Elderly in Montecatini

As I recall the lower town of Montecatini Terme is pretty level and therefore would be wheelchair friendly. You can preview various routes thru the town by using the street view feature on Google Maps, and there are no doubt YouTube videos featuring walking tours of the lower town to help you get your bearings.
I would assume that the spas in the town would be handicap friendly but you'd have to look at their individual websites to confirm that.
Our usual starting point for accommodations is booking.com - their filters can help narrow down your choices in a hurry. For more extended stays many here rely on AirBnB and VRBO, though I'm sure there are a myriad of other search engines to choose from.

Sometimes there can be multiple towns in Italy of the same name. Could you confirm if you are referring to Montecatini Terme in Tuscany? If so, it's a thermal spa town, so it might be an excellent choice.

I believe she is referring to Montecatini Terme. I understand there is also Montecatini Alto (maybe others??).

Hi
I live in Pistoia which is pretty near Montecatini Terme...so i know this place quite Well.
Montecatini Terme is pretty Flat ..you shouldn't have problems.
Montecatini Alto as the name suggests is on the top of a hill but you don't need to go there !
All the hotels are located in Montecatinti Terme
Honestly speaking Montecatinti lost its past charm...it used to be a very nice spa town ...it is so different now ...you could rent a flat or a house nearby ...if you need any help just drop me a line ..
Marta

Will your MIL and family be traveling to Montecatini Terme from the US? If so, I would take a long hard look at how awful the flight(s) could be. Getting there will not be fun.

I use a wheelchair for distances. My memory of visiting Monticantini Terme is that the main section around the terme is quiet flat and accessible. We searched for hotels with elevators on booking. Montecantini Terme has many apartments since many people stay for a series of terme treatments. I would try to travel with as much specialized equipment as possible. Italy does nit have many medical supply stores.

There are thousands of elderly visitors, often with disabilities, who visit the thermal spas in Montecatini every year. So your MIL will be in good company. Montecatini Alto (which is very pretty) is on a hill, also served by a funicular, but there are plenty of taxis that can accommodate people who can't walk too far. It's really seniors' paradise, so she will be ok.

Watch this movie (Dark Eyes) with Marcello Mastroianni. Great movie set at the thermal resort in Montecatini in the early XX century before WWI. Great movie with Academy Award nomination (and Cannes Festival award) for Mastroianni.
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Eyes-Marcello-Mastroianni/dp/B089FMDCC8

"Honestly speaking Montecatini lost its past charm"

I'm a recent visitor to Montecatini, so I know nothing of it's past charm.

However, speaking to my day-long trip from Pistoia, I was quite impressed by it all and in particular, the Terme Tettuccio with those fantastic Ceramic Panels by Basilio Casella. Also the walk along Viale Giuseppe Verdi from the Terme to the Montecatini Centro station was captivating.

I didn't make it to Alto because I ran out of time ... NO matter, between my stay in Pistoia and visit to Montecatini I'll be back sooner than later.

I would take a long hard look at how awful the flight(s) could be.
Getting there will not be fun.

This is something to keep into consideration, given the amount of medical equipment your MIL needs.

Has she traveled by airplane since the time she is in that condition? You can't take walkers, wheelchairs and toilet commodes aboard airplanes, at most she can be assisted by airport staff with a wheelchair from the airport entrance to the gate. But once on board of the plane, those medical aides are not available to her. Once one is on the ground it's a bit easier, assuming you have van with all the equipment with you.

I’m also concerned about the flight.

My elderly mom presently uses all the medical equipment your MIL uses (along with safety bars in the shower, and a hospital bed with side rails), and as much as she loves to travel, it would be very challenging flying to/from Europe, or anywhere for that matter.

Do consider every possible situation that may pose a challenge for her.

If she needs assistance getting in and out of a car, she may need assistance getting up from the toilet seat (airplane, or public places)

You know her capabilities and limitations best, so do consider if this trip is a possibility before getting her hopes up.

You also mentioned that she gets short of breath. This is a very significant concern and I’d recommend talking to her healthcare provider before embarking on this trip.

Best of luck!