Susan Witus, LMSW
Owner, Geriatric Care Manager, Consultant

So who am I and why would you want my help?

I am deeply passionate about aging care and have been dedicated to serving this community since 2009. Over the years, I’ve built a team of compassionate, skilled professionals who share my values and commitment to providing exceptional care. I lead with creativity and a problem-solving mindset, always looking for thoughtful, personalized solutions to support older adults and their families with dignity and respect.

My professional story begins the first night of Freshman orientation at University of Michigan. A professor sat us down and said, “Make your advocation your vocation.” I will never forget that phrase. I was lucky that I knew what I wanted to do. At that time it was child and family therapy. But thanks to a dear friend, I later found my current advocation; Making aging and the end of life easier, more comfortable, and dignified.

Why else might you want my help? Another story. My first Yoga Teacher, in my first class, said, “Always work at your edge. Where anymore is too much and any less, is not enough.” Great motto, right? So, I strive to work on that edge in my work and in my life. It guides almost all I do, especially when there are tough decisions. Trust me there are tough decisions to be made as we age. When to pause? When to persevere? I work with the decision makers & their values, to know when to do what. No two lives are alike. This helps.

My background: I am now a licensed clinical social worker, certified case manager and certified dementia practitioner who has been practicing as an aging life specialist since 2009. I obtained both a BA in Psychology and a Masters In Social Work at University of Michigan, I practiced as a therapist for 6 years in Chicago before becoming a stay at home mom for 15 years from 1994-2009.

In 2009, I entered the world of Geriatrics and fell in love. I began with a fabulous job as the Senior Outreach Coordinator for the City of Huntington Woods. Then I joined the Jewish Family Services’ Elder Care Solutions team where I honed my skills as a Care Manager before starting my own care management practice, Directions In Senior Care, in 2012.

What do all those letters mean at the end of my name? I am credentialed through the National Association of Social Work to do case management (C-ASWCM) and also licensed to do clinical work, aka therapy, with a LMSW. Recently I became a Certified Dementia Practitioner, CDP. I tap into all my experiences and training in my work with clients. I have noticed that time has sharpened my acuity to be able to quickly assess needs, advise, counsel, and activate plans and services.

How do I approach this work? “It takes a village.” I work with a team. I network. Even those who may appear as competitors to the outside world are often my best resources. We give and exchange the latest intel and resources readily.

Choices? There is a lot of quality people in my field. All I know are people of integrity. Therefore it has been a choice for Directions in Senior staff of care managers not to take kickbacks from ANY of our referral sources. Our unbiased recommendations are highly personalized for YOUR needs and vetted for quality.

I am happy to help with any range of services that you need. Consultations, Care Plans, Counseling, On-going Care Management & Cognitive Stimulation Therapy. Please see those web pages for more details.

What else have I done professionally? In addition to keeping current in aging issues, I enjoyed sitting on the City of Huntington Woods Senior Advisory Board for 6 years and more recently sat on the COVID committee for Temple Shir Shalom during the pandemic to guide in their health safety decisions. It’s all a part of my desire to constantly assess the needs of the older adult population, improve services and plan for the future.

–Susan Witus

Anna Horyd
Geriatric Social Worker

Anna is a natural-born empowerer! Having earned her Bachelor’s of Science from Eastern Michigan University she proceeded to work in schools, vocational settings, recreational activities and case management. She lives to see the people around her succeed on a day-to-day basis. Anna takes pride in providing a compassionate and personal touch to her clients. When you call her it’s like calling a friend who is ready to listen and provide the support and next steps you need. She lives with and cares for an aging family member and looks forward to providing your family with the same genuine care and support.

Suzy Mulka
Aging Life Care Specialist &
Care Manager

Suzy has a great passion for her work and a deep respect for our seniors. She earned her degree in Gerontology and Care Management from Madonna University 25 years ago and has been working in the field ever since.  Her career began at Jewish Family Service as a Care Manager, and after two years was asked to run the Coville Assisted Living Program.  At that time communal living was considered a newer concept. The program was a wonderful success. As the Administrator for Coville for 11 years, Suzy worked closely alongside residents and their families, assisting them to live their best life. She also had the incredible honor of serving some of our Holocaust Survivor population. Their stories will always stay with her. 

Suzy has also been the administrator or director at three other facilities- an Assisted Living Program, Independent Senior Living, and HUD Senior Living. In those roles, she consistently worked as a Care Manager for all of her residents, as well as in the private sector. In this way Suzy has felt so honored to know so many incredible seniors in her journey. She has loved using her knowledge and experience about available services, housing options, patient advocacy, along with the biological, social, psychological, and cultural processes of aging across life . 

With such depth and breadth of knowledge and experience, Suzy is the perfect person to help our clients on their journey through the aging process. 

Jess Witinko
Office Administrator

Jess joined our team in April of 2024 and has a heart to serve! She brings over 20 years of experience providing support in nurse assisting, vocational rehabilitation and residential care management settings. You can be assured if you call Jess with an issue she will be prompt in her response and has a solution minded spirit! Many of her skills have been obtained through her hands on experience coordinating care for individuals that had suffered traumatic brain injuries as well as physical injuries. As our Office Administrator, Jess assures that your care is coordinated efficiently and with sensitivity to each individual clients needs. Jess has great compassion and care to advocate and obtain resources for those in need and would be sure to do so for you or your loved one.

Melissa Gadd, LMSW, CSW-G
Geriatric Social Worker

Melissa is a Licensed Master’s Level Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing social work for almost fifteen years. Having studied at the Columbia University School of Social Work, she completed her degree at the University of Michigan.  Though she has experience working with many different populations, her specialty includes our aging population and the issues related to the quality of life of older adults including depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, grief related issues, and additional life stressors. Melissa has both a Specialized Certificate in Aging and a formal designation as a Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology, conferred upon her by the National Association of Social Workers.  An empathic listener, Melissa uses an eclectic approach while working with adults in various stages of their lives, emphasizing a strength perspective.  She truly enjoys helping others and looks forward to supporting you.