Category: Press Releases

By: Eileen Hooks Gutierrez

It’s been a year of incredible progress for Joliet Area Community Hospice—a new addition, a new building and in the next month, a new name and brand.

The 40-year-old organization will transition to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care beginning April 12.  Lightways will continue to be nonprofit, independent and based in Joliet.

The new name and brand are designed to encompass the health care providers’ expansion and be a catalyst for future growth.

In 1982 when the organization was founded, Joliet Area Community Hospice was the perfect name.  It clearly defined what the organization did—provide hospice care–and where they did it—Joliet.

But now, outreach is greater. Lightways cares for patients in eight Illinois counties and will add three more counties this year for a total of 11.

And services are broader. Lightways continues to provide exceptional hospice care, and additionally has an extensive Serious Illness Care program, the leading Pediatric Program in the state and a comprehensive Grief Support program.

“Hospice care and serious illness care are unique segments in the spectrum of healthcare people will receive in their lifetime. It’s important to us that our brand reflects the unique care we provide,” said Mary Kay Sheehan, Chief Executive Officer.  “People come to us in a dark time filled with unknowns.  At Lightways, we provide unwavering support and guidance to light the way.”

On April 12, a new website will launch at lightways.org and a broad-based multimedia campaign will begin.  The new logo will be used with a “Founded as Joliet Area Community Hospice” description during the transition.

“It’s very important to us that the community understand that we are still independent and nonprofit.  Our Joliet roots are tremendously important to the organization—they are the foundation supporting our growth and expansion,” said Sheehan.

New Addition:

Lightways is expanding the Hospice Inpatient Unit with a 12-bed new addition that opened in February. 

This project is phase one of a two-part project to expand the organization’s facility at 250 Water Stone Circle in Joliet.  The goal is to create a 20-bed facility that provides great functionality for patients, families and staff in a warm and peaceful setting.

The 9,000-square-foot addition includes 12 all-new patient suites that are built for comfort for both patients and families.  Highlights include:

• Large suites with beautiful décor and natural lighting
• Over-sized patient beds and state-of-the-art medical equipment
• Pullout beds for overnight visitors
• Electronic communications system, TVs with streaming services and refrigerators in every suite

Each room has French doors which open to a private patio.  The doors are wide enough that the patient can go outside from the comfort of his or her bed.

Construction is now underway on phase two—the renovation of the existing Hospice Home.  Built in 2004 as the first free-standing hospice facility in Illinois, the Hospice Home has served thousands of people who require 24-hour care to manage pain and symptoms.   

When the entire Hospice Inpatient Unit is complete, it will feature family-focused gathering areas including:

• A multi-family living room and dining room where families can gather
• A private dining room and kitchen where families can prepare and enjoy a special meal if they choose
• A renovated lobby
• A business center for families’ use

All construction is expected to be completed this summer.

This $8.3 million project was funded through the Remembering from the Heart Capital Campaign which began in 2017.  A limited number of naming rights are still available for gifts between $5,000 to$50,000.  For more information, please contact Eileen Gutierrez, Sr. Director of Development and Communications, at 815-740-4104.

For Sheehan, the completion of phase one is a milestone for the organization she has led since 2015.    “For nearly 40 years, we have had the honor and privilege of serving those in need of end-of-life care.  The generosity of this community in supporting this project is heart-warming. “ 

New Building

In 2020, Lightways acquired the neighboring office building at 320 Waterstone Way.  As Covid restrictions lift, the building will be a resource center to provide in-person Grief Support as well as training and education for the community.

Grief support is offered to all Lightways families and extends to anyone in the community in need of support.  Licensed grief counselors provide individual and family counseling as well as conduct a slate of workshops.  All Grief Support is provided at no charge.

This summer the building will be dedicated as the Dorothy Brown Resource Center to honor the long-time volunteer and supporter of the Joliet Area Community Hospice.

