South Dakota memory care facilities and Alzheimer's care options

South Dakota Memory Care Communities

Specialty care units in South Dakota, which can also go by the terms dementia care, memory care, or Alzheimer’s care facilities, are facilities that are specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with forms of dementia. Both services and activities are used to meet those needs. They typically include specially trained staff and systems preventing egress that constantly monitor residents, ensure their safety, and prevent wandering.

South Dakota Dementia Care Homes - Cost Comparison

There are five cities within SD that contain memory care facilities within the state.

Location	Monthly Minimum	Monthly Maximum
Sioux Falls	$2,000	$4,325
Brookings	$3,500	$4,000
Hot Springs	$4,100	$5,500

*Average monthly cost for single occupancy room in a memory care community

Recreation and Attractions in South Dakota

South Dakota's nature is beautiful and accounts for a significant number of the most popular attractions throughout the state. Cluster State Park, Loop Road, Falls Park, and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway are some of the most popular. Mount Rushmore is also located in South Dakota. Additionally, there are museums and famous churches available to explore.

South Dakota's Climate, Geography, and Culture

The climate in South Dakota supports four seasons with warm summers and cold, windy winters. The average high temperature for the summer is 86 degrees and the average low for winter is 5 degrees. The state gets less rain, but more snow than the United States as a whole with 21 inches of rain and 35 inches of snow over approximately 76 days through the year. Summers sometimes experience dry spells and droughts. The culture of SD is based on its western, rural history through events that are held to celebrate the history of the state. It is sometimes stereotyped that South Dakotans are all farmers, but that is not the case anymore. While English is, by far, the most widely spoken language, there are some Native American words that have become common.

South Dakota's Memory Care Home Regulations and Laws

In South Dakota, facilities that have secured units are required to comply with physician’s orders for confinement and review them periodically, as well as provide therapeutic programs. Confinement may not be used as punishment and it must be based on a comprehensive assessment. The Life Safety Code for locking doors must be followed and staff must have specific dementia care training. Secured units must be on the ground floor and have access to a secure, outside area. The staff that works in the unit must be trained so they can meet the needs of the residents.

Crime and Safety in South Dakota

South Dakota is ranked 33^rd in overall safety according to 2016’s the Safest States to Live In.

Crime in SD can be seen by laying out the number of occurrences of specific crimes per 100,000 residents. Below are a few of the safest cities in South Dakota:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Brookings	1.25	16.1
Madison	1.4	13.19
Brandon	.1	2.56

Payment and Costs for Memory Care Homes in South Dakota

Medicare, private long-term insurance, and out of pocket payments are the typical methods used to pay for dementia care in SD. Assisted living services are covered by a Medicaid home and community-based waiver and state funds. The average monthly cost for Memory Care is around $2,000.

Elderly Rights for Dementia Care in South Dakota

In SD, patients have the right to be informed, in a manner they can understand, about their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis along with alternatives and side effects. They may also either refuse or consent treatment. The patient’s privacy and confidentiality should be respected. The patient of a memory care community has the right to appoint a designated representative to make decisions for them if they no longer have the cognitive ability to do so, or in other words, an advance directive.

SD Memory Care: Medical Record Rules and Regulations

Patients in South Dakota, or their legal representative, may make a written request to obtain a copy of their medical records. A copy should be provided in no longer than 30 days. A reasonable fee may be applied to cover reproduction costs, and the medical provider may require that payment is made before releasing the records.