8 Things to Know About Jan Cardin

A longtime elder-law attorney and passionate advocate for older adults, Jan Cardin recently stepped into the role of board president at Jewish Community Services (JCS). Whether she’s championing JCS’s holistic “wraparound” services or getting ready to speak at The Greatest Gift: Discussing Planning for the Future, a program highlighting the value of keeping all essential legal, financial and medical documents in one place, Jan brings both expertise and compassion to everything she does.

Here are eight things to know about the woman helping Baltimore families navigate life’s most important conversations.

1. Baltimore by Marriage
Jan grew up in Rye, New York, but after meeting her husband Andy on the first day at Brandeis University, she eventually followed him to Baltimore—because, as she jokes, “When you marry a Cardin, you go back to Baltimore. It’s Mecca.”

2. From Insurance Law to Elder Law
After law school and early work in insurance defense, Jan found her calling when she discovered the emerging field of elder law. For 20 years she helped families navigate the complexities of aging, long-term care and estate planning.

“I grew up in a very middle-class family and when my own children were born, I started thinking ahead. I went to an insurance seminar just to learn more and that’s when I discovered elder law, which didn’t even exist when I was in law school. By the time my youngest started kindergarten, I knew that was the field I wanted to pursue.”

3. A True Advocate
Though she recently stepped back from legal practice, Jan still manages trusts and describes herself as “a lobbyist at heart,” always focused on advocating for people who can’t advocate for themselves.

4. Leading Jewish Community Services
In June, Jan became president of the JCS board. She’s passionate about the agency’s “wraparound services,” which provide holistic support—from mental health counseling to career help, aging services, resources for Holocaust survivors and individuals with disabilities.

“Families are starting to realize there are options beyond draining a parent’s savings,” Jan explains. “Whether or not resources are available, there are professionals—like geriatric care managers—who can help navigate the challenges of aging. That’s why JCS recently created a dedicated Aging Services department, so people know they don’t have to face these issues alone.”

5. Family First (and Growing)
Jan and Andy have four adult children—twins Zach and Max, daughter Noa and youngest son Mitchell—and two grandchildren, George and Asher. “My husband and kids are my most prized possessions,” she says.

6. The Greatest Gift
Jan will be a featured speaker at JCS’s upcoming The Greatest Gift: Discussing and Planning for the Future event with Sol Levinson & Bros., LifeBridge Health and AgeWell Baltimore.

“The greatest gift an adult child can give aging parents is respect and dignity. And the greatest gift a parent can give their child is to have basic estate documents in place along with end-of-life wishes and open conversations.”

7. New Swings
Jan recently took up golf to unwind. “Everybody thought that I was going to hate it because it’s so slow. But that’s exactly what I am working on – trying to just slow down in this phase of my life.”

8. A Book for Baltimore Newcomers
If Jan ever does write a book, she knows the title: The Transplant’s Guide to Baltimore. After moving here as a young adult, she’s gathered plenty of wisdom—and insider tips—for anyone making Charm City their home.

As the saying goes, in Baltimore, if you weren’t born here, you’re always from somewhere else.

To learn more or to register for The Greatest Gift: Discussing and Planning for the Future event, visit associated.org/event/the-greatest-gift-discussing-and-planning-for-the-future/.

8 Things to Know About Jan Cardin

8 Things to Know About Jan Cardin

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