A 68-year-old widow has reported a series of unusual events in her home that she attributes to possible paranormal activity, while her family suggests the incidents may be linked to memory problems. The woman, who lives alone, says the disturbances began during the summer, including misplaced items such as house keys found in a bread bin, a remote control disappearing and reappearing on a sofa, and an unfamiliar pair of glasses discovered in her bathroom.

Concerned by these occurrences, the woman has shared her experience with family members, who have expressed worries about her mental health. She notes that her mother was diagnosed with dementia at age 71, raising fears that she may be exhibiting early symptoms. Despite this, the woman feels that the strange happenings suggest a supernatural explanation, a view supported by one friend who believes a benign spirit—nicknamed "Dave"—is responsible. Following this, she has taken to leaving food, like biscuits, out for the supposed presence.

In response, a counsellor advised that dismissing the woman’s concerns by telling her to "pull herself together" can be unhelpful. The family’s apprehension may stem from fear related to dementia, but occasional memory lapses are common and not necessarily indicative of cognitive decline. The advice recommends that the woman seek a professional memory assessment through her general practitioner to rule out medical causes, which could include stress or thyroid issues.

For practical steps, keeping a detailed diary of the incidents—documenting what items appear or disappear, as well as their locations and times—may help establish whether there is a logical explanation. It was also suggested to consider whether others, such as neighbors or household helpers, might have access to the home and could account for the lost or moved items.

Should no clear explanation emerge, the counsellor encouraged the woman to take comfort in the notion that the presence means no harm, as her friend believes. Support services for older adults are available for those seeking to talk or obtain further assistance.