Best Independent Living in South Dakota

Overview of Touchmark at All Saints

Touchmark at All Saints is a magnificent senior living community that offers exquisite living options such as cottages or condo-style rooms for residents of independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Regardless of what kind of living option you are in, management and staff are guaranteed to provide resort-like accommodations with exceptional hospitality. The luxurious and elegant senior living community offers a stimulating environment where every need of each senior is being met.  Touchmark at All Saints strives to provide a comfortable lifestyle of everyday living for its residents, making it an ideal place to call a new home. 
The Touchmark experience is focused on the holistic wellness of its residents, which is why they have included life-enriching activities, health and fitness club, and recreational activities in the daily routine of seniors. 

Overview of Bethany Home Sioux Falls/bethany Home-Brandon

Bethany Home Sioux Falls / Bethany Home-Brandon is a faith-based nursing home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offering a continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing services, and rehabilitation. The 112-bed community is administered by Amanda Peterson in Minnehaha County, guided by a Christian mission. It also emphasizes support for residents’ physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being while also offering independent homes and apartment living as part of its larger campus environment.

The community is currently operating at 78.5%, which is slightly lower than the state average of 79.9%, and suggests availability. Additionally, Medicare accounts for 89% of new residents, with an average stay of 25 days, reflecting a focus on short-term rehabilitation. Meanwhile, private pay new residents are approximately 10%, with an average stay of 7 to 8 months, and 2% of new residents are Medicaid-eligible, with a typical stay of 6 years.

Since 2022, the community has undergone four total health inspections, with the latest conducted in October 2025, which is notably lower than the state average. A total of 13 health citations have been recorded throughout its operational history, which is also lower than the state average, and have been corrected. No penalties have been issued in the past three years.

Confirmed services include skilled nursing care and rehabilitation therapy, along with independent living options designed for older adults who remain largely self-sufficient but prefer a supportive community setting. Its faith-centered approach is a defining aspect of the community’s culture and may be particularly meaningful for individuals and families seeking care rooted in Christian values and holistic support.

Located on the south side of Sioux Falls, the community sits in a moderately walkable area with a Walk Score of 65, allowing access to some nearby services and amenities on foot. Service to the Brandon area also provides additional convenience for families throughout eastern Minnehaha County.

Bethany Home Sioux Falls / Bethany Home-Brandon is an ideal option for families seeking values-based care within a setting that supports aging across different levels of assistance and medical support. The ability to transition from independent living to higher levels of care within the same community can help reduce disruption and provide continuity for older adults as healthcare needs progress.

Oakview Terrace is a nursing home in Freeman, South Dakota, offering assisted living and memory care. Administered by CEO Courtney Unruh, this 45-bed community operates as the non-profit, skilled nursing wing of Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS), which maintains a close partner-in-health affiliation with the Avera Health network.

A specialized 10-bed memory care neighborhood is provided along with a variety of shared spaces dedicated to recreation and wellness. Care options include 24-hour clinical supervision, physical rehabilitation coordination, and long-term skilled care, while lifestyle services consist of chef-prepared meals and a calendar of activities.

Operating under federal CMS certification, the community maintains an exceptionally high-coverage staffing matrix to oversee complex physical and cognitive recovery. A defining structural strength of the property is its clinical staffing allocation, which provides a robust 4 hours and 47 minutes of total direct nursing care per resident daily, ranking it ninth highest out of all skilled nursing providers statewide. This framework also relies heavily on an above-average concentration of Registered Nurses (RNs) and dedicated certified nurse aides (CNAs) to maintain an attentive, relationship-centered care model.

Regulatory monitoring is conducted jointly by the South Dakota Department of Health and federal CMS frameworks, ensuring compliance through rigorous, unannounced health and safety inspections. The community holds a 5-star overall CMS rating, which is the highest possible designation achievable in federal care comparison systems, driven by quality measure outcomes and staffing metrics that track significantly above South Dakota state averages. During its most recent comprehensive state evaluation in June 2025, a small number of minor health citations across standard nutrition and infection control categories have been identified. However, all previous findings were systematically resolved under approved plans of correction, resulting in an active, fully compliant operating status with zero critical deficiencies.

Positioned in a quiet, rural setting, the community offers a close-knit atmosphere where older adults benefit from an integrated healthcare loop that seamlessly links the nursing home to the adjacent Freeman Medical Center hospital and local rural clinics.

With a unique status as a community-owned non-profit hospital district community, Oakview Terrace is a compelling option for families in the Freeman, Menno, Marion, and Bridgewater areas. While the rural location carries a car-dependent walk score of 26, the community coordinates specialized medical and recreational transportation to bridge logistical gaps.

Overview of Jenkin‘s Living Center

Established in 1959, Jenkin’s Living Center is a 110-bed skilled nursing facility in Watertown’s South Maple neighborhood, about a mile from Prairie Lakes Hospital and a short distance from downtown. The three-story community offers private rooms. Kasey Klapprodt serves as its administrator.

Residents receive care through individualized care plans. These are provided alongside medication management and specialized therapy programs to support both recovery and everyday health. Beyond clinical care, the community offers restaurant-style dining, scheduled transportation, organized social events, and fitness and recreation programs. These opportunities keep residents active and engaged.

Skilled nursing staff is available 24 hours a day. Registered nurses provide an average of 42 minutes of care per resident each day, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses contribute about 51 minutes. Nurse aides provide the largest share of daily support at roughly 2 hours and 1 minute per resident. Together, this staffing approach gives residents consistent hands-on care throughout the day and night.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 85, making it very walkable. Most errands are within easy walking distance. Families visiting the community can often combine their visit with shopping or other stops around the surrounding neighborhood.

