Older Adults in Grand Rapids Hospitals: Mind and Mood

Problems with memory, thinking, and mood are not a normal part of aging or illness. If you or a loved one is an older adult in a Grand Rapids, MI hospital, it’s important to understand how a hospital stay can affect the mind and mood—and when to ask for help.

In Grand Rapids, older adults receive care in hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. All of these facilities see mind and mood changes every day in older patients, especially during stressful times like illness or surgery.

How a Hospital Stay Can Affect Your Mood

Being in the hospital can be stressful. Worrying about your health, feeling anxious, or feeling overwhelmed is common for people of all ages.

Some of this is normal

Feeling worried, unsettled, or having trouble sleeping for a few days can be a normal reaction to:

• Being in a new environment
• Pain or discomfort
• Tests and procedures
• Being away from home and family

However, strong confusion, very low mood, or big changes in behavior may be symptoms of other health issues that need medical attention. Some problems that begin during a hospital stay are short-term and improve once the underlying cause is treated. Others may be long-term conditions that need follow-up care after you leave the hospital.

In Grand Rapids hospitals, three common mind and mood problems in older adults are:

• Delirium
• Dementia
• Depression

Delirium in Grand Rapids Hospitals

What is delirium?

Delirium is a sudden change in thinking and awareness. It usually develops over hours to days and is common and serious in older people in the hospital.

Delirium can be caused by:

• Dehydration (more likely during Michigan’s dry, heated indoor winters)
• Infections (such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia)
• New or changed medications
• Surgery or anesthesia
• Pain or severe illness
• Poor sleep or being in an unfamiliar environment

Symptoms of delirium

Delirium can cause sudden and fluctuating changes in:

• Behavior
• Mood
• Awareness
• Ability to focus or follow a conversation

People with delirium may:

• See or hear things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Become agitated, restless, or upset
• Be disoriented about time, place, or people

There is also “quiet” delirium, where a person may:

• Seem very sleepy or drowsy
• Be unusually quiet or withdrawn
• Have trouble concentrating or following instructions

Quiet delirium is easy to miss, especially in busy hospital settings.

Why early detection matters

Detecting delirium early is important so that hospital staff can:

• Find and treat the underlying cause (for example, an infection or medication side effect)
• Support the person’s recovery
• Reduce the risk of long-term memory or thinking problems

In Grand Rapids, hospital teams—including doctors, nurses, and allied health staff—use screening tools to check older adults for delirium, especially after surgery, during serious illness, or when there are sudden changes in behavior.

Dementia and Hospital Stays

Dementia is a long-term condition that affects a person’s ability to:

• Think clearly
• Remember information
• Understand and make decisions
• Communicate and interact with others

Dementia is not caused by a hospital stay, but it may first be noticed during a hospital admission when staff see ongoing memory and thinking problems that do not improve.

Why dementia matters in the hospital

Older adults with dementia in Grand Rapids hospitals may:

• Become more confused in the unfamiliar hospital environment
• Be at higher risk of delirium
• Need more help with eating, drinking, moving, and daily care
• Need extra support to feel safe and calm

Detecting dementia during a hospital stay allows staff to:

• Adjust communication and care
• Involve family and caregivers in planning
• Arrange follow-up with a primary care provider, neurologist, or memory clinic after discharge

Local resources such as the Kent County Health Department, Grand Rapids Public Health, and community organizations can help connect families with dementia support services once the patient returns home.

Depression in Older Adults in the Hospital

Depression is not a normal part of aging or illness. It is more than feeling sad or upset for a few days. Depression is a serious medical condition that can be treated.

What is depression?

Depression is a low mood or loss of interest or pleasure that lasts for more than two weeks and includes several of the following:

• Major change in appetite or weight
• Loss of energy or feeling tired all the time
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
• Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, or making decisions
• Moving or speaking more slowly, or feeling very restless
• Often having thoughts of death or suicide

Depression is not the same as normal grief after the loss of a loved one. While grief is painful, it usually comes in waves and is tied to the loss. Depression tends to be more constant and affects daily functioning.

In Grand Rapids, depression is commonly seen in older adults who are:

• Coping with chronic illnesses (such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease)
• Recovering from surgery
• Dealing with Michigan’s long, dark winters, which can worsen mood for some people

If you or a loved one has thoughts of self-harm or suicide, tell hospital staff immediately or call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) when not in the hospital.

Keeping Your Mind and Mood Healthy While in a Grand Rapids Hospital

No matter your age, a hospital stay, illness, and changes in medication can affect your mental health. There are practical steps you can take to support your mind and mood while you are in a Grand Rapids hospital.

Support good sleep and daily rhythm

Try to keep your normal routine as much as possible:

• Keep your regular bedtime and wake-up time if you can
• Turn on lights during the day to help your body know it’s daytime
• Turn off lights at night and ask staff to reduce noise if possible
• Avoid long daytime naps, unless your doctor says they are necessary

This is especially important in Michigan winters, when shorter daylight hours can disrupt sleep and mood.

