[Problems in the care of mentally handicapped adults in general hospitals]

The care of the mentally handicapped with their special needs and problems represents (despite written nursing theories and conceptions) a situation of stress and burden in the everyday life of a general hospital. The nursing staff organises their work with the mentally retarded often only on the basis of common sense without any specific professional knowledge. This analysis shows that a professional attitude has to deal with different phenomenon such as perception, communication, human dignity, but also with feelings of disgust when working with patients and being confronted with their problems. It is important to have basic knowledge on the mentally handicapped to understand their specific needs. This knowledge is essential in order to accept and tolerate mentally retarded people as a part of our social life.