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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 71 nursing homes in SD using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in SD
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the SD Dept. of Health (DOH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
HC (Home Care):
Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The South Dakota average is: 58.6% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other SD nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 71 on this page. See how we rank facilities
Two care types are on the board at Dells Nursing and Rehab Center in Dell Rapids, SD. They are nursing home care and skilled nursing.
Forty-six beds fall in the smaller range, where staff and residents know each other. Extensive long-term service is what the nursing home side names, and skilled nursing means a licensed nurse is never off the floor. The long-term work and a short rehabilitation stay both rest on that same overnight cover.
Short-term rehabilitation covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, so more than one discipline is open during a rehabilitation stay. Social activities are named too. That answers someone needing short term rehabilitation or ongoing nursing in a smaller building.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. Medicaid answers the long stay once savings run short, and Medicare the weeks of skilled care that follow a hospital. Private pay is the route that needs no answer at all.
Nursing here affords 3 hours and 26 minutes to each resident’s day. Calyn Togel is named administrator.
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.
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.
Aurora Brule Nursing Home in White Lake, South Dakota, offers a combination of skilled nursing, nursing home care, assisted living, hospice services, and respite stays. Assisted living helps with routine daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and managing medication. Outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation programs provide physical and occupational therapy options, while short-term respite care offers temporary relief for primary family caregivers.
Operating with 50 beds, the community functions under the leadership of administrator Kathy Styles. Registered and licensed staff deliver an average of four hours of daily nursing care per resident, and an attending doctor is on staff. Payment methods include Medicare for qualified short-term care, Medicaid for long-term residential assistance, and private funds.
Prospective representatives considering local senior care options can contact Aurora Brule Nursing Home to discuss available beds, plan a campus visit, or learn more about admissions.
Highmore Health is a nursing home, memory care, palliative care, and skilled nursing community in Highmore, SD. Nursing home care supports long term residence for people who need ongoing nursing and daily care, while skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for a resident at risk of wandering, and palliative care focuses on comfort and symptom support.
There are 39 beds. The smaller community gives staff and residents the chance to get to know one another, and it can suit someone who prefers a more intimate setting. Rehabilitation services support a resident’s work toward recovering or maintaining physical function. Highmore Health accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay; total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 39 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident, and Kim Knox serves as the administrator.
Spearfish Canyon Healthcare is a nursing home in Spearfish, SD, providing hospice care and skilled nursing. Skilled nursing means licensed nurses are on site around the clock, while hospice supports residents receiving end-of-life care. Long-term care and short-term rehabilitation are both available, making the home a possible fit for someone recovering through rehabilitation or needing ongoing nursing support.
The community has 105 beds. Rehabilitation services, pain management, dental care, dialysis, and podiatry are available through the home, so residents can receive these services there instead of arranging each one independently. Social activities are also offered.
Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are accepted, giving families these payment routes to consider for eligible services and care. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 34 minutes per resident per day, representing the combined daily nursing time allocated to each resident. Charlotte Pentheny serves as the administrator.
Good Samaritan Society Canton offers nursing home, assisted living, hospice care, and skilled nursing in Canton, SD. Nursing home and skilled nursing include licensed nursing care around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Hospice care centers on comfort and support for someone nearing the end of life, and having these care types together can suit a resident whose needs grow over time without requiring a move to another community.
The community has 56 beds, placing it in the smaller community range where staff and residents may get to know one another more closely. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 51 minutes per resident per day, which represents the nursing time allocated to each resident across a day. The starting price is $3,137 per month, giving families a baseline for monthly budgeting, with Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay accepted.
Respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs temporary relief, while short term rehabilitation and rehabilitation services support a temporary recovery period. A salon and spa provide grooming services, transportation gives residents access to travel support through the community, and a doctor is on staff; Scott Larson serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 64 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, where some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to complete some errands independently.
At Avantara Mountain View in Rapid City, South Dakota, six recovery programs are named: post‑surgical care, stroke and other neurological conditions, cardiac care, oncology recovery, orthopedic rehabilitation, and pulmonary care. That level of specificity is emphasized, since the work of recovering from a stroke is not the same as the work of recovering from a knee injury; one involves rebuilding strength, while the other may require relearning speech, swallowing, or the use of one side of the body.
The 95‑bed nursing home and skilled nursing facility is arranged to support residents who need ongoing clinical oversight and daily assistance, with licensed nursing care made available at every hour. Short-term rehab sits inside that structure for someone whose stay has an end in view.
Nursing time per resident works out to 3 hours and 32 minutes daily. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted here, with Medicare covering skilled care after a hospital admission, Medicaid entering when savings will not carry a long stay, and families paying directly for the rest. Laura Karlson serves as the administrator.
Overview of Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Center
Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Center provides nursing home and skilled nursing care in Sioux Falls, SD. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock for residents who need ongoing clinical support. The community has 98 beds, with 4 hours and 5 minutes of nurse staffing per resident each day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated per resident.
Short-term rehabilitation can suit someone who needs a temporary setting for rehabilitation rather than ongoing residence. Occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and other rehabilitation services support residents who need therapy as part of their care. Medicare covers short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay, and private pay means the family pays directly.
A salon provides personal grooming within the community, while the chapel and religious services offer access to worship on site. Home-based services and caregiver support address care needs beyond the daily residential setting. Luke Wanous is the administrator.
Avantara Redfield is a 58 bed nursing home in Redfield, South Dakota, offering hospice care and skilled nursing. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while hospice supports residents receiving end of life care. The combination suits someone whose needs include ongoing clinical support or hospice services.
The smaller setting may allow staff and residents to get to know one another. Rehabilitation includes short term rehabilitation, giving a resident a time limited stay focused on recovery, as well as post surgical care and orthopedic rehabilitation. Programs for stroke and other neurological conditions, cardiac care, oncology recovery care, and pulmonary care address specific recovery needs.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover eligible care or pay directly. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 20 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident. Diane Forgey serves as administrator.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Avg Overall CMS Rating:2.7/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in South Dakota. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:3.3/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in South Dakota. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.7/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in South Dakota. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in South Dakota
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in South Dakota?
Assisted living in South Dakota is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does South Dakota Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — South Dakota Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 71 nursing homes in South Dakota. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home 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 nursing homes 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.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
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