I have been researching "loneliness, expecially among the elderly, for a book I might write some day and one of the things that is a factor for older people is that they no longer feel needed.

Perhaps this situation with Robin meets your MIL's need to be needed. I see that in so many older people. I think it starts with the empty nest when the kids we have worked so hard to make independent actually become independent and no longer need us for every little thing.

Being needed is also a source of power and people who have little personal power seem to need to be needed more than others. But we all need to be needed to some degree. It gives us a sense of security.
smile