Page 4 of Best Independent Living in South Dakota

Offering both independent living and assisted living in Watertown, South Dakota, Meadow Lake Assisted Living is a small 16-bed senior living community. The single-story residence provides one-bedroom housing. It has been operating for about a year. Chasity Chandler serves as the community’s administrator.

Transportation services for residents include rides to and from medical appointments. Housekeeping and laundry support help with daily tasks, while fitness and recreation programs give residents ways to stay active. Care plans are shaped around each person’s needs, and help is available for daily living activities.

The community is in a car-dependent area of Watertown, so most errands and outings require a vehicle. For families comparing independent living and assisted living, Meadow Lake offers both care levels in one setting. Residents can easily adjust with support without moving to a different community.

Overview of Davis Court

Located on 9th Avenue Northeast, Davis Court is an independent living community in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The community has private and semi-private rooms in a single-story setting. Transportation and maintenance services are also offered to help residents maintain their independence.

Recreational opportunities and wellness programs promote socialization and encourage residents to live actively. Spacious common areas are also available for residents’ leisure. Its surrounding area also earned a Walk Score of 41, allowing residents to access nearby services on foot. However, transportation is still required for most amenities. Davis Court is also located near Manor Park in Aberdeen, providing residents with options for leisure in the area.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Peaceful Pines Senior Living – Huron is an assisted living community in Huron, South Dakota, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, adult day services, and respite care. As a recently licensed provider, this 46-bed community brings freshly updated, contemporary amenities to the local market for older adults.

The amenity list is among the most extensive for an assisted living community of this size in South Dakota. Confirmed features include daily planned activities, community gardens, walking paths, housekeeping and laundry services, and local off-site transportation, along with emergency systems. Respite stays and adult day services are also available, making this a flexible option for both full residential placement and shorter-term care needs. With a continuum of care spanning independent living through memory care, residents can age in place without the need to relocate.

With a wide range of programming and care levels, Peaceful Pines Senior Living – Huron is a practical option for older adults in Huron and Beadle County seeking a lifestyle-rich, full-continuum senior living community with memory care and flexible care options, including adult day services and respite stays.