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Rainbow Palliative Care: Focused on Comfort and Relief for Patients and Caregivers

What is Rainbow Palliative Care?

Rainbow Palliative Care is a community-based palliative care program that helps seriously ill people and caregivers manage the burdens associated with aging and advancing chronic disease. Just like hospice, the primary goal of palliative care is to improve quality of life, and it also helps patients and their families prepare for what might lie ahead. Unlike hospice, palliative care can be provided along with aggressive, life-prolonging treatment.

Our specially trained team consists of a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Navigator, and Social Worker visits patients wherever they call home versus making them come to us. They work together with all the patient’s providers to set goals, coordinate care, and provide expert symptom relief.

Access to spiritual care, grief support, and a registered dietitian is also available via palliative care.

Who Qualifies for Rainbow Palliative Care?

While commonly mistaken for hospice care, palliative care services are not limited to patients at the end of life – it is appropriate for anyone facing a serious, chronic, or life-limiting illness. This includes people with conditions such as cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and more.

The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients by focusing on relieving symptoms, pain, and stress, regardless of the patient’s age or stage of illness. It is appropriate at any point in the disease trajectory, whether the patient is undergoing curative treatments, in remission, or nearing the end of life.

FAQs

Q: Is palliative care the same as hospice?

No. Although they share a similar philosophy, palliative care can be provided at any stage of an illness and alongside treatments meant to cure. By contrast, hospice is for people who are nearing end of life and no longer seeking a cure.

Q: Who pays for palliative care?

As with other medical visits, palliative care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans. Deductible and copays may apply, depending on your plan.

Q: Can I still see my own doctors?

Yes. Rainbow Palliative Care works with your primary care provider and specialists and does not replace them.

Q: How often will the nurse practitioner and other team members visit?

Visit frequencies are tailored to you by your needs, care plan, symptoms and goals.

Q: How is palliative care different than my primary care providers or other specialists?

Your primary care provider or specialist typically focuses on treating or curing your disease. Palliative care focuses on improving the symptoms caused by the disease or symptoms that are side effects of treatment.

Q: Is palliative care the same as home health care?

No. Home health focuses on short-term recovery and rehabilitation, while palliative care provides ongoing help with symptoms and emotional support for patients and families.

Q: Can I receive home health or therapy services at the same time as palliative care?

Yes. Palliative care can be provided in combination with home health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Key Benefits of Rainbow Palliative Care

  • Nurse Practitioner assessment in the home, assisted living, and skilled nursing facility
    (with follow-up visits as needed)
  • Collaboration and coordination of care with others, including specialists and the patient’s primary care provider
  • Expert pain and symptom management
  • Nurse Navigator

Patient-Centered Palliative Care: Tailoring Support to Individual Needs

One of the core principles of Rainbow Palliative Care is the belief that each patient is unique – and that includes their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs. That’s why we provide personalized support care that reflects the individuality of each patient.

Our team works closely with patients and their families to understand their goals, values, and preferences, so that care is aligned with what matters most to them. This patient-centered approach promises support in a way that respects their dignity, autonomy, and comfort.

How We Personalize Palliative Care:

  • Dedicated Collaboration: We begin by having meaningful conversations with patients and families about their goals for care. This can include discussions on symptom relief, quality of life, and comfort wishes.
  • Coordination with Providers: Our team coordinates with healthcare providers to make sure that all aspects of care are in harmony.
  • Tailored Symptom Management: Whether it’s pain, nausea, fatigue, or other symptoms, we create a personalized plan that focuses on relieving distressing symptoms while enhancing quality of life.
  • Holistic Care: We offer more than just medical treatments. By considering emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being, we ensure that the patient’s whole person is cared for – not just their illness.
  • Flexibility: As the patient’s condition evolves, so does their care plan. Our team will regularly review and adjust the care plan to reflect changes in the patient’s health and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does someone get started with Rainbow Palliative Care?

Although the palliative care program must be ordered by the patient’s primary care provider (i.e., family practitioner, internist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant), anyone – including family members, friends and the patient – can call us at (920) 674-6255 to request an initial consultation. Once the call is received, Rainbow Palliative Care will contact the patient’s primary care provider to obtain an order for a consultation visit.

What Happens After the Consultation Visit?

All information obtained in the consultation visit is reviewed by the Rainbow Palliative Care team. A plan is then developed and specific recommendations for the patient are communicated to the primary care provider. Ongoing communication with the primary care provider will include findings from subsequent assessments, medication changes, coordination of specialty care, conversations with the Nurse Navigator, and calls to the 24/7 on-call nurse.

What Happens During the Consultation Visit?

The consultation visit usually takes 60-90 minutes and is conducted in the patient’s home or at the assisted living or skilled nursing facility by a nurse practitioner. At this time, the palliative care program is discussed in detail with the patient/family. The visit also includes a “goals of care” discussion within the context of the patient’s illness, and a complete history and physical exam including medication and treatment regimes.

Who pays for Rainbow Palliative Care?

Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurers will pay for the palliative care visit. Though, like with a physician’s office visit, you may have to pay a deductible, co-pay or out-of-network cost.

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Current Openings

To view all our open positions, please visit https://rainbowcommunitycare.org/Employment.