The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Santa Fe, NM for 2023

Twenty percent of the 83,776 residents in Santa Fe, the state capital of New Mexico, are over 65 years of age, compared to almost 17 percent seniors  statewide. The Alzheimer’s Association projects that 39,000 of them have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and for those living in Santa Fe, there are two memory care facilities to serve them. 

The Alzheimer’s facilities in Santa Fe are normally a component of assisted living facilities for adults (ALFAs), which is how the state of New Mexico licenses them. Santa Fe has long been a destination for retirees and tourists because of its climate, scenery and culture. Some become permanent residents for these reasons so they can age in place.

• With an elevation of 7,200 feet, the city has a four-season climate. July temperatures average 86 degrees by day. The coldest temperatures occur overnight in January with 19 degrees as the average low. Spring and fall have mild daytime temperatures with chilly nights. Winter's challenges are offset by plentiful sunshine that melts the 25 inches of snow Santa Fe typically gets. Since the weather usually warms between storms, seniors are less vulnerable to snowy and icy streets, sidewalks and parking lots.
  
•  People in Santa Fe are more likely to be victims of property crimes than they are elsewhere in the United States. The normal incidence rate of a property crime is 38.1 per 100 in the United States and 65.8 per 100 in Santa Fe. Violent crime occurs much less often in Santa Fe, with an index of 37.5 compared to the U.S. rate of 31.1. 
  
• The cost of living in Santa Fe exceeds the national average, with costs largely driven up by the high price of housing. The median home value in this city is $332,900 compared to $216,200 nationally. However, health-care costs sit below the national average, which is fortunate for seniors. Between the high value of their homes and the lower cost of medical care, seniors who need dementia or Alzheimer’s care have an advantage.
  
• Santa Fe is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Presbyterian Hospital and Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Santa Fe

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

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

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.

Santa Fe and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in a memory care community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free memory care resources in Santa Fe, please visit our Memory Care in New Mexico page.

Santa Fe-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.