South Dakota is known as the “Mount Rushmore State” and is home to many of the United States’ beautiful features, such as Badlands National Park, the Missouri River, and Custer State Park. More than 800,000 people live in South Dakota¹, many of whom are caregivers for elderly, sick, or disabled people. 

Caregiving is a rewarding but also challenging role that can bring about stress, exhaustion, and questions. Caregiver support groups exist across the United States and can be a safe place for caregivers to:

• Find emotional support
• Share problems and solutions 
• Learn new skills 
• Gain insight into new practices in caregiving.

Making the decision to join a support group is the important first step in finding a caregiver support group in your area. It can be challenging if you don’t know where to look. Here, we’ll explore South Dakotan caregiver support groups for those seeking connection, knowledge, and resources in their caregiving role.

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, one of the largest cities in South Dakota, has many caregiver support groups you can take advantage of if you live in the area: 

• CAREgivers by Active Generations is a donation-based non-profit organization focused on sharing knowledge and improving the skills of caregivers and medical professionals. This organization offers both general support groups and support groups focused on caregiving for people with dementia at different locations around Sioux Falls. 
• Veterans Association Sioux Falls Healthcare offers a wide range of caregiver support services if you are caring for a veteran. Their website lists caregiver support coordinators who can assist you in finding the resources you need. Their website also offers multiple virtual caregiver support groups at different days and times during the week. The Royal C. Johnson Hospital in Sioux Falls also offers in-person support groups, which you can join if you call one of their caregiver support staff. 

Rapid City

Rapid City is a town in South Dakota located near the Black Hills that offers many caregiver resources for those looking for a little extra support:  

• Alzheimer’s Association offers caregiver support groups in multiple South Dakota Cities, one of which is Rapid City. Support groups are peer or professionally led by trained individuals and can offer a great outlet for those caring for people with Alzheimer’s dementia.
• VA Black Hills Healthcare is a resource in Rapid City, South Dakota for those caring for veterans. Reaching out to a caregiver support coordinator through the Black Hills Healthcare System can be your first step to finding a caregiver support group in your area.
• Monument Healthcare System offers a specific caregiver support group for those caring for individuals with cancer. This support group is led by a social worker or nurse practitioner and is an opportunity to learn and share in the unique experience of caring for someone with cancer. 

Aberdeen

The small town of Aberdeen is located in Brown County and offers multiple caregiver support groups:

• South Dakota Parkinson Foundation is a great resource for education, caregiver support and other resources for those caring for someone with Parkinson’s. Their website offers caregiver support groups in multiple towns in South Dakota, including Aberdeen, Brookings, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and more.  
• Aberdeen Senior Center is an agency that provides resources to seniors over the age of 50 and their caregivers to keep them safe and healthy. The senior center offers a memory care support group for caregivers, where they can connect with each other, find emotional support, and learn new strategies to best help the person they care for. 

Brookings

This South Dakota city offers caregiver support options via a local church: 

• First United Methodist Church, located in Brookings County, offers multiple caregiver support groups that meet monthly, including a dementia caregiver support group and a support group for stroke survivors and their caregivers. 

Finding Your City

There are many resources for those living in towns in South Dakota to find caregiver support. It’s important to note that many organizations listed above, like the Alzheimer’s Association and the Parkinson’s Foundation of South Dakota, offer caregiver support groups in multiple cities across the state. If you don’t see your city listed above, it’s wise to visit the organization’s website and search your city to see what resources are nearby. 

Virtual Caregiver Support Groups

If there are no in-person caregiver support groups in your town in South Dakota, or if you’re too busy to attend in person, an online support group may be a good option for you. Many organizations offer a virtual support group option for caregivers, which can allow you to connect to other caregivers in your area or even across the United States, including: 

• South Dakota Parkinson Support Group
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Caregiver Action Network
• AARP Caregiving community

Trualta also offers a wide range of virtual caregiver support groups. Find out if you have free access. 

Other Resources

There are many additional caregiver resources available to you if you live in South Dakota cities that can provide you with support and respite. 

• Organizations like the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) of South Dakota offer education, training, and more to people in caregiving roles. 
• South Dakota State University, founded in the Dakota Territory in 1881, offers courses on caregiving, links to caregiving resources, and educational information specifically tailored for people living in rural areas who want to learn more about caregiving. 
• Trualta offers free access to caregivers in towns in South Dakota through their website where they can receive educational training and tips or chat in the forum with other caregivers. If you live outside of South Dakota and want to see if you can access Trualta’s resources, visit this link and search your city or state, like New York or North Carolina, to learn more. 

Next Steps

Many caregiver support groups exist across South Dakota cities, including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and more. These support groups offer invaluable resources and emotional outlets for those with the rewarding yet challenging role of being a caregiver. Choosing to opt in for a caregiver support group in your area may be the best choice you make in order to care for yourself and help you continue in your role as a high-quality caregiver.

References: 

1. Census Bureau. (n.d.). South Dakota profile. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://data.census.gov/profile?q=south%20dakota
2. Aberdeen Area Senior Center. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.aberdeen.sd.us/78/Aberdeen-Area-Senior-Center
3. Alzheimer’s Association South Dakota. (n.d.). Helping you. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.alz.org/sd/helping_you
4. Caregiver Action Network. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.caregiveraction.org/
5. Caregivers of South Dakota. (n.d.). About caregivers. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://caregiverssd.org/about-caregivers/
6. Extension, South Dakota State University. (n.d.). Family caregiving. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://extension.sdstate.edu/tags/family-caregiving
7. Monument Health. (n.d.). Cancer caregiver support group. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://monument.health/event/cancer-caregiver-support-group/
8. South Dakota Parkinson’s Association. (n.d.). Support groups. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.southdakotaparkinson.org/support-groups
9. Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. (n.d.). Caregiver support. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.va.gov/sioux-falls-health-care/health-services/caregiver-support/
10. VA Black Hills Health Care System. (n.d.). Caregiver support. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.va.gov/black-hills-health-care/health-services/caregiver-support/