How Serious Illness (Palliative) Care Empowers Those Living with Breast Cancer

How Serious Illness (Palliative) Care Empowers Those Living with Breast Cancer

Oct 16, 2025 | Serious Illness Care, Light the Way Blog, Lightways News

Supporting the Journey: How Serious Illness (Palliative) Care Empowers Those Living with Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer support ribbon

Every October, the world turns pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time to celebrate survivors, remember those we have lost, and renew our commitment to early detection and comprehensive care. Yet behind the ribbons and fundraising walks lies another essential part of the breast cancer journey — one that deserves more attention: Serious Illness Care, also known as palliative care.

What Is Serious Illness Care?

Serious Illness Care is a specialized approach focused on improving the quality of life for individuals living with serious illnesses like breast cancer. It is not limited to end-of-life support — in fact, it can begin at diagnosis and continue alongside active treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

At its heart, Serious Illness Care provides an extra layer of support from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other professionals who partner with a patient’s oncology team. Together, they manage symptoms, ease emotional distress, and help patients and families navigate complex medical decisions with clarity and compassion.

For those living with breast cancer, this care may include:

  • Relief from pain and symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, breathlessness, or neuropathy
  • Emotional and spiritual support helps cope with anxiety, depression, and uncertainty.
  • Guidance to make treatment decisions aligned with personal goals and values.
  • Support for families and caregivers who face their own emotional and practical challenges.

Palliative care complements — not replaces — oncology treatments. Patients can receive this support at any stage of their illness, helping them live as fully and comfortably as possible.

Why Serious Illness Care Matters

A breast cancer diagnosis changes everything. Treatment can bring physical exhaustion, emotional strain, and countless unknowns. Serious Illness Care steps in to ease that burden and restore balance — addressing the person, not just the disease.

  1. Managing Pain and Side Effects
    Expert symptom management and integrative therapies such as massage or relaxation techniques reduce discomfort, allowing patients to focus on healing and living well.
  2. Emotional Healing and Resilience
    Serious Illness Care teams support patients and families through fear, grief, and uncertainty — ensuring no one walks this path alone.
  3. Clarity and Communication
    Specialists help patients understand their options and make informed choices that reflect their wishes, values, and quality-of-life goals.
  4. Family Support
    Loved ones often shoulder heavy caregiving and emotional responsibilities. Serious Illness Care provides them with guidance, respite, and counseling to sustain their strength and hope.

Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month — and Expanding the Conversation

October is more than a symbol of awareness — it is a call to action. Beyond early detection, we must also champion care that nurtures comfort, dignity, and connection at every stage of the journey.

By embracing Serious Illness Care, we ensure that those living with breast cancer receive not only expert medical treatment but also the emotional and spiritual care that makes each day more meaningful.

At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, we bring light into life’s most challenging times — offering relief, understanding, and hope to patients and families across our community.

This October, as we wear our pink ribbons, let us also raise our voices for Serious Illness Care — an essential part of treatment, healing, and living better through breast cancer.

Information

For more information, contact Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care at 815.740.4104.

Through darkness, we bring light

Contact Lightways

Call 815.740.4104

Finding Comfort and Support for your Veteran

Finding Comfort and Support for your Veteran

Aug 28, 2025 | Hospice Care, Light the Way Blog, Serious Illness Care

Finding Comfort and Support for your Veteran

Lightways is deeply committed to honoring our nation’s heroes and their families.

Lightways Hospice Inpatient Care unit

When a beloved veteran in your family is facing a serious illness, it is natural to be overwhelmed with questions and concerns. You want the very best care, a team that understands their unique experiences, and guidance through what can be a challenging time. At Lightways Hospice as Serious Illness Care, we understand these apprehensions, and we want you to know that you are not alone. We are deeply committed to honoring our nation’s heroes, and that commitment extends to every member of their family.

We Honor Veterans program

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is a proud Level 5 partner in the We Honor Veterans program, a national initiative designed to provide specialized, compassionate care for veterans. This is not just a designation; it is a promise of comprehensive support, tailored to the specific needs that often arise from military service.

VA healthcare benefits

One of the most frequent questions families have revolves around VA healthcare benefits. You might be wondering:

  • “Is my veteran eligible for VA hospice care?”
  • “What if they’re not currently using VA benefits, or never have?”
  • “How do we even begin to understand what benefits they might qualify for?”

The good news is your veteran does not need to be currently enrolled in VA healthcare or receive VA benefits to receive exceptional care from Lightways Hospice. Our primary focus is on providing comfort and support to your loved one.

