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Albuquerque is known for its rich cultural diversity, delicious Southwestern cuisine, scenic mountain ranges, and temperate climate. Albuquerque is a family-oriented city, where the younger generations take care of their aging loved ones. The area’s assisted living communities strive to offer a homelike environment with engaging relationships within the community, as well as continued communication with residents’ own families. Seniors in Albuquerque assisted living are provided with a variety of personalized care services and have access to the best food, culture, and entertainment the city has to offer.
With 25 partnered assisted living communities within a 10-mile radius from downtown, Albuquerque seniors have options. This guide is based on A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from those 25 communities and is informed by our over two decades’ worth of experience in the senior living industry and local senior living experts. Browse Albuquerque assisted living facilities according to your specific needs — support services, amenities, budget-conscious, pet accommodations, social and enrichment offerings, and more. Find information about payment options, local long-term care services, facility health and safety regulations, and other important resources for Albuquerque seniors.
Our Methodology: How we score communitiesThis category features assisted living facilities in Albuquerque with the highest customer ratings.
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4.0/ 5.0
(98)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...
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(136)I would tell other families looking into Palmilla Senior Living that it is new and very clean. The food is good, and the staff are courteous and caring. Like everywhere these days, they do seem to be...
Reviewer Ranking
4.7/ 5.0
(15)We are so happy with this facility. It's specialized (memory care), which can be a challenge, but they really are on top of things and run things very well! I can't say enough good things. I haven't had a...
These Albuquerque assisted living facilities are highly rated for their high-quality meals and dining services.
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4.0/ 5.0
(98)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...
Reviewer Ranking
3.7/ 5.0
(35)Avista's team headed up by [name removed] is wonderful. Always friendly, willing to help and very caring for our family member from day one. We have experienced their care/love and patience and that is...
Reviewer Ranking
3.9/ 5.0
(71)It's a great facility with a wonderful, competent, efficient, and caring staff. Dad's currently in the hospital, and while I'm there with him, they are hands on presently assisting my daughter to relocate...
These Albuquerque assisted living facilities provide the best value for the cost, with plentiful amenities and affordability.
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4.1/ 5.0
(14)The community is wonderful and you couldn't find a better one. The room sizes are good. the food looks and smells good. They do a lot for the residence to keep them engaged. I would definitely...
Reviewer Ranking
4.2/ 5.0
(47)It was a good experience for us. The residents that are moderate in care level will do well in the community. The more advance care services your loved one needs, the less the community maybe able to care...
Reviewer Ranking
3.4/ 5.0
(7)For my parents, they have a little apartment outside the main property, so the staff has been very accommodating to them for that and I would rate the cleanliness of that higher than the building of the main...
These Albuquerque assisted living facilities have received the highest ratings for quality of care.
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4.7/ 5.0
(7)I just completed a 2-month stay at fountain Hill Assisted Living and I can completely recommend it. The facility is gorgeous with vaulted ceilings and the rooms are large and comfortable. I went in as a...
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(6)I would certainly recommend Vista Sandia. When my wife was there, I knew she was being made as comfortable as possible, and she was safe there. The staff were as responsive as possible to her needs. ...
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(99)The entire staff is extremely caring and clearly love what they do. That is very clear. What stood out to me the most was that there was a medical facility within the premises and that she did not have to...
These assisted living facilities are ranked highly for their excellence in cleanliness.
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4.3/ 5.0
(136)I would tell other families looking into Palmilla Senior Living that it is new and very clean. The food is good, and the staff are courteous and caring. Like everywhere these days, they do seem to be...
Reviewer Ranking
4.1/ 5.0
(8)When we walked in for the first time Westwind felt like home! The food is great, residents have choices and can ask for something different that matches their taste, like a sandwich with certain...
Reviewer Ranking
3.9/ 5.0
(105)This community is a safe alternative to living in your own home. The room sizes are good, I really like the layout of the rooms too, they have their own private bathroom as well.
This category includes highly rated Albuquerque assisted living facilities that are pet-friendly.
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3.9/ 5.0
(94)The community is reasonably priced, well-kept, safe, and comfortable. The staff is very friendly and accommodating, although it's a larger facility, so the staff-to-resident ratio is a little low in assisted...
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(87)We picked this community, because of the friendly staff and residents. It's friendly and has all kinds of activities to keep people involved. I would recommend to other famileis.
Reviewer Ranking
4.4/ 5.0
(16)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...
These Albuquerque assisted living communities offer the best activities and social opportunities for seniors.
