Queen Silvia to Visit Award-Winning Lithuanian Nursing Hospital

The landscape of long-term care in the Baltic region is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a recent international accolade and a high-profile royal visit. The new Addere Care nursing hospital in Vilnius has secured first place at the prestigious ESPA Innovation Awards, just days before it is set to welcome Queen Silvia of Sweden for its official opening.

On May 12, during the European Spas Association (ESPA) annual congress in the Bulgarian resort of Varna, the Lithuanian project triumphed in the ‘Innovative SPA Concept’ category. The award recognizes a philosophy that departs from the traditional, often sterile, institutional model of nursing, instead integrating elements of resortology, emotional well-being, and person-centered design. This recognition by ESPA—a leading European body representing the health, balneology, and medical spa sectors—places the Vilnius facility at the forefront of healthcare innovation in Europe.

A Royal Seal of Approval for Person-Centered Care

The timing of the award coincides with the upcoming visit of Queen Silvia of Sweden on May 18. The Swedish monarch has been a lifelong advocate for dignity in elderly care and is the founder of Silviahemmet, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of those living with dementia.

Addere Care has maintained a long-standing collaboration with Swedish nursing experts, implementing the ‘Swedish model’ of care since its inception. This methodology prioritizes the individual’s emotional needs and personal history over a purely clinical checklist. The Queen’s visit to the Vilnius facility, which includes a Palliative Care Day Center, underscores the international relevance of these methods and highlights Lithuania’s growing role in adopting global best practices for an aging population.

Moving Beyond the Institutional Feel

The award-winning concept was developed through a collaboration between Addere Care and the hospitality development firm E77, led by visionary Eglė Rukšėnaitė and architect Jurgita Masiukaitė. The design team intentionally moved away from the ‘hospital feel’ to create an environment that feels more like a home or a high-end wellness retreat.

According to Rukšėnaitė, the architecture serves a dual purpose: it is not merely aesthetic but is a functional component of the patient’s dignity. By utilizing natural healing resources such as forest therapy and elements of nature within the design, the facility aims to reduce the psychological stress often associated with long-term medical stays. The use of ‘resortology’—the science of using natural elements for health—is a key factor that impressed the ESPA judges, who looked for holistic approaches to health and sustainability.

A Strategic Shift in the Lithuanian Nursing Sector

Kristina Judinė, the director of Addere Care, views the international recognition as a milestone for the entire Lithuanian healthcare sector. She noted that the award confirms that a holistic approach to health is the necessary direction for the future. The organization is currently building a network of next-generation nursing hospitals across the country.

While the new Vilnius facility at Minsko pl. 14 focuses on general nursing and palliative care, the organization’s original hospital in Trakai is slated for a specialized transformation. It will soon be converted into a dedicated dementia care center, further deepening the implementation of the Swedish care philosophies championed by Queen Silvia.

As Europe faces the demographic challenge of an aging society, the success of this Lithuanian model suggests that the future of elderly care may lie in the intersection of medicine, hospitality, and innovative design. The official opening in Vilnius, attended by European royalty and validated by international experts, marks a clear departure from the past and a new standard for nursing care in the region.

Source: BNS