An adult with intellectual disability as a subject of nursing care — selected issues

The specificity of intellectual disability makes the care of these patients a major challenge for the staff, both in terms of prevention as well as diagnosis and therapy. The provision of a comprehensive nursing care, corresponding to the needs of the adults with intellectual disabilities requires a deep understanding of their needs and health problems. Intellectual disability refers to a small number of people, but people affected by it have an increased number of health problems requiring special attention and care, compared to the general population. The relationships between the representatives of the health care with the adults with intellectual disabilities should not focus only on their immediate health problems, they must be directed for a long term development and welfare of the bio-psycho-social welfare of those people. The comprehensive care for people with disabilities should be conducted on the basis of partnership by qualified interdisciplinary team of specialists.

The aim of the thesis is to show selected issues relating to the comprehensive nursing care for adults with intellectual disabilities.