Rainbow Hospice Care is a community based non-profit hospice organization serving a five county area in south-central Wisconsin. Headquartered in Jefferson WI, Rainbow Hospice Care was founded in 1990 and serves patients with any type of life-limiting illness such as cancer; heart, lung, and liver diseases; stroke; Parkinson’s disease; Alzheimer’s; ALS; and AIDS; with a life expectancy of less than six months. Regardless of age, race, gender, faith, ethnicity, insurance coverage or economic status—all patients and their loved ones are treated with the same respect, kindness and concern—focusing on quality of life, maintaining comfort and dignity, and providing expert physical, emotional, and spiritual support tailored to each individual’s unique needs and wishes. 

Rainbow Hospice Care uses an integrated team approach that includes the patient and his or her family and nonprofessional caregivers; the patient’s personal physician; the hospice physician (medical director); nurses; home health aides; social workers; bereavement counselors, chaplains; trained volunteers; and others as needed. Medical and support services include nursing care, personal care (dressing and bathing, etc.), social services, spiritual support, grief and other counseling, physician visits, and homemaker services. It also includes medical equipment and supplies and all medications relating to the terminal illness. 

Rainbow Hospice Care services are generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance plans. However, if a patient is uninsured, care is never denied due to inability to pay. 

Most hospice services are provided to patients in the place they call home (this includes assisted-living and skilled nursing facilities). However, there are times when more intensive medical or nursing care is administered in an inpatient setting. 

At the center of hospice is the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Regardless of the level of hospice care provided, family members are always considered to be part of the hospice team. Their input is valuable to the hospice staff in making sure that the plan of care is consistent with the patient’s values and wishes. And, family members can be involved in the hands-on care to the degree they desire.