Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com

The down US economy is leading older adults back into the workforce, with 46 percent seeking jobs so they don't lose their homes or apartments, according to a recent report.

Nearly half of low-income, unemployed workers over 55 have been pounding the pavement for more than a year, according to a survey of 2,000 adults by Experience Works, a nonprofit provider of community service, training and employment opportunities for older workers.

The worst economic conditions since the Great Depression have created a crisis for older workers who are greatly challenged by many factors, including competition to find jobs.

Survey respondents are enrolled in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a community service and jobs training program for low-income older workers that's funded by the Department of Labor and facilitated by Experience Works in 30 states and Puerto Rico.

"These people are at the age where they understandably thought their job searching years were behind them," said Cynthia Metzler, president and chief executive officer of Experience Works. "But here they are, many in their 60s, 70s and beyond, desperate to find work so they can keep a roof over their heads and food on the table."

In July 2009, there were 2 million unemployed people aged 55 and older who wanted to work. The unemployment rate for this age group was the highest since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tabulating data by age in 1948.

No End in Sight
Many older workers said they didn't plan to be looking for work in their 60s, 70s and 80s, but a "life event" - such as being laid off, death of a spouse and large medical bills due to illness - triggered their need to find employment. More than one-third had already retired, but are going back to work.

Many said they have no end in sight for their working years. For those who do have a retirement timeframe, the average targeted age is 72. Ninety percent of survey respondents age 76 and older plan to continue working in the next five years.

Still, finding employment is a challenge. On average, older, unemployed workers have been on the job search an estimated 52 weeks - a full year. In August 2009, the average duration of unemployment for all unemployed workers was 24.9 weeks, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As a result, nearly half of jobseekers are forced to choose between paying rent, buying groceries or medication. This is resulting in a new form of institutionalized elder abuse.

Age-related Barriers
In the meantime, older workers said the poor economy and age-related barriers - including lack of the necessary training - are the most significant challenges they face to finding employment.

Nearly three-fourths of older workers surveyed said they strongly agree or somewhat agree that their age makes it difficult for them to compete for jobs with younger workers.

"This study underscores the need to create policies that remove barriers to employment for older workers, and provide additional programs and services specifically aimed at helping older people re-enter the workforce or remain working," Metzler said.

The SCSEP, which is the only federal program designed specifically for older low-income workers, is currently funded to serve less than 1 percent of the eligible population.