Assisted Living in Santa Fe, NM

Assisted Living Costs in Santa Fe

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the cost of assisted living in Santa Fe is $1,100 over the national average ($4,000) and $850 more than the rest of the state ($4,250). It’s identical to the cost of assisted living in Albuquerque at $5,100 and substantially higher than smaller communities in New Mexico, such as Farmington ($3,600) and Las Cruces ($3,919), as well as the similarly sized community of Grand Junction ($3,350) in the neighboring state of Colorado. Santa Fe’s assisted living costs are identical to the city of Flagstaff ($5,098) in neighboring Arizona.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Santa Fe: $5,100
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,250
• Albuquerque: $5,100
• Farmington: $3,600
• Las Cruces: $3,919
• Flagstaff, AZ: $5,098
• Grand Junction, CO: $3,350

Care Cost Comparison

The cost of senior care services can vary widely by type and location. In Santa Fe, nursing home care costs nearly $2,500 more than assisted living, but in-home care such as homemaker services and home health aides is close to $400 less than assisted living. In-home costs don’t include expenses such as rent or utilities, which are typically included in the cost of assisted living care. It’s important for seniors and their families to weigh all costs when deciding on the best long-term care plan.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,100
• Homemaker services: $4,767
• Home health aide: $4,767
• Adult day health: N/A
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,559

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Santa Fe

Medicaid in New Mexico

New Mexico’s Medicaid program is a statewide 1115 waiver program called Centennial Care that is provided by four managed care organizations. It offers physical health care, behavioral health care and long-term care including nursing home services, assisted living and help with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing and meal prep. There is no cost to enroll in Centennial Care; however, some enrollees may be required to make minimal co-payments for emergency room care, doctor visits and prescriptions.

Centennial Care is focused on keeping seniors out of nursing homes for as long as possible. The Agency-Based Community Benefit division of Centennial Care helps eligible seniors stay in their homes or in approved assisted living facilities, allowing them to remain active members of the community while ensuring their health and safety. To receive Community Benefit services, Medicaid recipients must require a level of care typically provided in a nursing home.

To be eligible for Centennial Care’s Community Benefit services, seniors must:

• Be a New Mexico resident and an American citizen or legal immigrant
• Be 65 or older
• Have no more than $2,313 in monthly income ($4,626 per couple)
• Have less than $2,000 in assets for an individual applicant or $4,000 for a couple who are both applying. Primary homes are exempt as long as the equity is valued under $878,000, as is one automobile and a low-value life insurance policy.
• If one half of a couple is applying, the non-applying spouse is permitted to keep up to $126,420 of joint assets under the Community Spouse Resource Allowance.

To apply for Centennial Care, call (888) 997-2583 or apply online at the YesNM Portal.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

New Mexico provides optional state supplementation of $100 per month to all SSI recipients who reside in a licensed adult residential care home. A licensed adult residential care home is defined as a living space that includes no more than 15 persons who reside in a homelike atmosphere and receive assistance with activities of daily life. To apply for OSS, call (505) 827-9445 or go in person to the New Mexico Department of Human Services at 729 St. Michaels Dr. in Santa Fe.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Program

Veterans Affairs operates a supplemental cash program called the Aid and Attendance Pension for eligible veterans. To be eligible, applicants must require assistance with daily living activities such as dressing, grocery shopping and medication management. Those under 65 must be totally disabled. Widowed spouses of qualified veterans are also eligible. Applicants must submit documentation of having served at least 90 days of active, wartime service and have been honorably discharged.

The financial eligibility requirements are complex, so applicants are advised to contact their local VA benefits office for assistance in applying to the program. Call (800) 827-1000 for more information.

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Seniors and their families who are in immediate need of funds for assisted living costs can acquire bridge loans through Elderlife Financial Services. They provide up to 12 months of payments and are a useful option for families who are waiting for the sale of a home or going through the process of benefit approval. The funds can be taken as a lump sum or as a line of credit, depending on what is best for the applicants.

Multiple borrowers can apply for one loan, making individual credit scores less important in the approval process, and because the family members of a senior can apply, there is less weight placed on their age and health. Elderlife does require information on the source of anticipated funding. The approval time can be fast, sometimes within 24 hours. Contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500 for more information.

Assisted Living Resources in Santa Fe

Community Assistance Agencies

Community Assistance Agencies in Santa Fe provide information, resources and support to senior residents. These organizations can help seniors and their families navigate the complexities of the services available to them.

Area Agency On Aging
3900 Paseo Del Sol, Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 395-2668

New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department
2550 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(800) 432-2080

Senior Centers

The City of Santa Fe operates five senior centers which offer meals, entertainment and social activities to area residents. The only requirement is that participants (or their spouse) be age 60 or over. For more information, go to the City of Santa Fe Senior Services Division website or visit any of the senior centers in person.

Luisa Senior Center
1500 Luisa St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 955-4717

Mary Esther Gonzales Senior Center
1121 Alto St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 955-4721

Pasatiempo Senior Center
664 Alta Vista St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 955-6433

Ventana De Vida Senior Center
1500 Pacheco St, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 955-6731

Villa Consuelo Senior Center
1200 Camino Consuelo, Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 474-5431

Veterans Affairs

Eligible veterans can get help with health care, support and counseling by contacting the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services.

Santa Fe Veterans Services Offices
401 Galisteo St, Rm #132, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 827-6374

Santa Fe Vet Center
2209 Brothers Rd, Suite 110, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 988-6562