Older Americans Go Back to Work in Next Frontier of Labor Force

Julie Diaz stepped down from her job as a legal secretary last spring. Her retirement ended up being short, and not so sweet.

Now 70, Diaz is working day and night. She took a job in March at Home Instead, a US home care provider for seniors. Diaz works 12-hour overnight shifts in Phoenix taking care of a 79-year-old with Parkinson’s disease and mild dementia.

After work, she takes a nap, then drives more than 50 miles to babysit her granddaughters. Diaz’s daughter recently separated from her husband and started working at a restaurant, so she needs childcare and help ...