The Dwelling Place at Saint Clare’s is a specialized unit dedicated to the ongoing care and rehabilitation of individuals who are ventilator-dependent. As the first hospital-based facility of its kind in the state, established in 1983, it has a long-standing history of addressing the unique needs of residents who require prolonged ventilator support. The primary objective of the Dwelling Place is to either eliminate or reduce dependency on ventilators while assisting residents in achieving their highest level of functional independence. Its location within Saint Clare’s Health Dover hospital affords a seamless transition for residents who may require acute medical intervention, creating a continuum of care that extends from specialized long-term support to immediate hospital services when necessary.
Residents of the Dwelling Place benefit from the hospital’s comprehensive array of medical services and consultants, including specialties such as cardiology, oncology and hematology, psychiatry, physiatry, dental care, plastic surgery, infectious disease and wound care, ENT, gastroenterology, optometry, and ophthalmology. This extensive availability of specialists ensures that complex or evolving medical needs are met promptly and effectively. The unit itself is licensed as a specialty long-term care facility and offers 28 private, spacious rooms in a resident-centered environment designed for comfort, dignity, and enhanced quality of life.
The multidisciplinary team at the Dwelling Place includes pulmonary physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, recreational therapists, case managers, social workers, and certified nursing assistants. These professionals work collaboratively to provide continuous 24-hour medical monitoring, with physicians making daily rounds to assess and manage each resident’s respiratory status. The coordinated approach to care extends to physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as dietary and spiritual services. Every resident receives an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan tailored not only to their physical requirements but also addressing emotional and spiritual needs, with the goal of maximizing rehabilitation potential.
Family involvement is strongly encouraged at the Dwelling Place, recognizing that loved ones are a critical part of each resident’s recovery and ongoing care process. Staff maintain open communication and foster engagement with families at every stage, ensuring they are fully informed and involved. Residents are admitted based on established criteria that consider their specific medical status and care needs. The Dwelling Place offers a supportive, technologically advanced environment where ventilator-dependent individuals are empowered to progress toward greater independence, supported by a dedicated team with access to a broad spectrum of hospital-based resources.