Skip to main content

Sandra Simmons

Professor of Medicine (SOM)
Director VU Center for Quality Aging
Paul V. Hamilton Chair in Geriatrics and Aging Research
Professor of Medicine Division of Geriatrics Deputy Assistant Director VA Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)

Sandra F. Simmons, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She also holds a secondary appointment as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Vanderbilt University. Her background and training is in clinical psychology and gerontology. She serves as the Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Quality Aging (www.VanderbiltCQA.org) and Deputy Assistant Director of Research at the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Veterans Administration. She is also a Senior Scholar for the VA Quality Scholars Program. Dr. Simmons has been the recipient of numerous grants to examine issues in gerontology from the National Institutes of Health and Aging, Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, Veterans Healthcare Administration and the National Alzheimer’s Association. Specifically, her research foci include clinical interventions to improve quality of care and quality of life for older adults in a variety of care settings including acute care, post-acute care, long-term care and dementia care within assisted-living. Her current research examines interventions to reduce polypharmacy and improve geriatric syndromes among hospitalized older adults transitioning to post-acute care.

Lab Website

Representative Publications


Jacobsen JM, Schnelle JF, Saraf AA, Long EA, Vasilevskis EE, Kripalani S, Simmons SFPreventability of Hospital Readmissions From Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Consumer PerspectiveGerontologist [print-electronic]. 2016 Dec 12/7/2016; PMID: 27927728, PII: gnw132, DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnw132, ISSN: 1758-5341.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF, Saraf AA, Simon Coelho C, Jacobsen JM, Kripalani S, Bell S, Mixon A, Vasilevskis EE. Pain and Satisfaction With Pain Management Among Older Patients During the Transition From Acute to Skilled Nursing CareGerontologist [print-electronic]. 2016 Dec; 56(6): 1138-45. PMID: 26185153, PII: gnv058, DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnv058, ISSN: 1758-5341.

Schnelle JF, Schroyer LD, Saraf AA, Simmons SFDetermining Nurse Aide Staffing Requirements to Provide Care Based on Resident Workload: A Discrete Event Simulation ModelJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2016 Nov 11/1/2016; 17(11): 970-7. PMID: 27780572, PII: S1525-8610(16)30358-9, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2016.08.006, ISSN: 1538-9375.

Saraf AA, Petersen AW, Simmons SF, Schnelle JF, Bell SP, Kripalani S, Myers AP, Mixon AS, Long EA, Jacobsen JM, Vasilevskis EE. Medications associated with geriatric syndromes and their prevalence in older hospitalized adults discharged to skilled nursing facilitiesJ Hosp Med [print-electronic]. 2016 Oct; 11(10): 694-700. PMID: 27255830, PMCID: PMC5048583, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.2614, ISSN: 1553-5606.

Simmons SF, Bell S, Saraf AA, Coelho CS, Long EA, Jacobsen JM, Schnelle JF, Vasilevskis EE. Stability of Geriatric Syndromes in Hospitalized Medicare Beneficiaries Discharged to Skilled Nursing FacilitiesJ Am Geriatr Soc [print-electronic]. 2016 Oct; 64(10): 2027-34. PMID: 27590032, PMCID: PMC5072988, DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14320, ISSN: 1532-5415.

Hollingsworth EK, Long EA, Simmons SFComparison Between Quality of Care Provided by Trained Feeding Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants During Between-Meal Supplementation in Long-Term Care SettingsJ Appl Gerontol [print-electronic]. 2016 Sep 9/22/2016; PMID: 27664171, PII: 0733464816669806, DOI: 10.1177/0733464816669806, ISSN: 1552-4523.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF, Sathe NA, Slagle JM, Stevenson DG, Carlo ME, McPheeters ML. Defining Safety in the Nursing Home Setting: Implications for Future ResearchJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2016 Jun 6/1/2016; 17(6): 473-81. PMID: 27235760, PII: S1525-8610(16)30035-4, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2016.03.005, ISSN: 1538-9375.

