Page 7 of Best Assisted Living in South Dakota

Overview of Mitchell Retirement DBA Countryside Living

Countryside Living, also known as Mitchell Retirement, is a locally owned senior living community in Mitchell, South Dakota, that offers independent living and assisted living. Administered by Kathy Zoss and supported by Director of Nursing Jayne Zens, this 60-bed community provides a mid-sized setting for older adults seeking independent living or structured assisted living. Established in 1997, the community has been delivering nearly three decades of stable, continuous service to families in Davison County.

The community offers unfurnished apartments equipped with full appliances, allowing residents to customize their environments with personal belongings and familiar comforts. Dietitian-approved meals are provided three times daily. Weekly housekeeping, laundry, salon services, and shared spaces are also available on-site.

Operating under South Dakota state regulatory guidelines, the community maintains a 24-hour staffing presence to ensure continuous security and peace of mind. Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, and comprehensive medication management, alongside available medical assistance, is also provided, along with a variety of recreational activities and wellness programs. Located in Mitchell, the community features an exceptional walk score of 81, making it one of the most walkable senior residential settings in the state. Additionally, transportation services are provided for medical appointments.

With a long operating history in the community, combined with a central, walkable location, Countryside Living is ideal for older adults who are largely independent but benefit from some daily assistance, structured social programming, and the security of on-site staff.

Overview of Park Place Assisted Living

Park Place Assisted Living is a senior living community in Reno, Nevada, that offers assisted living and independent living. Licensed as a Residential Facility for Groups and in operation for nearly 30 years, this 60-bed community has studio accommodations on a single-story campus.

The community currently has 41 of 60 beds occupied, representing an occupancy rate of 68%, which is below the state of Nevada’s average of 81.5%. Notably, occupancy has fluctuated over the years, reaching as high as 80% capacity during periods in 2024. Assisted living and independent living are among the living options provided, along with transportation services, housekeeping, fitness and recreation programming, and a pet-friendly environment within a studio-based, single-story layout.

Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance, has inspected the community through annual surveys and complaint investigations since at least 2012, leading to a total of 33 inspections. Over that tracked window, the community has averaged approximately 10.2 deficiencies per year, which is about 44% above the Nevada average of 7.1 per year. Recurring themes include medication management, such as administration errors, unsecured medications, and incomplete medication records, along with staff training compliance regarding caregiver training timelines, elder abuse prevention, infection control, and cultural competency, as well as health and sanitation issues in food safety and kitchen practices.

Moreover, the most recent annual survey, conducted July 16, 2025, cited 14 deficiencies across administrator oversight, caregiver qualifications, medication documentation, TB screening, infection control program review, and first-aid kit compliance. Two substantiated complaint investigations are also on record, including the April 2025 investigation, which confirmed that six employees were performing blood sugar testing and insulin injections without documented training, a finding that coincided with a resident being hospitalized for critically low blood sugar. Another complaint investigation in December 2024 substantiated that a resident went without a prescribed medication for 15 days, resulting in withdrawal symptoms and an emergency room visit, and that a resident’s shower was not wheelchair accessible. However, no fines or license suspensions were listed in the available reports.

The location is situated in a car-dependent part of Reno with a Walk Score of 6, making personal transportation or the community’s own transportation services a practical necessity for most residents.

With a 29-year operating history and smaller scale, Park Place Assisted Living appeals to families seeking a more intimate yet established senior living option. However, interested families are advised to carefully consider the pattern of regulatory findings in recent years, particularly around medication management and staff training, when making a placement decision.

Overview of The Wellshire Huron

The Wellshire Huron is an assisted living community in Huron, South Dakota, offering personal care and rehabilitation services. The 35-bed community is administered by Laurie Solem, who also oversees the nearby skilled nursing community, Avantara Huron. Licensed by the South Dakota Department of Health since July 2025, the community combines assisted living with access to clinical oversight and rehabilitative support for older adults who require varying levels of daily assistance.

