STAMFORD -- Don't call them "seniors."

City officials and nonprofit operators agree -- the older population in the city is so varied that just labeling them "senior citizens" is simply too narrow, especially for organizations that offer services to older people.

"Baby boomers who are reaching retirement age do not want to be called 'senior,'" said Kathleen Bordelon, who heads up Senior Services of Stamford.

They don't want to slow down much, said Stamford Senior Center executive director Christina Crain.

"People want more than just sitting and playing bingo," Crain said. "They want to keep their minds and bodies active to help promote healthy aging."

Senior services clients today can be anywhere in age from 50 to 100, she said, which presents a need for a broader range of activities. The Senior Center organizes trips to museums and parks and offers daily exercise classes to try to meet that need.

Bordelon said activities that seniors want can go beyond even that.

"People are living longer, they're more active, they go to the gym, they're dating," said Bordelon, whose organization is poised for a major update in services and a name change. "They don't think of themselves as seniors. Seventy-year-olds are speed-dating."

Other new needs that services providers see mirror economic and cultural trends seen among the baby boomer generation.

Senior Services, a nonprofit that relies on grants, fundraising and community partners, has also marked an uptick in financial emergencies for older city residents.

"I think it's fair to say that Fairfield County is a fairly expensive place to live," said Bordelon. If the cost of living rises, then for those on fixed incomes, "the cost goes up but your income doesn't."

Nearly 20 percent of the 2,058 seniors Bordelon's organization served in 2014, needed some sort of financial backstop, whether it be money for heating oil or an energy bill.

"One-hundred-thirty people were at risk for homelessness, and we stepped in and provided resources to prevent them from becoming homeless," she said.

Besides offering financial relief, Senior Services also provides medical transportation and home visits.

But another shift in how Americans age is that families are more spread out, said Bordelon, which means that younger relatives are often not around when their parents or grandparents need medical attention.

"One lady was in California, her favorite aunt was back here in Stamford and she had no way to get to medical appointments," said Bordelon. "Our medical transportation picks her up."

In part to respond to increasing phone calls and inquiries on behalf of the local elderly, Senior Services is ramping up its website and telephone response. And, with the backdrop of Stamford's Street Smart information campaign, "We've been working with AAA to introduce their refresher course for older adults," said Bordelon. The driver reeducation is "something we'll be announcing within the next couple of months."

As needs have shifted, so have perceptions, and to that end, Senior Services of Stamford will announce Thursday afternoon that it is changing its name to SilverSource.

"Silver is a lovely euphemism," said Bordelon. "It's a nice way to describe a slightly older adult, anyone over 60, for instance."

Senior services providers point out that the client base is only growing, and although they still offer the traditional offerings, the new seniors have needs that population's needs still include the traditional help getting to doctor's appointments.

"Stamford has a high percentage of older adults," said Crain. "The fastest growing population in our state is over 65."

Despite changing perceptions, said Bordelon, SilverSource would still cater to both ends of the spectrum. "If they are older and infirm, they may be suffering from some cognitive decline and they need an advocate the way a very young child needs an advocate," said Bordelon. "They may not have a voice and they may not have a family member to speak up for them."

alex.gecan@scni.com; 203-964-2263; @stunati0201

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