Office of Licensure & Certification —
Levels of Long Term Care in South Dakota
These definitions are provided to help consumers make good choices for living arrangements for the elderly and disabled. The levels of institutional care in South Dakota include: nursing facilities, assisted living centers, adult foster care homes, residential living centers, congregate housing. Home health services are also available.
- Nursing facilities - licensed by the state; may be certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid. May admit and retain those who require nursing care by licensed nurses. Have a medical director and staffed with licensed nurses. Visit Medicare's Nursing Home Compare site for a list of nursing facilities in South Dakota, along with recent survey information. (return to top)
- Assisted living centers - licensed by the state to provide personal care and services beyond basic food, shelter, and laundry. May admit and retain only those who do not require more than intermittent nursing care by a licensed nurse. Licensure may include special approvals to offer 1) medication administrations, 2) care of the cognitively impaired, 3) care of the physically impaired, 4) oxygen administration, and 5) therapeutic diets (posted license indicates which approvals granted. May provide home health agency services for short term skilled services for a specific medical reason. (return to top)
- Adult foster care home - family residence licensed by the state where aged, blind, physically disabled, developmentally disabled, or socially-emotionally disabled adults can obtain personal care, health supervision services, & household services in family atmosphere. (return to top)
- Residential living centers - not licensed but required to register with the state to provide services, for compensation, for two or more elderly or disabled persons not related to the owner. May admit and retain persons who do not require more than meals, room, and daily living services. (return to top)
- Congregate housing - assisted independent living environment to elderly or handicapped persons who may be functionally impaired or socially deprived, but in good health (not acutely physically ill). Offers residential accommodations, central dining and related facilities, and support service(s) required to achieve, maintain or return to a semi-independent lifestyle and prevent premature or unnecessary institutionalization as the individual ages. (return to top)
- Home health agencies - certified by Medicare to provide nursing services in the home to persons who require intermittent nursing care. May also provide therapies and other treatments. (return to top)
