Home Care in New Mexico

New Mexico Home Care Regulations

Each state regulates senior living care differently. Because home care providers offer similar services to assisted living, states may regulate home care within their assisted living guidelines. You can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to provider records in New Mexico.

In New Mexico, home care — or in-home care — is a service which offers compassion and help to seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and wish to remain in their homes. Levels of care vary according to need, and can include companionship, meal prep, cleaning, transportation, and help with ADLs like bathing and dressing. Home care aides are trained to understand the nuances of senior care but generally aren’t licensed to provide medical services.

Cost of Living

Overall, the cost of living in New Mexico is considered to be more affordable than the national average. New Mexico’s costs are rated below average in every index category except grocery prices. New Mexico’s affordability makes it a great option for those looking for a perfect retirement location. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

• Cost of Living: 93
• Groceries: 101
• Housing: 78
• Utilities: 88
• Transportation: 92

Demographics

In New Mexico, 18% of the population are over the age of 65. In the 2016 presidential election, New Mexico leaned liberal. There are strong Hispanic and Indigneous cultural influences throughout the state. Over ten percent of New Mexico’s population are Native American and nearly 50% of its population are Hispanic or Latino. New Mexico has a very large Spanish-speaking population, and many restaurants and stores in the state do business in both Spanish and English.

2016 Presidential Election

• 48% voted Democratic
• 40% voted Republican
• 12% voted third party

Population

• Median age: 38
• Over the age of 55: 31%
• 2018 population: 2,095,428
• 2020 population: 2,099,500
• Estimated 2025 population: 2,109,714

Miscellaneous

• 36% regularly attend a religious service
• 37% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
• The state has a total of 2,447 congregations
• There are 57 Masonic lodges in the state

Climate and Weather

New Mexico is broken up into four regions: the Great Plains, the Colorado Plateau, the Rocky Mountains, and the Basin and Range region. The state mostly has a cool, semi-arid climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and below average rainfall. However the climate can vary depending on what part of the state you are in. Temperatures can range widely between night and day, and from extreme heat to extreme cold throughout the year. Overall, New Mexico receives light annual precipitation, low humidity, and lots of sunshine.

Humidity and Precipitation

• Average humidity level: 46%
• Average monthly precipitation: 1”
• Average maximum monthly precipitation: 6” (July)

Air Quality

• Average air quality index rating: 45 (Good)
• Average maximum air quality rating: 62 in July (Moderate)

Moderate air quality means that those who are sensitive to particulates in the air should limit the amount of time they spend on outdoor exertion.

Seasonal Temperatures

• Average temperature: 53°F
• Average summer temperature: 71°F
• Typical summer high: 98°F (June)
• Typical summer low: 36°F (June)
• Average winter temperature: 36°F
• Typical winter high: 65°F (February)
• Typical winter low: 2°F (January)