Feature Story
Shell Point Builds Lifecare Community
on Foundation of Faith, Prime Real Estate
By Elizabeth W. Pearce

It is rare to find a large-scale, mixed-use development that’s not only a good neighbor and environmental protector but an award-winning, corporate success and industry model, as well. However, those are just some of the things that distinguish the Shell Point Retirement Community in south Fort Myers.
Currently celebrating its 35th year, Shell Point is situated on an enviable amount of acreage off Summerlin Road, just east of the Sanibel Causeway. Although many people have heard of Shell Point and know where it is, few understand what it is and why it is different from any other 60-plus residential community in the world.
Owned by The Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination, Shell Point provides services to residents of 26 different denominations from 39 different states and 19 different countries. It is accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission and not only is the largest retirement community in Florida, but the second largest in the nation.
Shell Point has come a long way in the past 35 years and has a record of excellence that has established the organization as a leader in the field of senior housing and healthcare services.
“Shell Point is a unique place,” said President Peter Dys. “You cannot point to any other community anywhere in the country that has the level of amenities we offer, including a waterfront location with boat docks, an 18-hole championship golf course (open to the public), walking trails and bike paths, fine dining and all of the other lifestyle amenities available combined with the full range of healthcare services we provide. We have the whole package here.”
Dys has served as president of Shell Point since August 1985. He previously served as executive director of the Lancaster County Office of Aging in Pennsylvania, where he was responsible for developing and implementing a broad array of community-based services for older adults. Dys is considered a leader in his field, and frequently is asked to speak at national conferences on aging and housing for seniors.
“We feel very protective of the reputation that Shell Point has gained in the industry,” he said, noting that the non-profit ministry must be run as a business to ensure its fiscal strength. “This is important because we make a commitment to people when they move here that we will always be here to care of them (as their health dictates) for the rest of their lives. We honor that promise every day.”
Healthcare for Life
Unlike a typical retirement community, Shell Point offers an insurance product known as lifecare. In exchange for an up-front fee and monthly maintenance costs, residents receive a condominium home, complete with a package of resort-style amenities and services. Although they don’t have equity ownership, residents are guaranteed a three-tiered, on-site continuum of healthcare for life, starting with independent living and progressing to assisted living and unlimited skilled nursing care as needed.
This arrangement is especially appealing to married couples whose healthcare needs are not always in sync. For example, a couple can move into Shell Point and live together for a number of years in the home of their choice. As they grow older, should one of the spouses require skilled nursing, he or she could move into the appropriate, on-site facility while the other spouse continues to reside in their residence, all for the same monthly fee. Further, they can still enjoy spending time together within a familiar environment, surrounded by their friends and neighbors.
According to David Moreland, vice-president of sales and marketing, what you don’t see when you drive into the community is its main attraction. “Initially, you won’t notice the very strong healthcare component, and that’s what encourages most people to come here. They don’t want to give up their (active) lifestyle, but they start to realize they won’t stay that way forever. Here, residents enjoy the highest quality of life their health allows, as well as the care they might need in the future.”
This product is very popular with seniors, whose growing population provides a steady demand for the services it offers. Further, Shell Point provides a number of services beyond what is covered by the up-front fees.
Benefits to Lee County
According to Moreland, Shell Point is a model for successful aging. “The individuals who live here aren’t relying on the government, their families or society at large to take care of them in their old age. They’ve planned ahead and they’re taking care of themselves by utilizing the variety of programs and services available to them at Shell Point.”
Individually and collectively, they’re also contributing to Southwest Florida’s overall quality of life. JoAnn Beaumont, a staff member at the Lee County Elections Office, says that Shell Point’s residents comprise one of the strongest precincts in Lee County, with a consistently higher-than-average voter turnout. In November 2002, 65% of them went to the polls.
They also tend to be philanthropically inclined and are well known for their high levels of community involvement and volunteerism. Residents donate an estimated annual average of more than 100,000 hours of their time to beneficiaries ranging from wildlife and conservation organizations to schools, theaters, museums and churches, among other groups. Within Shell Point, residents also serve at the community’s skilled nursing center, library, Adopt-a-Road, art studio, woodshop, train room and many other areas.
The community’s economic impact is undeniable. With a workforce of more than 650, Shell Point is one of Lee County’s largest employers. In addition, each year the organization sends local companies millions of dollars worth of business related to facility operations, maintenance, food service, new construction, medical equipment, printing and promotions, among other expenses. Moreland said he expects their contributions will continue to grow as Shell Point pursues its expansion plan.
In the late 1990s, Shell Point embarked on a major expansion by purchasing approximately 700 additional acres of land near its original 75-acre island location. The ambitious plan is projected to cost $750 million to execute, and will include several new residential neighborhoods, additional healthcare facilities, commercial and retail development, and related amenities and services for the projected population of 4,000 senior adults.
“On top of the $750 million construction cost, there will be increased operating costs and the financial trickle-down of expansion,” said Moreland. “We expect that to generate a total of approximately $1 billion in Lee County.”
However, Moreland said that Shell Point’s contributions transcend the obvious economic advantages. “This property was destined to be developed, but we feel our use of the property and our growth and development is actually more advantageous to the region, in part because we have less impact on infrastructure than some planned residential communities.”
For instance, because there are no children living at Shell Point, additional schools are not required. “Also, our residents tend to be one-car families, so we’re not adding significantly to the local traffic. Plus, we provide a number of the services right on site that our residents will need.”
Another boon to the area is Shell Point’s on-site hurricane shelter. “It’s important because it means 1,600 fewer people on the roads in case of a major storm,” said Moreland. “If there is a local evacuation of Sanibel or the surrounding area, our residents will be staying off the roadways and in the on-site shelter that we built.”
Innovative Systems
In many ways, Shell Point has raised the bar on community living by introducing systems that enhance daily life while also protecting the environment. Its approach has been a marked departure from the dredge-and-fill attitude of many waterfront developers of the 1960s. For example, in 1997, when Shell Point decided to expand in the adjoining 700 acres, it deeded more than half of it to the State of Florida to be preserved in perpetuity as a nature preserve. Further, Shell Point eliminated non-native plants, filled in ditches and restored historic sheet flow to the area.
In addition to using reclaimed water to irrigate its golf course, Shell Point has done much to conserve energy. For instance, it built a huge energy facility that uses air- and water-cooled chillers for the community’s HVAC systems. Besides keeping residents comfortable, the innovative system saves Shell Point upwards of $130,000 on its annual energy bill.
Looking Ahead
To date, construction has been completed on the 18-hole championship golf course, three residential buildings and more than 20,000 square feet of common space in The Woodlands, Shell Point’s second independent living neighborhood. Construction of a fourth residential building is expected to begin in April.
Shell Point’s management is also examining opportunities for limited commercial development on its property closest to McGregor Boulevard at the community’s entrance. Development of the parcel began with the addition of a Country Inn & Suites hotel and a new entry with an illuminated water feature, signage and fountains. Additional plans include administrative office space, a new sales center and possibly some commercial, retail or medical development designed to enhance services to the community.
“We have made tremendous progress since our early days,” said Moreland. “I know many of us look forward to coming into work each day just to see what new project we have to work on. It’s an exciting time for all of us at Shell Point.” -

