Long-term care refers to more than nursing homes. A number of services are provided under that title, most of them directed at keeping seniors in their homes. New Mexico allows nursing home care to be monitored: Information about Granny cams.

Senior centers offer nourishing meals, transportation, information about community services and educational programs. They also offer programs that serve homebound individuals, such as:

Homemakers, who do light housekeeping and cooking and help individuals with bathing, toileting and other personal care, relaxing some of the pressure on caregivers and the people for whom they care.

 

Home repair services, which includes building ramps, replacing showerheads and adding grab bars. Basic upkeep, from repairing plumbing problems to yard work, reduces the demands on individuals who want to stay in their own homes.

 

Adult day care, which provides a safe environment for adults who need some supervision. These programs ease the isolation some elders and disabled individuals face because of their medical conditions.

Other programs also provide support services:

Home health providers offer physical therapy, skilled nursing care or personal care such as bathing and toileting in clients' homes.

Respite care services give caregivers a rest from the demands of long-term care so they may pursue their hobbies, handle other family matters or just get away for a little while.

Hospice programs offer medical services to ease suffering and guide families through the daily care of patients with a terminal illness.

A variety of options exists for people who cannot stay in their own homes:

Assisted living combines private apartment-like living with services delivered to people needing assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting. Click here for a list of assisted living facilities in New Mexico.

Continuing care retirement communities offer a range of housing options and services all on one campus. These communities usually consist of independent housing, assisted living and a nursing home component, which residents may move between as their needs require. Expenses are almost exclusively out-of-pocket. A large entrance fee is required and monthly rates can be costly.

Board and care homes, which can be found in residential neighborhoods, provide room, meals, help with activities of daily living and some degree of protective supervision to residents. Residents generally have physical and/or mental impairments that prevent them from being able to live independently, but they do not require skilled nursing care. It is very important to choose a board and care facility that is licensed. The cost of a board and care facility can range from $350 to $3,000 a month. If your loved one's income is very low, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program may help.

Nursing homes provide meals, activities, help with daily living and protective supervision of residents. True to their name, nursing homes offer skilled nursing care that can only be provided by a trained professional. The Aging and Long-Term Services Department cannot recommend long-term care facilities or providers.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides information on specific New Mexico long-term care facilities. This link describes problems found at nursing homes by state inspectors. The listing will not give you a complete picture of care at each facility, but it will give you a basis for comparison between facilities.

Whether you are a professional caregiver or a family member caring for a relative, you need support. Find resources here.

For more information on long-term care alternatives and long-term care insurance, visit AARP's caregiving page.

Someone to Watch Over Them

The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department provides volunteer long-term care ombudsmen who visit nursing homes and other long-term care facilities on a regular basis to assure that residents are receiving the care they deserve. Our ombudsmen can provide more information about how to select a nursing home in your area, including where to get annual inspection reports. Also, if you believe someone you know is not being treated well at a long-term care facility, you can find out who the ombudsman is by contacting the department's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program:

The ombudsman program needs more volunteers. For more information, visit Volunteer!

Report elder abuse! 1-866-654-3219 statewide.

Researchers estimate that 1 in 10 American elders suffer physical, sexual or emotional abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, abandonment or self-neglect. According to studies, neglect makes up more than 50 percent of the abuse cases.

For more information on elder abuse and how to prevent it, visit the National Center on Elder Abuse (this site contains graphic photos of elder abuse) or the Administration on Aging.