All Caregiver Support Services

    South Dakota · Caregiver Support

    Caregiver Support Services in South Dakota

    Caring for an aging loved one is one of the hardest jobs there is — and you shouldn't have to do it alone. Below are 30 verified South Dakota programs offering emotional support, respite, training, financial help, peer groups, and legal planning — most of them completely free.

    Last updated July 2026

    Start here in South Dakota

    Dakota at Home — SD Aging & Disability Resource Center

    One call connects South Dakota family caregivers to free counseling, respite, training, and support groups through their local Area Agency on Aging.

    Dakota at Home — SD Aging & Disability Resource Center

    Free

    Statewide — SD Division of Long Term Services and Supports

    South Dakota's primary caregiver entry point. Free information and referral service providing objective options planning to help caregivers identify and access public and private services regardless of age, disability, or income. Connects to all SD caregiver programs statewide.

    Call 855-500-0073 or visit dakotaathome.sd.gov. No wrong door — Dakota at Home connects to HOPE Waiver, SFC, Caregiver Program, SHIP, ombudsman, and all SD DHS services

    855-500-0073Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association South Dakota Chapter — 24/7 Helpline

    Free

    Statewide — Sioux Falls HQ serving all 66 South Dakota counties

    Around the clock emotional support, crisis assistance, and care consultations for dementia caregivers. SD Chapter has been serving South Dakota since 1982 — one of the earliest state chapters. Serves all 66 SD counties including Native American tribal communities.

    SD Chapter: 605-339-4543 | southdakota@alz.org. Offices in Sioux Falls covering all 66 counties including rural and tribal communities statewide

    800-272-3900Visit website

    SD DHS — Family Caregiver Support Program

    Free

    Statewide — through Adult Services and Aging (ASA) offices in all regions

    South Dakota's NFCSP-based caregiver support program. Free case management, information and referral, caregiver training, respite care, and supplemental services for caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Available at every Long Term Services and Supports office statewide.

    Contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 or SD DHS at 605-773-3656 to access local ASA office caregiver services in your region

    605-773-3656Visit website

    988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

    Free

    Statewide

    Free 24/7 confidential emotional support for caregivers experiencing burnout, distress, or crisis. Available by call or text. SD's vast rural geography and harsh winters can intensify caregiver isolation.

    Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call or text

    988Visit website

    Helpline Center — South Dakota 211

    Free

    Statewide — Sioux Falls-based, serving all 66 counties

    Free resource navigation for South Dakota residents. SD's 211 program connects caregivers to nonprofit and government programs statewide. Call, text (898211), email, or search online database. Helpline Center also operates crisis services.

    Call 211 | Text 898211 | Email helpline@helplinecenter.org. Also visit www.helplinecenter.org/ for online resource database. South Dakota's statewide 211 service

    211Visit website

    SD Family Caregiver Support Program — Respite

    Free

    Statewide — through ASA offices statewide

    Caregiver relief (respite care) for unpaid primary caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's through SD's NFCSP. Temporary in-home and facility respite available. Contact Dakota at Home to access respite through your local ASA office.

    Contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 to be connected to your local ASA office for available respite services

    855-500-0073Visit website

    SD HOPE Waiver — Respite Services

    Free

    Statewide

    South Dakota's Medicaid HCBS waiver (Home and Community-Based Options and Person Centered Excellence) providing respite care for waiver-enrolled individuals. Consumer-directed option allows family members to be paid caregivers. Spouses eligible.

    Must be Medicaid-eligible — contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 to begin HOPE Waiver eligibility screening

    855-500-0073Visit website

    SD Structured Family Caregiving — Respite Component

    Free

    Statewide

    Respite component built into South Dakota's Structured Family Caregiving program. Live-in caregivers enrolled in SFC receive scheduled respite relief. Administered through Careforth (previously Structured Family Caregiving). Spouses enrolled as caregivers also receive respite.

    Contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 or Careforth at 617-279-4900. Caregivers in SFC program receive coaching and scheduled breaks as part of the program model

    855-500-0073Visit website

    National Respite Locator

    Free

    Statewide — search by South Dakota zip code

    Searchable database of nearly 3,000 respite providers. Search by South Dakota zip code to find local respite options beyond state programs.

    Run by ARCH National Respite Network — important given limited local options in rural SD

    See websiteVisit website

    VA Caregiver Support Program — Respite

    Free

    Statewide — Veterans only

    At least 30 days annual respite for caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Sioux Falls VA and Fort Meade VA serve South Dakota veterans. SD has a significant Native American veteran population.

    Must be caring for veteran enrolled in VA healthcare — Sioux Falls VA: 605-336-3230 | Fort Meade VA: 605-347-2511

    855-260-3274Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association SD — Education Programs

    Free

    Statewide — Sioux Falls office and virtual

    Free education programs for dementia caregivers across all 66 SD counties. ALZ Talks webinars, Savvy Caregiver workshops, and care consultations. Virtual options essential for rural and tribal community caregivers across SD's vast geography.

