Hospice Care Services
Hospice care provides physical, emotional and spiritual support for patients with a terminal illness.
Hospice Care
Lightways Hospice Care Team
An interdisciplinary team is assigned to each patient. This team includes:
- Our nurse case manager who oversees all care and addresses concerns about pain symptoms, medication, treatments and the patient’s physical condition.
- The certified nursing assistant who provides personal care for the patient.
- A social worker who works to assure that the patient and family have all the support and resources needed.
- A chaplain who addresses the patient’s spiritual needs.
- Volunteers to provide companionship and support.
- Hospice Medical Director who works with the patient’s physician to oversee medical care.
This team partners with the patient and family to determine a care plan that incorporates the patient’s needs, wishes and also includes:
- Music Therapist
Can help address many different symptoms including pain, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, respiratory distress, and sensory deficits. - Massage Therapist
The massage therapists at Lightways are skilled in many different bodywork techniques to best suit the patient’s needs. - Child Life Specialist
A Child Life Specialist helps children and their families with the stresses of having a loved one who is in hospice or has a serious illness.
Care is provided in the home, care facility, hospital or our inpatient unit.
24-hour Nursing Care
For patients who require 24-hour nursing care to control pain and symptoms, our Joliet Inpatient Unit is designed to optimize comfort for both the patient and family.
Hospice Inpatient Unit
Our newly-renovated and expanded Inpatient Unit, located in Joliet, provides care to hospice patients who are unable to comfortably manage their pain or symptoms at home in large patient suites with exterior room access, family friendly public spaces and serene exterior grounds.
Lightways & Telehealth
A secure patient-friendly communication tool is provided for all patients, families and caregivers at admission. The platform allows patients, or their families, to communicate securely with the Lightways care giver team in real time. The messaging tool allows you to send instant text messages as well as communicate with your care team via video chats. You can also access a variety of educational resources to better understand your conditions and take active participation in your healthcare journey. Patients and family caregivers can choose to interact via a mobile app or app-less option through a secure magic link you can use on most devices.
- Connect patients with their caregivers for real time information sharing.
- Provide easy access to education resources.
- Improve patient experience and satisfaction.
Lightways Hospice Care FAQs
If I start hospice care, does that mean I am giving up and stopping treatment?
Calling hospice is not giving up. It’s getting the specialized care you need for time with less pain, less fear and more joy. You continue your medications, antibiotics and your doctor's visits. You can keep your feeding tube and continue treatment that is not focused on cure, but focused on comfort.
Where can I receive care?
For most of our patients, we come to you. You stay in your own home or care facility and we come to you. If your pain and symptoms cannot be managed at home, our newly renovated 24-bed Hospice Inpatient Unit in Joliet is available to provide a higher level of care.
Will I still be cared for by my primary care physicians and their team?
Your medical care will be managed by Lightways physicians and nurses in communication with your own doctors.
What insurance coverage do I need to have hospice care paid for?
Medicare, Medicaid, and most third-party insurance pay for hospice care. We also have an extensive charity care program for those without insurance.
If I don’t have insurance coverage, can you care for me or my loved one?
Lightways provides hospice care for everyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay.
How do I know if I or my loved one should consider hospice care?
Some patients come to us at the suggestion of their health care providers. If your physician tells you that your condition no longer responds to curative treatment, or the burden outweighs the benefits, hospice care is an important way to manage your health.
Others call us directly. While a physician’s approval is necessary for admission (we’ll work with your doctor to obtain that), many people call us proactively to discuss how Lightways can support their family.
Typically, families report:
- Feeling overwhelmed, frightened and unsure
- Needing more day-to-day support and services
- Concern that managing pain and symptoms has become more difficult
- Their loved one doesn't want to go back to the hospital
If you share any of these concerns, please call us at 815-740-4104 to discuss how Lightways can help.
Through darkness, we bring light
Call us and let’s talk it through.
Hospice nurses are available 24/7 to answer your questions and explain how we can help.
What Lightways Hospice offers:
- Unwavering guidance and support for patient and family.
- Pain management and symptom relief.
- Peace of mind knowing that help is available 24/7.
- Time with less pain, less fear and more joy.