High-tech solutions can be applied to the age old problem of loneliness says elderly specialist and amateur computer buff Dr. Khin Myint.

Dr. Myint helped set up amateur radio in the UK for old people and now he is using the Internet to keep Bermuda's seniors in touch.

He says: "I used CB radio in Britain. It helped old people to communicate, especially in winter months -- they could talk to the world.

"When I came here I saw (Senior Islanders Programme Director) Fred Hassell who thought it was a good idea to have a Senior Islanders Computer club.

"Somebody donated a monitor and I built a computer for them -- I run a computer club every first Saturday of the month. "Seniors take interest -- they might want to send a picture to their granddaughter in Australia, via e-mail.

"I teach them how to connect and what the computer does. It's fun.

"We do teleconferencing. I was in England recently and I called them on the Internet and they could see me and I could see them.

"One lady had a diploma from Bermuda College and she wanted to show it to a friend abroad.

"So I took pictures with my digital camera, scanned them and we sent them.

Some have their own computers and this gives them confidence on how to use them.

"Elderly people are taking on more in technology. I show them how computers work and show them typing. They all have e-mail addresses.

"They have so many friends in America, England and Australia and Canada, and so they want to keep in touch with each other.'' "Logic communications donated 40 hours of time free of charge to the senior islanders club, which was very good of them.''