Page 2 of Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

Overview of Avantara Clark City

Avantara Clark City is a 35-bed nursing home in Clark, South Dakota, providing short-term rehabilitation services with specialized support in orthopedic recovery, wound care, and oncology rehabilitation. Privately owned and operated, the community serves individuals throughout Clark County with a strong emphasis on post-acute recovery and transitional skilled nursing care following hospitalization or surgery.

The community has maintained a notably strong inspection history over the past seven years, with only five total citations across inspections, placing it among the best-performing nursing communities in South Dakota for both total citations and citations per inspection. Notably, these is no critical citations, a performance level significantly stronger than statewide averages. One serious citation was identified and resolved in 2024, while the remaining deficiencies were classified at the moderate level. However, the community received a federal monetary penalty in September 2024 related to compliance issues, though this amount remained well below the South Dakota average for similar penalties.

Staffing levels align with the community’s focus on short-term rehabilitation and recovery care, with an average of 3 hours and 9 minutes of nursing care per day, slightly below the South Dakota average of 3 hours and 46 minutes. Meanwhile, occupancy remains steady at approximately 79%, closely matching statewide trends and reflecting consistent demand for rehabilitation-focused services. Many short-term rehabilitation residents also remain in the community for one to two months while recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization before returning home or transitioning to another care setting.

The care model is designed primarily for older adults requiring focused, skilled nursing and rehabilitation support during recovery periods. Services are commonly focused on post-acute patients needing rehabilitation following orthopedic procedures, acute medical events, wound treatment, or oncology-related recovery.

Avantara Clark City is a strong option for individuals in Clark County seeking short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation care within a smaller community environment focused on recovery, therapy, and transitional medical support.

Overview of Dells Nursing and Rehab Center

Owned by Stroschein Properties LLC, Dells Nursing and Rehab Center is a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. The 46-bed facility is located on Thresher Drive. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several options for covering both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care.

The community has an occupancy rate of 89%. Residents stay an average of about 15 months, including people recovering through rehabilitation and those needing ongoing skilled nursing care. The facility provides short-term rehabilitation and longer-term care.

Residents recovering from illness, surgery, or a hospital stay can access physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. Those staying longer receive 24-hour nursing care and dietary services depending on their individual needs.

Total nursing care averages 4 hours per resident each day. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses work together to provide coordinated support and daily care. Meals are an important part of daily life at the facility. Residents are served homemade meals in a family-style dining setting. Residents have access to an open breakfast service and meal choices at each sitting, so they can choose what they eat throughout the day.

The surrounding area has a Walk Score of 60, so some errands and nearby services can be reached while walking. Families visiting from outside the area may appreciate the small-town setting and the community-focused approach to care.

Overview of Bethesda Home of Aberdeen

Located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Bethesda Home of Aberdeen is a skilled nursing home in Brown County. It is less than a mile from Avera St. Luke’s Hospital’s emergency room and about 2 miles from the city center. Scott Eisenbeisz owns the community and serves as CEO and Administrator. Alongside skilled nursing, it offers assisted living, home care, respite care, senior apartments, and adult day services. Families can use these options in the same community as care needs change.

The 86-bed home currently serves 82 residents. It runs close to full, with a 98% occupancy rate. Residents stay an average of about 153 days, reflecting both post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care. The community has been open for about 1 year.

Total nursing care averages 4 hours and 23 minutes per resident daily. Rehabilitation and physical rehabilitation services are also available to support residents recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover both short-term and long-term care.

State health inspections have often focused on documentation and care coordination practices. These include documenting respiratory care and hospice services together. Reviews have also covered food temperatures, food safety records, hand hygiene, and skin-assessment practices, which are recurring administrative and procedural themes rather than one major concern. Families touring the community may ask how staff manage these practices daily.

The surrounding area is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 12 out of 100. Most errands and visits require driving rather than walking. However, the nearby hospital can benefit residents needing frequent medical follow-up or transfers.

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 Avantara North

Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, Avantara North is a 68-bed nursing home administered by Celina Block that offers memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. Rehabilitation services cover a wide range of needs, particularly those in need of recovery as part of their care plan. Furthermore, short-term rehabilitation can support a time-limited recovery, while respite care offers a short stay when the primary caregiver needs to travel or recover.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, with Medicare covering eligible short-term skilled care after a hospital stay and Medicaid helping when savings may not cover a long stay. Meanwhile, private pay allows a family to pay directly. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time provided for each resident.

The area has a Walk Score of 39 and is car-dependent, so most errands require a car or a ride. This indicates that a resident who no longer drives would need one for those trips. Avantara North may be a good fit for those living with dementia who need a secure, supervised setting, people recovering after surgery, stroke, or orthopedic treatment, or a family caregiver who needs temporary support.

Overview of Sun Dial Manor

Located in Bristol, South Dakota, Sun Dial Manor is a nursing home in a small Day County community. It offers nursing home, skilled nursing, and assisted living care under one roof. Joy Voss serves as administrator. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover short-term rehabilitation and longer-term stays.

The 37-bed community has been operating for about 1 year. It currently has an occupancy rate of roughly 58%, so space is available for new residents. Residents stay an average of around 373 days, which reflects shorter post-acute rehabilitation admissions and residents receiving extended nursing care.

Total nursing coverage averages about 4 hours and 21 minutes per resident daily. This includes registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, and nurse aide time. Residents receive steady hands-on support throughout the day. State health inspections have often focused on resident rights and quality-of-care practices, while other areas include infection control and administrative recordkeeping.

