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Memory Care in New Mexico

Overview of Memory Care in New Mexico

New Mexico has been called many names, including “The Cactus State” and “The Sunshine State,” but perhaps none are more fitting than “Tierra del Encanto,” or “The Land of Enchantment.” The state received this nickname for its natural beauty, which includes vast, painted deserts and tall, majestic mountains. From Santa Fe’s distinct architecture inspired by the region’s native Pueblo peoples, to the more modern appeal of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s cities have an undeniable charm as well. The Land of Enchantment truly has something to offer everyone and is an ideal place to retire.Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 40 senior living communities in New Mexico that provide memory care. The median monthly cost of memory care in New Mexico is about $4,700.

Top-rated Memory Care facilities in New Mexico

12
12 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Brookdale Santa Fe

640 Alta Vista, Santa Fe, NM 87505
9.9
Review Score
54 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Katie D - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mother in law has been happy at Brookdale. They have lots of activities, something for everyone. She is getting her meals and meds on time, and the staff seem to really care. The center courtyard is...

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8
8 Photos available

Fairwinds - Rio Rancho

920 Riverview Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
9.8
Review Score
95 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
T. - I'm a current/former resident or client

It’s fun and safe place. The staff does everything they possibly can to make your living conditions comfortable. Lots of activities, never a dull moments. Quiet apartments, lots of rest. Variety of...

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15
15 Photos available

Morada Quintessence

7101 Eubank Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87122
9.6
Review Score
69 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My parents resided at Morada Quintessence for several years. They were always well cared for, and both made lots of friends. After dad passed away, the staff made sure that mom stayed active. The care team...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Albuquerque

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1
1 Photos available

Albuquerque Grand Senior Living

1501 Tijeras Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
9.5
Review Score
98 reviews
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

Prior to moving to Albuquerque Grand I walked or relied on public transportation to get around. As I got older it became more difficult for me to get to the store or laundry mat. Since moving to Albuquerque...

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11
11 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Palmilla Senior Living

10301 Golf Course Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
9.3
Review Score
154 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Debbi M - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I moved my mother into Palmilla Senior living facility in assisted-living with a level 1 care and medication management in June 2024. She was previously in an independent living facility out of state with a...

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8
8 Photos available

Fountain Hill Assisted Living

4551 Vista Fuente Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
7.5
Review Score
9 reviews
Nina - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My husband was there only a couple of weeks in [date removed]. Based off of our short experience, I would recommend Fountain Hill to others looking for assisted living.

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Rio Rancho

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11
11 Photos available

Neighborhood in Rio Rancho Community

900 Loma Colorado Blvd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Dede - I'm a current/former resident or client

The meals at the Neighborhood are tasty and varied. Between the dining room and the Bistro, there is always something which is appealing. I would like to give a shout out to the wait staff. They are...

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8
8 Photos available

Fairwinds - Rio Rancho

920 Riverview Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
9.8
Review Score
95 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
T. - I'm a current/former resident or client

It’s fun and safe place. The staff does everything they possibly can to make your living conditions comfortable. Lots of activities, never a dull moments. Quiet apartments, lots of rest. Variety of...

Get Pricing
1
1 Photos available

Albuquerque Grand Senior Living

1501 Tijeras Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
9.5
Review Score
98 reviews
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

Prior to moving to Albuquerque Grand I walked or relied on public transportation to get around. As I got older it became more difficult for me to get to the store or laundry mat. Since moving to Albuquerque...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Santa Fe

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13
13 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

The Legacy at Santa Fe

3 Avenida Aldea, Santa Fe, NM 87507
8.7
Review Score
21 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
E Gallegos - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Very happy with the care that has been given to my father. The staff is amazing and they have made him the most happiest and healthy he has ever been. I could not be more happier to have him at the Legacy....

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25
25 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Sierra Blanca Apartments

2961 Galisteo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
8.3
Review Score
95 reviews
BT - I live or lived in this community

I enjoy living here. It is nice and quiet. Staff are friendly. I like the location. I prefer living here than in an apartment.

