What people are saying.

  • “The single best decision we made when my mother was initially diagnosed with dementia, was to bring Dot onto the care-giving team. My mother was resistant to this new person in her life, but we now laugh that she went from initially insisting "I don't need Dot!" to telling us in a few months: "I don't know what I would do without my friend Dot." That is a testament to Dot's skill and patience in helping people with dementia. But in all honesty, she is just as invaluable to the entire family. She gave us clear-eyed advice (and nudges) on when we needed to address my mother's changing care needs, as well as coordinating her medical care. Dot was first on the scene during an emergency hospitalization, and was indispensable in helping us find the best dementia-care residence when it was time. And all of that support is delivered with a bottomless reservoir of empathy. You hire Dot for coordinating care needs. What you get is peace of mind that you are doing the very best for your loved one."”

    — Carla

  • "My mother was showing signs of dementia and becoming very angry and aggressive. People who supposedly cared for her were now taking advantage of her. All of mom’s children lived far away. I was scared and frustrated. I needed gain guardianship and find the appropriate help for my mother. Dot was our savior. I highly recommend Dot! She helped us through difficult times. She offered emotional support, guided us through the court system, and enabled us to find the appropriate care taking situation for mom. She kept a level head when we could not. Nobody wants to go down this path but many people have to. When I share my story I say the biggest lesson learned is having a geriatric care manager is a must. Dot has found her calling and the best person to have on your team."

    — Lisa

  • "Dotcares has been an angel/magician and absolute blessing, creating an amazing safety net for a friend who had been living alone and who was experiencing increasing anxiety, confusion, and safety issues, magnified by loneliness created by covid. Dot has the ability to deal compassionately with dementia. She is patient, thoughtful, wise and focused with an eagle eye for any and all problems that surface. Dot was able to gain the trust, which we had not been able to do -- to allow Dot and staff to enter and clean out both the apt. and the house and to find a suitable assisted living facility. Dot has worked tirelessly on unending problems because they had been ignored by our friend over years -- bills and taxes are paid, insurance problems are solved, legal issues and medical and dental conditions are addressed. I am grateful beyond words for the constant, positive, kind, supportive work that Dot and her staff have provided on behalf of our friend. With dotcares professional support, our friend feels safe. Further, Dot continues to keep those of us concerned for the person, informed of progress and problems. I highly recommend dotcares."

    ~ Margaret

  • " About two years ago, Dot became the geriatric care manager for a friend of mine with no family who was in cognitive decline and angrily resisting all attempts by friends to help her. The dotcares team intervention slowly but surely rescued her from total disaster, including dealing with an unsafe hoarded home, finances, fraud and scam victimization, medical needs and placement into an assisted living facility. Utilizing her extensive knowledge base, skill set and network of competent individuals, Dot created a team of friends and allied professionals, developed a trusting client relationship, and met all the client's needs efficiently and compassionately. Dotcares dedication to their calling is evident in their ability to relate to clients, assess situations, anticipate needs, attend to details, oversee and coordinate team plans, make sound judgment calls and communicate effectively. Any senior in need of intervention and coordinated services to enhance their quality of life would be lucky to have Dot and her team as their champion."

    — Barbara

  • "Having worked with dotcares in two difficult Guardianships and having referred a few clients, I can highly recommend Dorothy Tagarelli and dotcares."

    — Edward

  • "Dotcares has been a godsend for our family for many years - from the difficult early days following our Mom's Alzheimer's diagnosis, all the way through the heartbreaking final stages of the disease. Dot is there for us no matter what challenges come up, and she brings to it all her deep experience, her wide network, a level head, and above all, the good humor we need to face it all.”

    — Jolie

  • Dotcares has been a trusted advisor throughout my wife's years as an Alzheimer's patient. Dotcares has counseled our family on all aspects of home care and ultimately, on finding the best memory care residence. Dot has taught us what to expect and how to cope as the disease inevitably progresses. Dot is thoughtful, kind and very expert in all aspects of elder care, particularly dementia. Life for family members in these circumstances in hard. In our case it would have been much harder without Dot as coach and friend.

    — Richard

  • Dotcares guided us through every stage of my Mom's Alzheimer's disease. In the early days dotcares helped us process our feelings and gave us practical tips for the home. As things progressed, dotcares helped us secure all levels of care and eventually led us through the process of selecting a suitable memory care home. The expertise was absolutely invaluable and her empathy and warmth were exactly what we needed during terribly difficult times.

    — Sandy