Bell SP, Vasilevskis EE, Saraf AA, Jacobsen JM, Kripalani S, Mixon AS, Schnelle JF, Simmons SFGeriatric Syndromes in Hospitalized Older Adults Discharged to Skilled Nursing FacilitiesJ Am Geriatr Soc [print-electronic]. 2016 Apr; 64(4): 715-22. PMID: 27059831, PMCID: PMC4840035, DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14035, ISSN: 1532-5415.

Schnelle JF, Simmons SFManaging Agitation and Aggression in Congregate Living Settings: Efficacy and Implementation Challenges [editorial]J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016 Mar; 64(3): 489-91. PMID: 27000322, DOI: 10.1111/jgs.13947, ISSN: 1532-5415.

Harrington C, Schnelle JF, McGregor M, Simmons SFThe Need for Higher Minimum Staffing Standards in U.S. Nursing HomesHealth Serv Insights. 2016; 9: 13-9. PMID: 27103819, PMCID: PMC4833431, PII: hsi-9-2016-013, DOI: 10.4137/HSI.S38994.

Simmons SF, Keeler E, An R, Liu X, Shotwell MS, Kuertz B, Silver HJ, Schnelle JF. Cost-Effectiveness of Nutrition Intervention in Long-Term CareJ Am Geriatr Soc [print-electronic]. 2015 Nov; 63(11): 2308-16. PMID: 26503137, PMCID: PMC5131725, DOI: 10.1111/jgs.13709, ISSN: 1532-5415.

Monroe TB, Misra S, Habermann RC, Dietrich MS, Bruehl SP, Cowan RL, Newhouse PA, Simmons SFSpecific Physician Orders Improve Pain Detection and Pain Reports in Nursing Home Residents: Preliminary DataPain Manag Nurs [print-electronic]. 2015 Oct; 16(5): 770-80. PMID: 26259882, PMCID: PMC4548860, PII: S1524-9042(15)00081-8, DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2015.06.002, ISSN: 1532-8635.

Vasilevskis EE, Simmons SFSimple solutions may not work for complex patients: A need for new paradigms in geriatric hospital medicine [editorial]J Hosp Med [print-electronic]. 2015 May; 10(5): 343-4. PMID: 25641782, PMCID: PMC4412786, DOI: 10.1002/jhm.2327, ISSN: 1553-5606.

Simmons SF, Durkin DW, Rahman AN, Schnelle JF, Beuscher LM. The value of resident choice during daily care: do staff and families differ?J Appl Gerontol [print-electronic]. 2014 Sep; 33(6): 655-71. PMID: 25143465, PMCID: PMC4142524, PII: 0733464812454010, DOI: 10.1177/0733464812454010, ISSN: 1552-4523.

Simmons SF, Rahman AN. Next steps for achieving person-centered care in nursing homes [editorial]J Am Med Dir Assoc [print-electronic]. 2014 Sep; 15(9): 615-9. PMID: 25023832, PII: S1525-8610(14)00366-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2014.06.008, ISSN: 1538-9375.

Durkin DW, Shotwell MS, Simmons SFThe impact of family visitation on feeding assistance quality in nursing homesJ Appl Gerontol [print-electronic]. 2014 Aug; 33(5): 586-602. PMID: 24652932, PII: 0733464814522126, DOI: 10.1177/0733464814522126, ISSN: 1552-4523.

Monroe TB, Misra SK, Habermann RC, Dietrich MS, Cowan RL, Simmons SFPain reports and pain medication treatment in nursing home residents with and without dementiaGeriatr Gerontol Int [print-electronic]. 2014 Jul; 14(3): 541-8. PMID: 24020433, PMCID: PMC4850825, DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12130, ISSN: 1447-0594.

Simmons SF, Sims N, Durkin DW, Shotwell MS, Erwin S, Schnelle JF. The quality of feeding assistance care practices for long-term care veterans: implications for quality improvement effortsJ Appl Gerontol [print-electronic]. 2013 Sep; 32(6): 669-86. PMID: 25474793, PII: 0733464811433487, DOI: 10.1177/0733464811433487, ISSN: 1552-4523.

