. If you are having trouble sleeping:

Talk with your GP (primary care doctor) or your palliative care team
Ask about adjusting medications or timing of doses
Try simple sleep hygiene tips:
- Keep your bedroom dark and quiet
- Limit caffeine later in the day
- Use relaxing routines before bed (music, reading, guided relaxation)

Your care team in Grand Rapids can recommend local sleep specialists or therapists if needed.

Setting Personal Goals and Looking Ahead

Even with a life-limiting illness, you can still set personal goals. These do not have to be big or long-term. They might include:

Spending more time with a particular family member
Finishing a craft, photo album, or project
Visiting a favorite place in West Michigan (a local park, the Grand River, or the Lake Michigan shoreline if travel is possible)
Attending a special event, service, or family gathering

Share your goals with your family and your palliative care team so they can help you plan and provide support, including:

Transportation
Equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen)
Activity materials (art supplies, books, music)

Keeping Up Hobbies and Activities You Enjoy

Doing what you enjoy is one of the best ways to keep your spirits up and your mind active.

The Benefits of Creativity During a Serious Illness

Having a Creative Outlet

Being creative can:

Reduce stress and anxiety
Help you express difficult emotions
Give you a sense of accomplishment
Provide meaningful gifts or memories for your loved ones

You do not need to be “artistic” to benefit. You might enjoy:

Drawing, painting, or coloring
Writing poetry, letters, or journal entries
Playing an instrument or singing
Listening to music that is meaningful to you

Many Grand Rapids hospitals and hospice providers offer art and music therapy or can connect you with local programs and volunteers.

Looking back on your life and sharing memories can be healing for you and comforting for your family.

You might:

Look through old photo albums together
Tell stories about your childhood, work, or travels
Record audio or video messages
Create a scrapbook with photos and written memories
Write letters to family members and friends

You may feel your life is “ordinary,” but your stories can be deeply meaningful to the people who love you. Ask family, friends, or staff at your Grand Rapids care facility to help you:

Set up a phone, tablet, or camera for recording
Print photos or gather clippings
Organize a simple “memory book” or digital folder

Many local hospitals and senior living communities in West Michigan have volunteers or staff who can assist with these projects.

Reaching Out to Friends and Family

After a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, you may feel the urge to reconnect with people you haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time. This is very common and very normal.

Reaching out can:

Give you a chance to say things you have always wanted to say
Help you feel more at peace
Provide emotional support and comfort
Strengthen your sense of connection and belonging

You might:

Call or video chat with old friends
Write emails or letters
Invite people to visit if you feel up to it
Ask a family member to help you contact people on social media

Coping With Stress, Worry, and Low Mood

Living with a life-limiting illness often brings mixed emotions—sadness, fear, anger, or a sense of helplessness. These feelings are common and understandable, but they can sometimes develop into anxiety or depression.

Signs You May Be Experiencing Anxiety

You may notice:

Feeling very worried or anxious most of the time
Finding it hard to calm down or relax
Feeling overwhelmed or frightened by sudden episodes of intense panic
Avoiding people, places, or activities because of fear
Having recurring thoughts that cause anxiety

Signs You May Be Experiencing Depression

Depression often means:

Feeling sad, down, or “flat” most of the time for at least two weeks
Losing interest or pleasure in activities you usually enjoy
Changes in appetite or sleep
Feeling hopeless, guilty, or worthless
Having trouble concentrating
Feeling that life is no longer worth living

If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, it is important to speak up.

Talking About Your Feelings and Getting Support

Talking things over can help you and your family cope better. You can talk with:

A trusted family member or friend
Your primary care provider in Grand Rapids
Your palliative care or hospice team
A counselor, psychologist, or social worker
A faith leader or chaplain

Your doctor or palliative care team can:

Assess your symptoms
Suggest counseling, support groups, or medications if appropriate
Refer you to local mental health services and therapists in the Grand Rapids area

You can arrange counseling through:

Your GP (primary care doctor)
Palliative care or hospice programs at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
Community mental health providers in Kent County

If you ever feel at risk of harming yourself, or are in a crisis, seek immediate help by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency department.

Emotional and Spiritual Care in Grand Rapids

Finding Meaning and Being “At Peace”

Facing the end of life often leads to deep questions about:

The meaning of life
What happens after death
What matters most to you now
How you want to be remembered

You may find comfort in:

Your religious or spiritual beliefs
Your relationships with family and friends
Nature and the changing seasons in West Michigan
Acts of kindness, forgiveness, or reconciliation
Completing a “life review” or legacy project

Spiritual and Cultural Support

You have the right to be treated with respect, whatever your:

Cultural background
Religion or spiritual beliefs
Sexual orientation or gender identity

Most Grand Rapids hospitals and hospice programs have pastoral care or spiritual care workers who can:

Listen to your concerns without judgment
Help you explore spiritual or existential questions
Arrange visits from spiritual leaders (reverends, priests, rabbis, imams, or other faith leaders)
Support you even if you do not identify with any religion

If you are not religious, you may prefer:

Nature walks or time outdoors when possible
Meditation, mindfulness, or relaxation exercises
Support groups for people with serious illness
Quiet time with family and friends

Communication Support and Interpreting Services

If you have a hearing, speech, or language barrier, ask your palliative care provider about:

Sign language interpreters
Telephone relay services
In-person or phone interpreters for other languages

Major health systems in Grand Rapids routinely arrange interpreting services so that you and your family can understand your options and express your wishes clearly.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids and Kent County

For information, support, and referrals related to palliative and end-of-life care in Grand Rapids, you can contact:

Your GP or primary care provider
Your palliative care or hospice provider (home-based or facility-based)
Kent County Health Department – information on community health and support services
Grand Rapids Public Health – local health education and resources
Palliative care programs at:
- Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
- Trinity Health Grand Rapids
- Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
- Mercy Health

These organizations can help connect you with:

Home care and hospice services
Counseling and mental health support
Support groups for patients and caregivers
Practical support (transportation, equipment, home modifications)

Key Points to Remember

Palliative and end-of-life care is more than medical treatment. It focuses on comfort, dignity, and your overall wellbeing.
Your care plan should be holistic. It can include emotional, spiritual, and cultural support as well as treatments for pain and other symptoms.
Balancing rest and activity is important. Find a rhythm that works for you, especially through Michigan’s changing seasons.
Spend time on what matters most. Family, friends, hobbies, creativity, and meaningful goals can all improve your quality of life.
Feeling anxious, sad, or overwhelmed is common. These feelings can be treated—talk with your GP or palliative care team about support.
You are not alone. Grand Rapids has strong healthcare systems and community resources to help you and your family through this time.

By working closely with your palliative care team, your family, and local Grand Rapids resources, you can focus on comfort, connection, and meaning—maintaining the best possible quality of life during a life-limiting illness.

Grand Rapids Care

Maintaining your quality of life during a life-limiting illness