EXCESS winter deaths are at their highest ever level, new figures show.
The increase is understood to be down to the flu and spells of very cold weather last winter.
There were 6,404 deaths recorded in the north over the winter of 2017/18 - 1,500 more than expected.
This was a huge jump from the 960 and 640 the previous two winters.
Nisra's new Excess Winter Mortality shows the difference between the actual and expected numbers of deaths in the four month period from December to March.
Similar peaks have been seen in previous years. There were 1,230 in 1981/82 and 1,200 in 1975/76.
Of the 1,500 excess deaths in 2017/18, there were 1,420 among people aged 65 and over.
The Nisra statistics also showed most occurred in the over-85s.
Age NI Chief Executive, Linda Robinson said those aged 65 and over accounted for a "shocking" 95 per cent.
"This equates to the deaths of 12 older people a day. This is deeply disheartening and distressing," she said.
"We know this high level of excess winter mortality is not inevitable. We can and should do more to ensure that older people stay warm and well throughout colder winter months.
"High winter mortality is an indirect indicator of the difficulties older people face in protecting themselves from the cold in Northern Ireland. A combination of poor housing, high energy prices and ill health can make winter a dangerous time for many older people. Tragically, it is the oldest old and those who are the most vulnerable who particularly suffer the consequences."
Ms Robinson said the absence of the assembly and executive impacted on implementing policies that would benefit vulnerable groups in society.
"We need local politicians to work together on all aspects of health and wellbeing to improve outcomes for older people," she added.