Simmons SF, Durkin DW, Shotwell MS, Erwin S, Schnelle JF. A staff training and management intervention in VA long-term care: impact on feeding assistance care qualityTransl Behav Med. 2013 Jun; 3(2): 189-99. PMID: 24073169, PMCID: PMC3717980, PII: 194, DOI: 10.1007/s13142-013-0194-3, ISSN: 1869-6716.

Schnelle JF, Rahman A, Durkin DW, Beuscher L, Choi L, Simmons SFA controlled trial of an intervention to increase resident choice in long term careJ Am Med Dir Assoc [print-electronic]. 2013 May; 14(5): 345-51. PMID: 23294967, PMCID: PMC3637865, PII: S1525-8610(12)00426-4, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2012.11.013, ISSN: 1538-9375.

Buchowski MS, Simmons SF, Whitaker LE, Powers J, Beuscher L, Choi L, Ikizler TA, Chen K, Shnelle JF. Fatigability as a function of physical activity energy expenditure in older adultsAge (Dordr) [print-electronic]. 2013 Feb; 35(1): 179-87. PMID: 22113348, PMCID: PMC3543733, DOI: 10.1007/s11357-011-9338-x, ISSN: 1574-4647.

Simmons SF, Durkin DW, Rahman AN, Choi L, Beuscher L, Schnelle JF. Resident characteristics related to the lack of morning care provision in long-term careGerontologist [print-electronic]. 2013 Feb; 53(1): 151-61. PMID: 22565494, PMCID: PMC3551209, PII: gns065, DOI: 10.1093/geront/gns065, ISSN: 1758-5341.

Schnelle JF, Buchowski MS, Ikizler TA, Durkin DW, Beuscher L, Simmons SFEvaluation of two fatigability severity measures in elderly adultsJ Am Geriatr Soc [print-electronic]. 2012 Aug; 60(8): 1527-33. PMID: 22860899, PMCID: PMC3419324, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04062.x, ISSN: 1532-5415.

Simmons SF, Rahman A, Beuscher L, Jani V, Durkin DW, Schnelle JF. Resident-directed long-term care: staff provision of choice during morning careGerontologist [print-electronic]. 2011 Dec; 51(6): 867-75. PMID: 21719629, PMCID: PMC3220665, PII: gnr066, DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnr066, ISSN: 1758-5341.

Simmons SF, Zhuo X, Keeler E. Cost-effectiveness of nutrition interventions in nursing home residents: a pilot interventionJ Nutr Health Aging. 2010 May; 14(5): 367-72. PMID: 20424804, PMCID: PMC3686278, ISSN: 1760-4788.

Schnelle JF, Bertrand R, Hurd D, White A, Squires D, Feuerberg M, Hickey K, Simmons SFThe importance of standardized observations to evaluate nutritional care quality in the survey processJ Am Med Dir Assoc [print-electronic]. 2009 Oct; 10(8): 568-74. PMID: 19808155, PII: S1525-8610(09)00177-7, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2009.05.004, ISSN: 1538-9375.

Schnelle JF, Bertrand R, Hurd D, White A, Squires D, Feuerberg M, Hickey K, Simmons SFResident choice and the survey process: the need for standardized observation and transparencyGerontologist [print-electronic]. 2009 Aug; 49(4): 517-24. PMID: 19435928, PII: gnp050, DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnp050, ISSN: 1758-5341.

Simmons SF, Cleeton P, Porchak T. Resident complaints about the nursing home food service: relationship to cognitive statusJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci [print-electronic]. 2009 May; 64(3): 324-7. PMID: 19251880, PMCID: PMC2670252, PII: gbp007, DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbp007, ISSN: 1758-5368.

Schnelle JF, Simmons SF, Beuscher L, Peterson EN, Habermann R, Leung F. Prevalence of constipation symptoms in fecally incontinent nursing home residentsJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2009 Apr; 57(4): 647-52. PMID: 19392956, PMCID: PMC2925174, PII: JGS2215, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02215.x, ISSN: 1532-5415.

