It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Lewes Town Clock in Lewes, DE gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lewes, DE is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I've been with Always Best Care, Vacaville, about a year and a half and I”
“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder”
“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome”
“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and”
“Nate and Charlene are the best in their field. It has been a pleasure getting”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision”
“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use”
“”
“”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult”
“I've been with Always Best Care, Vacaville, about a year and a half and I am very pleased with the service. Their Caregivers are very kind and competent helpers. I would recommend this service to anyone and I have recommend this service to several of my friends.”
“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder without Always Best Care in my life, I have COPD and I am on oxygen full time at level 4 so doing daily chores are out question without my caregiver Ricci Anthony who has been taking tremendous care of me for 3 years this August 2022 and I thank God everyday for him. Every time he arrives he immediately says Hi checks in with me to see how I am doing. As well as, every time he departs I thank him for all that he does for me and I tell him I love him Ricci replies in same likeness. Ricci and I are incredible friends, it’s closer to a dad and son relationship. We’re both strong Christian me. As for Chelsea who does Intake and is the Schedules for Always Best Care equally an amazing individual. Don’t let her young age fool you on the contrary she is a powerhouse. She’s highly a professional, she’s industrious, highly intelligent, she’s a great friend and you can always depend on her to be in support for you. Always Best Care is always best care.”
“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above and beyond. They have great communication between Clients and Staff.”
“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”
“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”
“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and took us thru the process smoothly.”
“Nate and Charlene are the best in their field. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your company.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special interest with their clients. Also a very helpful resource in future planning and current ideas. Trust your parents to these people - they will not let you down.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”
“”
“”
“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Stango Park in Lewes, DE with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Heirloom or visit The Lewes Historical Society Main Campus, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Lewes, DE, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Lewes, DE understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lewes, DE 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Delaware's electronic speed enforcement system is heading to the beach.WDEL has learned that DELDOT is planning to place a speed monitoring camera on Southbound Delaware Route 1 at Minos Conaway Road, just before the Nassau Bridge north of Lewes, by the end of the year.DelDOT began work in June on a 3-year overhaul of the intersection, which will involve moving traffic underneath the Nassau Bridge to eliminate traffic needing to make dangerous left turns across two lanes of Route 1.The Minos Conoway Road intersection is ...
Delaware's electronic speed enforcement system is heading to the beach.
WDEL has learned that DELDOT is planning to place a speed monitoring camera on Southbound Delaware Route 1 at Minos Conaway Road, just before the Nassau Bridge north of Lewes, by the end of the year.
DelDOT began work in June on a 3-year overhaul of the intersection, which will involve moving traffic underneath the Nassau Bridge to eliminate traffic needing to make dangerous left turns across two lanes of Route 1.
The Minos Conoway Road intersection is 77 miles south of the last traffic signal along Route 1, which is technically still Route 7 at AAA Boulevard in Churchmans Crossing just before I-95.
Route 1 runs as a 65 m.p.h. expressway through Dover, before dipping to 60 m.p.h. and then 55 m.p.h. in Little Heaven, when cross traffic enters the mix.
Minos Conoway Road is roughly at the point when DelDOT drops the speed limit to 45 m.p.h. in anticipation of the built-up communities south of the Nassau Bridge.
"That is really the time and place when people need to back off of the speed, and transition from being on a limited-access highway to more of a local road system," DelDOT's CR McLeod told WDEL.
The camera would be the third time a work-zone speed camera would be installed by DelDOT, starting with the previous I-95 "Restore the Corridor" project in Wilmington, and the ongoing I-95/Route 896 work zone near Newark.
During a presentation Monday on progress being made on the 95/896 project, DelDOT said they saw a 10% reduction in speeds after the speed cameras were installed, with southbound traffic actually dropping below the posted 55 m.p.h. speed limit (54.6 m.p.h.), and a 19% reduction in wrecks.
McLeod said that speed reduction is a major goal, with the cameras not leading to a citation unless a driver is detected going 11 m.p.h. or more over the posted speed limit.
"To really help bring down those speeds that we're seeing, and make this a safe work zone for all of the workers that are going to be out there, and for all of those having to travel through this work zone on a daily basis."
McLeod also said they don't plan for the new camera to be a "gotcha" moment, as there will be plenty of signage before the speed camera, once it is installed.
"We want people to be aware of it. We want people to react to that, slow down, and travel safely through the corridor and not get a ticket."
DelDOT keeps 100% of the fines, and they go towards maintaining the cameras, and then the Delaware Office of Highway Safety for education, enforcement, engineering, or administrative purposes.
DelDOT has not set specific date for the installation of the speed camera, but they do expect to have it in place before the end of the year, with a heavy campaign to make sure people are aware of it, just like they did with the two I-95 programs.
After years of planning, American Storage of Delaware on Route 1 north of Lewes opened its many doors to the public just before Labor Day weekend.The facility was established by the duo of Alex Pires and Nate Graulich, who have been business partners for many years. Pires said the two had discussed the need for storage in the Cape Region, and they looked together for sites, first purchasing a site on Route 24 along with a site on Route 1 near Lewes. The Lewes site has been built first; it took about five years from the purchase of the...
