About
Debra D. Feldman & Associates, Ltd. is comprised of licensed social workers and health care professionals with extensive experience in care management, and a broad range of connections within the local community. Debra and her colleagues pride themselves on offering compassionate care for seniors and expert support for families. Our professionals act as liaisons and advocate for those who are not in the position to do so.
We provide services which are tailored to our client’s needs. After a thorough evaluation of our clients’ mental and emotional status and their ability to manage daily living activities, a care plan is developed and implemented by our professionals. Every detail is carefully monitored to ensure quality and individualized care.
Debra Feldman is a licensed and insured clinical social worker. She received her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in December, 1984, and her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Washington University in St. Louis in May, 1983.
Trained as a social worker, Debra began her career as an Aging Life Care® Manager in 1988, and in 1991, she established her own company, Debra D. Feldman & Associates, Ltd.
Debra acquired her Certification as a Care Manager through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers in 1998. She is a member of the Aging Life Care® Association and a Fellow of the Leadership Academy of Aging Life Care Association.
Debra is a Past President of the Board of Directors (2022) for the Aging Life Care Association. She is past Secretary-Treasurer (2020) and served two years (2018, 2019) on the Aging Life Care Association Board. In addition, she served two consecutive terms as President of the Midwest Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association (2013-2016) and was an active Midwest Chapter Board member from 2009-2012.
She is currently honored with serving as a Board Member (2026) for the National Academy of Care Managers (NACCM).
Outside of the Aging Life Care Association, Debra leads a monthly Alzheimer’s disease caregiver support group (2015-present) at Belmont Village in Glenview. She is a volunteer member on the Brain Health and Memory Loss Advisory Board and on the Health and Wellness Committee for The Village Chicago (2017-present).
Beth Kreisman is an Aging Life Care Manager, whose background includes over 27 years of experience as a Registered Nurse. She joined Debra D. Feldman & Associates, Ltd. in January, 2020.
Beth had been acting as her mother’s primary care manager for several years. She experienced the challenges involved in coordinating the many important aspects of care for her mom while providing her with respect and maintaining her dignity. It was during this time that Beth had a serendipitous meeting with Debra Feldman. They realized that Beth’s vast nursing experience and Debra’s comprehensive elder care experience were a perfect match. Beth knew that a career as an Aging Life Care Professional is what she was always meant to do. Beth and Debra identified the fact that they share the same philosophy of how to care for and treat older adults; showing respect, treating with dignity and kindness, and helping them live their best life.
Beth enjoys all aspects of working with older adults and being an Aging Life Care Manager. Most especially, she loves the deep connections she develops with her clients and their families. Through her many connections, Beth is able to assist her clients access quality home services including but not limited to caregivers, home health care, therapy services, and home medical equipment. She provides her clients with comprehensive, well researched information for independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing/rehabilitation communities. She utilizes her many years of experience as a Registered Nurse as her clients encounter various medical issues. Beth is well versed on the various aspects of aging so that her clients age well.
Beth is a member of the Aging Life Care Association and is a Dementia Care Professional.
Mara Heichman began working as an Aging Life Care Manager in 2017, capitalizing on her wealth of knowledge as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings including Acute Care, Skilled Nursing, Inpatient Rehab and Home Health. Mara has a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University (‘93) and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago(‘00).
Mara enjoys helping clients and their families with a tailored approach. Working as an Aging Life Care Manager has allowed Mara to utilize a variety of skills to positively impact her clients and help families during times of transition and change. Her favorite part of Care Management is the relationships that she develops with her clients and their families.
Outside of her time as an Aging Life Care Manager, she is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tutor and a Certified Professional Coach for families/teens. Mara has a 21 year old daughter, Izzy, who is attending Colorado State University, and an 19 year old son, Jared, attending Michigan State and is a long-time volunteer for the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.
Niki Fox is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who began her work in the field of aging through her graduate training at Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her Master of Social Work with a specialization in healthcare. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Niki joined Debra D. Feldman & Associates, Ltd. in 2026 as an Aging Life Care Manager. Prior to joining the practice, she spent over a decade at The Village Chicago, where she grew from a social work intern to Executive Director. During this time, she worked closely with older adults and their families as they navigated changes in health, memory, independence, and living environments. Earlier in her career, she supported patients and families in oncology, helping them manage serious illness, grief, and complex medical decisions. These experiences shaped her belief in the importance of having a trusted advisor with a steady presence during times of transition and uncertainty. Niki is dedicated to working with clients to feel supported, understood, and confident in their decisions. She brings extensive experience in managing complex medical and cognitive changes, creating care plans that honor each individual’s values, preferences, and goals.
Through her work, Niki has built strong relationships within the Chicago senior care community and is able to connect clients with trusted, high-quality resources, including home care, medical providers, and senior living options. She values collaboration and works closely with families and professionals to ensure care is thoughtful, coordinated, and responsive to each client’s needs.
Niki’s favorite part of care management is the relationships she develops with her clients and their families. She is known for her calm, compassionate presence and her ability to help others navigate challenging situations with clarity and confidence.
Niki is a member of the Aging Life Care Association, National Association of Social Workers, the Cognitive and Memory Professionals group (CAMP), and The Village Chicago Health & Wellbeing Committee.