Simmons SF, Peterson EN, You C. The accuracy of monthly weight assessments in nursing homes: implications for the identification of weight lossJ Nutr Health Aging. 2009 Mar; 13(3): 284-8. PMID: 19262969, PMCID: PMC3913049, ISSN: 1279-7707.

Simmons SF, Keeler E, Zhuo X, Hickey KA, Sato HW, Schnelle JF. Prevention of unintentional weight loss in nursing home residents: a controlled trial of feeding assistanceJ Am Geriatr Soc [print-electronic]. 2008 Aug; 56(8): 1466-73. PMID: 18637983, PMCID: PMC2897234, PII: JGS1801, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01801.x, ISSN: 1532-5415.

Simmons SF, Bertrand R, Shier V, Sweetland R, Moore TJ, Hurd DT, Schnelle JF. A preliminary evaluation of the paid feeding assistant regulation: impact on feeding assistance care process quality in nursing homesGerontologist. 2007 Apr; 47(2): 184-92. PMID: 17440123, PII: 47/2/184, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Simmons SFQuality improvement for feeding assistance care in nursing homesJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2007 Mar; 8(3 Suppl): S12-7. PMID: 17336870, PII: S1525-8610(06)00588-3, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2006.12.003, ISSN: 1538-9375.

Levy-Storms L, Schnelle JF, Simmons SFWhat do family members notice following an intervention to improve mobility and incontinence care for nursing home residents? An analysis of open-ended commentsGerontologist. 2007 Feb; 47(1): 14-20. PMID: 17327536, PII: 47/1/14, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Schnelle JF, Ouslander JG, Simmons SFDirect observations of nursing home care quality: Does care change when observed?J Am Med Dir Assoc [print-electronic]. 2006 Nov; 7(9): 541-4. PMID: 17095417, PII: S1525-8610(06)00179-4, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2006.03.009, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF. A continuous quality improvement pilot study: impact on nutritional care qualityJ Am Med Dir Assoc [print-electronic]. 2006 Oct; 7(8): 480-5. PMID: 17027624, PII: S1525-8610(06)00171-X, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2006.03.002, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Simmons SF, Patel AV. Nursing home staff delivery of oral liquid nutritional supplements to residents at risk for unintentional weight lossJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Sep; 54(9): 1372-6. PMID: 16970644, PII: JGS688, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00688.x, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF. Feeding assistance needs of long-stay nursing home residents and staff time to provide careJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Jun; 54(6): 919-24. PMID: 16776786, PII: JGS812, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00812.x, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Levy-Storms L. The effect of staff care practices on nursing home residents' preferences: implications for individualizing careJ Nutr Health Aging. 2006 May; 10(3): 216-21. PMID: 16622583, ISSN: 1279-7707.

Cadogan MP, Schnelle JF, Al-Sammarrai NR, Yamamoto-Mitani N, Cabrera G, Osterweil D, Simmons SFA standardized quality assessment system to evaluate pain detection and management in the nursing homeJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2006 Mar; 7(3 Suppl): S11-9, S10. PMID: 16500269, PII: S1525-8610(05)00685-7, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2005.12.011, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Simmons SFContinuous quality improvement for nutritional care services in nursing homes: the importance of direct observation [editorial]J Am Med Dir Assoc [print-electronic]. 2006 Jan; 7(1): 61-2. PMID: 16413437, PII: S1525-8610(05)00486-X, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2005.08.001, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Bates-Jensen BM, Simmons SF, Schnelle JF, Alessi C. Evaluating the accuracy of minimum data set bed-mobility ratings against independent performance assessments: systematic error and directions for improvementGerontologist. 2005 Dec; 45(6): 731-8. PMID: 16326654, PII: 45/6/731, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Simmons SF, Levy-Storms L. The effect of dining location on nutritional care quality in nursing homesJ Nutr Health Aging. 2005 Nov; 9(6): 434-9. PMID: 16395515, ISSN: 1279-7707.

Levy-Storms L, Simmons SF, Gutierrez VF, Miller-Martinez D, Hickey K, Schnelle JF. A refined protocol for coding nursing home residents' comments during satisfaction interviewsJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005 Nov; 60(6): S326-S330. PMID: 16260715, PII: 60/6/S326, ISSN: 1079-5014.

