NPALS Newsletter

Purpose

  • Find past editions of the National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) newsletter.
  • Learn about the latest NPALS data and product releases.
  • Subscribe to the NPALS listserv.
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June 2024

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Stats of the Month

In recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month (June 2024), we present estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2022, 34.1% of participants in adult day services centers (ADSCs) had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias (ADOD).
  • In 2022, 43.8% of residents in assisted living and other residential care communities (RCCs) had a diagnosis of ADOD.

Sources: Estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) restricted survey files available through the NCHS Research Data Center (https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/index.htm).

Updates

  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2022 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).
  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Updated long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.
  • The Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboard was initially released in June and focused on national data for adult day and residential care sectors from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study. The updated dashboard includes data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital sectors. Subsequent releases will provide state-level data.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –

New Products

  • QuickStats: Percentage of Residential Care Communities That Use Electronic Health Records, by Community Bed Size — United States, 2018, 2020, and 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:409. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7317a6.
  • Singh P, Lendon JP, Sengupta M. Alzheimer disease or other dementias in adult day services centers, 2020. National Health Statistics Report; no 198. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:135024.
  • Melekin A, Sengupta M. Infection control policies and practices in residential care communities, by selected organizational and geographic characteristics: United States, 2020. National Health Statistics Reports; no 205. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:137392.

Data tell stories. Tell us yours!‎

Has information from NPALS helped you? Your stories help us showcase the value of NPALS. Email a brief description of how you've used NPALS data to LTCSBFeedback@cdc.gov. Use "My NPALS data use example" as the subject of your message.

May 2024

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Osteoporosis Month (May 2024), we present estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2022, 19.0% of participants in adult day services centers (ADSCs) had a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
  • In 2022, 11.9% of residents in residential care communities (RCCs) had a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Sources: Estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) restricted survey files available through the NCHS Research Data Center (https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/index.htm).

Updates

  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2022 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).
  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Updated long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.
  • The Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboard was initially released in June and focused on national data for adult day and residential care sectors from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study. The updated dashboard includes data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital sectors. Subsequent releases will provide state-level data.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –

New Products

  • QuickStats: Percentage of Residential Care Communities That Use Electronic Health Records, by Community Bed Size — United States, 2018, 2020, and 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:409. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7317a6.
  • Singh P, Lendon JP, Sengupta M. Alzheimer disease or other dementias in adult day services centers, 2020. National Health Statistics Report; no 198. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:135024.
  • Melekin A, Sengupta M. Infection control policies and practices in residential care communities, by selected organizational and geographic characteristics: United States, 2020. National Health Statistics Reports; no 205. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:137392.

April 2024

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Public Health Week (April 1–7, 2023), we present estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2022, 54.1% of adult day services centers (ADSCs) had full- and part-time employee and contract registered nurses and 39.4% of ADSCs had full- and part-time employee and contract licensed practical or vocational nurses.
  • In 2022, 41.1% of assisted living and similar other residential care communities (RCCs) had full- and part-time employee and contract registered nurses and 37.2% of RCCs had full- and part- time employee and contract licensed practical or vocational nurses.

Sources: Estimates from 2022 Restricted survey files available through the NCHS Research Data Center (https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/index.htm).

Updates

  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2022 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).
  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Updated long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.
  • The Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboard was initially released in June and focused on national data for adult day and residential care sectors from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study. The updated dashboard includes data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital sectors. Subsequent releases will provide state-level data.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –

New Products

  • Singh P, Lendon JP, Sengupta M. Alzheimer disease or other dementias in adult day services centers, 2020. National Health Statistics Report; no 198. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:135024.
  • Melekin A, Sengupta M. Infection control policies and practices in residential care communities, by selected organizational and geographic characteristics: United States, 2020. National Health Statistics Reports; no 205. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:137392.

March 2024

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Kidney Month (March 2024), we present estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2022, 8.5% of participants in adult day services centers (ADSCs) had a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.
  • In 2022, 10.2% of residents in assisted living and similar residential care communities (RCCs) had a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.

Sources: Estimates from 2022 Restricted survey files available through the NCHS Research Data Center (https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/index.htm).

