Page 5 of Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

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.

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 Prairie Heights Healthcare

Prairie Heights Healthcare in Aberdeen, South Dakota, offers top-notch senior living with a focus on individual wellness and recovery. Seniors can enjoy a variety of personalized care services to make their stay as comfortable as possible. Whether it’s skilled nursing, long-term care, short-term stays, or physical therapy, there’s something for everyone to feel at ease and well-cared for in this vibrant community.

Dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where residents can thrive, Prairie Heights Healthcare in Aberdeen offers a range of amenities and programs, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies tailored to each individual. With both long and short-term care options, residents can find support, learn new strategies, and connect with others in similar situations. Prairie Heights Healthcare is dedicated to helping residents achieve their personal health goals and maintain their independence.

Overview of Dow Rummel Village

Dow Rummel Village is an extraordinary nonprofit organization in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, dedicated to providing a premier life plan retirement community that encompasses assisted living levels of care. With a remarkable 60-year history of service, they offer a comprehensive range of services under one roof, including independent living, memory care, assisted living, skilled nursing, respite care, and more.
Residents in this assisted living home have the opportunity to choose different levels of care that best suit their needs. Whether they opt for independent living, where they can enjoy the freedom and autonomy of a vibrant community, or require the specialized support and assistance provided in memory care or assisted living, every aspect is thoughtfully tailored to enhance their well-being. Discover a variety of floor plans, including spacious studios, comfortable one-bedroom suites, and inviting two-bedroom options. From personal assistance with daily living to weekly housekeeping and convenient transportation services, residents can truly embrace a worry-free lifestyle.

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.

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 Spearfish Canyon Healthcare

Spearfish Canyon Healthcare, located in beautiful Spearfish, South Dakota, offers a range of skilled care services for seniors. With skilled nursing, long term & short term care, and a variety of therapies including physical, occupational, and speech, this community ensures comprehensive care. Seniors can enjoy the serene surroundings and the sense of community as they work on regaining their independence and well-being.

Fostering compassionate, individualized care to each resident, Spearfish Canyon Healthcare offers various amenities and programs designed for residents wellness and healing, such as pain management, wound care, and social services. With specialized therapies for post-surgical recovery, stroke recovery, and cardiac care, residents receive the support they need. Additional services like dental care, dialysis, and hospice care further enhance the quality of life, making Spearfish Canyon Healthcare a place where seniors can thrive.

Overview of Avantara Watertown

Forty-six beds are filled out of 51. Avantara Watertown runs at 90% occupancy, a solid number for a facility that only recently opened, sitting less than a mile from Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown’s 4th Avenue Northeast neighborhood. The address at 415 4th Ave. NE puts it in a moderately walkable part of the city (Walk Score 69), which matters for families who visit regularly.

At 168 days, the average length of stay sits in the middle range. This is not purely a 30-day Medicare rehab operation, but it’s also not a long-term custodial care setting by the numbers. The clinical menu reflects that positioning: stroke and neurological recovery, cardiac care, pulmonary care, oncology recovery, and orthopedic rehabilitation are the confirmed programs, all squarely in the post-acute specialty space. Administrator Lynna Speier leads a 51-bed facility in the Avantara network that is clearly built around structured medical recovery rather than extended residential care.

Registered nurses log 1 hour and 9 minutes per resident per day, with total nursing care at 3 hours and 35 minutes. Nurse aides account for 1 hour and 58 minutes of that total. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted.

Avantara Watertown is a compact, recently opened nursing home with a clinical program built for residents recovering from cardiac events, neurological incidents, cancer treatment, and orthopedic procedures, operating near hospital infrastructure that supports that care model.

Overview of Bethany Home Sioux Falls

Bethany Home Sioux Falls stands out as a beacon of exceptional care, firmly rooted in Christian values and boundless love. With a rich heritage of providing outstanding services, this home offers an array of amenities that elevate the senior living experience. Here, residents savor the delights of chef-prepared meals, tantalizing their taste buds and nourishing their bodies. The carefully curated social and recreational programs provide ample opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful interactions, fostering a vibrant community spirit. Safety is paramount, as evidenced by the round-the-clock emergency response system and meticulous medication administration, giving residents and their families peace of mind.

The home proudly extends its heartfelt commitment to serving seniors through their exceptional assisted living services. They diligently uphold all nursing home rules and regulations. They adhere to the highest standards of care and operate with strict compliance to ensure the safety, well-being, and comfort of every resident. By following these comprehensive guidelines, they create an environment where residents can thrive, families can trust, and quality of care remains paramount. Bethany Home Sioux Falls stands as a shining example of a compassionate and well-regulated senior living community. With also a focus on assisted living for veterans and an unwavering commitment to upholding nursing home standards, they ensure that residents receive the utmost care and support they deserve.

Overview of Avantara Lake Norden

Avantara Lake Norden opened in early 2025 on Park St in Lake Norden, South Dakota, a small Hamlin County town where the nearest hospital sits about 22 miles out. That distance is worth naming plainly: the 50-bed community serves nursing home, memory care, and hospice populations, and families choosing a facility with that clinical range need a clear picture of the geography. The neighborhood scores a 6 on walkability, which in a rural South Dakota town is less a flaw than a given.

Occupancy is 92%, with 46 of the 50 beds currently filled. An average stay of 175 days puts it somewhere between a short-term rehab stop and a longer-term care home, and the program mix backs that up. The specialty tracks are clinically specific: a Secured Memory Care Unit, Cardiac Care, Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Care, Oncology Recovery Care, and Stroke and Other Neurological Conditions. Combined with general rehabilitation and short-term rehab services, they point to a facility built for medically complex residents rather than routine post-acute cases.

Nursing coverage totals 3 hours and 20 minutes per resident per day, with registered nurses providing 47 minutes of direct care within that. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted. Margaret Grimm is the administrator.

For families in rural South Dakota navigating the intersection of nursing care, memory care, and hospice needs, Avantara Lake Norden represents a newly built facility with a genuinely broad clinical program and high occupancy for its size and market.