Page 6 of Best Independent Living in South Dakota

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 52 independent living communities in SD using SD Dept. of Health (DOH) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in SD
Reviewed by
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in South Dakota our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in South Dakota.
52 homes
Other senior care options in South Dakota:
Avg Walk Score: 42/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in South Dakota. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 69The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in South Dakota. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
Overview of Good Samaritan Society-St Martin Village

Good Samaritan Society-St Martin Village is a skilled nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, part of the well-established Good Samaritan Society, a name many families across the region have come to know over the years. The community is housed in a three-story building on Good Shepherd Way, offering both one-bed and two-bed room options. For families weighing nursing care in the area, that connection to a long-standing faith-based organization is often part of the appeal.

Daily life here centers on comprehensive nursing care paired with an all-inclusive approach to services. Residents receive home-cooked meals, housekeeping, and maintenance-free living, so the practical burdens of running a household are handled for them. Social life is woven into the setting through gatherings in the community room, dining room, and chapel, alongside wellness programs and religious services. An emergency response system adds a layer of day-to-day reassurance for residents and their families.

On the clinical side, nurse aides provide close to two hours of hands-on support per resident each day, with registered nurse coverage adding roughly an hour and a half more. That level of direct staffing is a meaningful signal of how much bedside attention residents can expect. The location sits in a quieter, car-dependent part of Rapid City, so visiting family will generally plan to drive, which also tends to mean a calmer residential setting away from heavier traffic.

Contact Good Samaritan Society-St Martin Village

Overview of Primrose Cottages – Aberdeen

Primrose Cottages – Aberdeen is an assisted living community on Meadowbrooke Court in Aberdeen, South Dakota, offering one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments as well as townhome villas. These housing options give older adults flexibility in selecting a living arrangement that matches their preferences. The surrounding neighborhood has a walkability score of 7, so most errands and outings require transportation.

Residents are supported by 24-hour staffing with licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, along with a rapid response call system and routine safety checks. Restaurant-style dining features chef-prepared meals and menu choices, while amenities include a wellness center, library, landscaped courtyards and patios, scheduled transportation, individual climate control, and telehealth services. Lawn care and snow removal are also included.

Signature programs and specialty services are designed to help residents maintain independence and support their overall quality of life.

Contact Primrose Cottages – Aberdeen

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Memory care specialists
  • Finding and ranking the best independent living communities

Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in South Dakota

What is independent living?

Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.

How many independent living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 52 independent living communities in South Dakota. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in South Dakota?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in South Dakota, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting independent living communities in South Dakota?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.