The Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI)

The Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) is a tool that can be used to quickly screen for caregiver strain with long-term family caregivers. It is a 13-question tool that measures strain related to care provision. There is at least one item for each of the following major domains: Financial, Physical, Psychological, Social, and Personal. This instrument can be used to assess individuals of any age who have assumed the caregiving role for an older adult. The Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) is a more recent version of the Caregiver
Strain Index (CSI) developed in 1983. The MCSI was modified and developed in 2003 with a sample of 158 family caregivers providing assistance to older adults living in a community-based setting. Scoring is 2 points for each ‘yes’ and 1 point for each ‘sometimes’ response. The higher the score, the higher the level of caregiver strain (Travis et al., 2003; Thornton & Travis, 2003).