Nursing Homes in White River, South Dakota

White River has 1 Medicare-certified nursing home with 52 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.0 stars, which is at South Dakota's state average of 2.7 stars. 0 facilities earn a B grade or better and are recommended for family consideration.

Compare 1 nursing home · data

Worth Considering

Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards

0 recommended 0 mixed 1 avoid
See our top picks

City Average

3.0

+0.28 vs state

Total Beds

52

across 1 facility

High Risk Facilities

1

0 under CMS review

1 with abuse citations

Nurse Availability

36 min

RN time per resident daily

Below CMS recommendation

Well Staffed

1

exceed staffing threshold

100% of facility

Zero Fines

0 /1

passed all inspections

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Trend

0

improved vs last year

0 declined

D

Top Rated in White River

White River Health Care Center

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Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons

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About Nursing Home Care in White River

When it comes to nursing home care in White River, SD, families should be cautious. The standout is White River Health Care Center, but it carries significant concerns, including abuse citations and a troubling Grade D rating. Overall, White River offers limited options for quality nursing home care, making it essential for families to explore neighboring cities for better alternatives.

Unfortunately, there are no facilities in White River worth recommending. The only facility, White River Health Care Center, does not meet the standards that families should be looking for. While it is the only option in town, it’s crucial to note that it has a history of abuse citations, which raises serious red flags. Families should consider visiting nursing homes in surrounding areas to find better care options.

When it comes to facilities to avoid, White River Health Care Center is at the top of the list due to its abuse citations and overall poor rating. Families should skip this facility entirely. When visiting any nursing home, always take the time to observe the environment, speak with staff, and ask residents about their experiences. This hands-on approach can provide invaluable insights that will help you make the best decision for your loved one.

White River at a Glance

Good News

  • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
  • 1 facility has more nurses than required

Be Aware

  • 1 facility has serious problems—check before visiting
  • Some facilities have less nurse time than recommended
  • 1 facility with abuse citations

What's Changing

  • 1 facility stayed the same
  • Overall: White River is stable

Questions White River Families Should Ask

Based on what we found in local inspection data

1

How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?

CMS recommends 0.75 hrs; White River avg is 0.60 hrs (36 min)

2

Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?

0 of 1 White River facilities have zero fines

3

What were your most recent inspection findings?

Ask for specifics—1 local facility has serious deficiencies

4

What is your staff-to-resident ratio on weekends?

Weekend staffing often differs from weekday levels

Finding Quality Nursing Home Care in White River, South Dakota

White River, South Dakota's Mellette County seat, has 1 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 52 beds. Families have solid options to choose from.

White River vs. South Dakota: Near State Average

White River nursing homes perform near the state average on key quality metrics. The city's average CMS rating of 3.00 stars is close to South Dakota's statewide average of 2.72 stars.

0 of 1 facilities earn a B grade or better. Families should still research carefully, as 1 facility has significant concerns.

Understanding Our Trust Score System

The Trust Score is a 0-100 rating calculated from CMS's official nursing home database. The score combines five data categories:

  • Health Inspection Results — Recent deficiencies, their severity, and patterns over time
  • Staffing Levels — RN hours, total nursing hours, and weekend staffing
  • Quality Measures — Clinical outcomes like falls, pressure ulcers, and rehospitalizations
  • Penalties — Fines, payment denials, and enforcement actions
  • Complaints — Substantiated complaints and their severity

In White River, 0 facilities score a B grade or better, indicating they meet quality benchmarks across these categories. We recommend families prioritize these facilities and carefully research any facility rated C or below before visiting.

Staffing: A Significant Concern in White River

Staffing levels are among the most important predictors of nursing home quality. Research consistently shows that facilities with more nursing staff—especially registered nurses—have better outcomes for residents.

White River facilities average 0.60 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical White River resident receives approximately 36 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.

1 White River facilities exceed CMS staffing recommendations. Families prioritizing staffing should look for facilities with the "Top Staffing" badge and ask specifically about RN hours during facility visits.

Ownership: Mix of For-Profit and Non-Profit

White River has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 0 for-profit facilities. 0 of 1 facilities are chain-owned, with the remainder independently operated.

Research suggests non-profit facilities often have higher staffing levels and fewer deficiencies on average, though ownership type alone does not guarantee quality. Families should evaluate each facility individually using inspection data, staffing levels, and recent deficiency reports.

Nearby Alternatives Worth Considering

Families may also want to consider nearby South Dakota cities for additional options. The following South Dakota cities offer multiple nursing home options:

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing homes are in White River, South Dakota?

White River has 1 Medicare-certified nursing home with a total of 52 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.0 stars, which is above South Dakota's state average of 2.7 stars.

What are the best nursing homes in White River?

Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in White River include:

  • White River Health Care Center — Grade D, 48/100 Trust Score

These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.

Which White River nursing homes should I avoid?

We flag 1 facility in White River as high-risk based on patterns of serious deficiencies, substantial fines, or placement on CMS's Special Focus Facility list. These facilities are marked with warning indicators in our listings above.

We recommend avoiding facilities with: Grade D or F, recent "Immediate Jeopardy" citations (indicating serious harm or risk to residents), or those on CMS's Special Focus Facility list.

The Bottom Line on White River Nursing Homes

White River offers typical nursing home options for the state. Focus your search on the 0 facilities graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing. Avoid the 1 high-risk facilities flagged in our analysis.

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