By Tim Mastro

REHOBOTH BEACH — ChristianaCare will open a new location in Rehoboth Beach in spring 2022.

The facility will be located at 18742 Coastal Highway and aims to provide residents in the Lewes and Rehoboth communities convenient access to primary care and specialty health care services.

“We are on a mission to deliver the right care, at the right place for everyone — to make a positive impact on the health of every person in every community we serve,” Dr. Lisa Maxwell, president of the Medical Group of ChristianaCare, said in a prepared statement. “That includes increasing access to primary and specialty care services that will help people to achieve their very best health and manage chronic conditions. We’re incredibly excited to provide families in Lewes, Rehoboth and surrounding areas, and especially those 65 and older, with high-quality, convenient care close to where they live, work and play.”

The facility was previously occupied by Pier 1 and is approximately 10,000 square feet. It will house a traditional primary care practice, specialty services and an innovative new model of care for people aged 65 and over.

This new care model will address chronic health conditions, maintenance of mobility and functional status, nutrition and medication needs to support healthy aging, ChristianaCare officials said. Patients will be able to have in-person visits with providers as well as the opportunity to connect virtually with expert specialists throughout ChristianaCare’s network of services.

The primary care practice plans to offer extended hours for early morning and evening appointments and some Saturday appointments.

Home visits will be available to patients who have medical and social challenges that interfere with a typical office visit. The practice will also provide education and support for patients who face difficult decisions regarding insurance and medication plan choices.

According to state projections, the population of Sussex County is expected to increase by 12% by 2025, the health system said, creating a growing need for primary and specialty care services in the area. The 65 and older population is expected to grow by 16% over the same period.

Residents of Sussex County have higher rates of blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions than the state average, according to 2019 data from the Delaware Health Tracker.

“ChristianaCare’s new location in Sussex County fills a need for expanded primary and specialty care in Southern Delaware, which is rapidly growing with an aging population,” Dr. Cydney T. Teal, chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at ChristianaCare, said in a prepared statement. “Patients who choose ChristianaCare benefit from the advantages of being connected to Delaware’s largest, most advanced health care system, including electronic medical records, virtual access to care on their personal electronic devices and access to a secure patient portal, all designed to help them to actively engage with their providers in their health.”