The National Dementia Workforce Study: Perspective From the National Institute on Aging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a large-scale study on the dementia care workforce in the U.S., aiming to improve understanding and quality of care for people with dementia.

Contribution

The study is the first large-scale national survey of the dementia care workforce, with innovative data linkage to Medicare claims.

Findings

The NDWS includes data from multiple care settings and professional roles involved in dementia care.

The datasets are publicly accessible and linked to Medicare claims for deeper analysis.

Longitudinal results will provide ongoing insights into the dementia care workforce.

Abstract

As the population of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) continues to grow, so does the need for a well‐prepared and stable dementia care workforce. The National Dementia Workforce Study (NDWS) represents a significant investment to understand the demographics, experiences, and magnitude and scope of challenges faced by the professional and direct care workforce providing care to people with dementia. This article discusses the NDWS's goals, data collection efforts, and data release. NDWS is the first large‐scale national survey of the dementia care workforce, encompassing physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, direct care workers, and other health professionals across four key care settings: community‐based medical practices, nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home care. The study's innovative design allows for data linkage with Medicare claims and other health databases, providing a data infrastructure for understanding workforce factors that influence care quality and outcomes. The first datasets were released in July of 2025, and the data can be accessed at no cost. The linked NDWS‐Medicare datasets are available through a secure web portal for analysis. Findings from this analysis can answer novel questions that may shape the future of the dementia care workforce in the United States, ensuring that the growing population of people with dementia receives high‐quality care. As the study progresses, longitudinal results and annual data updates will continue to provide valuable insights, helping researchers, practitioners, and policymakers understand the workforce caring for people affected by dementia.