A new study reveals that older workers are interested in direct carepositions in long-term care and employers are interested in recruiting them.

A total of 43% of lower-income job seekers 55 and older reported an interest in direct care work and 60% wanted to work at least 30 hours a week, according to “Older Workers in Direct Care: A Labor Force Expansion Study.”

The study was produced by Better Jobs Better Care, a research and
demonstration program that is managed by the Institute for the Future of Aging Services. The institute is an arm of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, which released study results this week.
 
The majority of nursing homes and home health agencies taking part in the study said that older workers are more loyal and independent, better problem-solvers and more easily gain the trust of their residents/clients than younger workers, according to the study report. Employers also view older workers as less likely to leave within 90 days of hire, be absent from work or leave to take a job with higher pay and benefits.
 
Researchers conducted telephone interview with 615 nursing home
representatives, 410 home health agencies and 696 lower-income job seekers 55 and older for the study.
(Published 11-9-05)