She's also living in a unfit enviorment. I live with my husband and daughter next door to my mother in law. She is on disability for a back surgery a while ago. but she live with no running water and no electricity in a house that is falling apart. she a lot of the time goese with out food or any thing to drink without telling any one. she has need to go back to a doctor and refuses. im sure she has some mental and physical disabilitys and my have a drug problem. I know she needs help but its always up in the air if she is ok with me or her own son. day to day its different. she will leave and camp out in the bushes for several days to weeks at a time. its getting winter time and im afraid for her life. we live there so I worry about a elder neglect or abuse because I know about whats going on but I don't know where to start to get help for her. im know she wont be willing to get the help she needs but my husband and I are willing to do what we need and can to get her the help she needs. just not sure where to start.
Babalou had a good suggestion about calling Adult Protective Services. They can address everything from the lack of running water and electricity to your MIL's health. Once APS is involved though you can't unring that bell but it sounds like the only option at this point. Sometimes families choose to wait for an emergency to make changes but it sounds like your MIL needs help immediately.