A time to live, not stop

G force

October 24, 2011|By Karen Weintraub, Globe Correspondent

(Brian Feulner for The Boston…)

WHO

Dr. Jennifer Brinckerhoff

WHAT

Brinckerhoff, medical director of Hebrew SeniorLife Medical Group at Orchard Cove in Canton, is one of the scheduled speakers at a two-part lecture series on retirement living, Thursday and Nov. 10. For more information: www.hslindependentliving.org.

Q. As the geriatrician at a facility where the average resident is 89 years old, what do you see as the keys to successful aging?

A. The people I find who do the best with aging are those who are able to focus on what they have left to give, not just their limitations. Often people get bogged down in what they can’t do: They can’t drive anymore, or they can’t walk without pain, and they can’t see as well. You can still look at your years ahead and say: “How do I want to make the best of this?’’ It’s probably a lot easier if you learn that [way of thinking] from a young age, but it doesn’t mean you can’t learn it when you get older.

Q. So, you encourage them to avoid talking about illness or death?

A. Aging has more to do with living than it does with dying or illness. We try to help people to gain a perspective and knowledge base so they can help themselves age better. There’s a difference between being in denial, and putting those medical illnesses in a place that can be separate from the enjoyment of your day-to-day life. Just because you’re not focusing on them doesn’t mean you’re ignoring them - just that you’re not allowing them to take over.

Q. Is it safe to assume that staying active is also crucial for healthy aging?

A. The more active they can be and the more socially plugged in they can be, the more we find they can have joy and empowerment and independence.

Q. Diet is obviously important, too. What do you think people over 80 often neglect in their diet?

A. Drinking enough liquids [is crucial]. Between 45 and 65 ounces of noncaffeinated liquids a day really helps people to maintain blood pressure, to fight back some of the side effects of multiple medications, to keep them more energized and able to do more activities. A lot of times people will try not to drink because they don’t want to have to go to the bathroom. [But] you can do scheduled voiding and bladder training. You can still drink liquids and have control over your independence.

Q. Isn’t there also a lot of sorrow for people in their 80s and 90s, as they watch friends and family members die?