Luxury meets assisted living in the Peloponnese

As far as retirement goes, it’s hard to imagine a better place to spend your days than on the southern coast of the Peloponnese. The climate, which has also made this area one of Europe’s new golfing destinations, is characterized by balmy springs, warm summers, and mild winters; interesting sights free from crowds are scattered all around the rolling hills; and the local cuisine is both delicious and scientifically proven to benefit our health. 

But while the land calls to all those longing for sunset walks and endless views, regular resorts don’t cater to everyone.

Enter founder of elderly care home Papadopoulion, Stavros P. Papadopoulos, who envisioned a place that could provide both long term residency and temporary respite care to retirees in these tranquil Peloponnesian surroundings.

Papadopoulion defies every notion one might have of Greek assisted living. Created to resemble a 5-star hotel for people over 65, while also providing daily medical supervision and 24-hour nursing care for its residents, it features such luxuries as indoor Jacuzzi and outdoor pool, mini-van services, a fitness center, and beaty salon, as well as recreational activities like traditional dance lessons and excursions to the sea and ancient and historical monuments. There’s also individualized physiotherapy (carried out by Papadopoulion’s physiotherapist under the guidance of the medical team) aqua aerobics in indoor fitness pool, massage therapy, and hydro kinesis treatments.

As for the medical supervision, the daily staff consists of doctors specialized in geriatrics, neurology, pathology, psychology and cardiology. The 24-hour care and supervision is carried out by trained nursing staff, who are also available to accompany residents to other doctor’s appointments (free transport from Kalamata to Athens and back is offered twice a week), and kidney disease patients are provided with safe transfer to and from the hemodialysis center in Kalamata for dialysis.

The residents’ rooms, of course, like the rest of the facilities, are wheelchair accessible, and feature emergency call systems, ergonomic furniture, mini fridge, satellite channels, Wi-Fi, and a safe.

It’s a place to get better, a vacation and a home, all rolled up into one. Looking out over the Messinian Gulf on one side, and towards the Taygetos mountains on the other, the home sits beautifully above the city of Kalamata, just 15 minutes from the local Kalamata Airport, 2 hours from Athens International Airport, and a 10-minute drive from the General Hospital of Kalamata (Papadopoulion has its own private ambulance for any emergencies). Almost every area features a view of the sea, the mountains, the pools, or the home’s olive grove and gardens, where residents enjoy afternoon beverages, light exercise, and each other’s company.

At Elaia Restaurant, meanwhile, the introduction to the Peloponnese is made complete, as meals based on the Mediterranean diet are cooked with locally grown produce to meet the needs of each guest individually, according to a nutritionist’s instructions.

Papadopoulion offers guided tours of its facilities in person or virtually. You can book a tour at (+30) 27210.62235 or at www.papadopoulion.gr.