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.

Please note: Final, weighted Wave 1 data will be available by July 1, 2025. The Wave 1 release will not contain data from the Home Care Staff survey.

There are three ways to access NDWS data, depending on your project’s data needs:

Public Use Data (NACDA)
De-identified NDWS surveys (excluding administrator surveys)
No prior approval needed

Restricted Data (LINKAGE)
NDWS surveys (incl. administrator surveys) + linkable administrative data sources
NDWS prior approval required

Restricted Data + Beneficiary-Level CMS Data (LINKAGE)
NDWS surveys, linkable admin. data sources, + bene-level CMS claims
NDWS and NIA Privacy Board prior approvals required 

NDWS Public Use Data on NACDA

De-identified, public use versions of all available NDWS survey data are available through the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA) (note: NDWS administrator survey data are not included in the Public Use files). If your project requires access to NDWS survey data alone, the Public Use files are best for you. Some variables are masked in the public use datasets – view the list of masked variables here.  

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

A link to the NDWS data on NACDA will be available here by July 1.

NDWS Restricted Data on LINKAGE

Restricted data includes NDWS survey data that are linkable to other administrative data sources, including NDWS administrator survey data. Access to the restricted, linkable NDWS survey data and other administrative data sources is available through the secure NIA-supported Linked Information for Knowledge on Aging Enclave (LINKAGE) data platform.  

To access the Restricted 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).  

NDWS Restricted Data + Beneficiary-Level CMS Data on LINKAGE

The Restricted Data in LINKAGE does include CMS claims-based summary files, which are of advantage to researchers who may be unfamiliar working with raw claims data.  

However, researchers who desire access to raw, beneficiary-level CMS claims data to link with NDWS data can gain access by signing 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 beneficiary-level data is needed for your project.

To request access to beneficiary-level CMS data:

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

How to Apply for Restricted Data Access

STARTING JULY 1, 2025: 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.  

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.  

Note: Applications are not yet being accepted and the Restricted Data Request Form and NDWS DUA are not yet available. Draft materials are coming soon and NDWS will accept data request applications starting July 1, 2025.