Aging Department Marks Year of Expanded Services for Seniors in New Mexico
State Agency Press Release – From the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department
SANTA FE – In 2025, the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department advanced a wide range of policies, programs, and partnerships to help older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers across the state live with dignity and independence.
“This past year we focused on building systems that work better, reach farther, and put people first,” said Emily Kaltenbach, Aging cabinet secretary. “Every one of these actions reflects what we hear directly from older adults and caregivers: people want support that is accessible, respectful, and rooted in culture and community.”
Key areas where the department delivered for New Mexicans in 2025 include:
- Expanded volunteer supports through the Community Care Corps Program to grow volunteer driver, chore, and companionship services.
- Helped pass the Supported Decision-Making Act to advance legislation that gives older adults and people with disabilities another alternative to guardianship and greater legal autonomy in decision-making.
- Launched a redesigned and accessible website that provides a more user-friendly interface with improved navigation to help New Mexicans more easily find services.
- Supported the senior summer SNAP supplement with the Health Care Authority to provide extra grocery funds to more than 29,000 older adults and adults with disabilities.
- Advanced statewide Alzheimer’s awareness and support with the “Take Action. Talk” campaign, the passing of House Memorial 53, and free monthly training webinars through the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
- Reactivated the Long-Term Care Division for the first time since fiscal year 2012, to better coordinate caregiver efforts, including New MexiCare, Veterans-Directed Care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services, Care Transitions, and Kinship Caregiving.
- Expanded the New MexiCare program to all 33 New Mexico counties, providing financial relief and training support for 533 New Mexicans since the program began in May 2024.
- Submitted and received federal approval for the 2024-2029 State Plan on Aging, outlining the department’s goals for the future, with a focus on strengthening home and community-based services, abuse prevention, Tribal coordination, and supports for caregivers and underserved populations.
- Secured the competitive $1.2 million federal lifespan respite grant placing New Mexico as one of only eight states selected to expand community-based respite services and support caregiver training statewide.
- Organized the 47th annual New Mexico Conference on Aging, returning to Glorieta for an expanded three-day event featuring workshops, activities and connection for more than 1,445 New Mexicans from 27 of the state’s 33 counties.
- Launched the Kinship Caregiver Pilot Program in Rio Arriba and San Juan counties to support grandparents and other kin raising children with navigation services, legal supported and limited monthly stipends, with additional counties to follow in Spring 2026.
- Served over 3.8 million meals to older adults at 210 senior service sites across the state.
The department looks forward to continuing to serve the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers in the year to come.
For more information or help with resources, visit aging.nm.gov or call (800) 432-2080.