Nursing Homes and Senior Care in New Mexico

Nursing Homes by City in New Mexico

The New Mexico cities with the most CMS-certified nursing homes. All 32 cities are listed below the table. Homes in New Mexico average 3.5 hours of nursing care per resident per day; the national median is 3.7 hours.

5-Star Nursing Homes in New Mexico

Homes with CMS's top overall rating, ordered by inspection rating. See all highest-rated nursing homes in New Mexico.

Assisted Living in New Mexico

New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement licenses assisted living in New Mexico. License types: Assisted Living Facility. Use the state's search to check a community's license and inspection history.

• New Mexico assisted living facility search
• New Mexico assisted living rules
• New Mexico assisted living licensing (New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement)

Memory Care Rules in New Mexico

New Mexico's term is "Memory Care Unit"; it isn't a separate license, but rules apply to facilities that offer dementia care. Facilities must give families a written disclosure of their dementia care services.

• 8.370.14.69 NMAC: an assisted living facility that provides a memory care unit to serve residents with dementia shall comply with Subsections A through J in addition to all assisted living rules.
• 'Memory care unit' means an assisted living facility or part of one that provides added security, enhanced programming and staffing appropriate for residents with a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other related disorders causing memory impairments.
• Employee training: all employees assisting in providing care for memory unit residents shall have a minimum of 12 hours of training per year related to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other pertinent information, in addition to general assisted living training.
• Assessment: completed by a registered nurse or physician extender within 15 days before admission (within five days after admission for emergency placement), including an evaluation of less restrictive alternatives, the basis for admission to the secured environment, and a diagnosis from the resident's primary care practitioner of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia; re-evaluation every six months and on significant change.
• Secured environment: any locked (secured/monitored) area in which doors and fences restrict access to the public way, including double alarm systems, gates connected to the fire alarm, and tab alarms for residents at risk for elopement; locked areas need an access code or key that employees carry or that is on the locking unit at all times.
• Outdoor area: the facility shall provide a safe and secure outdoor area for year-round use, with fencing that prevents elopement, and residents must be able to reach it independently.
• Disclosure: a facility that operates a secured environment shall disclose this to the resident and legal representative before admission, including the types of diagnoses or behaviors it serves and the care, services and type of secured environment it provides.
• Staffing: sufficient trained staff to meet the additional needs of residents in the secured environment, with at least one trained staff member awake and in attendance in the secured environment at all times.
• Resident rights: a resident who believes he or she was inappropriately admitted to the secured environment may ask the facility to contact a legal guardian, an advocate such as the ombudsman, or the primary care practitioner, and the facility shall assist.
• Dementia training for long-term care facilities (8.370.11 NMAC): every direct care service staff member shall complete the state dementia training and written examination and obtain certification, within 60 days of the start of employment if hired after January 1, 2022, with four hours of continuing training every two years.

• New Mexico memory care rules

Medicaid Long-Term Care in New Mexico

New Mexico's Medicaid program is Turquoise Care (New Mexico Medicaid). For nursing home Medicaid (2026), the state lists an income limit of Income standard $2,982 and an asset limit of Resource Limit $2,000. Residents keep a personal needs allowance of Personal Needs Allowance $97 (7/1/25).

• Turquoise Care Community Benefit (Agency-Based Community Benefit and Self-Directed Community Benefit): in-home care, adult day, assisted living and respite. For members who meet a nursing facility level of care and want to live at home or in the community; it doesn't cover 24-hour care. New members must begin with the Agency-Based Community Benefit for at least 120 days. For people not already enrolled in full-coverage Medicaid: 'There is currently a registry for this program, and slots are available based on need.' Call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-432-2080 to be placed on the Central Registry.

• Turquoise Care (New Mexico Medicaid) nursing facility coverage
• New Mexico Medicaid long-term care limits

Nursing Home Inspections and Complaints in New Mexico

New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement inspects nursing homes in New Mexico for CMS. To file a complaint, call 1-800-752-8649 or use the state's complaint page.

• File a nursing home complaint in New Mexico

New Mexico Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a free, confidential advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Ombudsmen help with complaints, residents' rights and problems with care. Call 1-866-451-2901.

• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Aging Services and Caregiver Support in New Mexico

New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department runs New Mexico's aging services, delivered through local Area Agencies on Aging. Family caregivers can get help through Caregiver Support (Aging and Long-Term Services Department, through the Aging and Disability Resource Center). Adult day services are licensed or certified by New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement (8.370.20 NMAC, Requirements for Adult Day Care Facilities).

• New Mexico aging services: New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department
• Area Agencies on Aging in New Mexico
• Caregiver support in New Mexico: Caregiver Support (Aging and Long-Term Services Department, through the Aging and Disability Resource Center)
• New Mexico adult day services

Guides for Your Next Step

See how to choose a nursing home, what memory care is, how Medicaid pays for nursing home care and what Medicare covers. For local help, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Frequently Asked Questions