Caregiver Strain Index: Measuring Carer Burden
The Caregiver Strain Index helps clinicians quickly measure stress levels in family caregivers. It uses thirteen questions to assess burden and identify those who need extra support.

Caregiver Strain Index
The Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) is a brief screening tool that measures the burden on those caring for older adults. Through 13 yes/no items, it assesses financial, physical, and emotional stress. This helps professionals identify caregivers needing support, preventing burnout while they look after loved ones.
Category
Disease
Source
What is Caregiver Strain Index
The Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) is a handy screening tool used to spot stress levels in family members looking after older adults with chronic needs. This brief questionnaire features 13 items that measure the burden of care. It looks at employment issues plus financial, physical, social, and time constraints. Respondents simply answer 'Yes' or 'No' to statements about their daily experience. A total score of seven or higher points to high strain. The questions cover things like sleep disturbance, family adjustments, and changes in personal plans or privacy. It’s easy to administer and takes about five minutes to finish. Clinicians use it to assess caregiver wellbeing during discharge planning or home visits. By spotting burnout early, healthcare teams can intervene to prevent the caregiver's health from going downhill and ensure better long-term care.
The Caregiver Strain Index can be scored using one main approach: a straightforward summation technique. 1. Total Strain Score: This instrument lists thirteen common stressors faced by carers, covering financial, physical, social, and emotional domains. For each item, the respondent answers either Yes or No based on their experience. You assign 1 point for every Yes and 0 for a No. Simply add these up to get a total ranging from 0 to 13. A score of 7 or higher generally suggests a high level of strain. It is a handy way for clinicians to identify families who are doing it tough and might need more support services or respite care.
Advantages
Streamlines research data gathering process.
Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.
Serves diverse clinical needs effectively.
Related Instruments
Assesses physical function of the foot and ankle.
Assesses the overall impact and severity of fibromyalgia.
Assesses key dimensions of female sexual function.
Collect Caregiver Strain Index data with WeGuide, the all in one patient engagement platform

Support Your patient in no time - all under your own brand
Our platform combines the knowledge of 100+ digital health solutions built, letting you easily build your patient engagement app for research or clinical use. Collect PROMs, support patients on waiting lists, or gather vital signs data. This is how:
Learn MoreProgram Builder
.png)
Whitelabelling
Turn on components, dependent on your usecase
Support The Full Journey
.png)
.png)
%20(1).png)
.png)
It’s your turn
Every WeGuide project, saves researchers and clinicians - 9 months and $450,000 - creating impactful digital health solutions.

