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Author: Dr. Claire Leegard

Ileane was my best friend, and losing her has been one of the hardest experiences of my life. Her journey was not always easy, but I want to acknowledge the home health care team who stood by us. Ileane was deeply committed to alternative medicine and had strong views about her care. This sometimes made her needs more complex, but Claire always respected her wishes with patience and compassion.

Claire was also flexible with our scheduling, which eased so much stress for me. And Paula never gave up on me — her steady encouragement and support helped me get through the hardest days of this journey.

End-of-life care is never simple, but Claire and Paula’s kindness, respect, and professionalism made a real difference. I will always be grateful for the way they walked alongside me and Ileane during this chapter. Their dedication and compassion are truly remarkable, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone in need of home health care support. I plan to use them in the future for my own family members and patients.

~ Fatima

Fatima, thank you for sharing such a heartfelt message about your journey with Ileane. We are deeply honored to have been able to support you both during such a meaningful and difficult time. Claire and Paula will be touched to know that their patience, compassion, and encouragement made a difference for you and Ileane.

End-of-life care is never easy, and it means so much to us that you felt respected and supported throughout. Please know that we hold your words close, and we are grateful for your trust. We are here for you and your family whenever you need us.

 ~ The Home Helpers Home Care of Wheaton and Naperville Team

I was deeply touched by this letter from our client’s best friend regarding the end-of-life care her friend received. Our team’s collective response was also accurate. We were deeply honored to support them both during such a difficult time.

End-of-life care can be a challenging journey for family members and friends to navigate, and that’s why our team at Home Helpers offers compassionate end-of-life care and support.

Hospice care is recommended for people who are dying. However, this doesn’t mean that the patient is expected to die within a specific time frame. It is designed to make the patient more comfortable as they near the end of their life, whether the patient is at home, under skilled nursing care, or in a hospice facility.

Caregivers, whether family members, private, or professional, play a crucial role in providing supportive services. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Emotional Support for clients and their families
• Practical Support with personal care like bathing, dressing, and feeding clients. When under the supervision of hospice care nurses or family members, caregivers may administer medications and manage pain and comfort measures.
• Respite Care supports the spouse and family caregivers, giving them a break from caregiving and allowing them to rest and recharge as a measure of self-care.

The following are 4 helpful tips for caregivers working collaboratively with hospice:

• Follow the care plan carefully. If anything is unclear, please ask family members or hospice nurses. For Home Helpers caregivers, our administrative staff is also available to address your concerns.
• Understand hospice care protocols. The administration of comfort measures, including pain medication and oxygen support, must always be overseen by a Registered Nurse (RN) or a family member. Caregivers should verify all care instructions and orders before providing assistance.
• Know who to call during a medical emergency. Always contact the hospice care nurse first, then call family members. DO NOT CALL 911! For Home Helpers caregivers, reach out to our administrative staff after calling the hospice nurse so we can provide support by contacting family members.
• Practice self-care to stay strong physically and emotionally. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. It is also important to find time for activities you enjoy and talk to someone about how you’re feeling.

I provide training on hospice care support for my team of caregivers, so everyone is prepared to assist clients, families, and hospice care staff. I am proud to say that we have highly qualified caregivers who are skillfully trained to provide in-home care services for clients under hospice care, whether they are in their own home or in a facility.

Home Helpers hospice care support services include:

• Respite for family caregivers
• Personal care for proper hygiene
• Light housekeeping & laundry
• Medication and hydration reminders
• Emotional & spiritual support
• Meal preparation and feeding

I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs and create a personalized care plan for seniors in hospice care. With our help, family caregivers can take a break, and we can make life easier for everyone’s peace of mind.

Our team is honored to have received the Activated Insights – Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and the Employer of Choice Awards 2025, as well as the 2026 Caring Super Star Award from Caring.com.

Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled individuals, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Itasca, Medinah, Mooseheart, Naperville, Plainfield, Roselle, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.