"When my aging father began a new relationship, he disappeared from my life"

Carolyn Stephens' elderly father, Vincent Stephens, disappeared from her life after he found a new partner, Iris. In 2012, Carolyn said goodbye to her father as he headed to Cyprus on holiday. When he returned, he introduced Carolyn to Iris, which made her worried about their relationship. Vincent sold his house in 2014 and moved closer to Iris, causing Carolyn to suspect that Iris was trying to isolate him from his family and friends. Carolyn became increasingly concerned about her father's mental state, suspecting early signs of dementia. In 2018, Carolyn accompanied Vincent to a doctor's appointment to assess his cognitive decline. The test was inconclusive, but the doctor recommended further investigation. However, Vincent missed a second appointment, and follow-ups were canceled. Carolyn also discovered that Iris had obtained power of attorney over Vincent's affairs. This raised concerns about coercion and abuse within the system. Iris complained to the police, accusing Carolyn of harassing Vincent and insisting that he wanted nothing to do with his daughter. The police instructed Carolyn not to contact her father again, which made her hesitant to reach out to him. Carolyn later received an email from Vincent while he was hospitalized after a fall. She witnessed Iris pressuring him to choose between his family and her. Despite being diagnosed with dementia, Vincent signed a GDPR form preventing any information from being shared with Carolyn. His house was sold, and his possessions were emptied. Over the following years, Carolyn's attempts to contact Vincent were thwarted by Iris, and she had no contact with her father for four years. In 2022, Iris passed away, leaving Carolyn desperate to find her father's whereabouts. After an extensive search, Carolyn discovered Vincent living in a care home, completely unaware of his family's efforts to find him. His advanced dementia rendered him unable to communicate effectively, but he recognized Carolyn when she visited him. Vincent passed away six months after being reunited with his daughter. This experience led Carolyn to advocate for better legal protections for vulnerable older people. She believes that early diagnosis, planning, and power of attorney in favor of family members can prevent isolation and abuse. Carolyn also expressed concerns about the new Powers of Attorney Act in England and Wales, which she fears may further endanger the elderly. Despite the hardships, Carolyn's love for her father drove her to never give up on finding him. She wanted him to know that she cared and had not abandoned him.