South Dakota Ranks Ninth Nationally for Elder Care
A new study places the state in the top ten for seniors due to strong home health ratings and competitive aide compensation.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Eldercare
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South Dakota ranks ninth in a recent national study evaluating elder care quality, scoring 64 out of 86 possible points. The assessment highlights strong home health patient care ratings and significant support for aging residents within the state.
Why it matters
The state achieved this high ranking primarily through consistent home health care performance and competitive pay structures for care aides. This positioning underscores the regional strength of elder care services across the Northern Plains.
South Dakota reports 61.4 assisted living jobs per 1,000 residents age 75 and older, significantly higher than Wyoming's 18.7. Annual home care costs in the state total $41,527 with a nursing staff turnover rate of 47.4%.
The players
24 Hour Caregivers
This organization conducts research on senior living and care services using data from federal agencies.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
This federal agency manages health programs and provides data for research on healthcare quality.
The details
Researchers evaluated 11 factors using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. South Dakota maintained a 4.10 out of five rating for home health patient care while keeping nursing turnover below the levels seen in neighboring states like Wyoming.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: The 24 Hour Caregivers study findings were published.
Culture Shift
This state-by-state analysis follows the pattern set by the national elder care study to highlight regional disparities in senior support. It reflects a shift toward using federal data to evaluate how public policy and labor markets directly influence aging infrastructure.
Families in the area may benefit from a more robust selection of assisted living professionals and higher-rated home health options. Residents can use these quality benchmarks when making decisions about long-term care arrangements for aging relatives.
The takeaway
Proximity to quality home health resources remains a primary indicator of senior care health in the Northern Plains region. Families are encouraged to verify facility turnover rates and local availability when planning long-term care.
Further reading
Explore more details on senior support services in the South Dakota Eldercare section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kotatv.
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