New Mexico’s favorable climate, characterized by sunny days and low levels of rainfall, make the state a prime choice for a location in which to retire. As a result, the largest growing sect of the state’s population is adults older than 65. New Mexico has an ever-growing elderly population, many of whom live on fixed, limited incomes and need advice in qualifying for and locating affordable housing.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in New Mexico
When making such an important choice for yourself or a loved one, careful research of potential facilities is vital. Our comprehensive directory of assisted living facilities in the state of New Mexico is a great way to start that process. Locate information about amenities, size of the facility, pricing, health insurance, and more using the tool below.
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How to Pay for Assisted Living in New Mexico
Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in New Mexico and 7 additional cities within New Mexico.
How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in New Mexico
Inflation has seen the cost of assisted living in New Mexico rise by almost 21% from 2022 to 2023. With costs now sitting at $4,185 and expected to increase to $4,752 in 2024, seniors need to plan for their long-term care. The U.S. average rose 10% from 2022 to 2023 and is projected to grow another 8% in 2024.
Neighboring states have also seen assisted living costs climb, with increases ranging from 5% in Colorado to 19% in Oklahoma. At $3,312, prices in Texas are lower than those in New Mexico, while seniors in Arizona pay $4,420 per month.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
| New Mexico | $3,465 | $4,185 | $4,752 |
| U.S. Average | $4,070 | $4,459 | $4,802 |
| Arizona | $4,008 | $4,420 | $4,962 |
| Texas | $3,134 | $3,312 | $3,481 |
| Colorado | $4,392 | $4,630 | $5,063 |
| Oklahoma | $3,173 | $3,789 | $4,035 |
Assisted Living Costs in New Mexico's Top Cities
Assisted living costs in New Mexico differ widely depending on where the community is located. Rio Rancho has some of the most affordable prices at $2,850 per month. Care in New Mexico’s other major cities is more expensive than the state average. Seniors in Albuquerque pay $4,283 each month, a little higher than the state average. However, Las Cruces and Santa Fe are significantly more expensive, with monthly costs being $5,100 and $5,139, respectively.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living
Other types of senior living in New Mexico can cater to the different needs and budgets of older adults. Independent living is the most affordable at $2,961 as it doesn’t include care. Assisted living costs $4,185 and offers personal care among other services. Memory care is less affordable as it provides specialized dementia care services and facilities. In New Mexico, memory care programs cost an average of $5,214 per month.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in New Mexico
New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Care Services
New Mexico’s Aging Network and Senior Services program is the division of the state’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department that services elderly and disabled applicants. The program, which is part of Centennial Care, supports various forms of long-term care as well as home and community-based services – including care-related services for assisted living.
Who Is Eligible?
People must meet certain health and financial eligibility requirements in order to qualify for financial assistance for assisted living facilities. Eligibility guidelines can be broken down into a few categories:
- Residency and Citizenship. Applicants have to be a New Mexico resident and a U.S. citizen or have proper immigration status.
- Age/Disability. Applicants must be at least 65 years old, or blind, or disabled. They must require medical care consistent with nursing-home levels of care, and they must need care for at least 30 consecutive days.
- Income. Monthly income limitations for a single applicant, including wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, veteran’s benefits, and IRAs, have to be less than $2,250.
- Assets. In New Mexico, Medicaid divides assets into two categories: exempt and available. The value of exempt assets do not count toward your income, but available assets need to be liquidated and applied to the cost of care being receiving financial assistance for long-term care. Exempt assets include a home, one car, and a life insurance policy if the policy is worth less than $1,500 at face value. Available assets include second homes and other luxuries.
How to Apply
To get more details about eligibility requirements and start an application, contact the New Mexico Aging & Long Term Care Services Department by calling toll-free at 1-800-432-2080 or by visiting the website and choosing the “Live Chat” option to speak with someone in real time online.
More Ways to Finance Assisted Living
Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in New Mexico
There are many resources in New Mexico that assist seniors in their retirement. Assistedliving.org has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.
