Lightways Hospice

01/16/2026

When a family is facing serious illness, having compassionate support can make all the difference. 💙

For Carolyn Barnhardt and her family, that support came through Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care when her sister-in-law received care in our Inpatient Unit (IPU) located in Joliet, Illinois. During this recent and deeply emotional time, Lightways was not just a place of care, but a source of comfort, dignity, and reassurance.

From the moment their family arrived at the IPU, the personalized environment stood out. Family photos filled the room, helping everyone feel more at ease. The Lightways team cared for Carolyn’s sister-in-law with kindness and respect, even taking time to paint her nails. These small but meaningful moments brought comfort to the entire family.

What truly set Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care apart was the care that continued even after her passing. The grief support team reached out to guide and support the family, especially Carolyn’s nephew, Alex, who was processing the loss of his mom. Through counseling and our annual kids’ camp, Alex learned how to express his grief and connected with others who understood his experience.

“Knowing our sister was comfortable made us comfortable,” Carolyn shared. “And the fact that the grief team reached out afterward showed how much the organization truly cared.”

Carolyn describes Lightways in three words: caring, loving, and compassionate. Her family’s journey is a reminder that hospice is about more than end-of-life care, it’s about supporting the whole family every step of the way.

𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆. 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗻’𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻-𝗹𝗮𝘄’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.

Learn more about our services: www.lightways.org

01/15/2026

🌟 Grow with Purpose at Lightways! 🌟

We’re honored to be named a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for five years running — and as we expand into the northern region, we’re looking for compassionate professionals to join our team!

Whether you’re beginning your career or bringing a wealth of experience, Lightways offers more than a job — it’s a place where every day makes a difference.

💛 Why Choose Lightways?
🌱 Meaningful, mission-driven work
💫 A supportive and compassionate culture
💰 Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits
👩⚕️ Opportunities in hospice, serious illness, and pediatric care
🌼 A workplace where purpose and passion thrive together

If you’re ready to grow in a career that touches lives, we’d love to meet you.

👉 Apply today: www.lightways.org/careers

01/14/2026

As we continue to address common questions about hospice care, two of the most frequent we hear are: "Is hospice care expensive?" and "Can our family afford this level of support for our loved one?"

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵: Hospice care is costly and not covered by insurance.
𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: Most people using hospice care are over 65 and eligible for the Medicare Hospice Benefit, which covers nearly all services with minimal to no out-of-pocket costs. Families can focus on care and comfort without worrying about financial strain.

Always check with your insurance provider to confirm your specific benefits, or reach out to us directly at 815.740.4104 with any questions.

Learn more about hospice care and how it can support your loved one: www.lightways.org/hospice-care

01/13/2026

We are deeply grateful to The Reid Family and Friends for their generous donation in support of Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care. 💙

Earlier this season, they shared the spirit of giving with their 12th annual Christmas Eve donation, providing a special lunch for our inpatient unit, bringing joy and comfort to our patients, their families, and our dedicated staff.

This recent donation, made with so much care and thoughtfulness, continues that legacy, helping us provide comfort, compassion, and support to our patients and their families when it matters most.

Acts of generosity like this remind us how meaningful community support truly is. Thank you to, The Reid Family and Friends, for standing with our patients and families and for keeping Geraldine “Jerrie” Reid’s legacy of kindness alive.

To learn more or support our mission, visit: www.lightways.org/donate

01/12/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Shorewood Glen for their generosity and compassion. 💙

Through their annual fundraiser, they raised over $17,000 in support of Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, directly helping us provide comfort, dignity, and support to our patients and their families.

A special thank you to Jean Roach, whose dedication and hard work in organizing this event make such a meaningful impact year after year.

We are so thankful for the care and effort that went into this fundraiser and for the difference it will make in the lives of those we serve.

Learn more about our mission or support our work at www.lightways.org/donate.

01/09/2026

01/08/2026

Hospice care is often misunderstood, and many myths still exist about the support and services available to patients and families.

This January, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is focusing on the facts, sharing clear and helpful information to better explain what hospice care truly means and how it supports comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

Throughout the month, we will be highlighting important facts to help educate our community and answer common questions about hospice care.

To learn more about Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care services, call 815.740.4104 or visit www.lightways.org

01/07/2026

🎄 A Little Holiday Cheer from the IPU Team ✨

The Lightways Inpatient Unit (IPU) staff brought the spirit of the season to life by decorating festive trees, each one uniquely styled with care and creativity. There was no contest this time, just a joyful opportunity for everyone to decorate a tree however they chose!

After seeing how much our patient families loved the Halloween pumpkins, we wanted to continue sharing that same warmth and happiness throughout the holiday season. Moments like these remind us that compassion, creativity, and togetherness are at the heart of the care we provide.

01/06/2026

Welcome to the Lightways Family! 🌟

We’re excited to welcome seven incredible new team members to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care! Please join us in giving them a warm and heartfelt welcome as they begin their journey with us.

Each of them brings unique talents, passion, and dedication to our mission—and we’re so grateful to have them on board as we continue delivering compassionate care to our community.

Looking to make an impact in your career?
Visit 👉 www.lightways.org/careers/ to explore opportunities.

01/05/2026

Happy Work Anniversary to our dedicated team members! Thank you for your continued commitment to the Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care mission. We could not deliver quality, compassionate care without your devotion to our patients and families.

For information about employment opportunities at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, call 815.740.4104 or visit our website at www.lightways.org/careers

01/02/2026

Did you know that Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care provides Grief Support Services to anyone in our community who are in need of services at no charge? Check out our January Grief Support programs.

We understand the unique concerns of those grieving. Our licensed grief counselors provide individual and family counseling. Additionally, we offer a slate of workshops, support groups and special programs aimed at grief education, self-care during intense grief reactions and developing coping skills that assist in working through the grief process.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our Grief Support Team at 815.460.3295 or email griefsupport@lightways.org.

01/01/2026

Wishing you a peaceful and rewarding New Year 2026 from your friends at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care! May this year bring you and your loved ones an abundance of peace, love, and light.

As we reflect on the year, we would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible team of clinicians and volunteers. Your compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment make it possible for us to provide invaluable care to those we serve.

Now, as we move into 2026 with gratitude and hope, we remain committed to providing compassionate care, comfort, and dignity to every patient and family we serve.

Thank you for being part of the Lightways community and for helping us continue to share care, kindness, and light with those who need it most.