    Virtual options available statewide — call helpline or visit chapter website for current SD schedule

    800-272-3900Visit website

    SDSU Extension — Caregiver Education

    Free

    Statewide — SDSU Extension offices statewide

    Evidence-based caregiver education through South Dakota State University Extension. Six-week virtual Building Better Caregivers workshop series (Feb-March 2026). Powerful Tools for Caregivers and aging resources available statewide through extension offices.

    Six-week virtual workshop series ran February 2 to March 9, 2026 — contact SDSU Extension for next offering. Also available through county extension offices statewide

    605-688-4792Visit website

    SD Department of Health — Alzheimer's Caregiver Resources

    Free

    Statewide

    SD Department of Health Healthy Brain Program providing dementia caregiver education, Safe Return Program for wandering, and connection to Caregiver Support Program resources. Partners with Alzheimer's Association SD on statewide dementia education.

    DOH Healthy Brain Program: 800-738-2301. Free caregiver resources and Alzheimer's dementia information — also connects to SD Caregiver Support Program

    800-738-2301Visit website

    Powerful Tools for Caregivers — SD

    Free

    Statewide — through SDSU Extension and ASA offices

    Evidence-based six-session self-care program for family caregivers offered through SDSU Extension and local Adult Services and Aging offices. Teaches practical tools for managing stress and caregiving challenges statewide.

    Free six-week workshop — contact SDSU Extension or Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 for current schedule. Virtual options available statewide

    855-500-0073Visit website

    Family Caregiver Alliance — Online Resources

    Free

    National — available to all SD caregivers

    Comprehensive caregiver education library including fact sheets, online programs, and SD-specific resource directory. Especially valuable for rural and tribal community caregivers across SD's vast geography.

    No registration required — accessible from any SD community

    800-445-8106Visit website

    AARP South Dakota Caregiver Resource Center

    Free

    Statewide — Sioux Falls office

    Free caregiver tools, guides, and education. AARP SD reports approximately 119,000 family caregivers in South Dakota. AARP Care Guide available. AARP SD active on caregiver issues in SD Legislature.

    AARP membership not required — AARP SD active partner with SDSU Extension on caregiver education initiatives statewide

    866-554-5360Visit website

    SD Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) — Up to $1,700/month

    Free

    Statewide

    South Dakota's Medicaid Structured Family Caregiving program paying live-in family caregivers a daily stipend. Three tiers effective July 1, 2025: Base $80.87/day (~$2,427/mo), Tier 1 $101.09/day, Tier 2 $113.22/day. Minimum 50% passed to caregiver. Spouses explicitly eligible. Income limit $2,982/month 2026.

    Spouses eligible — one of few SFC states allowing this. Contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 or Careforth at 617-279-4900 to apply. Three payment tiers based on care level

    855-500-0073Visit website

    SD HOPE Waiver — Consumer-Directed Paid Caregiver

    Free

    Statewide

    South Dakota's Medicaid HCBS waiver allowing care recipients to self-direct their care and hire family members as paid caregivers. Broader service array than SFC. Must meet nursing home level of care. Income limit $2,982/month effective January 2026.

    Must be Medicaid-eligible — contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 to begin HOPE Waiver eligibility screening. Consumer direction option gives flexibility to hire family members

    855-500-0073Visit website

    SD Assistive Daily Living Services Waiver

    Free

    Statewide

    SD Medicaid waiver for adults 65+ and individuals with physical disabilities 18-64 providing personal care and support services. Consumer-directed option allows eligible family members to be paid caregivers. Contact Dakota at Home for eligibility screening.

    Must be Medicaid-eligible — contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073. ADL Waiver covers adults 65+ and younger adults with physical disabilities needing support services

    855-500-0073Visit website

    VA Caregiver Stipend — PCAFC Program

    Free

    Statewide — Veterans only

    Monthly stipend for caregivers of eligible veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability. Also includes CHAMPVA health insurance. VA legacy cohort protected through September 2028.

    Must be caring for veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability rating

    855-260-3274Visit website

    National Family Caregiver Support Program — SD

    Free

    Statewide — through SD ASA offices

    Federal program providing information, counseling, training, respite, and supplemental services to family caregivers of adults 60+ or any age with Alzheimer's. Kinship caregiver services also available. Tribal elder programs serve SD's nine federally recognized tribes.

    Contact Dakota at Home — SD has nine federally recognized tribes; tribal elder programs serve Native American caregivers through Title VI funding alongside ASA offices

    855-500-0073Visit website

    Alzheimer's Association SD — Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — in person and virtual

    Free caregiver support groups throughout South Dakota from Sioux Falls to Rapid City to Aberdeen to Huron. Groups meet monthly in communities statewide. Virtual groups essential for rural caregivers. ALZConnected online community 24/7.

