It felt more like sitting around a kitchen table on Sunday morning than a roundtable discussion with state Representative Joyce Spiliotis earlier this week at North Shore Elder Services' second Power Breakfast. Nearly 32% of Spiliotis' district is over the age of 60, with 2000 elder residents in Brooksby Village alone. But, there is one person that always brings aging issues to the forefront of her life - her mother.

From housing to money management to elder abuse and exploitation Spiliotis covered the gammet of senior issues with personal stories from her own life both public and private. She spoke highly of the Money Management Program housed at NSES "it's a wonderful project, anything we can do to keep people in their home. And with many of these elders living on seven or eight hundred dollars a month, these volunteers show them a way they can budget their money and survive."

Hearing loss is an invisible disability. There are no canes or wheelchairs. A person with hearing loss merely asks "what?" a great deal and becomes accused of "not listening." A least, that's what my kindergarten teacher said after I failed to pass a hearing test.

Hearing loss is also invisible to the person with the hearing loss. Vision loss is noticed as things that were once clear become blurry. Sounds, however, always vary. Sometimes people talk loud, other times soft, it is difficult to know when you cross that hearing loss line.

So if that television keeps getting softer, your daughter mumbles too much, or the telemarketer isn't speaking clearly, take a minute to assess your general hearing. If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss have a doctor perform a hearing test. Just remember, if a twenty five year-old like me can feel comfortable with hearing aids, you can too.

Do you visit with clients who are hard of hearing? Do you find yourself missing out on group discussion or are you just tired of fighting over the volume of the TV?

North Shore Elder Services has become a distributor for Pocket Talkers. This portable system is made up of a small microphone attached to a set of head phones and easily fits in your pocket. Simply point the microphone toward the source of sound and it is amplified clearly in your adjustable headphones.

This is a must-have for any social worker who deals with hard of hearing clients regularly or for a family member who might not be ready to commit to a hearing aid. Pocket Talkers are available at North Shore Elder Services for $179, please call 978- 750-4540 for more information or to schedule a free trial.

If you know someone who is ready for a hearing aid, but is having difficulty covering the cost, Hear Clear Associates, with offices in Andover, East Boston, and Woburn is having a buy one get one free promotion on select hearing aids until May 31st.

A crowd of about 50 volunteers gathered in the Inspired Gift Shop at North Shore Elder Services on Tuesday, April 25th to share in the annual Spring Volunteer Appreciation Reception in the midst of National Volunteer Week.

Joanne Hogan, NSES Volunteer Coordinator emceed the event, including remarks from NSES Executive Director, Paul Lanzikos and an introduction of the new volunteer e-newsletter The Neighborhood by Kimberly Whitmore, Community Services Manager.

It was estimated that the attendees in the room represented over 82 years of community service to elders. The entire volunteer program at North Shore Elder Services has contributed an astounding 550 years of service. The Board, Management and Staff of NSES are very proud to have such a dedicated group of volunteers as part of our team in making life easier for elders on the north shore.