I started Zaggo, a nonprofit organization, to help patients and family caregivers manage illnesses and injuries, after caring for my teenage son Zachary during his 27-month battle with terminal brain Cancer. My Caregiving experience led to a passion for helping patients and family caregivers be engaged, empowered members of their medical teams to help them get the best healthcare and outcomes possible.
I have won several awards for my work, including a recent "Visionary Award" from Caregiving.com, and a "Website of the Year Caring Award" from Caregiving Years Training Academy.
Recent Content
Dementia is a destructive illness that affects millions of people around the world. It can be very challenging and complex for those with dementia and their loved ones. Hospice care for dementia patie…
Dementia is a destru…
Dementia is a destructive illness that affects millions of people around the world. It can be very challenging and complex for those with dementia and their loved ones. Hospice care for dementia patients can address the needs of patients and their families, making this difficult time a bit easier for everyone. Read below to learn more about hospice care for dementia patients: what it is, when it’s time to consider hospice, the benefits of in-home hospice care for dementia patients, and more. Continue reading Hospice Care for Dementia Patients – Everything You Need to Know at ZaggoCare.
Did you know that some patients can get their IV medications at home? Or are you already getting IV infusions at home? Certainly, home-based IV infusions are considerably more convenient than going to…
Did you know that so…
Did you know that some patients can get their IV medications at home? Or are you already getting IV infusions at home? Certainly, home-based IV infusions are considerably more convenient than going to a hospital or clinic. But do you know the home infusion Therapy risks and rewards? How can you reduce your risk of harm? Should you consider receiving treatments through infusions at home? What is home infusion therapy? When you undergo infusion therapy, you receive drugs or biologicals (a therapeutic substance derived from biological sources) through a needle or catheter inserted into your arm o…
No one likes the idea of staying in the hospital. It can feel scary and lonely. Plus, you face exposure to germs and a lack of privacy. Fortunately, some patients can now get hospital care at home thr…
No one likes the ide…
No one likes the idea of staying in the hospital. It can feel scary and lonely. Plus, you face exposure to germs and a lack of privacy. Fortunately, some patients can now get hospital care at home through hospital at home programs. Before we dive into getting hospital-level care at home, it’s important to understand the different kinds of medical care you can get at home. Basically, there are four kinds of medical care you can receive at home:Home health services for which a healthcare professional comes to your home to help you manage a chronic illness or injury.Continue reading How Can…
Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to Travel to a doctor’s office for medical care? What if you could recover from an illness or injury at home instead of staying in a hospital? Interesting…
Wouldn’t it be gre…
Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to travel to a doctor’s office for medical care? What if you could recover from an illness or injury at home instead of staying in a hospital? Interestingly, in some cases, you can receive a wide range of medical care services at home. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and can be just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled Nursing facility. Continue reading Can You Get Your Medical Care at Home? at ZaggoCare.
Managing chronic fatigue syndrome can feel like a constant challenge. The origins of the condition are unclear, there’s no definitive test for diagnosis, and effective medications to alleviate the f…
Managing chronic fat…
Managing chronic fatigue syndrome can feel like a constant challenge. The origins of the condition are unclear, there’s no definitive test for diagnosis, and effective medications to alleviate the fatigue are not available. The combination of pain, exhaustion, and uncertainty can lead to feelings of frustration and helplessness. However, one aspect you can take charge of is actively seeking strategies to manage your symptoms. You might be thinking, “That’s easier said than done.” However, we are here to offer support. Continue reading 8 Tips for Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Zag…
For the average person, it’s logical to assume that the success of medical treatment mainly depends on the patient’s physical health and how they respond to treatments. Treatments mostly appear to…
For the average pers…
For the average person, it’s logical to assume that the success of medical treatment mainly depends on the patient’s physical health and how they respond to treatments. Treatments mostly appear to be an interplay between medication, medical procedures and illness. In reality, physical health is closely connected to a person’s psychological state — the mind and body are deeply intertwined. With that in mind, you’d be surprised how unresolved Trauma can complicate medical treatment and to what extent. Continue reading How Unresolved Trauma Can Complicate Medical Care at ZaggoCare.