For Sheehan, this whirlwind of major changes fits Lightways’ bold and innovative mindset.  “We remove

barriers so our patients and their families get time with less pain, less fear and more joy.  We are doing the same thing for our organization—removing barriers so we can provide exceptional end-of-life care for all who seek it.”

As our communities address and manage the COVID-19 risk, please know that Joliet Area Community Hospice continues to provide hospice care, palliative care and bereavement services at the Hospice Home, at patient residences or in care facilities.

We are following all safety and health guidelines put out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on how to handle this concern within hospice organizations.

Should you or a loved one need palliative or hospice care, we continue to admit new patients during this time. If you or a family member have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of your hospice care team or me at 815.740.4104.

Visitors:

For the safety of all, we are limiting patients in the Hospice Home to two visitors in the building at one time. We have instituted CDC’s Travel Guidelines (Levels 2 & 3) screening for all visitors and staff entering the Hospice Home including a temperature check. Visitors are welcome at the in-patient unit provided they meet the criteria that limits risks to their loved ones and others.

Events:

As requested by Governor Pritzker, we are postponing all large events scheduled for March and April. This includes our Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event which was scheduled for March 21, our Volunteer Appreciation Event scheduled for April 14 and Annual Dinner, scheduled for April 20.  It is our top priority to keep our patients, families, staff and guests of our events safe. New dates have not yet been finalized for these events.

We will continue to monitor all situations and will update as needed. Please be healthy and safe.

Mary K. Sheehan, CEO

COVID-19 Statement from Joliet Area Community Hospice—March 13, 2020

As our communities address and manage the COVID-19 risk, please know that Joliet Area Community Hospice continues to provide hospice care, palliative care and bereavement services at the Hospice Home, at patient residences or in care facilities.

We are following all safety and health guidelines put out by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on how to handle this concern within hospice organizations.

Should you or a loved one need palliative or hospice care, we continue to admit new patients during this time.  If you or a family member have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of your hospice care team or me at 815.740.4104.

Visitors:

For the safety of all, we have instituted CDC’s Travel Guidelines (Levels 2 & 3) screening for all visitors and volunteers entering the Hospice Home.  Visitors are welcome at the in-patient unit provided they meet the criteria that limits risks to their loved ones and others.

Bereavement Programs:

Our Bereavement Services team is continuing to offer individual and small group support groups.   Larger group programs will be available via Live Streaming on the Internet. If you are registered for one of these programs, you will be notified of this option. If you are sick with any symptoms including cough, sneezing or fever, please stay home, get well and attend a session at a later date.

Events:

As requested by Governor Pritzker, we are postponing all large events scheduled for March and April.  This includes our Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event which was scheduled for March 21, our Volunteer Appreciation Event scheduled for April 14 and Annual Dinner, scheduled for April 20.   It is our top priority to keep our patients, families, staff and guests of our events safe.  New dates have not yet been finalized for these events.

Volunteers:

Volunteers are asked to continue to support our organization as scheduled.  The only change is for those working in nursing homes and care facilities where visitors have been restricted.  Volunteers are welcome in the Hospice Home and administrative offices provided they have followed our visitor screening procedures.

We will continue to monitor all situations and will update as needed.  Please be healthy and safe.

Mary K. Sheehan, CEO

Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) will be celebrating and honoring Vietnam Era Veterans at their inaugural Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration to take place at American Legion Post 18, 15052 Archer Ave., Lockport, on Saturday evening, March 21, 2020.

Vietnam Veterans who may never have been appropriately welcomed home – who were never applauded and thanked for their service and sacrifice – will be celebrated and honored.

All Vietnam Era Veterans and their families are invited for this evening of dinner, speakers, live music, exciting raffles, and fun activities. Pre-registration is required by contacting Kristen Kolwelter at 815-740-4104.

JACH has been honored to care for thousands of veterans since our doors were opened in 1982. JACH now enhances that care with the Joliet Area Community Hospice We Honor Veterans Program. This comprehensive program focuses on respectfully celebrating veterans and providing care that recognizes the unique challenges that may exist in military families. JACH is committed to providing care for those who served with pride, honoring their lives and service to country, and offering the dignity they so richly deserve.

