Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

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 Westhills Village Health Care Facility

Westhills Village Health Care Facility is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, that offers short-term rehabilitation, respite care, and supportive health care services. Administered by Kelsey Bertsch, this 44-bed community provides multiple levels of care that include rehabilitation therapies, structured recovery programs, and short-term stays designed for those recovering after hospitalization or medical treatment in Pennington County.

The community holds a 3-star rating for short-stay resident outcomes, supported by above-average discharge performance metrics. Nearly 70% of residents also achieve their expected self-care goals by discharge, outperforming the South Dakota average by a substantial margin. In addition, more than 60% of short-stay residents successfully transition back home or to a community-based setting following care. These outcomes reflect the community’s strong focus on post-acute rehabilitation and recovery-centered programming rather than long-term custodial support.

Staffing levels exceed many regional benchmarks, particularly in registered nursing and physical therapy coverage. RN support per day and physical therapy hours are both significantly higher than the statewide average. Weekend nursing coverage also remains above average, helping maintain continuity of care throughout the week. This stronger staffing profile, combined with enhanced therapy programming, reinforces the community’s emphasis on rehabilitation and recovery services.

Services include short-term rehabilitation, respite care, therapy programming, support services, and online wellness classes designed to encourage recovery and overall well-being. The community also operates from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. on weekdays and from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. on weekends.

Westhills Village Health Care Facility is best suited for those seeking short-term rehabilitative care after hospitalization, surgery, or illness, with services and staffing structured to support recovery goals and a timely return home or to a community-based living environment.

Overview of Prairie Heights Healthcare

Prairie Heights Healthcare is a skilled nursing community in Aberdeen, South Dakota, providing rehabilitation therapy, long-term residential care, short-term skilled nursing, and a range of specialized clinical services. Administered by Darcy Albrecht with a Medicare certification, this 99-bed community accepts both Medicaid and Medicare, helping broaden access for individuals with varying financial and healthcare coverage needs. Occupancy is below the state average, with a 63.2% occupancy rate, suggesting availability.

Confirmed care services include rehabilitation therapy, long-term and short-term nursing care, licensed nursing support, pain management, dental services, dialysis, and podiatry care. The availability of both dialysis and on-site dental services is particularly notable for a mid-sized skilled nursing community in the Aberdeen market, offering added convenience for residents managing multiple medical conditions or requiring ongoing specialized treatment. Positioned in one of the most walkable areas among South Dakota nursing communities, with a Walk Score of 85, the community provides convenient access to many nearby services and destinations on foot.

Prairie Heights Healthcare is well-suited for older adults in Aberdeen and throughout Brown County seeking skilled nursing support, post-acute rehabilitation, or long-term residential care, as it has a wide range of specialized services.

Overview of The Courtyard Westhills Village

The Courtyard Westhills Village is an assisted living community in Rapid City, South Dakota, offering assisted living, rehabilitation services, and respite care. With a 60-bed capacity, this community accepts Medicare, which is uncommon among similar communities. It is also affiliated with the Clarkson Health Care network as well as a broader campus that features therapy services, a Support Plus Program, and in-home care.

Amenities include a wellness space with specialized classes, activity and group areas, a welcoming outdoor inner courtyard, and a sun deck with southern exposure. Furthermore, living spaces feature handicap-accessible bathrooms and showers, generous closet space, expanded cable service, and central heating and cooling throughout. Floor plans are available in one- and two-bedroom configurations, and the building is equipped with a full fire sprinkler system and smoke detectors. Volunteer programs, clinical services, and respite stays are provided through 24-hour nursing staffing.

A comprehensive continuum of services is also provided, including therapy and in-home care, offering a level of care coordination that standalone assisted living communities often cannot match, which appeals to families and older adults anticipating progressing needs. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and Saturday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

The Courtyard Westhills Village is a practical option for older adults in the greater Rapid City area seeking assisted living support within a structured, amenity-rich environment, particularly those looking for seamless access to on-site rehabilitation and respite care.

Overview of Avantara Lake Norden

Avantara Lake Norden is a privately owned nursing home in Lake Norden, South Dakota, that offers memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and specialized clinical support services. The 50-bed community is owned and administered by Margaret Grimm and operates under an active CMS certification. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents are accepted, providing flexibility for a variety of care needs and financial situations.

The community holds a 5-star overall CMS rating, the highest designation available, and performs substantially above South Dakota averages across multiple quality categories. Health inspection scores rank exceptionally high, while quality measures also exceed statewide benchmarks by a wide margin, reflecting strong regulatory performance and positive resident outcomes. Staffing ratings are modestly above average according to CMS methodology, although raw nursing hours per resident remain somewhat below state averages. Weekend nursing coverage also averages 2 hours and 44 minutes daily.

