MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care, which specializes in healthcare for the elderly, is now open for business.

"As a leadership team, we started this back in 2014," said president and CEO Jim Peace. "Today marks the end of a long journey. A journey that has ended with a building that is like none other in a community our size."

According to census data, about 18% of Alabama's population is 65 and older. That's around 900,000 people. Peace says there are only 18 board certified geriatricians in Alabama to serve that population. Dr. Robert Edwards is one of them and serves as the center's medical director.

"We'll have rheumatology, we'll have podiatry, we'll have endocrinology and geriatric psychology, and eventually we hope to use our second floor to bring in cardiology," Edwards said.

As more retirees move to Tallapoosa County, officials hope this facility can meet the growing need for geriatric care.

"The difference for our community, maybe unlike other small communities, is that we have this lake here," Peace said. "So we're seeing more and more families move to the lake with the intention on retiring here, and that retirement creates health care needs."

The facility is located next door to Russell Medical Center on Highway 280.