I'm one of them. I have been out of college since 1996, out of the work force raising kids for 4 years. I have piddled in part time work, but last year, when we got into a money crunch, I tried to look for FT work. I didnt get one nibble, even for jobs completely related to what I did in the past. I realized my database skills were dated, my business degree is undefined and I didnt have any real marketable skills.
So I am applying for grad school to get a degree and skills in a field totally unrelated to my undergrad degree. So hopefully in 3 years I will have relevent, employable skills.
Our financial situation has improved a bit due to my husband being in a fairly recession proof industry, but I still dont know exactly how we will pay for grad school and childcare, but I figured that bridge was best crossed after I was accepted.