Valencia-based 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 care professionals. It also provides an encouraging forum to share expressions of love and appreciation for their dedicated role. Shield HealthCare respects and understands the responsibility of caregivers, since a large portion of its customers are family caregivers in the home, caring for loved ones with chronic medical needs.

Whether caring for a special needs child or an aging parent with a degenerative disease, caregivers devote themselves to the labor of love in order to meet the daily health and emotional needs of the person in their care.

Sandra Mitchell

Shield HealthCare’s annual caregiver story contest is a positive way to recognize and reward this role, often undervalued as a demanding occupation. In celebration of National Family Caregiver’s Month, the contest runs from September 3, 2013 through November 30, 2013. Sandra Mitchell, KCAL 9/CBS 2 News Anchor is this year’s celebrity contest judge.

Last year’s grand prize winners included two mothers of special needs children and a daughter caring for her elderly mother with Alzheimer’s.

Winner, Mysti K., caregiver for her daughter with Angelman Syndrome wrote:

“Being a caregiver and mother of a child with special needs is truly special. They are people that no matter how bad your day is, how stressed out things can get or what chaos they have created can turn your frown upside down. Their unconditional love and joy to be with you and to see you, the smiles on their faces, their big slobbery hugs and kisses, their ability to see life through rose colored glasses and their ability to make you laugh in any circumstance is what really makes them special. Chloe has shown me what is important to focus on in life; not to sweat the small stuff and to enjoy each moment for what it is. This is the privilege of being a caregiver.”

The top three story winners of Shield HealthCare’s “What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?” story contest will receive a $500 American Express Gift Card and a 1-year subscription to Today’s Caregiver Magazine. The five runners-up will also be awarded the magazine subscription and a $150 American Express Gift Card. All contest entries must be one page, emailed to caring@shieldhealthcare.com, submitted via online entry form or mailed and postmarked by November 30, 2013. Full contest details and official rules are available on Shield HealthCare’s website at www.shieldhealthcare.com/caring.

About Shield HealthCare

Since 1957, Shield HealthCare has held an industry leader position focused on meeting the disposable medical supply needs of families and caregivers at home, while delivering exceptional customer satisfaction. Shield HealthCare provides high quality medical products including incontinence supplies, enteral nutrition, ostomy, urological and wound care supplies. Shield HealthCare was recently reaccredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program’s (CHAP) Board of Review signifying its commitment as a leader in providing superior products and services to the home healthcare market. Shield HealthCare operates ten sales locations, serving California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas and Washington.