The Butler County Area Agency on Aging has developed a four-year plan to promote health for senior citizens by educating them.

The agency recently made a presentation to the county commissioners on its work, based on the results of an assessment done by the agency.

AAA began assessing needs of the community in December 2011. During the four-month assessment, the department searched to find the needs of the elderly population served by AAA.

“We want to assess the county of Butler’s elderly and caregivers to see how we can spend the funds of the county,” said Beth Herold, administrator of the Butler County AAA.

The department assessed the county through consumer focus groups at the Butler County Senior Center, agency staff interviews, online surveys and surveys from companies that interact with AAA.

The assessment found 96.4 percent of older residents in Butler County feel physically and emotionally safe where they currently live.

The assessment also noted there were no transportation issues identified because people relied on family members, community volunteers, public transportation and their own means for transportation. The assessment also determined older residents had minimal housing concerns.

The results included disappointing statistics that were determined by the assessment of the community as well. It included 55.8 percent of those who answered the survey follow a regular exercise routine, 57 percent struggle with chronic health problems, 31 percent are anxious and 29.9 percent struggle with grief and loneliness.

The plan will help to improve areas, such as health and exercise, within the lives of older residents by promoting health education programs within the community. The agency helps the county in a variety of ways.

The agency sends out home-delivered meals, offers support groups and services and helps with personal care, insurance and housing needs, Herold said.