Updates

  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2022 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).
  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Updated long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.
  • The Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboard was initially released in June and focused on national data for adult day and residential care sectors from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study. The updated dashboard includes data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital sectors. Subsequent releases will provide state-level data.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –

New Products

  • Singh P, Lendon JP, Sengupta M. Alzheimer disease or other dementias in adult day services centers, 2020. National Health Statistics Report; no 198. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:135024.
  • Melekin A, Sengupta M. Infection control policies and practices in residential care communities, by selected organizational and geographic characteristics: United States, 2020. National Health Statistics Reports; no 205. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:137392.

February 2024

Stats of the Month

In recognition of American Heart Month (February 2024), we present estimates from the 2022 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2022, 33.1% of residents in assisted living and similar residential care communities (RCCs) had a diagnosis of heart disease.
  • In 2022, 18.5% of participants in adult day services centers (ADSCs) had a diagnosis of heart disease.

Sources: Estimates from 2022 Restricted survey files available through the NCHS Research Data Center (https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/index.htm).

Updates

  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2022 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).
  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Updated long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.
  • The Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboard was initially released in June and focused on national data for adult day and residential care sectors from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study. The updated dashboard includes data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital sectors. Subsequent releases will provide state-level data.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –

New Products

  • Singh P, Lendon JP, Sengupta M. Alzheimer disease or other dementias in adult day services centers, 2020. National Health Statistics Report; no 198. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:135024.
  • Melekin A, Sengupta M. Infection control policies and practices in residential care communities, by selected organizational and geographic characteristics: United States, 2020. National Health Statistics Reports; no 205. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:137392 (Will be available on February 27, 2024)

January 2024

2023 Year in Review

In 2023, the Long-Term Care Statistics Branch (LTCSB) at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) had a productive year. We provided timely data to the public in a peer-reviewed article, data dashboards, and presentations at conferences and meetings. We also launched a pilot study of direct care workers to assess the feasibility of an innovative national study to investigate this increasingly important workforce for long-term care services. LTCSB has been preparing the 2022 NPALS data files for release in 2024 and planning the 2024 NPALS survey.

Peer-reviewed Article

Lendon JP, Caffrey C, Lau DT. End-Of-Life Care Planning and Bereavement Practices Among Adult Day Services Centers, 2018. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/10499091231163269

2020 NPALS data dashboard

The 2020 Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboards were released in June and focused on national data for ADSCs and RCCs using data from 2020 NPALS. The newly updated dashboards include data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital settings. Future releases will provide state-level data for all of the settings. The 2020 Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.

Presentations

LTCSB staff presented at various conferences and meetings in 2023. These include the National Center for Assisted Living State Affiliate Meeting, US Senate Special Committee on Aging Staff, multi-HHS agency Home and Community Based Care Forward group, 2023 Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology Research and Policy Conference, NIH Webinar Series: Data from National Center for Health Statistics, at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Research Meeting, and at the Administration for Community Living (ACL) meeting.

Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in ADSCs, RCCs, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. The pilot includes a comprehensive survey of DCWs, such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides.

Future Data Release

NCHS is preparing restricted data files for the 2022 NPALS ADSC and RCC surveys. Data collection for the ADSC and RCC components of 2022 NPALS ended in March 2023. LTCSB anticipates the restricted data files will be available by the end of January 2024.

About NPALS

LTCSB would like to thank you for following our listserv and for your continued use and support of NPALS. In 2024, LTCSB will continue to publish NPALS products using the 2020 and 2022 data. Please stay tuned. From all of us here at NCHS, we wish you a wonderful new year!

In January 2020, National Study of Long-Term Care Providers (NSLTCP) was renamed National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) to better reflect the scope of NCHS' study of long-term and post-acute care. This new name reflects the addition of more post-acute sectors (inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term care hospitals), while keeping the sectors (adult day services centers, assisted living and similar residential care communities, home health agencies, hospices, and nursing homes) that have been in the study since it launched in 2012. The information NCHS collects about ADSCs and participants and RCCs and residents remains the same.

