Mechanical ventilation in the home is preferable to hospitalization for economic and psychosocial reasons. The psychiatrist can aid in the assessment of home care candidates in three specific areas: (a) organic impairment of brain function by the primary disease or its treatment, (b) the patient’s reaction to the illness, including premorbid adaptive and maladaptive coping behavior, and (c) mood disturbances. Rehabilitative care is directed toward patient participation and partial weaning from the ventilator. Custodial care is intended for those patients who cannot be weaned and whose condition does not allow them to help care for themselves.