...like the time he took the cast on his arm and leg, took a saw, and strategically cut holes in areas where they were annoying him. The ankle saw cut he made on his leg cast even startled him as when he stood up, the whole thing slid down, totally voiding the effect of immobilizing his knee! Then there was the post gastric screening procedure...he was craving an ice cold orange Gatorade (his favorite flavor), and the nurse gave explicit instructions about not "gulpping the fluid, but rather take sips, so you do not become nauseated"-what do you suppose he did the moment I gave him the container? He guzzled it down in a flash! (Well, OK, he had been fasting for about 16 hours, so I'll cut him some slack on that one). Oh, and when he had the big "V" procedure, he did not follow the recommendation of the doctor regarding his breathing pattern during the process, ended up hyperventilating and passing out, as he lost consciousness, the doc said "oh well, you're lying down already, so no worries".
He doesn't wear sunscreen as he should (has had some troublesome skin spots), he doesn't wear much protective gear when he's speed skating (says it slows him down), has riden his motorcycle with sandles on, and went out on a demanding bicycle ride after he called and said, "you know, I don't feel so good and there's pain in my neck and down one of my arms".
Folks, what am I going to do with him? I'm embarrassed, that here I'm in the healthcare field, used to be a frontline provider, and I can't get my own spouse to comply? I could just bop him in the head at times! Oh well, I love, support and respect him just the same, he's my best friend, and we do laugh alot with one another about our idiosyncracies.
Don't give up trying on the patients and clients you care for though....take time out to educate them, talk about the expected plan of care, medications and their purpose, encourage them to participate in keeping you accountable (for instance, they should ask you if you washed your hands before caring for them), and even though they may not be fully compliant, and you would prefer to bop their heads, show them support, courtesy and respect.