Swedish Death Cleaning: The Surprising Secret to a Safer Home
By SilverSneakers | September 2, 2025
Make Your Home Safer – And Simpler.
Every year, more than 14 million older adults in the U.S., roughly one in four, report a fall, and about 37% of those falls lead to injuries requiring medical care or activity restriction according to the CDC. However, most of these accidents are preventable. One powerful and often overlooked tool in fall prevention? Decluttering your space. Enter the Swedish concept of döstädning, or “death cleaning.” While the name may sound heavy, the practice is anything but. Swedish death cleaning is a thoughtful process of simplifying your belongings so your home, and your life, feels lighter, safer, and easier to manage.
It’s not about preparing for the end. It’s about living better now.
Let’s take a closer look at how combining fall prevention with Swedish death cleaning can help you stay independent, confident, and secure in your home.
What Is Swedish Death Cleaning?
Swedish death cleaning is a slow, mindful process of going through your possessions and removing items you no longer want, need, or use – ideally before someone else has to do it for you.
The idea is to:
Ease the emotional and physical burden on loved ones
Make your everyday life more manageable
Keep your home organized and safe
The best part? You don’t need to do it all at once. Small steps go a long way, and they can help prevent dangerous clutter that leads to trips, slips, and falls.
Why Fall Prevention Starts at Home
Many falls happen in the home, especially in areas where:
Pathways are narrow or blocked
Rugs slip or bunch
Lighting is dim
Cords are exposed
Furniture is unstable or not designed for support
Decluttering and organizing your home through the lens of Swedish death cleaning gives you a perfect opportunity to identify and fix these risks before a fall occurs.
for Active Older Adults
Swedish Death Cleaning: The Surprising Secret to a Safer Home
By SilverSneakers | September 2, 2025
5 Simple Ways to Start
You don’t need to tackle your whole house in one day. Here’s how to combine the mindset of Swedish death cleaning with practical fall prevention steps:
1. Start with One Drawer, One Shelf, or One Room
Pick a manageable space like your nightstand or a kitchen drawer. Ask yourself: “Do I use this? Do I love it? Does it serve me now?” If not, let it go.
2. Clear Pathways
Make sure walkways are at least 3 feet wide. Move furniture or boxes that block your path, especially in bedrooms, hallways, and near doorways.
3. Tidy Up Loose Items
Piles of newspapers, shoes, or even pet toys can become tripping hazards. Find a home for frequently used items and put things away after use.
4. Secure Rugs and Cords
Remove or anchor throw rugs and tuck away electrical cords. Nonslip backing or double-sided tape can keep rugs from shifting.
5. Let There Be Light
Make sure every room, especially stairways and bathrooms, has enough lighting. Night lights can help guide you safely during late-night trips to the bathroom or kitchen.
This Isn’t About Getting Rid of Everything
Think of Swedish death cleaning as editing your home, not erasing it. Keep what brings you joy and comfort. Donate or pass down what might be useful to others. And with each step, you’ll be creating a safer, more serene environment that supports your health and independence.
A Safer Space Is a Stronger Future
By combining the practical benefits of fall prevention with the intentionality of Swedish death cleaning, you ’ re doing something powerful: Taking control of your space, your safety, and your story.
It’s never too late to protect yourself – and it starts with one small, mindful step.
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
Adults
Adults
for Active Older Adults
Active Older Adults
Active Older Adults
for Active Older Adults
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
for Active Older Adults
Medication Management Made Simple: Tips for Older Adults
By SilverSneakers | August 25, 2025
Advice from pharmacists and real adults 65+ to help you stay safe, organized, and on schedule.
If you ’ re managing more than one medication, you ’ re not alone – and you ’ re definitely not failing. It’s common for older adults to take several prescriptions and supplements each day. The challenge? Keeping track of what to take, when to take it, and how to store it safely. The good news: A few smart strategies can help you stay on track without turning your entire day into a medication schedule.
Make Medications Fit Into Your Routine
One of the simplest ways to remember your medications is to keep them where you’ll use them.
Take a pill first thing in the morning? Store it on your nightstand with a glass of water.
Need to take something with food? Keep it in the kitchen near your meal prep area.
Just be sure the location is safe – especially if you have children, pets, or visitors in your home.
Use a Pillbox (It’s Not Old-Fashioned – It’s Smart!)
