Page 2 of Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

Overview of Avantara Watertown

Avantara Watertown is a nursing home in Watertown, South Dakota, that offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Administered by Lynna Speier, it is one of the newer communities in the area, with only one year of operating history. This 51-bed community maintains a consistent 90% occupancy rate, which reflects strong local demand and deep trust among area families, but limited availability.

With an intimate, small-scale capacity, the community offers meals, routine laundry, linen care, housekeeping, and property maintenance. A calendar of social activities, recreational events, and therapeutic exercises is also provided. Short-term post-hospitalization rehabilitation, comprehensive programs for stroke and neurological recovery, customized cardiac care, wound management, and tailored oncology recovery care are among the services provided.

Operating under federal CMS certification, the community utilizes an interdisciplinary care model to manage complex health transitions. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are also accepted. Structurally, the community demonstrates particular strength in direct care oversight, maintaining a Registered Nurse (RN) staffing ratio that tracks 45% above the South Dakota state average, providing significant clinical reassurance for residents with complex medical needs.

Regulatory monitoring is conducted via unannounced on-site health and safety evaluations by the South Dakota Department of Health and federal inspectors. In recent evaluation cycles, the property achieved an “Above Average” health inspection star rating, recording only three health citations during its most recent comprehensive survey, which is well below both the national average of 9.4 and the South Dakota state baseline of 6.9. While historical record scorecards show a low baseline count for severe citations, the community ranks favorably across statewide compliance indexes, reflecting a proactive administrative team and a consistent operational record.

For families in the Watertown area seeking a seasoned, regulation-compliant environment with an intimate community feel, Avantara Watertown offers a stable and credentialed choice. Ranked 14th among the longest-operating senior care properties in South Dakota, its multi-decade presence ensures a deeply rooted, relationship-centered approach to care.

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.

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. 

Overview of Avantara North

Operating a 68-bed nursing home at 1620 North 7th Street in Rapid City’s North 7th Street neighborhood, Avantara North serves residents under administrator Celina Block’s leadership.

The privately owned facility, operational since early 2025, accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents and maintains 87% occupancy; exceeding South Dakota’s average of 79.9%. Average resident stay extends to 151 days.

CMS assigns a 2-star overall rating, 20.3% below state average, driven by health inspection performance rated 2 stars (21.6% below state) and below-average quality measures.

Conversely, staffing earns a 3-star rating, 4.5% above state benchmarks, as does quality measures at 3 stars with 9.9% above-state performance. Total nursing care averages 3 hours 7 minutes per resident daily, falling 17% below the state average. Weekend nursing drops to 2 hours 32 minutes daily, 23% below state norms. Staff-to-resident ratio of 1.32:1 underperforms the state standard of 1.93:1 by 31%, indicating concentrated staffing constraints.

Rehabilitation programming encompasses post-surgical recovery, short-term skilled rehabilitation, stroke and neurological care, cardiac services, oncology recovery, orthopedic rehabilitation, and pulmonary support. Respite care and on-site salon services complement clinical offerings. Wi-Fi access and community spaces support resident engagement.

Five inspections since 2022 identified 20 health citations with no critical findings. One $12,000 federal penalty was imposed in October 2024.

Clinical strengths include zero reported depressive symptoms and minimal antipsychotic use (10.0%, well below state average of 24.4%). Walking ability decline at 37.2% significantly exceeds state benchmarks.

The location sits 1.4 miles from downtown and adjacent to Black Hills Urgent Care (0.37 miles). Walk score of 39 indicates somewhat walkable surroundings dependent on transportation for most errands.

Avantara North operates as a newly established short-stay rehabilitation facility managing competing staffing constraints against selected clinical outcome advantages.

Overview of Spearfish Canyon Healthcare

Spearfish Canyon Healthcare is a nursing home in Spearfish, South Dakota, providing skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and a range of specialized medical services. The 105-bed community is administered by Charlotte Pentheny. Both Medicare and Medicaid are accepted, broadening access for a range of financial situations.

According to CMS data, the community holds an overall rating of 3 stars, placing it in the average tier compared to national baselines but above the local market average of 2.4 stars. The community also features an “Average” 3-star health inspection rating, with 8 citations recorded during its most recent standard health survey on August 28, 2025. This performance is slightly above the South Dakota statewide average of 6.9 citations but remains lower than the national average of 9.4.

A complaint survey was also completed in July 2025, which identified deficiencies related to care quality and accident prevention following an elopement incident. This finding was immediately addressed through corrective staff education. Its quality of care metrics are strong, particularly for long-stay residents, with significantly fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits than state averages. However, its nursing staffing levels and turnover metrics currently hold a “Below Average” rating.

Confirmed services include rehabilitation services, long-term and short-term care, pain management, dental care, dialysis, podiatry, and licensed professional nursing staff on-site. The range of specialized services, particularly dialysis and dental care, is noteworthy for a community of this size and reflects a higher level of clinical capability than many similarly sized rural communities.

Spearfish Canyon Healthcare is ideal for older adults in the Spearfish area and broader Black Hills region seeking skilled nursing care, post-acute rehabilitation, or long-term residential support, particularly those with complex medical needs such as dialysis or chronic pain management.

Overview of Avantara Mountain View

Avantara Mountain View is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, offering skilled nursing and post-acute rehabilitation. Privately operated by Mountain View SD Skilled Nursing Facility, LLC, this 95-bed community is currently operating at an 81% occupancy rate, which is similar to the state average and reflects local demand.

Operating under federal CMS guidelines and South Dakota state licensure, the community features a robust multi-disciplinary care framework. The clinical support specializes in high-acuity post-surgical care, stroke and neurological recovery, cardiac rehabilitation, and orthopedic stabilization. A defining structural strength of the community is its physical therapy staffing ratio, which tracks 33% above the South Dakota state average. While average nursing hours sit slightly below state benchmarks at 3 hours and 25 minutes per resident daily, the overall care matrix successfully minimizes long-stay risks, achieving a major injury fall rate that is 66% lower than the state average and maintaining exceptionally low indicators for resident depressive symptoms.

The community consistently maintains an above-average performance track, with a 3-star overall CMS rating, where quality measures and health inspection scores outperform the state average. In its past inspection cycles, a localized cluster of moderate citations tied to routine pharmacy services and infection control protocols has been identified, which resulted in a single minor federal fine in mid-2024 that is 77% below regional averages. However, all findings were systematically resolved under approved plans of correction.

Positioned in a well-established neighborhood pocket, the community achieves a walk score of 83, ranking eighth highest among similar communities statewide, giving visiting families and ambulatory residents excellent pedestrian access to local pharmacies, retail centers, and restaurants.

Avantara Mountain View’s unique combination of high physical therapy concentration, strong short-term rehabilitation metrics, and an exceptionally walkable urban location makes it a practical option for post-hospitalization care in Rapid City and the broader Black Hills.

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.