December 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 4-8, 2023), we present data from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Updated long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" is available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.
  • The Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboard was initially released in June and focused on national data for adult day and residential care sectors from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study. The updated dashboard includes data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital sectors. Subsequent releases will provide state-level data.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Data collection for the residential care community and adult day components of the 2022 NPALS ended in March 2023.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –
  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2020 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

November 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month (November 2023), we present data from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Updated long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm
  • The Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care in the United States dashboard was initially released in June and focused on national data for adult day and residential care sectors from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study. The updated dashboard includes data on home health, hospice, nursing home, inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and long-term care hospital sectors. Subsequent releases will provide state-level data.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Data collection for the residential care community and adult day components of the 2022 NPALS ended in March 2023.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –
  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2020 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

October 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Depression Screening Day (October 5), we present data from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCHS is conducting a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Pilot Study in adult day services centers, residential care communities, and nursing homes to determine the feasibility of conducting a national survey in the future. DCWs such as certified nursing assistants, nursing assistants, home health aides, home care aides, personal care aides, personal care assistants, and medication technicians or medication aides are included.
  • Data from the 2020 NPALS are now available in a new long-term care dashboard "Biennial Overview of Post-acute and Long-term Care" at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables/overview.htm.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Data collection for the residential care community and adult day components of the 2022 NPALS ended in March 2023.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –
  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2020 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

September 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Assisted Living Week (September 10–16) we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2020, there were about 30,600 assisted living and similar residential care communities (RCCs) serving around 818,800 residents (estimates are rounded to the nearest hundred).

In recognition of National Adult Day Services Week (September 17–23) we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2020, there were about 4,100 adult day services centers (ADSCs) serving around 237,400 participants (estimates are rounded to the nearest hundred).

Source: Estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study Survey Methodology for the Adult Day Services Center and Residential Care Community Components

Updates

August 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Seniors Day (August 21), we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

July 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (July 1–31), we present data from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

  • In 2020, 28% of participants in adult day services centers (ADSCs) predominantly serving racial/ethnic minorities1 had a diagnosis of depression compared with 24% of participants in ADSCs predominantly serving non-Hispanic White2 participants.
  • In 2020, 23% of residents in assisted living and other residential care communities (RCCs) predominantly serving racial/ethnic minorities1 had a diagnosis of depression compared with 29% of residents in RCCs predominantly serving non-Hispanic White2 residents.

1ADSCs/RCCs were categorized as predominantly serving racial/ethnic minorities if more than 80% of enrolled participants/residents were Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, two or more races, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander or other race/ethnicity category.

2ADSCs/RCCs were categorized as predominantly serving non-Hispanic White participants/residents if more than 80% of enrolled participants/residents were non-Hispanic White.

Source

Updates

June 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month (June 2023), we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

May 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Osteoporosis Month (May 2023), we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

April 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Public Health Week (April 3-9, 2023), we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities weighted national estimates and standard errors tables are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables.htm.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Data collection for the residential care community and adult day components of the 2022 NPALS ended in March 2023. * Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –
  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2020 NPALS are available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC) .

New Products

Lendon JP, Caffrey C, Lau DT. End-Of-Life Care Planning and Bereavement Practices Among Adult Day Services Centers, 2018. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/10499091231163269

March 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of National Kidney Month (March 2023), we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

February 2023

Stats of the Month

In recognition of American Heart Month (February 2023), we present estimates from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

Updates

  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities weighted national estimates and standard errors tables are now available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/webtables.htm.
  • The 2020 adult day services centers and residential care communities data briefs and web tables of state estimates are now available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/reports.htm.
  • Data collection for the residential care community and adult day components of the 2022 NPALS was launched in September 2022.
  • Final COVID data from the adult day and residential care components of the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) are now available from the NCHS COVID dashboard –
  • Restricted data files for the adult day services center and residential care components of 2020 NPALS are now available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).
  • Beginning January 2020, NSLTCP has been renamed the National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS).

New Products

  • Caffrey C, Melekin A, Lu Z, Sengupta M. Variation in residential care community resident characteristics, by size of community: United States, 2020. NCHS Data Brief, no 454. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:121910.
  • Singh P, Lu Z, Sengupta M. Variation in adult day services center participant characteristics by center ownership: United States, 2020. NCHS Data Brief, no 453. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:122046.