However, as a Level 5 We Honor Veterans partner, our team is specially trained to help you understand and explore potential VA benefits. We will connect you with the resources that can assist your family with important steps like accessing military records, which can be crucial for establishing eligibility for various VA programs. We can also provide information and guidance on VA memorial and burial benefits and supply you with contact information for other applicable VA benefits such as financial aid or pensions. Our goal is to alleviate the burden of navigating these systems during an already difficult time, ensuring you have the information you need to make informed decisions for your loved one.

Beyond understanding benefits, you are seeking assurance about the quality and sensitivity of care your veteran will receive. Our Level 5 We Honor Veterans program ensures that:

  • Our team understands military culture: All Lightways staff members receive training on veteran-specific topics, including the impact of military service on physical and emotional well-being. This helps us approach your loved one’s care with respectful inquiry and compassionate listening.
  • Care is tailored to their unique history: We use specialized assessment tools to identify any service-related challenges and integrate them into a personalized care plan. This means we consider not just their current medical needs, but also their lifetime of experiences.
  • We honor their service: We believe in acknowledging and thanking our veterans. Our program includes heartfelt pinning ceremonies and certificate presentations, offering a profound sense of recognition and closure for both your veteran and your family. We can facilitate opportunities for your veteran to share their stories, should they wish to.
  • Grief support is available for your family: The grieving process can be unique for families of veterans. Our bereavement services include a variety of resources and support groups designed to help your family cope with loss, offering a compassionate space to navigate this journey.
  • Veteran-to-Veteran connection: We encourage veterans to volunteer with us. If available and desired, a fellow veteran volunteer can provide invaluable companionship and understanding, connecting with your loved one on a deeply personal level.

Choosing hospice care is a significant decision. When it is for a veteran, the layers of their service and unique experiences add another dimension to that choice. At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, we are here to provide unwavering guidance and support for your veteran and your entire family. We offer:

  • Pain and symptom relief: Ensuring your loved one’s comfort is paramount.
  • 24/7 availability: Peace of mind knowing help is always just a phone call away.
  • A holistic approach: Addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through music, massage and even pet therapy.

At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, our “We Honor Veterans” program is a deep-seated commitment to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. We are honored to walk alongside our veteran patients and their families, ensuring that their final journey is one of comfort, dignity, and profound gratitude.

You do not have to navigate this journey alone. If you have questions about hospice care for your veteran, regardless of their VA benefit status, please reach out to us. We are here to listen, provide guidance, and ensure your loved one receives the respect, comfort, and dignified care they so richly deserve.

You do not have to navigate this journey alone. If you have questions about hospice care for your veteran, regardless of their VA benefit status, please reach out to us. We are here to listen, provide guidance, and ensure your loved one receives the respect, comfort, and dignified care they so richly deserve.

Information

For more information about Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care or our We Honor Veterans Program, please reach out to us directly at 815.740.4104.

Through darkness, we bring light

Contact Lightways

Call 815.740.4104

Hospice and Palliative care Nutrition

Hospice and Palliative care Nutrition

Jul 3, 2025 | Light the Way Blog, Hospice Care, Serious Illness Care

Hospice and Palliative care Nutrition

Nurse with stethoscope listening to childs heart.

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.

With many Americans living with chronic diseases, the demand for such specialized nutrition support is increasing. Preferences are shifting towards home-based care, making the role of dietitians even more critical. Dietitians can focus on improving patients’ well-being by managing their nutritional intake throughout the various stages of chronic illness rather than just at the end of life.

What challenges do patients and families face in dietary management during hospice care?

  • Changes in Appetite: Patients may experience reduced appetite or sudden changes in their taste preferences, making it difficult to maintain proper nutritional intake.
  • Medication Side Effects: Many patients face gastrointestinal issues, like nausea or constipation, due to medications or their illness, further complicating their ability to consume food.
  • Psychological Stress: The emotional toll of end-of-life care can affect willingness to eat, leading families to feel guilty or uncertain about food choices.

Nutritional Preferences

Nutritional preferences at end-of-life should begin early, allowing families to comprehend the implications of these choices.

Having discussions with patients regarding their wants, needs, and preferences will provide an environment that is inviting, supportive, and encouraging around both mealtime and nutrition. Honoring the patient’s cultural and social foods will provide normalcy and comfort in times of both uncertainty and stress. Relaxing some restrictions while preserving the safety of the patient can also be considered to include favorite meals and drinks.

Hydration

Offer frequent care of the mouth and lips to the dying person and include the management of dry mouth in their care plan, if needed.

