Suzanne Fitzsimmons

There are 10 included publications by Suzanne Fitzsimmons :

TitleDateViewsBrief Description
Animal-Assisted Therapy for Clients with Dementia: Nurses’ Role 2011 7055 The purpose of this article is to increase nurses’ awareness of animal-assisted therapy as a treatment option for older adults with dementia. We describe the differences between animal visitation programs and goal-directed therapy. We also address cr...
Cognitive Stimulation for Apathy in Probable Early-Stage Alzheimer’s 2011 717 We studied changes in apathy among 77 community-dwelling older persons with mild memory loss in a randomized clinical trial comparing two nonpharmacological interventions over four weeks. The study used a pre-post design with randomization by site to...
Evidence-Based Practice Guideline: Wheelchair Biking for the Treatment of Depression 2011 3076 The purpose of this evidence-based practice guideline is to describe a specific recreational therapy program, wheelchair biking, for the treatment of depression in older adults with and without cognitive impairment. The goal of the guideline is to re...
Impact of Underlying Depression on Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults with Dementia 2010 3055 This article examines the moderating effect of depression on interdisciplinary treatment approaches for behaviors in dementia. A secondary analysis of data collected on tailored treatment of 105 long-term care residents with dementia found a signific...
Music-Assisted Bathing: Making Shower Time Easier for People with Dementia 2014 4170 It is estimated that 90% of nursing home residents need assistance with bathing. The purpose of this article is to describe a music-assisted care technique that can be used by caregivers when bathing nursing home residents with dementia. Research sug...
Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Long-term care: Feasibility and Recent Trends 2014 6469 Numerous studies have found excessive or in appropriate use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing home patients with cognitive impairment or perceived behavioral issues. Inappropriately medicating this vulnerable population can lead to several negative o...
Promoting Health in Early-Stage Dementia Evaluation of a 12-Week Course 2009 5971 This project tested a 12-week health promotion course for older adults with early- stage dementia. In a quasi-experimental design, participants were assigned by site to intervention group or control group and evaluated at two time points. Mini- Menta...
The Role of Therapeutic Use of Self in the Application of Non Pharmacological Interventions 2014 8680 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched a new initiative aimed at improving behavioral health and safeguarding older adults residing in nursing homes from unnecessary antipsychotic drug use. This article is part two of a four-part ser...
Sensory and Nurturing Nonpharmacological Interventions for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia 2014 3900 This article is part three of a four-part series addressing the use of nonpharmacological interventions in place of or in conjunction with psychotropic medications in older adults with cognitive impairment. Acquiring a better understanding of the mec...
A Tribute to Linda Buettner 2012 101 On April 26, 2012, the gerontological practice, education, research, and care communities lost one of their foremost members with the passing of Dr. Linda (Lin) Lee Buettner, 56. Lin and her partner, Sue Fitzsimmons, were frequent and valued contribu...