New Mexico Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in New Mexico

As a senior adult, you might desire to live your golden years in pace, without the burden of house chores. In this situation, you might want to consider moving into a continuing care retirement community. These communities welcome adults who are over 55 or 62, with a reasonable state of health and a certain level of financial independence.

You might have heard that CCRCs offer a continuum of care to its residents, wondering what that actually means. CCRC residents can begin with independent living, with no additional assistance being necessary. Over time and as their needs change, seniors can transition to assisted living, skilled nursing, or memory care.

Each retirement community in NM has its own provisions and admittance criteria, but generally they all follow the age requirement. They might reject someone who suffers from chronic health conditions and those who are unable to meet the financial demands. Additional criteria might be included, for instance there are many communities which require a long-term insurance plan, such as Medicare.

In New Mexico, there are about 28 continuing care retirement communities. These can be found in the following locations: Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fee. CCRCs can be owned by corporations or churches, being divided into for-profit and non-profit retirement communities. Private-public partnerships can be established for the development of new CCRCs.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in New Mexico - financing and costs

Senior adults often like to plan ahead, especially when it comes to a decision such as moving into a retirement community. Some decide to sell their home and use the respective funds to cover the substantial entrance fee, while others rely on their retirement funds, various savings or assets. Financial eligibility is a serious matter, so it is for the best to consult an expert attorney before committing to a CCRC contract.

The entrance for New Mexico CCRCs varies between $80,000 and $750,000. It is worth mentioning that the respective value is often determined by contract, location and services offered. As for the monthly fees, these can begin at $1,500 and reach $4,500. Please note that the fees for skilled nursing care are usually higher, going as far as $7,000. The national average, for comparison purposes, is around $2,500.

Knowing these costs will help you better prepare for the decision lying ahead. Even though some CCRCs require Medicare or other long-term insurance plans, it is important to remember that these do not cover the respective costs. The only exception refers to skilled nursing, where such policies can cover up to 100 days of care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in New Mexico - care levels and services

Every continuing care retirement community offers several levels of care, starting with independent living. Prospective residents can move into the housing unit of their choice, with access to the on-site services and amenities. While living on their own, they might require little to no assistance.

Assisted living is recommended when the resident in question is unable to handle daily living activities on his/her own. For instance, he/she might need help getting dressed, bathing, eating, or using the toilet. Some healthcare demands might also be covered in this level. However, should one's health take a turn for the worse, the transition to skilled nursing care is advised. Memory care remains the level suited to those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

The transition to a new level of care, whether temporary or permanent, is not a spontaneous decision. On the contrary, it comes after a careful assessment of the respective resident, usually performed by the expert staff. Aside from the current healthcare needs, one might also evaluate the level of independence and how big the risk of injuries might be. In some cases, the need to change the care level might be obvious; for instance, a resident might no longer be able to feed himself/herself.

What about the services included? The main idea behind a continuing care retirement community was to deliver a high standard of living. Thus, these are some of the services you might find on the premises: housekeeping, general maintenance, 24/7 security, Internet, cable, telephone, linen and laundry service, emergency call system, transportation to/from medical appointments, guest admissions, etc.

CCRC in New Mexico - amenities and options

The housing units within each CCRC are often available in the form of one or two-bedroom apartments, cottages or townhouses. Prospective residents can choose a housing unit that suits not only their needs but also their budget. They can move alone or live together with their partners; even when their health needs become different and they might transition to a new level of care, they will remain within the same campus. As for pets, many CCRCs accept furry friends nowadays, so all you have to do is ask about their policy.

The amenities offered within the retirement community are meant to help residents enjoy their golden years to the maximum. Some are dedicated to physical fitness, such as: swimming pool, golf course, tennis court, fitness and wellness center, yoga studio, etc. Others will help one stay sharp, including: learning center, continuous education programs, university attendance. Additional amenities may include: religious service, social clubs, woodworking, art studio, and hair salon.

What are some positives and negatives of moving into a CCRC in New Mexico?

Moving into a New Mexico CCRC might be one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. For this reason, you should perform a thorough research first and never rush into committing to a particular community. Here are some pros and cons to help you out.

Pros of moving to a CCRC in NM

Independent living within a community of like-minded individuals

Transition to higher levels of care when needed

Expert medical and personal assistance on campus

Emergency call system for major health events (stroke, heart attack, etc.)

Specialized care and 24/7 supervision for dementia patients

Cons of moving to a CCRC in NM

Lack of age diversity can be bothersome, especially if you are used to being around people who have various ages

Certain restrictions might apply, causing you to feel frustrated

You might miss your family and friends, longing after your old lifestyle

Not all CCRCs offer life-care contracts

Higher levels of care require additional fees to be paid in some cases