How are you holding up?
A free caregiver burnout check: ten quick questions about your own strain as a dementia caregiver, with practical next steps for every result.
This free caregiver burnout check asks 10 yes / sometimes / no questions about your sleep, health, mood, support and finances. Your score (0-20) shows low, moderate or high strain, with next steps such as respite care, support groups and the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 800-272-3900. It is not a medical assessment.
Ten questions, about two minutes
These questions are our own, written to cover the areas where caregiving strain tends to show up: sleep, health, mood, relationships, money and support. This is not a medical or psychological assessment and it isn’t a validated research scale. It’s a way to take stock frankly. Nothing you answer is saved or sent.
How scoring works
Each Yes counts 2 points, Sometimes 1 and No 0, for a total between 0 and 20.
| Score | Strain level | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6 | Low | You have some breathing room. Protect it with regular breaks before you need them. |
| 7-13 | Moderate | Strain is building. This is the time to add help, not wait for a crisis. |
| 14-20 | High | You are carrying too much alone. Reach out this week for respite and support, and see your own doctor. |
Practical next steps at any level
Whatever your score, these steps help:
- Schedule a regular break. Even one protected afternoon a week helps. In-home respite lets your loved one stay home with a familiar companion.
- Ask about state-funded respite. Florida’s Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative funds respite and caregiver support through local Area Agencies on Aging. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
- Call the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline: 800-272-3900. It’s free and confidential, offers interpreters, and can connect you with caregiver support groups and a free care consultation.
Two more steps that protect your own health:
- See your own doctor. Tell them you’re a caregiver. Sleep problems, low mood and stress symptoms are treatable.
- Share the load. Write down specific jobs others could take, such as a weekly call, a grocery run or paperwork, and ask for one each.
If you ever feel you might harm yourself or your loved one, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline right away, or call 911 in an emergency.
What your answers are looking for
The questions follow the signs that Cleveland Clinic associates with caregiver burnout: exhaustion, pulling away from people and activities, hopelessness, changes in sleep and appetite, trouble concentrating, getting sick more often, and irritability. Cleveland Clinic reports that more than 60% of caregivers have burnout symptoms, so a high score is common, not a failure.
Cleveland Clinic also notes that recovery can take days to months and usually combines several steps: talking with a professional, basic self-care, asking for help, and respite care. Retake the check every month to see whether the changes you make are working.
Why caregiver burnout matters
Florida has roughly 840,000 unpaid family caregivers for people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2024 Florida figures. Many are spouses who are older adults themselves. When a caregiver gets sick or burns out, the person with dementia often ends up in the hospital or a facility sooner than anyone planned. Looking after yourself is part of looking after your loved one.
Read more in caregiver burnout: recognizing and recovering, taking a break without the guilt, and our page for spouse caregivers. The glossary explains caregiver burnout and respite care.
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Frequently asked questions
Still have questions?
Talk it through with us. A free call about your family's situation, with no obligation.
Call (689) 333-6079Send us a message- Screened for dementia care experience
- Florida ADRD training before the first visit
What are the signs of caregiver burnout?
Common signs include constant tiredness, irritability, pulling away from friends, neglecting your own health, and feeling hopeless or trapped. If several apply, it’s time to add support.
Is this the Zarit Burden Interview?
No. These are our own questions, written for families. They are not a validated clinical scale. Your doctor can use formal tools if needed.
Where can a Florida caregiver get free help?
Call the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 to reach your Area Agency on Aging, which can explain Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative respite and caregiver support. The Alzheimer’s Association Helpline is 800-272-3900.
How much respite does a caregiver need?
There’s no fixed amount, but a predictable weekly break is easier to protect than an occasional one. Start with what you can arrange and build from there.
How can I reduce caregiver burnout?
Cleveland Clinic notes that recovery usually combines several steps: talking with a professional, basic self-care, asking for help, and respite care. Schedule a regular break, even one protected afternoon a week, and write down specific jobs others could take so you can ask for one each. See your own doctor and tell them you are a caregiver, and call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 to ask about state-funded respite. Read more in caregiver burnout: recognizing and recovering.
Don't see your question? Call (689) 333-6079 or send us a message.
Sources
- Alzheimer's Association, Helpline
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (ADI)
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Aging and Disability Resource Centers and Elder Helpline
- Alzheimer's Association, 2024 Florida Alzheimer's Statistics (Facts and Figures)
- SAMHSA, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline fact sheet
- Cleveland Clinic, Caregiver Burnout