A Day in the Life of Activity Director Mary Evans: 21,427 Steps of Purpose and Care
Let’s cut straight to the end—21,427 steps logged in a single day!
That’s a typical day for Mary Evans, Activity Director at Traditions at North Willow, who is constantly on the move, making sure that the residents in her care are living each moment to the fullest. Her daily mission is simple but profound: “We strive to give each resident a great day every day because we don’t know when their last may be.” With this intention in her heart, Mary dives into each day full of energy and purpose.
8:30 AM: Setting the Stage
Every day begins at 8:30 AM, and before the residents even arrive, Mary is already hard at work. Nine tables and 17 chairs are set up around the activity room, all in preparation for the 10 AM Morning Exercise class. And it’s not just any exercise class—it’s one filled with variety to keep things fresh! Variety is the spice of life! Monday has exercise balls, Tuesday is all about weights, Wednesday offers chair yoga, and Thursday features Fox Therapy: Bands. By Friday, Mary has her class rocking with scarves and drumsticks to a little rock ’n roll.
She closes each class with a gratitude moment, encouraging everyone to pause and reflect. Miss a session? No worries—Mary will gently nudge you when she sees you in the hallway, a cheerful accountability coach who never lets anyone fall behind.
11 AM: Pumpkin Patch and Singing Along
After tidying up the fitness room, Mary moves to the front lobby to gather residents from assisted living and memory care for a special outing. Today’s destination: the pumpkin patch, a collaboration with community partner St. Luke’s Methodist Church. It’s not just a trip—it’s an event. Singing fills the bus as Mary, a seasoned performer, leads the group in song. Residents join in, adding their own harmonies, and the air is filled with laughter and joy.
Mary ensures every detail is perfect, from securing walkers with bungee cords to making sure a resident’s daughter knew to meet them there for some family time. Just like her namesake, Mary Poppins, she magically manages it all with grace and warmth, returning everyone just in time for lunch—no rush, no stress.
1:45 PM: Pumpkin Painting Fun
But Mary doesn’t stop to eat; instead, she’s meticulously tracking each resident’s participation in her activities. Her trusty spreadsheet is key to understanding who might need a little extra attention or encouragement. She makes “house calls” around the community, lifting spirits, and listening to wonderful stories—like the one about a resident who once bumped into Anthony Perkins on a NYC sidewalk after watching Psycho (and screamed, of course!).
By 2:02 PM, she’s rallying residents for Pumpkin Painting. The activity room buzzes with creativity as residents decorate their pumpkins, channeling their inner artists. Some go for an Indianapolis Colts-themed look, others showcase their love for Barbie, and one resident is already thinking ahead to Christmas. Mary knows it’s not just about the crafts—it’s about fostering socialization and bringing people together.
3:47 PM: Wrapping Up with Music
Mary’s not quite done yet. As the day winds down, she plays a concert on TV, keeping residents engaged and together before dinner. It’s a seamless flow from one activity to the next, always with the residents’ well-being in mind.
And even then, Mary’s day isn’t over. After cleaning up and preparing for tomorrow, she heads out to teach two fitness classes at a community center. All of this is done with her unwavering intention to make each day count for her residents.
The Heart of the Work
What drives Mary is more than just her trusty spreadsheet—it’s her commitment to the residents’ quality of life. Whether it’s ensuring everyone stays physically active, creating moments of joy through social events, or simply listening and being present, she embodies the spirit of true care.
With 21,427 steps behind her and many more ahead, Mary Evans is creating something special every single day—one great day after another.
