Jefferson County is starting to feel its age.

Census data indicates that the county has the largest number of seniors (aged 55 and older) in the state. That is not likely to change, as demographic projections show the number of Jeffco seniors doubling within the next 20 years.

Last week members of Jeffco agencies and organizations gathered together to talk about how to best serve the swelling number of seniors at the third annual Aging Well In Jefferson County Summit.

Jeffco County Commissioner Donald Rosier gave the welcome address to the 200 summit attendees who met at the Water Stone Community Church in Littleton Tuesday. Rosier said he hoped the county would become the best place in the country to grow old.

“With any luck, we will all be there at some point in our lives. Let’s make Jeffco an even better place to grow up ... and grow old,” Rosier said.

Summit organizer Susan Franklin, with Jeffco Human Services, said the summit was mostly geared for professionals who work with seniors, “though really, the aging population really affects everyone, from businesses, to organizations and government.”

The summit included other speakers, including AARP national board member Carol Raphael and Colorado Culture Change Coalition member Beth Irtz.

Between speakers, the summit guests could tour the exhibit floor, where agencies and organizations shared information for and about seniors.

Pamela Stephens, an emergency planner with Jeffco Public Health, handed out pamphlets at the Aging Well in Jeffco booth on a wide range of topics. She said her office receives a lot of information requests from seniors.

“Fall prevention is a big one,” Stephens said. “And, especially with the fires lately, we’ve had lots of interest on emergency preparation and evacuation.”

A series of workshops and seminars was also available.

One workshop included demonstrations from several companies on how the Internet and online technologies helps them connect to caregivers and the seniors they serve. One example was the website CareTogether.com, which acts like a private Facebook, allowing seniors, their families and care teams to sign up and share schedules, medical information and photos.

Another workshop, titled “Social Media and Marketing to Seniors: Turning ‘Scary’ into ‘Sexy’ for the Silver Set,” was aimed at bringing seniors up to date on technology. Workshop instructor Stacy McKenzie, with Jeffco Public Libraries, said avoiding technical slang, “like saying `Like me on Facebook!” and taking the time to explain things in more basic terms, helps seniors become more familiar with the digital world.

“One thing about seniors, they love to learn,” she said.

More information about the Aging Well in Jefferson County project is available at jeffco.us/adultsvc.