Standing in the newly renovated halls of what was once a hotel on the outskirts of Vilnius, Queen Silvia of Sweden emphasized a philosophy that often gets lost in the clinical world of healthcare: that nursing is not about procedures, but about the person. The Queen’s visit to Lithuania this week marked the official opening of Addere Care, a €10 million nursing and supportive treatment hospital that aims to redefine how the region approaches dementia and palliative care.
The investment represents a significant shift in the Lithuanian healthcare landscape. With the capacity to care for 170 residents simultaneously, the facility is the first in the Baltic States to be awarded the prestigious “Silviahemmet” certification. This designation isn’t merely a plaque on the wall; it signifies a rigorous adherence to a care model developed by the Queen herself over three decades of advocacy.
A Royal Seal of Approval for Baltic Healthcare
Queen Silvia’s involvement in dementia care is deeply personal, rooted in her own experience caring for her mother. In 1996, she founded the Silviahemmet Foundation in Sweden to promote a palliative care philosophy based on four pillars: symptom control, teamwork, support for family members, and communication.
During the opening ceremony, the Queen noted that true care is born from a relationship, not a rulebook. “Every person, even in their most vulnerable moment, has the right to be seen not through their illness, but through their history, dignity, and humanity,” she told the gathered officials and healthcare workers. By bringing this Swedish methodology to Vilnius, Addere Care is attempting to bridge a gap between traditional Eastern European institutional care and modern, person-centered approaches.
The Silviahemmet Model: Dignity Over Diagnosis
What sets this facility apart is the specialized training of its staff. Regardless of their specific role—from doctors to maintenance workers—every employee at Addere Care undergoes training in the Silviahemmet methodology. This program, developed in collaboration with specialists from the Karolinska University Hospital, focuses on empathy and understanding the specific behavioral nuances of dementia.
Kristina Judinė, the founder and director of Addere Care, explained that the goal is to dismantle the long-standing stigma surrounding nursing homes in Lithuania. For many, these institutions have historically been seen as places of isolation. The new center aims to be the opposite: a place of emotional security and quality of life. The interior design reflects this, leaning more toward a contemporary wellness retreat than a sterile hospital, utilizing the existing structure of a former hotel on Minsko plentas to create a more domestic, less intimidating environment.
Bridging the Gap in Palliative and Long-term Care
Beyond the royal prestige and the aesthetic upgrades, the facility addresses a practical need for accessible high-quality care. In Lithuania, nursing and supportive treatment services can be provided free of charge to patients for up to 120 days per year, funded by the state. Addere Care operates within this system, allowing patients to access these high-standard Swedish-certified services through national insurance.
Looking forward, the institution plans to expand its reach. While it currently operates as a nursing hospital and palliative care day center, there are plans to integrate broader social care services. This expansion is critical as Europe faces an aging population and a growing demand for specialized dementia facilities that can handle complex needs without sacrificing the resident’s sense of self.
Recognition on the European Stage
The innovative nature of the project has already garnered international attention. Earlier this year, the Addere Care concept won first place in the “Innovative SPA Concept” category at the ESPA Innovation Awards in Hungary. The facility also serves as the Lithuanian organizer for the Queen Silvia Nursing Award, an international initiative that encourages nursing students and professionals to develop new ideas for the care of the elderly.
By aligning Lithuanian healthcare with Swedish standards, the opening of this center serves as a blueprint for how private investment and royal advocacy can collaborate to improve public health outcomes. As Queen Silvia concluded during her visit, the ultimate measure of the facility will not be the €10 million invested, but the degree to which it allows its residents to remain the protagonists of their own life stories, even in the face of illness.
Source: BNS
Source check Verified Healthcare Report
Based on official reporting from the opening ceremony in Vilnius attended by the Swedish monarchy and healthcare directors.
- Verified the €10 million investment figure through BNS reporting.
- Confirmed the Silviahemmet certification status for Addere Care.
- Cross-referenced Queen Silvia's long-term involvement with the Silviahemmet Foundation.
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- bns
- Scope
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Updated
- 2026-05-19 07:23
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