The JHC LifeCare team is proudly committed to providing professional services to all of our clients. We provide comprehensive assessments and planning, guidance in selecting appropriate care and help identifying resources for financial support and professional consulting. Our team members work collaboratively to ensure that we are each aware of all clients’ needs and can cover when a member is out of the office.
Deborah Fins, LICSW, CMC Director
Debbie is a licensed independent clinical social worker and certified Aging Life Care Professional®. Debbie thoroughly understands the aging process and related family dynamics. She brings a personal touch to every situation, working creatively to provide comprehensive, cost-effective solutions to the daily problems that confront elders and their families. A Worcester resident, professional and community leader for more than 40 years, Debbie draws from a wide contact circle of attorneys, home care personnel, finance and medical professionals to create the right partnerships between families and elder care professionals.
In addition to her work as an Aging Life Care Professional®, Debbie lectures extensively on elder care topics, including elder care options, financing of care, planning for aging parents, caregiver stresses, and guardianship and related issues. A Fellow of the Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA), she served on the ALCA National Board from 2014-2019, chaired the National Standards and Ethics Committee from 2017-2020 and also served as the Education Committee Co-chair from 2013-2016. Debbie is a past president of the New England Chapter of ALCA and has served on planning committees for several chapter projects. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Guardianship Associations, is a Community Partner of Honoring Choices-Massachusetts and other local groups.
An active community volunteer, Debbie is a past Co-chair of the Worcester Alzheimer’s Partnership and an “Elite Feet” fundraiser for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She is a member of the Services Committee for Elder Services of Worcester (the local Aging Service Access Point). Debbie has also served as a community member of the Ethics Committee at Worcester’s Jewish Healthcare Center and was on the Community Education Committee for the demonstration project on Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and the Columbia University School of Social Work. When not engaged in her professional and community work, Debbie enjoys life with her husband and family.
Susan Ritz, OTR/L, CMC
A registered and licensed occupational therapist and certified Aging Life Care Professional®, Susan works directly with elders and their families and provides administrative support to our practice. Her professional training in occupational therapy informs her detailed functional assessments and home safety evaluations, and she has extensive experience working with clients who have Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders.
A fierce advocate for clients, Susan understands the aging process and the difficulty of moving a loved one through the care system.
Susan is a member of the Aging Life Care Association®, (ALCA) and its New England chapter, the Worcester Alzheimer’s Partnership and other local networking groups. She is a past president of the Auxiliary of the Jewish Healthcare Center (JHC) and served as a member of the JHC Board of Directors. Susan also serves as a member of the Jewish Community Center’s Board and Executive Committee, as well as leading many successful fundraisers over the years.
Susan is a graduate of Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Aside from her professional and community work, she enjoys life with her husband and family.
Nicole Kanis, MS, CMC, CDP
Nicole earned her undergraduate degree from Assumption College in Sociology with a concentration in Gerontology. She went on to earn her graduate degree from University of Massachusetts, Boston in Gerontology. Nicole is a Certified Aging Life Care Professional® and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She has spent her career working with older adults and family caregivers.
Nicole is a member of Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) and its New England Chapter, the Northern Worcester County Alzheimer’s Partnership, the chair of her local Council on Aging and belongs to other local networking groups. Nicole also enjoys spending time with her three young daughters and husband.
Felicia Vidito, Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Felicia is a Part-Time Administrative Assistant for the JHC LifeCare Management Team. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Assumption College in Worcester, MA and completed her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. As well as being an administrative assistant for our team, she also works as a Part-Time Activities Assistant for the Eisenberg Assisted Living Facility which is located on the Jewish Healthcare Center’s campus. She enjoys both roles working to serve the elderly and their family members. Felicia also is an avid animal lover and loves anything to do with art and being creative.