In light of the recent tragic deaths of five New Mexicans due to cold weather, the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department urges everyone to check on their neighbors, especially older folks, during bitterly cold winter days.

Everyone is sensitive to extremes in weather, but with age, the body becomes less able to respond to long exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures.

In cold weather, some older people may develop hypothermia, which is a drop in internal body temperature that can be fatal if not detected and treated. This occurs when exposure to cold causes a person's body to lose heat faster than it can be replaced.

Because older people are especially vulnerable to hypothermia, the Aging and Long-Term Services Department recommends you to be alert to this potentially deadly risk if you or someone you know:  

• HAS INSUFFICIENT HEAT AT HOME due to substandard housing conditions, poor insulation, lack of money to pay for fuel, etc.

• LIVES ALONE and may be exposed to cold without others noticing.

• IS PHYSICALLY INACTIVE due to illness or disability.

• EATS POORLY—no hot, balanced meals for good nutrition.

• TAKES MEDICATION that reduces the body's ability to protect itself against cold.

• REACTS ABNORMALLY TO COLD—for example, does not shiver when cold. (Shivering is the body's way of trying to stay warm.)

• ACTS LIKE A DIFFERENT PERSON—this could be the result of not being warm enough.

If you know an older person, even one living with another older person, make contact with her or him either by phone or in person.

Some questions to ask:

• How are you keeping warm?

• Do you have layers of clothing on?

• Do you have enough blankets?

• Have you been shivering?

• Have you eaten?

If you discover that an elder friend or neighbor appears to be in need of medical attention, call 911 or your local police department.

Thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, which provided some of this information.