The JHC LifeCare team is proudly committed to providing educated, professional services to all our clients. We provide comprehensive assessments and planning, guidance in selecting appropriate care and help identifying resources for financial support and professional consulting.
Deborah Fins, LICSW, CMC Director
Debbie is a licensed independent clinical social worker and certified Aging Life Care Manager®. 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 serves on the ALCA National Board, chairs the National Standards and Ethics Committee and also served as 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, National and Massachusetts Guardianship Associations, the Worcester Area Geriatric Social Workers (WAGS) and Worcester Elder Networking Group (WENG), and is a Community Partner of Honoring Choices-Massachusets.
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 Alzheimers. 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, especially her young grandson.
Susan Ritz
A registered and licensed occupational therapist and certified Aging Life Care Manager®, 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. She works closely with Debbie in designing and implementing care plans to meet our clients’ needs and goals.
Susan is a member of the Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA) and its New England chapter; the Worcester Area Geriatric Social Workers (WAGS); Worcester Elder Networking Group (WENG) and the Worcester Alzheimer’s Partnership. She co-chairs WAGS’ Education Committee, which coordinates monthly programs for a wide range of professionals serving Worcester’s elder population and serves on the WAGS’ leadership team. 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 has also served 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.