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Santa Fe In Home Care Services
The State of New Mexico does not have a
licensing provision for non-medical,
in-home care services (sometimes referred to
as "personal services agencies or
homemaker services"). However, just because
there are no formal state license
requirements for non-medical, in-home care
agencies in New Mexico does not mean the
industry is completely unregulated.

Definition and Qualifications

The State of New Mexico indirectly
characterizes both the definition and the
qualifications for a non-medical, in-home
caregiver within their breakdown of state
licensing requirements for New Mexico Home Health Agencies. (This information can be found in
New Mexico Administrative Code Title 7, Chapter 28, Part 2: "Requirements for Home Health
Agencies".)
In the context of the New Mexico Administrative Code, a caregiver providing non-medical, in-
home supportive services is defined as a "homemaker".
The employment qualifications set down for a homemaker working for a licensed Home Health
Agency are having "successfully demonstrated competency to provide household services such
as cleaning, meal preparation, laundry, shopping and to assist a patient / client with activities of
daily living."

Criminal Background Check

The State of New Mexico requires any caregiver employed directly or as a contractor for a home
care service to submit to a Caregiver Criminal Background Check. The Caregiver Criminal
History Screening Program (CCHSP) is operated within the New Mexico Division of Health
Improvement. A person seeking employment as a caregiver must apply to the CCHSP for a
nationwide criminal history screening; a caregiver candidate must provide a completed
background information form, 3 sets of fingerprint cards and a copy of an acceptable form of
photograph identification. (Along with the appropriate fee.)
A caregiver employee candidate will be barred from employment if their criminal search results
include charges and/or convictions for a number of disqualifying infractions. (For a complete list
of disqualifying background search results, see the State of New Mexico Division of Health
Improvement website.)
Any New Mexico home health care, in-home care or homemaker services agencies hiring
caregivers without a current criminal background check or in spite of disqualifying background
search results face significant charges and penalties.

Evaluating In-Home Care Agencies

The absence of a state licensing requirement for non-medical, in-home care agencies does
make the process of evaluating a potential care provider much more difficult, and at the same
time, much more important! The following is a checklist of considerations for determining the
suitability of a non-medical, in-home care service in New Mexico:

  • Are Caregivers required to submit to drug-screening before hire?
  • What are the required qualifications for  the agency's Caregivers? (i.e., Certified Home
    Health Aides, CNA's; First Aid Certification, etc.)
  • Do newly-hired Caregivers receive comprehensive orientation and training?
  • Are the agency's Caregivers given periodic continuing education and training?
  • How often are quality-assurance surveys conducted?
  • Does the agency have a formal program for determining caregiver-client compatibility?
  • Does the agency have a Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) listing and rating?

A professional, experienced non-medical, in-home care service scoring very well on this
checklist and will, in all probability, make an excellent choice as a service provider.
Featured Santa Fe In-Home Care Agencies

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Best Way Home Health Care is a Santa Fe-region
in-home, non-medical care agency in operation since
2001. Best Way Home Health Care is an accredited BBB
member with a current "A+" rating. Services include meal
preparation; light housekeeping; medication reminders;
errands; laundry; transportation and appointment escort; and much, much more.
      1453 Cochiti Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505     |     (505) 820-9946
In business for over ten (10) years, All You Need is Us is a
non-medical, in-home care agency serving the greater Santa Fe
region. All You Need is Us is an accredited BBB member with a
current rating of "A+". Services include light housekeeping;
assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL's); errands and
transportation; medication reminders; assistance with bathing
and grooming; dressing assistance; meal planning and
preparation; companionship; and much, much more.
     6207 Vuelta Ventura, Santa Fe, NM 87507     |     (505) 424-4521

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