Lightways Hospice

01/23/2026

🕯️ 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

01/22/2026

Grief Workshop Series | Spring 2026

Join our Grief Support Team for a four-session introductory grief workshop designed for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. This supportive series combines presentations from grief counselors with meaningful small group discussions, offering space to learn, reflect, and connect with others who understand.

The series is free of charge.

🗓 Workshop Schedule

- February 26 | 6 to 8 PM | Telling Your Story
Explore the benefits of sharing your story and hear from a panel of individuals as they reflect on their grief journeys.

- March 5 | 6 to 8 PM | The Grief Experience
Review common grief reactions and better understand the emotional roller coaster of grief.

- March 12 | 6 to 8 PM | Self Care and Coping
Learn healthy coping strategies and identify what support and self care look like for you.

- March 19 | 6 to 8 PM | Remembering
Discover how rituals can support the grieving process and participate in a meaningful tribute to your loved one.

📍 Workshops will be offered both virtually and in person at 320 Water Stone Way, Joliet.

To register, visit www.lightways.org/series/spring-grief-workshop-series/

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟵.

If you have any questions, please call 815.460.3295 or email griefsupport@lightways.org

01/21/2026

Popcorn & Pajama Movie Night! 🍿🎬

Join our Grief Support Team on Friday, February 20 from 6 to 8 PM for a special virtual movie watch party via Zoom with other families who have experienced a death in the family. This event is designed for families with children and teens.

The event is free of charge and offers a relaxed, supportive space to connect, unwind, and spend time together from the comfort of home.

To register, visit www.lightways.org/event/popcorn-pajamas-virtual-family-event/

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟱!

If you have any questions, please call 815.460.3295 or email griefsupport@lightways.org

01/20/2026

Myth: Hospice care is only for the very end of life.

Many people still believe hospice care is only for the final days or weeks, but this is a common misunderstanding. Hospice care can begin earlier and provide meaningful support throughout a serious illness.

Fact: Starting hospice care sooner allows for more comprehensive support.

Early hospice involvement helps manage symptoms, create a personalized care plan, and offer emotional and spiritual support for both patients and their loved ones. It focuses on comfort, dignity, and making each moment as meaningful as possible.

To learn more about our services, call 815.740.4104 or visit www.lightways.org.

01/19/2026

We are proud to share that Lightways Board Member Helen Ross was honored with a Community Collaboration & Activism Award from the African American Business Association of Will County.

Helen was one of four individuals recognized for her meaningful impact and dedication to our community. We are deeply grateful to Helen for her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to building stronger, more connected communities. Her passion and service reflect the very heart of Lightways’ mission, and we are honored to have her as part of our organization.

Please join us in congratulating Helen on this well-deserved recognition and thanking her for the incredible work she continues to do on behalf of our community.

01/19/2026

Today, we pause to celebrate and honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His tireless work for equality, justice, and peace changed the course of American history and inspired movements worldwide.

Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to peaceful change, his powerful words, and his call for unity continue to resonate deeply in our pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.

Let’s keep working toward his dream of equality and kindness for all.

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-in-law 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