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 the Positive Connection in Spite of the Dementia

Two hands touching

I learned a lot while working in the memory care unit near my home. Many of the residents were pleasant almost all of the time, while others were sullen and obviously unhappy. I did my best to keep a positive attitude, especially to the ones who were not happy campers. Not that I did everything […]

Times and Places in the Heart

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, Oklahoma

We’re all so connected to smart phones and computers, but do we connect very often in quiet moments where we remember those awesome memories of our past? In our youth, we think more of the future than the past. In our later years, we have a lot more yesterdays than tomorrows and the yesterdays can […]

The Changing Dynamics in the Life of a Caregiver

Dandelion in the wind

Updated February 2026 Changes — they’re never easy. Life is all about changes and if you want to really mix it up try becoming a caregiver. Suddenly there’s just not enough time in the day. If ever you needed to be cloned it’s while caring for an older loved one. If you’re still raising a […]

Hello Spring! Time for New Passions

Tulips

There’s just something about spring after a long winter that seems to make life new. The plants wake up and the birds return to our gardens. Fresh veggies and fruits come into season for us to enjoy. We can get outside and shake off those wintertime cobwebs. It’s the perfect time to embrace the great […]

Keep on Moving. . .Keep on Doing!

Senior African American Couple Jogging In Park

No matter what our physical condition is, we all need to keep on moving. You don’t have to do an hour of aerobics a day or run a marathon but if you stop moving on a regular basis, you’re going to suffer the consequences. Having purpose for each and every day can keep us moving […]

Getting the Right Phone for Your Senior

senior man on phone

I remember when I was young, hearing my momma try to talk to my granny. She had to talk really loud and repeat almost everything she said. Regardless, my granny was always thrilled to get a phone call from one of her kids or grandkids. Even today, phones are so important to older people. Getting […]

Spring Fling Day Trips for You and Your Senior

Road trip

Do you get a case of spring fever once the weather gets nice? I sure do! It’s a great time to get your senior out and about for a change of pace. It’s been a long winter and its time to enjoy the outdoors. Why not plan a day trip to celebrate the season? Here […]

Spring Greens and Tonics

Spring Greens at Farmer's Market

After a hard, cold Oklahoma winter, my granny would often say, “My body needs some greens.” She wasn’t alone. Many people in the good old days believed in feeding their winter starved bodies with some good old greens and even boiled up some tonics. Now granny didn’t rush out and walk to the grocery store, […]

When Things Are Not Just Things

sewing machine, old

I’d just like to know — who has my granny’s cookbook? Are there things in your family from a grandparent or parent that just seem to be priceless? Oh, I’m not talking about money or some “valuable” piece of jewelry. I’m talking about everyday items that just seem to be better than gold. It’s funny […]

The Steadfast Faith of Our Fathers

Pray

There’s not much in this old world that truly endures, yet for those of us that have believing parents who taught us from a young age to love God, it is something that never leaves you. No matter what faith is in your background, I’m pretty sure a day does not go by that you […]