In this episode of Love Conquers Alz, Don and I sit down with Kristina Hayes, the inspiring founder of Waltz Through Life. Kristina shares her journey of using dance, movement, and creativity to support individuals and families navigating the challenges of Aging, dementia, and Caregiving. Through her unique approach, she brings joy, connection, and healing to those who need it most. We explore the power of music, movement, and mindfulness in transforming the caregiving experience. 

I know how powerful dance has been in my life. It truly is my form of Meditation. The healing power of music and movement for people with Alzheimer's radiates through this heartwarming conversation. For 15 years, Kristina has witnessed firsthand how dance transforms seniors in memory care, creating magical connections when words fail.

“Dancing to music is a shortcut to a person's heart and miracle medicine for Alzheimer's,” Kristina explains, describing how residents who appear disengaged suddenly come alive when music plays. Her journey from ballroom dance instructor to therapeutic dance facilitator happened almost by accident, but has evolved into deeply meaningful work that challenges conventional approaches to dementia care.

The conversation weaves through fascinating science about why music reaches people with cognitive decline—it lights up more regions of the brain than any other sensory input and remains accessible even in advanced stages of memory loss. Suzy shares poignant stories about singing with her mother, who responded to music when other forms of communication had slipped away.

Beyond the therapeutic benefits, this episode explores larger questions about how society views aging and elder care. The hosts advocate for a movement that values and integrates older adults rather than marginalizing them. “We're all headed to the same place if we're lucky enough to live a long life,” Kristina observes, making a powerful case for reconsidering how we approach our later years.

This isn't just a conversation about dementia care—it's about reconnecting with what makes us human at every stage of life. Whether you're a caregiver seeking new approaches or simply someone interested in the healing power of movement, this episode will inspire you to turn up the music, move your body, and connect with others across all boundaries of age and ability. 

Subscribe, share, and keep dancing—it's good for your brain, body, and soul!

Love,

Susie xo

Support the show

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT for quality long term care! Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

YOU CAN ALSO SUPPORT THE COMPLETION OF OUR DOCUMENTARY “NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE” BY MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL CONSUMER VOICE HERE or GO FUND ME

Purchase GERI-GADGETS® here.
COUPON CODE: LCA20 for 20% Off No Minimum

Learn more about Peter Istvan Photography here.

Follow us on Twitter, FB, IG, & TiK Tok 💜
Listen on your favorite platform 💜
If you like what you hear leave us some love. 💜

Most Recent Episodes

January 31, 2025

DR. ALLEN POWER: Reimagining Dementia Care with Compassion and Community

Imagine your loved one living with Alzheimer's in a place where they could truly feel at home, free from the fear of wandering. This episode shares heartfelt stories of personal experiences,...

Listen · 1:10:29

January 17, 2025

DANIEL CLARK: For Transparency in Elder Care – First Stop ELDERado

Finding the right elder care for your loved ones shouldn't be a stressful challenge. But for most of us it is.  Elder care is EXPENSIVE! Yet, families everywhere grapple with the lack of...

Listen · 53:11

January 5, 2025

TIM AND TANNIS ROBERTS: Echos of Love – The Power of Preserving Memories & Safeguarding Stories with EchoBox Memory Vault

Navigating the emotional labyrinth of Alzheimer's care can be both heartbreaking and frustrating, especially when personalized care falls by the wayside. Our journey begins with a relatable...

Listen · 42:31

Load More Episodes

Susie Singer Carter Love Conquers Alz Podcast

Susie Singer Carter is a multi-award-winning writer, director, producer, actor, podcast producer, and host. A versatile filmmaker, Susie is best known for writing, directing, and producing the 2018 Oscar Qualified short film, MY MOM AND THE GIRL starring Valerie, writing and producing BRATZ THE MOVIE for Lionsgate, and co-producing SOUL SURFER for Sony. During a 3-script blind deal at Fox TV, Susie wrote, produced, and directed SURVIVING HAWKING, an adult animated pilot starring Brian Cranston and Adam Brody.

In the spring of 2024, Susie will direct the screenplay, RUN, a dramedy that she adapted from the book PLAIN JANE. Ms. Singer Carter also produces and hosts the podcast LOVE CONQUERS ALZ (BEST PODCAST 2020 New Media Film Festival/#4 on Feedspots’ 2023 25 Best Alzheimer’s Podcasts). Susie is also the co-creator, co-writer, and director of the horror/comedy narrative podcast I LOVE LUCIFER nominated for Best Audio Fiction 2023 Indie Series Awards.

Currently, Susie is producing the docu-series, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE, critically needed documentary inspired award-winning filmmaker, Susie Singer Carter's (Oscar Qualified “My Mom and The Girl” starring Valerie Harper, Soul Surfer) experience tackling the front lines of our broken Long Term Care/Nursing Home System while caring for her beloved mother who, despite best efforts, died July 17, 2022 from what was inarguably egregious nursing home neglect and abuse.

Susie really understands the power of storytelling. This film promises to pack a much-needed gut punch that will force the public to look at our health-care system that is literally collapsing around us. Susie has partnered with former US Prosecutor and Attorney General, Rick Mountcastle (portrayed in the Hulu miniseries, “DOPESICK”), who spent years investigating and prosecuting nursing homes chains for fraud. She has attracted an impressive list of the most respected and staunch advocates to contribute to the film. She and her partners are currently raising the remainder of the budget to finish the project. They are fiscally sponsored by The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care which provides them a 501(c)(3) status. Tax-deductible donations can be made here: http://act.theconsumervoice.org/documentary

Susie is a sought-after speaker and has appeared in many Alzheimer’s awareness campaigns for Alzheimer’s Los Angeles. She proudly emceed the 2022 San Fernando Valley Alzheimer's Walk and hosts the WGA’s 3rd & Fairfax Podcast.