After years of planning, American Storage of Delaware on Route 1 north of Lewes opened its many doors to the public just before Labor Day weekend.
The facility was established by the duo of Alex Pires and Nate Graulich, who have been business partners for many years. Pires said the two had discussed the need for storage in the Cape Region, and they looked together for sites, first purchasing a site on Route 24 along with a site on Route 1 near Lewes. The Lewes site has been built first; it took about five years from the purchase of the land to actually building the facility.
In addition to the storage facility, the complex also houses the offices of Graulich’s construction company, Graulich Builders.
Pires said of its appearance, “We tried to make the building soft-looking, so it doesn’t look like an office building.”
Graulich, whose company designed and built the complex, said after studying the market, it was determined that a fully climate-controlled building was the best way to go. He said the complex includes 650 units on three floors, with sizes ranging from 5-by-5 to 10-by-20, complete with gated security, a service elevator and 25 parking spaces for RVs and boats.
“We designed it to fit into the community more, rather than being big-box storage,” Graulich said.
To rent a unit, users can go to the company website, americanstoragede.com, and pick the unit based on what they will be putting in. Graulich said a feature on the website is that users can see a rendering of what the unit will look like with the items in it. From there, he said, users can reserve the unit and will receive a text with a link to an app that will give them access to the facility.
For people who don’t want to use the website to reserve a unit, American Storage of Delaware has an on-site leasing office where staff can walk users through the process and give a guided tour.
Graulich said rentals run month-to-month, but specials are offered to encourage long-term renting.
LEWES – Atlantic Fields, an up-and-coming 650,000-square-foot shopping center, is in the works and some say it could bring Delaware’s first Whole Foods Market, along with a Target and Costco, to the growing eastern half of Sussex County.Developer Ben Hoskins of Southside Investment Partners declined to confirm or deny the names of the future anchor stores when asked by the Delaware Business Times. But the size of the center has fueled speculation from many that bigger and national retailers could be headed to the area for ...
LEWES – Atlantic Fields, an up-and-coming 650,000-square-foot shopping center, is in the works and some say it could bring Delaware’s first Whole Foods Market, along with a Target and Costco, to the growing eastern half of Sussex County.
Developer Ben Hoskins of Southside Investment Partners declined to confirm or deny the names of the future anchor stores when asked by the Delaware Business Times. But the size of the center has fueled speculation from many that bigger and national retailers could be headed to the area for the first time.
The $175 million shopping center, located near Mulberry Knoll Road in Lewes, will see its first public hearing on to request that the property be rezoned as C-4, or planned commercial district, from its current AR-1, or agricultural residential district zoning. At the meeting, Hoskin said he hopes to formally announce the businesses that will soon be frequented by shoppers from all around Sussex County and could employ up to 1,700 people.
“The retailers want to be here. I think the retailers no longer truly see this as the seasonal market. . . There’s been a lot of growth in Sussex County and it’s not just an influx between Memorial and Labor Days. You’ve just got just a tremendous amount of year-round population,” he told DBT, citing the millions of visitors the area receives every year along with its increasing population.
The impending development of the 73.5-acre property which will house nearly two dozen separate structures with more than 3,000 parking spaces, according to planning documents. Those new structures range in square footage from as little as just over 7,000 square feet to as much as 175,000 square feet which locals have rumored will become the new Costco as it matches similar details as other Costco locations across the country. The location has sparked a lot of interest, as well as concern regarding future traffic.
Hoskins said the state-initiated Transportation Improvement District has already supported the corridor by widening Route 24 to four lanes, adding signals at Plantation Road and Mulberry Knoll and endorsed additional infrastructure upgrades proposed by the investment group such as a signal at the main entrance to the shopping center.
Hoskins added that Atlantic Fields is just what leaders in the area are looking for as it was designed to align with Sussex County’s comprehensive plan which designates the Route 24 corridor as a large-scale commercial growth area.
“This is the path of growth,” he said, noting the explosive residential development along the corridor in recent years. “The county has made the case in a very public process with dozens of hearings that this is where they want commercial development to serve this area.”
LEWES, DE -- 98-year-old Carol Orr has lived at her beachfront home in Lewes since the 1940's. After the most recent property value reassessments by Sussex County, Carol said she saw her annual property tax costs increase by six times its original value.Orr showed WBOC a ledger statement from 2024, showing she paid $842.21 in 2024. Her bill this year showed a total cost of $5,221.83. Orr said she was shocked to find the increased bill in her mailbox."It scares me," Carol said. "I feel like I'm losing my mind. Eve...
LEWES, DE -- 98-year-old Carol Orr has lived at her beachfront home in Lewes since the 1940's. After the most recent property value reassessments by Sussex County, Carol said she saw her annual property tax costs increase by six times its original value.
Orr showed WBOC a ledger statement from 2024, showing she paid $842.21 in 2024. Her bill this year showed a total cost of $5,221.83. Orr said she was shocked to find the increased bill in her mailbox.