24-hour nursing coverage with licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, housekeeping services, laundry areas on each floor, spacious resident closets, and individually controlled air conditioning are among the confirmed amenities. Rehabilitation services are also provided on-site, allowing residents to access therapy support without the inconvenience of traveling to outside providers.

The community’s location near the center of Huron carries a Walk Score of 68, making it one of the more walkable assisted living options in central South Dakota. Residents and visitors benefit from relatively convenient access to nearby services, shops, and daily necessities.

With a smaller 35-bed capacity, The Wellshire Huron is a great choice for older adults in Huron and throughout Beadle County seeking assisted living with integrated nursing oversight and rehabilitation access, particularly those who value a more personal residential atmosphere than many larger communities. Its shared leadership connection with Avantara Huron also provides continuity and coordination advantages for residents whose care needs change over time.

Golden Ridge Senior Living is an independent living and assisted living community in Lead, South Dakota. They pride themselves on the services that are delivered with only the best in its class brought by their premier level of care entrusted to residents. The memory care community boasts its innovative and modern approach to senior care; they have ensured that they provide a spectrum of care as they understand the unique needs of each individual. Golden Ridge Senior Living’’s management and staff are well-trained professionals that ensure that residents are being heard and provide a lifestyle that suits their needs. 
Beautifully furnished common areas, walking paths, and outdoor patios are offered for seniors to have families come visit more often and have a place to socialize.  Other services include meals, security, and affordable senior housing. 

Overview of Wellshire Park Place

Wellshire Park Place is an assisted living community in Milbank, South Dakota, offering personal care, 24-hour nursing, and on-campus rehabilitation services. With a 36-bed capacity, the community provides care to older adults in Grant County.

Confirmed amenities include 24-hour nursing care, housekeeping services, fitness programming, music, art, games, and group outings. For a 36-bed rural community, the offering of rehabilitation services on-site helps reduce the need for residents to travel to larger centers for therapy. Lifestyle programming also includes fitness, music, art, games, and organized outings, reflecting a community that invests in the social and recreational dimensions of daily life alongside clinical care.

Its location at the Milbank city center, with a Walk Score of 64, places it among the more walkable assisted living choices in northeastern South Dakota, with a range of daily services accessible on foot.

Wellshire Park Place is great for older adults in Milbank and the broader Grant County area who need daily personal care assistance and value access to on-campus rehabilitation services in a walkable, community-centered location.

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.

Sioux Falls Primary Home Care Services provides compassionate assistance, certified to provide unparalleled home care services to both seniors and adults facing complex disabilities. With a profound dedication to their mission, this agency has been a pillar of support in the community since 2015. Their commitment shines through in the array of services they offer, including household cleaning, meal preparation, ambulation assistance, transportation services, and more, ensuring that individuals receive the care they truly deserve.

Their team boasts multilingual staff members proficient in Arabic, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and English, allowing them to cater to a wider range of patients. With their blend of expertise and compassion, Sioux Falls Primary Home Care Services exists as a testament to exceptional care, making them a trusted choice for individuals and families seeking reliable and culturally sensitive home care solutions.

Overview of Trail Ridge Retirement Community

Trail Ridge Retirement Community is a senior living community in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. This 72-bed community is licensed in Lincoln County in 2025, making it one of the newer senior care providers in the area.

Rehabilitation services, licensed nurses, and CNAs on staff, home care services, and wellness programs are provided, along with various living options, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care, under one roof. Additionally, Home care services extend the community’s reach beyond the building itself, offering flexibility for older adults who may not yet be ready for full residential placement.

Its location on Ralph Rogers Road, in southwest Sioux Falls, carries a Walk Score of 13, reflecting a car-dependent neighborhood where most errands and services will require transportation. Families visiting from the Sioux Falls metro area or surrounding Lincoln County neighborhoods are encouraged to plan travel accordingly.

Trail Ridge Retirement Community is ideal for older adults seeking a mid-sized community that spans independent living through memory care in the Sioux Falls and Lincoln County area, particularly those who value licensed clinical staff on-site and home care services as a transitional option.

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.