Serious Illness

If you or a loved one is experiencing advanced, chronic or life-limiting illnesses, the Lightways Serious Illness Team can help.

Hospice & Serious Illness Care in Joliet & Northern Illinois

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Hospice Care

Lightways Hospice care provides physical, emotional and spiritual support for patients with a terminal illness.

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Pediatric Care

Lightways Pediatric Care Team is here to help enhance the quality of life for your child and family.

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Serious Illness Care

Lightways helps people with advanced, chronic or life-limiting illnesses with clear-headed, practical and kind counsel to patients and family.

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Hospice and Serious Illness Care

About Lightways

Founded in 1982 as Joliet Area Community Hospice, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is an independent, nonprofit healthcare provider licensed in 11 counties in Illinois. We provide exceptional serious illness care, hospice care and grief support for adults and children.

Lightways Nursing Staff

News & Educational Resources

The Power of Connection: Stories from Integrative Therapy

The Power of Connection: Stories from Integrative Therapy

When the Music Plays, Grace Wakes Up. For Grace, music has a way of reaching her. Grace has been receiving services from Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care since February 2023, including nursing care, supplies, and support from the Lightways Integrative Therapy team. For more than three years, a team has supported her care, focusing not only on her medical needs but also on the things that bring her comfort and joy.

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Grieving Before a Loss: Anticipatory Grief

Grieving Before a Loss: Anticipatory Grief

Many people are surprised to learn that we can feel symptoms of grief before our loved one dies. We have a name for it: anticipatory grief. Anticipatory grief can be felt as soon as someone learns of a life-threatening diagnosis. Although it is like grief that is felt after someone dies, it has some unique characteristics that often take people by surprise.

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Do Hospice Patients Need Hospital Care: A Caregiver’s Guide

Do Hospice Patients Need Hospital Care: A Caregiver’s Guide

One of the most frequent questions caregivers ask is whether a person receiving hospice care can still go to the hospital. The short answer is yes, it depends on the situation and what your goals of care are. Understanding how hospice works, and how Medicare and Medicaid coverage apply, can help caregivers feel more confident and prepared when unexpected situations arise.

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Patients and families

Testimonials

“The entire hospice team was incredible, my thanks to the entire support team. You guys made a difficult time a lot easier to bear. I would definitely recommend your services to anyone.”

“The care we received at Lightways facility was superb! The structure & grounds were amazing, so beautiful. It helped give my entire family much comfort during some difficult days.”

“The children’s support staff has been instrumental in the grief of recovery for my young daughters losing their grandma. The sound therapy and recording of my mom’s heartbeat has been such a powerful tool. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Thank You to Our 2026 Annual Sponsors