Page 3 of Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

Overview of Avantara Groton

Avantara Groton takes pride in being a community that is a serene and nurturing environment that is ideal for comfort and security for a distinct living focused on relaxation and recovery. As one of the city’s most trusted nursing homes, there is a merit of an incomparable level of care that provokes quality service delivered by only the best team of professionals who offer tailored personal care plans for each unique individual. Avantara Groton has the privilege of maximizing advanced medical services that lead to an enhanced caliber of life. 
The areas of excellence are found in the range of an array of specialized services such as community spaces, Wi-Fi all throughout, and an on-site full service salon; rehabilitation services include cardiac care, bariatric care, G-tube, IV therapy, orthopedic care, oncology care, stroke recovery, wound care, and memory care.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Center

Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Center is a nonprofit nursing home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that offers long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. The 98-bed community operates under the Good Samaritan Society’s faith-based nonprofit mission and has received the AHCA Bronze National Quality Award in 2025 in recognition of its commitment to quality improvement and resident care. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents are all welcome.

The community’s current occupancy rate of 73.2% falls below the state average, which suggests availability for immediate placements. Additionally, the average stay is approximately 68 days, which reflects a balanced mix of post-acute rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing support.

Holding a 4-star overall CMS rating, the community performs significantly above South Dakota averages in several major categories. Health inspection scores rank notably higher than statewide benchmarks, while staffing and quality measures also exceed average performance levels. The community also recorded nearly four hours of nursing care per day on average, slightly above the state standard, with consistent weekend nursing coverage helping support continuity of care throughout the week.

The community has recorded a total of 14 health citations throughout its inspection cycle, with the most recent health inspection conducted in September 2025. Notably, all health citations were corrected. 24-hour admissions are also available, which is an important feature for individuals transitioning directly from hospitals or other acute care settings.

Amenities and support services include a dining room, salon, chapel, activity spaces, courtyard areas, housekeeping, maintenance support, and religious and volunteer programs consistent with the organization’s mission-driven philosophy. Therapy services are also provided, including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, rehabilitation programming, and short-term rehab services. Home-based services and caregiver support resources are also available through broader Good Samaritan Society programs.

Offering skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapies, or long-term residential support, Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Center is a good option for older adults in Sioux Falls who prefer a nonprofit, mission-oriented community that demonstrates above-average performance in health inspections and staffing measures.

Overview of United Living Community

A central part of a downtown Brookings campus, United Living Community is an 81-bed nonprofit nursing home run by administrator Liz DeBerg and United Retirement Center. The facility handles skilled nursing, short-term rehab, respite care, and hydro-therapy. While 80% of new admissions use Medicare for short-term recovery, a smaller group of long-term Medicaid residents (18%) and private-pay clients (2%) shapes the building’s overall population, pushing the average stay to 421 days. The property sits in a highly walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 82, though recent financial records report a low occupancy rate of 34.1% alongside an operating deficit of $643.3 thousand on $7.8 million in revenue.

Government health logs show high staffing numbers, led by a daily nursing average of 5 hours and 55 minutes per resident that ranks third across South Dakota. This setup is heavily driven by nurse aides, who provide 3 hours and 48 minutes of direct care daily, helping to cover for below-average hours for registered nurses and LPNs. Clinical summaries reveal a sharp divide between short-term and long-term outcomes.

For temporary rehab residents, the logs show excellent performance, including zero major injuries from falls, zero antipsychotic drug initiations, and zero hospital readmissions. Conversely, tracking files show that permanent residents experienced higher rates of major fall injuries, antipsychotic usage, and daily activity decline than the state average, though the facility’s total federal fines sit low at $13,000.

Interested individuals looking over local care options can use these public tracking reports to see how the building handles different types of stays. Since the state logs verify top-tier daily care hours and flawless physical recovery scores for short-term rehab clients alongside low occupancy and some weak long-term safety numbers, the paperwork fits a building optimized for post-acute recovery.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society Canton

Good Samaritan Society Canton is a church-operated nursing home in Canton, South Dakota, providing short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing care, hospice support, and respite services. The 56-bed community is owned by Karsten Rohlfs and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay options. It has also earned the AHCA Bronze National Quality Award in 2023 for its commitment to quality improvement initiatives.

Occupancy levels remain strong at 91.8%, significantly higher than the South Dakota average, suggesting consistent local demand but limited availability. The average resident stay is approximately 148 days, and admissions are mostly private-pay residents, with Medicare and Medicaid admissions representing smaller but balanced portions of the resident population.