Schnelle JF, Osterweil D, Simmons SFImproving the quality of nursing home care and medical-record accuracy with direct observational technologiesGerontologist. 2005 Oct; 45(5): 576-82. PMID: 16199391, PII: 45/5/576, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Simmons SF, Ouslander JG. Resident and family satisfaction with incontinence and mobility care: sensitivity to intervention effects?Gerontologist. 2005 Jun; 45(3): 318-26. PMID: 15933272, PII: 45/3/318, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Rahman AN, Simmons SFIndividualizing nutritional care with between-meal snacks for nursing home residentsJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2005 May; 6(3): 215-8. PMID: 15894253, PII: S1525-8610(05)00198-2, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2005.03.009, ISSN: 1538-9375.

Simmons SF, Walker KA, Osterweil D. The effect of megestrol acetate on oral food and fluid intake in nursing home residents: a pilot studyJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2005 May; 6(3 Suppl): S5-11. PMID: 15890297, PII: S1525-8610(05)00219-7, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2005.03.014, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Simmons SFResidents' care preferences as targeting criteria: measurement issues functional incidental training: applicability and feasibility in the Veterans Affairs nursing home patient population [editorial]J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2005 Mar; 6(2): 157-8. PMID: 15871895, PII: S1525-8610(04)00027-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2004.12.026, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Ganz DA, Simmons SF, Schnelle JF. Cost-effectiveness of recommended nurse staffing levels for short-stay skilled nursing facility patientsBMC Health Serv Res. 2005; 5: 35. PMID: 15885148, PMCID: PMC1145183, PII: 1472-6963-5-35, DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-5-35, ISSN: 1472-6963.

Cadogan MP, Schnelle JF, Al-Sammarrai NR, Yamamoto-Mitani N, Cabrera G, Osterweil D, Simmons SFA standardized quality assessment system to evaluate pain detection and management in the nursing homeJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2005 Jan; 6(1): 1-9. PMID: 15871864, PII: S1525-8610(04)00003-9, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2004.12.002, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Chu L, Schnelle JF, Cadogan MP, Simmons SFUsing the minimum data set to select nursing home residents for interview about painJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Dec; 52(12): 2057-61. PMID: 15571542, PII: JGS52565, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52565.x, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF. Individualized feeding assistance care for nursing home residents: staffing requirements to implement two interventionsJ. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2004 Sep; 59(9): M966-73. PMID: 15472163, PII: 59/9/M966, ISSN: 1079-5006.

Simmons SF, Cadogan MP, Cabrera GR, Al-Samarrai NR, Jorge JS, Levy-Storms L, Osterweil D, Schnelle JF. The minimum data set depression quality indicator: does it reflect differences in care processes?Gerontologist. 2004 Aug; 44(4): 554-64. PMID: 15331813, PII: 44/4/554, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Schnelle JF, Bates-Jensen BM, Chu L, Simmons SFAccuracy of nursing home medical record information about care-process delivery: implications for staff management and improvementJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Aug; 52(8): 1378-83. PMID: 15271130, PII: JGS52372, DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52372.x, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SFSelecting nursing home residents for interview [letter]J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2004 Jul; 5(4): 280. PMID: 15228641, PII: S1525-8610(04)70137-1, DOI: 10.1097/01.JAM.0000131584.12158.E0, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Schnelle JF, Bates-Jensen BM, Levy-Storms L, Grbic V, Yoshii J, Cadogan M, Simmons SFThe minimum data set prevalence of restraint quality indicator: does it reflect differences in care?Gerontologist. 2004 Apr; 44(2): 245-55. PMID: 15075421, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Schnelle JF, Simmons SF, Harrington C, Cadogan M, Garcia E, M Bates-Jensen B. Relationship of nursing home staffing to quality of careHealth Serv Res. 2004 Apr; 39(2): 225-50. PMID: 15032952, PMCID: PMC1361005, PII: HESR225, DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2004.00225.x, ISSN: 0017-9124.