Weekly pill organizers are more helpful than ever. You can find ones with compartments for each day, or even ones that divide your meds by morning, noon, and night.
Some pillboxes even let you pop out a day’s dose and take it with you on the go –perfect for when you ’ re heading to a SilverSneakers® class or out to lunch with friends.
Filling it once a week makes your day-to-day routine a breeze. If a compartment is empty, you’ll know you already took that dose.
Traveling? Be Prepared
Pharmacists recommend bringing more medication than you think you’ll need just in case your trip gets extended or delayed.
Here are some smart travel tips:
Pack your medications in their original bottles, especially when flying or crossing state lines.
Fill your pillbox once you arrive at your destination. Always pack medications in your carry-on bag so they’re not lost in transit.
Let Technology Lend a Hand
Many older adults find that tech tools make a big difference. Try setting phone alarms or using a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant as a reminder.
You can also download a medication management app like Medisafe, which: Tracks your doses
Sends alerts when it’s time to take a pill
Helps you manage refills
Some apps even notify a caregiver or loved one if you miss a dose, providing peace of mind for both of you.
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
Medication Management Made Simple: Tips for Older Adults
By SilverSneakers | August 25, 2025
Consider an Automatic Pill Dispenser
If you want a hands-off approach to medication organization, automatic pill dispensers may be worth exploring. They release your medications at a scheduled time and may sound an alarm or flash a light to get your attention. Some are even locked to prevent early access.
Just know these devices may require a monthly subscription fee.
Talk to Your Pharmacist – They’re Here to Help!
Your pharmacist can do more than fill your prescriptions. Ask if they offer services like:
Pre-packaging pills into daily packets
Coordinating refills so they’re ready on the same day each month
Providing free delivery straight to your door
Helping you create a medication schedule or answer questions about timing and side effects.
Bonus Tip: Schedule a Medication Checkup
Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or health insurance provider about a medication management appointment.
A pharmacist will review all your prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and supplements to make sure:
You’re not taking anything unnecessary There are no harmful interactions Your current plan still fits your needs
This can be especially helpful if you ’ ve recently started a new medication or experienced side effects.
Better Medication Habits Start Here
Managing medications may seem overwhelming at first, but with the right tools, you can simplify your routine, stay consistent, and feel more in control of your health. When your medications are working for you, not against your schedule, you’ll have more time and energy for the things you enjoy, like walking outdoors, dancing in a SilverSneakers LIVE class, or connecting with friends.
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
Equipment
Chicken Stroganoff
PREP TIME:10minutes mins
COOK TIME:50 minutes YIELD: 4 servings
This quick, family-friendly Chicken Stroganoff recipe is made with ground chicken and mushrooms in a creamy sauce is perfect over egg noodles, veggie noodles, or pasta.
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon (I like Better Than Bouillon)
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 pound 93% ground chicken
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
black pepper (to taste)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (for garnish)
egg noodles, high-fiber pasta, veggies noodles or gluten-free noodles (extra for serving)
Instructions
1.In a blender combine the water, sour cream, flour, bouillon, and paprika, blend until smooth.
2.Heat a large deep nonstick skillet on high heat and spray with oil. Add the chicken and salt and cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks, about 5 minutes.
3.Reduce heat to medium, add the onions and tomato paste to the pan and cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4.Add the mushrooms, thyme and Worcestershire sauce.
5.Pour the sauce over the chicken and bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 35 to 45 minutes, until tender.
6.When sauce is done, discard thyme, garnish with chopped parsley and serve over your favorite noodles or veggie noodles.
Notes
Serve this over 2 ounces of your favorite egg noodles, or enjoy it over your favorite veggie noodles. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 4 days. This can also be heated up and packed in a thermos for school lunches.
Newsletter for Active Older Adults Just For Laughs!!
Why don’t pirates take a shower before they walk the plank? They just wash up on shore.
Who was the roundest knight in King Arthur’s court?
Sir Cumference.
What kind of felines can bowl? Alley cats.
What did one toilet say to the other?
“You appear a bit flushed.”
Why can’t leopards play hide-and-seek?
Because they’re always spotted.
Why do comedians love telling jokes to ducks? They always quack up.
Two cows were standing in a field. “Have you heard that mad cow disease is going around?” asked the first. “Yeah,” the other cow replied. “Makes me glad I’m a penguin.”
