Gov. Kristi Noem announced that Shawnie Rechtenbaugh has been appointed as the permanent Secretary of the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Do you provide care to a loved one with dementia? Did you know there are some great resources available by visiting the following links:
Alzheimer's Association
AARP
CAREgivers by Active Generations
DHS
Teepa Snow

The South Dakota Board of Vocational Rehabilitation, Board of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Statewide Independent Living Council are now accepting nominations for the 2019 Governor's Awards.

Dakota at Home is a free information and referral service provided by the Department of Human Services, Division of Long Term Services and Supports. Dakota at Home provides objective information and options planning to help individuals, regardless of age, disability, or income, identify and access public and private services and supports in their local communities.

The South Dakota Department of Human Services is now accepting applications for nursing home innovation grants.

The Division of Long Term Services and Supports has enrolled their first participant into the Structured Family Caregiving service under the HOPE Waiver.

Shared living is an arrangement of services provided in the private home of a participant, or a family, in which care is provided to a participant. Shared Living is meant to provide a more person-centered approach to supporting a participant where the participant and the selected provider share a life. Anyone with the desire to help someone with an IDD live a quality life can apply to be a Shared Living provider through a Community Support Provider (CSP). The size of the home doesn't matter. This can include one roommate in an apartment or home or joining a family sharing their own house.

Gov. Kristi Noem has proclaimed May Older Americans Month (OAM) in South Dakota.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is mandated by the U.S. Administration on Aging to advocate for and protect the rights of residents of nursing homes and assisted living centers. Long-Term Care Ombudsman promote a person-centered approach putting the individual at the heart of all care decisions and gives them a voice. Person-centered care leads to better outcomes for the individual and contributes to higher staff satisfaction and retention. Ombudsmen do not regulate long term care homes, but do work with providers, resident representatives, residents, and their families to resolve concerns.

The South Dakota Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program is currently seeking volunteers for a variety of roles.