35 Years of Growth
Established in 1968, the lifecare community of Shell Point is a non-profit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. In 1999, the organization embarked on a $750 million expansion. When completed, the community is expected to include housing, medical care and support services for 4,000 residents, along with some commercial development on a 20-acre outparcel fronting McGregor Boulevard.
Development highlights include:
1968: Shell Point opens on a 75-acre island along the Caloosahatchee River and breaks ground on The Village Church.
1969: Activity and social service buildings completed.
1969-1973: Garden apartment buildings open.
1970: Medical Center is built.
1971: The Pavilion skilled nursing facility opens with 180 beds.
1975: Construction of the three mid-rises completed.
1987: Construction of King’s Crown 120-bed, assisted living facility completed.
1992: Shell Point earns national accreditation from the Continuing Care
Accreditation Commission.
1995: Hurricane shelter built.
1996: Shell Point purchases nearly 700 acres leading up to The Island at a cost of $7.5 million. The Island gets new sales office, front gate and security office, plus 40 more residences with completion of Sundial building.
1998: Shell Point launches web site (www.shellpoint.org) and breaks ground on the first building for The Woodlands, the first of several planned residential neighborhoods in the expansion.
2000: The first nine holes of the championship golf course are completed; Country Inn & Suites opens.
2002: The Pavilion expands to 219 beds; 18-hole golf course completed; residents occupy The Woodlands’ third building; and presales begin at a fourth (Lakewood).
 

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