Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

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 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 Good Samaritan Society – St Martin Village

Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, offering independent living, assisted living, long-term care, rehabilitation, and respite care. This 60-bed community is operating as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit senior care organizations. This reflects a mission-centered approach focused on compassionate care and supportive living.

The community received the Bronze National Quality Award from the American Health Care Association in both 2023 and 2024, recognizing ongoing efforts toward performance improvement and quality care standards. On the other hand, registered nurse staffing significantly exceeds South Dakota averages, with both weekday and weekend RN coverage standing well above statewide benchmarks. Physical therapy staffing is also notably strong, offering therapy hours substantially higher than average and supporting residents recovering from illness, surgery, or hospitalization. Nursing and nurse aide overall hours also remain below state averages.

For a community of its size, the community’s amenities are notably extensive, which include walking trails, a wellness center, guest housing, and private dining spaces. Three daily meals are included, while volunteer opportunities and religious services are aligned with its faith-based mission. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options are available, with monthly pricing varying based on apartment style and level of care. Rehabilitation therapy and respite care are also offered.

Located in a highly walkable area of Rapid City with a Walk Score of 83, the community has convenient access to nearby services, amenities, and neighborhood destinations, making it one of the more accessible senior living campuses in western South Dakota.

Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village is well-suited for older adults seeking a faith-oriented community that combines multiple levels of care, strong RN oversight, rehabilitation support, and a broad range of lifestyle amenities under one roof.

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 Custer Care and Rehab Center

Custer Care and Rehab Center is a government-operated nursing home in Custer, South Dakota, providing skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, and respite care. Operated through a subsidized community district and maintaining Medicare certification, this community is administered by Madison Barta. With a 35-bed capacity, its smaller size and rural location allow it to serve as one of the few local skilled nursing care options available within Custer County.

The community currently holds a 1-star overall CMS rating, with health inspection scores and quality measures both ranking below the state average. Staffing scores are roughly 65% lower than statewide benchmarks, representing the most significant area of concern among the available performance metrics. Families evaluating care options may want to review these indicators carefully alongside more detailed inspection findings and current staffing information.

Since 2025, the community has undergone two health inspections, with the most recent completed in August 2025. Across those inspections, 20 health citations have been recorded, exceeding the South Dakota average of 14.8. This places the community at the bottom statewide for citations per inspection, averaging 10 citations per visit compared with the state average of 3.34.

However, all identified deficiencies were classified as moderate in severity, with no critical or serious citations reported, meaning inspectors did not identify situations involving immediate jeopardy or findings associated with severe resident harm. Citation categories included administration, infection control, quality of care and quality of life, resident rights, pharmacy services, environmental concerns, and abuse prevention. All of which were documented as corrected.

Confirmed amenities and services include 24-hour nursing support, high-speed Wi-Fi, mounted televisions with cable service in resident rooms, a daily snack cart, and three meals per day with alternate menu selections available. Respite care services are also offered, providing temporary care options for caregivers and families who need short-term support placements. 24-hour staffing coverage is also confirmed.

Its location in Custer has a Walk Score of 49, suggesting moderate walkability with some nearby services available within walking distance, while transportation may still be needed for many daily errands and appointments.

Custer Care and Rehab Center is most appropriate for older adults in Custer and the surrounding Southern Black Hills area who require local access to skilled nursing or respite care, particularly in a region where alternative care communities may be limited.

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 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 Avantara North

Avantara North is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, that offers skilled rehabilitation and specialized medical support. This privately owned community focuses on post-acute recovery services, including short-term rehabilitation, orthopedic care, cardiac recovery, wound care management, and memory care programming. With a 68-bed capacity, it is currently operating at an 87% occupancy rate, which exceeds the South Dakota average. This reflects a strong local demand and supports Medicare patients on shorter recovery-focused stays averaging 151 days.

Over the past seven years, the community underwent five inspections and received 20 citations. Two citations were classified as serious, while the remainder were moderate in scope, and no immediate jeopardy or critical-level findings were reported. During the most recent inspection in August 2025, four moderate deficiencies were identified related to infection control, nursing services, and quality of care, all of which were later corrected. In October 2024, the community received a federal fine, with an amount significantly lower than the South Dakota average and indicative of a comparatively lower compliance burden.

