How to Access Data

NDWS survey data and linkable administrative data sources – including beneficiary-level CMS claims data – can be accessed by researchers for free.

Wave 1 data are available now. Note: The Wave 1 release does not contain data from the Home Care Staff survey.

NDWS Data

There are three tiers of data available as part of NDWS, depending on your project’s needs:

  1. NDWS survey Public Use Files (PUFs) on NACDA↓
    • Contents: De-identified NDWS surveys (excluding administrator surveys)
    • Restrictions: No prior approval needed
  2. NDWS survey Restricted Use Files (RUFs) and non-CMS linkable data on LINKAGE↓
    • Contents: Full NDWS RUF surveys (including administrator surveys) and the Environment, Process, and 
      Quality of Care data sources available to link with surveys
    • Restrictions: NDWS prior approval required**
  3. Beneficiary-level CMS data and NDWS claims-based summary files on LINKAGE↓
    • Contents: This process allows researchers access to the CMS data available through LINKAGE, in addition to the resources in Tier 2.
    • Restrictions: NDWS and NIA Privacy Board prior approvals required and requestor must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident**

**More information on accessing restricted data↓

1. NDWS survey Public Use Files (PUFs) on NACDA

To minimize respondent re-identification risk, PUFs of the main NDWS surveys (Community Clinician, Nursing Home Staff, and Assisted Living Staff) have been prepared. These versions of the surveys are available through the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA) (note: The PUFs do not include the NDWS administrator surveys). If your project requires access to NDWS survey data alone, the Public Use files may be suitable. However, some variables are modified or removed to minimize the re-identification risk to respondents – view a draft list of masked variables.  

Access to this data does not require any prior approvals and is available by registering for an account on the NACDA website.  

Access the NDWS Community Clinician survey PUF on NACDA
Access the NDWS Nursing Home Staff survey PUF on NACDA
Access the NDWS Assisted Living Staff survey PUF on NACDA

2. NDWS survey Restricted Use Files (RUFs) and non-CMS linkable data on LINKAGE

Through Tier 2, researchers have access to the full, unmodified versions of the NDWS surveys, including the administrator surveys. In addition, these surveys include encrypted CMS and geographic (state and county) identifiers that allow pairing surveys with the other linked data available (i.e., the Environmental and Process & Quality of Care data sources {scroll down to "Other Data Linkages"}). Access to these data is available through the secure NIA-supported Linked Information for Knowledge on Aging Enclave (LINKAGE) data platform.  

To access Tier 2 NDWS data on LINKAGE, researchers must 1) apply for and receive written approval for their project from NDWS, and 2) execute an NDWS Data Use Agreement (DUA). To apply, researchers should complete and submit the NDWS Restricted Data Request Form along with all required documentation (note: this includes proof of IRB approval).  

3. Beneficiary-level CMS data and NDWS claims-based summary files on LINKAGE

Researchers who desire access to CMS claims, encounter, and assessment data – including the Community Clinician and Nursing Home claims-based summary files prepared by NDWS – must complete an additional Data Use Agreement (DUA) with the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to access these data in LINKAGE. Note: This NIA DUA is in addition to the NDWS DUA; both must be signed if CMS data are needed for your project.

To request access to CMS data:

  • Follow all steps to gain access to NDWS Restricted Data on LINKAGE.
  • Follow the NIA instructions – Researcher Guidelines for Accessing LINKAGE Data.

Note: CMS claims, encounter, and assessment data, including the claims-based summary files, are only available to researchers who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.

How to Apply for Restricted Data Access

Submit your completed Restricted Data Request Form and associated documentation to info@ndws.org, and include “[Data Request]” in the subject line for prompt processing.  

Restricted Data Request Form (PDF, 2.8 MB) opens in a new window 
Application Checklist (Required Documentation) (PDF, 270 KB) opens in a new window 

Applications to access restricted data are assessed using the following criteria:

  • Researchers requesting to access NDWS data must have sufficient credentials (e.g., affiliated with an accredited U.S. institution, have appropriate educational experience to analyze the data).
  • The proposed analysis/project should contribute to the scientific literature related to the professional dementia care workforce.
  • Requests for linked data are limited to those necessary for the proposed analysis.
  • Requested data and linkages must pose a low risk of potential reidentification of NDWS respondents, both by the project team and in any resulting publications. This includes adhering to the CMS Data Cell Size Suppression Policy.
  • The proposed analysis/project should be feasible given the project team’s resources and the requested data.

Applicants will receive a written decision within 2 to 3 weeks, provided the application is complete and follows instructions. Approved applicants will then be asked to execute the NDWS DUA before access to the restricted data can be granted.  

Resources