Sponsorships for the inaugural Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration are available at joliethospice.org under the Events tab or by calling 815.740.4104.

Hakuna Matata! “No worries for the rest of your days,” state the lyrics from a song featured in Disney’s “The Lion King.”  That is the goal of Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) – to allow our hospice patients to be comfortable and worry-free for the rest of their days. Now serving eight Illinois Counties: Will, Grundy, Kendall, Livingston, LaSalle, and parts of Kankakee, Cook and DuPage, JACH provides quality hospice and palliative care to terminally ill adults and children without regard to the family’s ability to pay.  and grief support services free of charge to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one and needs help coping with the loss

Joliet Area Community Hospice is hosting the Annual Dinner Fundraiser, Safari Sunset   A Journey of Life on Monday, April 20 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook, IL. The public is invited to the dinner, presented by Signature Sponsors: Busey Bank, The Horton Group and Daley’s Ambulance Services. Tickets are $75 per guest, with tables of 10 available. Dinner, cash bar, raffles, auction and other fun activities will fill the evening. Animal print attire is encouraged but not required. All proceeds benefit the important programs of Joliet Area Community Hospice including grief support services free of charge to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one and needs help coping with the loss

JACH will honor this year’s Heart of Hospice Award recipients, Carolyn Dystrup for her unwavering support, love and advocacy for JACH. Carolyn served as president of the JACH board and supports many of the annual fundraising events as a participant and sponsor. And the Eastside Association for years of consistent support of the JACH mission through their friendship and fundraising on our behalf. Each year, the group hosts an event that benefits JACH.

Joliet Area Community Hospice’s (JACH) Senior Director of Development and Communications, Jackie Bersano, has announced her retirement at the end of this year. During her six-year tenure with JACH, Bersano has passionately represented the organization at countless fundraising and networking functions in the community, has brought in new supporters to JACH’s numerous fundraising and friend-raising events that she has planned and directed (e.g. JACH Annual Dinner, 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, Timmy’s Garden Walk, and Golf Outing), and most recently has spearheaded a $3.5 million Remembering from the Heart Capital Campaign for the addition and renovation of the JACH Hospice Home inpatient unit.

Bersano’s support of the long-standing Hospice Guild for their Puttin’ on the Glitz Fashion Show and Ladies’ Card Party has been irreplaceable. Behind the scenes, Jackie writes and edits much of what is seen by the public as ‘Joliet Area Community Hospice’: in newspaper ads, articles, social media, brochures, appeals and flyers. Earlier in her time with the agency, she had overseen the Volunteer Department at JACH and is a trained volunteer herself, often working in the gardens surrounding the office and inpatient unit as the seasons change.

“Jackie has played a key role in our organization’s growth and her support of our patient-centered culture has been invaluable,” said Mary Sheehan, CEO of Joliet Area Community Hospice. “As a new member of the Joliet community when I joined JACH, it’s been Jackie who has guided me through what I need to know, what groups I need to join, and has made important introductions – all in order for our agency to be successful.”

Jackie’s devotion to Joliet Area Community Hospice is evident in the long hours worked without complaint, in the education and JACH history freely shared with new staff and volunteers, and in her sunny disposition toward all who come into contact with her.  JACH is losing a valued member of the team with Jackie’s retirement and she will be truly missed. Everyone at JACH wishes her a wonderful retirement and adventure-filled days ahead.

