If you’ve ever called Serving Hands Senior Care, there’s a good chance you’ve already met Karen—just not face to face.

For over six years, Karen has been the calm, kind voice on the other end of the line—the one who listens, reassures, and helps families take the next step during moments that can feel overwhelming.

Behind that voice is a life shaped by caregiving, resilience, and quiet strength.

A Life Rooted In Care

Karen’s journey into care didn’t begin with a job—it began in childhood.

At just ten years old, she was helping care for her grandmother after a stroke—learning how to curl her hair, fasten corsets and stockings, and gently support her through exercises to rebuild strength.

“I’ve always felt like I had to do my part,” Karen says.

That sense of responsibility—and compassion—never left her.

Caregiving, Through Every Season

Years later, that role deepened in ways few can fully understand.

Karen has spent over four decades caring for her daughter Katrina, who was diagnosed at eight months old with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. “The hardest part was watching her go through grand mal seizures and not being able to stop it,” she shares.

What carried her through was knowledge, steadiness, and perspective. “Do your research. Understand what’s happening so you can help the best you can. There are things you can control, and things you can’t. You can panic on the inside—but you can’t show it. Any living thing can feel that.”

That lived experience shaped not only how Karen cares—but who she is.

Finding Her Place at Serving Hands Senior Care

After 19 years at the Stony Plain Reporter, Karen knew it was time for a change.

“I was getting grumpy,” she laughs.

“I needed something different.” When her daughter moved into a home, she made a bold decision—returning to school at age 50 to become a Health Care Aide.

“I was the oldest in the class,” she says. “But you are never too old to learn.”

She went on to spend over a decade working in hospice and supportive living before eventually finding her way to Serving Hands—where she began as a Health Care Aide, supporting clients directly in their homes.

It was during this time—especially throughout COVID—that some of the hardest moments of her caregiving career emerged.

At the end of her shifts, particularly with clients living alone with dementia, leaving was never easy. “It was so hard to leave,” she says. “You build real relationships. And sometimes they’re hospitalized… and you never hear from them again.”

It’s a quiet kind of grief—one many caregivers carry, but rarely speak about.

In 2020, Karen transitioned into her current role as receptionist—but her heart for caregiving never left.

The Voice You Hear Today

Every conversation she has is shaped by a lifetime of caring for others.

Today, Karen is often the first point of contact for families reaching out. And while they may not see her, they feel her presence.

“I love talking to people. I really enjoy being that person on the phone,” she says, adding that while she misses seeing clients face-to-face, the connection is still very real.

What Karen loves most about working at Serving Hands is simple—and deeply meaningful. “My coworkers, my bosses, and talking with people,” she says. “Helping them on their journey as much as I can. I really love when people appreciate how we’ve helped.” Having been part of the organization for years, she has also witnessed its growth firsthand. “It’s been a joy to be part of such an amazing company. Seeing how everyone works together as a team makes such a big difference.”

Karen knew from the beginning that Serving Hands was where she was meant to be. After meeting Tamra for coffee, she felt it immediately. “She has the same morals and values as I do. I just knew—this is going to be good.”

Outside of work, Karen finds joy in simple, meaningful things—time with family and friends, reading, fishing, dinner theatre, and trying new experiences. “But not skydiving,” she adds with a laugh. “That’s where I draw the line.”

Karen’s story is one of quiet dedication, lifelong caregiving, and deep compassion.

And the next time you hear her voice on the phone, you’ll know—you’re not just speaking with someone who understands care.

You’re speaking with someone who has lived it.

A Small Reminder for Family Caregivers

There are moments in caregiving when things feel out of your control.

When someone you love is struggling… when their needs are changing… or when you’re doing everything you can and it still doesn’t feel like enough.

In those moments, what matters most isn’t having all the answers—it’s your presence.

Staying calm when they’re overwhelmed.
Speaking gently when they’re confused.
Sitting beside them when words don’t come easily.

These small, steady actions often bring more comfort than we realize.

As Karen shared, you can feel everything on the inside—but what you offer on the outside can create a sense of safety, even in the hardest moments.

And sometimes, that quiet presence is exactly what’s needed most.

And if you ever need someone to walk alongside you in those moments, our team is here.