Wakonda Heritage Manor
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Wakonda Heritage Manor has received a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice for families seeking care, ranking #28 out of 95 nursing homes in South Dakota, which places it in the top half of facilities in the state. However, the facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with issues increasing from 1 in 2024 to 2 in 2025. Staffing is a relative strength, with a 4 out of 5 rating and a turnover rate of 38%, which is better than the state average of 49%. On the downside, the facility has been fined $19,500, which is average, and has had some concerning incidents, such as a dietary staff member failing to maintain proper hand hygiene while handling food and a resident being observed in a potentially unsafe environment due to unclear communication and an unsteady gait. Overall, while there are strengths in staffing and overall quality, families should consider the recent negative trends and specific incidents when making their decision.
- Trust Score
- B
- In South Dakota
- #28/95
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 38% turnover. Near South Dakota's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ○ Average
- $19,500 in fines. Higher than 54% of South Dakota facilities. Some compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 49 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for South Dakota. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ✓ Good
- Only 5 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (38%)
10 points below South Dakota average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near South Dakota avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 5 deficiencies on record
Feb 2025
2 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 11. Observation and interview on 2/11/25 at 12:44 p.m. with resident 21 in her room revealed:
*Her speech was unclear, and she w...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, and policy review, the provider failed to ensure appropriate hand hygiene and glove use was performed to prevent contamination of resident foods by two of two dietary ...
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Jun 2024
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Menu Adequacy
(Tag F0803)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the provider failed to ensure menu substitutions for special events were reviewed and approved by a registered dietitian. Findings in...
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Oct 2023
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and policy review the provider failed to ensure infection control policies were adhered to with the following:
*Appropriate hand hygiene and glove use by two of two ce...
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Aug 2022
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** A. Based on observation, interview, and South Dakota Food Service Code review, the provider failed to ensure proper storage of r...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • 38% turnover. Below South Dakota's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 5 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $19,500 in fines. Above average for South Dakota. Some compliance problems on record.
About This Facility
What is Wakonda Heritage Manor's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Wakonda Heritage Manor an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within South Dakota, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Wakonda Heritage Manor Staffed?
CMS rates Wakonda Heritage Manor's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 38%, compared to the South Dakota average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Wakonda Heritage Manor?
State health inspectors documented 5 deficiencies at Wakonda Heritage Manor during 2022 to 2025. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm and 4 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Wakonda Heritage Manor?
Wakonda Heritage Manor is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by AVERA HEALTH, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 38 certified beds and approximately 31 residents (about 82% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in WAKONDA, South Dakota.
How Does Wakonda Heritage Manor Compare to Other South Dakota Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in South Dakota, Wakonda Heritage Manor's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 2.7, staff turnover (38%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Wakonda Heritage Manor?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?"
Is Wakonda Heritage Manor Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Wakonda Heritage Manor has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in South Dakota. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Wakonda Heritage Manor Stick Around?
Wakonda Heritage Manor has a staff turnover rate of 38%, which is about average for South Dakota nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Wakonda Heritage Manor Ever Fined?
Wakonda Heritage Manor has been fined $19,500 across 1 penalty action. This is below the South Dakota average of $33,274. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Wakonda Heritage Manor on Any Federal Watch List?
Wakonda Heritage Manor is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.