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Dr. Tom Kitwood's Person Centered Care model has become one of the most effective practice approaches in dementia care today. Research is gathering evidence that practicing Person Centered Approach in full, as outlined by Kitwood, is lowering the incidence of "problem behaviors", increasing well-being and transforming the way people work. A significant outcome of fully integrating Person Centered Care principals increases the quality of life in the facility as a whole and significantly improves relationships with family and advocates.

Old Cultures of care practices include "managing behaviors" with medications and anti-psychotic drug therapy. Analyzing the care delivery style and interactions of caregivers and staff is essential to acknowledging those interactions as part cause for challenging behaviors.

Culture Change, transitioning from old cultures of care to person-centered practice. Person Centered Care focuses on root causes and trigger events of behavior. PCC provides non-medication behavior care planning through accommodation, consistent skilled interventions, staff empowerment and abilities based programming. This culture integrates care from the perspective of persons living with dementia, how are they experiencing the care given and assesses if the delivery of care is a major cause of escalating behaviors.

Assessment and treatment viewed from a person-centered perspective, focuses on improving not only the lives of persons with dementia, but also lowering the stress and burnout levels of those caring for them. Dementia Care Mapping is the person centered care assessment tool that evaluates quality of care and delivery for effective and sustainable quality improvement.

It is challenging to shift from the old culture that focuses on the disease of the person, their inabilities and limitations, to the new culture of care, encompasses the whole person and is the task and responsibility of all care professionals. This new culture of care upholds personhood, and views each individual in a holistic perspective.

For comprehensive care, all dimensions of each resident, regardless level of dementia, and staff need to be met. These dimensions include the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental needs of all persons. One model cannot provide this comprehensive care, yet combining models can begin to provide each resident and staff quality care, and quality of life. For example, the Wellspring model can address the physical aspects of care, while Person Centered Care. Gentle Care, Eden Alternative and Best Friends models address the mental, emotional, environmental and spiritual needs of those living and dying with dementia.