Managing Treatments and Medications in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Once you have connected with disability support through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) or local resources in Grand Rapids, such as the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health, the next step is planning how you will safely manage your treatments and medications.

In West Michigan, many people receive disability-related care through major health systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. Coordinating your care across these providers is important, especially if you see multiple specialists.

The Type of Disability Will Shape Your Treatment Plan

The kind of disability or chronic condition you have will determine the type of treatment and level of support you need.

Some Grand Rapids residents may only need to check in with a primary care doctor or specialist a few times a year at clinics such as Corewell Health or Metro Health. Others may rely on a full team of health professionals, including:

  • Physiotherapists (physical therapists)
  • Speech pathologists
  • Audiologists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Social workers or case managers

MDHHS and many local disability services in Grand Rapids use a person-centered, self-directed approach. This means you and your family are encouraged to be actively involved in deciding:

  • What your health goals are
  • What treatments you are comfortable with
  • How treatments fit into your daily life, work, and home situation
  • What level of independence you want and what support you need

If you are not comfortable talking with your family about your treatment, speak with your doctor, social worker, or care manager at one of the Grand Rapids hospitals or clinics. They can help you explore treatment and lifestyle options that fit your needs and local resources.

Even if you are living with a severe disability, there are many ways you and your caregivers can improve your overall health and quality of life.

Staying Organized With Appointments, Medications, and Equipment

Managing:

  • Regular healthcare appointments
  • Medications and refills
  • Dietary requirements
  • Medical diaries or symptom journals
  • Medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen, or home health devices)
  • Home exercises or therapy programs

can be challenging—especially if you are adjusting to a new disability, injury, or serious illness.

In Grand Rapids, you may be seeing providers at different locations (for example, a specialist at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, a physical therapist at a local rehab clinic, and a mental health provider at a community health center). Keeping everything coordinated is key.

Try to Incorporate Everything Into a Set Routine

A regular daily and weekly routine can help you:

  • Stay positive and feel more in control
  • Remember medications and appointments
  • Make space for activities you enjoy

Some practical tips:

  • Use a calendar on your phone or a wall calendar for appointments at places like Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or your local clinic.
  • Set reminders or alarms for medications, home exercises, and follow-up visits.
  • Use a pill organizer to sort daily or weekly medications, especially if you take several.
  • Keep important phone numbers handy (doctor’s office, pharmacy, home health agency, MDHHS worker).

If you are having trouble remembering everything your treatment requires, ask a family member, friend, or caregiver to help. It is always better to ask for support than to:

  • Miss important appointments
  • Take the wrong dose
  • Skip medications altogether

Being Honest and Clear With Your Doctor

When you see your doctor—whether at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or a neighborhood clinic—the most important thing is to be honest and upfront.

To accurately assess your progress, your doctor needs a full picture of:

  • What treatments you are actually following
  • How you are feeling day to day
  • Any problems or barriers you are facing

Do not say you have been following advice if you have not been able to. Instead, explain:

  • What is difficult (for example, “I can’t afford that medication,” or “I can’t do those exercises in winter because of the ice and snow.”)
  • Any lifestyle habits that may affect your health, such as:
    • Smoking or vaping
    • Alcohol or drug use
    • Diet (including high-salt or high-sugar foods common in many Midwestern diets)
    • Exercise levels, especially during Michigan’s cold winters when it’s harder to be active outside

Choose a “Lead” Doctor for Your Care

If you see multiple health professionals, it is helpful to have one doctor as the “leader” of your healthcare team—often a primary care physician or physiatrist (rehab doctor). This doctor can:

  • Track your overall progress
  • Make sure your medications do not interact in harmful ways
  • Coordinate referrals to specialists and allied health services
  • Help you manage seasonal challenges (like increased pain or breathing issues in cold weather)

Tracking Symptoms, Side Effects, and Questions

To get the most out of your appointments:

  • Keep a health journal

    • Write down symptoms, when they occur, and what you were doing (for example, “pain after walking outside in cold weather” or “shortness of breath after climbing stairs”).
    • Note any side effects from medications (such as dizziness, nausea, or sleep problems).

