Seven years ago, it was just another good idea. A concept or notion to consider.

Today, it is a new reality. More truth than opinion. An actuality of life.

Adult children and senior parents are, indeed, aging together.

Hence, a series of classes by the same name. The Aging Together series for adult children and their senior parents will be offered four consecutive Monday nights beginning Feb. 3 at the Mower County Senior Center.

The Mower County Senior Advocacy Program. in conjunction with the Mower County Ministerial Program and Christian Education Center, are organizing the series of classes which are open to the public free of charge.

Seven years ago, the first Aging Together series was offered. It attracted more than 75 interested adults, according to Mary Kittleson, the Mower County advocate for senior citizens. "I think today we are seeing more of a demand for this type of information and that's because there's an increase in the age level in this community," Kittleson said.

"Today, there are two sets of seniors," Kittleson said. "Children and their parents and that's because our society is living longer and leading healthier lives than ever before."

The proof is everywhere in Austin.

When the city of Austin developed the Courtyard and Chauncey apartment complexes, the announced intent was to offer upscale housing opportunities for young professionals.

The newest complex -- Chauncey -- does have tenants who qualify as young professionals, but both complexes are dominated by retired senior citizens 70 or older.

More proof comes in the new Primrose retirement community, an independent and assisted living in southwest Austin.

Also, a new townhome development also includes a generous share of senior citizens, who moved from private residences to the multi-family complex at the old Cook farm site in northwest Austin.

Sacred Heart Care Center also has announced an expansion project to add more assisted living facilities.

"The last time we held these classes, we had people tell us they were very, very valuable to them," said Kittleson. "Just recently, a son and daughter-in-law told me how the information they got the first time around was valuable to them in caring for their parents and an older sister. So we know the demand is there for this information."

Assisting Kittleson in planning the new curriculum has been Nancy Donahue, Mower County CHORES Program director; plus the Revs. Roberta Flood and Greg Mannel, representing the Christian Education Center.

This time around, the organizers have been able to expand the number of presenters to include the Southern Minnesota

Regional Legal Services, Social Security Administration, area funeral directors, Mower County Public Health, Mower County Human Services, Austin Medical Center, United Way of Mower County and Mower County Ministerial Association.

The series includes:

n Monday, Feb. 3: Community Resources and Home Care Services and information on how to recognize and cope with the stages of aging.

— Monday, Feb. 10: Elder law issues, Social Security and identity fraud and again and care issues.

— Monday, Feb. 17: Planning long-term care.

— Monday, Feb. 24: Medical concerns from the doctor's perspective, funeral planning and grief.

Flood, pastor of caring ministries at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, said the new series will benefit by the wealth of new information, including the impact of spiritual care on the aging process.

Mannel, a chaplain at St. Mark's Lutheran Home, said participants will learn that "death is a decision not to be avoided."

Donahue said the fact that current information from a clearinghouse of presenters will be an asset to all.

And Kittleson said, "The Aging Together series will give people

options. It will be a starting point to help them make important decision."

For more information or to preregister, call Kittleson or Donahue at 433-3462.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com