Cadogan MP, Schnelle JF, Yamamoto-Mitani N, Cabrera G, Simmons SFA minimum data set prevalence of pain quality indicator: is it accurate and does it reflect differences in care processes?J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2004 Mar; 59(3): 281-5. PMID: 15031314, ISSN: 1079-5006.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF. Effects of an exercise and scheduled-toileting intervention on appetite and constipation in nursing home residentsJ Nutr Health Aging. 2004; 8(2): 116-21. PMID: 14978607, ISSN: 1279-7707.

Schnelle JF, Simmons SFDeveloping innovative models to translate guidelines into practice [editorial]J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2004 Jan; 5(1): 55-6. PMID: 14706130, PII: S1525-8610(04)70045-6, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Simmons SF, Walker KA, Osterweil D. The effect of megestrol acetate on oral food and fluid intake in nursing home residents: a pilot studyJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2004 Jan; 5(1): 24-30. PMID: 14706125, PII: S1525-8610(04)70040-7, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Schnelle JF, Cadogan MP, Grbic D, Bates-Jensen BM, Osterweil D, Yoshii J, Simmons SFA standardized quality assessment system to evaluate incontinence care in the nursing homeJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2003 Dec; 51(12): 1754-61. PMID: 14687354, PII: 51560, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Garcia ET, Cadogan MP, Al-Samarrai NR, Levy-Storms LF, Osterweil D, Schnelle JF. The minimum data set weight-loss quality indicator: does it reflect differences in care processes related to weight loss?J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003 Oct; 51(10): 1410-8. PMID: 14511161, PII: 51459, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Schnelle JF, Cadogan MP, Yoshii J, Al-Samarrai NR, Osterweil D, Bates-Jensen BM, Simmons SFThe minimum data set urinary incontinence quality indicators: do they reflect differences in care processes related to incontinence?Med Care. 2003 Aug; 41(8): 909-22. PMID: 12886171, DOI: 10.1097/01.MLR.0000078146.88391.64, ISSN: 0025-7079.

Simmons SFShould reimbursement rates be increased for feeding assistance in nursing homes? [editorial]J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2003 Jan; 4(1): 52-3. PMID: 12807600, PII: S1525-8610(04)70267-4, DOI: 10.1097/01.JAM.0000043424.41989.D2, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Simmons SF, Lam HY, Rao G, Schnelle JF. Family members' preferences for nutrition interventions to improve nursing home residents' oral food and fluid intakeJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2003 Jan; 51(1): 69-74. PMID: 12534848, PII: jgs51012, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Ferrell BA, Schnelle JF. Effects of a controlled exercise trial on pain in nursing home residentsClin J Pain. 2002 Nov; 18(6): 380-5. PMID: 12441832, ISSN: 0749-8047.

Simmons SF, Babineau S, Garcia E, Schnelle JF. Quality assessment in nursing homes by systematic direct observation: feeding assistanceJ. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2002 Oct; 57(10): M665-71. PMID: 12242322, ISSN: 1079-5006.

Schnelle JF, Alessi CA, Simmons SF, Al-Samarrai NR, Beck JC, Ouslander JG. Translating clinical research into practice: a randomized controlled trial of exercise and incontinence care with nursing home residentsJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2002 Sep; 50(9): 1476-83. PMID: 12383143, PII: jgs50401, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Levy-Storms L, Schnelle JF, Simmons SFA comparison of methods to assess nursing home residents' unmet needsGerontologist. 2002 Aug; 42(4): 454-61. PMID: 12145373, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Simmons SF, Lim B, Schnelle JF. Accuracy of minimum data set in identifying residents at risk for undernutrition: oral intake and food complaintsJ Am Med Dir Assoc. 2002 May; 3(3): 140-5. PMID: 12807657, ISSN: 1525-8610.

