Princeton Place is a 369 bed senior care facility. It is situated within the La Mesa area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. With around 40,000 people residing in the zip code of 87108, the encompassing area has a dense ...
Memory Care in New Mexico
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in New Mexico
- Memory Care Directory for New Mexico
- Memory Care Costs in New Mexico
- Financial Assistance for Memory Care in New Mexico
- New Mexico Memory Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Memory Care Resources in New Mexico
Alzheimer's disease is a growing health crisis nationwide, and that's especially true in New Mexico where Alzheimer's rates are projected to increase 35.9% between 2018 and 2025. Approximately 43,000 New Mexicans aged 65 and older currently have Alzheimer's, and many of these seniors will require long-term memory care.
While there's no cure for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of progressive-degenerative dementia, memory care programs can provide safety and security for those living with memory loss. These highly specialized residential programs use therapeutic recreation, environmental design and skilled caregivers to maximize the health and well-being of residents, while offering much-needed relief to family caregivers.
In New Mexico, the average cost of residential memory care is $5,125 per month, which is slightly above the national average of $5,064.
This guide covers essential information about residential memory care in New Mexico, including care costs and links to programs that help low- and moderate-income seniors pay for memory care services. There's also a summary of the state rules and regulations for memory care facilities, and a list of free resources for those with dementia, their families and caregivers.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in New Mexico
The SeniorScore is a data-based index designed to help older adults assess retirement destinations nationwide. This score incorporates over 100 factors, such as the climate, tax rates, availability of healthcare services and cost of long-term care, and is divided into four categories. New Mexico has a SeniorScore of 69, which is slightly below the national average of 72.
New Mexico's highest category score, 72, was for General Quality of Life. The state has relatively low annual rainfall and warm temperatures year-round, and there are an average of 293 sunny days annually compared to the national average of 205.
The lowest category score, 54, was for Health and Safety. Property and violent crime rates in New Mexico are well above national averages, although this statistic is unlikely to have an impact on memory care residents since most memory care facilities have a number of security features in place.
Top Memory Care Communities in New Mexico
The Medical Resort at Fiesta Park is an 85 room senior housing facility situated within the Wildflower area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with about 15,000 people residing in the 87113 zip code. ...
Canyon Transitional Rehabilitation Center is a 74 room nursing facility. It is situated within the San Gabriel area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The encompassing area is densely populated, with around 57,000 people residing in the 87111 zip code. ...
St Catherine Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, is situated within the Amberglen neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a 178 room nursing facility. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 57,000 people residing in the zip code ...
Situated in the Valley Gardens area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, The Rio at Las Estancias is a 120 unit senior community. The encompassing area is densely populated, with about 59,000 people residing in the zip code of 87105. ...
St Theresa Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is located within the Snow Heights neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a 134 unit nursing home facility. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with roughly 40,000 individuals living in the ...
Casa De Oro Center is a 158 unit senior housing community. It is located at 1005 Lujan Hill Rd in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with about 28,000 individuals residing in the 88005 ...
Sierra Health Care Center is located at 1400 North Silver St in Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico. It is a 90 unit nursing facility. The encompassing area has an average population density, with roughly 8,000 individuals living in ...
The Rio at Cabezon is a senior care facility located within the Skies West area of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 52,000 people residing in the zip code of 87124. With ...
Good Samaritan Society Las Cruces Village is a 94 bed senior care community. It is located at 3025 Terrace Dr in Las Cruces, New Mexico. With approximately 29,000 individuals living in the 88011 zip code, the encompassing area ...
Situated within the West Bluff neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ladera Center is a 120 bed senior housing community. The community is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average household income of $64,076. With about 59,000 ...
Silver City Care Center is a 100 unit senior care community situated in Silver City, New Mexico. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with an average family income of $38,729. With approximately 20,000 people residing ...
Located in the Oso Grande area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, La Vida Llena is a 50 unit senior housing community. The neighboring area has a dense population, with approximately 57,000 residents in the zip code of 87111. It ...
Located at 1601 South Main St in Roswell, New Mexico, Casa Maria Healthcare Center and Pecos Valley Reha is a 118 unit nursing home facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with approximately 33,000 residents in the 88203 ...
