News Bits

Walk backward for forwardthinking fitness

A recent trend, which originated in Japan, has people walking backward. This provides an increased cardiovascular benefit, as it challenges the body more than normal forward walking. You can enjoy the same benefit in a shorter session because your heart is working harder. Other benefits are better posture (because you can’t hunch forward), increased coordination and improved balance. Seniors can appreciate the lower impact on joints and lesser risk for strain due to the slower pace. Because it uses your muscles in a different way, you can build strength and avoid overuse injuries. Remember: toe, then heel. This prevents excessive impact from going through your heel, which could damage your joints or jar your spine. One caveat: safety is paramount. You may wish to start on a treadmill, where you can hold the handrails for stability. When you are comfortable with that, you could progress to an empty parking lot, a flat field, a gymnasium or perhaps even your home, in an open area such as a basement. Take quick glances over your shoulder to ensure there are no obstacles in your path and enjoy the benefits of reverse (walking) aging.

Clarification for Colorado Springs Senior Center building project

Building plans for the new Colorado Springs Senior Center (CSSC) are underway with the consultant design firm, RTA Architects. There are four site plan options to consider. Community feedback will be incorporated into the final decision on where to locate the new senior center within the Golf Acres site. Key dates for the new Senior Center project and timeline may be found on the city’s website dedicated to keeping the community apprised of the project’s next steps. Currently, they are in the planning phase which will continue into the spring of 2023. Groundbreaking is projected to take place in the summer of 2023, with construction completion estimated for fall of 2024. CSSC plans to continue to offer programming and services while the new senior center is under construction. The location of programming and services is yet to be determined, as they consider various options with the best interest of their seniors in mind. For the most up-to-date information on CSSC, visit the City’s website specifically for the senior center project: https://coloradosprings.gov/seniorcenterrenovation. Consumers may soon be able to compare funeral prices from online posts

Funerals are one of the most expensive services that consumers will purchase in their lifetime. The Funeral Consumer Alliance (FCA) supports the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for considering an update to their price disclosure funeral rule. Currently, you must physically visit funeral homes to see what they charge. This can take an unreasonable amount of time. Collecting price lists from over 50 funeral homes in one city took researchers 15 hours. It also effectively excludes those who are ill or infirm, out-of-town relatives who are helping with funerals, those without transportation and those pressed by hospitals to make a quick decision after a loved one dies. It also means potentially deceptive practices. Only around

Promising new drug for treating Alzheimer’s

Initial clinical trial results for a drug called lecanemab was tested in individuals with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and mild Alzheimer’s dementia. The clinical trial results found that this treatment significantly reduces decline from the disease. These are the most encouraging results in clinical trials treating the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s to date. These results indicate lecanemab may give people more time at or near their full abilities to participate in daily life, remain independent and make future health care decisions. Although the drug is not yet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and consequently is not currently able to be prescribed, it still represents a major milestone for treating Alzheimer’s disease. If participant safety is ensured through the clinical trials, hopefully FDA approval will soon follow.

one-fifth of funeral homes currently post their prices online. If all were required to do so, it would enable consumers to effectively compare prices and would discourage price gouging. Until the convenience of online disclosures takes effect, preplan and do your research, visiting several funeral homes to obtain their price lists. The typical funeral costs $7,000 or more, but some can cost upwards of $20,000, so it might mean the difference of thousands of dollars.

2023 El Paso County Budget

El Paso County is the most populous county in the state, yet it provides efficient and cost-effective services to its residents, with the lowest county property tax, mill levy requirements and tax cost per citizen average of any of the ten largest counties in the state. The preliminary budget for the upcoming year aims to balance the needs of providing vital public services while also planning conservatively for the future. The $473 million preliminary balanced budget for 2023 prioritizes road maintenance ($11.9 million), public safety ($89 million), veteran services ($84,000) and park maintenance ($160,000). The preliminary balanced budget also addresses various critical needs of the county, including increased service demands, population growth and unfunded mandates from the legislature and governor. Happy 30th birthday, Silver Sneakers!

SilverSneakers® by Tivity Health®, the nation’s leading community fitness program for older Americans, marked 30 years of helping seniors get stronger, healthier and more connected. SilverSneakers celebrated with a Guinness World Records™ title for the Most Views in a Dance Fitness class on Facebook Live. At least 1,500 viewers were needed, but the old record was shattered within minutes of the class starting. The final count was 3,075 concurrent viewers. SilverSneakers was founded in 1992 as a fitness program designed for older adults to support mobility, cardiovascular health, balance and more. It has grown to more than 18 million eligible members. Visit www.silversneakers30.com to read members’ stories, the history of SilverSneakers and its 30th anniversary. SilverSneakers is offered through more than 70 Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplemental and group retiree plans at no additional cost. To check eligibility, visit www. silversneakers.com. SilverSneakers classes are offered at all Pikes Peak YMCA locations. ■

Holiday Craft & Gift Sales

December 2-3 Arts & Crafts Fair

At Colorado College. 4-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday | 902 N. Cascade Ave.

December 2-4

Holiday Food and Gift Festival

At Norris Penrose Event Center. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday | 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road | $6

December 3

North Pole at Tri-Lakes

Arts and Crafts Fair At Grace Best Education Center. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 66 Jefferson St., Monument

December 3

Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair

At Storybook Brewing. 12-5 p.m. | 3121 A North El Paso St.

December 3

Holiday Craft Fair

At Cheyenne Mountain High School. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1200 Cresta Road

December 3-4

Doherty Craft Fair

At Doherty High School. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday | 4515 Barnes Road

December 3-4

Hillside Gardens Christmas Market

At Hillside Gardens & Event Center. 12-5 p.m. | 1006 S. Institute St.

December 10

Annual Christmas Craft Fair

At Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 128 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek

December 10

Fall into Winter Holiday Market

At Black Forest Community Center. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | 12530 Black Forest Road

December 10

Holiday Craft Fair

At Taylor Elementary. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | 900 E. Buena Ventura St.

December 10

Vista Ridge Craft Vendor Fair

At Vista Ridge High School. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | | 6888 Black Forest Road

December 10

Craft Fair and Bake Sale

At Fountain Valley Senior Center. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 5745 Southmoor Drive, Fountain

December 18

Downtown Craft & Vendor Fair

At UCCS Downtown. 1-4 p.m. | 102 S. Tejon St., Suite 105-A