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A Check-In For Caregivers

How much are you carrying?
Eight questions. Two minutes.

This isn't about how you feel — it's about what caregiving actually costs you in time, money, and support. Eight questions about the hours, dollars, and help (or lack of it) behind the care you provide, followed by a rough estimate of what that adds up to over a year. This is not a diagnostic tool — it's a starting point for spotting an unsustainable load before it becomes one.

  • 01About two minutes. Eight questions. No jargon.
  • 02Free. No email required to see your results.
  • 03Not a diagnosis — a look at your hours, spending, and support.
  • 04Private. Nothing is stored or submitted unless you choose to.

Your answers stay on your device until you finish. Nothing is submitted anywhere.

Preview the 8 questions before you start

  1. About how many hours per week do you personally spend directly caring for this person — hands-on care, supervision, errands, or appointments?

    Options: Under 5 hours · 5–20 hours · 20–40 hours · Over 40 hours — it’s essentially a full-time role

  2. How long have you been providing this level of care?

    Options: Less than 6 months · 6 months to 1 year · 1 to 1.5 years · 1.5 to 2 years · 2 to 2.5 years · 2.5 to 3 years · 3 to 4 years · 4 to 5 years · More than 5 years

  3. About how much do you personally spend out of pocket each month on their care — medical costs, supplies, home modifications, or hired help?

    Options: Little to none · Under $299 a month · $299–$499 a month · $500–$2,000 a month · Over $2,000 a month

  4. Have you reduced your work hours, turned down opportunities, or left a job because of caregiving?

    Options: No, work hasn’t been affected · I’ve reduced my hours somewhat · I’ve significantly cut back or taken unpaid leave · I’ve left or lost a job because of it

  5. In a typical month, how many days do you get a real break — time when someone else is fully responsible for their care?

    Options: Several days a week · A few days a month · Rarely, maybe once a month · Never

  6. Do you have paid help (an aide, nurse, or adult day program) or regular unpaid help from others that shares the caregiving load?

    Options: Yes, regularly · Occasionally · Rarely · No, I do this entirely alone

  7. How many other people share meaningful responsibility for this person’s care?

    Options: Care is shared fairly evenly among two or more people · One other person helps somewhat · Others are involved but rarely follow through · I am the only one

  8. If something happened to you tomorrow — an illness or injury — is there a real backup plan and person ready to step in?

    Options: Yes, a clear plan and a backup person · Some idea, but nothing formal · Not really · No plan at all

Every figure on this page is drawn from the organization that published it. Links open in a new tab, and figures reflect the most recent data available at publication — source organizations update on their own schedules. Key sources for this page include:

Content on this site was researched, sourced, and drafted with the assistance of Perplexity AI, with human editorial review. See our Terms of Use for how we source and verify material, and tell us if you spot an error.