Early elders are not immediately looking to move into an independent living facility, but it is worth knowing about and factoring into the housing options for the decades to follow. In the best of situations, they smooth the way through three stages of stepped-up need later in life. At the entry point a resident lives in a private apartment, has at least one meal per day communally, and has access to a wide range of services such as round-the-clock security, housekeeping, classes, or fitness facilities. Shuttle service is offered for:

• Food shopping

• Medical appointments

• Cultural, sporting, or other entertainment events

• Banking

• Salon appointments

• Train or airport

Should the need arise later, stepped up care, for so-called assisted living, can be provided. This may mean help with bathing, dressing, or eating. And in the case of prolonged physical or mental impairment, skilled nursing may be available in a special part of the facility.

This highly supported life does not come cheaply, although there is a range of options. At the high end there is a hefty buy-in figure of several hundred thousand dollars or more, and monthly service fees that can run $3,000 to $4,500 and up.

Congregate housing offers custodial and medical care within a special apartment community. These apartments may be in a typical apartment complex or can be established in a boarding house or a converted private home. Residents in congregate housing enjoy the independence of living in a separate apartment while having access to assisted living care, skilled nursing care, or Alzheimer's care. They also have access to group activities that foster community interaction. Usually subsidized by charities and not local governments this type of living is also sometimes known as

• Congregate retirement housing

• Supported housing

• Life-care homes

• Retirement residences

• Life-care communities

• Residential care

It is possible to get into this type of housing for as little as $500 a month, at the low end. Costs can run as high as $4,000 at the other end of the spectrum. There is no long-term financial commitment to a congregate housing apartment. It is possible to leave without penalty.

Planning for where you might want to be living independently is something that evolves over time. The key is to get the facts, including whether there might be a long waiting list for a facility you would prefer. Make sure that all the relevant parties are included in the deliberative process. These may include your spouse and adult children. What everyone wants to avoid is making a difficult decision in a crisis. In fact, most facilities have standards that have to be met proving that you really are able to live independently.