One in almost 700 U.S. babies is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, the condition known as Down syndrome. This additional genetic material causes the physical traits characteristic of Down syndrome (DS), including low muscle tone, small stature and an upward slant to the eyes.  Down Syndrome Awareness month reminds the world that people with… Continue reading Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Are you, or is someone you care for, newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?  We are pleased to share that The Neurocommunity Foundation is holding its annual PD 101 class for those who are new to Parkinson’s disease and their families.  Dr. Yvette Bordelon, MD, PHD, a movement disorders specialist and assistant professor at UCLA, will be leading… Continue reading PD 101 Class for the Newly Diagnosed

In September, we recognize World Alzheimer’s Month to honor the millions of individuals, family members and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes brain cells to degenerate and die, leading to a decline in memory function and thinking skills. By the Numbers Approximately 36 million people are believed… Continue reading September is World Alzheimer’s Month

Tremors, difficulties with balance and walking, problems with movement, rigid or stiff muscles… celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali suffer from these symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) – one of the most common nervous system disorders. PD is both chronic and progressive and most often develops in elderly men and women, though it… Continue reading What is Parkinson’s Disease?

In the U.S., nearly 13,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year. Although childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades, significant treatment advances in recent decades have improved the outlook for many young children fighting the disease.  In 2013, more than 80% of children with… Continue reading Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Press Release  For Immediate Release  8/28/13 SHIELD HEALTHCARE ANNOUNCES 13th ANNUAL CAREGIVER STORY CONTEST Valencia, CA – Shield HealthCare, a leading provider of medical supplies for care at home, is pleased to announce its 13th annual story contest on “What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?” The story contest honors the challenging role of family caregivers and health… Continue reading Shield HealthCare Announces 2013 Caregiver Story Contest

What is Down Syndrome? At the time of conception, 46 chromosomes are inherited by a baby – 23 from the mother and another 23 from the father. In approximately 1 out of 700 births, an extra copy of chromosome 21 is passed on, totaling 47 chromosomes.  This additional genetic material causes the characteristics associated with… Continue reading What Is Down Syndrome?

Caregiver Story Spotlight | Shield HealthCare “What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?” Story Contest Story by Lynn P. “My name is Lynn.  I am the caregiver for my wife, Lorraine, who has PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) and macular degeneration.  Her first symptoms of PSP were in 1999 when she was 54.  In 2003, she became wheelchair bound because of… Continue reading Caring for My Wife Saved My Life: A Husband’s Story

Caregiver Story Spotlight | Shield HealthCare “What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?” Story Contest Story by Marianne S., 2009 Contest Runner-up “My daughter, now 3 years old, is the most beautiful, inspiring gift I’ve ever received. Born into a family with various mental health issues, Bi-Polar, Autism Spectrum, and Schizophrenia disorders are few of the many daily concerns our… Continue reading What I Learned From My Daughter: A Dedicated Mom of a Child with Special Needs Shares Her Story

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating, inflammatory disease that affects the insulating and protective coating on nerve fibers, known as the myelin sheath.  With MS, the body’s own immune system attacks its nervous system, damaging the myelin sheaths that cover nerve cells.  This can occur along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal… Continue reading What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?