The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is hoping to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020.
 
Families that lost loved ones to COVID-19 can now get help with funeral expenses. The agency recently launched a hotline to apply for up to $9,000 in assistance per burial. The number to call is 844-684-6333.
 
Some $2 billion was allocated as part of the $900 billion relief deal Congress approved in December, while the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion package supported it by providing the agency with an additional $50 billion to use for coronavirus-related costs.
 
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions: The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia; the death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19; the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.
 
Call the dedicated toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 funeral assistance application completed with help from FEMA’s representatives. Multilingual services are available. No online applications will be accepted.
 
It should take about 20 minutes to apply over the phone. Calls will not be rushed through because FEMA intends to make sure all applicants get their questions answered and receive the help they need to apply.

If you have a chronic disease – such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma or back or joint pain – exercise can have important health benefits. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine. He or she might have advice on what exercises are safe and any precautions you might need to take while exercising.
 
Here are some of the things you need to know about exercise and chronic disease.
 
• Heart disease. Regular exercise can help improve your heart health. Recent studies have shown that interval training is often tolerated well in people with heart disease, and it can produce significant benefits.
 
• For people with high blood pressure, exercise can lower your risk of dying of heart disease and lower the risk of heart disease progressing.
 
• Diabetes. Regular exercise can help insulin more effectively lower your blood sugar level. Physical activity can also help you control your weight and boost your energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, exercise can lower your risk of dying of heart disease.
 
• Asthma. Exercise often can help control the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
 
• Back pain. Regular low-impact aerobic activities can increase strength and endurance in your back and improve muscle function. Abdominal and back muscle exercises – core-strengthening exercises – may help reduce symptoms by strengthening the muscles around your spine.
 
• Arthritis. Exercise can reduce pain, maintain muscle strength in joints and reduce joint stiffness. It can also improve physical function and quality of life for people who have arthritis.
 
• Cancer. Exercise can improve the quality of life for people who’ve had cancer, and it can also improve their fitness. Exercise can also lower the risk of dying from breast, colorectal and prostate cancer.
 
• Dementia. Exercise can improve cognition in people with dementia, and people who are active on a regular basis are at less risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.
 
Source: Courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.

​Officials from the city of Broken Arrow, together with Broken Arrow Seniors, Inc., broke ground April 13 on the new Senior Center East, located at 1811 S. Main St.
 
“Broken Arrow has long been a community that supports senior citizens and diverse recreation programs,” City Manager Michael Spurgeon said. “This new facility will provide much-needed room for expansion in both programming and office space as the membership continues to grow.”
 
The two-part municipal project consists of a new one-story building, as well as parking and much-needed storm water improvements.
 
The 12,400-square-foot building will include two multipurpose rooms, multiple meeting rooms and an exercise room. Paid for by voter-approved 2018 general obligation bonds, the project is expected to be completed by next summer.
 
“With this second building, we will be able to expand our program offerings from 75 activities a week to more than 125,” according to BA Seniors President and Chief Executive Officer Sean Simpson. “We will grow from 20,000 square feet to 32,000 square feet.”