Greece is establishing a new National Dementia Model Centre in Athens to provide coordinated support for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as their families and carers. The facility in Peristeri is intended to combine clinical services, therapies, education and research in one national reference point.
The centre is scheduled to open in September 2027, followed by a pilot phase before full operation is planned for spring 2028. Its organisers say the model could help set standards for dementia care across Greece and improve access to early diagnosis, prevention and long-term support.
A national centre for dementia care
The facility will focus on prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and ongoing care for people with dementia and related disorders. It is expected to offer free services to up to 160 people each day, with annual capacity of approximately 5,000 people.
Planned services include:
- Cognitive stimulation and training
- Occupational therapy
- Music therapy
- Prevention and diagnostic services
- Regular patient monitoring
- Counselling and guidance for families and carers
- Telemedicine support
The integrated approach is designed to address dementia as a long-term health and social-care issue rather than focusing only on medical diagnosis. Support for carers will be a central part of the centre’s work, reflecting the practical responsibilities often carried by relatives and other informal caregivers.
Training, research and national standards
In addition to direct services, the National Dementia Model Centre will develop training programmes for healthcare professionals, carers and young researchers. It will also support dementia research, public information campaigns and initiatives intended to reduce stigma around the condition.
The centre is expected to create quality standards and evaluation tools for other facilities providing dementia services in Greece. These tools could help providers assess care, identify gaps and improve services over time.
Its wider activities are expected to include:
- Support for volunteering programmes
- Public awareness and information initiatives
- Education for civil society organisations
- Research cooperation
- Guidance for facilities seeking to improve dementia care
By acting as a source of expertise, the centre is intended to provide a blueprint for similar services elsewhere in the country.
Public-private partnership behind the project
The project is being delivered through cooperation between the Greek public sector, the National Bank of Greece and 12 charitable foundations participating in the Initiative ’21. Local authorities and the Church are also involved in the partnership.
A donation of €4.49 million from Initiative ’21 members will fund the renovation of the site, the purchase of equipment and the centre’s first two years of operation. The arrangement brings together government, charitable organisations and institutions to support a national dementia-care programme.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the centre would provide expertise for similar facilities across Greece and contribute to research and public education. He also highlighted the need for cooperation between the state, civil society, local government and the Church.
Deputy Health Minister Irini Agapidaki described the project as an opportunity to change how dementia is addressed, with greater emphasis on prevention, early diagnosis and support for patients. She also stressed the importance of training informal carers, who provide much of the daily assistance required by people living with dementia.
What happens next?
Construction and preparation work will continue before the planned opening in September 2027. A pilot phase will then test the centre’s services and operating model. Full operation is scheduled for spring 2028, although the project’s progress and final service arrangements will determine how quickly the national model can be expanded.
The centre’s impact will depend not only on its capacity in Athens but also on how effectively its standards, training and evaluation systems are shared with other providers. Its national role means that the project is intended to influence dementia care beyond the Peristeri facility itself.
Why the project matters
Dementia affects patients, families, professional carers and wider communities. A service that combines diagnosis, therapy, monitoring, family counselling and professional training could make care easier to navigate and help reduce gaps between medical and social support.
The planned use of telemedicine may also help families access guidance without attending the centre in person. Meanwhile, research and public education could improve understanding of dementia and challenge the stigma associated with the disease.
For Greece, the project represents a national health-policy initiative rather than an EU decision. It may nevertheless provide a useful example for wider European discussions about ageing populations, community-based care, caregiver support and dementia services.
Conclusion
Greece’s National Dementia Model Centre is intended to create a coordinated system for prevention, diagnosis, therapy, research and caregiver support. With an opening planned for September 2027 and full operation targeted for spring 2028, the project’s long-term significance will depend on whether its standards and expertise can improve dementia care across the country.
