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Subsection 2.

In other cases than those mentioned under Section 1, it rests likewise with the Service to cause a guardian to be appointed, i.e., if the mentally retarded person himself requests so, or it is otherwise so indicated by the circumstances.

Subsection 3.

The guardian has to keep himself informed of the condition of the mentally retarded persons and to see that relief measures be not upheld for a longer period than necessary.

Section 13.

At the request of the Service it rests with the police to assist at the initiation of relief measures, and at the bringing before the court of the person in question -- in accordance with more specified rules, laid down by the Minister of Justice after negotiations with the Minister of Social Affairs.

Chapter V. Divers rules.

Section 14.

Payment for relief measures offered by the Service is fixed by the Minister of Social Affairs in accordance with the rules laid down in the Act No. 77 of March 14, 1934, concerning fixing of payment for persons who are taken under special care according to the Act of Public Welfare. No payment, however, should be made for stay in kindergarten, schools, sheltered workshops, and corresponding facilities of the Service for the admission to which neither hospitalization nor placing under observation in institutions is necessary; see, however. Section 15.

Subsection 2.

Provided the person in question or his supporter should not be able to make the fixed payment, the rule, laid down in Section 69, subsection 3 of the Law regulation No. 329 of November 19, 1958, concerning the Act of Public Welfare should apply. The rule laid down in Section 12, subsection 2, point 1 of the said regulation also applies to children over 15 years who receive help from the Service.

Section 15.

The rules concerning initiation and termination of measures for the care of mentally retarded persons pursuant to sentence and concerning placing under observation at the institutions of the Service pursuant to a decree by court, are not affected by this law.

Section 16.

This Act comes into force on the 1st October, 1959.

Appendix 2
Training of Care Assistants at the Personnel High School in Copenhagen.

Care Assistants

"Care assistants" handle the daily training, treatment and occupation of mentally retarded persons admitted to residential facilities of the Danish National Service for the Mentally Retarded. They perform functions similar to attendants, aides, and cottage personnel in the United States. Candidates for such work are supposed to be interested in human beings, to take pleasure in helping those who are in need, to be patient and willing, and to be able to help mentally retarded children and adults in recreation, occupational activities, training or work.

A care assistant may either be employed at large institutions, or at smaller residential homes such as nursing homes for children or adults, school homes, or homes for the aged and sick; or he can, if he so desires, get a job with a hostel, a sheltered workshop, or similar facilities.

Education of Care Assistants

Young men and women with some education beyond primary school can be admitted to the Personnel High Schools, which provides theoretical and practical training of care assistants for all of Denmark. The trainees are somewhat similar to high school drop-outs in the United States, in that they have more than 8 and less than 12 years of education.

Basic training lasts 3 years. It consists of approximately 1,640 lessons on theory, given at the Personnel High School, and of extensive practical training given at one of our 11 regional centers.

Training commences with 3 months of practical training at one of institutions for the mentally retarded, during which period both institution and trainee attempt to ascertain whether the trainee will suited for the job. If so, the trainee receives 5 months of theoretical education, followed by 10 more months of practice at the institution where he started working. Thereafter, the trainee continues theoretical education at the Personnel High School for 5 months, after which he works an additional 13 months. Basic training is then terminated by a final examination.

The most important training topics are pedagogy and psychology. The aim is to acquaint the trainee with the ideas behind these disciplines in order to create a greater understanding of his retarded fellow citizens and their handicaps. Under psychology, various aspects of the etiology and management of mental retardation are discussed, such as heredity and environment, brain damage, mongolism, debility, pseudo-retardation, sterilization, examination methods, and therapy.

The trainee learns by clinical demonstrations about blood types, metabolic disorders, psychosis, autism and neurosis, epilepsy, spastic paralysis, character deviations, and medicamentary therapy. Discussions held about the background and treatment of different forms of adjustment, especially those resulting from puberty disorders, about the special reasons why physical and psychological handicaps demand special treatment. Training is given in the treatment of mentally retarded children in institutions; in geriatrics, in order to make the personnel qualified for taking care of old patients; and in workshop instruction. Frequent excursions to various institutions for the handicapped are carried out.