Wide variety of meetings, workshops, and counseling services help individual grief process.

Just as everyone experiences grief in a unique way, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care has worked to create a variety of free grief support services to help anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a loved one.

“Although most of our clients meet individually with a grief counselor, we also make sure to have group meetings, workshops, and events for those who don’t feel the need for individual grief counseling” said Patrice Martin, director of Grief Support. “A support group meeting works well for someone who is interested in meeting others who are grieving. Many people who attend realize they are not alone in their experience, and this helps them to become aware that what they are feeling is quite common. Group meetings are designed to allow people to participate as much as they want and are offered both online and in person.”

Martin said that in addition to a general loss support group, there are support groups for people who have experienced similar losses, including the loss of a spouse/partner, the loss of a child, and those who are parenting while grieving. She said the creation of the Grieving the Loss of a Child support group was created during the COVID pandemic, meeting online, and includes participants from all over the Chicagoland area. This group remains available online and now also meets in person at their Joliet office.

Read the full article at The Vedette

The couple receives services from Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

A Lemont resident is considering changing careers one day, thanks to the wonderful care a Joliet hospice is giving her parents.

Kathy Jenner cares for her parents in her home – and both have dementia. Jenner said her dad, Robert Jolly, 87, entered the serious illness care program at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet two years ago.

Jenner said her mother, Carole Jolly, 84, entered the program several months ago.

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, formerly known as Joliet Area Community Hospice, offers serious illness care program for people experiencing advanced, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses, including dementia.

Services may include managing cancer-related pain, symptom management, understanding goals of care and medication choices and care coordination, said Lisa Heiy, director of Lightways’ serious illness care program.

“A lot of times his behavior was extremely concerning and distressing, even for him, let alone us living with him. And I think that, without that support, I would have gone to the ER at times.”

— Kathy Jenner of Lemont, whose father with dementia receives care from Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet

Jenner said when a doctor recommended she seek either hospice or palliative care for her father, she researched her options and asked friends and colleagues — Jenner works in health care — for recommendations. Lightways was the top recommendation, so Jenner reached out.

Read the full story at Shaw Local