January 2023

2022 Year in Review

In 2022, the Long-Term Care Statistics Branch (LTCSB) at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) had a productive year, providing timely data to the public in a variety of ways, publishing reports and making presentations of findings in conferences and meetings. LTCSB released several data files and publications using data from the National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) surveys of adult day services centers (ADSCs) and residential care communities (RCCs). You can find these publications and data releases at the links in the sections below.

NCHS Reports

  • Melekin A, Lu Z, Singh P, Lendon JP, Caffrey C, Sengupta M. Long-term care providers and services users in the United States—Residential care component: National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study, 2020: Weighted national estimates and standard errors. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/npals/2020-NPALS-RCC-Weighted-Estimates-508.pdf.
  • Melekin A, Singh P, Lu Z, Lendon JP, Caffrey C, Sengupta M. Long-term care providers and services users in the United States—Adult day services center component: National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study, 2020: Weighted national estimates and standard errors. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/npals/2020-NPALS-ADSC-Weighted-Estimates-508.pdf.
  • Caffrey C, Melekin A, Lu Z, Sengupta M. Variation in residential care community resident characteristics, by size of community: United States, 2020. NCHS Data Brief, no 454. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:121910.
  • Singh P, Lu Z, Sengupta M. Variation in adult day services center participant characteristics by center ownership: United States, 2020. NCHS Data Brief, no 453. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:122046.
  • Melekin, A. and Sengupta, M. QuickStats: Percentage of Residential Care Communities that Offer Annual Influenza Vaccination to Residents and to Employees and Contract Staff Members, by Community Bed Size – United States, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7140a6.
  • Caffrey, C. and Sengupta, M. QuickStats: Percentage of Residential Care Communities That Use Electronic Health Records, by Community Bed Size — United States, 2016 and 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7139a7.
  • Sengupta M, Lendon JP, Caffrey C, Melekin A, Singh P. Post-acute and long-term care providers and services users in the United States, 2017–2018. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 3(47). 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:115346.
    • Sengupta M, Lendon JP, Caffrey C, Melekin A, Singh P. Figures from Post-acute and Long-term Care Providers and Services Users in the United States, 2017–2018. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 3(47). 2022.
  • Sengupta M, Singh P, Melekin A. Eligibility rate differences among residential care communities: 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities and 2012–2018 National Study of Long-Term Care Providers. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(192). 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:115807

Long-term Care and COVID-19 data

LTCSB updated the preliminary COVID-19 data dashboard with final 2020 NPALS estimates. Information about the experiences of COVID-19 among ADSCs and RCCs, including the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among users and staff, practices taken to reduce COVID-19 exposure and transmission, and personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/npals.htm.

2020 Data Release

Restricted use files for the residential care community and adult day components of NPALS are available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

Documentation is available under the 2020 tab here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/npals/questionnaires.htm.

Presentations

LTCSB staff has presented at various conferences and meetings in 2022. These include the NIH Webinar Series: Data from National Center for Health Statistics, DHQP-DAV TF (CDC) PointClickCare collaborative call, and the Annual Meetings of the Gerontological Society of America 2022.

About NPALS

In January 2020, National Study of Long-Term Care Providers (NSLTCP) was renamed National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study (NPALS) to better reflect the scope of NCHS' study of long-term and post-acute care. This new name reflects the addition of more post-acute sectors (inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term care hospitals), while keeping the sectors (adult day services centers, assisted living and similar residential care communities, home health agencies, hospices, and nursing homes) that have been in the study since it launched in 2012. The information NCHS collects about ADSCs and participants and RCCs and residents remains the same.

LTCSB would like to thank you for following our listserv and for your continued use and support of NPALS. In 2023, LTCSB will publish NPALS products using the 2020 data. Please stay tuned. From all of us here at NCHS, we wish you a wonderful new year!

Data Tell Stories. Tell Us Yours!‎‎

Has information from NPALS helped you? Your stories help us showcase the value of NPALS. Email a brief description of how you've used NPALS data to LTCSBFeedback@cdc.gov. Use "My NPALS data use example" as the subject of your message.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on this newsletter. Email LTCSBFeedback@cdc.gov to share your thoughts.