Page 2 of Best Assisted Living in South Dakota

Located in a tranquil neighborhood adjacent to Manor Park in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Avera Mother Joseph Manor offers a comprehensive range of senior living lifestyle options, complemented by skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Residents of this community can immerse themselves in the abundant local opportunities available in Aberdeen while receiving exceptional care and support.

Avera Mother Joseph Manor proudly upholds the Christian tradition of the Avera health care system, ensuring immediate access to premier health care services. With a deep commitment to respecting human dignity and valuing each individual, Avera Mother Joseph Manor operates as a division of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, providing compassionate care to enhance the well-being of residents.

In Rapid City, South Dakota, Fountain Springs Healthcare Center is a haven for healing and compassionate care. Whether residents require transitional care following hospitalization or seek long-term support due to safety concerns at home, Fountain Springs offers a serene refuge. The center has garnered acclaim for its successful patient transitions back home or to a lower level of care, earning the prestigious 2018 Pinnacle Customer Experience Award for its exceptional senior healthcare services.

At Fountain Springs, individuals receive personalized care through an interdisciplinary approach to skilled nursing. The recreation department fosters a sense of community and home by organizing various activities and outings. Whether it’s assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support, or respite stays, Fountain Springs Healthcare Center remains steadfast in delivering 5-star quality care to its residents. 

Estelline Nursing and Care Center serves Hamlin County residents through long-term skilled nursing and memory care services in Estelline, South Dakota. The City of Estelline operates the nonprofit 60-bed facility under administrator Jason Hanssen.

CMS rates the community 3 stars overall, with standout performance on Health Inspection and Quality Measures, both above the South Dakota average, offset by Staffing hours that run below state benchmarks across all nursing categories. Total nurse staffing averages roughly 3 hours per resident per day, about 23% below the state average on weekends, which is the figure that most directly affects residents requiring regular assistance.

The single inspection on record since 2023 resulted in one citation: a corrected nutrition finding from December 2023, placing the facility first among 59 South Dakota nursing homes with the lowest citation count. The state average over the same period is 14.8. Sanford Clinic provides on-site medical services, extending clinical access without requiring residents to travel off campus.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 87.1%, above the South Dakota average of 79.9%, indicating consistent local demand. The average length of stay is approximately 1,004 days, which reflects a population oriented toward long-term residence rather than post-acute turnover.

Estelline Nursing and Care Center suits older adults in Hamlin County seeking long-term skilled nursing care within a small, municipally operated community, particularly those for whom a strong inspection record and stable quality measures carry more weight than staffing volume.

Overview of Aurora Brule Nursing Home

Located on Johnston Street in White Lake, South Dakota, Aurora Brule Nursing Home is a 50-bed skilled nursing facility. The home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care. The facility has an occupancy rate of 62%. Residents stay an average of 176 days, including those receiving post-acute rehabilitation and needing longer-term care.

Rehabilitation is a key part of the facility’s services. Inpatient and outpatient therapy are available. There’s also respite care for families needing temporary support. A doctor is on staff, and the home provides 24-hour nursing care.

Residents receive an average of 3 hours and 27 minutes of nursing care each day. Registered nurses provide 30 minutes of that daily care. This level of staffing supports residents recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay and provides their ongoing medical needs.

White Lake is a rural community with a Walk Score of 17, so the area is car-dependent. Most errands and visits require transportation. Some families may appreciate the quieter small-town setting and slower pace of the area.

Families considering Aurora Brule Nursing Home should ask about rehabilitation services, daily care routines, and recent resident experiences to determine whether the facility’s services match a loved one’s care and recovery needs.

Overview of Bethany Home Sioux Falls

Bethany Home Sioux Falls stands out as a beacon of exceptional care, firmly rooted in Christian values and boundless love. With a rich heritage of providing outstanding services, this home offers an array of amenities that elevate the senior living experience. Here, residents savor the delights of chef-prepared meals, tantalizing their taste buds and nourishing their bodies. The carefully curated social and recreational programs provide ample opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful interactions, fostering a vibrant community spirit. Safety is paramount, as evidenced by the round-the-clock emergency response system and meticulous medication administration, giving residents and their families peace of mind.

The home proudly extends its heartfelt commitment to serving seniors through their exceptional assisted living services. They diligently uphold all nursing home rules and regulations. They adhere to the highest standards of care and operate with strict compliance to ensure the safety, well-being, and comfort of every resident. By following these comprehensive guidelines, they create an environment where residents can thrive, families can trust, and quality of care remains paramount. Bethany Home Sioux Falls stands as a shining example of a compassionate and well-regulated senior living community. With also a focus on assisted living for veterans and an unwavering commitment to upholding nursing home standards, they ensure that residents receive the utmost care and support they deserve.

Overview of Dow Rummel Village

Dow Rummel Village is a nonprofit life plan retirement community in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, providing a full continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and respite care services. Serving the region since 1958, the community is recognized as one of the more established senior living providers in South Dakota. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay are also accepted, offering flexibility for families with varying financial and healthcare needs.

With a 79-bed capacity, the community is currently operating at a 94% occupancy rate, which is higher than the state average. Additionally, most of the community’s admissions are Medicare-funded rehabilitation stays focused on recovery and therapy services, while longer-term residents remain for multiple years through different stages of care. Rehabilitation, memory care, and skilled nursing services are also provided, allowing residents to access additional support without relocating.

