Sierra Blanca Senior Living
Sierra Blanca Senior Living
Positioned at 2961 Galisteo Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Sierra Blanca Senior Living operates 118 beds as a nursing home with assisted living and memory care services. Owner Carlos Yanez established the facility in August 2013. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents, with occupancy at 92.6%; substantially above the state average of 78.9%.
The facility holds a Better Business Bureau A+ rating (not accredited).
Average resident stay is 98 days; admissions split evenly among Medicare (25%), private pay (50%), and Medicaid (25%).
Thirteen inspections conducted since 2023 exceed the state average by 90%; this intensive survey activity resulted in 90 deficiency citations, with 3 critical and 9 serious citations, which is dramatically worse than state benchmarks. Citations clustered in quality of life and care (32%), resident rights (16%), and pharmacy services (14%).
Federal enforcement has been severe: cumulative fines of $326,000 represent the highest amount imposed on any New Mexico facility; 280% above state average.
Three separate Medicare/Medicaid payment denials, specifically suspensions of reimbursement for new admissions, reflect CMS’s most serious enforcement tool, applied here at rates nearly five times the state norm.
Contractors comprise 52% of the workforce, and total nursing hours of 3 hours 27 minutes per resident daily run 12% below the state average.
Payroll costs consume 42.7% of revenue, well below well-managed peer levels of 53-59%.
Residents experienced unintended weight loss at 12.7%; more than double the state average. And antipsychotic medication use at 25.8%, twice the norm. Walking ability decline affected 24% of long-stay residents, and high-risk clinical events scored 30% worse than peers.
Sierra Blanca operates in a context of regulatory scrutiny, persistent compliance deficiencies, and quality metrics substantially below state benchmarks across multiple domains.
29 years in operation
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score: 18 / 100
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
BBB Rating: A+ (Not Accredited)
An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
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Staffing
Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.
ContactMs. Velma Arellano, Office Manager (per BBB, record updated May 2026)
Places of interest near Sierra Blanca Senior Living
4.1 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Santa Fe's city center to Sierra Blanca Senior Living's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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Financial Assistance for
Independent Living in New Mexico
Sierra Blanca Senior Living is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in New Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sierra Blanca Senior Living
Is Sierra Blanca Senior Living in a walkable area?
Sierra Blanca Senior Living has a walk score of 18. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
Are there photos of Sierra Blanca Senior Living?
Yes — there are 7 photos of Sierra Blanca Senior Living in the photo gallery on this page.
What is the address of Sierra Blanca Senior Living?
Sierra Blanca Senior Living is located at 2961 Galisteo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
What is the phone number of Sierra Blanca Senior Living?
(505) 309-4199 will put you in contact with the team at Sierra Blanca Senior Living.
Does Sierra Blanca Senior Living provide medical or personal care assistance?
No — Sierra Blanca Senior Living is an independent living community. Residents live on their own in private apartments with access to amenities, dining, and social activities.
Guides for Better Senior Living
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