I think you may have misunderstood the poster's question. I know what you are describing, having done my fair share of ear braces over the years.
This is a senior dog who's ear is "hanging low".
I am just reading this. My thoughts would be a possible ear infection or hematoma, since you mention swelling. Of course, this would have to be evaluated by a Vet. You could try cleaning the ear with an OTC ear cleaning solution, follow the instructions on the bottle. Only use cotton balls to clean the ear leather and down to the opening of the ear. Do not use Q Tips or put anything down into the ear canal. Due to the age, it here could be some health issue going on.
I can understand how getting a large, older to the Vet could be a problem. Do you have someone that could go with you to help? Any chance your Bet would come to your home?
Wish I could be of more help but you just may have to resort to trying to get to the Vet. You certainly don't want to take a chance of this getting worse.
Good luck.
The only thing you can do to assist the ears standing up is to buy some "mole skin." Most larger drugs stores carry it. Then you cut the mole skin to the approximate size and shape of the dogs ear flap like a pattern.