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20
20 Photos available

The Montecito Santa Fe

500 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Bob H - I live or lived in this community

It is simply wonderful to live at a place where everybody here cares for one another. The care services so far have been very good. They do have really good activities, the kids from the local school get a...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Las Cruces

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17
17 Photos available

Desert Peaks Assisted Living and Memory Care

5525 Cotton Bloom Ct., Las Cruces, NM 88007
8.6
Review Score
31 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is good, but there is a bit of a lack of communication. Security is good for keeping patients safe and not roaming around outside. The move in process was easy, and the facility was clean. I would...

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21
21 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

The Village at Northrise

2880 N Roadrunner Pkwy, Las Cruces, NM 88011
8.9
Review Score
16 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Skip P - I'm a current/former resident or client

My mom was a resident of the memory care unit, the staff was friendly, and caring, with the residents. [New resident] the director was extremely knowledgeable, and personable. The meals they prepared were...

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16
16 Photos available

Haciendas at Grace Village

2802 Corte Dios, Las Cruces, NM 88001
8.2
Review Score
30 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Debbie J - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It was a wonderful place and the staff were extremely helpful. The staff went out of their way to accommodate changes in my father's condition. Maintaining the residents' dignity was a primary focus for...

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New Mexico laws and regulations for memory care facilities

In New Mexico, licensed Assisted Living Facilities for Adults (ALFs) can provide on-site memory care in designated units. ALFs are licensed by the New Mexico Department of Health’s Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau, and the communities that provide memory care must follow assisted living standards:[01]

  • Staff must include an administrator, direct care staff, and a licensed nurse.
  • Seniors must be offered three meals a day and evening snacks.
  • Services must include laundry, housekeeping, transportation, social activities, medication support, and support with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Read our New Mexico assisted living laws and regulations page for more information on these requirements.

Aside from the assisted living services, ALFs that provide memory care have additional regulations to follow.

Resident and staff requirements

Before moving into an Assisted Living Facility for Adults (ALF) that provides memory care, your loved one will be evaluated by the community. The purpose of this pre-admission assessment is to confirm a physician’s diagnosis of dementia and to make sure the memory care unit is the most appropriate environment for the senior.[01]

After your senior relative moves in, they’ll work with memory care staff who complete at least 12 hours of dementia-specific training each year. At least one of these staff members will be awake and on duty in the memory care unit at all times. It may also be helpful to know that all ALF direct care staff complete 16 hours of training before they work with seniors on their own.[01]

ALFs also have minimum staff-to-resident ratios:[01]

  • One caregiver for 1-15 residents
  • One caregiver and one staff member for 16-60 residents
  • Two caregivers and one staff member for 61-120 residents
  • At least three caregivers and one staff member for 120+ residents

Physical environment standards

Each Assisted Living Facility for Adults (ALF) can have units that accommodate either one or two seniors. These units aren’t required to be apartment-style units, but every eight residents must have access to at least one toilet, sink, and bathtub or shower.[01]

Memory care units in ALFs must also have alarm systems, locking doors and gates, and alarms for specific seniors who have a history of wandering. There should also be an outdoor common area that is fenced and secured.[01]

New Mexico Department of Health contact information

NMHealth
1190 S. St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Phone: 1-883-796-8773

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Survey reports

Each Assisted Living Facility for Adults (ALF) is licensed by New Mexico’s Licensing Authority on an annual basis. The Licensing Authority is also responsible for doing on-site inspections, known as surveys, which can be found online via New Mexico’s Health Care Provider Search.[01]

Visit the search tool, find Step 1, and select “Assisted Living Facility.” Next, enter the county, city, provider name, or all of the above for your desired search. Click “Submit,” and then click “View Reports” to access the public survey reports for a specific community.

References

  1. New Mexico Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy. 2015 ed. Assisted Living Facilities for Adults.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

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