10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque residents can choose from several private and public assistance options to help pay for senior living. Assessing your loved one’s unique financial situation will help determine the best way to pay for life in an assisted living community. Even while using private methods to pay for care, make sure to apply for any additional benefits seniors may qualify for in your area. There may be assistance available to your loved one that can help their private pay options go further.

Assisted living facilities in New Mexico are licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) Division of Health Improvement, Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau. New Mexico regulations require that assisted living facilities provide the following services:

• As-needed supervision and/or assistance with specified nursing services
• Medication administration assistance
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Recreation and social activities
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Transportation services
• A minimum of three nutritionally balanced meals per day, as well as evening snacks

The state’s assisted living regulations also include the following staff requirements:

Required types of staff

• Administrator: A staff member in charge of the daily operations of the assisted living facility
• Direct care staff: Trained staff who offer personal care and supervision
• Licensed nurses, physician’s assistants, or nurse practitioners: must also be available to review health evaluations and individualized care plans

Staff ratio requirements

• One direct care worker for every 15 residents or fewer
• One direct care worker and one additional staff member per 16 to 60 residents
• Two direct care workers and one additional staff member per 61 to 120 residents
• At least three direct care workers and one additional staff member for more than 120 residents

Assisted living facilities are required to follow state building code standards. These are some applicable guidelines:

• Assisted living facilities cannot house more residents than the maximum bed capacity that their license allows.
• All of the buildings on the assisted living facility property need to be licensed.
• Assisted living facilities must be accessible for individuals with disabilities or those requiring a wheelchair.
• Assisted living facilities must have at least one bathroom (including toilet and bath/shower facility) for every eight residents.

Additionally, assisted living facilities must keep the following documentation on the premises:

• Fire inspection report
• Zoning approval report
• Certificate of occupancy
• Approved building plan
• Pet vaccination records (if applicable)
• Most recent inspection report
• Copy of “Requirements for Assisted Living Facilities for Adults (7.8.2 NMAC).”^[05]

New Mexico Department of Health resources

You can use the New Mexico Health Care Provider Search Tool to look up assisted living facilities and view their inspection reports. To look up a particular facility’s inspection report using this tool, select the category of care provider from the drop down menu. You can then narrow your search by entering the county, the city, or the name of the specific organization you’re searching for.

Other online resources:

• New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department
• Report Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation by a New Mexico assisted living or other health facility
• New Mexico Department of Health staff directory

COVID-19 regulations for Albuquerque assisted living facilities

Most COVID-19 restrictions in Albuquerque have been lifted. However, Albuquerque assisted living communities continue to have a few guidelines in place.

Albuquerque is rich in culture, with wonderful food, music, and scenery. Characteristic of the southwestern U.S., Albuquerque is also a very family-focused area. Many families prefer to keep their aging loved ones in their home to be cared for by the younger generations. However, as this is not a viable option for every family, Albuquerque assisted living communities strive to be as family-forward as possible. Many assisted living facilities in and around Albuquerque have care staff and management that strive to make personal connections, not only with residents but with their loved ones.

Many of Albuquerque’s assisted living communities offer amenities like movie theaters, barber shops and beauty salons, fitness centers, and restaurant-style dining so residents can keep their usual routines and pleasures without the hassle of a commute. Many of the city’s assisted living communities also welcome pets, so residents with fur-babies can feel even more at home. Check out some more features Albuquerque assisted living communities are known for:

Residential settings

A Place for Mom partners with 10 residential care homes in Albuquerque. Unlike larger assisted living facilities, residential care homes are typically single-family homes that have been modified to accommodate a limited number of senior residents.

As micro communities, residential care homes generally offer a higher staff-to-resident ratio in a family-like setting. Residential communities’ neighborhood settings give them a cozy, often quiet atmosphere, and their small size can give residents a sense of normalcy rather than being in a larger, more populated community where they may feel overwhelmed.

Albuquerque residential care homes are kept to the same regulation standards as other assisted living facilities. Residents are offered quality meals, care services, laundry and housekeeping, and enrichment activities, but seniors may also receive more one-on-one attention due to the size of the community.

Multiple levels of care

Many of Albuquerque’s senior living communities feature multiple types of care all on one site. Out of our partnered communities offering assisted living, 74% feature multiple care types. These communities typically offer some combination of independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care, so that if a resident’s care needs ever change they can easily transition to a support level that fits them — ideal for aging in place.

Assisted living facilities within multi-tiered communities typically strive to foster as much independence for as long as possible for each resident. Multiple care types together also offer more variety among residents, often giving more opportunity for friendships and community engagement, regardless of an individual’s specific level of need.

Health care for seniors in Albuquerque

Albuquerque seniors have access to several reputable medical centers, many of which specialize in long-term acute care and rehabilitative stays. These types of facilities strive to reduce the risk of rehospitalization, which can be especially vital for seniors.

Transportation for seniors in Albuquerque

Nearly half of our partnered assisted living communities offer complimentary transportation services. Another 33% of our partner communities offer transportation services at an additional cost. This means that nearly all our partner assisted living communities have safe and reliable transportation options for their residents.

Albuquerque’s main transit bus system, ABQ RIDE, offers monthly passes, assistance with planning your route, and a Guaranteed Ride Home system. While the neighborhoods and residential areas are walkable, the commercial areas like shopping and dining generally require vehicle access, so most residents use a car if they are able.

For residents aged 60 and over, Albuquerque has transportation services for seniors. Seniors can take advantage of the city’s curb-to-curb van transport to medical appointments, meal sites, activities, and shopping, with wheelchair accommodations available for those who need it. Many of these services require reservations, which can be made by calling 505-764-6464.

WalkScore has assessed Albuquerque’s transportation options, city layout, and population density to determine the following ratings out of 100: