Avera Prince of Peace is a 90 room senior community. It is located at 4500 Prince Of Peace Pl in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average per-household income ...
Assisted Living in South Dakota
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in South Dakota
- Assisted Living Directory for South Dakota
- Assisted Living Costs in South Dakota
- Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in South Dakota
- South Dakota Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
- Free Assisted Living Resources in South Dakota
Despite having one of the lowest populations in the United States, South Dakota has grown by 8.7% since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A significant portion of this growth comes from people aged 65 and over, who make up 16.7% of the total population. Seniors are attracted to the state for its low cost of living, favorable tax policies and natural beauty. With this uptick in population comes more facilities and senior care infrastructure.
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2019, assisted living facilities in South Dakota cost an average of $3,500 per month, which is more than $500 less expensive than the national average of $4,051.
Within this guide is more detailed information, including specific costs for cities, types of care and comparisons to nearby states. There's also information about the benefits and drawbacks of South Dakota for seniors who live in assisted living facilities in the state.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in South Dakota
The SeniorScore for South Dakota is 71%, putting it just one point below the national average of 72%. By using more than 100 data points from a variety of private and governmental sources, SeniorScore gives seniors a clear picture of the pros and cons of living in the state, as well as other locations throughout the country.
SeniorScore™ for South Dakota
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
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SeniorScore™ Overview
- South Dakota's SeniorScore™ of 71 is lower than the national average of 72.
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Health & Safety
- South Dakota has average access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
- South Dakota has an average number of hospitals within the state.
- South Dakota has an average number of senior living facilities within the state.
- South Dakota has an average number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
- The average life expectancy in South Dakota is 79.5, compared to the national average of 78.6.
- South Dakota has a high overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
- South Dakota has a high overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
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Recreation & Leisure
- 31% of the population in South Dakota are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
- South Dakota has 86 golf courses in the state.
- South Dakota has a high number of municipal parks throughout the state.
- South Dakota has 790 churches in the state.
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Finances
- The property taxes average 2.79% of total income in South Dakota, which is lower than the national average of 2.79%.
- The property taxes average 1.41% of property value in South Dakota, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1.09%.
- The average sales tax in South Dakota is 4.99%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 6.97%.
- The average state income tax in South Dakota is 0.00%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.38%.
- The mean household income in South Dakota is $61,400, which is lower than the national average of $64,580.
- South Dakota's median household income is $48,382, which is lower than the national average of $51,560.
- The average per capita income in South Dakota is $24,953, which is lower than the national average of $25,611.
- Assisted living costs in South Dakota average $36,691 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $42,700.
- Nursing home costs in South Dakota average $76,514 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $92,481.
- Costs for adult daycare in South Dakota average $17,111 per year, which are lower than the national average of $17,931.
- Costs for home healthcare in South Dakota average $51,907 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $46,197.
- The unemployment rate is about 5.15% in South Dakota, which is significantly lower than then national rate of 8.26%.
- The overall cost of living in South Dakota is average compared to national averages.
- 0.75% of the senior population in South Dakota are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
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General Quality of Life
- South Dakota receives an average of 20.2 inches of rain per year.
- South Dakota has an average annual temperature of 46.1 degrees fahrenheit.
- South Dakota has an average low temperature of 32.8 degrees fahrenheit.
- South Dakota has an average high temperature of 58.1 degrees fahrenheit.
- South Dakota has an average population density of 85 people per square mile.
- South Dakota has an average public school quality ranking.
- South Dakota has a very low public school safety ranking.
- South Dakota has a high graduation rate of 89.78%.
For general quality of life, South Dakota receives a score of 62%, putting it right in the middle of all the neighboring states. The state ranks well for its high graduation rate and pleasant summers but does poorly when it comes to its harsh winter temperatures.
South Dakota has very friendly tax policies for seniors. Since there's no state income tax, families get to keep more of their money to pay for assisted living and other senior care services.
