New Mexico Assisted Living
Known for its mild climate and lower-than-average costs of living, New Mexico attracts many retirees who need to make their retirement benefits stretch as far as possible. In March 2022, legislators also passed HB 163, eliminating the state income tax on Social Security for residents with incomes at or below $100,000 ($150,000 for married couples filing jointly).
The following guide provides information on assisted living in New Mexico, including how it compares to other types of senior care, how it's regulated, and where older adults can go for more information about senior wellness and elder law.
The typical resident population in New Mexico's assisted living communities is 68% female. Overall, 84% of residents are ages 75 and older, with 31% of residents ages 75 to 84 and 53% ages 85 and older.
The New Mexico Department of Health licenses and regulates assisted living facilities (ALFs), previously known as adult residential care facilities. ALFs provide programmatic services and assistance with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs) to two or more individuals. Facilities with a special care unit, also known as a memory care unit, must meet additional criteria, including staffing, employee training, individualized service plans, assessments, and evaluations.
Residential agreements must cover a list of services to be provided and optional services and their costs. The agreement also provides an overview of both admission and discharge criteria.
ALFs that provide memory care services must provide additional information to residents and staff responsible for them. The facility must provide information about the training and qualifications of the staff, the types of diagnosis or behaviors that the facility provides services for, and information about the care, services, and the type of secure environment that the facility provides to protect the residents in the unit.
Facilities may not admit or retain individuals who require 24-hour continuous nursing care. Examples that preclude people from living in an ALF are people who are dependent on a ventilator, have Stage 3 or 4 pressure sores, have a condition that requires chemical or physical restraints, or require IV therapy or injections.
The facility must conduct a pre-admission assessment of prospective residents to special care units to determine if less restrictive alternatives are available.
If the facility cannot meet the resident's needs, they can be subject to discharge.
Facilities must provide or coordinate for any specified nursing services, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), recreation and social activities, transportation services, medication administration or self-administration, household chores including laundry and housekeeping.
Before admission, a team assesses prospective residents to determine if the facility can accommodate their needs. An ongoing process of re-assessment of current residents is done to ensure that the facility can continue to meet the needs of the residents. This assessment is made every six months or when there is a significant change in the resident's condition. The initial assessment is used to develop a care plan for the resident, and the re-assessment is used to update and revise the plan should there be a change. The service plan describes the services that are to be provided, when, how, and by whom.
Residents can contract with third parties to provide additional services, including hospice care, and the ALF must coordinate this service.
ALFs must provide three nutritious meals and evening snacks daily. Therapeutic diets and prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements must be provided according to a physician's orders. Any staff members who prepare or serve food must complete a safe food handling training course.
Each ALF must employ an administrator responsible for the facility's daily operations. Direct care staff provides personal care assistance and supervision. If the facility provides medication administration, a licensed nurse must be employed to oversee that. A licensed nurse or a physician extender must review all health evaluations.
The facility must maintain a ratio of one direct care worker for 15 or fewer residents, one direct care worker and one staff person for 16-60 residents, two direct care workers and one staff person for 61-120 residents, and at least three direct care workers and one staff person for 120 or more residents.
Facilities with a special care unit for residents with dementia must provide sufficient trained staff members to meet all residents’ needs. One staff member must always be awake and in attendance in the secure environment.
New Mexico does not require apartment-style units in ALFs. Resident units can be single- or double occupancy. There must be a minimum of one toilet, sink, and bathing unit for every eight residents.
There are several requirements that each assisted living community must provide for its residents. The facility must offer both general observations and health supervision to assist in identifying each resident's health condition and ability to function. The facility must assist residents with all ADLs and medication services and assess the need for medication attention or nursing services.
In New Mexico, ALFs must provide care and services in the resident’s care plan. This can include coordinating medical care and appointments. Communities may also deliver health services, with 63% of communities providing skilled nursing. Many have health care specialists and on-site services, with 53% of communities offering dental care. In addition, 66% of ALFs have hospice services.
Mental health issues are a growing consideration for communities, and services to address these concerns are becoming more common. In New Mexico, 87% of communities conduct depression screenings, and 51% offer mental health counseling. Social work programs are also found in 53% of ALFs. Social workers can provide counseling, conduct assessments, and help ensure residents can access all necessary resources.
Some assisted living residents live with various medical conditions. In New Mexico, 47% have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. In addition, 51% have high blood pressure, 30% have heart disease, 31% have depression, and 15% have diabetes.