I think it’s safe to say we all hope the doctors we use and the hospitals we got to have our best interests in mind. Certainly, we hope our doctors listen to us, carefully diagnose what ails us, and…
I think it’s safe …
I think it’s safe to say we all hope the doctors we use and the hospitals we got to have our best interests in mind. Certainly, we hope our doctors listen to us, carefully diagnose what ails us, and develop treatment plans that will help us be as healthy as possible. And we hope our hospitals have adequate, well-trained staff who can meet our needs. Simply put, our healthcare providers should do their best without considering about how much Money we will make them. Continue reading Can You Trust Private Equity Owned Hospitals and Healthcare Providers? at ZaggoCare.
When you or a loved one has a Stroke, you face a journey of challenges. Strokes can leave survivors with weakness, pain, swallowing difficulties, and other physical symptoms. Additionally, strokes can…
When you or a loved …
When you or a loved one has a stroke, you face a journey of challenges. Strokes can leave survivors with weakness, pain, swallowing difficulties, and other physical symptoms. Additionally, strokes can also affect how stroke survivors use their brains to talk, read, write, learn, understand, and remember. However, you should not lose hope, because stroke survivors can have meaningful, joy-filled lives. Recovering from a stroke may not be easy, but with time, new routines become second nature. Continue reading Tips for Recovering from a Stroke at ZaggoCare.
Unsurprisingly, no one wants to have a stroke. And we don’t want our loved ones to have a stroke. Stroke, a leading cause of death and disability in the US, is a medical emergency that requires imm…
Unsurprisingly, no o…
Unsurprisingly, no one wants to have a stroke. And we don’t want our loved ones to have a stroke. Stroke, a leading cause of death and disability in the US, is a medical emergency that requires immediate care. The more you know about strokes, the better your chances of receiving immediate medical care, which can significantly improve the outcome for yourself or a loved one. Know about strokes: What is a stroke? Continue reading What You Need to Know About Strokes at ZaggoCare.
When diagnosed with cancer, you face a range of challenges – physical and emotional. Did you know that Yoga can help cancer patients feel better? Yoga offers a holistic approach to healing, incorpor…
When diagnosed with …
When diagnosed with cancer, you face a range of challenges – physical and emotional. Did you know that yoga can help cancer patients feel better? Yoga offers a holistic approach to healing, incorporating not just physical postures, but also breathing techniques, Meditation, and mindfulness practices. These elements can reduce inflammation and enhance overall well-being. Additionally, yoga can help you reduce the Depression, Anxiety, and fatigue commonly experienced during cancer treatment. And it can improve Sleep! Continue reading Yoga Can Help Cancer Patients at ZaggoCare.
Have you heard of osteopathic doctors (DOs)? Can you trust osteopathic doctors? Do they have the same qualifications as medical doctors (MDs)? Importantly, in the US there are two types of medicine (a…
Have you heard of os…
Have you heard of osteopathic doctors (DOs)? Can you trust osteopathic doctors? Do they have the same qualifications as medical doctors (MDs)? Importantly, in the US there are two types of medicine (and medical schools): allopathic and osteopathic. Allopathic* schools provide a traditional medical curriculum, focusing on treating symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, and/or surgery. Graduates of allopathic schools use the title of Doctor of Medicine, or MD. Continue reading Can you Trust Osteopathic Doctors? at ZaggoCare.
