Older Workers in Direct Care: A Labor Force Expansion Study, a new research report from the Better Jobs Better Care (BJBC) project, looks at people aged 55 and older as one potential solution to the direct-care worker shortage. Researchers Karen Kosniewski of Operation ABLE of Michigan and Melanie Hwalek of the research firm SPEC Associates conducted telephone interviews with 615 nursing home representatives, 410 home health agencies, and 696 lower-income job seekers 55 years and older in seven states. They found many mature workers interested in the profession, with 43 percent reporting an interest and 60 percent wanting to work at least 30 hours a week. More than half said they would attend a 75-hour certification training program.