Where Person-Centered Care Falls Short: Toward an Approach That Tackles Othering and Stigmatization of People with Dementia

This theoretical opinion article critiques person-centered dementia care (PCDC) for overlooking the structural dimensions of Othering and stigma. In response to these limitations, we propose three key conceptual shifts essential to overcoming Othering and stigma experienced by people with dementia. First, although PCDC emphasizes individual agency, it is constrained by institutional priorities and professional perspectives, which can unintentionally reinforce structural inequalities. Centering the lived experiences of people with dementia as essential knowledge can rebalance power and validate their expertise. Second, reducing stigma means moving beyond PCDC’s individualized focus to recognize the social conditions that perpetuate Othering. This requires inclusive interactions and professional reflection that challenge biomedical assumptions. Third, PCDC is often limited to formal care settings, neglecting how people with dementia maintain social roles and a sense of community belonging. Addressing stigma, therefore, requires extending support into everyday life through contextual, strengths-based approaches that sustain social roles.