Area Agency on Aging
Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Area Agencies on Aging | There are four Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in New Mexico. Albuquerque is home to two of them, another is in Santa Fe, and the fourth is in Window Rock, AZ. Tribal programs have a minimum age of 55 to be able to receive services, while all other areas have a minimum age of 60. Information and services for seniors include respite care, transportation, meals, legal help and adult day care. |
Cash Assistance Programs
Cash assistance programs in New Mexico provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Lifeline Program | 800-234-9473 | The LifeLine Program offers a discount on landline or mobile telephone service, ensuring that participants can stay in contact with loved ones. |
Financial Assistance for Senior Care and Senior Living
Whether living in their own home or in a senior living community, New Mexico seniors can find financial assistance from numerous local resources. These organizations help residents cover some of the costs associated with in-home or long-term care and connect them with other helpful community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Community Benefit Program | 800-432-2080 | The aim of the program is to give seniors the help they need to stay in their homes, instead of having to move to nursing homes and other institutional settings. Covered services include assistance with activities of daily living, home modifications to increase accessibility, personal emergency response systems and physical therapy. |
Food Assistance Programs
Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help New Mexico seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Home Delivered Meals | 800-432-2080 | Home Delivered Meals are delivered to clients who are homebound and unable to prepare their own meals and have no caregiver at home to prepare meals for them. |
| New Mexico Meals on Wheels | 505-823-8060 | Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation founded in 1972 by a group of women from Presbyterian Churches around Albuquerque. We began with 20 clients and 40 volunteers. Today we serve approximately 500 clients and have over 400 volunteers. We delivered 9,400 meals in 1972. Today we are delivering over 140,000 meals a year. Meals on Wheels of Albuquerque provides nutritious meals and crucial social contact each day. Not only do we provide friendship and compassion but we also check the well being of those we serve. |
Free Used Medical Equipment
Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in New Mexico collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Adelante Back In Use | 505-341-7171 | Back in Use recycles medical equipment and assistive devices, helping New Mexicans with limited financial resources get the equipment they need. All donated items are inspected carefully and sanitized before they’re distributed. |
| New Mexico Technology Assistance Program | 877-696-1470 | The New Mexico Technology Assistance Program lends assistive technology and medical equipment to New Mexico residents with all types of disabilities. Available items include wheelchair cushions, telephone amplifiers and visual alert systems. |
Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors
New Mexico seniors who meet certain income criteria can apply to local resources to help them pay for prescription drugs. Eligible residents can also receive assistance through health insurance and other programs to access free or discounted medical services.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Drug Card | 800-726-4232 | The New Mexico Drug Card gives users access to pharmacy discounts that can help them reduce their out-of-pocket prescription costs. These discounts are typically applied when a medication isn’t covered by Medicare Part D or another type of insurance. Participants can also use the New Mexico Drug Card if the out-of-pocket cost would be less than the cost of purchasing the medication with insurance coverage. |
Home Repair and Modifications
Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in New Mexico have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Energy$mart Weatherization Program | New Mexico’s Energy$mart Weatherization Program provides funds that can be used to increase energy efficiency or make a home safer for its occupants. Home energy audits are performed to determine which services are appropriate for each participant. |
Social Security Offices
Social Security offices in New Mexico help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they’re entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Social Security | Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you’ll receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working. |
Tax Assistance
Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several New Mexico resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico Senior Property Tax Rebate | 505-372-8314 | In New Mexico, seniors qualify for a rebate that reduces the amount of property tax owed each year. Tax collection is handled by a network of county assessor offices, so the amount of the rebate depends on a senior’s county of residence. |
Veteran’s Services
New Mexico retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they’re eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
| New Mexico VA Benefits and Health Care | New Mexico VA Benefits and Health Care offers health administration and benefits delivery to qualified veterans throughout the state. The Regional Benefits Office and the main VA Health Care System office are located in Albuquerque, and the office has outpatient clinics across New Mexico. Seniors who served in the armed forces can contact these locations to get help applying for their veteran health care and financial aid benefits. |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in New Mexico
The Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau, which is housed in the Division of Health Improvement in New Mexico’s Department of Health, enforces comprehensive regulations for assisted living communities across the state. Facilities that provide a memory care unit have to meet additional requirement relating to care coordination; staffing, employee training, individualized service plans (ISPs), assessments and re-evaluations, documentation, security and resident rights.
These regulations cover the following topics, among many other things:
Assisted Living Service Plans
Assisted living facilities must provide create ISPs for prospective residents to ensure the facility is able to meet their needs. Facilities must also reassess current residents every six months, or following a significant change in health status, to ensure the facility can continue to meet their specific needs.
If residents choose to contract third parties to provide certain elements of their care, including hospice care, facilities must coordinate care with these third parties.
Assisted Living Admission Requirements
Assisted living communities in New Mexico cannot accept or retain any resident that needs 24-hour continuous nursing care, including people who:
- Are ventilator-dependent
- Have Stage III or IV pressure sores
- Have a condition that requires other chemical or physical restraints
- Require intravenous therapy or injections
People who receive care from a licensed hospice agency or a privately-hired visiting nurse may be exempt from the above limitations because, in those case, facility staff are not required to provide that level of care to the resident. To qualify for this exemption the resident or their legally authorized representative, the facility, a physician, and the licensed provider all have to agree that such a program is appropriate.
For facilities that provide memory care, a pre-admission assessment must be conducted to evaluate whether less restrictive alternatives are available and to determine the reason for the admission to the secured environment. Acceptable reasons could include a physician diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
If the facility is unable to meet the needs of the resident, or if the resident is a danger to the safety or health of others residing in the facility, the facility has the right to discharge that resident.