    Aberdeen, Brookings, Canton, Huron, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown groups confirmed active — call helpline or visit chapter website to find group near you

    800-272-3900Visit website

    SD ASA Network — Caregiver Support Groups

    Free

    Statewide — ASA offices in all regions

    Caregiver support groups through SD's Adult Services and Aging offices statewide. Groups for general caregiving, Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers, and kinship caregivers. Contact Dakota at Home to find groups near you.

    Contact Dakota at Home at 855-500-0073 to find caregiver support groups in your region — availability varies across SD's large and rural geography

    855-500-0073Visit website

    Helpline Center — Volunteer Connections

    Free

    Statewide — Sioux Falls based

    Helpline Center connects South Dakotans to volunteer opportunities and peer support programs. Also manages SD's volunteer caregiver and friendly visitor programs connecting isolated caregivers to community connection.

    Dial 211 or visit www.helplinecenter.org/ — Helpline Center is hub for volunteer peer support throughout SD

    211Visit website

    AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group

    Free

    National — available to all SD caregivers

    Free online peer community of 25,000+ caregivers active 24/7. Especially critical for SD caregivers in rural areas where local in-person groups may be hours away or unavailable during harsh winters.

    AARP membership not required — virtual peer support is a lifeline for SD's rural and geographically isolated caregivers

    877-333-5885Visit website

    Frequently Asked Questions — South Dakota Caregivers

    Honest answers to what South Dakota family caregivers ask most.

    Most free caregiver help in South Dakota flows through Dakota at Home — SD Aging & Disability Resource Center, which works hand-in-hand with the South Dakota Department of Human Services, Adult Services and Aging (ASA) and the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network. Call 855-500-0073 to be connected to your county's AAA or Aging and Disability Resource Center — they provide free caregiver counseling, support groups, respite vouchers, and caregiver education statewide.

    In many cases, yes. The primary pathway is South Dakota HOPE Waiver. The HOPE Waiver supports in-home services; self-directed options may allow hiring a family member (other than a spouse) as a paid attendant. The care recipient must meet South Dakota Medicaid's financial and functional eligibility rules. To apply or confirm what's currently available, call 855-500-0073 and ask specifically about Medicaid self-direction or consumer-directed personal-care services.

    Free or low-cost respite in South Dakota comes from three main places: (1) Dakota at Home — SD Aging & Disability Resource Center and your local Area Agency on Aging, which can issue respite vouchers under the National Family Caregiver Support Program — call 855-500-0073; (2) the VA Caregiver Support Program (1-855-260-3274) for caregivers of enrolled veterans; and (3) the ARCH National Respite Locator at archrespite.org, which lists licensed South Dakota respite providers by ZIP code.

    South Dakota veteran caregivers can access two main VA programs. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) pays a monthly stipend of roughly $1,750–$3,200 for caregivers of post-9/11 and (now expanded) earlier-era veterans with a 70%+ service-connected disability who need help with daily activities. The Program of General Caregiver Support Services offers free training, peer mentoring, and REACH VA stress coaching for caregivers of any era veteran enrolled in VA healthcare. Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or visit caregiver.va.gov to apply.

    Yes. The Alzheimer's Association South Dakota Chapter runs in-person and virtual support groups across the state and operates a free 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 in English and Spanish. Local Area Agencies on Aging also coordinate dementia-specific groups through South Dakota's family caregiver support program — Dakota at Home — SD Aging & Disability Resource Center can refer you. For broader caregiver support groups (not dementia-specific), the Family Caregiver Alliance and Well Spouse Association also serve South Dakota families online.

    East River Legal Services / Dakota Plains Legal Services is the main free civil legal aid resource for income-eligible South Dakota residents. They can help with advance directives, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, guardianship questions, Medicare and Medicaid appeals, and consumer or housing problems facing aging adults. South Dakota State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides separate free advocacy specifically for residents (and their families) in South Dakota nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings. Many South Dakota bar associations also run lawyer-referral services with reduced rates for caregivers and seniors.

    988 is the free, confidential 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available to anyone in the U.S., including South Dakota family caregivers who feel overwhelmed, isolated, hopeless, or in emotional distress. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. For non-crisis support — finding food, transportation, rent help, or caregiver respite — dial 211 to reach a South Dakota-trained United Way navigator who can route you to local programs.

    South Dakota's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and Area Agency on Aging (AAA) network is the single point of entry for county-level caregiver services. Call 855-500-0073 and you'll be routed to the ADRC or AAA serving your county. They handle benefits screening, options counseling, and direct connections to counseling, respite, training, transportation, and financial-help programs. South Dakota Department of Human Services, Adult Services and Aging (ASA) oversees the network statewide and can also help if a local office is hard to reach.

    Sources & references

    Verified July 2026

    Save these South Dakota resources to your free care plan

    Your care plan keeps every South Dakota caregiver resource — phone numbers, eligibility, and next steps — in one calm, organized place.

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    Source: LTCareNav.com research, updated on July 2026. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility rules change frequently — please verify contact information directly with each organization before referral. This page is informational and not legal, medical, or financial advice.