South Dakota's overall financial SeniorScore is 74%. The state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, and the overall cost of living is average. The state also has lower than average costs in every aspect of senior care. These factors offset the lower than average per capita income and household income.
Top Assisted Living Facilities in South Dakota
Good Samaritan Society Canistota is located at 700 West Main St in Canistota, South Dakota. It is a 55 bed senior care facility. With around 2,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 57012, the encompassing area is ...
Located at 1401 Pearl St in Faulkton, South Dakota, Faulkton Senior Living is a 46 unit senior housing facility. The surrounding area has a sparse population, with approximately 3,000 residents in the zip code of 57438. It is ...
Belle Fourche Healthcare Community is an 83 room nursing facility. It is located at 2200 13th Ave in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. The neighboring area has an average population density, with roughly 9,000 poeple living in the zip ...
Eastern Star Home of South Dakota is a 30 bed senior housing facility situated in Redfield, South Dakota. The facility is in a primarily middle income area, with an average household income of $40,355. With approximately 4,000 residents ...
Avera Eureka Health Care Center is located at 202 J Avenue Post Office Box 40 in Eureka, South Dakota. It is a 56 room nursing home facility. The surrounding area has a sparse population, with about 2,000 individuals ...
Bowdle Nursing Home is a 32 bed nursing care facility located in Bowdle, South Dakota. With roughly 2,000 individuals living in the zip code of 57428, the encompassing area has a sparse population. It is a largely middle ...
Good Samaritan Society Selby is a 49 bed senior community located in Selby, South Dakota. The facility is in a generally middle income area, with an average per-family income of $42,305. It has a sparse population, with around ...
Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village is located at 3901 S Marion Rd in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is a 188 room senior housing facility. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average ...
Good Samaritan Society Deuel County is a 51 bed senior housing facility. It is located at 913 Colonel Pete St in Clear Lake, South Dakota. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with a median household ...
Dow Rummel Village is a 50 room senior housing facility. It is located at 1321 W Dow Rummel St in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The facility is in a mostly middle class area, with an average household income ...
Golden Living Center - Milbank is a 58 unit senior community. It is located at 1103 South 2nd St in Milbank, South Dakota. With an average family income of $42,284, the community is in a primarily middle income ...
Riverview Healthcare Community is located at 611 East 2nd Ave in Flandreau, South Dakota. It is an 83 room skilled nursing facility. The facility is in a mostly middle income area, with an average per-family income of $48,436. ...
Hudson Care and Rehab Center is located at 720 Parkway Post Office Box 486 in Hudson, South Dakota. It is a 10 unit nursing home facility. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a ...
White Health Care Center is a 61 unit nursing care facility located in White, South Dakota. The neighboring area has a sparse population, with around 2,000 individuals living in the zip code of 57276. With an average family ...
Estelline Nursing and Care Center is a 60 unit nursing home facility situated in Estelline, South Dakota. The encompassing area is sparsely populated, with around 2,000 poeple living in the zip code of 57234. It is a largely ...
Palisade Healthcare Community is located at 920 4th St in Garretson, South Dakota. It is a 55 bed nursing care facility. With a median per-household income of $115,312, the facility is in a predominantly upscale area. It ...
Located at 501 4th St in Wilmot, South Dakota, Wilmot Care Center is a 34 bed senior care community. The neighboring area is sparsely populated, with approximately 2,000 individuals living in the zip code of 57279. With a ...
Good Samaritan Society De Smet is located at 411 Calumet Avenue NW in De Smet, South Dakota. It is a 40 room senior care community. With roughly 3,000 residents in the 57231 zip code, the neighboring area is ...
Centerville Care and Rehab is a 40 unit skilled nursing facility situated in Centerville, South Dakota. The neighboring area has a sparse population, with approximately 2,000 individuals living in the zip code of 57014. It is a ...
The Cost of Assisted Living in South Dakota
South Dakota has some of the most affordable rates for assisted living when compared with both the national average and neighboring states, at $3,500 per month. The only state with lower costs is North Dakota, with a monthly average of $3,405. Minnesota and Nebraska each have higher costs, at about $300 more per month. Iowa is even higher, with its monthly average of $4,078.
- South Dakota: $3,500
- United States: $4,051
- North Dakota: $3,405
- Minnesota: $3,800
- Nebraska: $3,819
- Iowa: $4,078
The Cost of Assisted Living in South Dakota's Top Cities
While South Dakota is rather large geographically, it has a small population without significant differences in costs between locations. The most populous cities are Sioux Falls and Rapid City, which have average monthly assisted living costs of $3,356 and $3,948, respectively. The next largest cities, Aberdeen, Watertown and Mitchell, each have an average monthly cost of $3,023, which is below both the state and national averages.
- Sioux Falls: $3,356
- Aberdeen: $3,023
- Rapid City: $3,948
- Watertown: $3,023
- Mitchell: $3,023
Senior Care Cost Comparison in South Dakota
In South Dakota and the rest of the United States, there are five main categories of senior care. The difference in costs between the most affordable type of care and the most expensive can be considerable. Adult day care is the least costly option in South Dakota, at $2,427 per month, but this rate is quite a bit more than the national average of $1,625. In-home care, which is nonmedical, and home health care, which includes medical assistance, is priced the same at $5,339 per month. Nursing home care in a semiprivate room is the most expensive option in the state at $6,844 per month.
- Assisted Living: $3,500
- In-Home Care: $5,339
- Home Health Care: $5,339
- Adult Day Care: $2,427
- Nursing Home Care: $6,844
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in South Dakota
Long Term Services and Supports
Address: 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone Number: (605) 773-5990
Website: https://dhs.sd.gov/ltss/default.aspx
Seniors in South Dakota who qualify for Medicaid can get funds for assisted living through the LTSS program. In addition to room and board at assisted living facilities, it can help pay for personal care services, emergency response systems, prescription assistance, nutritional programs and transportation. The state has an extensive list of providers who are funded through this program.
LTSS is managed by specialists at Long-Term Services and Supports Field Offices located throughout the state. Seniors who are aged 60 and over and need financial assistance to remain living in the community may be eligible.
HOPE Waiver
Address: 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone Number: (605) 773-3656
Website: https://dhs.sd.gov/ltss/titlexix.aspx
Home and Community-Based Options and Person-Centered Excellence (HOPE) waiver services help pay for a wide range of services that seniors may need while living in assisted living facilities. Each resident is eligible for assistance based on their unique person-centered care plan, and payments cannot exceed the average costs of similar services received in a nursing home.
Anyone in South Dakota aged 18 and over and with a qualifying disability and a nursing home level of care requirement may be eligible for this program. They must also meet certain income thresholds as determined by the state's Economic Assistance guidelines.
Optional State Supplemental Program
Address: Find Your Local Office
Phone Number: (800) 772-1213
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssi_st_asst/2011/sd.html
The Optional State Supplemental program gives SSI recipients extra money every month to help pay for an assisted living center or services received within an ALC. The total value of this supplement depends on the amount appropriated by the state legislature. Any countable income is deducted from the total SSI payment. This entire program is funded at the state level.
To be eligible, seniors in South Dakota must already be receiving SSI, be a resident of South Dakota and be living independently in an assisted living facility or at home. Applications are accepted at local Social Security offices throughout the state.
South Dakota Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
Assisted living facilities in South Dakota are officially recognized as assisted living centers, and they are licensed and regulated by the Department of Health. The law applies to any institution or home that offers personal care and services to adults. Special approvals are required for more specialized services, including hospice care and medication management. Licensing standards for assisted living centers in South Dakota are contained within the state legislative code, Chapter 44:70:01.
