When the weather outside is frightful, it can take a heavy toll on elderly members of the community, according to an expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

"It's essential for elders to prepare for the winter season," said Dr. Robert Roush of the Huffington Center on Aging at BCM.

One of the main concerns is the cold winter weather, but it's important to be sure that the precautions don't turn into problems.

"As we age, the body loses the ability to regulate temperature," said Roush, also an associate professor of medicine -- geriatrics at BCM. "Frail elders may turn the heat on higher than most of us, which can lead to dehydration and that causes confusion, increasing one's risk of falling or taking too much or not enough essential medications."

Elders must be careful to control the temperature to avoid having their places of residence become too hot or conversely too cold, leading to hypothermia, the physician said. And since older people often lose their sense of thirst, always be sure they drink plenty of liquids.

Extremely cold weather can also cause severe conditions including ice and snow and power outages, so Roush recommends stocking up on essential groceries and other items ahead of time.

Older people also lose lean muscle mass, and bones become more brittle; thus, there is less padding around the hips and even a small slip or fall on ice can result in a broken hip or forearm, leading to severe medical complications.

Roush recommends having someone frequently check on elderly family members or neighbors, and help them with driving as the sun goes down earlier and it becomes difficult to see on the roads. He also recommends elders always have a form of communication with others, whether it's a portable phone, cell phone or even an emergency response system.

Another important precaution to take is getting a flu shot.

"We recommend that elders do get the flu shot, but other family members, especially young children, should also get vaccinated to prevent spreading it to others," said Roush.

Because the immune system is affected by age, elders should seek medical care if symptoms of a cold or flu don't subside.