Clinical services include physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The home also provides 24-hour nursing care and memory care services. Outpatient therapy supports residents continuing their recovery after hospitalization. Transportation to medical appointments and weekly spiritual support are also available, and residents have access to in-room cable and personalized living spaces. Families considering this smaller, rural setting may ask how staff organize social activities and programming within the town.

In Rapid City, South Dakota, Fountain Springs Healthcare Center is a haven for healing and compassionate care. Whether residents require transitional care following hospitalization or seek long-term support due to safety concerns at home, Fountain Springs offers a serene refuge. The center has garnered acclaim for its successful patient transitions back home or to a lower level of care, earning the prestigious 2018 Pinnacle Customer Experience Award for its exceptional senior healthcare services.

At Fountain Springs, individuals receive personalized care through an interdisciplinary approach to skilled nursing. The recreation department fosters a sense of community and home by organizing various activities and outings. Whether it’s assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support, or respite stays, Fountain Springs Healthcare Center remains steadfast in delivering 5-star quality care to its residents. 

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Care Center is a tribally operated nursing home in Flandreau, South Dakota, that provides skilled nursing, memory care, and long-term residential support in a welcoming, close-knit environment. Administered by Annmarie Kutzke, this 42-bed community is a relatively new nursing home in Moody County. Its approach to care centers on treating residents like family while supporting comfort, dignity, and connection for older adults who require daily clinical or personal assistance.

The community holds a 3-star overall CMS rating, performing above the South Dakota state average in several key areas. Staffing levels and quality measures both significantly exceed the state benchmark, along with health inspection performance. One of the strongest indicators is nursing coverage, with total nursing hours averaging 6 hours and 15 minutes per resident each day, which is higher than the state average and is the highest among South Dakota skilled nursing communities. Registered nurse coverage is especially strong at 1 hour and 47 minutes daily, more than double the statewide average.

Weekend RN coverage also stands out at 1 hour and 19 minutes per day, significantly above the state average and indicative of strong clinical oversight throughout the week. Nurse aide staffing reaches 4 hours and 55 minutes per resident daily, placing the community among the strongest in the state for direct hands-on care. Weekend total nursing coverage remains consistently high as well. Meanwhile, the only staffing category slightly below the state average is LPN coverage, which averages 27 minutes per resident each day.

Across seven health inspections, exceeding the South Dakota average of 4.5 inspections, the community received only 10 total citations. Citations averaged 1.43 per inspection, substantially lower than the statewide average of 3.34 and among the better records in South Dakota. No critical citations were identified, and all reviewed deficiencies from recent inspections were reported as corrected.

Additionally, recent inspections completed in August and September 2025 cited citation categories related to quality of care, nutrition, pharmacy services, and abuse prevention. All of which are standard regulatory review areas and do not suggest a broader pattern of harm or systemic compliance concerns. Confirmed amenities include a courtyard, dining room, living room, spa, salon, laboratory services, and a private family dining space. Physician support and 24-hour staffing are available, as well as memory care.

For older adults and families in the Flandreau and Moody County region, including members of the Santee Sioux Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Care Center offers a compelling option for skilled nursing and memory care supported by exceptional staffing levels, strong clinical oversight, and a consistently favorable inspection history.

Overview of Aurora Brule Nursing Home

Located on Johnston Street in White Lake, South Dakota, Aurora Brule Nursing Home is a 50-bed skilled nursing facility. The home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care. The facility has an occupancy rate of 62%. Residents stay an average of 176 days, including those receiving post-acute rehabilitation and needing longer-term care.

Rehabilitation is a key part of the facility’s services. Inpatient and outpatient therapy are available. There’s also respite care for families needing temporary support. A doctor is on staff, and the home provides 24-hour nursing care.

Residents receive an average of 3 hours and 27 minutes of nursing care each day. Registered nurses provide 30 minutes of that daily care. This level of staffing supports residents recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay and provides their ongoing medical needs.

White Lake is a rural community with a Walk Score of 17, so the area is car-dependent. Most errands and visits require transportation. Some families may appreciate the quieter small-town setting and slower pace of the area.

Families considering Aurora Brule Nursing Home should ask about rehabilitation services, daily care routines, and recent resident experiences to determine whether the facility’s services match a loved one’s care and recovery needs.

Overview of Highmore Health

Serving Hyde County for more than 50 years, Highmore Health is a nursing home in Highmore, South Dakota. Caring Professionals owns and operates the community, while Kim Knox serves as administrator. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover short-term rehabilitation and longer-term stays.

The 39-bed home usually runs close to full, with occupancy around 89%. Residents stay an average of about 440 days, which is a mix of residents recovering after hospital stays and those receiving ongoing care. Memory care, palliative care, and long-term care are offered, so residents can often remain in the same community as their care needs change.

Total nursing care averages 3 hours and 35 minutes per resident daily, and this hands-on support is a central part of daily life. On-site rehabilitation services are also available, so residents can continue recovering without leaving the community for appointments. The home has experienced staff and a family feel, which may matter when families choose care for a loved one.

Inspection reviews have often focused on resident rights, infection control, and general quality of life and care standards. Families touring the home may ask how staff address these areas each day.

Highmore Health is in a rural area with a Walk Score of 29 out of 100, so most errands and outings require driving rather than walking. The home has a long-standing presence in Hyde County and the surrounding area. It combines short-term rehabilitation with longer-term and specialised care options under one roof.