Scope of Care | In addition to personal care, assisted living centers in South Dakota must provide support for activities and spiritual needs which are uniquely tailored to each resident. The facility must also coordinate care with a physician, physician assistant or registered nurse at least once per year. Any facility housing residents with mobility issues must have a call system. |
Care Plan Requirements | Each new resident at an assisted living center in South Dakota must go through an evaluation at move-in, 30 days after move-in and then annually after that. These evaluations must cover nursing care needs, cognitive status, mental health, dietary needs and any required mobility devices. They must also go through a full physical examination before entering the facility to check for communicable diseases and other health issues. |
Medication Management Requirements | Assisted living residences that provide medication administration must have a registered nurse review the conditions and procedures of the facility at least once per week. Each resident's drug regimen must be reviewed by a pharmacist at least once per month. Any resident who wishes to self-administer medication must go through an evaluation by an interdisciplinary team every three months. |
Staff Requirements | South Dakota doesn't require any minimum staffing ratios for assisted living centers. However, each resident must have at least 0.8 hours of contact time with a staff member per day, and two employees must be on duty at all times. Each ALC must also employ an administrator and a licensed nurse. |
Staff Training Requirements | Every staff member at ALCs is required to go through a formal orientation program as well as ongoing education and training before caring for residents. Topics that need to be covered in training include safety, confidentiality, reporting, nutrition and accident prevention. Staff must also be aware of resident's rights. |
Medicaid Coverage | Medicaid waiver recipients may be eligible to have their room and board covered at some assisted living centers in South Dakota. There's a cap on the amount of money paid per beneficiary, and supplementation by families isn't allowed. Also, a HOPE waiver can pay for some services received inside ALCs. |
Reporting Abuse | If the staff at assisted living centers suspect abuse, they are required to report the issue to the local police and to Adult Protective Services, a section of South Dakota's Department of Human Services. Anyone who suspects abuse can call (833) 663-9673 or visit Dakotaathome.org. |
Free Assisted Living Resources in South Dakota
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
As mandated by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in South Dakota strives to protect the rights and fight for the interests of seniors in assisted living centers. They advocate for a person-centered approach to long-term care in order to improve outcomes. They're also available to solve difficult problems, counsel with residents and families, make recommendations and ensure laws and regulations promote the well-being of seniors.
South Dakota's ombudsman service is available to all seniors in, or attempting to enter, an assisted living center, as well as their loved ones and families. Help is available for everyone regardless of income or resources.
Contact: Call (866) 854-5465 for more information or email [email protected]
Dakota at Home
Dakota at Home is a free program for seniors and families who already use assisted living services or are planning to use them. It offers detailed information and refers people to the resources that will be most helpful. Its goal is to deliver objective information, planning strategies and connections to public and private programs and services in the community. This program is available to all South Dakota residents regardless of age, disability and financial status.
Contact: Call (833) 663-9673 or email [email protected]
South Dakota Agencies
Area Agencies on Aging in South Dakota
The agencies responsible for aging policies and programs in South Dakota are called Long-Term Services and Supports offices. These locations are staffed by specialists who provide information and referrals to any senior, or loved one, who is living in an assisted living center or plans to live in an assisted living community. They can also help families with community-based services, assessments, case management, long-term care planning and adult protective services.
The Department of Human Services maintains a list of LTSS offices with addresses and contact information. The main office can be reached at (605) 773-3656 or [email protected]
Veterans Affairs Offices in South Dakota
Many veterans in South Dakota pay for assisted living with the monthly pensions they get from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Disability grants, education opportunities and employment services are also available for veterans through the VA. For those living in assisted living centers, the Aid and Attendance benefit can help pay for services that make daily life easier.
South Dakota veterans can get help from the VA by calling the national helpline at (844) 698-2311 or contacting a VA local office. The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs is staffed by service officers who can provide one-on-one assistance.
Social Security Offices in South Dakota
Seniors throughout South Dakota use SSI benefits to pay for room and board at assisted living centers. Seniors who have no other source of income may also be eligible for Optional State Supplementation to help pay for their assisted living costs. Local Social Security offices throughout South Dakota can handle applications and answer any questions beneficiaries might have.
Seniors can locate their nearest office by using the Social Security Administration search tool. They can also get help through the national number at (800) 772-1213.
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