Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Albuquerque, New Mexico
2 of 18 nursing homes in Albuquerque (11%) meet our strict criteria. The New Mexico statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 5 caution · 11 avoid · data
City Average
3.3
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
2,263
across 18 facilities
High Risk Facilities
11
8 Grade F
$1,356,144 in combined fines
Zero Fines
4
/18
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
42 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shows an adequate overall quality, with 18 total facilities and only 2 recommended (11%). Families should be cautious, as 11 facilities have accumulated $1,271,814 in fines, highlighting the need for thorough research before selecting a care option.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 South Valley Care Center LLC (90) — Outstanding 5★ facility with a Trust Score of 90/100 and an impressive Grade A, demonstrating exceptional care quality. With zero fines and a capacity of 62 beds, South Valley Care Center LLC prioritizes individual attention, making it a leading choice for residents seeking personalized care.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 2 La Vida Llena (80) — La Vida Llena shines as a 5★ non-profit facility with a Trust Score of 80/100 and a Grade B+, emphasizing community-focused care. Having incurred no fines and offering 50 beds, it provides a supportive environment that fosters both resident well-being and social engagement.
The other 16 Albuquerque facilities didn't qualify — 11 carry Grade D or F ratings and 14 have fines totaling $1.4M.
Recommended
Outstanding 5★ facility with a Trust Score of 90/100 and an impressive Grade A, demonstrating exceptional care quality. With zero fines and a capacity of 62 beds, South Valley Care Center LLC prioritizes individual attention, making it a leading choice for residents seeking personalized care.
La Vida Llena shines as a 5★ non-profit facility with a Trust Score of 80/100 and a Grade B+, emphasizing community-focused care. Having incurred no fines and offering 50 beds, it provides a supportive environment that fosters both resident well-being and social engagement.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Also Worth Considering
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Albuquerque Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.34 | 0.70 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.3 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 8 | 48.2 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 16?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 8 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 14 Have fines totaling $1,356,144
- Low-scoring facilities
- 7 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 5 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Albuquerque Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Albuquerque's city average is 3.3 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
14 of 18 Albuquerque facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Albuquerque avg is 42 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Albuquerque facilities average 48.2 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Looking for options in Albuquerque? These nearby cities also have recommended facilities
Albuquerque at a Glance
Good News
- 2 facilities meet our strict criteria — 11% of the market
- 1 exceptional A-grade facility with 5-star CMS ratings
- 4 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 8 facilities carry Grade F — nearly half the market
- $1.4M+ in total fines across 14 facilities
- Worst facility has $303K in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 37.5 (dragged down by 8 F-grades)
- 89% for-profit, 11% non-profit, 0% government
- 48.2 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Albuquerque, NM are recommended?
2 of 18 nursing homes in Albuquerque (11%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Albuquerque "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Albuquerque?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.