The new centre in Athens will provide cognitive training, occupational and music therapy, plus services for prevention, diagnosis and ongoing patient monitoring.
Greece is creating a new integrated care model for people living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, for their families and caretakers. The new National Dementia Model Centre will be located in Peristeri, Athens.
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The Centre aims to become a key reference point for the prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and care of people with dementia and related disorders, and a blueprint for similar services across the country.
Services for patients and carers
The new facility will offer cognitive stimulation, occupational therapy and music therapy programmes, as well as services for prevention, diagnosis and systematic patient follow-up.
The services will include counselling and guidance for families and carers, including via telemedicine, while training programmes will be developed for health professionals, carers and young researchers.
The Centre will provide free services to up to 160 people a day, reaching around 5,000 people a year.
Setting standards nationwide
Beyond services, the Centre will also develop quality standards and evaluation tools to continuously upgrade the facilities that provide services to people with dementia in Greece.
At the same time, it is expected to support volunteering, information and awareness-raising initiatives, contribute to educating civil society and promote dementia research.
Presenting the project, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that the Centre will serve as a source of expertise for similar facilities throughout Greece, while also contributing to research and public information. Mitsotakis said that the aim is also to reduce the social stigma that still surrounds the disease.
The prime minister also referred to the importance of cooperation between the state, civil society, local government and the Church in delivering the project.
The National Dementia Model Centre is set to open in September 2027. A pilot phase is planned, with full operation of the facility scheduled for spring 2028.
Partnership between the state, foundations and institutions
The creation of the Centre is the result of cooperation between the public sector, the National Bank of Greece and 12 charitable foundations that participate in the "Initiative '21'", with the involvement of local authorities and the Church.
Renovation of the space, procurement of equipment and funding for the first two years will be covered by a donation of €4.49 million from the members of the "Initiative '21'".
Deputy Health Minister Irini Agapidaki described the project as an opportunity for a broader change in how dementia is addressed, with an emphasis on prevention, early diagnosis and patient support. She placed particular emphasis on the need to train informal carers, who shoulder a significant part of the daily care of people with dementia.
