The final stages of life’s journey are often the most meaningful, yet they can be challenging for families, particularly when a loved one requires specialized care away from home. Traveling to distant places to visit loved ones often consumes precious time when “every moment counts.”

Now, two respected non-profits – Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater and Rainbow Community Care in Jefferson – have partnered to solve this critical local need. The organizations collaborated to open two dedicated hospice suites right on the Fairhaven campus, creating a “sacred space” where local residents and their families can find peace and comfort. The official opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30. Staff, local healthcare professionals, and residents from the wider Whitewater community turned out in strong numbers to get their first look at the dedicated Hospice Suites.

The partnership was born not only out of necessity, but from a long-standing mutual respect and shared belief that compassionate care should be available close to home. “The idea originated when Brian Robinson, (Fairhaven’s Director of Marketing, Community Relations & Leisure Services), simply asked Rainbow staff during a tour, “Hey, is there anything we could ever do to work together?” said Paul Kuenning, President & CEO of Fairhaven Senior Services.

That simple question ignited a project driven by a strong, shared commitment to community and quality. Both organizations recognized they could make a greater impact together, ultimately focusing on one goal which emphasized the partnership’s purpose. “These hospice suites were born out of a shared mission to give families a peaceful, home-like space where they can spend meaningful time together when it matters most,” said Carol Brown, President & CEO of Rainbow Community Care.

The two renovated suites are located on Fairhaven’s Advanced Assisted Living Wing (2nd Floor) and were specifically designed to offer compassionate and expert care in a peaceful, home-like setting. This option is vital for those who cannot or do not want to remain at home near the end of life.

Rainbow Community Care staff – experts in providing end-of-life comfort – were integral to the rapid renovation process. They chose the specific units and took the time to “really make them shine.” The suites are furnished with a blend of Fairhaven pieces and new, custom furnishings from Rainbow Community Care. The result is an environment that feels welcoming and comfortable instantly when you walk through the doors.

To create the feeling of peace and dignity required of a “sacred space,” the design team chose neutral colors with a warm tone, soft, gentle fabrics, and swapped all primary lighting for soft options, including flameless candles and twinkle lights. The design details extended to sensory comfort, providing visitors with ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ books and the option to turn on a sound machine for the peaceful sounds of a thunderstorm or waves crashing in the ocean.

“Since patient comfort is the priority and often requires a hospital bed, our philosophy was simple: Every detail surrounding the bed—from the quilt to the soft throw blankets—was chosen to provide warmth and create a truly comfortable, inviting space,” said Angie Zastrow, Rainbow’s Senior Director of Hospice Services. “That’s the peace we were hoping for as we created this space—the peace you get when you sit back in the recliner, close your eyes for a moment and just take in the moment, knowing your loved one is safe and well-cared for.”

“The word sacred means a lot to many,” Kuenning stated. “It really takes away a lot of the business stuff and gets right down to the heart of what we’re there for and why we’re there. You walk in and you just feel at home and comfortable instantly.”

The community reaction has been extremely positive, with visitors moved by the beautiful, non-institutional design. Visitors who have experienced hospice services previously have also been moved by suites.

“We’ve had folks who have been served by us previously or have had loved ones in hospice services and that have walked in the room and said I wish we would have had something like this when my family member was passing away.” Kuenning said.

The design of the new suites deliberately emphasizes a comfortable, residential atmosphere, drawing a parallel to the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek. This ensures the space is a beautiful, home-like, and state-of-the-art environment. The Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center, an 8-bed facility in Johnson Creek, has served over 2,500 patients since 2011, providing care for those experiencing a significant medical crisis or offering families a break from the rigors of caregiving at home. The suites offer families peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are surrounded by compassionate and expert care in a serene, home-like setting.

This partnership is about more than just physical space. It’s about a shared vision for community health. The collaboration will extend into educational programming and learning opportunities, helping families and community members “better understand how to live well as we age and become seriously ill.”

Rainbow Community Care, which rebranded in 2024 with a mission of “Enriching Lives Throughout Aging, Illness, and Loss,” offers a broad range of programs like Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Community Grief Support, Advance Care Planning, Friends in Action, and Community Healthy Ministry. This makes them an ideal partner for Fairhaven to enhance local resources.

“For more than 35 years, Rainbow has cared for local families facing serious illness and Fairhaven has long been a trusted home for seniors in this region. We both believe that compassionate care should be available close to home, provided by people who live and serve right here.” Brown said.

Looking ahead, Fairhaven and Rainbow hope to continue strengthening this relationship, potentially utilizing additional suites in the future if the opportunity arises “to serve more people in our community, even better.” Rainbow Community Care also hopes to invest in similar suites with other trusted partners throughout their service area to ensure local access to quality options. The launch of the suites has already piqued significant curiosity, setting the stage for more conversations about compassionate, local care.

ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE
Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

ABOUT FAIRHAVEN
Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater, WI is a non-profit Life Plan community founded in 1962. Their goal is to help their residents be as independent and active as possible through safety, conveniences, and amenities of a retirement community while also offering the full range of excellent health care services to support one’s health care needs. Their residents value friendship, independence, quality care, and a healthy, active lifestyle.