Page 6 of Best Memory Care in South Dakota

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.

Overview of Jenkin`s Living Center

Jenkin’s Living Center is a nonprofit nursing home in Watertown, South Dakota, that focuses on short-term rehabilitation and post-acute recovery services. This relatively new community also accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Confirmed services also include transportation, 24-hour skilled nursing support, individualized care planning, therapy programs, and restaurant-style dining.

The community currently holds a 1-star overall CMS rating, reflecting ongoing challenges related to regulatory compliance and quality oversight. Over the past four years, six inspections resulted in 25 health citations, significantly exceeding the South Dakota average. These include one critical citation and two serious deficiencies, while complaint investigations identified incidents involving inadequate supervision related to a fatal fall and medication administration errors. Between October 2023 and April 2024, the community received two federal fines.

Inspection reports also documented recurring concerns in areas such as infection control, resident care planning, environmental safety, fall prevention, and pressure ulcer management. Although corrective actions were implemented, several issues reappeared across multiple inspection cycles.

Staffing performance presents a more favorable picture and represents one of the community’s stronger operational areas. Nursing care is provided more than four hours daily on average, exceeding South Dakota benchmarks and earning the community a 4-star CMS staffing rating. Licensed practical nurse coverage is especially strong, which is above state averages and supports routine hands-on care and medication management.

The resident population is also heavily oriented toward short-term rehabilitation, with Medicare admissions accounting for the majority of new residents and typical rehabilitation stays averaging just over three weeks. Additionally, current occupancy levels remain below the state average, suggesting availability for immediate placement.

Jenkin’s Living Center is best suited for older adults seeking short-term rehabilitation or skilled nursing support in the Watertown area, particularly those who value stronger staffing coverage. However, careful review of the community’s inspection history and compliance record is advised.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village

Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village is a nonprofit nursing home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offering assisted living, independent living, memory care, rehabilitation therapy, and long-term nursing support. With 177 licensed beds, this church-operated community is one of the largest senior care campuses in South Dakota and operates under the Good Samaritan Society’s faith-based nonprofit mission. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay are also accepted.

The community currently holds a 1-star overall CMS rating, with health inspection and quality measure scores falling below South Dakota averages. On the other hand, staffing levels compare more favorably and are among the community’s stronger operational areas. Nursing care per day is recorded at over four hours on average, placing the community above statewide benchmarks. Licensed practical nurse coverage and weekend nursing hours also exceed state averages, while registered nurse and nurse aide staffing remain modestly below benchmark levels.

Occupancy remains high at nearly 90%, reflecting stable demand and an established reputation within the region. Additionally, the resident population includes a mix of short-term rehabilitation patients, private-pay residents, and Medicaid-supported long-term care residents. Medicare residents typically stay for shorter rehabilitation-focused periods, while private-pay and Medicaid residents often remain for several months. The broad continuum of care available, ranging from independent living to memory care, allows residents to transition between care levels as needs evolve.

Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village is ideal for older adults and families seeking a large nonprofit community with multiple living and care options, strong overall staffing investment, and the ability to support both short-term rehabilitation and long-term residential care under one roof.

Overview of Palisade Healthcare Center

Located on 4th Street in Garretson, South Dakota, Palisade Healthcare Center is a skilled nursing facility with 55 beds. Most daily errands within this small community require transportation beyond walking distance. The center has an occupancy rate of 84%, and residents stay an average of 96 days. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, providing access routes for rehabilitation stays and longer-term care.

The community’s clinical focus is reflected in its staffing model. Nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 2 minutes per resident each day. Residents are supported by registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses. This hands-on support makes it an ideal setting for patients recovering from an illness or injury, or for those needing ongoing skilled nursing care.

Clinically, Palisade offers rehabilitation services and respite care options, so families can choose if they need short-term support for a recovering relative. There’s 24-hour staffing and memory support services to ensure the safety and specialized care for residents with cognitive needs. Residents’ meals are prepared on-site with attention to nutrition.

The straightforward, no-frills facility is best-suited for families focused on skilled care and clinical support rather than extensive amenities or activities programming.

Overview of Avantara Saint Cloud

Operated under owner Laura Henney, Avantara Saint Cloud is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota. The facility is located at 302 St Cloud Street. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care costs. The 78-bed home has a current occupancy rate of 96%. Residents stay an average of 333 days, including people receiving short-term rehabilitation and those needing longer-term care.

The community provides 24-hour staffing. Nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 57 minutes of nursing care each day. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides are part of the care team. Rehabilitation services are available, and the home also offers respite care for families needing temporary placement for a loved one.

State inspections have reviewed areas such as staffing records, infection control, and care practices. These are important parts of daily operations in a nursing home. Families considering the facility should ask how regulatory engagement is overseen and how these areas are managed daily.

Meals are prepared with fresh ingredients to meet residents’ nutritional needs. Amenities on-site include salon services, high-speed Wi-Fi, and community spaces where residents and families can spend time together. The surrounding area has a Walk Score of 0, so it’s car-dependent. Most visits and errands require transportation.