Older workers who have either continually been in the labor force or who have returned after their formal retirement must often adapt to the ever-changing landscapes of their industries.

Oftentimes, this involves learning new technologies or rules and regulations, an intimidating prospect for people at any age.

When 68-year-old Janice Carnicelli first began working on the computer systems for her job at Sears, she was hesitant.

“I was afraid to touch the thing,” Carnicelli recalls with a laugh. “It made me get modern.”

Seventy-eight-year-old Dan Brown, who, during tax season, works full-time at Dermody, Burke & Brown in Auburn, has also had to learn to become computer literate.

“At first, it was a challenge, but I love a challenge,” says Brown, who attends conferences on new tax laws every year so as not to date himself. New technology makes things a lot easier nowadays, he says.

Robert Fortier, regional field operations coordinator for Experience Works, a provider of training and employment assistance for low-income seniors, has seen his fair share of older women who are accustomed to typing on an IBM typewriter.

He sets them up with training at a computer lab so that they can update their skills.

But Norene Bartkowiak, 67, couldn't really use such training when she signed up with Experience Works. Because of her rheumatoid arthritis, she is unable to type quickly.

“I'm a two-finger typer,” Bartkowiak says. “You can't get a typing job with two-finger typing.”

What Experience Works did help her with was an update to her resume, which was practically non-existent.

The resume refresher ensured her a training position at the state department of labor, and she was later hired to work the information desk at Cayuga Community College.