  • Take notes during appointments

    • Bring a notebook or use your phone.
    • Or bring a support person (family member, friend, or caregiver) to help remember instructions.

  • Ask for printed or written instructions

    • Many Grand Rapids clinics can provide written care plans, after-visit summaries, or patient portal access (like MyChart) where instructions are listed.

Before you leave the appointment, make sure you clearly understand:

  • What medications to take, when, and how
  • What kind of exercise you should do and how often
  • Any activity restrictions
  • When to schedule your next follow-up

For example, ask specific questions like:

  • “When you say to get more exercise, do you mean walking, physical therapy, or something else—and how many days per week?”
  • “Is it safe for me to go outside in the winter for walks, or should I use an indoor option like a mall or fitness center?”

If you do not understand something, ask for clarification. Your healthcare team is there to help.

Follow-Up Care After a Hospital Stay in Grand Rapids

After a hospital stay at Butterworth Hospital, Blodgett Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, or another local facility, you will likely need regular follow-up visits with:

  • Your hospital treating doctor
  • Your primary care doctor
  • Specialists (such as neurologists, cardiologists, or orthopedic surgeons)
  • Rehabilitation services (physical, occupational, or speech therapy)

This follow-up care allows your team to:

  • Monitor your recovery
  • Adjust medications
  • Check for side effects or complications
  • Support your return to daily activities, work, or school

Recovery time varies. Some people:

  • Recover quickly and need short-term therapy
  • Need ongoing therapy to stay mobile or regain skills after an accident, stroke, or serious illness

Whatever your condition, it is helpful to build a routine that includes:

  • Medications (taken on schedule)
  • Recommended exercises or therapies
  • Regular check-ins with your doctor

This structure can help you slowly return to activities you enjoy, whether that’s walking along the Grand River, visiting local parks, or participating in community events.

Coping Emotionally With a New Disability or Health Condition

Adjusting to a new disability or long-term health condition can be emotionally difficult. The path ahead may feel unclear or overwhelming.

If you are struggling emotionally:

  • Talk with your doctor, social worker, counselor, or therapist
  • Ask about mental health services available through:
    • Local hospital systems in Grand Rapids
    • Community mental health centers
    • Telehealth counseling options

A major lifestyle change—such as an accident, stroke, spinal cord injury, or onset of a serious illness—can trigger depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Your doctor may recommend:

  • Counseling or therapy
  • Support groups (including disability support groups in Grand Rapids)
  • Medication for mental health conditions

Allied Health Services in Grand Rapids

What Are Allied Health Services?

As part of your treatment, your doctor may suggest other allied health services, such as:

  • Physiotherapy (physical therapy)
  • Chiropractic care
  • Speech pathology
  • Occupational therapy
  • Dietitian or nutrition services
  • Respiratory therapy

These services are often available through:

  • Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids rehabilitation departments
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health outpatient clinics
  • Independent therapy clinics throughout the Grand Rapids area

District nursing or home health nursing—nurses who visit you at home—may also be recommended. This can be especially helpful during winter months when travel is harder or if mobility is limited.

How Allied Health Can Help

Working with allied health professionals can:

  • Improve your mobility and strength
  • Increase your independence and ability to care for yourself
  • Reduce the risk of complications from long-term conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis, which are common in Michigan)
  • Help you adapt your home environment for safety (for example, preventing falls on ice or stairs)

Do your best to follow their instructions. However, always be honest if:

  • An exercise is too painful
  • A treatment is too difficult to continue regularly
  • Weather or transportation makes it hard to attend sessions

Their job is to help you reach your health goals, so they can adjust your treatment plan to better suit your needs and your situation in Grand Rapids.