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4.5/ 5.0
(24)My moms in memory care and I wish she could have coffee every afternoon. Staff is friendly but there seems to be quite a bit of turnover. Food is good. We've asked some repairs in my moms room, but they...
Reviewer Ranking
4.4/ 5.0
(24)I've told several friends this is a great place for my parents. The care is exceptional. The director is particularly attentive to the needs or desires of the residents. She's had an open door policy so you...
Reviewer Ranking
4.7/ 5.0
(15)We are so happy with this facility. It's specialized (memory care), which can be a challenge, but they really are on top of things and run things very well! I can't say enough good things. I haven't had a...
The cost of assisted living at our partnered Albuquerque facilities averages $4,311 per month.[01] This rate includes rent, care services, and meals, as well as the costs of any optional add-ons, such as the following:
The rates outlined below represent a baseline of Albuquerque-area assisted living costs before add-on fees.
46.55 miles from you
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18.73 miles from you
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.
Private pay methods can include your loved one’s income sources like savings, pensions, returns on investments, and Social Security benefits. These additional private pay options may also be used:
Selling a house
Reverse mortgage
Health savings accounts
Life insurance
Long-term care insurance
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:
The state’s assisted living regulations also include the following staff requirements:
Assisted living facilities are required to follow state building code standards. These are some applicable guidelines:
Additionally, assisted living facilities must keep the following documentation on the premises:
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:
Most COVID-19 restrictions in Albuquerque have been lifted. However, Albuquerque assisted living communities continue to have a few guidelines in place.
Testing. Assisted living communities in Albuquerque must not admit visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 until 10 days past their positive test, provided that they have no symptoms at that time.
Masking. Visitors are encouraged to wear a face mask, especially if they are visiting a resident who has tested positive for COVID-19.[]
Number of in-network assisted living facilities in market
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:
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.
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.
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Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Albuquerque population
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.
Presbyterian Hospital is ranked No. 1 in Albuquerque, according to U.S. News and World Report. Presbyterian is the largest hospital in New Mexico and offers a full range of medical and surgical procedures.
AMG Specialty Hospital offers extended critical care and recovery stays for patients who might otherwise be at risk of rehospitalization. AMG Specialty offers longer stays, a higher staff-to-patient ratio, and the same level of care as an intensive care unit (ICU) so patients can have a more complete recovery.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Albuquerque offers inpatient rehabilitation for a number of medical needs, including traumatic brain injury and stroke, orthopedic injury or surgery, illness, and more. Encompass Health is typically able to accept Medicare and Medicaid.
Kindred Hospital Albuquerque offers long-term acute care. Patients at Kindred Hospital can receive the same comprehensive care offered by a standard hospital, but for an extended stay to lower their risk of rehospitalization.
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:
43
29
61
With over 310 days of sunshine per year, surrounded by auburn mountain ranges, Albuquerque is an oasis amidst the southwestern desert. Albuquerque is also a foodie destination, with top-notch restaurants of every variety. Old Town Albuquerque is a great place to explore restaurants, artisan boutiques, and craft libations.
The city has many senior and multigenerational centers where older adults can form relationships with other Albuquerque seniors, enjoy concerts and lectures, participate in lifelong learning classes, and take up hobbies like pottery and other art forms. Senior centers also feature skiing, hiking, aerobics, and other indoor and outdoor sports.
Frequently voted one of the top ten U.S. cities for families to visit, Albuquerque also has many exciting activities to enjoy with multiple generations. There are natural history museums, nature centers, zoos, planetariums, amusement parks, and more to be discovered on the Albuquerque visitors’ website.
Albuquerque is the hot air balloon capital of the world, and in the summertime the skies behind gorgeous mountain vistas are frequently dotted with bright colors. Residents of all ages can enjoy the views of the marvelous annual International Balloon Festival, and if watching from below isn’t enough, take flight with the Rainbow Ryders.
Albuquerque Grand Senior Living, Palmilla Senior Living and Fairwinds - Rio Rancho are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Albuquerque, NM. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Albuquerque is 4,121 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2021). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Albuquerque. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Managed Care Program Community Benefit, NMAC Rev Stat § 8.308.12 (2019).
MI VIA Home and Community-Based Services Waivers, NMAC Rev Stat § 8.314.6 (2018).
Assisted Living Facilities for Adults, NMAC Rev Stat § 7.8.2 (2010).
New Mexico Department of Health Aging and Long-Term Services Department. (2022, February 7). Addendum to letter of direction updated December 14, 2021 for long-term care facilities.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Albuquerque. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Walk Score. (2023). Living in Albuquerque.
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