Contact: Debra Robbins Director, Marketing/Community Relations
(815) 300-7562
E-Mail: [email protected]

Palliative Care Proves Beneficial for Shorewood Family Dealing with Serious Illness
New Lenox, IL (Nov. 21, 2019) — A year ago October, Don Budd of Shorewood was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Without warning, he and his wife Tania were faced with serious decisions about his medical care and how his illness would impact their family. His life quickly became a blur of doctor visits for cancer treatment, surgery and chemotherapy.
“My family was under so much stress,” Don, 46, explains. “We were struggling to come to terms with my diagnosis. I was very ill from chemotherapy, and my wife was taking on a lot by being a caretaker, a parent to our kids and working her job as a nurse. We just didn’t know where to turn for help.”
Don’s wife of 23 years, Tania, 45, is a nurse at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. Even with her expansive healthcare knowledge, they struggled to find support for their family and proper pain management for Don. Tania finally discussed her concerns with Silver Cross Palliative Care Advanced Practice Nurse Fran Flynn, R.N., B.C.-C.N.S., who oversees the inpatient palliative care team at Silver Cross Hospital. Since Don wasn’t receiving inpatient care, Flynn guided her to an community-based palliative care program available through Joliet Area Community Hospice.

What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. Services are provided by highly trained doctors, nurses and specialists with the goal of improving the quality of life for the patient and their family.
Palliative care is appropriate at any age and stage of a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. It addresses pain management, depression, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Palliative care team members communicate regularly with the patient’s doctors and other healthcare workers who are providing care or therapy.
“Palliative care has been so helpful to my family and has given us hope. Don is finally getting the home nursing and pain management care needed,” Tania said. “The social worker assigned to our case has guided us to places that can give us the emotional support our family needs. We have a son and daughter, ages 21 and 24 years old, and we are concerned with how they are handling their father’s illness – the palliative care team has gone above and beyond to find them the support they need.”
Every year, nearly 1.6 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice and palliative care providers, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Common diagnoses include cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, kidney disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and more. Best of all, a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that patients with a serious illness, who received palliative care, lived longer than those who did not receive this care.
Palliative care benefits people who may be experiencing declines in their health, are unable to manage the daily tasks of living alone, experience intense pain on a day-to-day basis, have frequent hospital admissions or have had a prolonged length of stay in the hospital without any sign of progress.
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Silver Cross Hospital would like to raise awareness to the importance of these services and for those people coping with life-limiting illnesses. It is helpful to note that palliative care is different than hospice care. While both palliative care and hospice care provide comfort, palliative care can begin at diagnosis of a serious illness and continue through active treatment. Hospice care begins after treatment of the disease has stopped.

Palliative Care Offers Choices to Those with Serious Illness
Don said palliative care has given him the confidence to be an advocate for his own healthcare and make his own choices. An arborist by trade, Don owns a tree service company and was able to work throughout his busy season this year – doing something he loves.
“If it weren’t for the nursing and pain management services I received through palliative care, I wouldn’t have been able to do the job I love. The amazing support I have received from my healthcare team has made me realize I don’t have an expiration date. I accept that the cancer will end my life at some point. I just want to be as comfortable as I can be, doing the things I love – palliative care is giving me that chance,” said Don.
Don and Tania spent this past summer taking trips in their camper to state parks in the Midwest. In fact, he’s feeling so good he and Tania are planning a long drive to the Florida Keys.
“There’s one more thing I would like to do if it’s possible – renew my wedding vows with my wife in Las Vegas,” said Budd.
For more information, visit silvercross.org or for outpatient palliative care, visit joliethospice.org
​
About Silver Cross Hospital 
Silver Cross Hospital is an independent, not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Truven Health/IBM Watson 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years, received a 5-Star rating for high quality and patient satisfaction by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group. With over 4,500 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 302-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2017, Silver Cross provided over $39 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org.  Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care.  These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.

About Joliet Care Community Hospice
Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) is a not-for-profit, community-based, state licensed and Medicare/Medicaid certified agency serving Will, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston and increasing portions of Cook, DuPage, and Kankakee Counties. JACH provides quality hospice and palliative care for adults and children diagnosed with life-limiting and/or terminal illnesses. JACH is one of a handful of Illinois hospices with a dedicated Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care Team for seriously ill children from birth to 21 years old. The 16-bed Hospice Home inpatient unit in Joliet provides care for adults and children with symptoms that cannot be managed at home and short-term respite for hospice patients whose caregivers need time away from caregiving. Since JACH’s opening in 1982, over 32,000 people have received the quality care that JACH is known for. The mission of Joliet Area Community Hospice is: Real People. Real Care. Your Family.  Real knowledgeable, professional, compassionate people providing real quality care to you and your family. For more information about
Community-based palliative care, please visit lightways.org or call 1-800-360-1817. 

