Dr. Kelsey Simons

Available Translations

Dr. Kelsey Simons

Social Work Scientist Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest

Research Interests

Mental health and aging, psychosocial care in long-term care, social work workforce in aging, and nursing home social work

Research Focus

My major research focus concerns the quality of psychosocial care in long-term care facilities as provided by all staff. This includes research relative to staff’s interactions and interventions with long-term care residents that may enhance or inhibit their quality of life. The ultimate goal is the development of quality indicators of psychosocial care that may be applied to the field. A second area of interest concerns the social work workforce in aging and long-term care. Current and future shortages of professional social workers with expertise in aging may inhibit quality improvement efforts and availability of psychosocial and mental health services in long-term care settings.

Publications

25 publications in total

Education

  • 2005: PhD , University of Maryland, School of Social Work Baltimore (Dissertation: Factors influencing nursing home social workers’ quitting intentions)
  • 1998: MSW , Physical and mental health, Roberts Wesleyan College Rochester, NY
  • 1993: BA , Sociology, Magna Cum Laude, Binghamton University Binghamton, NY

Academic Appointments

  • 2010–Present: Social Work Scientist, Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • 2005–2006: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI (Mentor: Dr. Peter Lichtenberg )
  • 2003–2005: Graduate Research Assistant, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD (Evaluating Social Work Services in Nursing Homes: Toward Quality Psychosocial Care and its Measurement Principle Investigator: Joan Levy Zlotnik (IASWR))
  • 2000–2001: Graduate Research Assistant, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore (Child Welfare Managed Care Project Principle Investigator: Dr. Donna Harrington)
  • 1999–2000: Graduate Research Assistant, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore (Dr. Julie Oktay: Doctoral Program Director)
  • 2006–2010: Part-Time Instructor, MSW program, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI (Research II )
  • 2002–2003: Part-Time Instructor, BSW program, Niagara University, NY (Social Work 100, Introduction to Social Work Social Work 212, Human Behavior in the Social Environment)
  • 2001–2002: Research Assistant, Council on Social Work Education, Alexandria, VA (Strengthening Aging and Gerontology Education for Social Work Project (CSWE SAGE-SW) Principle Investigator: Dr. Frank Baskind)
  • 1999–2000: Part-time Social Worker, Adult medical day care program, Manor House: Adventist Health Care, Silver Spring, MD
  • 1998–1999: Social Work Director, Nursing facility, HCR Manor Care of Silver Spring, Silver Spring, MD
  • 1997–1998: Social Worker, Nursing facility, ViaHealth: DeMay Living Center, Newark, NY

Reviewership

Committee

  • 2010: Baycrest KLARU 2008 conference (Co-organizer )
  • 2010: US long-term care social work research workgroup (Co-organizer)

Membership

  • 2010: Gerontological Society of America
  • 2010: (Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work)
  • 2010: Society for Social Work and Research
  • 2010: National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly

Distinctions and Awards

  • 2010: Merit Award, University of Maryland, School of Social Work, 1999-2000
  • 2005: Student Award for Excellence in Clinical Services, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research Program (GGEAR)
  • 2001: First Place – Graduate Research Conference, University of Maryland

Research Projects

External

  • 2009–2012: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment among Ontario's Social Workers in Health and Aging
    Collaborators: Principal investigator: Simons,K.

    Sponsors: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, 90,962

    Standard Research Grant
  • 2007–2009: Implementation of the Best Practice Guidelines of the Canadian Coalition of Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH): Focus on Assessment and Treatment of Mental Health Issues in Long Term Care Homes
    Collaborators: Huijbregts, M. & Feldman, S.; Simons, K.
    Institutions: Interprofessional Care/ Education Fund, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care

    Sponsors: HealthForce Ontario, 170,578

    Grant#: ICEF0708002
  • 2003–2005: Cultivate the next generation of geriatric research scholars and professors

    Sponsors: Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program, 30,000

    Two year fellowship

Technical Reports

Jankowski T, Simons K. (2006). A service needs assessment of community dwelling elders, caregivers, and older users of the Jewish Community Centers. Report to the Jewish Family Service of Detroit. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology.

Vourlekis B, Zlotnik JL, Simons K. (2005). Evaluating social work services in nursing homes: Toward quality psychosocial care and its measurement. A report to the profession and blueprint for action. Washington, DC: The Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research.

Feild T, Harrington D, Lawrence-Webb C, Simons K, Warren D. (2001). Maryland Child Welfare Managed Care Demonstration Project: Year One Process Evaluation Report. University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Simons K. (2001). Outcomes of Institutionalized Children: A Review of the Literature and Suggestions for an Evaluation of a De-institutionalization Pilot Project (Report for Kidsave International). University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Curriculum Vitae

Download Curriculum Vitae here

Contact

Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit
Baycrest
3560 Bathurst Street, 760
Toronto, ON CANADA M6A 2E1
Phone: (416) 785-2500 x3416 Email: ksimons@klaru-baycrest.on.ca