Albuquerque Memory Care Community

Programs & Services Offered:

Alzheimer's and Memory Care

"We have promised ourselves that we shall always treat our residents as we would our own loved ones. Nothing less than our best will do."

This is a simple promise that the staff at The Cottages - and throughout Emeritus Senior Living communities - has shared since 1996, when our memory care community first opened its doors. It's a simple promise to be compassionate and kind, understanding and respectful - a promise to become extended family to the seniors entrusted in our care and to our retirees who have chosen our community.

The Perfect Location

The Cottages are conveniently located in the far North East Heights area of Albuquerque, just at the base of the Sandia Mountains. A variety of shopping, banks and restaurants are close by – and downtown Albuquerque is a quick drive west straight across Montgomery Blvd., then south on I-25/I-85.

When families visit, there are lots of activities close by, including the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, from which they can see the entire expanse of Albuquerque. The tram travels nearly three miles over deep canyons and breathtaking terrain. Watching the sunset from the observation deck atop the 10,378-foot Sandia Peak affords an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment.

The Cottages is a quick 20-minute drive into downtown and to Albuquerque’s Historic Old Town, with its wonderful shops, restaurants, museums and hotels lining the plaza. And Santa Fe is just about an hour from our community.
Should residents’ health needs require more intensive care, there is a skilled nursing home just down the street from our community.

A Wonderful Selection

With a total of 31 private and shared studios, we can accommodate up to 54 residents. And in fact, most of our residents share rooms, benefiting from the companionship of each other. This helps alleviates feelings of isolation, which in turn can minimize depression. Each room includes a bed, chest of drawers and night stand for each resident. In addition, there’s either a private bath or one bath shared between two rooms. All of our studios offer views — many look out onto the courtyard, and from some studios, the mountains can be seen in the distance. The monthly rent also includes linen service, three meals a day plus snacks, a full schedule of planned activities, all utilities (except phone and cable), individually controlled heating and air-conditioning, a 24-hour emergency response system and access to our own beauty salon.

Our memory care community is divided into two cottages. Each cottage offers spacious living and dining areas. (Cottage #1 has two dining rooms, allowing our higher functioning residents to eat separately.) The décor takes residents back to the past – an antique radio, Singer sewing machine, hanging quilts, mismatched furniture and lots of knick-knacks are reminiscent of a traditional grandparent’s home – much like theirs, perhaps!

Our floor plan allows residents to wander. Inside are wide hallways that go in a circular fashion, so that residents can easily make their way back to where they started. They can also wander outside into our secured courtyard, which is beautifully landscaped with pathways, flower beds, gazebos and benches. Everything is done for a reason – but most especially to give residents a sense of freedom and independence, all within a safe environment over which our staff keeps careful watch.

Strong, Caring Professional Relationships

We can bring in outside physical and occupational therapists as necessary, as well as podiatrists. Services are provided either in the resident’s room or in one of our common areas – whatever works best for the resident. We’ve had great success with our therapists; in fact, one of our residents couldn’t walk without a walker when he first moved in.
Thanks to a combination of physical and occupational therapy, and the support of our staff, he was able to walk on his own after being here for just a month. We can also bring in Hospice as necessary. Typically we give our families three different hospice agencies to choose from. Counselors also can be provided, along with the services of a chaplain, should our family members need support during their loved one’s final days.

Our Staff

Our staff is extremely friendly and devoted to residents. In fact, some have been here since our community opened in 1996. They stay for one simple reason: they love the residents. Yes, it can be challenging, but at the same time, helping people who are in such need can be extremely rewarding. Each resident is so different – and Alzheimer’s affects each person differently. A resident who may have been difficult in his younger years, might turn into the sweetest person in the world – and vice versa. Our staff receives extensive training by our Resident Care Director and understands how to handle residents who may be exhibiting “behaviors.”

Our staff has an extraordinary amount of compassion and patience. We were pleased when one of our family members told us that their loved one chose our community because “we had real heart.” Another family member noted that she always saw everyone hugging each other. We attribute this to all of our staff members, including our Executive Director, Community Relations Director, Life Enrichment Director, Resident Services Director, Business Office Director, Dining Services Director and staff and, last but not least, our terrific Housekeeping Director and staff.

See more of our communities that offer assisted living services in New Mexico.