Free Caregiver Resources in South Dakota You May Not Know Exist
South Dakota offers free caregiver training, dementia education, support groups and memory cafés, and most families never hear about them. Below are eight programs you can use right now, what each one covers, and where to sign up.
Growing older comes with new opportunities, challenges and decisions. The state has built a real network of support for older adults, family caregivers and families making a plan. The surprising part is how few people know it is there.
Free online caregiver training in South Dakota
Trualta
Many family caregivers find themselves providing care without any formal training. Trualta closes that gap. Available at no cost through the South Dakota Department of Human Services, it offers online education and support for South Dakotans caring for a loved one with aging related needs, disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Topics include:
Personal care skills
Dementia care
Medication management
Safety and mobility
Caregiver wellness
Stress management
The platform is open anytime, so caregivers can learn at their own pace.
SDSU Extension Virtual Series on Aging
South Dakota State University Extension runs free educational webinars on the topics that come up most for older adults and their families.
Past sessions have covered:
Estate planning
Medication management
Family caregiving
Healthy aging
Navigating difficult family dynamics
Financial and legal planning
Sessions are online, so participants learn from experts without leaving home.
Dementia education and memory support
Dementia Dialogues
Dementia Dialogues is a five module educational program that helps caregivers understand dementia and learn practical caregiving strategies.
Participants learn about:
Understanding dementia
Communication techniques
Creating supportive environments
Managing challenging behaviors
Problem solving strategies
Memory Cafés
Memory Cafés are welcoming gatherings where people living with memory loss and their care partners can meet, socialize and build supportive relationships. The Black Hills Memory Café was the first of its kind in South Dakota, and additional Memory Cafés are being developed throughout the state.
Caregiver classes and support groups
Savvy Caregiver and Stress Busting for Family Caregivers provide education, coping strategies and peer support for people caring for an aging loved one. Classes run both virtually and in person throughout South Dakota through Active Generations. See the current class and support group calendar.
Creative writing workshops for older adults
SDSU Extension also offers writing programs that help older adults reflect on their life experiences and pass their stories on.
Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Roadshow
Participants explore the lessons of a lifetime and capture personal stories, values and experiences for future generations. Learn about Heirlooms.
Obituary Writing Workshops
These obituary writing workshops help people create a thoughtful, meaningful tribute that reflects the life they have lived and the legacy they hope to leave behind.
Where to find more South Dakota aging resources
South Dakota Department of Human Services, Long Term Services and Supports
Dakota at Home, the state aging and disability resource connection
When free resources are not enough
Education and support groups do a great deal. What they do not do is the laundry, the drive to the appointment, or the overnight so you can finally sleep. When the day to day becomes more than one family can carry, respite care gives the primary caregiver a real break, from a few hours to several days at a time.
Kore Cares also provides personal care, companionship, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation and in home nursing across Sioux Falls and communities throughout South Dakota. If you are weighing whether it is time, these are the questions worth asking any home care agency.
Frequently asked questions
Where can family caregivers in South Dakota get free training?
Trualta offers free online caregiver training to South Dakota residents through the Department of Human Services, covering personal care, dementia care, medication management, safety and caregiver wellness. Dementia Dialogues adds a five module program focused specifically on dementia.
Are there caregiver support groups in South Dakota?
Yes. Savvy Caregiver and Stress Busting for Family Caregivers run both virtually and in person across the state through Active Generations, and their calendar lists current dates and locations.
What is a memory café?
A memory café is a relaxed social gathering for people living with memory loss and the people who care for them. The Black Hills Memory Café was the first in South Dakota, and more are being developed across the state.
What is Dakota at Home?
Dakota at Home is South Dakota's aging and disability resource connection, run through the Department of Human Services. It is a single starting point for information about long term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities.
What if free programs are not enough help?
Free education and support groups help you carry the load, but they do not replace hands on care. If your family needs someone in the home, call Kore Cares at 605-275-2344. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.
Talk to someone
At Kore Cares we believe helping people age well means connecting them with the resources, education and support they need to thrive. Explore these programs, and if you need more than information, we are here. Find a location near you, ask us to reach out through our referral form, or call 605-275-2344.