Overview of The Parkwood

Nestled in a quiet yet convenient residential area in Sioux Falls, SD, The Parkword is an active senior living community that offers a vibrant and engaging independent living. The community features 133 apartments with 22 unique floor plans, furnished kitchens, balcony and high ceiling, offering a comfortable and elegant residence. With housekeeping, a variety of dining options, and all utilities included, residents are guaranteed to live an easy and worry-free life with more time in their hands to do the things they love.

At Parkwood, they strive to provide a service-rich environment that fosters strong community connections and maintenance-free living. Here, residents benefit from regular community social events and activities, scheduled transportation, and on-site amenities. Wellness and leisure is guaranteed with amenities like a fitness studio with treatment space, a full-service salon, library, indoor theater, club room, game room, guest suite, and outdoor courtyards with walking trails and dog parks. Here, residents are set to experience a vibrant community filled with meaningful connections and fun experiences.

Overview of Westhills Village

Westhills Village sits at 255 Texas St in Rapid City, South Dakota, in a stretch of the city that’s firmly car-dependent. The Walk Score here comes in at 21, so anyone visiting should plan on driving. There’s not much within walking distance, and that’s just the nature of this part of town.

The facility has 44 beds, and right now every single one is filled. A full house at one year of operation says something on its own; this is a place that filled up fast. Rehabilitation services and respite care are both available here, meaning residents can come in for short-term recovery work or for a temporary stay while family caregivers get a break.

Staffing runs around the clock, and the numbers back that up with real specificity. Registered nurses put in about 1 hour and 13 minutes per resident each day, while licensed practical nurses contribute another 28 minutes. Add nurse aide time, and the total nursing care residents receive averages 4 hours and 36 minutes per resident, per day.

Financially, Westhills Village takes Medicare and private pay, so there’s more than one route to covering costs depending on a family’s situation. There’s also a volunteer program woven into daily life here, which tends to matter more than people expect once they’re actually living somewhere.

South Dakota’s Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities Licensure oversees inspections, and the recurring focus areas, medication management, infection control, and resident rights, are the same categories regulators lean on everywhere. Between the full occupancy, the staffing hours, and the rehab and respite options on the table, Westhills Village reads as a facility that’s found its footing quickly and is running at real capacity.

Legends at Lake Lorraine (Formerly Grand Living at Lake Lorraine) is a distinguished senior living community that sets the standard for luxury independent living, assisted living, and memory care services in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This home is climbing the charts of excellence, offering unparalleled service and a truly engaging lifestyle that captivates residents and their families alike.

Indulge in the grand spa and fitness center, where you can rejuvenate your body and nurture your well-being. Legends at Lake Lorraine also goes above and beyond to provide life-enriching experiences through a variety of programs. From world-class music entertainment performances to delightful cocktail evenings and friendly games of bocce ball, there’s always something exciting happening.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – Sioux Falls Village

Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls Village is an incredible senior living community that offers a comprehensive range of care services, including assisted living places and various assisted living levels of care. From affordable housing and independent living to rehabilitation and memory care, they cater to the diverse needs of seniors at every stage of life.
This exceptional home ensures that residents have access to the support they require, whether it’s in the form of personalized assistance with daily activities or specialized memory care for those facing cognitive challenges. Residents can enjoy the freedom and flexibility to personalize their living spaces within the assisted living places, adding their own cherished furnishings and personal touches. In addition to the comfortable and inviting accommodations, the community offers a wealth of amenities, including a well-stocked library, a serene chapel, and a refreshing indoor pool. For those seeking to prioritize their well-being, a state-of-the-art wellness center provides opportunities for fitness and personal growth.

A trusted senior living community located in the serene South Louise Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, Ponderosa Lodge Senior Living offers assisted living, independent living, and respite care. The community features cozy and welcoming residences in a wide selection of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans for seniors to live in comfort and luxury. A kind and compassionate team strives to provide top-tier care and support for seniors to enjoy their golden years doing what they love.

Ponderosa Lodge Senior Living promotes a vibrant and inviting environment, ensuring seniors remain active and happy. With exciting activities and engaging programs, residents gain meaningful experiences and learn something new. Delight in well-balanced meals catering to dietary needs and tastes. Ponderosa Lodge Senior Living is a haven for seniors to live a worry-free retirement with its beautifully designed incredible amenities.

Overview of Edgewood Watertown

Located on 14th Avenue Northeast in Watertown, South Dakota, Edgewood Watertown is a community offering assisted living and independent living in Codington County. The community is about 1.25 miles from Prairie Lakes Hospital, giving residents and families convenient access to nearby medical care.

The community opened about a year ago. It features a two-story building with 66 beds and private rooms. Residents are moving into a newer community rather than one with many years of established operations. Edgewood Watertown is part of the Edgewood Senior Living family of communities, led by administrator Jackie Clark.

Daily support includes housekeeping, transportation, interior and exterior maintenance, and assistance with activities of daily living. Residents also have access to specialized programs that focus on movement and neurological health, including LSVT Big and Loud, the Parkinson’s Care Program, Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery, Rocky Steady Boxing, and the CaringEdge therapy program. Together, these services highlight the community’s focus on supporting residents living with Parkinson’s disease and similar conditions. Transportation services, fitness programs, and recreational activities are also available here.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 18, making it a car-dependent location where most errands and outings require a vehicle. Families traveling from outside the area should drive when they visit.