Lightways: Educating The Public About Serious Illness Care

Nurse with holding palliative care patients hand in bed.

Many people are familiar with hospice, but some do not know the meaning of serious illness care or palliative care. Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is committed to educating the public about the importance of serious illness care.

Serious Illness Care, also known as palliative care, is offered to people who are experiencing advanced, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses, including cardiac serious illnesses. Services include pain related to malignancy and symptom management, care coordination, and support for family members.

“When Lightways changed its name to reflect our regional service area, we also changed the name of our palliative care program,” said Lisa Heiy, director. “We learned most people did not know what palliative care meant and we wanted to adopt a name that better described our program and its services.”

Read the full article at The Times Weekly

Understanding Advanced Directives: Why They Matter

When it comes to healthcare, we often think we have all the time in the world to make decisions about our future. But what happens if we are suddenly unable to voice our wishes? This is where advanced directives come into play. If you’ve never heard of them, or you’re not sure what they entail, don’t worry. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

read more

Understanding Medicare and Insurance Coverage & Benefits for Hospice and Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care)

When a loved one faces a serious illness or declining health, understanding hospice and palliative care insurance coverage can seem daunting. Many families worry about the financial aspects of care, questioning what Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance will cover. The good news is that hospice and palliative care services are often fully or partially covered, providing relief to families during an emotionally challenging time.

read more