Think you have a compliance problem? Think again

“Oh, yes, I know Mrs. Elmwood very well,” her case manager affirmed. “Poor thing. She just never seems to get it right on her self catheter.” Mrs. Elmwood, 97 years old, had been in the hospital 6 times in the previous 9 months with urethral infections. “We give her a set of supplies every time. We go over the instructions carefully, she even does a return demonstration, but she keeps getting infections. Even sending out a home care nurse to show her didn't help.” The case manager smiled sadly and gave a shrug of hopelessness. In her mind, Mrs. Elmwood was the problem.