My sister-in-law, age 82, is missing and this isn't the first time she's disappeared. She left in her car at 7:30 PM yesterday and didn't return home.
She is a widow (my brother died in a car accident in 2004) who lives with my nephew and his wife in a large city and seems to anyone who meets her to be totally fine both mentally and physically. That's clearly not so as she has, on at least three occasions over the past year, decided to drive to the grocery store or some other local destination, departing either in the evening or late at night, becoming confused and lost. Each time the police found her and got her home. Once she was stopped at 2AM going the wrong way on a one-way street. Her son and his wife are unwilling (so far) to do anything to prevent this from happening beyond talking to her, which obviously isn't working. I think he is afraid of his mother, something you wouldn't expect from a man in his late 50's. Or maybe he doesn't want to be saddled with the responsibility of taking her on errands and listening to her complain she can't drive. But whatever the case, it is frustrating and scary.
Yes, I have pointed out to him she is a danger to both herself and to other people. I've asked him how he would feel if she injured or killed someone. I've discussed with him the need to get her to a doctor but he says she refuses as they are all “quacks.” I've suggested hiding her car keys or disabling her car but he has so far not given any indication he is willing take any action. DW says I've shown "remarkable restraint" in resisting the urge to scream at him during these discussions...
The police have been notified she is missing. Hopefully she will turn up soon before something bad happens. And maybe, just maybe, this time my nephew will finally grow a pair and
do something!