Retirement Ranch is a 104 unit senior care facility located in Clovis, New Mexico. The facility is in a generally middle income area, with an average per-household income of $39,643. It is heavily populated, with around 46,000 individuals ...
Fairwinds - Rio Rancho is a senior community situated around the Seven Bar North neighborhood of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The encompassing area has a dense population, with around 52,000 poeple living in the zip code of 87124. ...
Situated within the N Campus neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Atria Vista Del Rio is a senior care facility for people 65 and over. The community is in a largely low income area, with a median per-household income of ...
Located at 1515 South Sunset in Roswell, New Mexico, Sunset Villa Care Center is a 52 unit senior housing community. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with about 33,000 residents in the 88203 zip code. It is a ...
Life Care Center of Farmington is a 144 room senior care community. It is located at 1101 West Murray Dr in Farmington, New Mexico. With around 47,000 individuals residing in the 87401 zip code, the surrounding area is ...
Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a 134 bed nursing care facility. It is situated in the Hodgin area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. With an average family income of $53,029, the community is in a generally middle ...
The Cost of Memory Care in New Mexico
New Mexico memory care services are largely delivered in noninstitutional settings such as assisted living communities. Given that memory care units provide residents with enhanced supervision, therapeutic recreational programming and specialized services, memory care costs tend to be about 20-30% higher than standard assisted living. Memory care cost data isn't available for New Mexico, so we've added 25% to the average assisted living rates documented in Genworth's 2019 Cost of Care Survey to estimate memory care costs.
At $5,125 per month, average memory care rates across New Mexico are slightly higher than the national average of $5,064. To the north, monthly rates in Colorado are similar at $5,119, while memory care costs are lower in neighboring Oklahoma ($4,398), Texas ($4,688) and Arizona ($4,688).
- New Mexico: $5,125
- National: $5,064
- Oklahoma: $4,398
- Texas: $4,688
- Arizona: $4,688
- Colorado: $5,119
The Cost of Memory Care in New Mexico's Top Cities
Memory care rates vary throughout New Mexico. Average costs are lowest in Albuquerque, where seniors can expect to pay about $5,063 per month for a residential memory care program. Rates average $5,556 per month in the state capitol of Santa Fe, and $5,688 per month in Las Cruces. Memory care costs are highest in the northwestern corner of New Mexico in Farmington, where rates average $5,750 per month.
- Albuquerque: $5,063
- Santa Fe: $5,556
- Las Cruces: $5,688
- Farmington: $5,750
Senior Care Cost Comparison in New Mexico
Memory care is just one of the many long-term care options available to seniors in New Mexico. The least-expensive type of care is adult day care, which costs an average of $2,933 per month. Assisted living rates average $4,100 per month, while in-home care from a homemaker or home health aide costs $4,290 per month. Placement in a skilled nursing facility is the most expensive type of care at an average of $7,330 for a semiprivate room.
- Memory Care: $5,125
- Assisted Living: $4,100
- In-Home Care: $4,290
- Home Health Care: $4,290
- Adult Day Care: $2,933
- Nursing Home Care: $7,330
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in New Mexico
Centennial Care Community Benefit
Phone Number: (800) 283-4465
Website: https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/LookingForAssistance/centennial-care-overview.aspx
Centennial Care is New Mexico's Medicaid Program. Medicaid-funded services are delivered through four managed care organizations, and covered services include a range of long-term supports for Medicaid-eligible seniors who require memory care. Centennial Care benefits are assigned on a case-by-case basis to those who meet residency, income, asset and citizenship requirements.
VA Aid and Attendance
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
Senior veterans who qualify for the regular VA pension and require residential memory care services may be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance benefits. This enhanced VA pension benefit provides beneficiaries with a higher monthly cash pension that can be used to cover memory care costs.
To qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance enhanced pension, applicants need to meet the following criteria:
- Be legally blind; or
- Live in a skilled nursing facility; or
- Be restricted to bed due to chronic illness or disability; or
- Need assistance from another person to perform one or more activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, eating, toileting and/or grooming
Applicants can't combine Aid and Attendance with any other enhanced VA pension benefit.
VA Housebound Allowance
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
The Housebound Allowance is an enhanced VA pension benefit that provides additional funds which can be used toward memory care costs.