Older adults can access several resources to help them manage their mental health. The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line offers the NMConnect app, which connects users directly to peer support workers and professional counselors. The app also links to more information on mental health services and community support programs available to New Mexico residents. Those who prefer to contact a counselor by phone should call NMCAL at (855) 662-7474.
UNM Health System also has a residential program for older adults who need short-term treatment to improve their physical and mental health. The program focuses on helping older adults identify their motivations and reconnect with their personal hopes for the future. People who are at least 55 years old may qualify for up to three weeks of treatment with this program.
Residents can self-administer medications if their physician approves. If the resident is not allowed to self-administer, an individual who has completed medication assistance training or a health care professional may assist in the self-administration of medications. The staff assisting must be able to recognize side effects and interactions with other medications.
A consulting pharmacist must review medications quarterly to determine that all orders and records are accurate.
A primary service of assisted living that benefits residents are receiving help with activities of daily living (ADLs). These are fundamental tasks that a person must do regularly to sustain life and general health, including toileting, bathing or showering, dressing, transferring (getting in and out of bed or a chair), ambulating (walking), and eating. Signs that a person may benefit from living in assisted living include increased isolation, loss of mobility, noticeable weight loss or gain, and/or neglect of household chores.
Residents in New Mexico’s assisted living facilities often receive help with their ADLs. In New Mexico, 31% of residents need help eating. Other commonly used services include bed transfer (39%), toileting (47%), and walking (61%). Caregivers in ALFs help 53% of residents dress, and 70% need help bathing.
The average cost of assisted living care in New Mexico is $4,498. This cost is $2 lower than the monthly national average of $4,500 per month. The cost of living in New Mexico is less than the national average by 9.0%, with health care costs less than the national average by 1.3% and housing costs less than the national average by 15.7%.
The level of care a person requires impacts the cost of care, as does where you live. The cost of assisted living ranges from a low of $3,999 in the Farmington area to a high of $5,814 per month in the Santa Fe area of New Mexico.
If you live close to one of New Mexico’s borders, you may find assisted living in a neighboring state is an affordable option. Colorado is the only neighboring state with a higher monthly average cost of assisted living. Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma's average costs are lower, at $4,000, $3,998, and $3,855, respectively. Utah's average monthly cost is almost $1,000 less than New Mexico's, at $3,500 monthly.
How to Pay for Assisted Living
The primary agency responsible for overseeing assisted living in New Mexico is the state's Department of Health. This agency issues assisted living licenses, conducts inspections, and ensures that assisted living communities follow the regulations designed to protect residents from harm.
New Mexico also has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman and a Senior Protective Services department. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman investigates complaints about the state's nursing homes and assisted living communities, giving residents and their loved ones a voice in maintaining the quality of New Mexico's senior care options. Senior Protective Services accepts complaints regarding suspected abuse, exploitation, and neglect of older adults by family members, romantic partners, and other individuals.
The New Mexico Department of Health protects older adults by establishing and enforcing regulations for operating assisted living communities within the state. Relevant regulations are outlined in Title 7 of the New Mexico Administrative Code.
As part of its enforcement duties, the Department of Health conducts regular monitoring visits to ensure that assisted living communities are in compliance with the law. If a community is in violation of any of the regulations, the administrator must develop a corrective plan of action and submit it to the Department of Health for review. A community's license may be suspended or revoked if the violation is severe enough.
Once an assisted living community obtains a license, it must renew that license every year. Each community must continue to comply with regulations regarding policies and procedures, staff training, staff ratios, and resident records.
The term "elder law" is often associated with estate planning, trusts, and help to obtain benefits through Medicare or Medicaid. Unfortunately, the field has grown to include cases involving elder abuse, elder neglect, and exploitation. Skilled attorneys can help older adults affected by these issues.
Legal Resources for the Elderly is a free helpline for New Mexico residents who are 55 and older. Eligible people have the opportunity to speak with a staff attorney about their legal issues. Legal Resources for the Elderly has also published a handbook to help older adults understand their rights and learn more about how the law protects them. The New Mexico Senior Law Handbook has more than 100 pages of content on government benefits, retirement income, consumer protection, and other topics of interest.
The following guide provides information on assisted living in New Mexico, including how it compares to other types of senior care, how it's regulated, and where older adults can go for more information about senior wellness and elder law.
