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HOW TO FIND ASSITANCE OR SERVICES FOR AGING LOVED ONES: A RESOURCE GUIDE

by | Jan 10, 2023

The state of South Dakota has numerous resources and options in place for individuals in need of care or assistance. Use this guide to navigate the services available for adults 60+ in our state.

DIVISION OF LONG TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

The Division of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) is here “to provide opportunities to enable older South Dakotans and adults who are disabled to live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives while maintaining close family and community ties by promoting long term services and supports to prevent or delay premature or inappropriate institutionalization.”

From home-based care to nursing facility services, LTSS can help you get connected to many different services and providers in their area, from adult day services all the way to transportation, legal services, nursing facility care or guardianship.

HOME & COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

Adult Day Services

Provides care and supervision outside of the home for part of the day.

Adult Foster Care

Provides room, board, and supervision of personal care services in a family home.

Adult Protective Services

Protects from unwarranted or self-inflicted cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Assisted Living

A residential facility that offers maximum independence and 24-hour on-site care and assistance.

Assistive Devices

Provides devices that help individuals who have difficulty performing daily activities.

Emergency Response Systems

Provides electronic devices that, when triggered, call for help or assistance.

Homemaker Services

Provides assistance to adults who are unable to perform daily household tasks.

Legal Services

Provides a variety of legal services to adults in need.

Nursing Services

Helps adults with physical and/or chronic health conditions stay or return to their home through evaluation, counseling, and/or health screenings.

Personal Care Services

Provides assistance to adults who are unable to complete tasks of daily living on their own.

Prescription Assistance

Helps adults access prescriptions medications at low or no cost.

Nutrition Program

Offers adults a nutritious meal and socialization every weekday.

Telehealth Technology

Monitors clinical data via an at-home monitoring system.

Transportation

The Division of Long Term Services and Supports does not directly provide transportation services. They do however provide a list of transportation locations available state wide.

Note: If you do not see your location on this list, you may have luck searching online for public or special needs transportation services available in your county or town.

NURSING FACILITY SERVICES

Nursing Facility Care

Provides care and permanent residence to adults who can no longer be cared for at home.

Other resources: Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home [or link to previous Helen’s Plan article on this topic instead]

Ombudsman Program

Ombudsmen advocate for and empower residents of nursing facilities by putting them at the heart of all care decisions.

OTHER SERVICES

Guardianship Program

Provides court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship services to adults or financial assistance to families obtaining guardianship or conservatorship of an adult.

DAKOTA AT HOME

Dakota at Home is a resource center provided by the South Dakota Department of Human Services. It is a free phone and online information and referral service that helps individuals identify and access public or private services and supports that help aging adults remain in their home. Call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673 for help locating available services in your area.

CAREGIVER SERVICES

When you’re the one providing care to an adult or loved one, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. The South Dakota Caregiver Program provides caretakers the tools and resources to give great care, even when that means taking a temporary relief from caregiving.

The program provides caregivers information on available services, assistance accessing services, counseling and training, supplemental services, and Respite Care, which offers a temporary break from caregiving and time to focus on yourself.

For more information and frequently asked questions about services, visit dhs.sd.gov.