Offer the person the following, as needed:

  • help with cleaning their teeth or dentures, if they would like
  • frequent sips of fluid

Safety

Safety when eating and drinking should always be at the forefront of the nutrition care plan. Because patients will experience differences in muscle tone, cues, moisture levels of the mouth, this can pose a danger of an activity that was once very innate to the patient. Involving staff to monitor for adequate chewing and swallowing can be beneficial.

Modified diets such as soft, thickened liquids, and oral nutritional supplementation can aid in providing options for adequacy of intake.

For those patients who have friends and family that choose to provide meals and drinks, please encourage them to verify that the food provided is safe for consumption.

Differences in Nutritional Approaches

In care, the primary focus is on improving quality of life and managing symptoms. This involves individualized nutritional support tailored to the patient’s specific needs. Nutrition strategies may include oral Supplements which can enhance calories and protein intake.

What are the ethical considerations regarding nutrition and feeding in end-of-life care?

The ethical considerations regarding nutrition and feeding in end-of-life care focus primarily on balancing adequate nutrition with the overall quality of life for the patient.

In this sensitive phase, adhering to guidelines such as those from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are used, commonly deferring to basic needs of hydration and tolerance to foods.
Many patients at this stage may not feel hunger, and providing such interventions can sometimes interfere with the comfort-focused goals of palliative care and/or the patient’s safety.

The emphasis should be on enhancing the patient’s well-being rather than just prolonging life. Therefore, individualized care plans tailored to each patient’s wishes and preferences surrounding hydration and nutrition become necessary.

Dietitians are important members of the hospice care team, providing essential nutritional guidance that respects the diverse needs and desires of patients facing the end of life.

Interdisciplinary collaboration, sensitivity to ethical dilemmas, and dedication to enhancing comfort highlight the profound impact dietitians have in these settings, ultimately enriching the journey of patients and their families through compassionate and tailored nutrition care.

About the Author

Elizabeth DeAvilla is a Registered Dietitian based out of the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Northern Illinois University and her master’s in business administration from Dominican University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Performance at Concordia University Chicago. She has worked within the hospice-specific population since June of 2023, following finding a passion for treating and educating families in an inpatient setting. Elizabeth has worked in every facet of nutrition, from critical care medicine to food service and behavioral health to community organizations such as Head Start. Her passions include teaching in the settings of community organizations, schools, hospitals, and anywhere else where the science of nutrition and food is found.

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Elizabeth DeAvilla RDN at 815.740.4104 for more information and assistance with the nutritional needs of your patients.

Through darkness, we bring light

Contact Lightways

Call 815.740.4104

Living with ALS: How Serious Illness Care Enhances Quality of Life

Living with ALS: How Serious Illness Care Enhances Quality of Life

Jun 19, 2025 | Serious Illness Care, Light the Way Blog

Living with ALS: How Serious Illness Care Enhances Quality of Life

Nurse pushing elderly man in wheelchair
Receiving a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can be life-altering and deeply overwhelming. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually impairing muscle control. While there is currently no cure, there is hope in the form of compassionate, supportive care. Serious Illness Care or Palliative Care offers an essential layer of support for individuals living with ALS and their families—starting from diagnosis and throughout the journey.

Understanding ALS: A Complex Journey

ALS leads to muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and eventually breathing. The disease progresses at different rates for different people, but it often results in significant physical and emotional challenges for both patients and caregivers. Managing these challenges requires more than just neurological care—it requires whole-person support.

That’s where serious illness care or palliative care comes in.

What Is Serious Illness Care or Palliative Care?

Serious Illness Care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on relieving symptoms, managing pain, and improving quality of life—for both patients and their families. It’s appropriate at any stage of illness and can be provided alongside with ongoing treatments, including medications, physical therapy, and respiratory support.

For someone with ALS, serious illness care is not about giving up—it’s about living better with the disease.

The Benefits of Serious Illness Care for ALS Patients

Here are some of the key ways serious illness care supports individuals living with ALS:

1. Managing Complex Symptoms

ALS can cause:

  • Muscle cramps and stiffness
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Swallowing and speaking challenges
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety and depression

Serious Illness Care teams are experts at managing these symptoms, helping patients stay as comfortable and functional as possible.

2. Emotional and Psychological Support

A diagnosis like ALS brings emotional challenges, fear, grief, uncertainty, and depression are common. Serious Illness Care includes psychological and emotional counseling to help both patients and families cope, maintain hope, and process the ongoing changes.

3. Advance Care Planning

As ALS progresses, making informed decisions about future care becomes critically important. Serious Illness Care helps guide conversations about:

  • Feeding tubes
  • Ventilator use
  • End-of-life wishes
  • Legal and ethical decisions

These discussions are handled in alignment with the patient’s values and goals and with compassion and respect.

