Modified Caregiver Strain Index

Caregiver strain

Thirteen yes/no questions about the practical and emotional strain of caring. Seven or more suggests significant strain.

This questionnaire is a screening aid, not a diagnosis. Scores describe how you have been feeling recently — only a qualified health professional can diagnose a condition. Bring your result to them.

0 of 13 answered

Thinking about caring for this person, is any of the following true?

1.My sleep is disturbed
2.Caring is inconvenient — it takes a lot of time, or the travel is difficult
3.Caring is a physical strain — lifting, transfers, being on my feet
4.Caring is confining — it limits my free time and my ability to leave the house
5.There have been family adjustments — the household has changed around the caring
6.There have been changes to my personal plans — I have turned down work, study or trips
7.There have been other demands on my time from other family members
8.There have been emotional adjustments — arguments, tension, feeling on edge
9.Some of their behaviour is upsetting — confusion, anger, repeated questions
10.It is upsetting to see how much they have changed from the person they were
11.There have been work adjustments — time off, reduced hours, lost income
12.Caring is a financial strain
13.I feel completely overwhelmed

Answer every question to see your score.

Caregiver Strain Index (Robinson, 1983; modified by Thornton & Travis, 2003). Freely available for clinical and educational use.