Assisted Living Scope of Care
With respect to required services and scope of care, New Mexico regulations require assisted living facilities to supervise and/or assist residents as necessary with:
- Medication administration or self-administration
- Activities of daily living
- Recreation and social activities
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Transportation services
- Meals, including three nutritionally balanced meals and evening snacks in accordance with recommended daily dietary allowances
Assisted living facilities do not provide comprehensive nursing services at all hours of the day, so seniors that require more health care assistance may need to consider a skilled nursing facility as an alternative living arrangement.
Assisted Living Medicaid Policy
Medicaid does not cover assisted living services directly, but residents may find help with cost coverage through the state’s Medicaid program, which is called Centennial Care. Centennial Care includes a home and community-based waiver. This is because states recognize that nursing home care, which is covered by Medicaid, is much more expensive than assisted living facilities. The waiver is meant to incentivize people to opt for assisted living facilities over nursing home care when possible.
With respect to health requirements, seniors must require a nursing home level of care to qualify for the home and community-based waiver. A nursing home level of care generally means a person cannot care for themselves for a sustained period of time without assistance. Examples of needs that seniors may have to qualify them for the waiver include:
- Requiring assistance with a catheter, IV drip or another medical device
- Memory issues resulting from Alzheimer’s or dementia
- Inability to manage activities of daily living, such as dressing, toileting, and eating
To apply for Centennial Care, visit the YesNM Online Portal to create a profile and check eligibility.
Assisted Living Facility Requirements
Although it is not required, assisted living communities in New Mexico may provide residences that are apartment-style or bedrooms which offer single or double occupancy. Resident units may be single or double occupancy and must, at minimum, provide one toilet, sink, and bathing unit for every eight residents.
The square footage minimum for a private resident unit is 100 square feet, while semi-private resident units must provide at least 80 square feet of floor space per resident, not counting the closet or a locker area.
Medication Provisions
Residents may self-administer their own medications if their physician approves. In the event that this is not approved, a resident can self-administer medications with assistance from someone who has completed a state-approved program in medication assistance. Medications may also be administered by a physician, physician extender, licensed nurse or relatives of the resident. In cases where a resident is prescribed psychotropic medications, physician consultation is required.
Assisted living facility staff who assist with medication self-administration are responsible for being aware of potential interactions or side effects that may occur. The facilities may also have a consulting pharmacist on staff who reviews medication lists at least quarterly to make sure all medication records and orders for residents are accurate and current. The consulting pharmacist is also responsible for ensuring the facility meets the storage, labeling, destruction, and documentation requirements of New Mexico’s State Board of Pharmacy.
Staffing Requirements
Regulations are in place to ensure assisted living facilities are properly staffed with people who qualified to provide the comprehensive care your or your loved one deserve. In New Mexico, the facilities must employ:
- An administrator who is responsible for daily operations
- Direct care staff to provide personal care assistance and supervision
- A licensed nurse of the facility provides medication administration
- A licensed nurse or physician extender to review health evaluations and individual service plans (ISP)
State regulations mandate that the minimum staff-to-resident ratio is one direct care worker for 15 or fewer residents, one direct care worker and one staff person for 16-60 residents, and at least three direct care workers and one staff person for 120 or more residents
Staff Training Requirements
Direct care staff employed by assisted living facilities in New Mexico must complete 16 hours of supervised training prior to providing unsupervised care and 12 hours of annual training thereafter. Training components must include:
- Fire safety
- First-aid
- Resident confidentiality
- Residents’ rights
- Reporting requirements for abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Infection control
- Transportation safety for assisting residents and operating vehicles to transport residents
- Methods for providing quality resident care
In facilities offering hospice services, all staff are required to receive 6 hours of hospice training plus one hour for each hospice resident’s ISP.
Background Checks for Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities in New Mexico must meet the state’s criminal history screening requirements – including a background check within 20 days of hire as well as a check of the employee abuse registry. The background check includes submitting fingerprints for a check against the Federal Registry.
Requirements for Reporting Abuse
If you receive home-and-community based waiver benefits for assisted living and experience an incident, review the instructions on this website, file an online complaint form and report the incident immediately through the 24/7 toll-free Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Reporting Hotline at 1-800-445-6242.
New Mexico COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities
Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/10/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.
| COVID-19 Rules in New Mexico | |
|---|---|
| Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
| Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit? | No |
| Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents? | Yes |
| Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities? | Yes |
| Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community? | Yes |
| Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons? | Yes |
| Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community? | No (Conditions Apply) |
| Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings? | No |
| Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
| Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
| Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
| Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms? | Yes |
| Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures? | Yes |
| Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19? | Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Sources: cv.nmhealth.org www.cdc.gov
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