South Dakota Assisted Living Complaint Resources
How to report a South Dakota assisted living center. Immediate reporting tools, residents' rights, and legal advocacy for residents and families.
Reviewed by Nick Kassatly, Esq. · Published June 30, 2026 · Updated July 23, 2026
South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification
South Dakota Adult Protective Services
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Serving as an advocacy program to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities.
To report an assisted living facility in South Dakota, contact South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification at 605-773-3356 or file a complaint online. Complaints can be filed anonymously. For advocacy help, the South Dakota Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 605-773-3656 (1-833-663-9673 toll-free).
If you are concerned about the care your loved one is receiving in a South Dakota assisted living facility, you have the right to file a complaint with the state — and you can do so anonymously. In South Dakota, assisted living facilities are licensed as Assisted Living Centers and are regulated separately from skilled nursing homes.
Who Regulates Assisted Living Facilities in South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Health, through its Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification, licenses and investigates Assisted Living Centers under Administrative Rule Article 44:70. Because assisted living is not certified by Medicare the way skilled nursing homes are, the state — not the federal government — is the primary authority that sets the rules, inspects centers, and investigates complaints.
How to File an Assisted Living Complaint in South Dakota
You can file a complaint with the Department of Health's Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification by calling 605-773-3356. Complaints may be made orally or in writing, and you may file anonymously. To help investigators, provide as much detail as possible — the center name and address, the names of residents and staff involved, and the dates and times of the incidents you are reporting.
Memory Care and Dementia Care in South Dakota
In South Dakota, memory care is delivered within Assisted Living Centers that operate secured dementia-care units. These centers must meet additional requirements for staff training, secured-environment safety, and disclosure of the special care services they provide. If you have concerns about a memory care or dementia unit, you file a complaint through the same Department of Health process described above.
South DakotaAssisted Living Regulations & Resources
How South Dakota Licenses Assisted Living
South Dakota licenses assisted living facilities as Assisted Living Centers under the Department of Health, Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification, regulated by Administrative Rule Article 44:70. Memory care is provided within Assisted Living Centers that operate secured dementia-care units and meet additional staff training and disclosure requirements.
Statute of Limitations
3 years
In South Dakota, the statute of limitations for assisted living negligence claims is generally 3 years from the date of injury. A discovery rule may apply, meaning the clock may not start until the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to understand the specific deadlines that apply to your case, as missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim.
Complaint Types Investigated
Abuse and neglect, medication errors, inadequate staffing, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, financial exploitation, improper evictions or transfers, and violations of residents' rights.
What Happens After You File
Investigation Timeline
The Department of Health prioritizes complaints by the level of risk to residents. Allegations involving immediate danger to health or safety are investigated most urgently, while lower-risk concerns are scheduled based on the center's compliance history and the nature of the allegations.
Unannounced Inspections
Complaint investigations and inspections of assisted living centers are generally conducted unannounced, and may include on-site review and interviews with staff and residents, so that surveyors can observe conditions as they normally exist.
Complainant Notification
If you provide contact information, investigators may follow up for additional details and can notify you of the outcome once the investigation is complete. Anonymous complainants will not receive direct notification.
Enforcement Actions
If violations are found, the Department of Health can require a plan of correction, issue deficiency citations, assess monetary penalties, and suspend or revoke a center's license. Serious cases may be referred to law enforcement or Adult Protective Services.
Anonymous Complaints
Yes, you can file an assisted living complaint anonymously in South Dakota. The Department of Health accepts anonymous complaints, and your identity as a complainant is protected. Providing your contact information allows investigators to follow up for additional details, which can strengthen the investigation.
Official Sources
- Complaint filing — South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification: doh.sd.gov
- Resident rights — ARSD 44:70:09: sdlegislature.gov
- South Dakota Long-Term Care Ombudsman: dhs.sd.gov
- Mailing address — South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification: Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification, South Dakota Department of Health, 600 E. Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an assisted living complaint anonymously in South Dakota?expand_more
What number do I call to report an assisted living facility in South Dakota, and how fast is it investigated?expand_more
What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility in South Dakota?expand_more
Not Sure Where to Start?
Speak with an advocate who can guide you through the reporting process and help evaluate your family's legal options.