The pandemic has altered normalcy for the foreseeable future

With the dawn of the Covid-19 pandemic settling its dust on the entire globe, various measures and sanctions that have altered the normal way of life have come into play. With over 25 million cases and over 890,000 deaths officially recorded worldwide, the issuance of these guidelines for increased safety has only been heightened in urgency and importance.

Social distancing has become akin to a chorus-like theme that has been sung for days on end as it is recognized as one of the premier ways to minimize the spread of the virus. According to medical guidelines and protocols, people need to exercise a distance of at least six feet when around others who aren’t of your household either indoors or outdoors. The virus is said to be spread through droplets that are sparked when one who is infected coughs, sneezes, or even talks.

Maximizing social distancing and minimizing contact is essential to managing the spread and protecting oneself against contracting the disease. Other outlined guidelines accompany the protocol include wearing a mask and doubling down on hygiene, especially when it comes to disinfecting.

A very critical group when it comes to protecting our loved ones is the elderly. This is because they are at a heightened risk of infection and succumbing to the disease compared to younger people. According to comprehensive data collected by www.kff.org, adults in the age group of 65 or older frequently posted a percentage of 50 and above for the age group that is most at risk of developing further complications after contracting the virus. According to studies, the virus has also caused more than 56,000 deaths in long term care facilities across 44 states.

Why older people face a big risk either way

Isolation is a preventative measure, but can also end up posing more risks than we could be aware of. Humans are inherently social creatures, and it stems more from a survival instinct. Isolation could lead to social stress, which could lead to a weaker immune system. Social interactions also aid in components that help memory protection in the brain. It also weakens memory.

In particular, for older people, there is a connection between social isolation and an uptick in the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is in addition to other mentioned effects, such as raised stress hormones such as cortisol and blood pressure.

As a damning verdict, isolation from social interactions can lead to a 30% likely earlier death or burgeoning cardiovascular disease.