Methods & Documentation

Additional information on NSOC sample design and weighting is also available in the NSOC user guides.

NSOC I-III Weighting Guide

This technical paper describes the methodology used to develop survey weights, including procedures for nonresponse adjustments, for NSOC I, II, and III. In NSOC III, separate cross sectional weights are available for caregivers to living and deceased SPs, and two sets of longitudinal weights are provided.

NSOCI-III Weighting Guide. NHATS Technical Paper #24

Recalculation of Weights for NHATS Rounds 5 and 6 and NSOC II

This memorandum provides background on a miscalculation of weights that occurred in the 2015 replenishment sample and its effects on the computation of the NHATS Rounds 5 and 6 and NSOC II weights. The NHATS Round 5 and Round 6 SP files and NSOC II files were reissued with revised weights in 2017.

Recalculation of Weights for NHATS Rounds 5 and 6 and NSOC II. NHATS Memorandum #1

Accounting for Sample Design Analysis FAQs

This technical paper answers frequently asked questions about how to account for the complex sample design of NHATS and NSOC in analyses. Topics covered include conducting cross-sectional analyses with NHATS and NSOC, conducting longitudinal analyses in NHATS, and an overview of weights. Example Stata and SAS code is provided.

Dementia Classification

A dementia classification variable has been created from the NHATS Round 1 public use data file. The technical paper describes the methodology used to create this variable and provides round 1 descriptive data. The addenda to the technical paper provide SAS and Stata programming statements that can be used to construct an NHATS dementia classification variable.

Income Imputation

This technical paper describes the income imputation methodology used in NSOC I, II and III. Five sets of imputed values of total annual income are provided.

Making National Population Estimates with NHATS and NSOC

This technical paper provides details on how to standardize NHATS estimates to the Medicare frame and Census totals. Information is also provided on how to use the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) to make estimates of the number of family and unpaid caregivers to older adults consistent with the Medicare frame or Census totals.

Work Productivity Loss

This technical paper provides information on how to create a work productivity loss indicator for working caregivers. SAS code to calculate work productivity loss is provided.