South Dakota Assisted Living Information

South Dakota defines an assisted living facility as a freestanding building that provides personal support and services that extend beyond room, board and laundry to more than five people.

South Dakota Assisted Living Facilities Scope of Care

Any licensed healthcare worker is permitted to provide services within the scope of his or her professional license. Facilities must provide for the needs of their residents, such as providing physician services as needed, and hiring a registered dietician if therapeutic diets are being offered. South Dakota policy also requires that assisted living facilities meet the spiritual needs of their residents.

South Dakota Assisted Living Admission Requirements

To be admitted into a South Dakota assisted living facility, a physician must certify that the potential resident is in reasonably good health and free from any communicable diseases, chronic illnesses, or disability that would require more than limited assistance with ADL's.

South Dakota Assisted Living Care Plan Requirements

Within 30 days of admission, an assessment must take place to determine the needs of the resident in regards to the following: (1) Nursing care needs; (2) Medication administration needs; (3) Cognitive status, including IADLs; (4) Mental health status; (5) Physical abilities including ADLs, ambulation, and the need for assistive devices; and 6. Dietary needs. The care plan, once developed, must be reviewed annually or as the resident's needs change.

South Dakota Assisted Living Medication Management Requirements

If an assisted living facility is going to assist with medication, then the facility must either contract with or hire a nurse who reviews each resident's care and condition on a weekly basis. Staff who assist with medication who are not licensed to do so must be at least 18, have passed a medication course, and receive annual training.

South Dakota Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Every resident must have a toilet and sink, and no more than two residents are permitted per residential unit. Private resident units must be a minimum of 120 square feet and multiple-occupancy resident units must provide a minimum of 100 square feet of living space per resident.

South Dakota Assisted Living Staffing Requirements

Direct care staff must be sufficient in number to meet the needs of the residents. At least one direct care staff person must be present and awake at all times. Shifts should be covered adequately so that each resident receives 0.8 hours of care daily. Extensive annual training includes mandatory coverage on a range of topics, including fire prevention and response, emergency procedures and preparedness, infection control and prevention, accident prevention and safety procedures, proper use of restraints, patient and resident rights, confidentiality of resident information, incidents and diseases subject to mandatory reporting and facility's reporting mechanism, care of residents with unique needs, dining assistance, nutritional risks, and hydration needs of residents, working with cognitively impaired residents, and oxygen handling. An administrator is responsible for the overall management of the facility and must be either a licensed health care professional or hold a high school diploma and adequate training.

South Dakota Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Assisted living services are covered by a broad Medicaid home and community-based services waiver, coupled with state funds.

South Dakota Alzheimer’s Unit Requirements

If an assisted living facility has an Alzheimer’s unit, then staff who work in the unit must have specific training for working with that population. At least one specially trained staff person must be present in the unit at all times. Exit alarms must also be installed. Certain written disclosures are required for these units.

South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities Licensure and Certification