South Dakota Home Care

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South Dakota Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask

South Dakota is a beautiful and calming landscape for seniors to enjoy the later years. The cold winters bring a stillness to the air and the mild summers allow for exciting outdoor adventures. 17% of the state’s population are aging adults 65 years and older. With the passage of time, challenges of aging may cause living at home to become increasingly difficult. Some of these aging adults may require care at some point. Generally, when people think of senior care they envision a nursing home. However, nursing homes are not the only option. South Dakota Home Care (or In home Care) is designed specifically for aging adults who only require some basic assistance at home.

South Dakota has cities which offer excellent healthcare to residents: Sioux Falls, Deadwood, Pierre, Watertown, Mitchell, Aberdeen, Rapid City, among others.

Home Care may also be called In Home Care in South Dakota

Home Care (or In home Care) is suited for seniors who may only require some basic assistance at home. Caregivers do not provide medical assistance of any kind, however they may support with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include medication reminders, assistance with bathing and eating. Home Care may be an excellent care option for family members if they must leave town or just need a break from caring for their loved one. The Home Care aides bring a sense of personalization, providing companionship and socialization, and a sense of connection.

Home care and aging in place

In home care services include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Per state law, caregivers provide only non-medical assistance and services. These in-home aides may assist with personal care and monitoring like they would receive in a long-term care community. All while they remain in the comfort of their own home.

How do you know it may be time for Home Care?

What are the signs to look for?

Have you noticed your loved one is spending less and less time managing their hygiene or personal appearance. They may stop brushing their teeth or let their facial hair grow in an unkempt fashion when they didn’t before. Are they going longer periods of time in the same clothing, or neglecting relatively scheduled eating habits? Grooming and hygiene live under the umbrella of ADLs, and as such a Personal Care Assistant may help with these tasks.

Is your loved one forgetting things more frequently? Typically, people forget things sometimes, but if you notice they are forgetting simple tasks they normally perform regularly, this may be a a sign that assistance is necessary.

It is not uncommon for elderly adults to experience trouble walking, getting up from a seated position or need help getting in and out of bed. Signs like this can be dangerous. The risk of a fall increases as mobility declines. The aide of a home care caregiver may assist with moving around the house safely.

Did you notice your loved one’s home is in disarray? Have they usually shown signs of tidiness or regular cleanliness, and now the home is disheveled and dirty. In Home Aides may assist in normal household maintenance like dusting and sweeping, cleaning the kitchen or doing laundry.

What Assistance do In-Home Care Aides Provide?

Home Care Aides provide a variety of services and assistance. Depending on the individuals condition, elderly adults may require different types of care.

Services included in home care:

  • Companionship 
  • Socialization 
  • Cognitive stimulation 
  • Medication reminders 
  • Grocery shopping 
  • Transportation 
  • Respite for family caregivers 

Often times, people think of nursing homes or retirement homes as the only places for senior care. As we’ve discussed earlier, there are multiple care options. And even within home care, there are levels of care suited for an individuals needs. The specific services offered in home care will vary state by state. Typically, home care services are non-medical unless a trained or licensed professional has permissions to perform such duties.

What are the different Home care options? 

Personal Care Assistant 

  • Companionship as well as assistance with activities of daily living, (non-medical personal care) toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing.  
  • They can help with grocery shopping and meal preparation. 
  • A personal care assistant can help with family difficulties. If a family caregiver must leave town or be away from the home overnight the caretaker can stay with the individual and monitor and assist as needed. 
  • If a spouse is too heavy, a personal assistant can be a great asset in helping the individual move without risk of injury. 
  • These care assistants cannot perform any medical care. 

Companion Care 

  • These companions spend time with older adults. Providing companionship is especially relevant for people who live alone, or do not leave the house due to cognitive impairments or frailty.  
  • These companions are there to look after the person, keep a watchful eye, act as an extension of the person to help with mobility and general physic functions.  
  • They may drive the person to appointments, prepare light meals and snacks. They may even play games or read and listen to music together. 
  • Companion care is a great way to bring social interaction and assistance to a person who may otherwise spend long periods of time alone. 

Laws and Regulations

Licensing

Laws are in place in South Dakota to protect seniors, however non-medical home care agencies are not required to be licensed by the state. Guidelines are setup for agencies under the Medicaid program.

Medication management

Caregivers may give reminders about medications to patients, but they cannot administer medications (over the counter, or prescription)

Staffing

Employees who come in direct contact with patients are required to undergo a criminal screening. South Dakota does not require any strict training for caregivers in non-medical home care. Typically, agencies only hire staff who has basic training like CPR and some hands on experience with the types of clients and patients in home care.

Grievances

It is required any suspected or witnessed abuse be reported with an accompanying written statement to a local law enforcement agency.

How much does home care cost in North Dakota?

South Dakota’s average cost for home care is nearly $1,000 more than the national average. The cost of home care in the state also tends to be the most expensive in the region (aside from Minnesota). The average cost of home care in South Dakota is $5,925, whereas the national average is a little under $5,000 per month.

  • National average cost of home care per month: $5,000
  • South Dakota: $5,925
  • Minnesota: $6,685
  • Wyoming: $5,550
  • Iowa: $5,550
  • North Dakota: $5,700

There are two major cities in South Dakota, both of which are more expensive than the state average. Other cities still (in neighboring states) tend to be on the higher end of cost for home care services.

  • Sioux Falls: $6,100
  • Rapid City: $6,100

Questions and inquiries about home care

Agency Information

  • Is the agency RN operated?
  • Is the agency a franchise or locally owned and operated?
  • Is the agency licensed by WA State Department of Health?
  • Is the agency licensed for both home care and home health?
  • Does the agency have liability insurance?
  • Can the agency respond to you 24/7?

Caregiver Information

  • Are employees licensed, bonded & insured? Or are they independent contractors?
  • Does the agency test skills, conduct behavioral interviews and verify caregiver credentials?
  • Are caregivers required to have current certifications for First Aid, CPR, and TB?
  • Are caregivers provided continuing education/training?
  • Can authorized individuals monitor care and make requests online in real time?
  • Does the agency offer caregiver replacement when the “fit” may not be right?

Documentation and Supervision

  • Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager conduct a free home care assessment?
  • Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager create a home care plan?
  • Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager supervise the caregivers?
  • Do caregivers receive client orientation before arriving at a client’s home?

Policies and Cost

  • Can services be cancelled with a 4-hour notification?
  • Does the agency offer flexible scheduling, custom care plans, and  a continuum of care?
  • Does the agency have weekly or monthly minimums?
  • What is the hourly minimum per shift?
  • Does the agency offer home care discounts?
  • What is the required deposit?
  • Will the agency accept long-term care insurance?

Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings.

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available. 

Hospice Foundation of America is to provide leadership in the development and application of hospice and its philosophy of care with the goal of enhancing the U.S. health care system and the role of hospice within it.

National Association for Home Care & Hospice is a trade association that represents the nation’s 33,000 home care and hospice organizations and the caregivers who provide in-home health and hospice services.

South Dakota’s Medicaid program is designed to help residents in need with healthcare coverage and resources.

South Dakota Department of Human Services is designed to provide opportunities to enable older South Dakotans and adults who are disabled to live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives.

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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