The idea and suggestions of care staff about the trouble and problems of mentally disabled people

The purpose of this study is to determine the opinions and suggestions of care staff about the difficulties that mentally disabled people have. Qualitative research method was used in this study and semi-structured interview technique was used to collect data. 20 care staff who are serving in a formal Care and Rehabilitation Center located in Marmara Region constitute the study group of the research. 10 questions were prepared to determine the views of care staff. The data obtained from the questions were analyzed by induction method and 10 themes were formed. As a result of data analysis, it has emerged that care staff spend their working time in the institution by doing nursing work and routine work. It has come out that from time to time mentally disabled people have problems with heat, ventilation, ladders, building height, moisture, and the physical structure of the institution such as toilet-bathroom; these problems can be solved by removing the lack of necessary control and equipage. It has emerged that medical staff of the mentally disabled people have difficulties in medical equipment and medical treatment and these problems can be solved by eliminating the deficiencies of equipment and increasing the quantity of health personnel. It has also come out that mentally disabled people have nutrition problems such as overnutrition and malnutrition, the lack of special food and nutrition enviroment for mentally disabled people; these problems can be solved by assigning a dietition and applying individual diet program for these disabled people. The care staff have indicated that mentally disabled people have special education need in the matter of self care and this problem can be solved by giving special training and obtaining the necessary materials. It has emerged that mentally disabled people have problems among themselves, from time to time they display behaviours that give harm to themselves, to the staff and to the enviroment and these problematic attitudes can be overcome by increasing leisure time activities, assigning qualified personnel, giving special training and psychological support. The care staff members have indicated that mentally disabled people have trouble with other mentally disabled people and with the personnel, and there is not enough leisure time activities; these peoblems can be solved by rearanging leisure time activities and giving emphasis on physical activity. It has emerged that mentally disabled people have difficulties in expressing themselves, communicating with other disabled people and communicating with other people; these problems can be solved by showing individual interest to mentally disabled person and providing team communication. It has come out that mentally disabled people have problems in the matter of personnel approach and the quality of the personnel; these problems can be solved by exhibiting the same attitude to each disabled person and making the staff choice in a scientific way.