Staffing levels operate below the state average, with nursing hours totaling approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes per resident daily, which is slightly below South Dakota’s average of 3 hours and 46 minutes. This staffing structure aligns with the community’s emphasis on short-term post-acute rehabilitation, where many residents recover and return home within a relatively limited timeframe. Quality metrics also point to strengths in preventive and supportive care, including low rates of depressive symptoms and new antipsychotic medication use, alongside positive outcomes in fall prevention efforts. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay are also accepted.

Avantara North is designed primarily for those recovering from hospitalization who require skilled nursing oversight, rehabilitation therapies, and short-term medical support before transitioning back home or to a lower level of care. It has also earned the 2023 AHCA Bronze Award, reflecting its commitment to quality care.

Overview of Bethany Home Sioux Falls/bethany Home-Brandon

Bethany Home Sioux Falls / Bethany Home-Brandon is a faith-based nursing home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offering a continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing services, and rehabilitation. The 112-bed community is administered by Amanda Peterson in Minnehaha County, guided by a Christian mission. It also emphasizes support for residents’ physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being while also offering independent homes and apartment living as part of its larger campus environment.

The community is currently operating at 78.5%, which is slightly lower than the state average of 79.9%, and suggests availability. Additionally, Medicare accounts for 89% of new residents, with an average stay of 25 days, reflecting a focus on short-term rehabilitation. Meanwhile, private pay new residents are approximately 10%, with an average stay of 7 to 8 months, and 2% of new residents are Medicaid-eligible, with a typical stay of 6 years.

Since 2022, the community has undergone four total health inspections, with the latest conducted in October 2025, which is notably lower than the state average. A total of 13 health citations have been recorded throughout its operational history, which is also lower than the state average, and has been corrected. No penalties have been issued in the past three years.

Confirmed services include skilled nursing care and rehabilitation therapy, along with independent living options designed for older adults who remain largely self-sufficient but prefer a supportive community setting. Its faith-centered approach is a defining aspect of the community’s culture and may be particularly meaningful for individuals and families seeking care rooted in Christian values and holistic support.

Located on the south side of Sioux Falls, the community sits in a moderately walkable area with a Walk Score of 65, allowing access to some nearby services and amenities on foot. Service to the Brandon area also provides additional convenience for families throughout eastern Minnehaha County.

Bethany Home Sioux Falls / Bethany Home-Brandon is an ideal option for families seeking values-based care within a setting that supports aging across different levels of assistance and medical support. The ability to transition from independent living to higher levels of care within the same community can help reduce disruption and provide continuity for older adults as healthcare needs progress.

Overview of Avantara Pierre

Avantara Pierre is a nursing home in Pierre, South Dakota, that provides a specialized clinical setting tailored to high-acuity therapeutic recovery, memory care, and extended skilled nursing. The community serves Hughes County under the leadership of Chase Watson. With a 65-bed capacity, the community maintains an operational occupancy rate of 79%, matching South Dakota state averages and reflecting stable local demand.

Nutritious meals, daily housekeeping, laundry, and facility maintenance are among the confirmed services, along with a calendar of recreational activities, stretching exercises, and interactive social hours. The care framework also delivers round-the-clock clinical supervision, physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and structured dementia management programs.

Operating under federal CMS certification, the community utilizes an interdisciplinary care model to manage complex health transitions. The clinical pipeline specializes in short-term post-hospitalization recovery, with Medicare-covered short-stays averaging two to three months and accounting for 53% of new admissions. While baseline direct nursing hours track below state benchmarks at 2 hours and 36 minutes per resident daily, the community’s quality measures score roughly 10% above the state average, indicating that clinical outcomes and preventative benchmarks for current residents remain highly competitive.

The community holds a 2-star overall CMS rating, with performance metrics tracking below state baselines in the staffing and health inspection categories. To accommodate diverse financial setups, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and VA contracts are accepted.

For families in the Pierre and broader Central South Dakota seeking a therapy-focused environment for post-acute recovery, Avantara Pierre provides specialized short-term rehabilitation and dedicated memory care services within an accessible urban location.