While the end of life is the only predictable event for everyone, the topic is often avoided until absolutely necessary. The team at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care understands this reality, and believes that education and preparation for end-of-life care can often lead to a more comforting experience when the time comes. For more than 25 years, Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care has provided comfort, care and support to members of the Chicago community facing the reality of losing a loved one. Through earlier preparation, patients and families will find themselves better able to navigate this difficult time.
Rainbow’s Destiny
Rainbow was founded in 1981 by Betty Brosius, who faced her husband’s end-of-life care in their home by herself, after he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Following his death, Betty collaborated with members of her community to provide support for others facing the same challenge. Her desire to provide in-home care for patients, and her belief that no one should have to face death alone, led to the founding of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. The name, “Rainbow” came from a church sermon about Noah, from the book of Genesis. The story indicated that no matter how terrible the storm, things will eventually get better, evidenced by a rainbow once the storm passes.
In 1996, Pat Ahern became President and Chief Executive Officer of Rainbow Hospice. “After coming to Rainbow Hospice, I quickly realized that I had always been preparing for this job,” said Pat. “Before my career here, I was a clinical nurse, working with critical care and trauma victims. While spending time with AIDS and cancer patients, I learned about hospice care. I always wanted to be involved in something truly meaningful to the community and to myself, and Rainbow made that possible.” As one of her first projects, Pat worked with the staff and volunteers to craft the organization’s vision, which is, “to enhance the community’s ability to navigate end-of-life experiences through growth, innovation and diversification. At Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, we understand that although everyone cannot be cured, anyone can heal,” Pat said.
“Our mission is to enable people to live with dignity and hope while coping with loss and the end of life,” shared Pat. “This is evident not only through the work of executive management, but through Rainbow’s 235 employees and nearly 400 volunteers.” As a federal standard, 5% of direct patient care hours at hospice and palliative care organizations must come from volunteers. The volunteer hours at Rainbow nearly triple the requirement, at 14%. “We are very proud of our team at Rainbow. Not only do we have extremely dedicated volunteers, but during the past year, there has been zero turnover for home health aides. That is nearly the same for our nurses.”
Music and Good Mourning
Through community support and a dedicated staff, Rainbow offers a variety of best in class therapy options during end-of-life care and bereavement support following the loss of a loved one. Unique programs at Rainbow Hospice include music, massage and pet therapies, the LIFE Institute (Leading Innovators For end-of-life Education) and the Good Mourning program for children, teens and their families.
Music therapy makes a significant contribution to hospice and palliative care patients. When played for patients, music can elicit positive emotions and unlock memories from the past. Rainbow Hospice employs full-time music therapists, dedicated to providing an integrative form of care to patients. Massage therapists are also on staff at Rainbow to provide touch therapy, triggering relaxation and providing a holistic approach to treatment.
“We place a great deal of emphasis on educating patients and the community about hospice care and coping with the end of life,” shared Pat. “One of our incredible resources is the LIFE Institute, providing education and community outreach for those dealing with loss.” The LIFE Institute was developed in 2001 as a response to the need for education among professionals and the public to better understand the benefits of hospice and bereavement services. The LIFE Institute provides education relative to nearly 50 topics, including the cost of care, dealing with pain, bereaved children and the stages of mourning.
The grieving process is unique for every individual, with varied timelines and range of emotions. Rainbow Hospice provides a safe and comfortable atmosphere for bereaved individuals, families and communities. David Samson, Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Rainbow Hospice shared, “The Good Mourning Family Camp helps children and teens develop a vocabulary for their feelings, creates a safe place and safe ways to express those feelings, and reassures these children and families that they are not alone in their loss.” Samson went on to explain that, “during camp, each family creates a quilt square illustrating the life and personality of their loved one.” Following the camp, the squares are sewn together by a Rainbow Hospice volunteer into a quilt honoring the life and loss of the individuals.
Lighting the Community
“Just as we provide support to the local community, we invite and rely on the support of the community in return,” shared David. “Rainbow is a non-profit hospice, so our annual Angels Ball provides significant funding for our Good Mourning program, additional bereavement services and our general operating expenses.” Averaging 650 attendees and featuring a silent auction, the Angels Ball provides valuable support for Rainbow Hospice and allows educational programs such as the LIFE Institute to expand.
Through the generosity of the community and local businesses, the Rainbow Hospice Ark was built. Appropriately named, the Ark provides a safe, gentle place for someone in the midst of a storm. The 15 private-bed facility invites families to spend the night and make themselves at home. In fact, a fireplace, television, board games, children’s play room and freshly baked treats are features of the Ark. “An inpatient unit, a seven-year dream of ours, was completed in 2007,” shared Pat. “Through generous community support, the construction time and most of the furnishings were donated to us. We were extremely fortunate to develop such a wonderful facility without taking on debt.”
Through Rain or Shine
In 2005, Pat Ahern and David Samson were introduced to The Horton Group. “We were referred to The Horton Group through another palliative care organization, and have been pleased with our decision since day one,” said Pat. “Horton responds to our requests quickly, provides honest answers and understands our unique industry. Although I consider myself to be a hospice and palliative care expert, the team at Horton understands our industry nearly as well as I do. Without them as a business partner, we would not have had the courage to take on a project like our inpatient unit, Rainbow Hospice Ark.”
Over the Rainbow
As the general population ages, hospice and palliative care will become even more prominent. “We are currently researching whether the community needs, and can sustain, a hospice residence,” shared David. “While similar to the Ark in terms of inpatient care, this new location would provide a place to live for patients with terminal diagnoses. The campus would also accommodate community support groups and additional staff.” Through philanthropic assistance, Rainbow Hospice will take on this project if it is what the community needs. Regardless of the next step, Rainbow Hospice continues to provide best in class care to patients and those left behind, through any storm.