Best Assisted Living in South Dakota

Overview of Strand-Kjorsvig Community Rest Home

Run by administrator Samuel Van Voorst and owner Shannon Schmidt, Strand-Kjorsvig Community Rest Home handles skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and respite care within a 33-bed private facility that also serves as a VA-qualified provider. Founded in 1957, the downtown building works with a varied payer group comprising 44% private-pay, 34% Medicaid, and 22% Medicare admissions, leading to an average stay of 229 days. The property is located in an area with a Walk Score of 22, maintaining a 64.4% occupancy rate and reporting a 2024 operating profit of $64.3 thousand on $2.8 million in revenue.

Public oversight databases highlight high staffing numbers, with total nursing care averaging 5 hours and 3 minutes per resident daily to rank ninth across South Dakota. Daily records show robust numbers for both registered nurses and LPNs, including strong weekend RN continuity, though contractors make up 28.1% of overall staff hours.

Clinical tracking summaries reveal solid long-term stability, with permanent residents recording favorable rates for major fall prevention, skin integrity, and walking abilities. However, the data points to some specific hurdles, as long-stay resident weight loss and antipsychotic drug use track higher than state benchmarks, and the home has compiled $56,000 in federal fines across eight penalties over the past three years.

Prospective residents weighing regional long-term care or rehab facilities can analyze these government health records to assess daily operational trends. Since the state reports confirm top-tier nursing hours and steady physical health outcomes alongside historical compliance fines and some specific dietary tracking issues, the documentation shows a small, highly staffed environment.

Tieszen Memorial Home INC serves Turner County residents through a full continuum of care that includes skilled care, memory care, assisted living, and independent living. The nonprofit community operates as a 64-bed nursing home in Marion, South Dakota, under administrator Laura Wilson.

Tieszen’s CMS record is strong. Three inspections since 2022 have resulted in 7 citations, well below the South Dakota average of 14.8. There were no critical or serious findings, and all citations were corrected. The facility’s 4-star overall CMS rating reflects above-average performance on both Health Inspections and Staffing. Nurse hours average 4 hours and 33 minutes per resident per day, 21% above the South Dakota mean, placing the facility15th among 57 state SNFs.

Occupancy is 89.2%, notably above the state’s average of 79.9%, which shows consistent local demand. Residents stay at an average of 409 days, indicating a population that trends toward longer-term placement. Rehabilitation services and a Wellness Center support residents with post-acute and ongoing care needs alongside the memory care and assisted living programs.

Tieszen Memorial Home INC fits older adults and families seeking a nonprofit community with a broad care continuum, from independent living through skilled and memory care, in a smaller rural South Dakota setting.

Overview of Sun Dial Manor

Sun Dial Manor operates as a nonprofit skilled nursing and assisted living community in Bristol, South Dakota. The 37-bed facility serves Day County residents through short-term rehabilitation and long-term care programs and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

The facility holds a 2-star overall CMS rating. Health Inspection and Quality Measure scores are both roughly 20 to 27% below the South Dakota average, which accounts for the overall standing. Staffing is the counterweight: nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 21 minutes per resident per day, 39% above the state average, ranking Sun Dial Manor 18th of 57 facilities in South Dakota. CMS has recorded two federal penalties over the past three years totaling $30,000, about 24% below the state average for fined facilities, with no payment denials.

Sun Dial Manor offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with 24-hour nursing care and memory care services. Outpatient therapy, transportation to medical appointments, and spiritual support round out the program. The facility’s 77% occupancy rate is in line with the statewide average of 79.9%, indicating capacity is available.

Payer mix reflects the facility’s orientation: 42% of admissions are on Medicare for short-term rehabilitation, with typical stays of 1 to 2 months.

Sun Dial Manor’s combination of above-average nurse staffing and a full therapy suite makes it well-suited to post-acute residents returning home after hospitalization or surgery. Long-term Medicaid residents make up a smaller share of admissions, and families considering that path should weigh the below-average quality measure scores, particularly fall rates, against the facility’s rural location and staffing depth.

Overview of Five Counties Nursing Home

Five Counties Nursing Home is a 37-bed skilled nursing facility in Lemmon, South Dakota, operated as a voluntary nonprofit. The facility offers short- and long-term care, rehabilitation services, memory care, and assisted living and independent living options for residents in Perkins County.

Five Counties holds a 1-star CMS overall rating, driven primarily by its Health Inspection record, which ranks the facility 53rd out of 59 South Dakota skilled nursing facilities and is 60.8% below the state average. It has accumulated $32,000 in federal fines, which is 20% below the South Dakota average among facilities that received penalties.

Staffing is the clear counterweight: total nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 9 minutes per resident per day, 4.5% above the state average, placing the facility 19th in South Dakota on that measure.

The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Occupancy rate is 87%, above the state average of 79.9%, reflecting sustained local demand in a rural market with limited alternatives.

Five Counties serves long-term and post-acute residents in the Lemmon area who require accessible skilled nursing care and accept a smaller, rural facility with a nonprofit governance model.

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 Centerville Care and Rehab Center

Owned and operated by Caring Professionals Inc. , Centerville Care and Rehab Center is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation community in Centerville, South Dakota. The center is located on 500 Vermillion St. It provides a mix of short-term rehabilitative care and longer-term nursing services. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, which opens multiple coverage pathways for families navigating payment options.

The 42-bed center currently serves 18 residents, reflecting a moderate occupancy level. Residents stay an average of 229 days. The population is a mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those in longer-term care. With a Walk Score of 43, the location is somewhat walkable. Visiting family members and residents will need to drive for most errands and activities.

Staffing support is part of the daily routine. Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 53 minutes per resident each day. Residents are supported by registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical/vocational nurses working across the center. The level of hands-on nursing attention reflects the community’s focus on skilled care and rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation is a big component of the center’s offerings because it mainly serves residents recovering from surgery, illness, or injury.

Families considering Centerville Care and Rehab Center should reach out to discuss specific programs, amenities, and services to understand the full range of care available.

Owned by Stroschein Properties III LLC, Alcester Care and Rehab Center is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Alcester, South Dakota. The 41-bed home is located at 101 Church Street and serves residents who need ongoing nursing care and support during recovery after an illness or hospital stay. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering care costs.

The facility has an occupancy rate of 95%, where residents stay an average of about 523 days. The population is a mix of people receiving rehabilitation services and those needing longer-term nursing care.

Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 43 minutes of nursing care each day. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical or vocational nurses make up the care team. This level of support helps residents during recovery and assists those who need ongoing skilled nursing care and daily medical oversight.

The facility is located in a rural part of South Dakota. Alcester has a Walk Score of 14, making the area car-dependent. Most errands and visits require transportation. Families who prefer a smaller community setting may appreciate the town’s quieter environment.

Daily life is supported by practical amenities throughout the facility. Residents are served meals in a large dining room. Other features include a chapel, sun room, beauty shop, laundry services, and outdoor spaces such as a backyard area and gazebo, and residents and visitors can spend time together here.

Families looking for skilled nursing and rehabilitation care in a small-town setting should consider Alcester Care and Rehab Center for its nursing support, rehabilitation services, and on-site amenities that support short-term recovery and ongoing care needs.

Overview of Aurora Brule Nursing Home INC.

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.

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.