Laura Gitlin

Biography

Laura Gitlin, Ph.D., is a professor at The Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. She is an applied research sociologist, is internationally recognized in the areas of nonpharmacologic approaches in dementia care, family caregiving, functional disability, and aging in place. Dr. Gitlin attended Temple University for her Bachelor’s degree and completed both her Master’s degree and Doctorate degree in Sociology at Purdue University. Dr. Gitlin is a well-funded researcher, having received continuous research and training grants from both federal agencies and private foundations, including the Alzheimer’s Association and National Institutes of Health for over 24 years. She has published numerous articles in peer-review scientific publications for international audiences. Her research includes understanding adaptive processes in old age—particularly with the use of assistive devices and environmental modifications—psycho-social-environmental approaches to helping older people with physical frailty age in place, nonpharmacologic approaches to enhancing quality of life of persons with dementia and their family caregivers, mental health disparities in older African-Americans and depression treatments, and translating and implementing evidence-based interventions for family caregivers, individuals with dementia, and older adults with functional difficulties.

Research Interest

Consonantal and exodontic.