The Care Hack

07/11/2025

📱Tech Is Revolutionizing Healthcare—But Not (Yet) For Patients and Families Impacted By Serious Mental Illness

Digital health is transforming care, but families supporting loved ones with serious mental illness (SMI) are being left behind. Want to know why that matters and what tech developers and providers can do?

Read on the blog ⬇️

Digital health is transforming care, but families supporting loved ones with serious mental illness (SMI) are being left behind. Here’s why that matters and what tech developers and providers can do. Introduction: Digital Health Is Booming, But SMI Caregivers Are Being Left Behind From 2020 to 20

07/07/2025

“We’d made the difficult decision to help my brother move to a supportive housing facility […] we had no idea that he was going to have to be in supportive housing for the rest of his life.”

Mitul here. Thank you so much for having me Everyday Health to talk about my family and my brother’s complex journey. Perspectives on Schizophrenia, by Madison Breaux, medically reviewed by Angela D. Harper, MD

You can listen to the full episode at the link here.

The Care Hack is constantly working to make things better for families caring for those living with mental illness. If you’re a private practice interested in partnering with us to improve outcomes for your patients, reach out here or at thecarehack.com anytime. Our app is always free to caregivers- download at app.thecarehack.com

Listen as real people share their stories of living with schizophrenia.

07/02/2025

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06/18/2025

It’s simple: When family caregivers are acknowledged and supported, their practitioners benefit, too.

Caregivers deserve to be treated like they’re on your payroll. Without them, the healthcare system as we know it would collapse.

Ready to partner with us and help your patients and practice reach their full potential without having to expand your staff or hours?

Visit thecarehack.com for more.

04/24/2025

April is . Here are three important things to remember about autism:

1. Autism spectrum disorder is not a disorder that gets worse with age. Individuals with ASD can learn and build new skills with the right support, and are most likely to improve with specialized, individualized services and opportunities for supported inclusion.

2. Supporting an individual with autism spectrum disorder costs a family $60,000 a year on average. The cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention. According to a recent study, the lifetime costs of autism average $1.4 million to $2.4 million.

3. Each person with autism spectrum disorder is a unique individual; people with ASD differ as much from one another as do all people.

No two cases of autism are the same. Those living with autism are smart, productive, emotional, amazing people capable of remarkable things. Autism carers-we see you. If you need support, visit thecarehack.com or download our app, and feel free to reach out anytime.

04/18/2025

Staying informed is crucial in these times. But what do you do when the constant influx of information, especially on social media, is causing you mental or physical stress?

1. Go to the settings on your apps and there should be an option to disable push notifications. This way, you can still get all your information and messages but in smaller doses and at times of your own choosing, without the constant “ping” of your phone to stress you out all day.

2. Get your news from reputable newspapers and websites. While social media is great for connection and community awareness, it’s not always reliable for global news. To stay informed, curate your feed to minimize this information and set aside separate time to go directly to credible news sources.
Additionally, make it a priority to vet your news sources. Check the author’s credentials. Do they have expertise in the subject they’re reporting on? Are they affiliated with a reputable organization? Review the publication’s editorial policies. Does the organization follow a code of ethics? What is its mission, and does it aim for objectivity? Finally, look for multiple sources. If a story is only reported by one outlet, especially one with a strong bias, it may not be reliable. Cross-check information with other reputable news organizations.

3. Create a news consumption ritual. Each time you check the news, follow it up with some mindful activity. Whether it’s a workout, a walk outside, drinking some tea, or watching your favorite show, this ritual can help ground you and alleviate stress.

4. Focus on solutions. Join community advocacy groups. Volunteer. Go to town halls and community meetings. Write your representatives when something concerns you. Whatever it is, aim to turn your anxiety into action.

5. Create a strong support network. Make sure to stay regularly connected to friends, not just on the phone, but in person. We all need each other. The comfort of knowing you have people to lean on can help remind you there’s hope, and something worth fighting for.

04/18/2025

We know that especially with chronic mental illness, support for caregivers is essential to better outcomes and lower health care costs. Research suggests that the presence of competent family caregivers has a clinically significant impact on the course of mental illness, the quality of the patient’s relationships, adherence to medications, as well as reducing relapses and hospitalizations.

The healthcare system could not function without caregivers. They are the foundation of good mental health support. It’s about time that this is properly recognized and caregivers are given the support they deserve.

Visit thecarehack.com for customized support, community, coaching and resources. Caregivers: you don’t have to walk this path alone.

04/17/2025

At The Care Hack, we recognize the unique challenges caregivers face in managing chronic cognitive illnesses like mental illness or dementia. The information and advice available to caregivers is usually dense and unnecessarily complex, which is why we offer a library of short videos in our app that deliver evidence-based insights in plain English.

Our core curriculum covers essential topics relevant to all caregivers, while specialized learning series dive deeper into specific diseases and challenges.
Whether you need guidance on daily care, communication strategies, understanding treatment options and beyond, our on-demand library is here to empower you with the knowledge you need, when you need it.

You can sign up now at app.thecarehack.com!

04/15/2025

April is Stress Awareness Month, a good time to have real conversations about the many interconnected pressures lots of us are facing. The stress levels in the U.S. are at an all-time high due to rising costs, work pressures, and social and political restlessness.

87% of Americans report that the rising costs of everyday items—like gas, groceries, and energy bills—are major sources of stress.
80% of workers report that ineffective communication at work is a significant stressor.
42% of Americans cite personal debt as a major source of stress.
71% of U.S. adults with private health insurance say the cost of healthcare causes them stress.

Here’s how you can work to manage your response:

Establish Healthy Boundaries at Work: Research shows that overworking and poor communication contribute heavily to stress. Setting boundaries can be intimidating but it’s imperative to communicate openly with colleagues to avoid burnout. 🖥️🚪

Mindfulness: Studies consistently show that mindfulness practices and deep breathing reduce stress hormones. Just 10-15 minutes a day can make a significant difference. Also try putting away the phone for at least an hour and being hyper present in your surroundings. Doing activities like cooking or gardening are great for mindfulness 🧘‍♀️

Financial Planning: Consider speaking with a financial advisor or using budgeting tools to gain control over your finances and reduce money-related anxiety. 💰

Seek Support: Whether it’s a therapist, a support group, or simply talking to a trusted friend or family member, social connection is a crucial tool in combating stress. 🤝

Limit News Consumption: While staying informed is important, constant exposure to distressing news can increase anxiety. Limit your news intake to designated times of day to protect your mental health. 📱

Start with small, manageable steps and be kind to yourself. You deserve peace of mind. 💙

11/09/2023

This weekend, plan some time to recharge, unplug and take care of your mental health.

Have a great weekend, everyone!