Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center is a long-standing institution devoted to serving Native elders and is operated by the Laguna Rainbow Corporation. Founded in 1979 through the vision and leadership of the Pueblo of Laguna Council, the center’s mission is centered on enriching elders’ lives and health by providing quality care and services. With a focus on preserving the Laguna way of life, its traditions, and cultural values, the center provides skilled nursing and long-term care to elders, ensuring they retain their vital roles as wise keepers of community traditions.
The history of Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center reflects continuous growth and dedication to expanding its impact. In 1990, the facility increased its capacity from 25 to 50 beds, responding to the community’s needs. Shortly after, from 1994 to 1996, major renovations were undertaken to enhance and expand the facility, providing elders with an improved and more comfortable environment. Administrative structures have evolved over the years, with the establishment of a dedicated Senior Management Team including positions such as Chief of Operations, Executive Director, Nursing Home Administrator, and Senior Center Manager. This leadership structure focuses on financial stewardship, workforce development, and operational efficiency, ensuring the center remains responsive and effective.
Central to the Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center’s philosophy are its core values, encapsulated in the acronym HEART: honoring and respecting the dignity and worth of all people, exceeding the expectations of those served, achieving accountability and innovation throughout the organization, demonstrating a responsibility to manage resources while maintaining Tribal sovereignty, and treasuring the community’s cultural values and traditions. The approach to elder care here is holistic and compassionate, aiming to provide the highest quality of life for residents and treat them with the same care and respect as family members.
The Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center has continually adapted to meet changing needs. It provides skilled nursing care, long-term residential support, and therapy services, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. The center also offers short-term rehabilitation services through Medicare billing, allowing residents to access specialized care throughout their stay. The emphasis is always on providing service that honors the elders and upholds the Pueblo’s values.
Complementing the nursing center is the K’awaika Senior Center, which was formerly housed within the nursing home before opening at its current location in 2012. The senior center offers a range of supportive services, including congregate meals, activities, homemaker services, respite care, non-emergency transportation, health and wellness education, information and referral services, medication pick-up, and meal delivery. The K’awaika Senior Center stands as a central hub where elders can gather for socialization and support, reinforcing the sense of community at the heart of Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center’s mission.
Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center has navigated challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic with resilience, shifting to drive-thru and meal delivery service when gathering in person was not possible, and quickly adapting operations to meet new realities while ensuring continued support for elders. Recent years have seen the center advance important initiatives, including the pursuit and attainment of status under a Tribes 638 contract, which has led to enhanced Medicaid funding and greater resources for elder care.
At the core of the Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center is an unwavering commitment to its elders, a dedication woven into every aspect of its operations, staff values, and community partnerships. Through more than four decades, the center has remained focused on its purpose: serving Native elders with compassion, dignity, and respect, while safeguarding and honoring the rich cultural heritage of the Pueblo of Laguna.