Assisted Living Facilities in Mexico

The rising cost of living in the U.S. and other places is making many foreigners want to retire in Mexico and stretch their dollars further.

But it’s not all about affordability, good weather, and a relaxed lifestyle. You also want to make sure you’ll get comfortable and high-quality elderly care when the time comes. 

Assisted living is becoming popular worldwide as a comfortable way to spend the later years of life.

But it may not be you that needs assisted living care. It may be an aging parent.

Many of our customers tell us that the thought of leaving an aging parent behind in the U.S. or Canada is a deal breaker for their move to Mexico. And while they wish they could live in Mexico now, they stay behind because they can’t bear the thought of leaving mom or dad alone.

But there are options for you or an aging parent/family member!

Are there assisted living facilities in Mexico?

The short answer is YES. 

They are generally available in large cities and expat-dominant areas like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, and Mérida.  

Mexicans don’t use assisted living facilities widely because the country has a family-oriented culture. It’s perfectly normal for three or four generations to live together and care for each other. But nowadays, like in other countries, assisted living and nursing homes in Mexico are becoming more popular.

You can expect the following services from assisted living facilities in Mexico:

Comfortable board and lodging:

You get to enjoy a comfortable and all-inclusive stay in a home-like environment. They will provide your meals and extras, typically adhering to any dietary and special needs.

Depending on the facility, some will have independent living onsite- which is catered to seniors who don’t need 24/7 care but do require help with things like grocery shopping, transportation to doctor’s appointments, and housekeeping. Plus, you get to live in a community instead of being isolated.

Help with day-to-day activities:

These include bathing, cleaning, laundry services, mobility assistance, and other necessary help. 

Medical assistance:

Some facilities have in-house doctors and trained nurses. Others may have doctors that make regular visits. And there are even places like La Pueblita in Lake Chapala that offer a memory care ward with specialized nurses on site 24/7.

They’ll also help you organize visits to specialists and healthcare facilities and provide transport, including emergency services.

Recreational activities:

You’ll have plenty to do with facilities for entertainment, exercise, and activities to help overall well-being. And the weather in most parts of Mexico is excellent for outdoor recreation.

You’ll also have a community for company. 

Services in English:

Many facilities cater to expats in Mexico and provide their services in English. So, don’t worry! You don’t have to know Spanish. But it’s important for you to ask these questions so you can be sure of what to expect.

Having said that, learning even a little Spanish is always a good idea. 

Cost of assisted living in Mexico

Since Mexico is one of the cheapest countries to retire, many things, including assisted living, cost much less than in the U.S.

On average, you can expect to pay USD1,000-2,000 a month for assisted living in Mexico, depending on the facility. Compare that to the U.S., where the median price for assisted living was USD 4,500 a month in 2021, according to A Place for Mom surveys.

Unfortunately, assisted living facilities in Mexico don’t accept payments from U.S. Medicare. 

You can pay your assisted living costs out of pocket. But it’s a good idea to get private health insurance in Mexico to cover you for any unexpected events if you still qualify (it gets difficult to find coverage after age 70). Expect to pay a minimum healthcare premium of around USD 1500-3000 per year if you’re in your 60s with no pre-existing health conditions.  

The next best option is Mexico’s public healthcare program, IMSS (Instituto Medico del Seguro Social), if you qualify. The IMSS has lower premiums vs. private healthcare. If you’re over 80, your annual premium in 2022 is about USD 820 or MXN 16,450.

To learn more about healthcare in Mexico, read my article, What are your healthcare options in Mexico?

Other things to consider when looking for assisted living facilities

The location

Mexico offers great connectivity to the U.S. and Canada, making it easy to visit loved ones (or for them to visit you). There are many direct flights to both countries. And if you’re in a place like Baja California, it only takes a few hours to drive into the U.S.  

Remember to check the year-round climate of the location. You don’t want to escape freezing winters and end up somewhere too hot and humid. For example, if you love mild temperatures and the outdoors, places like Mérida may not work, especially in the summer. 

Special needs

Think about what special services and assistance you or your family members going into assisted living need. It might be help with specific health conditions or personal preferences. 

If you or a family member has Alzheimer’s, a heart condition, or mobility problems- these are important factors that will help you narrow down the list of assisted living facilities to consider in Mexico.

Or you may require a special diet with special nutritional guidelines.

Review their services and ask questions to make sure you can get what you want.

The size of the place

Some older adults love a lot of company. Others prefer a smaller community. So, check the level of privacy and community in each place. 

Alternatives To Assisted Living Facilities

As mentioned, assisted living facilities in Mexico aren’t available everywhere. And they aren’t everyone’s choice. 

Hiring housekeepers is popular among many expats living in Mexico. You can also hire caregivers and even fully trained nurses to help you. That way, you can have the privacy you need and live where you want. 

Caregivers and nurses can cost you around USD500-1,500 a month, depending on your needs. Get good recommendations before hiring a caregiver or nurse. You can also hire them through an agency that offers caregiving services. 

Our Recommendations

So now that you know there are some options available to you or your aging parents in Mexico, where do you start looking for some of these assisted living facilities or senior communities in Mexico?

Below are a few of my recommendations.

La Pueblita – Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, and Ensenada

Located in the most popular areas of Mexico for retirement, this facility is top notch. They follow some of the same protocols you would see in any US or Canadian assisted living facility.

They have palliative care, assisted living, memory care, and independent living.

Casa Zoe – Chapala

Casa Zoe has a great reputation for being a comfy home providing seniors in Lake Chapala with assisted living care. They offer everything from rehab to specialized nutrition.

Ballesol Mexico – Queretaro

Ballesol is a gated community offering assisted living options in Querétaro. They offer:
Housing
Foods
Laundry
Medical assistance
Nurses 24 hours
Therapies
Recreational activities
Geriatric gymnastics

In the next five years they plan to build five centers in various cities of Mexico.

Belmont Village – Mexico City

Belmont village is a company whose main operations are in the U.S. but now have an assisted living facility in Mexico City.

Las Gardenias – Queretaro

Las Gardenias is a seniors only residential complex in Queretaro that offers medical services, meals, activities, and community.

La Casa de Las Lunas – Various Locations

With locations in over 15 states across Mexico, La Casa de Las Lunas could be a great option. Especially if you’re not planning on living in one of the most popular expat cities where these types of amenities exist.

However, they do have locations in some great places like Cancun, Cuernavaca, Puebla, San Miguel de Allende, Xalapa, and even Puerto Vallarta.

Serena- Rosarito and Tijuana

Serena Senior Care has assisted living residences in Rosarito and Tijuana dedicated to Alzheimers and dementia care.

Casa Elite – Merida

Casa Elite has everything from independent living, assisted living, and memory care on site. They offer medical services, have some English speaking staff, and meals. This is a perfect place for those who might be more independent and just want to live within a community. Or those who need extra assistance in the later part of life.

Seniors in Mexico Matter- A LOT!

Keep in mind that you’ll have other costs that come with renting or owning a place. You can also rent a larger house and share it with a few other retirees to reduce your cost of living in Mexico.  

And make sure you always have a way to get to a hospital in an emergency. 

That’s not all! 

You’re likely to get treated well in Mexico as an older adult than in many countries. Mexico has a culture of respecting and caring for the elderly, making it one of the best countries to retire. You will even get some special benefits!