South Dakota Ranks Among Top States for Elder Care
South Dakota secures the ninth spot nationally, highlighting strong home health care services for aging residents.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Eldercare
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South Dakota earned a ninth-place national ranking for elder care quality in a new report from 24 Hour Caregivers. The assessment highlights the state's strength in home health patient care and workforce availability for aging residents.
Why it matters
Understanding state-level rankings helps families evaluate the availability and quality of local long-term care resources. South Dakota performed well in this study due to competitive pay for aides and high ratings in home health services.
The study analyzed 11 factors using data from federal agencies to rank elder care quality across the United States. South Dakota secured the ninth spot with a 4.10 out of five rating for home health patient care, though nursing staff turnover in the state remains at 47.4%.
The players
24 Hour Caregivers
A care services organization that published this national comparative study on elder care quality.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
A federal agency that provides health coverage data used to evaluate long-term care patient outcomes.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The federal agency that tracks employment data used to calculate staffing levels and care job availability.
The details
Researchers evaluated 11 criteria equally across four categories using data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. South Dakota maintains 61.4 assisted living jobs per 1,000 residents age 75 and older, which supports consistent access to care. Annual home care costs in the state total $41,527.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Study findings published by 24 Hour Caregivers.
Health Landscape
This state-level ranking reflects the broader use of performance metrics to track the quality of long-term care services across the country. It highlights how federal data sets, such as those from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, are increasingly synthesized to compare regional health equity.
Families researching care options can use these quality metrics as a starting point for evaluating local home health agencies. It is worth discussing these findings with your doctor to determine which specific care facilities or home health providers best meet your individual needs.
The takeaway
South Dakota currently offers robust support for seniors through consistent home health care staffing. When evaluating care options, inquire about staff turnover rates and patient ratings at specific facilities during consultations with your physician.
Further reading
For more on managing long-term health needs, visit our Eldercare resources.
Live Poll
Do you trust the quality and affordability of elder care services available in your community?
