---
title: "Zarit Burden Interview: what it measures"
description: "The Zarit Burden Interview is a 22-item measure of caregiver burden used by clinicians and researchers. What it is, how to get it, and alternatives."
url: https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/zarit-burden-interview/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: Senior Choice Care
---

Explainer

# The Zarit Burden Interview

If a clinician or study has mentioned "the Zarit," here's what it is. We don't reproduce it; it's copyrighted.

**2 minute read** Updated October 9, 2026Written by the Senior Choice Care team

In short

The Zarit Burden Interview is a questionnaire that measures how much strain a family caregiver feels. The standard version has 22 items. It's copyrighted and distributed by Mapi Research Trust, which handles permissions. Clinicians and researchers use it; families can try our original caregiver burnout quiz as a starting point instead.

**Written by the Senior Choice Care team** Updated October 9, 2026. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end of this page. General information; every family is different.

## Getting the official version

Mapi Research Trust's ePROVIDE platform is the official distributor. Request access there.

## If you're feeling the strain

NIA's caregiver tips include asking for help, taking breaks and seeing your own doctor. Try our [caregiver burnout quiz](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/caregiver-burnout-quiz/).

## Questions families ask

### How many questions are in the Zarit Burden Interview?

The standard version has 22.

### Is the Zarit free?

Permission is handled by Mapi Research Trust; check its terms.

### Can I take the Zarit online here?

No. We don't reproduce it. Our burnout quiz is an original alternative.

### Who uses the Zarit?

Clinicians and researchers studying caregiver burden.

## Sources

- [Mapi Research Trust ePROVIDE: Zarit Burden Interview (official distributor)](https://eprovide.mapi-trust.org/instruments/zarit-burden-interview)
- [National Institute on Aging: Taking care of yourself, tips for caregivers](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/taking-care-yourself-tips-caregivers)

## Read next

- [Caregiver burnout quiz](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/caregiver-burnout-quiz/)
- [Assess](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/)
- [Hospice respite care](https://seniorchoicecare.com/hospice-and-palliative/hospice-respite-care/)

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Canonical page: https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/zarit-burden-interview/