What is Serious Illness Care?

Many people are familiar with hospice, but some do not know the meaning of serious illness care or palliative care. Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is committed to educating the public about the importance of serious illness care.

Serious Illness Care, also known as palliative care, is offered to people who are experiencing advanced, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses, including cardiac serious illnesses. Services include pain related to malignancy and symptom management, care coordination, and support for family members.

“When Lightways changed its name to reflect our regional service area, we also changed the name of our palliative care program,” said Lisa Heiy, director. “We learned most people did not know what palliative care meant, and we wanted to adopt a name that better described our program and its services.”

The primary difference between serious illness care and hospice is patients do not have to be at the “end of life” stage. Lightways Serious Illness Care treats patients diagnosed with cardiac diseases, such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as dementia, liver disease, ALS, and others. Beginning serious illness care does not necessitate stopping treatments or “giving up.” Patients can continue to receive care from their personal physicians.

“Our staff works with a patient’s doctor to minimize pain and discomfort,” Heiy said. “Our goal is to improve quality of life and offer another layer of support for patients and their families.”

Medicare and most insurance companies cover Serious Illness Care, and services are available wherever a patient calls home – a residence, an assisted living facility, or a skilled care facility.

“Facing a serious illness can be overwhelming,” noted Heiy. “Our staff is here to help the patient and their family manage the illness and access any resources available to them. We work with the patient’s care team to provide comfort and reassurance.”

For more information about Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, visit https://lightways.org/serious-illness-care/ or call at 815-740-4104.

Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care is an independent, nonprofit healthcare provider licensed in 11 counties in Illinois. It provides exceptional serious illness care, hospice care, and grief support for adults and children.