Jiska Cohen‐Mansfield
Papers
2
Total Citations
334
H-Index
2
About
Jiska Cohen-Mansfield is a pioneering researcher in gerontology, whose work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of dementia care and non-pharmacological interventions for older adults. Her research primarily focuses on improving quality of life for individuals with dementia, with key contributions in animal-assisted therapy, environmental design, and engagement strategies. In her highly cited 2004 study on therapeutic robocats for nursing home residents with dementia (235 citations), she demonstrated that robotic companions can effectively substitute for live pets when real animals are impractical due to allergies or resource constraints—a finding that has influenced both clinical practice and technology development. Her 2008 investigation into dog-related stimuli and engagement (99 citations) provided rigorous empirical evidence for animal-assisted therapy’s benefits, measuring how different stimuli affect participation in residents with dementia. Beyond these studies, Cohen-Mansfield is renowned for developing the concept of “engagement” as a measurable outcome in dementia care and for her influential work on the unmet needs model of behavioral symptoms. With over 200 publications and thousands of citations, she has received numerous awards, including the Gerontological Society of America’s Distinguished Career Award, cementing her legacy as a transformative figure in aging research.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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