Why Caregiving Should Be Treated Like a Diagnosis — with CareYaya CEO, Neal K. Shah
Caregiving is not just a personal challenge. It is quickly becoming one of the biggest healthcare issues of our time. On this episode of The Hart of It All, host Teri Hart sits down with Neal Shah, founder of CareYaya, to explore why caregiving needs to be treated as a core part of our healthcare system, not an afterthought.
Neal shares his journey from hedge fund leader to caregiver advocate, and breaks down the hidden ways caregiving impacts physical and mental health. From rising hospitalization rates to increased dementia risk, the ripple effects are far more serious and widespread than most people realize.
Together, Teri and Neal unpack what is driving the growing caregiving crisis, including aging populations, social isolation, and the long-term impact of COVID. They also explore what is working, from AI-powered training tools like the Yaya Guide to innovative care models in countries like those in Scandinavia, and why policy reform is urgently needed.
This episode is for you if you are a caregiver, supporting aging parents, or thinking about what care might look like for your own future. It is both a wake-up call and a hopeful look at how we can better support caregivers and build a more sustainable system for everyone.
Neal Shah is the founder of CareYaya, a care innovation platform focused on scalable solutions that support caregivers and improve care quality. His work, recognized by institutions like Johns Hopkins, is helping reshape how we approach aging and care.
Resources:
Visit the CareYaya Website:
https://www.careyaya.org/
Access CareYaya's "Yaya Guide":
https://www.careyaya.org/yayaguide
Follow Neal Shah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nealkshah
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nealkshah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nealkshahcareyaya/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-shah-careyaya
To watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPod
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Follow Teri Hart:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihart
Co-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 Digital
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digital
Website: https://www.6of1digital.com/
I’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.
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🟡 About The Hart of it All
A podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.
No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.
From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.
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