South Dakota senior home care agencies and services directory

Discover Home Care in South Dakota

South Dakota home care is designed to provide a range of care from weekly medication management to 24-hour skilled nursing attention. The goal is to allow seniors to remain in the comfort of their own homes while remaining independent and getting proper medical attention when needed. There are about 166 home care agencies in South Dakota and the average monthly costs are around $4,334.

Home Care in South Dakota - Cost Comparison

For seniors who may be recovering from an illness, surgery, or who just need assistance in their homes, this care type can be the solution. Hiring a home care aide in South Dakota is a way to provide professional help for you or your loved one, ranging from bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, and general hygiene, to performing instrumental tasks like housekeeping, general shopping, transportation or meal preparation.

Depending on if a caretaker is a licensed medical professional or a non-medical paraprofessional, your costs will vary based on the specific services provided.

There are a number of cities throughout SD that have senior home care agencies but for the major cities, the median monthly cost ranges from:

Highest Cost: Rapid City $4,195
Lowest Cost: Sioux Falls $4,004

City	Homemaker Services Monthly Costs	Home Health Aide Monthly Costs
Rapid City	$4,576	$4,576
Sioux Falls	$4,195	$4,195
Rest of State	$4,485	$4,485

Recreation & Attractions in South Dakota

South Dakota is a state with amazing landmarks throughout its territory. Many of the frequently visited locations are nationally recognized memorials and unique natural formations, including places like The Black Hills, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Harvey Peak, and the Needles Highway.

Interestingly, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a mountain-sized sculpture featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln was created with the intention to gain tourists’ attention and was originally going to depict the men from head to their waist, but the creators lacked the funding to complete the project.

As a senior who may be less mobile, there are still numerous places to go and things to see in South Dakota. There are senior centers throughout the state that provide senior-oriented activities such as exercise classes, bingo, crafts, and senior sports. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Storybook Island, or the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.

South Dakota's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in South Dakota supports four seasons with warm summers and cold, windy winters. The average high temperature for the summer is around 86 degrees with an average winter low of 5 degrees. The state gets less rain, but more snow than the United States' national average with 21 inches of rain and 35 inches of snow over approximately 76 days through the year. Summers can sometimes bring about dry spells and droughts.

Native American tribes, primarily the Lakota Sioux, have occupied South Dakota for hundreds of years. It wasn’t until a treaty in 1858 opened the land to European and American settlers. However, the Sioux nation is still very present today amidst several Indian reservations and important archaeological sites. Overall, South Dakota is a rural, unpretentious farming state with a bounty of natural sites and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Crime & Safety in South Dakota

Home care can be much more effective in a safe, crime-free environment in most cases. Crime in South Dakota, in terms of both violent and property crimes, is lower than the national average. Even the crimes per square mile are half the national average, so it’s likely you will be successful in finding a great home care option. Here are some of the safest places found throughout South Dakota:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Brandon	0.10	2.58
Lennox	0.44	3.98
Hot Springs	0.86	6.90

(source: safewise.com)

South Dakota's Home Care Regulations & Laws

Medicare-certified home health aides in South Dakota are required to have a federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training and 12 hours of additional education every 12 months following their licensing. Each state’s approved programs for training and evaluation are overseen by federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36) to ensure national consistency.

Payment Options for South Dakota Home Care

Paying for home care in South Dakota is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next.

First off, seniors may look to Medicare to receive coverage for their copayment and deductibles for medical home care through the Medicare Supplemental Insurances program. However, keep in mind that Medicare does not cover non-medical home care whatsoever. If this is an issue, it may be necessary to look to the other remaining methods of payment.

Paying privately is also an option for many seniors through several methods. Besides paying with one’s own savings, seniors may choose to pay with a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit, or by converting their life insurance policies.

U.S. veterans can receive assistance for home care by using the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension. To apply for these benefits, contact your local Veteran’s Association or Area Agency on Aging for more details and eligibility requirements.

Medicaid is another joint federal and state insurance program that is available to low-income seniors and their families. The rules, requirements, and benefits for Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services vary from each state to the next.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in South Dakota

Seniors receiving home care from a Medicare-approved home health agency in South Dakota retain a series of guaranteed rights and protections with the intention of keeping your needs met. It is required that the home health care agency informs you that you reserve the right to choose your own home care agency and to decide what services (medical or non-medical) you want to participate in.

Your personal privacy and property are to be respected at all times, including your Constitutional rights. If you believe a violation has been made, reach out to a senior law professional immediately.

SD Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

While receiving home care or any other medical service in South Dakota, your rights to obtain written or digital copies of your medical records is possible via written request. It is a common misconception that this information cannot be released to you due to privacy laws. In reality, healthcare providers must provide you with your information under 30 days, or issue a statement as to why the delay/denial of your request has occurred.