Abstract: The present invention relates to portable dwellings, rooms, and patient monitoring systems for promoting an independent living or assisted living environment. More particularly, the present invention relates to strong, portable housing equipped with monitoring and air pressurization systems, which can be installed next to a caregiver's home or within a room in the caregiver's home. In preferred embodiments, provided is a portable dwelling comprising: walls and a roof in a fixed exterior configuration, wherein the walls will not fail under wind resistance of up to 200 mph; a positive or negative pressure system for keeping contaminants out of or in the interior; and a patient monitoring system comprising means for capturing an image of a patient in a room, a means for remotely transmitting the image to a caregiver and having the ability to communicate only a restricted or selective view of the image to the caregiver.