The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Minnehaha County, SD for 2024

Minnehaha County, located in eastern South Dakota, is home to 169,468 residents. More than 11 percent of those residents are seniors aged 65 and older, some of whom may be among the 17,000 South Dakota seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive impairments, a number that’s expected to grow by more than 17 percent before 2025. The County has three memory care facilities to care for these seniors, all of which are located in Sioux Falls.

In Minnehaha County and the rest of South Dakota, memory care facilities are referred to as Assisted Living Centers. These facilities are regulated by the Office of Healthcare Facilities Licensure and Certification department of the South Dakota Department of Health.

• As a tax-friendly state, South Dakota does not tax Social Security income, retirement savings account withdrawals or pensions. Seniors in Minnehaha County who rely on these types of income may find that they have more money in the budget to put toward memory care expenses.
  
• Residents of Minnehaha County endure cold winters with lows of seven degrees and 42 inches of snow, 16 inches more than the national average of 26. Sperling’s Comfort Index gives the county a 37 out of 100, almost 20 points lower than the national average of 54, indicating that the county might not be an ideal location for seniors with arthritis or other joint ailments.
  
• Seniors with respiratory issues like asthma or COPD might find that they breathe easier in Minnehaha County. On a 100 point scale where 100 represents areas with the best air quality, Minnehaha County has a rank of 76, almost 20 index points higher than the national average of 58.
  
• The cost of living in Minnehaha County is 96.5, slightly lower than the U.S.  average of 100. Healthcare, transportation and grocery costs are also lower. Seniors with tight memory care budgets might find that they can live more comfortably in this county.

Memory Care costs in Minnehaha County start around $5,165 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Minnehaha County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in South Dakota page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in South Dakota page.

Minnehaha County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in South Dakota are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in South Dakota page for more information about these laws.