It may not be new to any reader that the United States population is aging.  The aging of baby boomers is giving rise to the “graying of America”, with people age 65 and older expected to nearly double from where it is today to 95 million by 2060.  It may also not be surprising that the occurrence of dementia in individuals increases with age, however you may not be aware that the prevalence of dementia with age increases exponentially between the ages of 65 and 90, with dementia incidence doubling every 5 years from 65 to 90 years old.

Anticipating the significantly increased number of older adults with dementia who will require specialized care by family and healthcare professionals, the State of Illinois passed the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Services Code, effective May, 2019.  This regulation requires health care agencies, facilities and hospices to have a trained Alzheimer’s Services Supervisor who is responsible for the oversight of programs relating to these conditions and to provide significant training to new and existing staff on them as well.

Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) has responded to this new law, with Certified Dementia Practitioner Bonnie Leto, LSW as JACH’s new Alzheimer’s Services Supervisor.  A six-hour training for new employees and annual three-hour trainings for current employees began this summer.  JACH training curriculum covers understanding dementia, effective communication with individuals with dementia, assisting people with dementia in performing their activities of daily living, problem solving with individuals with dementia who exhibit challenging behaviors, and fundamentals of dementia care, safe environments, and managing the activities of individuals with dementia.

At JACH, Alzheimer’s Disease/advanced dementia is one of the top four diagnoses of the adults cared for in its hospice program. Hospice staff trained in this new curriculum will be able to more expertly care for patients with dementia, and will continue to be a valuable resource to family members and caregivers on how to best care for their loved one.

To learn more, please contact Joliet Area Community Hospice, the community’s choice for quality hospice, palliative care and grief support services and a proud United Way agency at 815-740-4104.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

The Caesars Foundation awarded Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) with a $10,000 grant towards the agency’s current Remembering from the Heart Campaign for the Hospice Home for the addition and renovation of the hospice home inpatient unit.  Randy Conroy, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Hotel and other members of his team presented a $10,000 check from the Caesars Foundation to JACH Chief Executive Officer Mary K. Sheehan and Chief Operating Officer Cindy Brassea. After the check presentation, the Harrah’s executives toured the existing inpatient unit and learned more about all the improvements and changes to come.

JACH has a longstanding relationship with Harrah’s and Caesars.  Harrah’s/Caesars Foundation is responsible for JACH’s paved labyrinth walk and garden that provides a lovely place of solitude and reflection for families and visitors; Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Hotel has been a consistent supporter of the agency’s annual dinner and golf outing; and casino staff have volunteered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event. Their recent generosity will provide a patio outside of a patient room allowing patient access to fresh air and beautiful scenery, even if confined to a bed.

Joliet Area Community Hospice changed the face of inpatient hospice care when it opened the first free standing hospice home inpatient unit in Illinois in 2004. Now fifteen years later, JACH is embarking on a capital campaign to add a twelve-room addition to the Hospice Home and renovate and enhance the existing structure.

The $3.5 million Remembering from the Heart Campaign for the Hospice Home will take advantage of recent state legislation passed in 2018 increasing the maximum hospice inpatient unit size to 20 beds, by adding four patient rooms; adding a multi-family kitchen and dining area; adding a larger commercial kitchen and larger spiritual space; renovating the existing patient rooms to add a refrigerator, sink, all new furniture and fixtures and French doors leading to private outside patios; and relocating nursing staff adjacent to patient rooms.

Construction of this capital project is scheduled to begin August 2019 and be completed fall of 2020.