Stay as active as you safely can

Being active can help your mood, thinking, and recovery:

• Take short walks in the hallway or to the bathroom, if allowed
• If you must stay in bed, ask your nurse or physical therapist for simple movement or leg exercises
• Sit in a chair for meals if possible, rather than staying in bed all day

In Grand Rapids hospitals, physical and occupational therapists are often part of your care team and can show you safe exercises.

Stay hydrated and nourished

Dehydration is a common cause of delirium, especially in older adults:

• Drink plenty of water each day, unless your doctor gives you a fluid restriction
• Eat regular meals and snacks to keep your energy up
• Tell staff if you have trouble swallowing, chewing, or using utensils

Use your glasses and hearing aids

Good vision and hearing help keep your brain oriented and reduce confusion:

• Wear your glasses during the day
• Wear your hearing aids and make sure they are turned on and the batteries work
• Tell staff if you cannot hear or see well—this can affect your ability to think clearly and follow instructions

Continue enjoyable activities

Bring a bit of home to your hospital room:

• Read books, magazines, or newspapers
• Do word, number, or crossword puzzles
• Talk with friends or family by phone or video call
• Use a laptop or tablet if you have one
• Listen to favorite music or audiobooks

These activities can help keep your mind active and improve your mood during your stay at a Grand Rapids hospital.

Bring comfort items from home

Familiar objects can reduce anxiety and confusion:

• Family photos
• A favorite blanket or pillow
• Music playlists or headphones
• A familiar robe or sweater

Learn your surroundings

With help from a family member, carer, or staff:

• Get to know the layout of your room and the unit
• Find the bathroom
• Make sure you know where the nurse call button is and how to use it

Feeling oriented and safe can reduce anxiety and confusion.

How You Can Help Hospital Staff Help You

There are important ways you can help doctors, nurses, and other staff find and manage mind and mood problems.

Speak up about your mental state

Tell hospital staff if you:

• Feel confused or “can’t think clearly”
• Feel very sad, hopeless, or anxious
• Notice sudden changes in your memory or attention
• Are seeing or hearing things that others do not
• Have thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Also tell staff if you are in pain, because pain can affect your:

• Mood
• Ability to think and concentrate
• Sleep

Answer screening questions honestly

Because dementia, delirium, and depression are common in hospitals, staff may ask questions to check your memory, thinking, and mood. This might feel like a test, but it is:

• Not a judgment of your intelligence
• A way to see if you need extra support now or after you go home

Answer as honestly and fully as you can so staff can provide the right care.

Share your medication list

Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take, including:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter drugs (such as pain relievers or sleep aids)
• Vitamins and herbal or “natural” medicines

Some medications can affect mood, memory, or thinking, especially in older adults.

Talk about what worries you

Discuss any concerns with:

• Your doctor or nurse
• A hospital social worker
• A patient liaison officer or patient advocate
• A chaplain, if you wish

In Grand Rapids, larger hospitals such as Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids have patient support services to help with emotional, social, and practical concerns.

How Family Members and Caregivers Can Help

If you are a family member or caregiver of an older adult in a Grand Rapids hospital, you play an important role.

Tell hospital staff if:

• You notice a sudden change in the person’s thinking, behavior, or mood
• The person has a history of dementia, depression, or previous delirium
• The person has hearing or vision problems
• There are specific routines or preferences that help them feel calm (for example, morning coffee, music, or prayer time)

Share information about:

• The person’s usual level of memory and independence
• How they normally communicate
• What they enjoy and what tends to upset them

This helps staff in Grand Rapids hospitals tailor care to your loved one’s needs and reduce the risk of delirium and distress.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Older Adult Mental Health

After leaving the hospital, ongoing support may be needed. Helpful local and regional resources include:

• Primary care provider (GP/doctor) – first contact for ongoing mood, memory, and medication concerns
• Hospital-based social workers and case managers – available in Grand Rapids hospitals to help plan follow-up care
• Kent County Health Department – information on local mental health and aging services
• Network180 (Kent County’s community mental health authority) – support for mental health and substance use concerns
• Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan – resources for older adults and caregivers

If you are unsure where to start, ask the discharge planner or social worker at your Grand Rapids hospital to connect you with local services.

Key Points to Remember

• Problems such as confusion or very low mood are not normal parts of aging and may be symptoms of other health issues.
• Delirium is a sudden confusion that can be caused by dehydration, infections (like urinary tract infections), or medications, and is common in older hospital patients.
• Delirium can cause sudden and fluctuating changes in behavior and mood; early detection and treatment of the cause are essential for recovery.
• Depression is a serious, treatable condition—not a normal part of getting older or being ill.
• To support your mind and mood in a Grand Rapids hospital, stay hydrated, eat regular meals, keep a day–night routine, stay as active as safely possible, and use your glasses and hearing aids.
• Always tell hospital staff if you feel confused, very sad, or worried about your mental state, or if you notice sudden changes in a loved one’s thinking or behavior.

By staying informed, speaking up, and using the resources available in Grand Rapids, older adults and their families can better protect mind and mood during and after a hospital stay.