Lightways Hospice

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Joliet, IL
Lightways Hospice

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care has been a trusted nonprofit healthcare provider since 1982, formerly known as Joliet Area Community Hospice.

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care—formerly Joliet Area Community Hospice—is a state licensed and Medicare/Medicaid certified, not-for-profit corporation providing unwavering guidance and support to patients and their families since 1982. Serving 11 counties across Illinois—including Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, McHenry, and Will—we offer expert care for adults and children facing serious illness, end-of-life needs, and grief. Our compassionate team delivers hospice care, palliative support, and grief counseling with dignity, empathy, and light. In life’s most challenging moments, Lightways provides guidance, comfort, and unwavering support for patients and their families.

11/17/2025

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month — a time to recognize the incredible patients, families, and caregivers who remind us that hospice is about living your way.

Hospice care isn’t about giving up — it’s about living life on your own terms, even at the end of life. It’s about comfort, dignity, and meaningful moments with the people you love most.

At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, we see the whole you — not just your illness. Our team focuses on helping you live fully, with compassionate support wherever you call home.

Hospice is about:
✨ Choice — deciding what matters most to you.
💜 Comfort — easing pain & stress with expert, compassionate care.
👨👩👧👦 Connection — spending quality time with those you love.

Most families tell us, “I wish we’d called sooner.” You don’t have to wait. Discover how hospice and serious illness care can help you or your loved one live your way — with peace, purpose, and support every step of the way.

📞 Have questions? Call us at 815.740.4104
🌐 Learn more at www.lightways.org

11/14/2025

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is now offering a 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 Caregiver Support Group for both our Lightways families and anyone in the community caring for a loved one with an advanced life-threatening illness. 💙

This virtual group will be co-facilitated by a Lightways Social Worker and Grief Counselor, who will guide discussions on coping with caregiver stress and the grief experienced during a loved one's illness.

If you're a caregiver looking for support, we invite you to join us for this compassionate, supportive space.

To register, click here: https://lightways-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/bAtaX1DgQJevjs6xPqxQUQ #/registration

If you or a loved one is in need of Grief Support services, please contact us at www.lightways.org/griefsupport or 815.460.3282

11/13/2025

November is Children's Grief Awareness Month!

An estimated 6.4 million children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. That's 1 in 11 children. Research shows that bereaved children are at an increased risk of disrupted development, but that timely support introduced at critical junctions aids in healthy development.

Lightways Grief Support Program offers grief support to children and their families both before and after a death free of charge. Grief Counselors and Child Life Specialists assist kids and their families in understanding their person's illness or death, allow opportunities for children to remember their person, and provide the needed individual or family support needed to process their emotions about their loss.

To learn more about Lightways Grief Support Program, please visit www.lightways.org/grief-support

11/12/2025

November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month 💙

This month, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care invites everyone to pause and reflect on how we can support the young people in our lives who are navigating the complex emotions of grief.

One of the most meaningful ways to help is simple — be there by listening.

Give Young People Your Full Attention:
In moments of vulnerability, your presence can be incredibly grounding. Put away distractions and truly listen — not just to their words, but to their body language and emotions.

Let Them Be Themselves Without Interruptions:
Allow children to express their feelings freely. Sometimes they just need to talk, cry, or even laugh about their memories — and that’s okay.

Demonstrate Through Actions:
Show them their feelings matter. A gentle nod, a reassuring touch, or a quiet moment together can speak volumes. Let them know you’re there, walking beside them on their journey at their own pace.

Listening comforts in ways words cannot. By creating a safe space where children feel heard and understood, we help light their path toward healing.

At Lightways, our Child Life Specialists are specially trained to help children and families navigate grief and serious illness with compassion, understanding, and support. Learn more about how they make a difference: www.lightways.org/child-life-specialists

11/11/2025

🕯️ Explore the Light the Way Blog by Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care.

The Light the Way Blog offers practical insights and compassionate guidance for patients, caregivers, and families facing serious illness. Each post is designed to help you better understand hospice and palliative care, provide clarity during uncertain times, and support you through every step of the journey.

