Page 6 of Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

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 Avantara Milbank

Avantara Milbank sits on South 2nd Street in Milbank, South Dakota, a small city where most errands mean getting in a car (Walk Score 27). Keisha Dorscher administers the 45-bed nursing home, which opened about a year ago and currently has 30 of its beds occupied.

The clinical range here is notable for a facility this size. Residents recovering from cardiac events, orthopedic procedures, pulmonary conditions, oncology treatment, post-surgical care, and stroke or other neurological conditions all have dedicated recovery tracks. Total nursing coverage is 3 hours and 23 minutes per resident per day; registered nurses account for 59 minutes of that. Suites are available in private and semi-private configurations.

Meals are prepared from fresh ingredients with nutritional balance as the stated standard. Family and community amenities include gathering spaces for events, an on-site salon, and Wi-Fi throughout the building. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, which means it can accommodate both the short-term rehab resident arriving on Medicare benefits and the longer-stay resident whose coverage eventually transitions to Medicaid.

At 127 days average length of stay and a program roster built around post-acute recovery, Avantara Milbank is oriented toward people who need a structured clinical bridge between a hospital discharge and a return home, not toward those seeking a long-term residential placement.

Overview of Avantara Pierre

Avantara Pierre, located at 950 East Park Street in Pierre, is a 65-bed nursing home in Hughes County that opened in 2025 under the administration of Chase Watson. Operating primarily as a short-term rehabilitation facility, it admits residents across a Medicare-majority population (53 percent), supplemented by private-pay and Medicaid placements, with a typical stay of 212 days. The facility lies close to Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, 0.13 miles away, providing ready access to acute care. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Staffing presents a significant challenge. The facility delivers 2 hours 36 minutes of total nursing care per resident daily, which is well below South Dakota’s 3-hour-46-minute benchmark and among the lowest in the state (ranked 56th of 57 facilities). Weekend coverage narrows further to 2 hours 27 minutes per day. This staffing constraint aligns with broader performance gaps: health inspection ratings run 21.6 percent below state norms, and overall CMS ratings trail benchmarks by 20.3 percent.

One bright spot: quality measures like hospital readmissions, falls, mobility gains outperform state averages by 9.9 percent, suggesting clinical management compensates despite lean staffing. No federal penalties or payment denials have been issued over the past three years.

The facility’s clinical footprint spans seven specialized programs: post-surgical and short-term rehabilitation, stroke and neurological recovery, cardiac care, oncology support, pulmonary services, and orthopedic rehabilitation, alongside a memory care unit.

Room options include private and semi-private suites; community spaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, and on-site salon services support daily living.

Avantara Pierre orients toward post-acute rehabilitation in a newer operational environment where short-stay clinical recovery is prioritized and specialized programming is available.

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 Bethesda Towne Square

Bethesda Towne Square Assisted Living Community, situated in Aberdeen, provides a selection of 40 spacious apartment suites for residents to choose from. In addition, residents benefit from priority access to the on-site skilled nursing home, ensuring comprehensive care if the need arises. The community prides itself on fostering a warm and compassionate atmosphere, catering to both short-term recovery and around-the-clock long-term care. Bethesda is dedicated to promoting independence of both body and spirit, with the added support of onsite chaplain services available to all residents.

The highly trained staff at Bethesda goes above and beyond physical health care, offering a diverse range of programs aimed at maximizing social interaction. From engaging dining experiences to socialization activities and exercise programs, residents are provided with ample opportunities to thrive and connect. These offerings are delivered in welcoming and comfortable surroundings that prioritize all aspects of life, extending support beyond medical attention to encompass the holistic well-being of each resident.

Overview of Jenkin‘s Living Center

Established in 1959, Jenkin’s Living Center is a 110-bed skilled nursing facility in Watertown’s South Maple neighborhood, about a mile from Prairie Lakes Hospital and a short distance from downtown. The three-story community offers private rooms. Kasey Klapprodt serves as its administrator.

Residents receive care through individualized care plans. These are provided alongside medication management and specialized therapy programs to support both recovery and everyday health. Beyond clinical care, the community offers restaurant-style dining, scheduled transportation, organized social events, and fitness and recreation programs. These opportunities keep residents active and engaged.

Skilled nursing staff is available 24 hours a day. Registered nurses provide an average of 42 minutes of care per resident each day, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses contribute about 51 minutes. Nurse aides provide the largest share of daily support at roughly 2 hours and 1 minute per resident. Together, this staffing approach gives residents consistent hands-on care throughout the day and night.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 85, making it very walkable. Most errands are within easy walking distance. Families visiting the community can often combine their visit with shopping or other stops around the surrounding neighborhood.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – Sioux Falls Village

Good Samaritan Society in Sioux Falls Village is an incredible senior living community that offers a comprehensive range of care services, including assisted living places and various assisted living levels of care. From affordable housing and independent living to rehabilitation and memory care, they cater to the diverse needs of seniors at every stage of life.
This exceptional home ensures that residents have access to the support they require, whether it’s in the form of personalized assistance with daily activities or specialized memory care for those facing cognitive challenges. Residents can enjoy the freedom and flexibility to personalize their living spaces within the assisted living places, adding their own cherished furnishings and personal touches. In addition to the comfortable and inviting accommodations, the community offers a wealth of amenities, including a well-stocked library, a serene chapel, and a refreshing indoor pool. For those seeking to prioritize their well-being, a state-of-the-art wellness center provides opportunities for fitness and personal growth.

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 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.