An assisted living center is a residential living and medical care facility for people who may need help with daily needs such as bathing, grooming, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and food preparation—and who may need some medical care or assistance with medication management—but not the degree of medical care provided by a nursing home. Assisted living centers are designed for senior citizens who are no longer capable of living alone but who want to enjoy some independence and the social aspects of group dining, activities, and outings to local places and events.

In New Mexico, assisted living facilities, also known as assisted living centers or adult residential care facilities, are regulated by the New Mexico Department of Health. These facilities provide a combination of housing, personalized supportive services, and health care designed to meet the needs of people who require assistance with the activities of daily living. The regulations for assisted living facilities in New Mexico are designed to promote resident dignity, autonomy, independence, privacy, choice, and safety. They set standards for care, services, staffing, and the physical environment. Assisted living centers in New Mexico are not intended to provide the intensive medical and nursing care available in a nursing home, but they do offer a level of care that includes assistance with medications, daily activities, and some health services. The state requires these facilities to be licensed and to comply with specific operational guidelines, including staff training, resident assessment and care planning, and health and safety standards.