LIGHTWAYS HOSPICE AND SERIOUS ILLNESS CARE
Provider Information
- Address
- 250 WATER STONE CIRCLE
JOLIET, IL 60431 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- October 3, 1990
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 73 |
| Physicians | 25 |
| Volunteers | 205 |
148
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what LIGHTWAYS HOSPICE AND SERIOUS ILLNESS CARE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Both provided directly and arranged with other facilities
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2020.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how LIGHTWAYS HOSPICE AND SERIOUS ILLNESS CARE compares to hospices nationwide.
12.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 57th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
402
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day12.9 min
Ranks better than about 57% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends12%
Ranks better than about 80% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life99.4%
Ranks better than about 92% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits57.1%
Ranks better than about 44% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care6.1%
Ranks better than about 52% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months28.8%
Ranks better than about 72% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care12.1%
Ranks better than about 26% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice1.5%
Ranks better than about 44% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)92nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$13,281 · 24th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 80.4% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.2%
- Pain assessment99.9%
- Breathing difficulty screening99.7%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids99.3%
- Visits in the last days of life80.4%
- All care steps completed98%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer29%
- Dementia8%
- Heart and circulatory disease22%
- Lung and respiratory disease7%
- Stroke20%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Support for Your Loved Ones
Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care provides compassionate support in Joliet, Illinois. They help families manage the physical and emotional challenges that come with serious illness. Their team focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for every single person under their care. When you choose a provider, you want people who truly listen. That is exactly what they strive to do every day in Will County. They serve the local area with a deep commitment to gentle, expert care. Families often feel a sense of relief once the team steps in to help. It is about making each day count. Whether you need help with symptom control or just someone to talk to, they are there. Their presence in the community brings peace of mind to many neighbors facing difficult times. You deserve a team that cares as much as you do.
About Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care
This provider has been Medicare certified since October 3, 1990. That is over three decades of experience serving the Joliet area. As a non-profit organization, their focus remains squarely on patient needs rather than profits. That is a big deal for families seeking honest care. Many people do not realize that non-profit status often means any extra money goes right back into patient services. You can find them at 250 Water Stone Circle. The office is easy to reach if you have questions about their specific programs. They have built a long history of trust with the people of Will County. Choosing a provider with such a long track record can help you feel more secure in your decision. It shows they have the systems in place to handle complex care needs. They know how to support you through the hardest parts of the journey.
Exceptional Quality Ratings
Understanding Hospice Care in Joliet
Finding the right care in Joliet can feel overwhelming at first. The good news is that you have local options that understand the unique needs of this community. Hospice is not about giving up. It is about choosing a different kind of care that puts comfort first. Most people wait too long to ask for help, but starting early can make a huge difference. The thing is, hospice teams bring their care directly to your home. This allows your loved one to stay in a familiar, comfortable space. They manage pain and symptoms so you can focus on being a family member again. It removes the stress of constant doctor visits and hospital stays. You should feel empowered to reach out when you need a hand. Local teams like the one at Water Stone Circle are ready to guide you. You are not meant to do this alone.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should never feel rushed when picking a partner for your family's care. Start by asking how quickly their team can get to your home after you call. A good provider will have an answer ready. Ask them how they handle pain management during the night or on weekends. It is vital to know that help is available 24/7. You should also ask how they support the family's emotional needs, not just the patient. Do they offer grief counseling? How do they involve you in the care plan? These questions reveal how much a provider truly cares about your unique situation. Don't be afraid to ask for clarity on anything that feels confusing. The right provider will be patient and clear with you. They want you to feel confident in the choice you make for your loved one.
Keep Your Family Stories Alive
Every life is a book filled with stories that deserve to be remembered forever. We help you capture those precious memories and lessons to share with the generations that follow.
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Helpful Guides for Families
How to Start the Hospice Conversation: A Practical Guide
Struggling to talk about end-of-life care? Learn how to start the hospice conversation with your aging parents using these compassionate, expert-backed tips.
Hospice vs Palliative Care: Understanding the Difference
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What Nearly 17,000 Hospice Inspection Reports Reveal
CMS released 16,894 hospice inspection reports from late 2021 to early 2026. See what surveyors cited most, what serious findings mean, and how to use them.
Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.