New Mexico Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living in New Mexico for couples

In the state of New Mexico, there are over 100 assisted living facilities. These senior living communities can be found in the following locations: Albuquerque, Farmington, La Cruces, and Santa Fe. All of these facilities are licensed and regulated by the Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau, which belongs to the State Department of Health.

An initial assessment is undertaken for each resident, so that his/her needs are assessed, along with other specific requirements. Based on this evaluation, an individualized service plan is created, which will include details about the resident's health status, requirement for assistance with ADLs, etc. These plans are re-assessed every six months and after major health events. Third parties might be contracted to provide additional services, such as hospice care, but these must be included in the ISP.

With regard to admission requirements, it is worth mentioning that New Mexico ALFs do not accept residents who require 24/7 skilled nursing care. The same goes for those who dependent on machines to breathe, have severe pressure ulcers, require restraints or various injections. As mentioned above, additional care might be offered through third-party providers. Facilities that have integrated memory care units have to conduct a pre-admission assessment of each resident, to ensure his/her very specific needs can be met.

When it comes to alternative retirement options, assisted living is one of the most popular choices. Why? The answer is simple. Assisted living facilities in NM offer senior adults with everything they might need to lead a comfortable life – suitable housing, access to healthcare and personal assistance, scheduled services and amenities. They welcome residents as young as 55, with a maximum limit of 62, who have the financial means to cover monthly fees and wish to reside in such a facility. Unlike other retirement communities, couples are allowed to live together.

Financing and costs of assisted living in New Mexico

The average monthly cost of assisted living in New Mexico is of $4,250. This is a bit higher than the national median, which is around $4,000. Compared to its neighboring states – Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas – New Mexico has the highest rates. The biggest difference is with Oklahoma, which has an average of $3,300.

Within the state of New Mexico, the costs of assisted living vary considerably. The highest rates are found in dense-population cities, such as Albuquerque and Santa Fe, with an average of $5,100. On the other hand, Farmington has the most affordable fees, with a median of $3,600. Assisted living is significantly cheaper than nursing home care, with the latter costing around $7,000. The cost of memory care is somewhat similar, while both in-home care and independent living are less expensive alternatives.

Assisted living costs in New Mexico

Assisted living represents a long-term care option for seniors who are in need of medical and personal care. Within such communities, residents benefit from adapted housing units, assistance with ADLs, and monitoring. They can choose between different care packages, in accordance with their level of independence. In the state of New Mexico, there are various assisted living facilities seniors can choose from. Each facility has its own care packages to offer, with costs that vary accordingly. In the paragraphs below, you will find detailed information on the costs of assisted living in New Mexico, along other details that might help you take an informed decision.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in New Mexico

How much does assisted living cost in NM? The average cost of assisted living in New Mexico is $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. This is similar to the national median. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living facilities can be found in Santa Fe, averaging at $5,800 per month or $69,000 per year. Farmington has the most affordable communities of this kind, with an average cost of $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in NM? When it comes to memory care, the average cost in New Mexico is $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. This is similar to the national median as well. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are located in Santa Fe, with an average cost of $7,200 per month or $86,000 per year. Farmington has the most affordable facilities of this kind, averaging at $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year.

Assisted living is more expensive than adult day health care, but more affordable than home health care and nursing home care. Memory care costs more than home health care, assisted living, and adult day health care. It is only surpassed by nursing home care, which averages at $8,300 per month or $99,000 per year.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Assisted living communities require prospective residents to cover a deposit fee. This is returned when the contract concludes and as the residential stay begins. Such facilities only have monthly fees, there are no entrance fees or hidden costs. It is also worth mentioning that the overall costs are influenced by the resident's marital status, the available care, and the living unit type and size. Residents have access to various utilities and services, including meal plans, general maintenance, laundry and linen service, and housekeeping. Many facilities provide additional services at extra cost.