4. Support for Families and Caregivers

ALS doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed—it deeply impacts loved ones. Serious Illness Care offers:

  • Education about disease progression
  • Help navigating complex medical systems
  • Grief support, when needed

5. Home and Community-Based Support

Serious Illness Care can often be delivered at home, allowing patients to remain in a familiar environment. This can reduce the need for hospital visits and improve comfort.

Why Start Serious Illness Care Early?

Many people mistakenly believe Serious Illness Care is only for the final stages of illness. But for ALS, early involvement of Serious Illness Care leads to better outcomes, including:

  • More control over care decisions
  • Earlier management of symptoms
  • Reduced stress on caregivers
  • Improved quality of life for longer

Early support gives patients the time and space to focus on what matters most—family, meaningful experiences, and living with dignity.

ALS is a formidable diagnosis, but no one must face it alone. Serious Illness Care is a vital partner in the ALS journey, offering expertise, comfort, and dignity at every step. If you or someone you love is living with ALS, ask your neurologist or primary care provider about a referral to serious illness care or palliative care. The earlier you involve a palliative team, the better the support—and the more empowered the journey can be.

Schedule a consultation

Support is available. You don’t have to walk this path without help. Call Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care today at 815.740.4104.

Through darkness, we bring light

Contact Lightways

Call 815.740.4104

Understanding Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care): A Compassionate Approach to Living Well

Understanding Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care): A Compassionate Approach to Living Well

Jun 5, 2025 | Hospice Care, Light the Way Blog, Serious Illness Care

Understanding Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care): A Compassionate Approach to Living Well

Daughter hugging elder mother outdoors

When faced with a serious illness, patients and their families often feel overwhelmed by the medical system, symptom burden, and emotional stress. In such moments, Serious Illness Care or palliative care can be a powerful, supportive ally—yet it remains one of the most misunderstood services in healthcare. This blog explores what palliative care truly is, its benefits, why early enrollment matters, and the common myths that surround it.

What Is Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care)?

Serious Illness Care or Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis. Its goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family.

This type of care is provided by a team of nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists who work alongside a patient’s existing healthcare providers. Serious Illness Care can be offered at any stage of a serious illness and can be provided with curative treatments.

The Benefits of Palliative Care

  1. Improved Quality of Life
    Serious Illness Care helps patients better manage symptoms such as pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, and depression—allowing them to live as fully and comfortably as possible.
  2. Emotional and Spiritual Support
    Beyond physical symptoms, Serious Illness Care addresses emotional and spiritual concerns, offering counseling, guidance, and resources to help patients and families cope.
  3. Better Communication and Care Coordination
    Serious Illness Care teams help clarify treatment goals, facilitate important conversations about care preferences, and coordinate between multiple healthcare providers.
  4. Support for Families and Caregivers
    Family members receive guidance, respite, and help with difficult decisions, reducing caregiver burnout and stress.
  5. Reduced Hospital Visits and Emergency Care
    By proactively managing symptoms and aligning care with patient values, palliative care can reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and ER visits.

Why Early Enrollment Is So Important

A common misconception is that palliative care is only for the very end of life. In reality, the earlier it’s introduced, the more beneficial it can be.

Early enrollment means:

  • More time to manage symptoms effectively
  • More support during difficult treatments
  • Better emotional well-being throughout the illness journey
  • Improved ability to make informed decisions over time

Studies show that patients who receive palliative care early often live longer, with better quality of life.

Common Misconceptions About Serious Illness Care

Despite its benefits, Serious Illness Care is often misunderstood. Here are some common myths—debunked:

“Serious Illness Care is the same as hospice.”
Serious Illness Care or palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a serious illness and can be given with curative treatments.

“Accepting Serious Illness Care means giving up.”
Not at all. In fact, palliative care can help patients tolerate aggressive treatments better by managing side effects and preserving strength.

“Only cancer patients need Serious Illness Care.”
Serious Illness Care or palliative care benefits patients with many serious conditions, including heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more.

“My doctor will recommend it when the time is right.”
Unfortunately, not all healthcare providers refer patients early enough. Advocating for a Serious Illness Care consultation sooner rather than later can make a big difference.

Serious Illness Care is about living well, even while facing serious illness. It empowers patients and families, provides relief, and aligns treatment with what matters most to the individual. Far from being a last resort, it is a proactive approach to whole-person care—one that everyone deserves to understand and consider.

Schedule a consultation

If you or a loved one is living with a serious illness, ask your healthcare provider if Serious Illness Care or palliative care could be right for you. Early support can change the journey for the better. Call Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care today for more information at 815.740.4104.

