Assisted Living in New Mexico

Since the first cliff dwelling established by Native Americans, residents of the “Land of Enchantment” have appreciated the natural beauty of their home state. Communities of assisted living in New Mexico are surrounded by the rugged landscape of mountains, mesas and canyons which make up the geography of the most southeastern member of the infamous “Four Corners” club.

Tourists arrive in droves every year to enjoy the Rio Grande River and other national treasures, including White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns, but New Mexico still remains the sixth least populated state in the U.S. The laid-back lifestyle of this sunny, warm region will assure your loved one a peaceful and relaxing retirement.

Assisted Living in New Mexico Defined

The state of New Mexico considers an assisted living facility to be a group home where two or more non-relatives are helped with one or more activities of daily living. This assistance may take the form of prompting, encouragement or hands-on help.

In addition to essential care for their senior residents, each community of assisted living in New Mexico is required to provide recreational and/or social activities which “promote physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.”

Cost of Assisted Living in New Mexico

The median monthly cost to live in an assisted living center in New Mexico is a little over $3,400. Rates run higher in Santa Fe than in the state’s other major cities of Albuquerque, Farmington or Las Cruces.

Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in a New Mexico assisted living facility:

*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.

Residents and/or their families are responsible for paying these housing fees from savings, long-term care insurance or by any other means available to them. Qualifying seniors may benefit from New Mexico’s Medicaid waiver program, Mi Via, which will help to cover assisted living costs.

Regulation of Assisted Living in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health regulates the administration of adult residential care facilities. Each assisted living community must meet specific licensing requirements and cooperate with random surveys conducted by the Licensing Authority. These inspection visits include an examination of the premises and facility records, along with interviews with residents and staff.

All personnel providing direct care for residents of assisted living in New Mexico must have recent negative test results for tuberculosis. During the day, one employee must be available per every 15 residents needing assistance. Nighttime staffing regulations are determined by the size of the facility. Personnel must be adequately trained and involved in an ongoing program of re-education in the following areas:

• Providing quality resident care
• Fire safety
• First aid
• Safe food handling
• Confidentiality of records and resident information
• Infection control
• Resident rights
• Reporting requirements for abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Transportation safety

Seniors enjoying assisted living in New Mexico receive care according to a personalized service plan. Residents are initially assessed to determine each individual’s level of function and the assessment will be reviewed and adjusted at a minimum of every six months.

Find Assisted Living in New Mexico

Browse our comprehensive directory to find assisted living in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and other parts of New Mexico.

Written by senior housing writer Josh Talbot.