2026 Legislature
Meet the New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department
At the heart of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department’s mission is the belief that New Mexico’s older adults and adults with disabilities have the right to remain active participants in their communities, to age with respect and dignity, to be protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and to have equal access to health care. The Department is a leader in developing programs and building partnerships that support lifelong independence and healthy aging.
WHO WE ARE
New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) has provided connection, resources, and advocacy for older people and adults with disabilities since 2004.
- The national award-winning Adult Protective Services Division investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults 18 years and older.
- Our Aging Network oversees programs that impact older adults including senior services, food security, employment opportunities, capital outlay funding, and connection to services provided by New Mexico’s Area Agencies on Aging.
- The Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), within the Consumer and Elder Rights Division, represents one piece of a nationwide system dedicated to helping people find resources and connecting them with services designed to facilitate healthful, independent living.
- New Mexico’s 23 Tribes, Pueblos and Nations are served and supported by the Office of Indian Elder Affairs (OIEA). OIEA operates the Indian Area Agency on Aging and works with the Navajo Nation Department of Health’s Division of Aging and Long-Term Care Support. OIEA and its partners strive to develop a comprehensive, coordinated service system that includes tribal senior and adult day service centers.
- Residents, families, friends, and caregivers put their trust in long-term care facilities. They expect and have a right to safe environments that meet standards of care and provide a quality of life. New Mexico Long-Term Care Ombudsman spend time in facilities meeting with residents and management, offering an avenue for expressing and resolving concerns.
- Long-Term Care (LTC) programs provide supports and services to individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living due to aging, chronic illness, disability, or other conditions. These programs help individuals maintain their quality of life, maximize their independence, and ensure safety.
Agency Overview
Programmatic Areas
- Adult Protective Services: Investigating abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation for adults eighteen and over.
- Aging Network: Contracting of direct services through AAA’s for employment, healthy aging, meals & nutrition, and transportation.
- Office of Indian Elder Affairs: Leading efforts to support Native elders by managing tribal relationships, administering state contracts, and providing outreach and technical services.
- Consumer & Elder Rights: Assisting elders, persons with disabilities and caregivers to find the services and resources they need.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Advocating for long-term care residents’ rights and ensuring they receive the care they deserve.
- Long-Term Care Services: Providing caregiver, care transition, Alzheimer’s & dementia, and veteran’s services.
Agency Mission
To provide accessible, integrated services to older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers, to assist in maintaining their independence, dignity, health, safety, and economic well-being, thereby empowering them to live independently in their own communities as productively as possible.
New Mexico Aging Landscape at a Glance
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Budget Request
Adult Protective Services Division
$1.5 million
Fund 10-13 unfunded full-time Investigative Caseworkers,and Supervisors for APS,permanently.
Aging Network Division
$5.5 million
An additional 30-35 employment slots for the Senior Employment Program.
To strengthen direct services to Aging Network and to increase participation & attendance at senior centers, including a targeted investment for elders of Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations.
Operational
$1.2 million
Fixed cost increases in audit, vehicle leases, DoITexpenses, GSD increases, and increases in fringe health benefits.
Special Budget Request
Outreach and Public Communication
$1 million
For the promotion of department services, supports access, and educational outreach to connect the aging population and their caregivers to available resources.
EMERGENCY Preparedness
$600 K
Emergencies, disaster preparedness and urgent supplemental programmatic needs.
Conference on Aging
$1 million
The New Mexico Conference on Aging is the state’s premier annual free and low-cost event celebrating, educating, and empowering older adults, caregivers, advocates, and professionals.
KIKI Saavedra senior dignity Fund – Lifeline funding for NM aging population
The Kiki Saavedra Senior Dignity Fund provides vital resources to address the most pressing needs of older adults, such as transportation, nutrition, health care, and caregiving.
Amount ALTSD is authorized to spend $2,275,000/fiscal year in base budget.
Remaining Fund Balance: $11,591,366
FY27 – Section 10 & 5 Request:
$10,000,000 to Kiki Fund
FY27 Priorities:
Behavioral Health
Food Access/Quality, including NM Grown
Caregiving Support
Care Transition/Navigation Support
Legislative Performance Measure Highlights FY25
Adult Protective Services
GAINING MORE OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE LIVING LONGER
New Mexico’s 65+ age category is projected to have the greatest growth of any age group, increasing by more than 80,000 between 2020 – 2040.
Catron, Harding, and Sierra Counties have the highest percentages of adults 60+.
An estimated 525 centenarians live here, a 28% increase from 2020 (410 centenarians).
42% of New Mexico seniors have an annual income of less than $40k.
9% of New Mexico seniors have an annual income of less than $10k
A 2024 Older Adults Needs Assessment by UNM showed that 78% of aging service providers reported challenges in recruiting direct service employees.
Aging network
- 20% of older New Mexicans with high nutritional risk received meals through aging network programs, 3% over the target of 17%
- Over 220,000 hours of caregiver support provided through volunteer programs during FY24, exceeding the target of 167,000 hours.
Consumer and Elder Rights
- Received over 10,000 calls, representing an over 2,000 call increase since the 3rd quarter (average of 165 calls per day).
- Satisfactorily resolved 94% of calls in a single contact, exceeding our target of 90%.
- Constituents who accessed referred services within 30 days remained steady at 100%, exceeding the target of 90%.
Long-Term Care ombudsman Program
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- During the 4th quarter of FY24, 99% of residents remain in the community for six months following a nursing facility transition, exceeding the goal of 90%.
- 46% of long-term care facilities were visited by members of the long-term care ombudsman program, exceeding our target of 40%.
- 100% of complaints were resolved within 60 days
Office of Indian Elder Affairs
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- Assisted Tribal Elders and their families by providing information about available support services and resources.
- Advocates for and facilitating state general funding allocations, IAAA/NAAA contract management of state general funds, technical assistance, advocacy and training.
STEPS FORWARD FROM FY25
Internal Strategic Alignment
To ensure continuity of care for our elders and adults with disabilities – Prevention, Intervention, and Long-term services and supports.
Re-launched the Long-Term Care Division in July 2025
Elevating the Aging Lens
across state agencies.
NM Conference on Aging had participation from 14 state departments
Development of an NM Aging Roadmap
Expansion of Senior Services
Setting the goal to serve 30% of eligible seniors across divisions
Currently serving 22% of eligible seniors
Aging Network saw an overall 46% increase in core OAA services
Protecting Elder Rights
Ombudsman volunteer program grew by 80%
APS reports increased by 6.4%
Increased Investment for Elders of Tribes, Pueblos & Nations
12% increase in investments in TPN operated senior services
Commitment to Caregiving
Increased enrollment by over 200% from the previous year
3-year Lifespan Respite Care federal grant awarded
Get Involved
Find Your Legislator
Follow this link to the New Mexico State Legislature directory Learn More
2026 Senior Day at the State Capitol
Hosted by the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, Senior Day at the Legislature is a vital annual event that highlights the importance of seniors in shaping the future of our state.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers help ALTSD with a variety of program initiatives and have a direct impact on improving the quality of life of aging adults or adults with disabilities.