Dealing with depression and anxiety is not uncommon after suffering a traumatic injury. Overcoming these Mental Health issues requires courage, compassion, and commitment. Also, communicating openly w…
Dealing with depress…
Dealing with depression and anxiety is not uncommon after suffering a traumatic injury. Overcoming these mental health issues requires courage, compassion, and commitment. Also, communicating openly with doctors about feelings is highly important in healing. The road to recovering emotional stability may feel long and challenging at times. However, taking small, consistent steps to seek support, build resilience, and move forward each day will lead to progress. With effort, overcoming anxiety and depression after a traumatic injury is possible. Continue reading Managing Anxiety and Depression …
It’s very scary to learn you have breast cancer. Certainly, you worry if this will lead to your death. But it’s also natural to worry about what treatments you will need, how you will tolerate the…
It’s very scary to…
It’s very scary to learn you have breast cancer. Certainly, you worry if this will lead to your death. But it’s also natural to worry about what treatments you will need, how you will tolerate them, and what your body will look like after treatment. If you have breast cancer, you may be considering a mastectomy (surgery to remove all or some of your breast tissue). Or if you have a high risk of breast cancer (e.g., have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene), you want to remove your breasts to avoid cancer. Continue reading Tips for a Smooth Recovery from a Mastectomy at ZaggoCare.
Getting a cancer diagnosis is probably one of the scariest things that can happen to a person. Certainly, you worry if cancer will take your life. And you worry if you will be able to tolerate the tre…
Getting a cancer dia…
Getting a cancer diagnosis is probably one of the scariest things that can happen to a person. Certainly, you worry if cancer will take your life. And you worry if you will be able to tolerate the treatments, including the potential impact on the quality of your life. Fortunately, advances in research have improved cancer treatments, providing patients with treatments unavailable years ago. However, all the options can make it overwhelming to choose a cancer treatment. Continue reading How to Choose a Cancer Treatment at ZaggoCare.
No one enjoys spending time with someone who is a “pain in the neck”. Nor do we like doing a task we consider “a pain in the neck”. Despite the annoyances caused by these types of situations, …
No one enjoys spendi…
No one enjoys spending time with someone who is a “pain in the neck”. Nor do we like doing a task we consider “a pain in the neck”. Despite the annoyances caused by these types of situations, there is a serious pain in the neck that can cause serious health issues. Neck instability between the C1 and C2 joint, referred to as atlantoaxial instability (AAI), can cause an array of health problems, ranging from mild to severe. Continue reading How to Manage Neck Joint Instability at ZaggoCare.
Hearing a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is scary. Whether you’re the patient or a family member, it’s overwhelming. Certainly, you worry about what your future holds. Will Parkinson’s make it …
Hearing a Parkinson…
Hearing a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is scary. Whether you’re the patient or a family member, it’s overwhelming. Certainly, you worry about what your future holds. Will Parkinson’s make it impossible to work, walk, function independently? How will it impact your family? The tips in this blog for managing Parkinson’s disease can make it easier for patients and family caregivers dealing with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Conti…
Certainly, getting a cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest moments of life. You worry about your chance of survival and the impact cancer will have on you and your family. Additionally, it’s natur…
Certainly, getting a…
Certainly, getting a cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest moments of life. You worry about your chance of survival and the impact cancer will have on you and your family. Additionally, it’s natural to worry about how you will manage possible treatment side effects. Before treatment can begin, you and your doctor will discuss available options. Importantly, your treatment options will depend on your type of cancer, if it has spread and where, and your overall health. Continue reading Understanding Cancer Treatment Options at ZaggoCare.
Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, and one of the most daunting is receiving a serious medical diagnosis. Whether it’s a chronic illness, a life-threatening condition, or a rare disease, …
Life can throw unexp…
Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, and one of the most daunting is receiving a serious medical diagnosis. Whether it’s a chronic illness, a life-threatening condition, or a rare disease, such news can be overwhelming, leaving individuals and their loved ones grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. Coping with a serious diagnosis is difficult for patients and family caregivers. It will likely affect every aspect of your life. However, it’s critical to stay focused so you can make informed decisions, manage Stress, and maintain some semblance of normalcy. Continue reading Tips f…