The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Sandoval County, NM for 2024

Sandoval County in New Mexico has a population of approximately 142,500 residents, 17.1 percent of whom are age 65 or older, the age at which Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia can start to set in. Sandoval County boasts nearly two dozen memory care facilities with most of them being located in Rio Rancho.

Special memory care units in Sandoval County and the rest of New Mexico are housed in Assisted Living Facilities for Adults (ALFs) and are regulated by the New Mexico Department of Health, Division of Health Improvement, Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau.

• Sandoval County's cost of living is 3.10 percent higher than the U.S. average, which may be tough for families with limited funds for memory care. The largest increases are seen in housing and transportation costs. However, healthcare and grocery costs are lower than average. Families hoping to relocate to the area to be closer to a loved one in care might want to keep the higher housing costs in mind.
  
• Seniors who feel better when the sun is shining will love Sandoval County’s comfortable and dry year-round climate. With approximately 278 sunny days per year and only 14 inches of annual rainfall, there’s ample time for relaxing outdoors in nature. Summer highs can reach 90 degrees in July, while January brings a low of 19 degrees.
  
• Despite New Mexico’s high crime rate, Sandoval County has a violent and property crime rate more in line with the U.S. average. On a scale of one to 100 with one being safest, the county’s 30.8 property crime rate is lower than the national average of 38.1. The county's violent crime rate of 35.4 is a bit higher than the U.S. average of 31.1. Many memory care facilities protect residents with alarm systems, surveillance cameras and other security equipment.
  
• Sandoval County offers seniors a few choices in hospitals and medical centers, including UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and LovelaceWestside Hospital, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Memory Care costs in Sandoval County start around $5,930 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Sandoval County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in New Mexico page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in New Mexico page.

Sandoval County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in New Mexico are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in New Mexico page for more information about these laws.