The community maintains strong performance metrics compared to statewide averages, with a 4-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This reflects above-average scores in health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Staffing levels are also a particular differentiator, with nursing care hours significantly exceeding South Dakota averages. Physical therapy staffing also exceeds state benchmarks, an important consideration for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization.

The community also offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. Services also include housekeeping, transportation, dining, wellness programming, and assistance with activities of daily living.

With a combination of rehabilitation resources, memory care services, skilled nursing support, and independent living options, Dow Rummel Village is well-suited for older adults and families seeking a financially stable nonprofit community with strong staffing levels, established clinical infrastructure, and the flexibility of multiple care levels within one campus.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – St Martin Village

Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, offering independent living, assisted living, long-term care, rehabilitation, and respite care. This 60-bed community is operating as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit senior care organizations. This reflects a mission-centered approach focused on compassionate care and supportive living.

The community received the Bronze National Quality Award from the American Health Care Association in both 2023 and 2024, recognizing ongoing efforts toward performance improvement and quality care standards. On the other hand, registered nurse staffing significantly exceeds South Dakota averages, with both weekday and weekend RN coverage standing well above statewide benchmarks. Physical therapy staffing is also notably strong, offering therapy hours substantially higher than average and supporting residents recovering from illness, surgery, or hospitalization. Nursing and nurse aide overall hours also remain below state averages.

For a community of its size, the community’s amenities are notably extensive, which include walking trails, a wellness center, guest housing, and private dining spaces. Three daily meals are included, while volunteer opportunities and religious services are aligned with its faith-based mission. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options are available, with monthly pricing varying based on apartment style and level of care. Rehabilitation therapy and respite care are also offered.

Located in a highly walkable area of Rapid City with a Walk Score of 83, the community has convenient access to nearby services, amenities, and neighborhood destinations, making it one of the more accessible senior living campuses in western South Dakota.

Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village is well-suited for older adults seeking a faith-oriented community that combines multiple levels of care, strong RN oversight, rehabilitation support, and a broad range of lifestyle amenities under one roof.

Overview of Westhills Village Health Care Facility

Westhills Village Health Care Facility is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, that offers short-term rehabilitation, respite care, and supportive health care services. Administered by Kelsey Bertsch, this 44-bed community provides multiple levels of care that include rehabilitation therapies, structured recovery programs, and short-term stays designed for those recovering after hospitalization or medical treatment in Pennington County.

The community holds a 3-star rating for short-stay resident outcomes, supported by above-average discharge performance metrics. Nearly 70% of residents also achieve their expected self-care goals by discharge, outperforming the South Dakota average by a substantial margin. In addition, more than 60% of short-stay residents successfully transition back home or to a community-based setting following care. These outcomes reflect the community’s strong focus on post-acute rehabilitation and recovery-centered programming rather than long-term custodial support.

Staffing levels exceed many regional benchmarks, particularly in registered nursing and physical therapy coverage. RN support per day and physical therapy hours are both significantly higher than the statewide average. Weekend nursing coverage also remains above average, helping maintain continuity of care throughout the week. This stronger staffing profile, combined with enhanced therapy programming, reinforces the community’s emphasis on rehabilitation and recovery services.

Services include short-term rehabilitation, respite care, therapy programming, support services, and online wellness classes designed to encourage recovery and overall well-being. The community also operates from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. on weekdays and from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. on weekends.

Westhills Village Health Care Facility is best suited for those seeking short-term rehabilitative care after hospitalization, surgery, or illness, with services and staffing structured to support recovery goals and a timely return home or to a community-based living environment.

Overview of United Living Community

A central part of a downtown Brookings campus, United Living Community is an 81-bed nonprofit nursing home run by administrator Liz DeBerg and United Retirement Center. The facility handles skilled nursing, short-term rehab, respite care, and hydro-therapy. While 80% of new admissions use Medicare for short-term recovery, a smaller group of long-term Medicaid residents (18%) and private-pay clients (2%) shapes the building’s overall population, pushing the average stay to 421 days. The property sits in a highly walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 82, though recent financial records report a low occupancy rate of 34.1% alongside an operating deficit of $643.3 thousand on $7.8 million in revenue.

Government health logs show high staffing numbers, led by a daily nursing average of 5 hours and 55 minutes per resident that ranks third across South Dakota. This setup is heavily driven by nurse aides, who provide 3 hours and 48 minutes of direct care daily, helping to cover for below-average hours for registered nurses and LPNs. Clinical summaries reveal a sharp divide between short-term and long-term outcomes.

For temporary rehab residents, the logs show excellent performance, including zero major injuries from falls, zero antipsychotic drug initiations, and zero hospital readmissions. Conversely, tracking files show that permanent residents experienced higher rates of major fall injuries, antipsychotic usage, and daily activity decline than the state average, though the facility’s total federal fines sit low at $13,000.

Interested individuals looking over local care options can use these public tracking reports to see how the building handles different types of stays. Since the state logs verify top-tier daily care hours and flawless physical recovery scores for short-term rehab clients alongside low occupancy and some weak long-term safety numbers, the paperwork fits a building optimized for post-acute recovery.