Through darkness, we bring light

Contact Lightways

Call 815.740.4104

Hospice vs. Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care): Understanding the Key Differences

Hospice vs. Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care): Understanding the Key Differences

Mar 18, 2025 | Hospice Care, Light the Way Blog, Serious Illness Care

Hospice vs. Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care): Understanding the Key Differences

CEO Mary Kay Sheehan speaks at Drive dedication for former CEO

When faced with a chronic illness, patients and their families often encounter terms like hospice and serious illness care (palliative care). While both are forms of care focused on comfort and quality of life, they have distinct purposes, goals, and timing. In this blog, we will dive into the differences between hospice and palliative care to help you understand how each approach can support you or a loved one during a challenging time.

What is Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care)?

Serious Illness Care is a specialized form of medical care aimed at improving the quality of life for people living with serious or chronic illnesses. It focuses on symptom management, pain relief related to the illness, and emotional support — all with the goal of making the patient feel as comfortable as possible, regardless of whether the illness is terminal or not.

Key Characteristics of Palliative Care

  • For any stage of illness: Serious Illness Care can begin at any point during an illness, even when a patient is still undergoing curative treatment. It does not require a terminal diagnosis. Patients may continue with their primary treatments for their illness (like chemotherapy or surgery) while receiving palliative care.
  • Symptom management: Serious Illness Care teams focus on alleviating physical symptoms such as pain related to the illness, nausea, fatigue, and difficulty breathing, as well as emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression.
  • Skilled, Experienced Care Team: Serious Illness Care is interdisciplinary, meaning it involves a team of nurse practitioners and social workers who address the full spectrum of a patient’s needs. Lightways partners with the patient’s primary physician and/or other healthcare professionals involved in their care to provide another layer of support.
  • Improving quality of life: The primary goal is not to cure illness but to improve the overall quality of life by managing symptoms and supporting the patient and their family.

Who Can Benefit from Serious Illness Care (Palliative Care)?

  • Anyone with a serious illness like cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, or dementia.
  • People are seeking relief from symptoms, even if their condition is not terminal.
  • Families and caregivers who need emotional and psychological support.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is specifically designed for patients who are nearing the end of life, typically when they are expected to live six months or less. The focus of hospice care shifts to comfort and dignity in the final stages of life, and it is provided when curative treatments are no longer an option or have been chosen to be discontinued.

Key Characteristics of Hospice Care

  • End-of-life care: Hospice is for patients who are no longer pursuing curative treatments and whose illnesses are terminal. It focuses on comfort, pain management, and emotional support.
  • Team-based care: Like palliative care, hospice involves a team of healthcare professionals — including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, nurses’ aides, integrative therapists, chaplains, and volunteers — who support both the patient and their family. The team works together to ensure patients are able to live life to the fullest possible.
  • Home-based or inpatient options: While most hospice patients receive care at home, some may require inpatient care if their symptoms are more severe and need closer monitoring. Hospice services are provided wherever the patient considers their home, whether that’s their house, in a hospice facility, or in a nursing facility.
  • Family support: Hospice care also provides dedicated support for family members, including education about how to provide care and what to expect, respite care, counseling, and grief support services before and after the patient’s death.

Who Can Benefit from Hospice Care?

  • Patients who have a terminal illness and are expected to live six months or less.
  • Patients who have decided to stop curative treatments and focus on comfort and quality of life.
  • Families who need guidance, emotional support, and respite during a loved one’s final days.

Key Differences Between Hospice and Palliative Care

Hospice Vs. Serious Illness Chart

Which Care is Right for You?

The choice between hospice and serious illness care (palliative care) depends on your loved one’s health status and goals. Serious Illness Care is a great option if you are looking for relief from symptoms but still wish to pursue curative treatment. It can be provided at any time during an illness. On the other hand, hospice care is designed for those whose focus shifts away from curing the illness and toward ensuring comfort and dignity in their final days.

Both forms of care aim to improve the patient’s quality of life, but hospice care is more focused on the end-of-life stage, while palliative care can begin earlier in a person’s illness journey. If you are unsure about which type of care is best, speak with your healthcare provider. They can guide you through your options based on your or your loved one’s specific needs. Or please call us and we can help you talk to your physician.

Understanding the difference between hospice and serious illness care can help you make an informed decision about the type of support you or your loved one needs. Whether you are seeking symptom relief during treatment or focusing on comfort and support during the final stages of life, both hospice and serious illness care are designed to ensure that patients receive the care they deserve — tailored to their individual needs and wishes.

Schedule a consultation

Contact Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care directly at 815.740.4104 for additional information or to schedule a consultation.

Through darkness, we bring light

Contact Lightways

Call 815.740.4104