The typical resident population in New Mexico's assisted living communities is 68% female. Overall, 84% of residents are ages 75 and older, with 31% of residents ages 75 to 84 and 53% ages 85 and older.
Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Definitions
The New Mexico Department of Health licenses and regulates assisted living facilities (ALFs), previously known as adult residential care facilities. ALFs provide programmatic services and assistance with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs) to two or more individuals. Facilities with a special care unit, also known as a memory care unit, must meet additional criteria, including staffing, employee training, individualized service plans, assessments, and evaluations.
Resident Agreements and Disclosures
Residential agreements must cover a list of services to be provided and optional services and their costs. The agreement also provides an overview of both admission and discharge criteria.
ALFs that provide memory care services must provide additional information to residents and staff responsible for them. The facility must provide information about the training and qualifications of the staff, the types of diagnosis or behaviors that the facility provides services for, and information about the care, services, and the type of secure environment that the facility provides to protect the residents in the unit.
Assisted Living Admission and Retention
Facilities may not admit or retain individuals who require 24-hour continuous nursing care. Examples that preclude people from living in an ALF are people who are dependent on a ventilator, have Stage 3 or 4 pressure sores, have a condition that requires chemical or physical restraints, or require IV therapy or injections.
The facility must conduct a pre-admission assessment of prospective residents to special care units to determine if less restrictive alternatives are available.
If the facility cannot meet the resident's needs, they can be subject to discharge.
Assisted Living Services and Service Planning
Facilities must provide or coordinate for any specified nursing services, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), recreation and social activities, transportation services, medication administration or self-administration, household chores including laundry and housekeeping.
Before admission, a team assesses prospective residents to determine if the facility can accommodate their needs. An ongoing process of re-assessment of current residents is done to ensure that the facility can continue to meet the needs of the residents. This assessment is made every six months or when there is a significant change in the resident's condition. The initial assessment is used to develop a care plan for the resident, and the re-assessment is used to update and revise the plan should there be a change. The service plan describes the services that are to be provided, when, how, and by whom.
Residents can contract with third parties to provide additional services, including hospice care, and the ALF must coordinate this service.
Assisted Living Food and Dietary Provisions
ALFs must provide three nutritious meals and evening snacks daily. Therapeutic diets and prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements must be provided according to a physician's orders. Any staff members who prepare or serve food must complete a safe food handling training course.
Assisted Living Staffing Requirements
Each ALF must employ an administrator responsible for the facility's daily operations. Direct care staff provides personal care assistance and supervision. If the facility provides medication administration, a licensed nurse must be employed to oversee that. A licensed nurse or a physician extender must review all health evaluations.
The facility must maintain a ratio of one direct care worker for 15 or fewer residents, one direct care worker and one staff person for 16-60 residents, two direct care workers and one staff person for 61-120 residents, and at least three direct care workers and one staff person for 120 or more residents.
Facilities with a special care unit for residents with dementia must provide sufficient trained staff members to meet all residents’ needs. One staff member must always be awake and in attendance in the secure environment.
Assisted Living Housing Requirements
New Mexico does not require apartment-style units in ALFs. Resident units can be single- or double occupancy. There must be a minimum of one toilet, sink, and bathing unit for every eight residents.
What Is Included With Assisted Living Care In New Mexico?
There are several requirements that each assisted living community must provide for its residents. The facility must offer both general observations and health supervision to assist in identifying each resident's health condition and ability to function. The facility must assist residents with all ADLs and medication services and assess the need for medication attention or nursing services.
Health Care Services
In New Mexico, ALFs must provide care and services in the resident’s care plan. This can include coordinating medical care and appointments. Communities may also deliver health services, with 63% of communities providing skilled nursing. Many have health care specialists and on-site services, with 53% of communities offering dental care. In addition, 66% of ALFs have hospice services.
Mental health issues are a growing consideration for communities, and services to address these concerns are becoming more common. In New Mexico, 87% of communities conduct depression screenings, and 51% offer mental health counseling. Social work programs are also found in 53% of ALFs. Social workers can provide counseling, conduct assessments, and help ensure residents can access all necessary resources.
Some assisted living residents live with various medical conditions. In New Mexico, 47% have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. In addition, 51% have high blood pressure, 30% have heart disease, 31% have depression, and 15% have diabetes.
