Arlington nursing home to close in February

The nursing home in Arlington is closing. Avantara Arlington has announced its upcoming closure. As with other recent nursing home closures, the primary factors are a combination of the ongoing underfunding of Medicaid, the current staffing crisis, and costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The facility has 12 residents and will close in February.

This marks the 7th nursing home closure this calendar year. Over the past six years, there have been 16 closures.

Mark Deak, Executive Director of the South Dakota Health Care Association, says nursing homes are facing unprecedented pressures. He says communities where these closures have occurred are permanently losing access to a vitally important service for the elderly and disabled.

Governor Noem is proposing a 21% Medicaid increase for nursing homes in her budget. Deak says that is very welcome news. He hopes lawmakers will also see the need for quick action.

December 12, 2022