Feature Article from The Whitewater Press - Holiday / Winter 2010  www.thewhitewaterpress.com

By Linda Bricco Schalk ~ The Press Editor

            
After a full summer of construction progress, the new free-standing Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Facility is expected to be completed and ready for use at the end of January 2011.

Although most hospice services are provided in patients’ homes, there are times when home care isn’t possible. Due to difficult symptoms or circumstances, the patient must be moved to an inpatient facility for care—the best option is usually a place designed, staffed and equipped specifically for end-of-life care offering an environment that ensures the highest level of comfort and care.

For patients living in Rainbow Hospice Care’s service area, the nearest hospice inpatient facilities currently are either in Madison or Oconomowoc. As a result, Rainbow Hospice Care is building a new facility in Johnson Creek, for patients living in Whitewater and throughout the Rainbow Hospice Care service area.

So while construction crews continue their work, Rainbow Hospice Care employees are busy attending to the full array of operational, staffing, and logistical details. This includes hiring and training additional staff members as well as a concentrated effort to recruit more volunteers. Even without the Inpatient Facility, the need for volunteers continues to grow, with a wide variety of interesting and fulfilling opportunities available—ranging from administrative tasks, running errands, staffing the front desk, helping with meals, providing companionship, etc. Those interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities are encouraged to call Rhonda White at (920) 674-6255 for details.

The staff is also very busy planning a week-long series of “grand-opening” events for the community. The goal is to have as many people as possible visit the facility before the first patients are admitted—not only to celebrate the enormous effort made to construct the building, but also to educate people about its special purpose and features.  

With 24-7 skilled clinical staffing and state-of-the art equipment, the new Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Facility will contain all the complex services you would expect in a hospital room—in a much more welcoming setting.

Surrounded by trees and gardens, the 12,000 square foot, free-standing facility will offer a beautiful, home-like environment with eight patient suites, a large gathering room; family room with fireplace, kitchen, dining room, chapel, children’s play area and more.

All patient suites are designed for comfort, privacy, and ease of care. Each includes a private bath, patio, space for mementos and personal touches, sitting areas and accommodations for family and friends to spend the night if they choose.

The building is conveniently located off of Highway 26, just north of Interstate 94 in Johnson Creek, with easy access from all directions.

Rainbow Hospice Care is a community based not-for-profit organization that provides a full spectrum of physical, emotional and spiritual care to terminally ill patients and their families. It serves patients with any type of life-limiting illness such as cancer; heart, lung, and liver diseases; stroke; Parkinson’s disease; Alzheimer’s; ALS; or AIDS; with a life expectancy of less than a year. Regardless of age, race, gender, faith, ethnicity, insurance coverage or economic status, we treat all of our patients and their loved ones with the same respect, kindness and concern—focusing on quality of life, maintaining comfort and dignity, and providing expert support tailored to each individual’s unique needs and wishes. Hospice services are generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance plans. When a patient is ineligible for coverage or otherwise uninsured, care is never denied due to inability to pay.

To learn more, visit www.rainbowhospicecare.org or call (920) 674-6255

Click Here for the Rainbow Hospice Information Packette