Joliet hospice cares for non-hospice patients with chronic illness
Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet has a serious illness care program for people with advanced, chronic or life-limiting illnesses. Nicole Hartley, lead nurse practitioner for Lightways’ serious illness care program (left) and Lisa Heiy, director of Lightways’ serious illness care (right) pose in front of the donor wall on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Lightways in Joliet. (Denise Unland)
Medicare and most insurance companies cover serious illness care through Lightways
A Joliet hospice provides more than just hospice care
Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet – formerly known as Joliet Area Community Hospice – also has a serious illness care program for people with advanced, chronic or life-limiting illnesses.
Lisa Heiy, director of Lightways’ serious illness care, said the independent nonprofit renamed its palliative care program to serious illness care at the time of its rebranding in 2021 to clearly describe the program and its services.
“Not many people really understood the term ‘palliative care’,” Heiy said. “It’s basically symptom management. If we have a patient diagnosed with cancer, we don’t treat the cancer. We treat the symptoms.”
Heiy said Lightways had 1,037 adults in its serious illness care program in 2023. Medicare and most insurance companies cover serious illness care through Lightways, according to the Lightways website.
Lightways cares for patients with a variety of serious illnesses. These include cancer, cardiac diseases — such as congestive heart failure — chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, end-stage renal disease, liver disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and HIV/AIDS, according to Heiy and the Lightways website.
Understanding Inpatient Hospice Services: A Look Inside Inpatient Hospice Unit and Levels of Care
When a loved one enters hospice care, families are often faced with a whirlwind of emotions and decisions. One of the key considerations is where hospice care will be delivered—and for some patients, a freestanding hospice unit becomes the best option. Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care has a dedicated facility in Joliet, Illinois, which provides specialized, around-the-clock care in a comfortable, homelike setting.
The Healing Power of Integrative Therapies in Hospice Care
When a person enters hospice care, the focus shifts from curative treatment to comfort, dignity, and quality of life. At this stage, integrative therapies—such as aromatherapy, massage therapy, and music therapy—play a unique and vital role in supporting not only patients, but also their families and care teams.
Hospice and Palliative care Nutrition
A hospice dietitian plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for patients receiving care, whether at home or in a facility. Dietitians can assist in developing individualized nutrition plans tailored to the patient’s specific medical conditions, treatment goals, and personal preferences, particularly addressing symptoms like loss of appetite and nausea.