Managing Medications Safely

Tell Every Doctor About All Your Medications

Always inform your doctors and pharmacists about all medicines you are taking, including:

  • Prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter medicines (such as pain relievers, cold and flu products—important in Michigan’s cold and flu season)
  • Herbal remedies and supplements
  • Vitamins and minerals

This helps your healthcare team:

  • Avoid harmful drug interactions
  • Adjust doses safely
  • Watch for side effects or allergic reactions

Working With Your Pharmacist

If your doctor prescribes medication, you will need to visit a pharmacy to have your prescription filled. In Grand Rapids, you can use:

  • Hospital-based pharmacies (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health)
  • Local independent pharmacies
  • Large chain pharmacies

Ask your pharmacist questions if you are unsure about:

  • How and when to take the medicine
  • Whether to take it with food or on an empty stomach
  • Possible side effects
  • What to do if you miss a dose

Pharmacists can often provide written information or large-print labels and can help you set up medication packaging (such as blister packs) to make it easier to manage multiple medications.

Brand-Name vs. Generic Medications

Your pharmacist may offer you a generic version of your medication that is cheaper than the brand-name drug. Ask the pharmacist to explain:

  • Whether the generic is equivalent to what your doctor prescribed
  • Any differences in appearance (color, shape, or size)

The choice is then up to you, unless your doctor has specifically written that the prescription cannot be substituted. If your doctor has said no substitution, follow those instructions.

What to Do if You Have Problems With Your Medication

If you start a new medication and experience problems:

  • Do not change or stop the treatment on your own.
  • Contact your doctor and explain:
    • What side effects you are having
    • When they started
    • Whether you stopped taking the medication and why

Work With Your Doctor to Find a Better Option

Your doctor may:

  • Adjust the dosage
  • Change the timing of doses
  • Prescribe an alternative medication

Never stop taking prescribed medication without speaking to your doctor first, especially for:

  • Heart conditions
  • Seizure disorders
  • Mental health conditions
  • Blood pressure or blood thinner medications

If you experience unexpected or severe side effects that your doctor or pharmacist did not warn you about, contact your doctor or seek urgent care immediately. In emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids.

Mental Health Medications and Disability

People living with a disability can experience a wide range of mental health issues, sometimes triggered by:

  • Sudden changes in lifestyle
  • Loss of independence
  • Chronic pain
  • Social isolation, especially during long Michigan winters

Your doctor may prescribe medication for depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or other mental health conditions. These medications can be helpful:

  • Short term (to get through a crisis or adjustment period)
  • Long term (to manage ongoing mental health conditions)

If you are prescribed mental health medication, make sure you understand:

  • Why you are taking it
  • How and when to take it
  • How long it may take to work
  • Possible side effects
  • What to do if you experience serious or unexpected reactions

Do not stop mental health medications suddenly without medical advice, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms or worsening of your condition.

Local Support and Resources in Grand Rapids

For help with managing treatments and medications, you can turn to:

  • Your doctor or primary care provider
  • Your healthcare team at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Your pharmacist
  • Allied health professionals (therapists, dietitians, social workers)
  • Local community health centers
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for public health programs, immunizations, and education
  • Disability service providers and case managers through MDHHS or local agencies
  • Home health and palliative care services for those with serious or life-limiting illnesses

These resources can help you:

  • Organize your care
  • Understand your medications
  • Access financial and disability support
  • Stay as independent and active as possible in the Grand Rapids community

Key Points

  • The type of disability you have will determine the kind of treatment and support you need.
  • It is better to ask for help than to miss important healthcare appointments or take the wrong dose of medication.
  • The most important thing when speaking with your doctor is to be honest and upfront.
  • Be as specific as possible about your symptoms and any medication side effects—keep a journal if you can.
  • Allied health services and home health support can help you improve mobility, independence, and reduce complications after illness or injury.

By working closely with your healthcare team and using the many medical and community resources available in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you can build a treatment and medication plan that supports your health, independence, and quality of life.