Assisted Living in South Dakota: A Family Guide

Facts checked September 28, 2026 against official South Dakota sources

What assisted living is called in South Dakota, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.

Licensed by

South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities Licensure and Certification¹

Licensed communities on Lilisity

4 assisted living, 1 with memory care

Medicaid help

Yes: HOPE Waiver (Home and Community-Based Options and Person-Centered Excellence)²

Typical cost

$4,900 a month (state median, CareScout 2025)

File a complaint

605-773-3356³

What assisted living is called in South Dakota

• Assisted living centerA licensed place that gives personal care and services beyond just food, a room and laundry.⁴

What assisted living costs in South Dakota

The median cost of assisted living in South Dakota is $4,900 a month, below the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.

If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in South Dakota, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates South Dakota nursing homes publish.

Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?

Paying for assisted living in South Dakota

Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.

Medicaid. South Dakota's HOPE waiver lists assisted living among its services. It serves people 65 and older, or adults 18 and older with a qualifying disability, who need a nursing-home level of care and meet financial rules. Contact Dakota at Home (833-663-9673) to learn more. Program: HOPE Waiver (Home and Community-Based Options and Person-Centered Excellence).² Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.

How to check a community in South Dakota

Look up a license. The Department of Health provider list lets you search licensed providers by license type. Search South Dakota’s records.⁵

Inspection reports. The Department of Health posts survey inspection reports and complaint survey reports for assisted living centers, listed by town.⁶

Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.

If something goes wrong

Complaints about care or conditions. The Department of Health's Regulatory Compliance and Review Department reviews concerns about licensed healthcare facilities. You can call, write, fax, or email. Call 605-773-3356 or file online.³

Abuse, neglect or exploitation. How to report.⁷ If someone is in danger, call 911.

The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. find your local ombudsman.⁸

Find assisted living in South Dakota

Every community and county in South Dakota · 1 with verified resident testimonials

Sources

1. Licensing agency (doh.sd.gov)
2. Medicaid (dhs.sd.gov)
3. Complaints (doh.sd.gov)
4. License types (sdlegislature.gov)
5. License lookup (sdhls.org)
6. Inspection reports (doh.sd.gov)
7. Reporting abuse (dhs.sd.gov)
8. Ombudsman (dhs.sd.gov)
9. CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (state medians)

Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.