Best approach to a distressed owner?

[Brian Zabowski]

I wanted to ask those who have done both, is it better to cold call an owner and ask if they want to sell or possibly speak to a neighbor and see if they could introduce me? I ask because I have a potential property that I may be able to get under contract but the lady is currently in a nursing home while the house sits idle. Just wanted to get an opinion or two on how to best approach this from someone who has been down this road before.