Area Agencies on Aging in New Mexico

Last Updated on February 16, 2025 by Rachel

Structure of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in New Mexico

New Mexico operates a system of 4 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), each serving a multi-county region. These agencies are primarily responsible for coordinating aging services under the Older Americans Act (OAA) and state funding, ensuring that older adults in New Mexico have access to essential services like nutrition programs, transportation, and case management. New Mexico’s AAAs do not typically provide direct services themselves; rather, they contract with local providers who deliver these services to older adults in their respective regions.

The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) oversees the network of AAAs. This department administers funding from both federal and state sources, sets policy, and provides technical assistance to the AAAs. Additionally, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) provides additional oversight and coordination in specific areas, particularly with Medicaid services.

Key Aspects of New Mexico’s AAA Structure

1. 4 Regional AAAs:
   • New Mexico has 4 regional AAAs, which cover multiple counties within each region.
   • This structure allows for a more regionalized approach to aging services, although it serves a broader geographic area compared to states that have AAAs for each county.
   • Each AAA is responsible for coordinating services in their region but does not typically provide those services directly.
2. Oversight by the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD):
   • The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) manages the AAAs, allocates funding, and ensures that all services comply with state and federal requirements.
   • ALTSD works with federal agencies, including the Administration for Community Living (ACL), to administer Older Americans Act funding and state-funded programs.
   • ALTSD also coordinates with other state departments, such as the Department of Health (DOH), to ensure that Medicaid and Medicare services are well-integrated into the aging network.
3. AAAs Provide Service Coordination and Advocacy:
   • New Mexico’s AAAs primarily coordinate services, working with local service providers that offer direct services to older adults.
   • Services coordinated by the AAAs include nutrition programs, transportation, caregiver support, case management, health and wellness programs, and long-term care ombudsman services.
   • While the AAAs themselves do not provide direct services, they are integral in connecting older adults with appropriate resources and advocating for their needs at the state level.
4. Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Network:
   • Like many other states, New Mexico integrates Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) into its AAA system.
   • These centers provide a single access point for information and referrals related to aging and disability services. ADRCs help older adults and individuals with disabilities navigate long-term care options, Medicaid, and other available services.
   • ADRCs are typically co-located within AAA offices or work in close partnership with them, streamlining service delivery across aging and disability programs.
5. Services Provided by AAAs Include:
   • Meals on Wheels and congregate meal programs
   • Transportation services for medical appointments and social activities
   • Case management to help seniors access necessary services
   • Caregiver support services, including respite care
   • Health promotion programs, such as exercise classes and chronic disease self-management
   • Long-term care ombudsman services to advocate for residents in nursing homes and other long-term care settings
   • Legal assistance and Medicare counseling (SHIP program)
   • Home care services (where available), provided in partnership with other state-funded programs
6. Focus on Aging in Place and Community-Based Services:
   • New Mexico places a significant emphasis on helping seniors age in place, meaning living in their homes and communities for as long as possible, rather than moving to institutional care.
   • The state has developed Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to support seniors who prefer to live at home. This is consistent with national trends that prioritize home-based care over institutional care.
   • Programs like Medicaid’s Long-Term Care Waiver allow seniors to receive in-home care services funded by the state, enabling them to avoid or delay nursing home placements.

Comparison with Other States

Similarities:

1. Federal and State-Funded Programs:
   • Like most states, New Mexico’s AAAs operate under the Older Americans Act (OAA), with funding from both federal and state sources.
   • This ensures that core services, such as nutrition programs, transportation, and caregiver support, are available for seniors in New Mexico, just as they are in other states.
2. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs):
   • New Mexico’s integration of ADRCs into its AAA system mirrors trends in other states such as North Carolina and Wisconsin, where ADRCs serve as one-stop shops for both aging and disability services.
   • Many states have adopted the ADRC model as a way to simplify access to long-term care and reduce the complexity for consumers navigating various programs.
3. Emphasis on Aging in Place:
   • Like other states such as Oregon and Minnesota, New Mexico places a strong emphasis on aging in place, providing services and support to help older adults remain in their homes rather than moving to nursing homes.
   • This aligns with the broader national trend of home- and community-based services (HCBS), which are often more cost-effective and preferred by seniors.
4. Multi-County Regional Model:
   • New Mexico’s regional AAA model, where each agency serves a multi-county region, is similar to states like Missouri and Kansas, where multiple counties or regions are grouped together under one AAA.
   • This model is typically used in less populated states, where covering smaller areas with individual AAAs may be inefficient.

Differences:

1. Smaller Number of AAAs (4 Regional AAAs):
   • New Mexico operates with only 4 regional AAAs, which contrasts with states like California and Texas, where each AAA covers a larger number of counties, or Massachusetts, which has 25 AAAs.
   • While fewer AAAs might offer economies of scale and reduced administrative overhead, it may also result in less localized oversight compared to states with more AAAs serving individual counties or smaller areas.
2. Multi-County Coverage:
   • Unlike states like New Jersey, where each of its 21 AAAs serves a single county, New Mexico has fewer AAAs that cover larger areas.
   • This can make service coordination more complex, as the needs of seniors in urban vs. rural areas may vary widely, requiring the AAA to balance resources across diverse regions.
3. State-Run Structure vs. Independent AAAs:
   • New Mexico’s AAAs are state-run and overseen by the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD), providing a more centralized system compared to states like Florida and Illinois, where AAAs often operate independently.
   • This state-run model ensures uniformity in program implementation but may offer less flexibility for local AAAs to tailor services to regional needs.
4. Integration with Medicaid and Long-Term Care Programs:
   • In New Mexico, Medicaid long-term care services are integrated into the state’s aging services network, with a focus on home and community-based care. This integration is more streamlined than in states like Texas, where Medicaid long-term care services are managed by private insurance companies.
   • New Mexico’s state oversight and integration of Medicaid services provide stronger coordination, which can result in a more efficient and comprehensive aging services system.

Conclusion

New Mexico’s aging services network, with 4 regional AAAs, serves as an important structure for providing support to older adults throughout the state. While similar to other states in its use of federal and state funding and ADRCs, New Mexico distinguishes itself by its regional AAA model and state-run oversight.

The state’s focus on aging in place and home- and community-based services aligns with national trends and mirrors the priorities of other states such as Minnesota and Oregon. However, New Mexico’s model differs from larger states like California and Texas, where there are more AAAs or privately managed systems.

Ultimately, New Mexico’s aging services structure provides regionalized support that reflects the state’s commitment to coordinated care, aging in place, and integration with Medicaid long-term care services, providing that older adults have access to the resources they need to live independently.

 

List of Area Agencies on Aging in New Mexico