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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Contact Lightways

Call 815.740.4104

Palliative Care Proves Beneficial for Shorewood Family Dealing with Serious Illness

Palliative Care Proves Beneficial for Shorewood Family Dealing with Serious Illness

Dec 13, 2019 | Lightways News, Serious Illness Care

Palliative Care Proves Beneficial for Shorewood Family Dealing with Serious Illness

Don and Tania Budd of Shorewood in front of camper

A year ago October, Don Budd of Shorewood was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Without warning, he and his wife Tania were faced with serious decisions about his medical care and how his illness would impact their family. His life quickly became a blur of doctor visits for cancer treatment, surgery and chemotherapy.

“My family was under so much stress,” Don, 46, explains. “We were struggling to come to terms with my diagnosis. I was very ill from chemotherapy, and my wife was taking on a lot by being a caretaker, a parent to our kids and working her job as a nurse. We just didn’t know where to turn for help.”

Don’s wife of 23 years, Tania, 45, is a nurse at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. Even with her expansive healthcare knowledge, they struggled to find support for their family and proper pain management for Don. Tania finally discussed her concerns with Silver Cross Palliative Care Advanced Practice Nurse Fran Flynn, R.N., B.C.-C.N.S., who oversees the inpatient palliative care team at Silver Cross Hospital. Since Don wasn’t receiving inpatient care, Flynn guided her to an community-based palliative care program available through Joliet Area Community Hospice.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. Services are provided by highly trained doctors, nurses and specialists with the goal of improving the quality of life for the patient and their family.

Palliative care is appropriate at any age and stage of a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. It addresses pain management, depression, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Palliative care team members communicate regularly with the patient’s doctors and other healthcare workers who are providing care or therapy.
“Palliative care has been so helpful to my family and has given us hope. Don is finally getting the home nursing and pain management care needed,” Tania said. “The social worker assigned to our case has guided us to places that can give us the emotional support our family needs. We have a son and daughter, ages 21 and 24 years old, and we are concerned with how they are handling their father’s illness – the palliative care team has gone above and beyond to find them the support they need.”

Every year, nearly 1.6 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice and palliative care providers, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Common diagnoses include cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, kidney disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and more. Best of all, a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that patients with a serious illness, who received palliative care, lived longer than those who did not receive this care.

Palliative care benefits people who may be experiencing declines in their health, are unable to manage the daily tasks of living alone, experience intense pain on a day-to-day basis, have frequent hospital admissions or have had a prolonged length of stay in the hospital without any sign of progress.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Silver Cross Hospital would like to raise awareness to the importance of these services and for those people coping with life-limiting illnesses. It is helpful to note that palliative care is different than hospice care. While both palliative care and hospice care provide comfort, palliative care can begin at diagnosis of a serious illness and continue through active treatment. Hospice care begins after treatment of the disease has stopped.

Palliative Care Offers Choices to Those with Serious Illness

Don said palliative care has given him the confidence to be an advocate for his own healthcare and make his own choices. An arborist by trade, Don owns a tree service company and was able to work throughout his busy season this year – doing something he loves.

“If it weren’t for the nursing and pain management services I received through palliative care, I wouldn’t have been able to do the job I love. The amazing support I have received from my healthcare team has made me realize I don’t have an expiration date. I accept that the cancer will end my life at some point. I just want to be as comfortable as I can be, doing the things I love – palliative care is giving me that chance,” said Don.

Don and Tania spent this past summer taking trips in their camper to state parks in the Midwest. In fact, he’s feeling so good he and Tania are planning a long drive to the Florida Keys.

“There’s one more thing I would like to do if it’s possible – renew my wedding vows with my wife in Las Vegas,” said Budd.

For more information, visit silvercross.org or for outpatient palliative care, visit joliethospice.org
​
About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is an independent, not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Truven Health/IBM Watson 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years, received a 5-Star rating for high quality and patient satisfaction by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group. With over 4,500 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 302-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2017, Silver Cross provided over $39 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org. Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.

About Joliet Care Community Hospice

Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) is a not-for-profit, community-based, state licensed and Medicare/Medicaid certified agency serving Will, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston and increasing portions of Cook, DuPage, and Kankakee Counties. JACH provides quality hospice and palliative care for adults and children diagnosed with life-limiting and/or terminal illnesses. JACH is one of a handful of Illinois hospices with a dedicated Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care Team for seriously ill children from birth to 21 years old. The 16-bed Hospice Home inpatient unit in Joliet provides care for adults and children with symptoms that cannot be managed at home and short-term respite for hospice patients whose caregivers need time away from caregiving. Since JACH’s opening in 1982, over 32,000 people have received the quality care that JACH is known for. The mission of Joliet Area Community Hospice is: Real People. Real Care. Your Family. Real knowledgeable, professional, compassionate people providing real quality care to you and your family. For more information about
Community-based palliative care, please visit lightways.org or call 1-800-360-1817.

Finding Comfort and Support for your Veteran

Aug 28, 2025 | , ,

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.

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Understanding Inpatient Hospice Services: A Look Inside Inpatient Hospice Unit and Levels of Care

Aug 14, 2025 | ,

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.

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