State Mental Health Resources
Older adults can access several resources to help them manage their mental health. The New Mexico Crisis and Access Line offers the NMConnect app, which connects users directly to peer support workers and professional counselors. The app also links to more information on mental health services and community support programs available to New Mexico residents. Those who prefer to contact a counselor by phone should call NMCAL at (855) 662-7474.
UNM Health System also has a residential program for older adults who need short-term treatment to improve their physical and mental health. The program focuses on helping older adults identify their motivations and reconnect with their personal hopes for the future. People who are at least 55 years old may qualify for up to three weeks of treatment with this program.
Medication Provisions
Residents can self-administer medications if their physician approves. If the resident is not allowed to self-administer, an individual who has completed medication assistance training or a health care professional may assist in the self-administration of medications. The staff assisting must be able to recognize side effects and interactions with other medications.
A consulting pharmacist must review medications quarterly to determine that all orders and records are accurate.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Assistance Services
A primary service of assisted living that benefits residents are receiving help with activities of daily living (ADLs). These are fundamental tasks that a person must do regularly to sustain life and general health, including toileting, bathing or showering, dressing, transferring (getting in and out of bed or a chair), ambulating (walking), and eating. Signs that a person may benefit from living in assisted living include increased isolation, loss of mobility, noticeable weight loss or gain, and/or neglect of household chores.
Residents in New Mexico’s assisted living facilities often receive help with their ADLs. In New Mexico, 31% of residents need help eating. Other commonly used services include bed transfer (39%), toileting (47%), and walking (61%). Caregivers in ALFs help 53% of residents dress, and 70% need help bathing.
Cost Of Assisted Living Care In New Mexico
The average cost of assisted living care in New Mexico is $4,498. This cost is $2 lower than the monthly national average of $4,500 per month. The cost of living in New Mexico is less than the national average by 9.0%, with health care costs less than the national average by 1.3% and housing costs less than the national average by 15.7%.
The level of care a person requires impacts the cost of care, as does where you live. The cost of assisted living ranges from a low of $3,999 in the Farmington area to a high of $5,814 per month in the Santa Fe area of New Mexico.
How Costs Compare In Nearby States
If you live close to one of New Mexico’s borders, you may find assisted living in a neighboring state is an affordable option. Colorado is the only neighboring state with a higher monthly average cost of assisted living. Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma's average costs are lower, at $4,000, $3,998, and $3,855, respectively. Utah's average monthly cost is almost $1,000 less than New Mexico's, at $3,500 monthly.
How to Pay for Assisted Living
New Mexico Assisted Living Oversight
The primary agency responsible for overseeing assisted living in New Mexico is the state's Department of Health. This agency issues assisted living licenses, conducts inspections, and ensures that assisted living communities follow the regulations designed to protect residents from harm.
New Mexico also has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman and a Senior Protective Services department. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman investigates complaints about the state's nursing homes and assisted living communities, giving residents and their loved ones a voice in maintaining the quality of New Mexico's senior care options. Senior Protective Services accepts complaints regarding suspected abuse, exploitation, and neglect of older adults by family members, romantic partners, and other individuals.
Quality And Safety Of Assisted Living Facilities In New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Health protects older adults by establishing and enforcing regulations for operating assisted living communities within the state. Relevant regulations are outlined in Title 7 of the New Mexico Administrative Code.
As part of its enforcement duties, the Department of Health conducts regular monitoring visits to ensure that assisted living communities are in compliance with the law. If a community is in violation of any of the regulations, the administrator must develop a corrective plan of action and submit it to the Department of Health for review. A community's license may be suspended or revoked if the violation is severe enough.
Once an assisted living community obtains a license, it must renew that license every year. Each community must continue to comply with regulations regarding policies and procedures, staff training, staff ratios, and resident records.
Legal Resources
The term "elder law" is often associated with estate planning, trusts, and help to obtain benefits through Medicare or Medicaid. Unfortunately, the field has grown to include cases involving elder abuse, elder neglect, and exploitation. Skilled attorneys can help older adults affected by these issues.
Legal Resources for the Elderly is a free helpline for New Mexico residents who are 55 and older. Eligible people have the opportunity to speak with a staff attorney about their legal issues. Legal Resources for the Elderly has also published a handbook to help older adults understand their rights and learn more about how the law protects them. The New Mexico Senior Law Handbook has more than 100 pages of content on government benefits, retirement income, consumer protection, and other topics of interest.
