{"id":7006,"date":"2020-04-25T10:01:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-25T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/?p=7006"},"modified":"2020-04-25T02:38:52","modified_gmt":"2020-04-25T06:38:52","slug":"op-ed-social-distancing-shouldnt-lead-to-social-isolation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/25\/op-ed-social-distancing-shouldnt-lead-to-social-isolation\/","title":{"rendered":"OP-ED: Social Distancing Shouldn\u2019t Lead to Social Isolation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
By Sandra Harris<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

FRAMINGHAM – Even in the best of times, social isolation is a significant problem. In Massachusetts, 540,250 people over the age of 50 live alone and are at higher risk of social isolation, which is now magnified by the \u201csocial distancing\u201d requirements across the country.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s worrisome. In fact, the World Health Organization was so concerned that the \u201csocial distancing\u201d directive was contributing to isolation that it has modified the wording of its guidance: It now urges people to practice \u201cphysical<\/em>\u00a0distancing\u201d to prevent the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make no mistake: The long-term effects of social isolation are very real. Over a prolonged period, the impact of social isolation is as harmful to an individual as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In fact, isolation is more dangerous to one\u2019s health than obesity, and it\u2019s linked to a greater likelihood of early death, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function, stroke and depression in adults 50 and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We may have all scaled back our personal interactions to stay safe, but that doesn\u2019t mean we have to be alone. Today\u2019s technology offers myriad ways to keep in touch with family, friends, neighbors and loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some steps to stay connected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n