View the recording of the talk here.

How exactly do we maintain brain health, our spark and our dignity in the older years? 
Learn from our top clinical researchers how to ‘use it before you lose it’, the power of positive thinking, how to eat smart, think smart and keep your body strong.  

Date: Wednesday 12 July 2023
Time: 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Venue: University of Otago, Christchurch (2 Riccarton Avenue - Main Campus Building)

Speakers:
Emeritus Professor Dick Sainsbury
People with a positive attitude towards their own ageing fare better in their later years

After Dick graduated from the University of Otago he completed six Resident Medical Officer years in Auckland before going to the United Kingdom for advanced training.  Since 1982 he has worked as a Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine in Christchurch in dual University/Hospital appointments.  He has a particular interest in student teaching and has served a period as Trainee Intern Co-ordinator.  He has also been involved in the examination, mentoring and supervision of international medical graduates. He was an elected member of the Medical Council of New Zealand for six years and a Board member of the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service for nine years. 
He is an avid cricket enthusiast who has now graduated to croquet.  Other interests include music and reading.  He is interested in Older People in Literature and completed his MA thesis on ‘Older People and Ageing in the fiction of Thomas Hardy.  He has recently published a book on older people and ageing.
He was President of the NZGS between 2002 and 2005.

Professor Tim Wilkinson
Just as one straw can break the camel’s back, so can one small problem unleash a cascade of consequences for an older person.  We will talk about ways to recognise, prevent and reverse such a cascade.
Tim Wilkinson is Professor in Medicine and medical education at the University of Otago, New Zealand.  He is currently also acting Dean for the Otago Medical school.  He was the MBChB programme director 2013-2021.  He works as a consultant physician in geriatric medicine at Burwood Hospital.   

Leigh O'Brien
Learn what foods we need more of as we age to help with energy levels, the immune system and cognitive function so that we can keep going with all the grand adventures that life has to offer. 

Leigh is a NZ registered dietitian, she graduated from Otago University in 2003. Leigh practices evidence-based nutrition and loves research.  She is currently undertaking her PhD, investigating chronic diarrhoea in older adults. Her work interests include clients with functional gut disorders and helping with older adults to achieve optimal health through nutrition.

Dr Matthew Croucher
Brain health as we age: never too early, never too late
Matthew is a psychiatrist of old age working for Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha at Burwood Hospital as well as being a clinical senior lecturer with the University of Otago’s Department of Psychological Medicine.  He has regional and national leadership responsibilities in relation to services for people with dementia. 
Matthew will outline some of the chief findings from research and keys from his clinical experience in relation to bolstering our brain health, both as individuals and as whānau/families. 

View the recording of the talk here.