South Dakota assisted living facilities and personal care communities

Find Assisted Living Homes in South Dakota

According to South Dakota law, an assisted living center or personal care community is defined as a building suited to provide personal care services, food, shelter, housekeeping services, limited health care and assistive services to residents with limited physical abilities.

There are approximately 173 assisted senior living communities operating in South Dakota.

Assisted Living Centers in South Dakota – Cost Comparison

City	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum	Monthly Median
Rapid City	$2,646	$4,338	$3,432
Sioux Falls	$1,900	$4,004	$3,250

The average cost of assisted living in South Dakota is $3,023 per month. Compared to the national average cost of long-term senior care, South Dakota falls among the least expensive states for assisted senior living care. These monthly rates can change depending on the amount of personal care needed. Within the state, average area costs follow the same price trend with average costs falling in the $3,000 range.

For more information about assisted living costs in South Dakota, check out Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.

Recreation & Attractions in South Dakota

Known for the sprawling plains and diverse natural terrain, South Dakota is home to two of the most famous attractions combining South Dakota’s unique wilderness and human ingenuity. Commemorating four of the most influential American presidents, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a must-visit destination. Carved from granite into the side of the mountain, the sculpted faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln greet 3 million visitors annually. The Presidential Trail allows visitors to view the memorial up close and personal.

Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota sits the largest mountain carving in the world, the Crazy Horse Memorial. Construction began in 1998 and has become one of the most popular destinations in South Dakota. Neighboring the Crazy Horse Memorial is the Black Hills National Forest. Spanning 125 miles in length and 65 miles in width, the forest features South Dakota’s diverse landscape including canyons, streams, lakes, jagged rock formations and grassland parks. The forest also offers walking trails and designated areas for fishing, camping, and horseback riding.

South Dakota’s Climate, Geography, & Culture

South Dakota has a rich history and influence of Native Americans. The state has many reservations and important archeological sites. South Dakota finds economic success in the agriculture industry.

Situated in the midwestern area of the United States, South Dakota is considered to experience two classifications of climate. The eastern side of the state is classified as a humid continental climate, with mild humidity and precipitation, which is proportionally distributed annually. The western side of the state experiences a semiarid steppe climate characterized by sunshine and low levels of precipitation.

As a whole, South Dakota has hot summers with cold winters and frequent wind. Average winter temperatures fall into the 20-degree range bringing 38 inches of snow annually. Summer temperatures can rise into the low 90-degree range with occasional daytime temperatures of 100 degrees. South Dakota accumulates an average of 22 inches of rain annually

South Dakota’s Assisted Living Homes Regulations & Laws

Assisted Living homes are regulated by a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for personal care. The complete document outlining the regulations for assisted living centers operating in South Dakota can be viewed. The differences, if any, between personal care homes and assisted living are also documented. Public records concerning citations, violations, inspections, and the like pertaining to individual senior care homes are not available to the public online. Those seeking public records on assisted senior living homes must contact the South Dakota Department of Health to request these records. Access to these records must be given upon request as a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act.

Crime & Safety in South Dakota

South Dakota has crime rates lower than the national average meaning that you should have no trouble finding a safe community for your senior to age in. If you don’t know where to start your search, consider some of the following safe communities:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Brandon	0.10	2.58
Lennox	0.44	3.80
Hot Springs	0.86	6.90
Canton	1.51	6.93

(Source: safewise.com)

Payment Options for South Dakota Assisted Living Communities

Title XIX Home & Community Based Waiver Services for the Elderly

For those seeking financial assistance, South Dakota’s Medicaid offers the Title XIX Home & Community Based Waiver Services for the Elderly or more frequently referred to as the HCBS Waiver or the Elderly Waiver. This program is designed to offer an array of services to elderly residents who qualify for nursing home level care in alternate senior care homes other than a nursing home such as an assisted living community or personal care facility. To find more information and the eligibility guidelines for this program, please view the official HCBS Waiver web page.

Assisted Living Family Loans

Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Personal Care Residences in South Dakota

While residing in the home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. The complete list of resident rights as guaranteed by the state of South Dakota can be found within the official South Dakota regulations for assisted living centers.

South Dakota Assisted Living Homes: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

South Dakota assisted living homes are required to provide appropriate health services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. Medical records shall be kept for a period up to 10 years from death or discharge date.

Residents in South Dakota personal care communities have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information, and it is to be provided at a cost not to exceed the community standard for photocopies.