Now is the time to start planning for life much, much later than 50.

People living past 80 are remaining independent and safe at home through products, services and a mind-set geared toward aging without getting old.

Get paperwork in order early

Financial planning, long-term care insurance, estate planning and related matters are all essential preparations, and the earlier the better. Long-term care insurance, for example, becomes more costly the longer you wait.

address logistics

Older adults face three big disability issues: loss of mobility, loss of sight and loss of hearing, says Susan Ayers Walker, founder and managing director of the SmartSilvers Alliance in Menlo Park, Calif.

She suggests considering family history and current health status for clues to what you might face. For example, if a parent had macular degeneration, could that be in your future?

Similarly, do you have back problems or knee problems that limit movement? If so, she says, look around your house and consider whether the space will continue to work in years to come. If stairs are an issue, there are fixes other than moving to a new residence.

One option is to install a stair lift. Also known as a glider, a stair lift is a chair on a motorized track designed to lift you to an upper floor. Depending on your budget and how many floors or stairs are a navigational issue, an elevator might be an option.

“I love this home,” says Walker of her three-story treehouse built into the side of a hill. “We looked at ranches for about a year, but they didn’t have the soul this house has. So we put in an elevator. It didn’t cost us as much as we thought it would.”

Consider safety

Make sure the rooms where you spend the most time are as safe as possible.

“One of the biggest things you have to worry about as you get older is your balance and the opportunity for a fall,” Walker says, “because if you fall, it can be a life-altering challenge.”

One of the most slippery places is the bathroom. An easy solution is a grab bar, positioned for use in or out of the shower.

Another design element you can install is a shower drain that is flush with the rest of the floor so there is nothing to step over or into for showering, says Dr. Gary Kennedy, director of the division of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

Removing area rugs and keeping cords out of the way are among recommendations from AARP. Gabi Redford, editorial projects manager for AARP The Magazine, says “the number of people who fall in the middle of the night is enormous” and reiterates Walker’s comment that falls can have huge health consequences.

within reach

In the kitchen, SmartSilvers’ Walker suggests rearranging your cabinets. “Putting things in lower cabinets works a lot better than having to get up on a step stool,” she says.

Walker also touts the use of a grabber reaching tool to pick up items from hard-to-reach areas.

Seniors also might want to stock a few things they can use in the event of injury. One such item is a cellular phone, which should be within reach, if not in the pocket. Walker recommends using a phone with an easy-to-see screen and easy-to-dial keypad.

When using a cell phone isn’t an option because of a fall or other life-threatening emergency, a personal emergency response system could help. A help-button device is worn and pushed when needed. In some cases, the device might detect a fall and respond even if it has not been pushed.

stay happy

All experts interviewed agree that three ways to help ensure a longer independent life in one’s home are exercise, good nutrition and socialization.

“People need to plan not to become isolated,” Kennedy says. Keeping friends, making new friends, staying close with family — all those things are critical as people age. Living alone and being alone are two different things. Remaining social also means remaining active.

“The number of nursing home beds has not increased in 20 years despite more people living longer,” Kennedy says. “There is more evidence the older population is healthier and happier than ever before.”

Staying healthy through exercise and good eating habits will keep it that way.