Older people are especially at risk from heat-related health problems such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion, and with the heat wave we are currently experiencing, now is not the time to do chores, run errands or weed your garden, the senior advocate organization AARP advises.

"Heat can be miserable for all ages, but potentially life threatening for older persons," according to Lois Aronstein, state director, AARP New York.

Here are the organization's 10 tips for dealing with a heat wave:

1. Relax and put off chores and any strenuous activity.

2. Stay indoors during the hottest times of the day.

3. Close your shades to keep out the sunshine.

4. If you do not have air conditioning, stay on the lower level in your home - heat rises.

5. Check with your local agency for cool places you can go such as libraries and public buildings, or a mall with air conditioning.

6. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat or sunglasses or use an umbrella.

7. Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. This helps keep your body cool.

8. Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages.

9. If you have a chronic medical condition, talk with your doctor about additional precautions you should take to prevent heat-related illness. Some conditions and medications may place you at higher risk.

10. Neighbors, friends or family should check in on older people in their homes to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.

NEW SENIORS WEB SITE: Michael Burgess, director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) announced the release of a newly designed Web site at www.aging.ny.gov. The former Web address (www.aging.state.ny.us) will redirect visitors to the NYSOFA Web site at the new address.

The new Web site address will make it easier for the public to find and access valuable information on programs and services offered by NYSOFA, its 59 county offices for the aging and the network of hundreds of service providers across the state.

"This new Web site is part of our ongoing effort to enhance the quality and access to the information and resources older New Yorkers and their families need to live more independently in their communities of choice," Burgess said.

In 2007, the NYSOFA Web site averaged more than 30,000 visits per month. The majority of those visits involved caregivers and other family members, some of whom care for parents and loved ones who live in New York, while they live in another town or out of state.

The new Web site provides a wealth of information on NYSOFA programs and services, including health, caregiving, housing, and longterm care as well as contact information for the local office for the aging in each county. Visitors can access and watch the agency's TV program, "Aging & You", online. A search button allows for locating information by entering key words.

For more information, contact the New York State office for the Aging Help Line at 1-800- 342-9871 or visit www.aging.ny.gov.

VETS MEETING: The Kew-Forest- Woodside-Loitz Post 250, Jewish War Veterans of the USA and their Ladies Auxillary will hold their final meeting of the season on Sunday morning June 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Rego Park Jewish Center, 97-50 Queens Blvd., Rego Park.

Spencer Polinger and Ruth Weichaelbaum, the commander and president of the groups, both of Rego Park, said that they had invited a pre-burial specialist from Schwartz Brothers funeral home to discuss pre-burial arrangements and the costs involved.

For more information, contact Post Queens County Jewish War Vet Commander Kenneth Lloyd Brown at 718-297-7711.