This year’s Golden Years special section taught Eagle writers and readers alike two things — Butler County seniors remain active and independent longer, but when they need services, plenty are available.

The tabloid section included in Tuesday’s Butler Eagle featured stories on an 89-year-old golfer, adult day programs and the activities they offer, senior travelers and services provided by Butler Area Rural Transit (BART).

But the most common thread among all these stories is Butler County seniors stay active and engaged.

They’re driving and remaining in their homes longer, staying independent, making healthy choices, traveling to places across the state and beyond and taking part in a plethora of activities.

While the stereotype of aging portrays seniors as ailing and in need of assistance, a number of Butler County seniors are healthy and taking time out of their lives to volunteer and help others in need.

One senior-living facility — Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community — boasts eight residents over the age of 100 and nearly 70 over the age of 95.

But Butler County seniors in need of services shouldn’t have much difficulty finding them. Several sites across the county offer programs and activities benefiting local seniors.

Concordia Lutheran Ministries will hold a free fall prevention awareness program Monday, while Lifesteps hosts an intergenerational program encouraging and enabling seniors to take part in activities — such as making crafts or playing games — with local youths.

Tanglewood Center takes seniors with a penchant for roaming on fun trips to casinos, a comedy museum in New York, historical sites, holiday-themed locales and even a notorious lunatic asylum in West Virginia that features ghost tours.

And BART provides rides for seniors with physical or intellectual challenges to doctor’s appointments and medical treatments, grocery stores, adult day services and other functions.

According to the World Atlas, Pennsylvania has the fifth largest number of seniors in the United States.

But as we found while putting together 2019’s Golden Years section, Butler County seniors are challenging stereotypes typically associated with old age.

“Society often looks at old age as a negative thing, but we have countless residents who are proving that incorrect,” said Laura Roy, executive director for Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community.

So take heart Butler County residents, the services offered in our communities are helping to ensure seniors aren’t slowing down any time soon in their golden years.