While not yet a senior citizen herself, Linda Hunt is extremely interested in prolonging careers and active lifestyles for that age group. 

In collaboration with a British professor, Caroline E. Wolverson, Hunt has published her first full book, “Work and the Older Person: Increasing Longevity and Well-Being.”

Hunt, 63, is a former Flathead Valley Community College professor and has dedicated her life to occupational therapy.

“They say when you write a book, you pick a topic you’re passionate about,” she said. “I’m really passionate about work.”

She was raised in a workaholic household in St. Louis, Mo. Her family members worked well beyond retirement age and inspired her from an early age.

“I grew up in a household where education and work were highly valued,” she said. “When I was 6 years old I saw everyone working and wanted to make some money. I took our kitchen junk drawer, just the drawer we all have in our kitchen, and went house to house in my neighborhood trying to sell things.”

That was put to an end when Hunt’s mother was called by a perplexed neighbor. She guided her daughter to more productive endeavors, helping her start a potholder business. After that was a greeting card business and then an official job at 16 years old.

Now, as she approaches her own retirement age, Hunt has no intention of slowing down.

“I grew up with older relatives who worked well past retirement age,” she said. 

A professor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., during the school year, Hunt spends her summers in Whitefish. 

Hunt said working is about more than just making money.

“It’s about an identity, it’d about contributing to the community,” she said. “It keeps them social, you are more likely to take care of your hygiene, clothes and it just gets people going.”

One of America’s oldest workers interviewed by Hunt for her book lives in Anaconda. She retired at 62 but went back to work for the Office of Public Assistance, where she continues to work today. Tasks such as filling out forms and office work can be low-stress and fulfilling for someone past retirement age.

“Maybe they don’t come in at 8 a.m., but they might come in at 10 a.m. and work six hours,” Hunt said. “Older adults can use technology, too. Its just about adapting to keep them working.”

Volunteerism is also important, Hunt said. The chapter in her book about volunteering was written by Wolverson, a professor at York St. John University in the United Kingdom.

“It’s just as important as working,” Hunt said of volunteering. “These adults still feel like they have something to contribute and want to continue to work or help people.”

The book itself was written academically, so it might be a bit drier than if Hunt had written it for a general audience, but she maintains it would be a good resource for seniors or caregivers. It can be purchased on Amazon.com.

A working fiend, Hunt hopes to inspire senior citizens to work or volunteer — activities that can keep the mind sharp and stave off dementia.

“We find purpose in our lives through our occupations,” Hunt said. “It connects us to other human beings. We come into the world with no identity and it is up to the choices we make that help establish that.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.