The Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation is participating, alongside ten charitable foundations that are members of “Initiative ’21” and the National Bank of Greece, in establishing the National Model Centre for Dementia, a new facility with nationwide reach dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and care of people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and related disorders.
The donation agreement for the creation of the Centre was signed on 1 October 2026, the International Day of Older Persons, at the Maximos Mansion, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The initiative addresses a growing social and healthcare need, as approximately 214,000 people in Greece are currently living with dementia, and the need for care also directly affects their families.
The new Centre will be housed in a 724 sq. m ground-floor space in Peristeri, within a building provided by the Holy Metropolis of Peristeri. Its services will be offered free of charge and will include prevention, early diagnosis, systematic monitoring, and personalised care, as well as cognitive stimulation, occupational therapy, and music therapy programmes. The Center will also provide support and training for relatives and caregivers, as well as training for healthcare professionals and young scientists.
The joint donation exceeds €4 million and covers the renovation of the premises, the procurement of the necessary equipment and the Centre’s first two years of operation. The main implementing body is Greek Health Units S.A. (AEMY), while architect and Professor Emerita Rena Sakellaridou of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki undertook the architectural design of the premises.
The Centre’s pilot operation is scheduled to begin in September 2027, with a transition to full operation planned for spring 2028. Once fully operational, it is expected to serve up to 160 beneficiaries per day and approximately 5,000 patients and caregivers each year.
The Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation’s participation in this collective effort is part of its longstanding social contribution and its support for initiatives that address essential needs in Greek society. At the same time, it highlights the importance of cooperation between charitable organisations, and public institutions.