There can be various reasons why younger and older people are in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) or why they require permanent respiratory support. Hence the challenge for a care facility to provide those affected with appropriate care and support is demanding. While in earlier days it used to be possible to provide for patients requiring respiratory support for a longer period of time, today they are discharged as soon as possible to their domiciliary environment or a specialised care facility. The specialised residential area of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund is increasingly in demand, since it is almost impossible to ensure at home a technical support or an appropriate 24-hour care provision at home.

Therefore the ASB community and care centre Holsterhausen planned and implemented their own residential area for residents requiring respiratory support, where cutting-edge respiratory technology is combined with a pleasant residential environment. In addition to the architectural prerequisites the Confederation attached great importance to the training of employees and managing personnel working in this sensitive field of care.

Thanks to the synergy of professional care and intensive therapy services it has already been possible to wean numerous residents off respiratory support and to discharge them home, where they can virtually lead a normal life. Rendering information to relatives and accompanying them are also part of the important tasks accomplished by the specialised facility.

Not only the provision of care services is required but also a close contact to the respective medical specialists and specialist companies focused on respiratory technology. The ASB care unit for residents requiring respiratory support is closely working with the surrounding medical specialists and special clinics.