Often times it’s those who do the most who expect the least.

Shady Lawn Nursing Home activities director Deborah Hughes does not relish being acknowledged for what she does, but many feel she does a great job of interacting with the residents and keeping their spirits high by dressing up in fun outfits.

“I do it for my heart, not to make it public,” Hughes said adding her work is for God and not for recognition.

Hughes is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist who works as an activities director at Shady Lawn Nursing Home.

“I work with my residents to improve their mental, emotional and their physical wellbeing,” Hughes said.

To do that, she gets the residents involved in exercises, crafts, games and sports.

“We just have a variety of activities to make sure it’s balanced out to meet all our residents interests and needs,” Hughes said.

However, one activity does stands out as the biggest hit among all of the residents.

“Their favorite activity is bingo,” Hughes said. “I think they could do that everyday.”

Resident Lynn Reeves enjoys the weekly parties Hughes has for the residents mentioning the Valentine’s Day party they had just days ago.

“She’s good with all of us,” Reeves said. “I like bingo, and I love her cooking.”

Hughes also takes the residents on community outings once a month. She said they like to go out to eat, to the park, to shop and sometimes they like to gamble. A committee comes together to choose where they will go next.

“The residents choose,” Hughes said.

Hughes was originally enrolled at Grambling State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

During her senior year she suffered an aneurysm that derailed her education, but after taking time off, she completed her degree.

Even with the degree, she was not able to work in law enforcement due to the impact on her hearing and communication, but she discovered working in nursing homes was a career that suited her better.

She went back to Grambling to get her therapeutic recreation specialist certification.

Since 1992 she has worked in nursing homes, and she has been at Shady Lawn since 2005.

“I found out that was my calling,” Hughes said. “I found my calling helping elderly residents and patients. This is what God had me to do. I had to go through a lot in my life for me to get to the point I’m at now. ”

She finds it rewarding to be able to care for and love her residents who become as close to her as family.

Hughes said sometimes she comes back to work after she has left if a resident is in need — even if they just want a drink.

“I’m not going to leave here without fulfilling my obligations to my residents,” Hughes said.

Her job is a way for her to give back and to be there for people, but it’s also what she wants to spend her time doing.

“It’s just my life. I wouldn’t give it up for nothing in the world,” Hughes said.