South Dakota Ranks Ninth for Elder Care Quality
The state earns high marks for home health care and staff availability for local senior households.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Eldercare
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South Dakota has earned a ninth-place national ranking for elder care quality in a new study. The evaluation highlights strong home health patient care ratings and competitive workforce metrics across the state.
Why it matters
For families managing eldercare logistics, the ranking offers a benchmark for service accessibility and labor stability. The state's performance reflects its success in balancing home health care ratings with aide availability.
South Dakota earned a 4.10 out of five rating for home health patient care and reports 61.4 assisted living jobs per 1,000 residents age 75 and older. Annual home care costs in the state total $41,527.
The players
24 Hour Caregivers
A research entity that tracks home-care workforce and quality standards across the United States.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
A federal agency that sets standards for patient care and health outcomes in nursing and home health facilities.
The details
Researchers compiled the rankings by evaluating 11 distinct factors, including staffing levels and patient care outcomes. The study utilized data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Four equally weighted categories were used to score each state, focusing on labor force availability and the quality of care provided to elderly populations.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: The 24 Hour Caregivers study findings were published.
The Home Front
This ranking aligns with broader trends in the Northern Plains that emphasize stable home health staffing. The data provides a state-level look at how care availability compares to the national landscape established by federal oversight.
If you are planning for long-term care, use these metrics to assess local home health options against your budget. Review your family's care needs to determine if home health assistance provides a more viable alternative to facility-based care given current state averages.
The takeaway
South Dakota currently offers a strong support environment for seniors, with a high concentration of assisted living jobs per resident. Families should compare these state averages against specific local provider staffing levels when evaluating home care quality.
Further reading
Families can find more information on local service resources in the Eldercare section.
Live Poll
Do you trust the quality and affordability of elder care services available in your community?