To qualify for Housebound Allowance benefits, veterans must first qualify for the regular VA pension. Applicants must also have one permanent disability that largely restricts their ability to leave their home. Note that applicants can't combine the Housebound Allowance with Aid and Attendance benefits.
New Mexico Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Residential memory care services in New Mexico are largely delivered in assisted living facilities. These facilities may have a specialized memory care unit or wing, or be entirely dedicated to memory care. The New Mexico Department of Health is responsible for the licensing and inspection of memory care facilities in the state that provide services to two or more adults who are not related to the caregiver.
Scope of Care | Facilities that offer memory care services must conduct a comprehensive preadmission assessment to determine if the facility can meet the needs of the resident, or if a less restrictive placement is suitable. Memory care facilities can't admit individuals who require 24/7 skilled nursing care, chemical and/or physical restraint to manage aggressive or self-injurious behavior and/or IV therapies. |
Care Plan Requirements | A multidisciplinary team consisting of a licensed registered nurse, the resident and/or their designate must develop a comprehensive care plan upon admission to a memory care facility. This care plan must be reviewed at least once every 6 months, or more frequently if the resident experiences major health and/or behavioral changes. |
Medication Management Requirements | Residents may self-administer medications with approval from their primary care physician. Caregivers who've completed a state-approved medication management course, as well as licensed medical professionals, can assist with medication self-administration. All facilities must retain the services of a consulting pharmacist who performs quarterly medication reviews on all residents. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Prior to commencing work in a memory care facility, caregivers must successfully pass a state-mandated background check and employee abuse registry check in accordance with the New Mexico Caregivers Criminal History Screening Program. |
Staff Training Requirements | Direct care staff must complete at least 16 hours of supervised training prior to beginning work in a memory care facility, and this training must cover fire safety, resident rights, infection control and communication. An additional 12 hours of training related to memory care must be completed each year. |
Medicaid Coverage | New Mexico's Centennial Care Community Benefit includes coverage for memory care services for seniors who qualify for Medicaid. |
Reporting Abuse | Anyone with concerns about the safety of a vulnerable adult is required by law to report those concerns to Adult Protective Services by calling (866) 654-3219. Reports may be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
Free Memory Care Resources in New Mexico
Alzheimer's Association - New Mexico Chapter
The New Mexico Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association provides a range of free services to those living with memory loss, their families and caregivers. The Chapter operates a number of in-person and online support groups, maintains an extensive research library and helps individuals access long-term memory care services.
New Mexico Agencies
New Mexico Aging Long-Term Services: Ombudman Program
Address: 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone Number: (866) 451-2901
Website: http://www.nmaging.state.nm.us/Long_Term_Ombudsman.aspx
New Mexico's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program works to protect the rights of long-term care residents. A statewide network of trained volunteer Ombudsmen and program coordinators visit long-term care facilities to deliver educational programs to residents, their families and caregivers, and to advocate on behalf of individual residents who have concerns about their care.
Ombudsman services are provided at no cost to residents, and services are available in English and Spanish.
Area Agencies on Aging in New Mexico
New Mexico's network of four Area Agencies on Aging provide a variety of free and low-cost services designed to promote health, wellness and community engagement among seniors aged 60 and older. Services vary between regions and may include adult day health programs, nutritional support services, case management and assistance with accessing residential memory care services.
To locate the nearest AAA, New Mexico seniors and their caregivers can contact the New Mexico Aging and Disability Resource Center at (800) 432-2080 or check the New Mexico AAA website.
Veteran Affairs Offices in New Mexico
Veterans, survivors and dependents can contact the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services for information about county, state and federal programs and services. Veteran Services Officers can assist with VA benefit applications and appeals, including applications to the VA enhanced pension programs, burial benefits and healthcare services.
Veterans can also contact the nearest VA location found in the VA directory.
Social Security Offices in New Mexico
Low-income New Mexico seniors aged 65 and older may be eligible for a small monthly cash benefit through the Supplemental Security Income program. Qualifying for SSI can also allow seniors to access a number of other services geared toward older adults.
New Mexico seniors and their caregivers can find their local Social Security office by phoning the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 or by entering their ZIP code into the SSA office locator website.
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