Our team is here to meet your needs.
Meet Our Team
Owner & Founder
Dorothy Tagarelli, LCSW
“I founded dotcares after working in the community with older adults and realizing there was not enough support for older adults and their families living with progressive physical and cognitive decline. My clients bring enhanced purpose into my life and I feel I make a difference every day.”
Dorothy Tagarelli, LCSW is the owner and founder of dotcares,LLC. She has spent her career working with the geriatric population and is a proud member of Aging Life Care Association and National Association of Social Workers. She is licensed to practice Clinical Social Work in NY and CT.
Personal experience with a disabled sister and elderly parents provided firsthand experience in dealing with many challenges that arise.
She not only talks the talk. She walks the walk.
Care Manager, Aging Life Care Professional
Margaret DeRose, LMSW
“Working with the elderly is dear to my heart. I find it deeply fulfilling to help bring comfort, purpose and dignity back into an older person’s life. The things I’ve learned from older people, and the devotion of their caregivers, is an inspiration to living my own life in a fuller way.”
Margaret DeRose, LMSW is a care manager/aging life care professional with dotcares, LLC. She has over a decade of experience working with older adults and their families and is passionate about helping them once again feel curious and purposeful about life.
While raising three children, Margaret became the primary caregiver for her elderly grandmother, experiencing firsthand the demanding and tumultuous tasks of caring for growing children and aging loved ones. She returned to school to get her master’s in social work in order to focus on providing quality care for the elderly. Since graduating, Margaret worked at an intergenerational adult day program in Westchester County, NY, helping to create educational, physical, and social activities to enhance the quality of life and create connections for older people, especially those with dementia.
Registered Nurse
Jacqueline DiCorcia, RN
“I particularly love working with older adults as I have immense respect for earlier generations that came before us and they always bring a refreshing perspective on a situation filled with wisdom!”
Jackie is a registered nurse with both a Bachelors’ Degree and a Masters’ Degree in Leadership and Management. She began her career as a nurse in 2013 and has experience with all age ranges. With that said, she particularly loves working with older adults and always felt a special connection.
When she is not working with dotcares, you can find her working in the Pediatric ICU at Westchester Medical Center, spending time with her wife and their three cats, or planning her next vacation!
Administrative Assistant
Patty Broderick
As an Administrative Assistant, Patty keeps the company afloat. While she oversees bookkeeping and billing, she also provides administrative support to all clients and staff implementing care plans and changes as conditions change.
When Patty is not working, she is the primary caregiver for her own mom and family.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Christine Triffon, LCSW
“I am interested in working with seniors as I found there was an overwhelming need for advocacy and support for the aging as they are often overlooked. I am committed to helping the older adult population maintain autonomy with dignity during the aging process.”
Christine is an LCSW who has worked in the Social Work field for over 25 years. With over 15 years of experience working at The Lombardi Program, The Jewish Home and The Wartburg. She has advocated for all age groups in multiple roles. Christine is a licensed psychotherapist and has been an Aging Life Care specialist for 10 years.
When Christine is not working with clients, she is mindful to enjoy yoga and exercise as she balances her busy family life.
Director of Marketing
Shannon Savva
“I started my career with the senior population over 20 years ago. Bringing peace and calm to the elderly has given me a sense of accomplishment and I’ve been blessed to help so many families through the years.”
Shannon is part of our much-needed support staff and takes on many roles helping to run the business and provides companionship and care management as needed. She brings her art background and 20 years of experience in working as a Recreation Director in a memory unit to our clients to enhance their lives and bring them joy through cognitive enrichment and engagement.
Dementia Coach
Donna Sangi-Vallario
Donna is a Dementia Coach at dotcares, LLC. Her passion is to effect change in the manner care is delivered. Donna has held positions as a Memory Care Director at an area assisted living plus Director of Adult Day Centers. As a Dementia Coach, she shares her expertise in effective caregiving practices for people diagnosed with dementia and one that recognizes and gives considerable attention to the needs of the care partners.
Domestic Engineer
Rob Rodriquez
“As a retired Police Officer I am no stranger to public service and working with the disenfranchised. I also have firsthand knowledge of what it is like to have a parent with Alzheimer’s Disease. For these reasons, I feel a calling to lend a hand and do what I can to help families in the ways I can.”
Rob has been working with Dot for over a decade after retiring as a Police Officer. He has brought an empathy and understanding to dotcares in working with this population. Rob is available for moving, packing, downsizing as well as overseeing projects when family cannot be there.
Social Worker
Lori Kass
Lori has spent the majority of her social work career empowering older adults and their families to live full lives, no matter the health challenges facing them. She has more than 25 years experience in healthcare settings, helping individuals and families implement long term plans in the face of cognitive and physical changes. Most importantly, the emotional support she provides champions self-care, compassion and dignity. Lori holds a Bachelor of Arts (1992) and Master of Social Work (1995), both from Yeshiva University.
Licensed Master Social Worker
Joan Knoesel
“I truly enjoy working with and spending time with older adults. I have learned many life lessons from this wise population and take pleasure in hearing of their experiences. It bothers me when older adults are overlooked or dismissed, so I gladly speak up to advocate for them. I treat all my clients the way I would want my elderly loved ones treated… with kindness and respect. ”
Joan joined the team in 2022 and we are excited to have her with all her experience. Joan has been delivering cognitive stimulation exercises to older adults for over 15 years. As a LMSW for over 25 years, she has worked with people of all ages and likes the challenge. She is empathetic and kind and has a host of stimulating activities to engage older adults with memory impairment. She assesses and designs a plan tailored to the individual and helps our client find purpose and joy.
In her spare time, Joan enjoys reading and watching old movies and is determined to learn how to play pickleball in 2023!
Ellen Wright, LMSW
“My entire professional life I have had a passion for working with the elderly and addressing their health, physical, social, emotional and financial needs. I also love to work with family members and caregivers to reduce their stress, educate them regarding resources and options, and providing support and direction. I have worked in the hospital, home care, nursing home and physician practice settings and I have extensive experience dealing with illness and disability. My other passion is my family that includes my husband and two adult children along with my elderly parents and in-laws who are navigating their own experiences with aging.”