New Mexico Christian Assisted Living

New Mexico is a real mixed bag of Christian assisted living facilities, like Lakeview Christian Home, where faith is front and center, Senior Living Systems, where their commitment to faith isn’t as obvious until you see their calendar, where bible studies are listed, and secular assisted living communities that are part of a larger Christian community. Sandia View Assisted living is a good example of this, where their group of six homes are strategically located near churches, medical centers and shopping. Any of these types of assisted living centers offers seniors some excellent option to get care while enriching their personal relationship with God.

Cost of Christian Assisted Living in New Mexico

The national average and the New Mexico state average for all types of assisted living facilities, including Christian assisted living centers, are fairly equal at $4,000 and $4,100, respectively.  Albuquerque is a perfect example, with an average monthly rate that sits right in the middle of these two numbers. but there are a number of assisted living facilities that are closer to the $3,500 range. Farmington, NM, with an average rate topping $4,600 is the most expensive city in New Mexico, but even here, seniors can find budget-friendly options that are closer to $3,500 per month, so don’t let the averages sway which cities will be worth exploring.

Christian Assisted Living Communities in New Mexico - Amenities

When comparing secular assisted living facilities and Christian assisted living facilities, there are some key amenities that will leave no doubt that Christian really means Christian. In fact, there are four key amenities that define a Christian assisted living community and the care and support staff that deliver care. Seniors need to pay attention to all four of these if they are truly committed to living a spiritual life.

Christian Assisted Living in New Mexico - Religious Amenities

1. A house of worship is critically important in a Christian community and that is equally true, though on a smaller scale, when seniors explore Christian assisted living facilities. This is the chapel, and it should always be a dedicated space in the center where services are held, where activities are organized, and where residents can come any time to sit and talk with God. This should not be a shared space that may or may not be available when needed. God and faith don’t operate on a schedule so the chapel can’t operate that way either.
2. A Christian community is like a flock and as every knows, a flock needs a dedicated Shepherd to guide and protect them. In a Christian community this is the pastor, and even in the small communities that exist in Christian assisted living centers, this pastor is critically important. Like the chapel, the pastor or a member of his or her ministry team must always be available to counsel and comfort those in need.
3. The nature of the physical care seniors will receive in an assisted living environment can become extremely personal and potentially embarrassing, especially if seniors is made to feel like they are burdensome or annoying. Faithful care teams, that are guided by the Christian tenants of love, compassion, understanding and patience, will have no problem bring these qualities to the care they provide, and it is for this reason that Christian living facilities are so effective.
4. As with most everything in life that is good, work is required. The good must be earned and that is even more the case when God’s blessings are hoped for. The faithful must make the effort to learn more about their Christian faith and focus more diligently on practicing that faith. Activities offered in Christian communities and Christian living facilities help seniors achieve that deeper understanding and focus through activities like bible studies, prayer meetings, ministry programs, outreach programs and various forms of volunteerism.

Christian Assisted Living in New Mexico - General Amenities

It all starts with ADL’s or Assisted Daily Living services. These include help with all forms of personal hygiene, like bathing, grooming and dressing. They help seniors stay mobile too so they need not miss any of the good things that will be happening around them. For those dealing with incontinence, there are therapies that help keep things under control. Medications are managed so outcomes can be improved. Health is monitored so any issues can be caught and referred to physicians early, so they don’t become major barriers to an active life. These are the basics in assisted living facilities, and when well delivered, these ADL’s have a dramatic impact on the quality of life their residents enjoy.

Assisted living facilities deal with daily housekeeping, laundry, linen changes and all of the maintenance in and around the home. That means seniors get a free pass when it comes most any form of daily drudgery.

Alzheimer’s patients require a different level of care that goes beyond the ADL’s, with the addition of memory care. This starts with a section of the assisted living center that is more secure, better organized, and less distracting. In this space, seniors receive therapies, like music and pet therapies that help them get reconnected with loved ones, while they regain the ability to develop new memories and new skills. These seniors are treated as people that continue to be and will always be valuable members of the community, for just as long as possible.

Meals are served three times a day, and while many assisted living facilities offer in-room dining, one of the best parts of these meals is the opportunity to join friends around the table, in a fine dining room, because even the best food tastes better when it’s share with others. The actual food is excellent too. Dishes are set out on diverse menus, full of great comfort foods and gourmet creations. They are prepared by professional chefs. They are guided by trained dieticians.

Before and after meals, there are activities that fill each day with fun and excitement. Assisted living centers have activity organizers. First, they get to know what each resident enjoys doing and then they develop activities that tap into their favorites. These often include arts & crafts, gardening, indoor and outdoor games, fitness programs, entertainment, music and movie nights. For even more diversity, they add all sorts of educational opportunities, community outings, interactive community programs, like mentoring for the youth and small businesses. No one needs to be bored in the assisted living centers.

Seniors do not give up privacy when the transition into an assisted living facility. They simply downsize into a private apartment that becomes their new home. Floor plans typically include one-and two-bedroom suites and studio apartments, with monthly rates set based on the living space selected. For seniors that are happy to share and working to stretch a tight budget, some of these facilities also offer semi-private suites that are shared by 2 or 4 seniors.

Christian assisted living in New Mexico has a good mix of faith-based choices, at prices that pretty reasonable, so there should be something for every senior looking for a Christian assisted living facility that can care for both their physical and spiritual wellbeing.