COVID-19 Updates
As our communities address and manage the COVID-19 risk, please know that Joliet Area Community Hospice continues to provide hospice care, palliative care and bereavement services at the Hospice Home, at patient residences or in care facilities.
We are following all safety and health guidelines put out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on how to handle this concern within hospice organizations.
Should you or a loved one need palliative or hospice care, we continue to admit new patients during this time. If you or a family member have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of your hospice care team or me at 815.740.4104.
Visitors:
For the safety of all, we are limiting patients in the Hospice Home to two visitors in the building at one time. We have instituted CDC’s Travel Guidelines (Levels 2 & 3) screening for all visitors and staff entering the Hospice Home including a temperature check. Visitors are welcome at the in-patient unit provided they meet the criteria that limits risks to their loved ones and others.
Events:
As requested by Governor Pritzker, we are postponing all large events scheduled for March and April. This includes our Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event which was scheduled for March 21, our Volunteer Appreciation Event scheduled for April 14 and Annual Dinner, scheduled for April 20. It is our top priority to keep our patients, families, staff and guests of our events safe. New dates have not yet been finalized for these events.
We will continue to monitor all situations and will update as needed. Please be healthy and safe.
Mary K. Sheehan, CEO
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.
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.
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.