The community has an occupancy rate of 92%, reflecting sustained demand and local confidence in the community’s services. Medicare residents typically remain for one to two months, while private-pay residents often stay several months longer. The average overall length of stay is approximately 175 days.

Secured memory care services are a particularly important differentiator in the region, offering support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an area where specialized memory care options may be limited.

Avantara Lake Norden is ideal for older adults and families seeking a highly rated skilled nursing community with memory care capabilities, strong inspection outcomes, and a reputation supported by high occupancy and sustained community demand in Hamlin County and eastern South Dakota.

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 Huron

Avantara Huron is a privately owned nursing home in Huron, South Dakota, that provides short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, and specialized recovery programs. The 80-bed community is administered by Laurie Solem and has received the AHCA Bronze Quality Award in 2022 in recognition of its quality improvement efforts. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay options are also accepted.

Confirmed programs include short-term rehabilitation, cardiac recovery, orthopedic recovery, pulmonary rehabilitation, and wound care management. These specialized services support residents recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization and position the community as a post-acute care provider for a range of medical needs.

The community is currently operating at a 70% occupancy rate, which is lower than the state average and suggests availability. Average stays extend to approximately 151 days, indicating a blend of both longer-term nursing support and shorter rehabilitation-focused stays. The resident population also reflects a balanced combination of payers, with Medicaid representing a significant portion of admissions.

Avantara Huron is a compelling option for older adults seeking skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, or specialized recovery support for cardiac, orthopedic, pulmonary, or wound care needs within a community that demonstrates meaningful staffing investment and clinical service diversity in Huron and the surrounding Beadle County area.

Overview of Avantara Groton

Avantara Groton is a privately owned nursing home in Groton, South Dakota, that offers short-term rehabilitation and specialized clinical care services. The 45-bed community operates under an active CMS certification and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Occupancy remains below the state average at 65%, which suggests availability for families seeking placement.

The resident mix is heavily oriented toward Medicare-supported short-term rehabilitation, with Medicare admissions accounting for approximately 60% of incoming residents. Average stays generally range from one to two months, reflecting the community’s strong focus on post-acute recovery rather than long-term custodial care. Meanwhile, its specialized clinical offerings include cardiac, neurological, pulmonary, orthopedic, oncology, and wound care services. This is relatively extensive for a rural South Dakota nursing community, suggesting a meaningful investment in specialized rehabilitation programming.

The community maintains a 3-star overall CMS rating, performing above the South Dakota average in health inspections while falling below state benchmarks in staffing and quality measures. Health inspection scores indicate stronger regulatory compliance compared to many peer communities, though staffing levels remain lighter than the statewide average. Nursing care is provided daily at an average of 3 hours and 10 minutes, which is below the South Dakota average, with weekend nursing coverage averaging just over three hours per day. Payroll allocation also trends lower than many higher-staffed nursing communities across the state, aligning with the staffing metrics reported through CMS data.

Avantara Groton is a good option for older adults who need short-term rehabilitation or specialized recovery support after hospitalization, surgery, stroke, cardiac events, or other complex medical conditions in the Groton and Brown County region.

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 Dow Rummel Village

Dow Rummel Village is a nonprofit life plan retirement community in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, providing a full continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and respite care services. Serving the region since 1958, the community is recognized as one of the more established senior living providers in South Dakota. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay are also accepted, offering flexibility for families with varying financial and healthcare needs.

With a 79-bed capacity, the community is currently operating at a 94% occupancy rate, which is higher than the state average. Additionally, most of the community’s admissions are Medicare-funded rehabilitation stays focused on recovery and therapy services, while longer-term residents remain for multiple years through different stages of care. Rehabilitation, memory care, and skilled nursing services are also provided, allowing residents to access additional support without relocating.

The community maintains strong performance metrics compared to statewide averages, with a 4-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This reflects above-average scores in health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Staffing levels are also a particular differentiator, with nursing care hours significantly exceeding South Dakota averages. Physical therapy staffing also exceeds state benchmarks, an important consideration for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization.

The community also offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. Services also include housekeeping, transportation, dining, wellness programming, and assistance with activities of daily living.

With a combination of rehabilitation resources, memory care services, skilled nursing support, and independent living options, Dow Rummel Village is well-suited for older adults and families seeking a financially stable nonprofit community with strong staffing levels, established clinical infrastructure, and the flexibility of multiple care levels within one campus.