"It scares me," Carol said. "I feel like I'm losing my mind. Everything was always so safe. Horrible is the only word I can think of."
At 98-years-old, Orr lives alone. Her son, Skip Orr, told WBOC she struggles with dementia, so he helps take manage her finances from his home in Pennsylvania. Skip said he is not sure how their family will manage the increased cost.
"It's devastating," Orr said. "Between the county bill, the city bill in Lewes, and her caregiver expenses, it exceeds her income. We are scrambling to try and figure this out because, with her last wishes, she wants to remain in the house until she passes."
Carol said, as a Lewes native, she has decades of fond memories in her house.
"I can't imagine living anywhere else. I raised Skip here," Carol said.
Orr told WBOC they appealed the assessment three times, and were able to get an original, higher amount lowered by a few hundred dollars a year. However, Orr said they are still not sure whether or not they can keep his mother in the house. Orr said he worries about other families in Sussex County that may be struggling like his.
"I understand why the county needed to do it, but someone needs to protect the people falling through the cracks," Orr said. "The hundreds of other Delawareans out there who are on a fixed income. I don't know how they can get by. I am truly worried that a lot of people are being taxed out of their homes."
Sussex County officials have resources available for those in similar situations to Carols. Officials encourage who saw an increase of $300 dollars or more a year in their annual property taxes to apply for the county's payment plan.
The plan allows bills to be paid in three installments interest free. The first payment is due September 30th. The second payment is due November 15th, and the final payment is due December 31st, according to officials.
Those interested in applying for the program are encouraged to do so by September 30th, the final day applications can be submitted.
SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - A massive new retail development is being proposed along Route 24 in Sussex County that could bring three major national retailers—Costco, Target, and Whole Foods Market—to the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach area.Project documents submitted to the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Department outline plans for a 695,000-square-foot retail center called Atlantic Fields. The development would sit on 73.5 acres along Route 24 at the northwest corner of Mulberry Knoll Road, near Beacon Middle ...
SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - A massive new retail development is being proposed along Route 24 in Sussex County that could bring three major national retailers—Costco, Target, and Whole Foods Market—to the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach area.
Project documents submitted to the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Department outline plans for a 695,000-square-foot retail center called Atlantic Fields. The development would sit on 73.5 acres along Route 24 at the northwest corner of Mulberry Knoll Road, near Beacon Middle School and Love Creek Elementary.
Atlantic Fields would include 23 separate structures. Among them, Costco is slated to occupy a 175,000-square-foot building and feature a separate gas station. Target and Whole Foods are also listed among the anchor tenants.
It is the return of a project that has been in the works for over a year. The applicant is Mulberry Knoll Associates. Currently, the site is zoned AR-1 (agricultural-residential), but the developer is seeking a change to C-4 (planned commercial) to accommodate the retail center. In addition to the zoning request, the applicant is asking to subdivide the two existing parcels into 11 lots as part of the project plan.
Locals in the Lewes area are speaking out about the proposed Atlantic Fields development, a project that would bring a massive retail center including Costco, Target, and Whole Foods into what is currently a residential and agricultural zone.
Robert Mittleman, who lives in Rehoboth Beach, acknowledged the excitement around big-name retailers, but sees Costco as the clear magnet.
"Everybody wants, you know, maybe a Whole Foods," he said. "But Costco is definitely the big target there—literally Target, and Target too."
Raymond Gulino, a Lewes local, expressed frustration not only with the scale of the project but with the response or lack thereof from elected officials.
"Now to culminate in a 700,000 almost 700,000 square foot mall in such a residential community is ludicrous," Gulino said.
"We’ve written letters to the governor with a very candid response. Had nothing to do with what we wrote about. We wrote to all the county council no responses for me. I wrote to Claire Snyder-Hall. Got a response that says, ‘Yeah, this is insane.’ Now, if everybody knows it’s crazy, why aren’t we doing something about it?"
Eric Wattman, also from Lewes, said he’s disheartened by how fast large-scale development is moving forward in the area.
"We didn’t think there was an ability to kind of, you know, develop as quickly as has happened," he said. "So it’s a little disappointing to know that things happen so quickly here, without a broad-based plan to handle the increase in infrastructure."
Gary Vorshein, another Lewes local, warned that the proposed development isn't just a local shopping center—it’s a regional destination that could drastically increase traffic and strain the area.
"It’s not just a little mall it’s a massive destination shopping district that will attract people from not just Delaware, not just Sussex, but the region," he said.
"You're going to have people from multiple states coming here and in a lot of cases, to save money."
He also compared the possible outcome to an existing major retail hub upstate.
"If you've been to the Christiana Mall on a weekend, that's effectively what we're going to have here. This is not really what this area is suited for."
Susan Wattman, who also lives in Lewes, said she researched the zoning of the area before buying her home and feels betrayed by the proposed change.
"When we moved here, I specifically looked into what the area was zoned for," she said. "It was zoned for residential, agricultural. And to change it to commercial is going to have a terrible impact not just on us, but the entire area."
The land is being discussed at the Sept. 17 Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
302-409-3710
