What to Consider About Memory Care in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, which is situated in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, is home to nearly 560,000 people, roughly 14 percent of which are over the age of 65.  As the largest city in a state where it’s estimated that 34,000 people have Alzheimer’s, Albuquerque has 13 memory care facilities and another five in communities nearby.

In Albuquerque, as in all of the state, memory care facilities are housed in assisted living facilities, which are officially known as Assisted Living Facilities for Adults. Assisted living facilities with memory care units must meet additional requirements in areas like staffing, employee training, assessments, security and resident rights. These facilities are licensed and monitored by the New Mexico Department of Health, Division of Health Improvement, Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau. 

• Albuquerque has a dry climate with hot summers and short, cold winters. The year-round temperatures range from 27 degrees to 93 degrees Fahrenheit and there are approximately 280 sunny days each year, making the region well-suited for those who enjoy being outdoors.  
• Albuquerque is tied for 1st place for the country’s cleanest metropolitan areas for 24-hour particle pollution and ranks 94 out of 227 for high ozone days, according to the American Lung Association. The city’s clean air may be beneficial for seniors who suffer from respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses.  
• New Mexico is among the few states that tax Social Security income, as well as all other forms of retirement income. However, there is a deduction for seniors whose income is below a certain limit. 
• Albuquerque is an affordable city for seniors in memory care, with an overall cost of living that is slightly below the U.S. average. Healthcare expenses are approximately 12 percent below the national average, which may allow more room in the budget for memory care services.