What's Wearing You Out?
Caregiving can be exhausting in many different ways. Understanding what's draining your energy is the first step toward finding relief. Our survey helps you identify which types of fatigue you're experiencing so you can get the right support.
Take Our Compassion Fatigue Survey
In just a few minutes, identify which of the 12 Caregiving Fatigues are affecting you most. Your responses help us understand the real toll caregiving takes and inform the programs and resources we develop to support you. It takes just 5-10 minutes.
Take the Survey NowWhy Your Response Matters
Each person who takes this survey helps us understand the scope and nature of caregiver fatigue in our communities. Your data helps us advocate more effectively for better support systems and resources. We use your responses to inform policy, training, and resource development that can improve the caregiving experience for everyone.
You can retake this survey as often as you'd like. Many caregivers find it helpful to check in with themselves regularly to track how their fatigue patterns change throughout their caregiving journey.
The 12 Caregiving Fatigues
Caregiving exhaustion isn't one-size-fits-all. We've identified 12 distinct types of fatigue that caregivers experience. Recognizing which ones are affecting you can help you find targeted support and solutions.
1. Physical Fatigue
The wear and tear on your body from caregiving demands—lifting, mobility assistance, sleepless nights, and constant physical activity.
2. Emotional Fatigue
The emotional weight of witnessing your loved one's struggles, managing difficult feelings, and bearing responsibility for their wellbeing.
3. Mental Fatigue
The cognitive load of managing medical information, medications, appointments, financial matters, and countless decisions.
4. Spiritual Fatigue
The struggle with meaning, purpose, and faith when facing suffering and the limitations of caregiving.
5. Social Fatigue
The isolation and loss of connection that comes from being consumed by caregiving responsibilities and unable to maintain relationships.
6. Relationship Fatigue
The strain on your relationships with the person you're caring for, your partner, family members, and friends.
7. Career Fatigue
The impact of caregiving on your work—missed opportunities, reduced hours, job loss, or the stress of balancing both roles.
8. Financial Fatigue
The exhaustion that comes from the financial burden of caregiving—medical costs, lost income, and difficult financial decisions.
9. Caregiver Role Fatigue
The weariness of being defined by your caregiving role and losing sight of your own identity and needs.
10. Anticipatory Fatigue
The exhaustion of worrying about what's coming next—decline, difficult decisions, loss, and life after caregiving.
11. Grief Fatigue
The fatigue of grieving losses while still caregiving—changes in your loved one, your old life, your health, and uncertain futures.
12. Existential Fatigue
The deep exhaustion from confronting mortality, life's fragility, and the big questions about what caregiving means for your life.
As you read through these fatigues, you may recognize several that resonate with your experience. That's normal—most caregivers experience multiple types of fatigue. Understanding which ones are affecting you most can help you identify the specific support and strategies that will help you most.
Get Support for Caregiver Fatigue
Understanding your fatigue is the first step. The next step is getting support. We offer several programs and resources designed specifically to help you manage different types of caregiver fatigue and reclaim your wellbeing.
Other Assessments to Explore
Fatigue is one important aspect of your caregiving experience. Our other surveys help you understand different dimensions of what you're going through.
Share Your Story
Beyond surveys, we're collecting stories of caregiving and life after caregiving. If you'd like to share your experience in a more narrative way, we'd love to hear from you.
Ready to Identify Your Fatigue?
Take our compassion fatigue survey to discover which types of fatigue are affecting you most. Then explore the resources and coaching available to help you address them.
Take the Fatigue Survey