Older Adults in Grand Rapids Hospitals: Preventing Falls and Staying Safe

Hospitals in Grand Rapids, MI—such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health—can feel unfamiliar and confusing, especially when you’re not feeling well. New surroundings, medical equipment, and medications can all affect your balance and increase your risk of falling.

As we age, falls become more common and more serious. In Michigan, where icy winters and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes are common, many older adults are already managing balance or mobility issues before they even arrive at the hospital. Understanding fall risks and knowing how to prevent them can help you stay safe and recover faster during your hospital stay.

Why Older People in Hospital Are at Higher Risk of Falling

When you are unwell or injured, you may feel:

  • Dizzy or lightheaded
  • Weak or tired
  • Less steady when you stand up from bed or a chair

These symptoms can be made worse by:

  • New medications or changes in your usual medicines
  • Infections or dehydration
  • Surgery or procedures
  • Changes in vision or hearing
  • Being in an unfamiliar environment

A fall in the hospital can:

  • Lengthen your hospital stay
  • Delay your recovery
  • Reduce your confidence and independence
  • Increase your fear of falling again

For older adults in Grand Rapids, a fall can also impact your ability to return home safely, especially if you live alone or have limited support.

The Importance of Staying Mobile and Independent

Maintaining your ability to move around and care for yourself—safely—is very important. Staying as active as you can in the hospital can:

  • Speed up your recovery
  • Reduce muscle weakness from staying in bed
  • Help you return home sooner
  • Support your independence after discharge

When you pack for a hospital stay at any Grand Rapids hospital, bring items that support safe mobility, such as:

  • Comfortable, well-fitting, flat, non-slip shoes or slippers
  • Your walking aid (walker, cane, or rollator), if you use one
  • Your glasses and hearing aids, with extra batteries or cases

These small steps can make a big difference in preventing falls during your hospital stay.

When You Arrive at the Hospital: Get to Know Your Room

On admission—whether at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health—take time to become familiar with your surroundings. Ask staff to show you:

  • How to use the bed controls
  • How to use the nursing call bell
  • Where the bathroom is located
  • How to turn on the lights at night

Keep these items within easy reach:

  • Nursing call bell
  • Glasses and hearing aids
  • Footwear (non-slip shoes or slippers)
  • Walking aid (walker, cane, or stick)
  • Phone or personal emergency device, if you use one

Do not hesitate to ask staff to rearrange items so you can reach them easily without stretching or leaning.

Always Follow Hospital Staff Advice About Safety

Grand Rapids hospitals follow fall-prevention guidelines to keep older patients safe. To reduce your risk of falling:

  • Talk to hospital staff about what you can safely do on your own.
  • Ask which activities require help, such as getting out of bed, walking to the bathroom, or showering.
  • Participate in physical therapy or rehabilitation sessions offered by allied health staff. These programs are designed to improve strength, balance, and confidence.

If staff recommend that you do not get up alone, always follow their advice—even if you feel “okay” at the moment. Medications and illness can make your balance change quickly.

Stay Mobile – But Do It Safely

If your doctor, nurse, or physical therapist says it is safe, try to stay as active as you comfortably can:

  • Sit out of bed in a chair for meals, if approved
  • Do simple leg and ankle exercises in bed or in a chair
  • Walk with staff or a family member when allowed

Staying mobile helps prevent:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Stiff joints
  • Blood clots
  • Constipation and some breathing problems

However, safety must always come first.

Using the Call Bell and Asking for Help

It is important to be as independent as possible—but not at the cost of your safety. If staff have asked you to have a nurse, aide, or other person with you when you walk:

  • Always use the nursing call bell before getting out of bed or a chair.
  • Wait until a staff member arrives and is ready to assist you.
  • Tell staff right away if you feel dizzy, weak, or unsteady.

Asking for help is a key part of preventing falls, especially for older patients.

Simple Everyday Actions to Prevent Falls in Hospital

You can lower your risk of falling in any Grand Rapids hospital by following these practical tips:

Get Up Slowly

  • Do not rush.
  • Move from lying to sitting slowly.
  • Sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing.
  • Stand up slowly and wait a few seconds to check your balance.
  • If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, sit back down and call for help.

Watch Your Surroundings

  • Look for spills, cords, or objects on the floor.
  • Ask staff to remove or move furniture that is in your way.
  • Keep pathways between the bed, chair, and bathroom clear.

Use Your Mobility Aids Correctly

  • Always use your walker, cane, or other mobility aid if one has been recommended.
  • Do not hold onto furniture or equipment instead of your walking aid.
  • Make sure your walking aid is in good condition and within reach.

Be Careful at Night

  • Turn on the light before getting out of bed.
  • Use the call bell if you need to go to the bathroom.
  • Wear non-slip footwear, not just socks.

Nighttime is a common time for falls, especially when you feel sleepy or are taking medications that affect your alertness.

Equipment and Furniture: Ask for Adjustments

If you are having trouble getting in and out of bed or a chair:

  • Tell the nurse if the bed feels too high or too low.
  • Ask if the staff can adjust the bed height.
  • Request a different or adjustable chair if the current one is too soft, too low, or does not have armrests.

Many hospital chairs and beds can be adjusted to improve safety and comfort for older adults.

Report Any Concerns to Staff

Speak up if you:

  • Feel dizzy, weak, or unsteady
  • Notice a spill or hazard on the floor
  • Have pain that makes it hard to move safely
  • Feel your medications are affecting your balance
  • Are afraid of falling or have fallen recently

Nursing staff, physicians, and allied health professionals (such as physical therapists and occupational therapists) in Grand Rapids hospitals are trained to help prevent falls and respond quickly to your concerns.

If You Do Fall in the Hospital

If you fall:

  1. Try to stay calm.
  2. Do not try to get up by yourself.
  3. Call for help using the call bell or by calling out.

Hospital staff will:

  • Check you for injuries
  • Review what happened
  • Adjust your care plan to reduce the chance of another fall
  • Possibly involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other specialists

What to Bring to Hospital to Help Prevent Falls

When planning a hospital stay in Grand Rapids, pack:

  • A walking aid (walker, cane, or rollator), if you use one
  • Glasses and hearing aids, plus cases and extra batteries
  • Comfortable, non-slip, well-fitting shoes or slippers
  • Clothing that is:
    • Not too long (to avoid tripping)
    • Not too loose or too tight
    • Easy to put on and take off

These items help you move more safely and stay independent during your hospital stay.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Older Adults and Fall Prevention

After you leave the hospital, preventing falls at home is just as important. Local resources that may help include:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor) – for medication review, referrals, and ongoing fall-risk assessment.
  • Allied health staff – physical therapists and occupational therapists can recommend exercises and home safety changes.
  • Kent County Health Department – offers information on older adult health, chronic disease management, and community programs.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local senior centers – may provide fall-prevention education, balance classes, and support groups.

Ask your hospital care team for referrals to local Grand Rapids or Kent County fall-prevention programs before you are discharged.

Key Points About Preventing Falls for Older People in Grand Rapids Hospitals

  • Feeling dizzy, weak, or unsteady in the hospital increases your risk of falling.
  • Falls can cause serious injury and may keep you in the hospital longer.
  • People of all ages can fall, but older adults are at higher risk, especially when ill or on multiple medications.
  • It is important to maintain your ability to move around and look after yourself, while still staying safe.
  • Being as independent as possible—safely helps your recovery and supports your return home.
  • Always follow hospital staff advice, use your call bell, and ask for help when you need it.

If you are an older adult or caring for one in Grand Rapids, talk to your doctor, nursing staff, or allied health team about fall risks and fall-prevention strategies during every hospital stay.