My client is on their way back to the rehab. Her mobility had been getting worse for the past three weeks until finally today she wasn't able to stand at all. She slept sitting up in a chair and had been in that chair for almost three months straight. I found out from her relative that she had not been walking to the bathroom with help, but she had been urinating and defecating in a brief while sitting in the chair. She was able to get to the bathroom last week. We tried to get to the bathroom, but she was unable to stand even though she was in a large wheelchair. Trying to get her to stand long enough to remove the brief was not working. Finally, I called the office and told them what was happening. I asked the client before I called the office if she wanted me to call 911. She refused. Once the relative got there, I explained the situation to her. She already knew what was going on and called 911.
This is a story about another stubborn elder. In all due honesty, I think this lady is going to end up in a SNF for the long term and will not be returning home. This was her sixth time going to the hospital. Her relative is running herself ragged propping up this client.
You can only do the best you can.
And since you are working for this family you are limited as to what you can do.
You do what you can to inform, educate, guide. But you can't do it all.
You make the best decisions you can at the time. No one can ask more than that.