"My father suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease"

I fully appreciate the work your service provides for those who otherwise would have no voice. However...

Whilst I fully appreciate your support in giving those who would otherwise not have a voice, a way for their opinions to be heard, I feel that there is currently a complete lack of understanding on the part of some of your independent advocates when it comes to dealing with clients who have advanced Alzheimer's disease.

My father is in a care home because I was no longer able to meet his needs at home. It was an extremely difficult decision for me to make but I am pleased with the care he receives and he is gradually settling.

However, since he has been contacted by your advocate he has become unsettled again. I have spoken to the care home and the advocate about this. Every time my dad has been visited by one of your advocates he is upset and becomes angry with myself and the care staff. Today I have had an awful visit with him as due to what the advocate said to him on a previous visit, my father is convinced he is going to live somewhere else. The only person who has mentioned this is your advocate. Not only is this not possible but both myself and your advocate are happy with the care he receives and my dad WAS quite settled.

I have spoken to your advocate asking what they said to my dad. Apparently they asked him a hypothetical question about where he would like to live. Who, in their right mind, would ask a person with advanced Alzheimer's a hypothetical question! My dad has no capacity to understand. I'm afraid to say that your advocate's presence is causing trouble for me and is upsetting and unsettling my dad. A person who lacks mental capacity easily becomes worried and unsettled and I feel your staff need training to recognise that. This has really unsettled my dad and made him angry with me. I have to say I am really upset. It's hard enough having to make the decision to let your parent go into a care home without this. 

As I said previously I appreciate that your service speaks up for and protects the vulnerable but please ensure they have the necessary training in how to do this in a productive manner.

My dad is as happy as he can be in the circumstances. I only wish thinks could be different for him but they can't. Don't make this any harder for him or me please.