Whether you're looking for signs it may be time for hospice, ways to enhance comfort through palliative care, or tips for coping with the emotional side of caregiving, the blog is here to help.

New topics are added regularly to keep you informed and empowered.

Read the latest posts: www.lightways.org/light-the-way

11/11/2025

Last week, Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care hosted our annual Veterans Breakfast, welcoming several veterans for a wonderful morning filled with a delicious breakfast, inspiring stories, and valuable resources that Lightways offers for veterans.

A big thank you to ALLENFORCE, Joliet West High School, the Will County Veteran Assistance Commission, our dedicated Lightways volunteers and staff — and especially to all the veterans who joined us!

As we celebrate Veterans Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served. Your courage and sacrifice inspire everything we do at Lightways. Through our We Honor Veterans Program, we’re proud to provide care and support that recognize the unique experiences and needs of veterans and their families.

👉 Learn more about how we’re honoring those who served: www.lightways.org/veterans-program/

11/10/2025

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care would like to offer some tips for grieving loved ones during the holiday season.

If you or a loved one is in need of Grief Support services, please contact us at www.lightways.org/griefsupport or 815.460.3282

11/07/2025

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month! 💜

This year’s theme, “We See the Whole You,” celebrates the heart of person-centered care—recognizing each person’s unique story, values, and needs.

At Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, we believe in the power of compassion and the importance of supporting individuals and families through life’s most challenging moments. This month, we honor our incredible hospice and palliative care teams for their unwavering dedication to comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, community partner, caregiver, advocate, or someone who simply wants to help spread the word, this month is for you. Together, we can raise awareness about what true quality, person-centered care means.

Throughout November, we’ll be sharing stories and insights that highlight the impact of hospice and palliative care—care that centers on each person’s goals, values, and wishes. Everyone deserves to live fully and meaningfully, no matter where they are on their journey.

Join us in celebrating National Hospice & Palliative Care Month 2025 and honoring the people who make this compassionate care possible.

11/06/2025

The Grief Support Team hosted a special "Dia De Los Mu***os" Family Event last night at the Lightways office to offer grieving families the opportunity to learn more about this special and unique way to honor their loved ones.

Participants learned more about the tradition around the building of an "ofrenda" (altar/offering) to welcome your loved one back during this celebration. Then, each family made their own ofrendas that represented some of their favorite memories, passions of, and lessons from their deceased loved ones.

Special thanks to the Lightways Kitchen Services Team, for providing authentic Mexican Hot Cocoa and fruit, as well as our Bilingual Counselor Irene Astorga, for coordinating and leading the event.

To learn more about the Grief Support Programs at Lightways, visit us at www.lightways.org/griefsupport

***os

11/05/2025

Please help us in welcoming Patrick Belics to the Lightways team!

Patrick is the new Director of Philanthropy at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, where he leads all aspects of fundraising strategy and donor engagement. With more than a decade of experience in development and relationship management, Patrick is dedicated to advancing Lightways’ mission through thoughtful philanthropy.

Before joining Lightways, Patrick served as Director of Development at the American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, where he built a comprehensive fundraising program encompassing annual giving, major gifts, grants, and planned giving. His leadership strengthened donor participation and established sustainable funding channels to support the organization’s growth.

A graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, Patrick holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Throughout his career, he has raised support for organizations across healthcare, education, and the arts—guided by the belief that meaningful giving begins with meaningful connection.

Patrick is passionate about inspiring generosity that transforms compassionate care into lasting impact for patients, families, and the community.

We’re thrilled to have Patrick on board and look forward to the incredible impact he’ll make at Lightways!

📞 Direct Cell: 779-242-1536
📧 Email: pbelics@lightways.org

11/04/2025

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

11/03/2025

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 November 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.

Address

250 Water Stone Circle
Joliet, IL
60431

Telephone

+18157404104

Website

https://lightways.org/

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