I'm guessing it's dementia.

She walks around our neighborhood and says the same thing every time you see her. She hasn't hurt anyone, but she will try to stop a car in the middle of the street and ask to be taken somewhere. I've seen this happen during the day and at night. I gave her a ride up the block once, but wondered if she would freak out while she was in the car. Haven't done it since.

I'm conflicted about asking authorities to perform a welfare check. Will it help? Make things worse? I know police have been to her home at least once in the past few years. Like I said before, she hasn't hurt anyone, but I'm scared someone might hurt her (not necessarily intentionally) or worse, she might herself. I can absolutely see her being mentioned on the news as a missing person.

Most people I speak with say I should mind my business, but I don't know if that's the right decision. I grew up with people like her in my neighborhood and I can't recall anyone performing checks on them, but then again, I was a kid...why/how would I know?

Whenever I see her, I make a mental note of the day/time I see her and what she's wearing. I told my kids to do the same and to always be nice to her. If she approaches, keep walking, but speak.