The community currently maintains a 1-star overall CMS rating, with health inspection and quality measures ratings below South Dakota averages. Staffing performance slightly exceeds state benchmarks, with total nursing hours averaging 3 hours and 38 minutes per resident daily, while weekend registered nurse coverage remains modestly above average. However, nurse aide and licensed practical nurse coverage trends are below the statewide averages.

Available services include rehabilitation therapy, short-term rehab, respite care, physician oversight, 24-hour staffing, and on-site security systems designed to support resident safety and care coordination.

With established clinical services and consistent occupancy stability, Good Samaritan Society Canton is best suited for older adults in Canton and the surrounding Lincoln County area seeking long-term nursing support or short-term rehabilitation within a nonprofit, faith-oriented care environment.

Overview of Bethesda of Beresford

Bethesda of Beresford is a nonprofit nursing home in Beresford, South Dakota, founded in 1914 and administered by Britney Senger. The 39-bed facility offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, therapy services, and independent living options and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

The facility holds a 2-star overall CMS rating, driven by a 1-star Health Inspection score, which is 21.6% below the South Dakota average. Across 5 inspections since 2023, the facility recorded 25 citations, averaging 5 per inspection, compared with a state mean of 3.34. A $16,000 civil money penalty was issued in October 2023. No critical citations appear in that window, and the single serious citation is 44% better than the state average.

The Quality Measures rating, however, is a genuine counterweight: 5 stars, 46.5% above the South Dakota average. Antipsychotic use is 15.1%, compared with a state average of 24.4%, and the UTI rate of 0.8% is 77% better than peers, both meaningful signals for long-stay residents.

The facility provides on-site rehabilitation and therapy services, with contracted physical, occupational, and speech therapy staff present most days of the week. A Resident Council meets regularly, and a state-approved Nurse Aide Training program operates on-site.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 85%, above the South Dakota average of 79.9%, with 33 of 39 beds filled. Its payer mix and average length of stay of 329 days reflect a predominantly long-term population: Medicaid covers 47% of current residents, and private-pay residents account for 50% of the census.

Bethesda of Beresford suits long-stay residents in Lincoln County seeking nonprofit, community-rooted skilled nursing care, particularly those for whom quality-of-care outcomes and low antipsychotic use carry weight alongside the inspection record.

Overview of Sun Dial Manor

Sun Dial Manor operates as a nonprofit skilled nursing and assisted living community in Bristol, South Dakota. The 37-bed facility serves Day County residents through short-term rehabilitation and long-term care programs and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

The facility holds a 2-star overall CMS rating. Health Inspection and Quality Measure scores are both roughly 20 to 27% below the South Dakota average, which accounts for the overall standing. Staffing is the counterweight: nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 21 minutes per resident per day, 39% above the state average, ranking Sun Dial Manor 18th of 57 facilities in South Dakota. CMS has recorded two federal penalties over the past three years totaling $30,000, about 24% below the state average for fined facilities, with no payment denials.

Sun Dial Manor offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with 24-hour nursing care and memory care services. Outpatient therapy, transportation to medical appointments, and spiritual support round out the program. The facility’s 77% occupancy rate is in line with the statewide average of 79.9%, indicating capacity is available.

Payer mix reflects the facility’s orientation: 42% of admissions are on Medicare for short-term rehabilitation, with typical stays of 1 to 2 months.

Sun Dial Manor’s combination of above-average nurse staffing and a full therapy suite makes it well-suited to post-acute residents returning home after hospitalization or surgery. Long-term Medicaid residents make up a smaller share of admissions, and families considering that path should weigh the below-average quality measure scores, particularly fall rates, against the facility’s rural location and staffing depth.

Overview of Strand-Kjorsvig Community Rest Home

Run by administrator Samuel Van Voorst and owner Shannon Schmidt, Strand-Kjorsvig Community Rest Home handles skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and respite care within a 33-bed private facility that also serves as a VA-qualified provider. Founded in 1957, the downtown building works with a varied payer group comprising 44% private-pay, 34% Medicaid, and 22% Medicare admissions, leading to an average stay of 229 days. The property is located in an area with a Walk Score of 22, maintaining a 64.4% occupancy rate and reporting a 2024 operating profit of $64.3 thousand on $2.8 million in revenue.

Public oversight databases highlight high staffing numbers, with total nursing care averaging 5 hours and 3 minutes per resident daily to rank ninth across South Dakota. Daily records show robust numbers for both registered nurses and LPNs, including strong weekend RN continuity, though contractors make up 28.1% of overall staff hours.

