MARION DUNCAN
M.Ed. (Counselling), C.C.C., M.Div.

 

 

ADMISSIONS
As Director of Counselling and Spiritual Care I am responsible for the Admissions and Transfers at Sunnyside. I have the pleasure of contacting families based on the information I receive from CPAS (Client /Patient Access Services). I am committed to each new resident and their family and friends as we travel through this process together; we consider you as a part of our family. I am available on an ongoing basis for any questions and concerns during the time we have the honour to look after you here at Sunnyside.

HISTORY
I am only one of a deeply committed team of Management and staff here at Sunnyside. It is helpful, I think, for you to have an idea of the qualifications and background of the people to whom you are entrusting your loved one. I am a Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and as such am accountable to very strict ethical standards. These standards and my name may be viewed on the website: http://www.ccacc.ca/en/ I have a Masters degree in Counselling and a Master of Divinity as well as Clinical Pastoral Education in Chaplaincy training and am currently studying for my Doctor of Ministry. I have brought up five children, taught school, was a Junior High Guidance Counsellor, a crisis worker in a Shelter for Battered women, and a Referral Therapist for the Department of Justice Criminal Injuries program in Nova Scotia before coming here to take up my position at Sunnyside. I have also served as a Pastor/Counsellor for eleven years for a non-profit agency that serves as a resource for those who need a Christian response around issues of abuse and traumatic grief and loss.

BRIDGE
It is my role to be the ‘bridge’ that works closely with the Physicians, Health Care Staff, Hospitals, Personal Care Homes, other Long-term Care Homes, Families, Local Churches, Clergy and other Spiritual Leaders, and all the Management team and staff here at Sunnyside so that we can all work together to provide the best care possible for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of our residents

TRANSITIONS
I am here for the family and friends of our residents as an ongoing counselling and spiritual resource as much as for the residents themselves. We recognise, here at Sunnyside, that the transition to nursing home care is not easy. You will find me leading out in Interdenominational Christian Worship, strumming a favourite song gently by the bedside of a frail resident, reading a favourite Scripture, listening to the wonderful life stories, sharing a bar of chocolate, a quick hug, a cup of tea, passing the tissues when the tears fall, and even to have fun and laughter in order to promote hope and safety even in the midst of difficulties. I am also available to keep faithful vigil by the bedside, with you, when the last transition of life takes place.

STAFF
I am available for the Counselling and Spiritual care of staff also. When our residents and their families hurt, our staff hurt too. Our staff sometimes struggle with their own life’s difficulties as they faithfully care for the residents.

COMMUNITY
As a Counsellor and Pastor I will be offering Workshops, support groups and spiritual reconciliatory activities from time to time in order for Sunnyside to also be as much as a meaningful presence to the Saskatoon community as the community is to us.

WHAT IS A CHAPLAIN?
My job description includes processing admissions and transfers with my team-mates and helping with the day to day relational aspects that come with 97 residents sharing a communal space. I am also here to be a Chaplain. The mandate of Chaplaincy, according to the Canadian Chaplain General, is “to be a Ministry of Presence.” My goal is to be a presence for goodness and compassion under the guidance of Jesus Christ, even though in myself I am a far from perfect human being. This does not always have to include words, but the holding of a hand, a touch on the shoulder, a gentle hug and a sharing of a beautiful sunset after what might have been a long and weary day. BLESSINGS to you from Sunnyside.

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