Assisted Living in Las Cruces, NM

Assisted Living Costs in Las Cruces

Assisted living in Las Cruces costs about $80 less than the average monthly price paid across the country, and over $300 less than the New Mexico median rate of $4,250. The local cost for this type of senior care is almost $1,200 lower than the average rate of $5,100 paid in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Seniors in the smaller community of Farmington pay an average of just $3,600 per month, which is the most affordable price for assisted living in the state.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Comparing costs for senior care is easier if the type of care needed and services provided by different options are clarified. Seniors who require skilled, 24-hour residential nursing care can expect to pay the highest rates in Las Cruces at an average of $7,522 per month. Those who enjoy the convenience and security of maintenance-free living, prepared meals and on-call assistance offered by assisted living communities pay the second-highest cost at $3,919 per month.

Seniors who prefer to remain at home and hire homemakers or home health aides pay $100 to $700 less than the rate charged for assisted living. When comparing these care options, seniors should factor in household operating costs since these are additional expenses over and above the fees charged by in-home care providers.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Las Cruces

Medicaid in New Mexico

The Medicaid program delivers vital health care services to over 65 million Americans with limited income and resources. This nationwide program is co-funded and regulated at the federal level, and each state can augment the program’s basic benefits, add waivers, decide how services are delivered and manage eligibility and enrollment.

New Mexico’s Medicaid program, called Centennial Care, is administered by the state Human Services Department and delivers primary, acute, emergency and long-term care services through managed care plans. More than 600,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in the program, and one in five are elderly, blind or disabled.

Centennial Care provides a range of core benefits to those who qualify for coverage, including:

• Doctor visits and referrals for specialist care
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
• Emergency care
• Ambulance and nonemergency medical transportation
• Durable medical equipment
• Prescription medications

Qualifying for Centennial Care Coverage for Long-Term Care

Las Cruces residents who are American citizens or legal immigrants can qualify for Centennial Care medical coverage and institutional nursing home care if they meet these eligibility guidelines:

• Aged 65 or older
• Aged 64 or younger and blind or permanently disabled
• No more than $2,313 in monthly income per individual
• No more than $2,000 in countable assets for individuals or $4,000 combined assets for couples applying together
• Need the level of care normally provided in nursing homes

Married applicants applying without their spouse must meet the financial limits for individuals. Their non-applicant spouse may be awarded up to $3,160.50 of their monthly income and $126,420 in jointly owned assets according to federal laws regarding spousal impoverishment.

All types of income count toward the above limits, but several assets are automatically exempt, including an owner-occupied home valued at $878,000 or less, household and personal effects, one vehicle and irrevocable burial trust accounts.

Centennial Care Community Benefit Program

Seniors and disabled adults who meet Centennial Care’s eligibility requirements for long-term care and are assessed as able to live safely outside an institutional setting may qualify for the Community Benefit program.

This New Mexico Medicaid entitlement program is specifically designed to help qualified individuals age in place and avoid premature nursing home admission. The program provides a range of community-based services in a participant’s home or an assisted living setting such as:

• Community transition services for those already in a nursing home
• Assistance with personal care and daily living activities
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Behavioral support services
• Nutritional counseling
• Short- or long-term private-duty nursing care
• Nonmedical transportation
• Occupational, physical, speech and language therapy
• Personal emergency response systems

Seniors and disabled adults can complete an online application for Centennial Care and the Community Benefit program via the YesNM Portal, call (888) 997-2583 to apply by phone or visit either of the two New Mexico HSD field offices in Las Cruces. Those already enrolled in Medicaid should contact their managed care organization to discuss their eligibility for the Community Benefit program.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

Las Cruces seniors and disabled adults who successfully apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits may be eligible for an additional monthly stipend through the New Mexico Optional State Supplementation program. Those living in licensed adult residential care homes can receive a cash payment of $100 per month and be automatically enrolled in Centennial Care by the Social Security Administration.

To apply for SSI benefits, seniors can contact the SSA at (800) 772-1213. To learn more about the OSS program or apply, seniors can visit either of the two Las Cruces HSD field offices or call (800) 283-4465.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits

Senior veterans or their surviving spouses who need financial assistance to cover the cost of long-term care may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits through the Veterans Administration. This program is open to those currently receiving a VA pension that’s not disability-related and have care needs due to specific circumstances:

• Have severe vision loss or concentric contraction in both eyes that can’t be improved with corrective lenses
• Are unable to perform basic activities of daily living without assistance, such as bathing, dressing, eating and mobility
• Are confined to bed because of chronic illness or permanent disability

To qualify, applicants must have a yearly income of $22,577 or less, be honorably discharged and have a minimum 90-day active duty service record that includes one or more days during wartime.

To obtain help understanding the A&A program’s complicated application requirements and assistance filing for benefits, Las Cruces veterans should contact the local New Mexico Department of Veterans Services office at (575) 524-6220.

Assisted Living Resources in Las Cruces

Community Senior Services and Centers

The City of Las Cruces Senior Programs department offers a wide range of services to ensure area residents aged 50 and older enjoy a high quality of life. The department coordinates educational, health maintenance, mobility, in-home care and nutritional programs and operates four busy senior centers.

At the center nearest their home, Las Cruces residents can gather to socialize with their peers. They can play card or board games, join art, lifelong learning and enrichment classes, take part in planned fitness and recreational activities and enjoy a nutritious noontime congregate meal.

Staff at the city’s Senior Resource center also organizes seminars and workshops on a variety of topics relevant to older adults. One-on-one benefits counseling, information and referrals are also available to help seniors access local services and programs that meet their individual needs.

City Of Las Cruces Senior Programs
975 S. Mesquite St., Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 528-3000

Support Services for Veterans

The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services has experienced staff available to assist veterans and their survivors in identifying and applying for state and federal services, benefits programs and pensions. Veterans can access vital medical services, including primary and mental health care, acute and chronic disease management, immunizations and referrals for specialty care, at the local VA clinic.

New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Field Office
2024 E. Griggs Ave., Las Cruces, NM 8801
(575) 524-6220

Las Cruces VA Clinic
3401 Del Rey Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88012
(575) 522-1241