Assisted Living in New Mexico

Paying for Assisted Living in New Mexico

Monthly rates for assisted living in New Mexico run higher in Santa Fe than in the state’s other major cities of Albuquerque, Farmington or Las Cruces. 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.

Overview of New Mexico Assisted Living

Since the first cliff dwelling established by Native Americans, residents of the “Land of Enchantment” have appreciated the natural beauty of their home state. New Mexico assisted living communities 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.”

Regulation of New Mexico Assisted Living Facilities

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 New Mexico assisted living facilities 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.