The very stubborn elderly

[Jocasta2018]

How on earth are we going to get the stubborn elderly to self-isolate?
I know one couple, one has had a massive stroke leading to partial paralysis 15 years ago, various TIAs since then plus a heart attack and smokes like a chimney.
The other, again a heavy smoker, gets every chest infection going round, requiring antibiotics, and has had pneumonia twice in the last 3 years.
Both are 79.
And yet they refuse to change their ways. Out every day, doing the shopping, going to the local towns, having days out.
They have children nearby that can bring them shopping.
They seem to think that if affected, they will get the sort of treatment they received when the major stroke happened 15 years ago. If treatment is going to be rationed, with their problems, I can imagine they'll be last on the list.
I don't know if it's bravado or whether they just don't understand the situation.
Any ideas or do we just let them get on with it?

If it comes to triaging everyone who turns up at A&E, there will be cut-off points. Most will be age-related, simply because it will be clear-cut.

Every bout of pneumonia she had resulted in her being ambulanced off to hospital and treated. It was cruel, but those are the rules.

Nope. We were approached by the care home and MIL's doctor last year, and asked if we wanted her to be hospitalised should she ever need it. We instantly said no. Last time she was hospitalised (at the beginning of her dementia journey) she was terrified. Why would we put her through it now?

@IrmaFayLear it's absolutely possible to make a direction on behalf of someone without capacity, regarding hospitallisation

My mum is 71, doesn’t particularly have an active social life but is very panicked about the 4 month thing.
Surely it would have been better to start off with a shorter period? Even 2 months would have been preferable and then assess at a later date?
Though there’s no way she would survive without seeing me and DD so if it come to isolation she’ll just move in with me anyway as we have the room.
She was particularly worried about random people asking her age if she is supposed to be isolating so she’s memorised a birthdate and she’s now 68 if anyone asks 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️