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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.