Best Nursing Homes in South Dakota

Overview of Five Counties Nursing Home

Five Counties Nursing Home is a 37-bed skilled nursing facility in Lemmon, South Dakota, operated as a voluntary nonprofit. The facility offers short- and long-term care, rehabilitation services, memory care, and assisted living and independent living options for residents in Perkins County.

Five Counties holds a 1-star CMS overall rating, driven primarily by its Health Inspection record, which ranks the facility 53rd out of 59 South Dakota skilled nursing facilities and is 60.8% below the state average. It has accumulated $32,000 in federal fines, which is 20% below the South Dakota average among facilities that received penalties.

Staffing is the clear counterweight: total nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 9 minutes per resident per day, 4.5% above the state average, placing the facility 19th in South Dakota on that measure.

The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Occupancy rate is 87%, above the state average of 79.9%, reflecting sustained local demand in a rural market with limited alternatives.

Five Counties serves long-term and post-acute residents in the Lemmon area who require accessible skilled nursing care and accept a smaller, rural facility with a nonprofit governance model.

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 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.