Bulletin Board Update: July 2026
This is happening now!
Introducing a new feature for readers to stay abreast of what is unfolding. Posted by: Susan Troyer Founder / Author, ABeautifulVoice.org 🌿 Member:
365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #15: Splash Water on Hands and Feet on a Hot Day
Why this helps: On a sweltering summer afternoon, the simple sensation of cool water can be deeply calming and refreshing. This activity is especially helpful if your loved one is restless, agitated, or overheated. The change in temperature is a powerful sensory input that can interrupt a cycle of anxiety [...]
PERSON-CENTERED ADVOCACY
Most Americans prefer to die at home, but the US healthcare system often prevents it
Talking about the dying process early can be supportive for caregivers and their loved ones. Authors: Karen Lutfey Spencer, University of Colorado Denver and Jane Callahan, North Carolina Central University Ask people what they want at the end of their lives, and overwhelmingly the answers will revolve around comfort, [...]
Ms. Digest for Dementia Carers
No Longer a Private Family Matter: The caregiving crisis hiding in plain sight — and what it’s really costing American families
Somewhere tonight, a daughter is learning to insert a feeding tube using YouTube. Her mother, who once taught her how to tie her shoelaces, no longer recognizes her face. The home health aide hasn't shown up in three days. That image stopped me mid-scroll. Not because it was shocking, but [...]
What is it? Remarkable!
Scientists found a hobby that ages your brain BACKWARDS. It costs nothing. What is it?
Neal Shah states in a short video: "Walking reverses brain aging, according to neuroimaging research. But...," he continues...: "Bird watching is better!" Neal K. Shah is a Johns Hopkins- and NIH-funded caregiving researcher and CEO of CareYaya. Scroll down for his 2.14 min. video. Having received reports on this research [...]
365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #14: Make a Simple Bird Feeder
Why this helps: Creating something with your hands that invites birds into your yard connects your loved one to the living world outside. Watching birds visit a feeder you made together brings ongoing joy and a sense of purpose. The activity itself—spreading peanut butter, rolling in seeds—engages fine motor skills [...]
Featured Voices in Caregiving
No Longer a Private Family Matter: Conversations with professionals transformed by family caregiving
Bella DePaulo, PhD, agreed to help us set the stage and lead the conversation for our series of interviews on the topic, "No Longer a Private Family Matter: Conversations with professionals transformed by family caregiving." She is a social scientist, author, blogger, teacher, speaker, and consultant who has authored and [...]
Living in a grief illiterate world
We don’t move on… We move forward
David Kessler is an American author, public speaker, and grief expert. He has published many books, including two co-written with psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, MD. Looking to him as a leading grief expert when seeking support, we can be comforted knowing he is well-informed and providing reliable information on the topic. [...]
365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #13: Read a Short Summer Story Aloud
Why this helps: Reading aloud is different from poetry (Way #2). A short story—just a few pages—offers a narrative arc, characters, and a gentle plot. This can be more engaging for some people while still being low-pressure. Summer-themed stories about beaches, gardens, or family gatherings can spark seasonal memories. [...]
A landmark human rights treaty
Inclusion is Not Optional. It is a Human Rights Commitment
"People with disabilities have the right to liberty, security, and freedom from cruel or degrading treatment." - The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) [...]