The Story Behind Tuzzolino Enterprises
My father, Anthony, was the inspiration behind Tuzzolino Enterprises.
It all started when my mom passed away after a sudden and fatal bout with Leukemia. Dad was grief-stricken and lost; just one year later, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Everything seemed to be spiraling out of control for my Dad and for our entire family.
As Dad's needs increased, so did the amount of time it took to help him. The demands of caring for Dad were at times very frustrating and overwhelming. I had to learn about all kinds of resources including at home health care. I learned so much during this time about patience, compassion and sacrifice. There were new things to learn about senior care every day. I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned to forgive myself and try to do better the next day.
My Dad would tell me how lucky he was to have me in his life. He knew it was tough on me; sometimes worse than it was on him. But despite the stress, the experience of caring for Dad lead me to find my true calling as a Senior Care Manager.
Since starting Tuzzolino Enterprises in 2005, I have been helping families deal with many of the same senior care challenges I faced with my own father. I enjoy working with older adults and their families and believe that I have made a positive impact in the lives of the people with whom I've worked. I love working in senior care and feel blessed to have found such meaningful work.
(PS – Thank you, Dad….I love you and miss you VERY much!!!)
About Nancy Tuzzolino
Originally from Lincolnwood, Illinois, I have lived in the Chicago area all my life.
I graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago where I got both my B.S.-Finance (1985) and M.B.A. (1987). Prior to starting Tuzzolino Enterprises, I worked primarily for small businesses, specializing in the areas of strategic planning, training and development, assessments and teambuilding.
Over the past several years, I have become very familiar with the wide variety of resources available to seniors and have developed relationships with numerous care providers. I have also developed various tools that have proven useful in helping seniors get organized and manage their care so they can stay as independent as possible. Often, seniors can stay in their homes by availing themselves of at home health care options.
I pride myself on staying on top of new developments in the senior care industry so that I can share ideas and new information with families and make sure that the clients I work with get what they need, when they need it.
Additionally, I believe that it is important to be actively involved in the senior community, so I donate my time to lead two Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups and also make time to volunteer for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly and Rainbow Hospice. It is very rewarding to help others, especially when they are in a time of crisis and need extra support.
Certificate & Continuing Education Programs:
- Certificate in Dementia & Alzheimer's Care—National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (August 2011)
- Multi-Disciplinary Certificate Program in Case and Care Management—University of Illinois Continuing Education Program (Spring 2009)
- Multi-disciplinary Certificate Program in Dementia Assessment, Care and Management—University of Illinois Continuing Education Program (Spring 2010)
- Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care, Facilitator Training Program (Jan 2010)
- Helping Families Navigate Through Dementia: From Early Stage to End-of-Life (Oct 2009)
- Virtual Dementia Tour (Nov 2009)
- Aging: What's Normal and What's Not (June 2007)
- Take Charge of Your Health: Live Well, Be Well Program, Facilitator Training Program—AgeOptions, chronic disease self-management program (August 2010)
- Geriatric Pharmacology Update (March 2010)
- Sexual Expression in Senior Living Communities (Feb 15, 2011)
- Palliative Care in the Late and Final Stages of Dementia (March 10, 2011)
- Care for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease in the Hospital Setting (March 30, 2011)
Affiliations & Activities:
- Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group Facilitator-Weiss Hospital (Sept 2009-present)
- Alzheimer's Family Support Group Facilitator-Sunrise Senior Living, Highland Park (Sept 2011-present)
- Rainbow Hospice Volunteer (Jan 2010–present)
- Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly Volunteer (Jan 2010–present)
- Continuity of Care Professional Networking Group-Chicago, NW Metro, Lake-McHenry (2005-present) (www.il-coc.org)
- Northeast Provider's Council Networking Group (2005–present)
- Northwest Suburban Estate Planning Council (2009–present)
- Leadership Illinois (1995–present)
- District 219 Education Foundation (2010–present)
Contact Nancy Tuzzolino, Senior Care Manager, for a FREE consultation: 312-953-3336; ntuzz2@aol.com.