Susan Troyer, Author at A Beautiful Voice

Still, after decades of research...
Dementia Stigma and Discrimination: A Rights-based Perspective

Author: Kate Swaffer © 2026 Despite decades of research, and public awareness efforts — including the widespread proliferation of the non-inclusive dementia-friendly campaigns— people diagnosed with a dementia continue to experience pervasive issues including stigma, structural discrimination, and social exclusion. These outcomes persist not because of a lack of awareness [...]

Susan Troyer2026-01-08T20:13:33-06:00January 7th, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: Dementia as a disability, dementia-related stigma and discrimination, Equality and justice for people living with dementia, Failure to challenge biomedical frameworks, Research about dementia and Alzheimer's|0 Comments

Enhancing cognitive health
Creativity is good for the brain and might even slow down its ageing – new study

Creative experience might enhance brain health, which could slow down the brain’s ageing. That’s according to a study by a group of international scientists across 13 countries. They found that creative activities, like dance classes – the tango proved particularly effective – or art classes or music lessons or a [...]

Susan Troyer2026-01-03T23:34:19-06:00January 3rd, 2026|Categories: Creating Community, General|Tags: Alzheimer's, art, Artificial intelligence (AI), Biophysics, Brain, Brain ageing, Brain health, Care partners, Cognition, Cognitive Health, Creativity, Dance, Dementia, Global, Hobbies, Music, Neuroscience|0 Comments

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #5: Create a Mini-Ikebana Arrangement

This creative act engages the senses of sight, touch, and smell, providing a sense of purpose and collaborative achievement. It transforms your shared space with the beauty you made together, focusing on ability and shared joy. How to do it: Gather 2-3 stems of flowers, greenery, or even interesting branches. [...]

Susan Troyer2025-12-30T23:30:52-06:00December 30th, 2025|Categories: Mindful Presence|Tags: "Raise the Garden" initiative, 365 Ways to Say I Care, Alzheimer's, Beauty and shared joy in dementia care, Creativity in Alzheimer's care, Dementia, Flower arranging in dementia care, Ikebana, Novelty journaling, Novelty journaling about collaborative projects, Pressure-free projects in dementia care, Reimagining dementia coalition, Sense of purpose in caring for elders with dementia, Transforming shared space in dementia care, What is Ikebana?|0 Comments

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #4: Share a poetry moment

Poetry engages the imagination and emotional heart, offering connection beyond facts or memory. Sharing a poem creates a novel, shared experience that focuses on the beauty of sound, rhythm, and feeling in the present moment. How to do it: Choose a short, uplifting poem. Nature or love poems work beautifully. [...]

Susan Troyer2025-12-18T20:59:54-06:00December 18th, 2025|Categories: Music as Medicine|Tags: 365 Ways to Say I Care, A novel shared experience, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Developing intention via creative arts, Engaging imagination and emotion, Practicing novelty journaling, Sharing a poetry moment|0 Comments

A DRAMATIC reduction in risk
Study: Small Amounts of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Are Associated with Big Reductions in Dementia Risk

Findings suggest that even frail older adults may benefit from a little exercise We are all aware that physical activity and movement benefit brain health. A recent study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health now provides us with dramatic findings about reducing the possibilities of developing dementia. Findings: [...]

Susan Troyer2025-12-18T16:31:06-06:00December 13th, 2025|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: Activity associated with lower dementia risks, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Dementia risk decreased with increased amount of physical activity, Physical activity, Physical movement|0 Comments

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #3: Take A Christmas photo to frame and wrap as a gift

Why this matters when caring for someone with Alzheimer's: Is there anyone who doesn’t stand up a little taller when having a photograph taken? This featured photo was recorded ten years following Mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. I had photographed her many times. Why did it matter? Over a 14-year period [...]

Susan Troyer2025-12-09T21:51:23-06:00December 9th, 2025|Categories: Mindful Presence|Tags: 365 Ways to Say I Care, A musical workout in dementia care, Alzheimer's dementia caregiving, Canon Camcorder, Energized by singing, Photography, Selfies|0 Comments

Two essential traits in dementia care
Empathy and reasoning aren’t rivals – new research shows they work together to drive people to help more

Authors: Kyle Fiore Law, Brendan Bo O'Connor, and Stylianos Syropoulos For years, philosophers and psychologists have debated whether empathy helps or hinders the ways people decide how to help others. Critics of empathy argue that it makes people care too narrowly – focusing on individual stories rather than the broader [...]

Susan Troyer2025-12-08T23:50:36-06:00December 8th, 2025|Categories: Mindful Presence|Tags: ALTRUISM, Alzheimer's caregiving, Compassion, Dementia caregiving, Empathy, Ethical question, Philanthropy, Rationality, Reasoning, Religion and Society, Research|0 Comments

Writing rewires the brain
Writing builds resilience by changing your brain, helping you face everyday challenges

Writing is a way of thinking and doing. Author: Emily Ronay Johnston, PhD Ordinary and universal, the act of writing changes the brain. From dashing off a heated text message to composing an op-ed, writing allows you to, at once, name your pain and create distance from it. Writing can [...]