Author Archives: Karen Everett Watson

About Karen Everett Watson

Karen Everett Watson is a gerontologist and a freelance blogger/journalist. Her parents, grown children and 10 grandchildren keep her busy learning about life while living in the Sacramento Valley with her chickens and dogs.

Making it a Smooth Transition into Senior Care

Happy female caregiver and senior woman walking together F

Perhaps your family has decided that mom or dad needs more care. It’s probably not something they want but to keep them safe and healthy it’s a necessary choice for many families. I’m sure most families also worry about how their loved ones will settle into an assisted living facility. You can be the difference […]

Listening with Your Heart

Red Phone

As our parents get older it often becomes harder to communicate with them. My parents are now in their 80’s and both are hard of hearing. When I do go over for a visit I find myself having to repeat myself many times. It can become a little frustrating for all of us. That is […]

What Are Your Passions? Share Them with the World!

Every morning during the summer, I wander out to my small vegetable patch. It’s a joy to me to watch everything grow and I love having fresh vegetables from my own dirt. As I bend over the green beans or snap off a few okra pods, I am reminded of my grannies. Both of them […]

The Power of Purpose

What gets you out of bed and excited about the day? Chances are it’s the purpose and passions in your life. Whether it’s an exciting job or just the thoughts of working in your yard — having purpose means we’re alive and thriving! The ability to do and make a difference is vital to us […]

Blended Families and Inheritance Nightmares

If your family includes children from a previous marriage, step-children and a new spouse or any of these, dying just got a lot more complicated! The last thing any of us wants is for our loved ones to be at odds after we pass away but blended families often face hurt beyond the loss of […]

Social Media and Finding Your Family Roots

I never imagined catching the genealogy bug but it happened! I blame one of my cousins for contracting the condition. When my cousin Donna sent me a stack of papers that was chocked full of family details, I was a goner. I just had to know more. I think just the thought we might be […]

Family Gatherings — Making Them Extra Special

Anytime the family gets together is a special time, even with all the craziness that goes on. So why not kick it up a notch and make it a day that will live on and on and on? I’m still recovering from a family day. We got together for my granddaughter’s birthday at my parent’s […]

Struggling with Technology

iPhone

I’ve never felt quite as old as I did yesterday when my new iPhone came in the mail. Up until now, I’ve avoided getting a “smart phone” because I had finally figured out how to use my “dumb phone.” Honestly, I do believe all ten of my grandkids could work this contraption better than I’ve […]

Honor Flight Network Takes Heroes to See the Memorials Dedicated to Them

People visiting the WW2, Vietnam War memorial

Yesterday I interviewed a true American Hero. He had just gotten back from Washington D.C. where he was treated like royalty while he visited the many memorials dedicated to men such as himself. The trip would not have been possible without the Honor Flight Network “dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure.” Carl served […]

Storm’s Coming — I Feel It in My Bones!

Storm

When older folks say this, most of us think, “That’s an old wives’ tale.” Well many experts who have studied the weather and how it affects our health are saying, “Not so fast.” What they’re finding is that weather, especially when it’s changing, does have an effect on how we feel and on many of […]