Page 10 of Best Senior Communities in South Dakota

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 Highmore Health

Highmore Health has served Hyde County for more than 50 years as a nursing home in Highmore, South Dakota. Caring Professionals operates the facility under administrator Kim Knox. The 39-bed community provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, memory care, long-term care, and palliative support and accepts Medicare and Medicaid.

The facility holds a 3-star CMS overall rating. Its Health Inspection rating is above the South Dakota average, but its Quality Measures rating is below average, pulling the overall rating down.

Across three inspections since 2023, Highmore Health recorded 23 citations, averaging 7.67 per inspection, compared with a statewide mean of 3.34. One citation was classified as critical and three as serious. A $13,000 federal fine appears in the record, 67% below the South Dakota average for fined facilities, with no penalties issued in the past three years.

Occupancy runs at 90%, notably above South Dakota’s 79.9% average and ranks 15th among 54 state facilities, a signal of consistent local demand in a rural county. Physical therapist staffing is double the state average at 6 minutes per resident per day, a standout figure for a short-stay rehabilitation population. Total nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 35 minutes per resident per day, modestly below the state’s 3 hours and 46 minutes. CNA and LPN staffing are below state averages, while RN staffing is 10% above.

The facility has an active resident council to round out the care model alongside its on-site rehabilitation services.

With a payer mix weighted toward Medicare admissions and an average length of stay of 440 days, Highmore Health is structured for both short-term post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term care in a small, rural community setting.

Overview of Synergy HomeCare – Sioux Falls

SYNERGY HomeCare stands out for its tailor-made approach in crafting personalized home care plans tailored to diverse situations and conditions. Their expertise lies in providing life-affirming non-medical in-home care, offering comfort and assurance to individuals dealing with disabilities, illnesses, and the challenges of aging. Their comprehensive range of services includes companionship, homemaker duties, and personal care, ensuring that every aspect of their clients’ well-being is addressed.

Since 2009, they have been dedicated to serving the Sioux Falls area, building a stellar reputation in senior care. Aside from their competitive and highly trained team, they also exhibit unwavering dedication to responsiveness and dependability. Families can trust in SYNERGY HomeCare’s compassionate and knowledgeable staff, who go above and beyond to ensure the well-being of their patients.

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.

Overview of Avantara Huron

Avantara Huron is a privately owned nursing home in Huron, South Dakota, that provides short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, and specialized recovery programs. The 80-bed community is administered by Laurie Solem and has received the AHCA Bronze Quality Award in 2022 in recognition of its quality improvement efforts. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay options are also accepted.

Confirmed programs include short-term rehabilitation, cardiac recovery, orthopedic recovery, pulmonary rehabilitation, and wound care management. These specialized services support residents recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization and position the community as a post-acute care provider for a range of medical needs.

The community is currently operating at a 70% occupancy rate, which is lower than the state average and suggests availability. Average stays extend to approximately 151 days, indicating a blend of both longer-term nursing support and shorter rehabilitation-focused stays. The resident population also reflects a balanced combination of payers, with Medicaid representing a significant portion of admissions.

Avantara Huron is a compelling option for older adults seeking skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, or specialized recovery support for cardiac, orthopedic, pulmonary, or wound care needs within a community that demonstrates meaningful staffing investment and clinical service diversity in Huron and the surrounding Beadle County area.

Bicentennial Apartments is a haven nestled in the heart of Aberdeen, South Dakota, offering senior living affordable housing without compromising on quality. Here, residents with low-income households find a home that truly cares. With safety as a top priority, the apartments are equipped with fire alarms and smoke detectors, ensuring a secure environment for all. A non-smoking policy further enhances the well-being of the community.

Convenience is at your fingertips, with elevators, on-site mail delivery, and thoughtfully designed residences. Activities like cooking, cleaning, and transportation support residents in leading fulfilling lives. Here, you’ll discover a decent environment that nurtures not only your physical well-being but also fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

Overview of The Village at Skyline Pines

The Village at Skyline Pines is an assisted living and memory care community in Rapid City, South Dakota, that provides individualized support, personal care assistance, and specialized dementia care. This 116-bed community was a recipient of the 2022 Assisted Living Administrator of the Year award, reflecting a strong level of leadership experience and commitment to quality care for older adults requiring daily support or cognitive care services.

Licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants are confirmed on staff, with 24-hour staffing available to support both personal care and memory care residents. Amenities include a chapel, transportation services, and multiple shared social spaces designed to encourage connection and engagement. Structured activities and special events programming are offered seven days a week, along with three daily meals served in a communal dining setting. Religious services and access to a resource calendar are also available.

The Village at Skyline Pines offers a well-rounded combination of staffing, amenities, and structured programming for older adults in Rapid City and throughout Pennington County seeking assisted living or memory care support. Its larger campus size also allows for broader social opportunities, expanded activities, and greater staffing depth than many smaller residential communities in the Black Hills region.