Clinical tracking summaries reveal solid long-term stability, with permanent residents recording favorable rates for major fall prevention, skin integrity, and walking abilities. However, the data points to some specific hurdles, as long-stay resident weight loss and antipsychotic drug use track higher than state benchmarks, and the home has compiled $56,000 in federal fines across eight penalties over the past three years.

Prospective residents weighing regional long-term care or rehab facilities can analyze these government health records to assess daily operational trends. Since the state reports confirm top-tier nursing hours and steady physical health outcomes alongside historical compliance fines and some specific dietary tracking issues, the documentation shows a small, highly staffed environment.

Overview of Centerville Care and Rehab Center

Owned and operated by Caring Professionals Inc. , Centerville Care and Rehab Center is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation community in Centerville, South Dakota. The center is located on 500 Vermillion St. It provides a mix of short-term rehabilitative care and longer-term nursing services. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, which opens multiple coverage pathways for families navigating payment options.

The 42-bed center currently serves 18 residents, reflecting a moderate occupancy level. Residents stay an average of 229 days. The population is a mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those in longer-term care. With a Walk Score of 43, the location is somewhat walkable. Visiting family members and residents will need to drive for most errands and activities.

Staffing support is part of the daily routine. Nurse staffing averages 3 hours and 53 minutes per resident each day. Residents are supported by registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical/vocational nurses working across the center. The level of hands-on nursing attention reflects the community’s focus on skilled care and rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation is a big component of the center’s offerings because it mainly serves residents recovering from surgery, illness, or injury.

Families considering Centerville Care and Rehab Center should reach out to discuss specific programs, amenities, and services to understand the full range of care available.

Overview of Avantara Redfield

Avantara Redfield is a nursing home in Redfield, South Dakota, offering specialized rehabilitation services including post-surgical care, short-term rehabilitation, and specialized programs for stroke recovery, cardiac care, and wound management. This community focuses on high-acuity therapeutic recovery and extended physical care, under the leadership of dministered by Diane Forgey. Currently, the community is operating at a 66% occupancy rate, which translates into ready admission availability and minimal wait times for families in Spink County navigating sudden healthcare transitions.

The community has recorded 20 health citations over the past seven years, which is above the state average. Findings from 2024 through April 2025 include nutrition management and routine environmental standards during evaluations, which were systematically corrected under approved operational plans.

Furthermore, the community holds a 2-star overall CMS rating. While daily direct nursing hours track below the state benchmark at 2 hours and 54 minutes per resident daily, the community maintains a strong clinical safety profile with zero critical citations over recent inspection windows. Its specialized oncology recovery and on-site hospice partnerships further allow residents to age in place comfortably as their healthcare needs evolve.

For families in the Redfield area seeking a therapy-focused environment with high availability, Avantara Redfield provides a practical choice. Families are encouraged to tour the therapy wings in person, meet the clinical staff, and review current nursing schedules to ensure the community’s tailored support frameworks align precisely with their loved one’s recovery goals.

Overview of Avantara Milbank

Avantara Milbank is a nursing home in Milbank, South Dakota, focused primarily on short-term recovery and post-acute care services for older adults. Privately owned and operated, this 45-bed community is currently operating at a 68% occupancy rate, which is lower than the state average and suggests availability for immediate placements. Furthermore, it serves a resident population largely composed of Medicare and private-pay individuals, with an average length of stay of approximately 127 days, which reflects its rehabilitation-centered approach rather than long-term custodial care.

The community underwent six inspections and received 18 citations over the past seven years, a figure above the South Dakota average. Between late 2023 and the end of 2024, three federal penalties were issued related to regulatory deficiencies. Six citations were also categorized as serious in severity, substantially higher than the statewide average, highlighting areas of compliance concern.

Additionally, the most recent inspection, completed in March 2025, identified deficiencies involving quality of care, resident rights, and nutrition services, all of which were subsequently corrected. Notably, the community has not recorded any immediate jeopardy findings or critical-level citations.

Staffing levels align with the community’s focus on rehabilitation and transitional care, with an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes of nursing care daily, which is slightly below the South Dakota average. Certified nursing assistants also make up the largest share of direct care staffing, while contract staff account for roughly 20% of total staffing hours.

Clinical programming focuses heavily on post-acute recovery and includes specialized support for post-surgical rehabilitation, stroke recovery, cardiac care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and pulmonary care. These services are designed for residents recovering from hospitalization or complex medical events who require time-limited skilled nursing oversight and therapy before returning home or transitioning to a lower level of care.

Focusing on post-acute therapy and specialized rehabilitation services, Avantara Milbank is best suited for older adults in the Milbank area seeking short-term rehabilitation and clinically focused recovery support within a moderately sized community.