So you think computers are just for the young? Ralph, aged 78, did. He swore he'd never touch a computer. In fact he opted for early retirement at 63 rather than deal with them at work.

Then one day Ralph got the news. He was going to lose a leg to diabetes complications. His wife had passed on two years earlier and his kids lived in another state. He survived the surgery but his spirits never returned. He spent hours alone every day, not talking to anyone.

Ralph's cleaning lady noticed that he wasn't snapping back to his old self.

Ralph needed something to take him outside his house, even when he couldn't get there himself. Ralph had always enjoyed history, especially about World War II. He had long ago read every book in the local library. Ralph needed a computer whether he wanted one or not.

To make a long story short, Ralph finally gave in and let his cleaning lady show him the basics of the computer. Before she knew it he was spending hours researching World War II and chatting with World War II veterans. He found several new online friends, some his age or older and several much younger.

The fastest growing group of users to go online is the senior citizens.

According to Jupiter Communications Inc. in New York, there will be 7 million people aged 50 and older online by the end of January 2001.

When it comes to shopping online, "Seniors are running neck and neck with their younger counterparts'' says Fiona Swerdloe, an analyst at Jupiter.

Seniors 55 and over have embraced the Internet, using the Web for everything from communication to shopping to participation in online sweepstakes and contests, according to Altogether. 68% of online buyers are over 40, according to a survey by Ernst & Young LLP and the National Retail Federation.

Retired people have the time, and the motivation to shop online. Lugging heavy items, or even getting out of the house, may not be as easy for them as it once was.

"I've heard of people who are 80, 85, even 90 who are getting on the Internet,'' said Ken Leebow, author of "300 Incredible Things for Seniors on the Internet.'' Senior citizens also get the added benefit of increased community participation. "Learning how to use the Internet to communicate is like finding an opening to the world,'' said Dr. Gary Small, director of the University of California, Los Angeles Center on Aging. "For the disabled, this is a way of staying in touch with the rest of society without even leaving their bedroom.'' Dr. Small also cited a study funded by the MacArthur Foundation last year that showed that keeping the mind active on a daily basis is likely to lead to more healthy aging. For example, he said, it could help prevent development of ailments often associated with old age, such as Alzheimer's disease. "The act of learning something new and communicating with others is definitely beneficial to one's health,'' he said.

If you think you (or a Senior you love) have no reason to learn about computers, ask yourself the following questions: Do you ever feel isolated from family or old friends? Are you housebound due to your health, the weather or any other reason? Do you find yourself watching television more and enjoying it less? Do you ever feel left out of conversations because you do not understand all this Internet stuff? If you answered "yes'' to any one of these questions, you might find a solution as close as the nearest computer. Let's look at some of the ways a computer can add more zip, and maybe even a few years, to your life.

Do you currently have a hobby? A computer can add a new dimension to many hobbies. There are many software programs available to assist you in organising your collections, documenting your research or just learning more about your hobby.

Don't have a hobby, or can't pursue your favourite pastime anymore? With the online resources of the Internet, you could easily find a new hobby and possibly some new friends to go along with it. Genealogy is one hobby that has grown beyond anyone's wildest dreams -- due to the information that is accessible on the Internet. Is your family scattered around the world? Or maybe they are not but never seem to find time to call or drop by to visit. If they have access to email you will typically find them fairly communicative (and the grandkids LOVE to get email).

Do you love to try new recipes but can never seem to find the one you want? Can't locate the address or phone number for Betty Jones -- you know you put it somewhere? Is your son pestering you to give him a list of ancestors for your grand kids? If nothing else, a computer will allow you to organise your life in many ways you never thought possible. For example, Medical information (research and tracking) Diet, nutrition and cooking Biblical research Making your own cards, posters and invitations Legal reference and document preparation assistance Money management including stocks and other assets *** Web Sites with Information for Seniors A good place to start is the AARP Web site (http:/www.aarp.com). The site guides you in estate planning, financial planning, and lists the most important documents to put away for safekeeping. With lists like "100 health sites,'' AARP also tries to simplify the Internet by recommending Web sites.

And you can put your magnifying glass aside because the site features a larger text size.

On the lighter side, iGrandparents.com (http:/www.iGrandparents.com) is a fun site to plan activities with the grandchildren. You can search activities by age of the child, types of projects, and levels of learning. The site also assists you in creating a free Web page, for posting all those family photos you can't fit in your wallet.

If you want a fellow Senior to answer your questions about your computer or the Internet, there are a lot of Seniors you can email. Go to http:/www.ageofreason.com /help.htm and click on a name.

If you are still not sure about all this computer stuff, but want to try a computer out, go to the library in town. There are computers there with Internet access and friendly librarians.

Michelle Swartz's column appears on the first and third Wednesday of every month in The Royal Gazette's Personal Technology section. She can be reached at michelle y christers.net