Seniors work it out
Alva Parvin was only interested in working for one summer.
She figured that would be enough to buy the crystal chandelier she wanted for a remodel of her large Hayden home. She thought she’d slide easily back into her life as a housewife, making coffee in the morning and spending time with her husband of 44 years, now retired.
But as Parvin, 66, happily settles into her fifth season at Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho, she regrets not starting work sooner.
“I came out here and asked if there was a job for an old lady who didn’t know how to do anything,” she said. “I’ve sat at home all these years. Just been a housewife, and I didn’t know what I was missing. This is fun.”
Parvin, a full-time manager at Caselli’s Pizzeria & Magic Show, is among a growing number of seniors who work summers around the region.
According to North Idaho Regional Labor Economist Kathryn Tacke, the increase is spurred by economic factors, such as poor returns on investments, and fast growth in the 55-and-older age group, particularly in the North Idaho area, where residents older than 65 represent 15 percent of the population, two percent higher than the national average.
“This is a very attractive place to retire,” she said. “We have a slightly higher population of baby boomers, swelling the ranks of the senior citizens.”
Mike and Bev Altig moved to Spokane a year and a half ago after a rising cost of living in Seattle made the area less attractive to them. They were drawn to the natural beauty of Eastern Washington and North Idaho and soon sought out summer job opportunities with the Spokane Indians.
“It’s not like big career money. We make enough money, we can watch some baseball, talk to people, be out of the house, get exercise,” said Bev Altig, 60.
Mike and Bev Altig, retirees who had previously worked with the Seattle Mariners, said they were drawn to the energetic stadium atmosphere and will work as section leaders at about 35 of the Indians’ 38 home games this season. Mike Altig, 64, is responsible for greeting, ushering and safety in his section and said he enjoys entertaining the crowd with his “Macarena,” “YMCA” and chicken dances.
“A lot of fans told me I was on TV the other night,” he said with a laugh. “This whole organization is really fun to work for. They make almost every minute we spend here fun.”
The Altigs, who also work at a home show in Seattle in October, said they are considering working other seasonal jobs in the Spokane area.
“I think it’s too bad that they don’t encourage more older people to get out and work like this,” Bev Altig said. “It isn’t long hours. You don’t have to work every day. It’s really great to have jobs like this where you can be with people. Young, old, it makes you feel good.”
Tacke said most people 55 and older who want to work are choosing seasonal jobs.
In North Idaho, 7,800 jobs are added between the winter and summer months. Tacke said jobs dependent on leisure and hospitality services see the most significant swing in the summer months, adding about 1,400 jobs in North Idaho for people 55 and older. Retail adds about 900 jobs for seniors in the summer.
“Many employers used to tend to favor teens but are beginning to find that there are a lot of advantages to people who are older who are polite, know how to show up on time, who know how to be supervised,” she said. “So there have been more job opportunities in recent years.”
Steve Reiter, project director of the Senior Community Service Employment Program for Eastern Washington, said he has seen an increase recently in the demand for more mature workers.
Reiter said the employment program, a nonprofit that works to place low-income seniors in positions around the country, is used heavily by women who are widowed or divorced and have not worked for several years. Some get part-time jobs, but many move into full-time employment.
“Spring and summer are usually two of the very best times we have for finding jobs for the clients we serve,” he said. “There is more of an abundance during that time as opposed to the winter months or even the fall.”
Cheryl Tussey, associate state director for communications for AARP Idaho, said retirees are finding creative ways to work around their retirement activities, such as scheduling part-time hours or job-sharing. She said more employers are willing to open the door for older workers again because there are fewer younger workers available.
“We’re finding a lot of people are not willing to retire at 65,” Tussey said. “Many of them get bored after a bit and want to have that interaction they get from working.”
Alice Eaton started working again in 2001. After her husband passed away 14 years ago, she closed down her rock and ceramic shop in Bayview, Idaho, where she was born and raised.
“I told my girlfriend, to have something to do, let’s go get a job at Silverwood,” she said.
Eaton now maintains the picnic area at Silverwood. Although her friend quit after her first season, Eaton, who turns 81 this year, said she doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
“I keep busy,” she said. “I’ve always got stuff to do.”
Nancy DiGiammarco, marketing and sales director for Silverwood, said seniors make up about 20 percent of the 1,000-plus summer workforce at the park. The opportunity for friendship, among other benefits such as free tickets and employee-only events, is something DiGiammarco said makes the park an attractive workplace for seniors.
“They are part of the Silverwood family,” she said. “Some are single or don’t have family close by. We are delighted to have as many seniors as we do.”
Parvin, who now works six months of the year at the park, said she made most of her friends there. She even persuaded her grandson to start working with her when he was 14.
“When I’m off in the winter, I miss it,” the self-described “Silverwood grandmother” said. “I’ve heard a lot of other people say the same thing. We’re a team out here.”
Parvin now has five chandeliers for her home – one for as many years as she’s worked at Silverwood.
“I’ll be here when they have to push me in the wheelchair,” she said.
That’s a lot of crystal chandeliers, but for Parvin, that’s not as important anymore.