Mental retardation is a condition of both clinical and social importance. It is characterized by limitations in performance that result from significant impairments in measured intelligence and adaptive behaviour.
Mental retardation is defined as:
* Significantly sub average general intellectual functioning (IQ below 70)
* Significantly deficit or impairment in adaptive functioning
*Which manifests during the period of development (before 18 years of age)
Types
• Mild mental retardation (IQ 50 – 70) 85% of the total mental retardation
• Moderate MR –(IQ 35 – 49) 12% of the total MR. Most of them can talk and learn
• Severe MR(IQ 20 – 34) 7% of the total MR.
Only few of them learn to care for themselves completely
Responsibilities of home health nurse in care of the mentally retarded
Primary prevention
* Good antenatal check – up
* Improving socio – economic status
* Education
* Facilitating research to identify the genetic counselling cause
Secondary level
* Early detection of defects and correction
* Prevention of child abuse and sexual abuse
Tertiary prevention
* Treatment of physical and psychological problems
* Behaviour modification
* Physiotherapy to treat the rehabilitation disability
Effects of MR on the family
* Distress
*Depression, guilty feeling
* Over indulgence
*Social problems
*Marital disharmony
* Dissatisfaction about medical and social services
