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.

Wearing a Style That’s All Your Own

Playful senior couple at weakly flea market - Happy elderly

One of the many good things that come with getting older is the boldness and confidence to be who you really are. If you’re like me you just won’t play the couture game any longer. Sometimes I like to appear in denims, flannels and boots, not so much Manolo stilettos. Other times I like flowing […]

What Are You Reading This Summer?

Senior woman reading

If it’s been a long time since you turned off the television and curled up with a good book, summer is the perfect time to fall in love with reading once again. It’s like taking a vacation right in your own living room. Any place you can imagine visiting can be found inside the covers of […]

Keeping Your Cool in the Sun and Heat

Senior African American Couple Jogging In Park

Summer can be a deadly time for seniors, what with the hot weather and beating sun taking a toll. Since most of you seniors are pretty tough, you’ll suffer in the heat — sometimes at triple digits — and never say a word. But be aware: older skin is more fragile. Dehydration becomes more deadly […]

Giving Love Through Your Touch

Older woman getting a massage

As youngsters, most of us were touched quite often. Who doesn’t remember your mother’s cool hand placed gently on your forehead when you were sick? I remember momma laying me down on the counter and washing my hair in the kitchen sink followed by drying and curling and brushing and fussing. I complained about the […]

Busy Hands are Happy Hands

Asian senior woman artist sketching

Okay, if you’re the caregiver I know your hands are busy. Your loved one needs your help but chances are you’ve taken over everything! You feel overwhelmingly needed but how are they feeling? My daddy is generally a pretty happy person. The only time he gets down is when he feels he can’t do the […]

A Purpose Filled Life Through Volunteering

Happy volunteer family separating donations stuffs

Everyone needs to be needed and know they make a difference to others in this world. Our older population has a strong sense of values and one thing they cherish highly is being useful and doing good for others. You can see it in every town across the nation. Some are teaching people both young […]

A Walk Back In Time

Happy grandmother with her adult daughter

When we’re young, we look mostly to the future. In later life, a lot of our joy comes from looking back. It makes sense. The young have more future than past, while the older folks have more past than future. Sometimes we forget as adult children of seniors to include conversations that bring them satisfaction […]

Caregiving – Don’t Try This Alone!

Senior woman with their caregiver at home.

Many caregivers suffer from an ailment called “tunnel vision.” This dilemma is caused by an overwhelming amount of work and needs that need to be met to the point you focus on what’s right in front of you — more work. There’s laundry and housework. There’s personal care for your loved one. There are doctor […]