Keeping the elderly safe in cold weather.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

The cold truth about hypothermia is that Americans aged 65 years and older face this danger, even in late winter and early spring. Older adults especially are vulnerable to hypothermia because their body's response to cold can be diminished by underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes; some medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies; and aging itself. As a result, hypothermia-having a core body temperature below 95[degrees]F--can develop in older adults after even relatively mild exposure to cold weather or a small drop in temperature.

Someone suffering from hypothermia may show one or more of the following signs: slowed or slurred speech; sleepiness or confusion; shivering or stiffness in the arms and legs; poor control over body movements or slow reactions; or a weak pulse. If you suspect hypothermia, or if you observe these symptoms, call 911.

Here are a few tips from the National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Md., to help older people avoid the condition:

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