Simmons SF, Osterweil D, Schnelle JF. Improving food intake in nursing home residents with feeding assistance: a staffing analysisJ. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2001 Dec; 56(12): M790-4. PMID: 11723156, ISSN: 1079-5006.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF. The identification of residents capable of accurately describing daily care: implications for evaluating nursing home care qualityGerontologist. 2001 Oct; 41(5): 605-11. PMID: 11574705, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Simmons SF, Alessi C, Schnelle JF. An intervention to increase fluid intake in nursing home residents: prompting and preference complianceJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2001 Jul; 49(7): 926-33. PMID: 11527484, PII: jgs49183, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Schnelle JF, Wood S, Schnelle ER, Simmons SFMeasurement sensitivity and the Minimum Data Set depression quality indicatorGerontologist. 2001 Jun; 41(3): 401-5. PMID: 11405438, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Simmons SF, Reuben D. Nutritional intake monitoring for nursing home residents: a comparison of staff documentation, direct observation, and photography methodsJ Am Geriatr Soc. 2000 Feb; 48(2): 209-13. PMID: 10682952, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF. Strategies to measure nursing home residents' satisfaction and preferences related to incontinence and mobility care: implications for evaluating intervention effectsGerontologist. 1999 Jun; 39(3): 345-55. PMID: 10396892, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Cruise PA, Schnelle JF, Alessi CA, Simmons SF, Ouslander JG. The nighttime environment and incontinence care practices in nursing homesJ Am Geriatr Soc. 1998 Feb; 46(2): 181-6. PMID: 9475446, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Johansson B, Zarit SH, Ljungquist B, Plomin R, McClearn GE. Selection bias in samples of older twins? A comparison between octogenarian twins and singletons in SwedenJ Aging Health. 1997 Nov; 9(4): 553-67. PMID: 10182393, ISSN: 0898-2643.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF, Uman GC, Kulvicki AD, Lee KO, Ouslander JG. Selecting nursing home residents for satisfaction surveysGerontologist. 1997 Aug; 37(4): 543-50. PMID: 9279044, ISSN: 0016-9013.

Schnelle JF, MacRae PG, Giacobassi K, MacRae HS, Simmons SF, Ouslander JG. Exercise with physically restrained nursing home residents: maximizing benefits of restraint reductionJ Am Geriatr Soc. 1996 May; 44(5): 507-12. PMID: 8617897, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Schnelle JF, MacRae PG, Ouslander JG, Simmons SF, Nitta M. Functional Incidental Training, mobility performance, and incontinence care with nursing home residentsJ Am Geriatr Soc. 1995 Dec; 43(12): 1356-62. PMID: 7490386, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Alessi CA, Schnelle JF, MacRae PG, Ouslander JG, al-Samarrai N, Simmons SF, Traub S. Does physical activity improve sleep in impaired nursing home residents?J Am Geriatr Soc. 1995 Oct; 43(10): 1098-102. PMID: 7560698, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Simmons SF, Schnelle JF, MacRae PG, Ouslander JG. Wheelchairs as mobility restraints: predictors of wheelchair activity in nonambulatory nursing home residentsJ Am Geriatr Soc. 1995 Apr; 43(4): 384-8. PMID: 7706628, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Schnelle JF, Mac Rae PG, Simmons SF, Uman G, Ouslander JG, Rosenquist LL, Chang B. Safety assessment for the frail elderly: a comparison of restrained and unrestrained nursing home residentsJ Am Geriatr Soc. 1994 Jun; 42(6): 586-92. PMID: 8201142, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Schnelle JF, Ouslander JG, Simmons SF, Alessi CA, Gravel MD. The nighttime environment, incontinence care, and sleep disruption in nursing homesJ Am Geriatr Soc. 1993 Sep; 41(9): 910-4. PMID: 8409176, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Schnelle JF, Ouslander JG, Simmons SF, Alessi CA, Gravel MD. Nighttime sleep and bed mobility among incontinent nursing home residentsJ Am Geriatr Soc. 1993 Sep; 41(9): 903-9. PMID: 8409175, ISSN: 0002-8614.

Schnelle JF, Simmons SF, Ory MG. Risk factors that predict staff failure to release nursing home residents from restraintsGerontologist. 1992 Dec; 32(6): 767-70. PMID: 1478495, ISSN: 0016-9013.