There are cooks, housekeepers, servers, nurses, carpenters, graphic artists, sales and promotion staff - to name a few. Most positions are full time and management says workers earn competitive wages and are provided with a good benefits package.

Florida’s year-round sunshine has drawn millions of retirees to Florida over the decades. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity estimates more than 170,000 people work in elder care-related industries.

Carole Green, who served as secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs under former Gov. Jeb Bush says elder care helps drive the economy.

“It’s a big engine. There’s always a big argument over what’s the biggest industry in the state of Florida you know and I would tell you that one of the biggest drivers we have here is taking care of our seniors,” she said.

That care comes in many forms. At Shell Point, 17 landscapers maintain the 425-acre property. Another ten people work on the golf course. Landscape Manager Steve Morton directs irrigation specialists, horticulturists and pesticide applicators. He said turnover is low and satisfaction is high.

“One of our thoughts is that how horticulture affects a person where they live, it has an effect on their well-being,” he says.

Resort Services Manager Mary Franklin directs a staff of 11 who arrange many resident activities. She’s worked at Shell Point for about five years which she said makes her kind of a “newbie” in an organization with a very low turnover rate and staff that has not been downsized despite the downturn in the economy.

“We tightened our belts, no employee was laid off. We operated to the best of our abilities and that really gave the employees a sense of accomplishment and we also really appreciated that Shell Point said we are not going to lay you off,” said Franklin.

In fact, Shell Point created a new position -- an advisor to help potential residents in a tough real estate market sell their homes and raise the entrance fee needed to move into the community.

One reason people move to Shell Point is because of the promise of continuing care. There are assisted living apartments, a skilled nursing facility, care for residents suffering from dementia and a hospice unit.

Stacey Daniel Statillo is the nursing manager for the The Arbor at Shell Point, an assisted living facility providing round the clock care by a staff up to 75. She said elder care is a good career choice for people living Southwest Florida.

“It’s absolutely imperative that we be able to provide healthcare for the population we have in this area and geriatrics is a good to be in – whether it’s in nursing or any other type of role, it’s a good place to be,” said Statillo. But what’s it like to work in a community where the age and death rate are artificially high?

“We get to know your medical issues and we can help deter bad things from happening before they do happen,” she said. “We honestly don’t see a lot of death. Our goal is we want people to live out their lives with us and to happily pass away in their sleep is the biggest blessing someone can have and that’s what we wish for our residents.”

Shell Point owns 700 acres of undeveloped land giving it the capacity to double in size potentially employing 1500 people. Managers say additional growth will be market driven.