The care fees to be paid depend on the number of daily living activities residents are assisted with. As for the care packages, these often include daily planned activities, emergency response systems, physical and occupational therapy, scheduled transportation, and medication management. Second occupancy fees must be covered by spouses who want to live together in the same unit. Some facilities also require additional payment for certain utilities, such as the cable and Internet access. Third-party providers offer limited healthcare, with the costs being covered by the residents themselves.

What goes into memory care costs?

Memory care communities are especially designed to meet the needs of those who suffer from dementia, providing 24/7 monitoring, access to healthcare and assistance with ADLs, as well as adapted housing. Seniors benefit from a wide array of services and amenities, with specialists catering to their specific needs. Care packages are designed with careful consideration to the type of dementia and the illness stage. As for the safety features, these are selected with care as well, with the purpose of reducing the risk of injuries and wandering. Memory care facilities implement various strategies in order to help seniors feel less confused.

All seniors have access to daily therapy sessions, where they can work on their speech, memory, and cognitive skills. As a result, they are able to delay the progression of dementia for as long as it is possible. Aside from utilities, the general services offered include the following: meal planning, general maintenance, housekeeping, scheduled transportation, laundry and linen service, etc. Additional services are available, such as mobility assistance, wound care, diabetes care, and incontinence care.

Senior living in New Mexico - cost comparison with other states

The average cost of assisted living in New Mexico is equal to the national median. New Mexico is more expensive than Arizona and Texas, but more affordable than Colorado. The overall costs are as follows: Arizona - $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year; Texas – $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year; Colorado – $4,750 per month or $57,000 per year.

As for memory care, the average cost in New Mexico is equal to the national median as well. New Mexico is more expensive than Texas and Arizona, but more affordable than Colorado. The overall costs are as follows: Texas - $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year; Arizona - $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year; Colorado - $6,000 per month or $72,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility for your needs in New Mexico

If you are looking for a long-term care community for you or your loved one, the first thing you should do is organize a list of properties that suit your interests. Whether you are searching for assisted living or memory care, please remember that the overall costs will vary one from community to the other. It is worth taking the time to compare the different benefits and costs incurred, as careful research will take you one step closer to a final decision.

We know how difficult and time-consuming it can be to find the right long-term care option for you or your senior. Allow us to be part of your journey, as we are confident that we can make the whole experience less daunting. All you have to do is contact us and we will happily offer all the necessary information on the costs required by each assisted living facility. If you need additional details about memory care or assisted living communities, we will provide these as well. You can put your trust in us, we have both the experience and practical knowledge to help you find the right facility.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in New Mexico

ALF services are available to all residents, whether they are married or single. The general list of services includes: housekeeping, meal planning and preparation (including dietary adjustments), general maintenance, 24/7 security, errand running and shopping, financial assistance, Internet and telephone access, laundry and linen service, scheduled transportation, and emergency response systems.

Most facilities of this kind provide senior adults with additional services, such as the minimal assistance with ADLs (eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, and grooming). Residents benefit from specific healthcare services, such as diabetes care, wound care, or tracheostomy services. However, not all ALFs provide these services, or these have limited availability. Medication management is offered to all residents, with the staff monitoring residents while they take their treatment or handling the administration themselves.

Dementia residents can benefit from all the above-mentioned services. Depending on how advanced their condition is, the staff might provide added assistance and continuous monitoring. Supervision is necessary to keep the risk of self-harm or injury down to a minimum.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in New Mexico

Assisted living communities, as mentioned, welcome both single adults and married couples. Living units are available in the form of apartments or bedrooms, which can be occupied by a maximum of two individuals. All living units must have a bathroom with accessibility features and a minimum square footage. Many facilities now have a pet-friendly policy, allowing residents to live together with their furry friends.

Residents have access to various amenities to fill their time with, including: swimming pool and fitness center, art studio, woodworking shop, learning center, social club, weekly religious service, walking trail, computer room, library, lounge. They can take part in social and recreational activities. Dementia residents might benefit from various therapies, take guided walks or visit spaces especially designed for them, such as memory gardens.