The South Dakota Department of Human Services is awarding $2 million in technology equipment grants to 73 long-term care providers across the state. More than 100 operators applied for support through the program.
“More than 4,000 residents and clients across the state will be directly impacted by the technology grant projects that we’ve been able to award,” said Shawnie Rechtenbaugh, cabinet secretary for the South Dakota Department of Human Services.
The money can be used to purchase technology equipment that improves the quality of life and health of elderly residents and clients as well as to support healthcare workers.
Funding for the technology grants was approved during the 2024 legislative session through Senate Bill 80.
In April, Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed the measure, which allows any state Medicaid provider to apply for a technology grant to fund falls detection technology, air purification systems or care enhancements.
The South Dakota Health Care Association, the state affiliate of the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living, called the technology grants a “significant investment” in the state’s long-term care providers.
“These funds will directly impact the quality of life of residents and help alleviate the ongoing staffing challenges that are the biggest issue currently facing providers,” SDHCA Executive Director Mark Deak told McKnight’s Senior Living. “These funds will allow providers to tailor their applications to their specific needs and find creative ways to implement the staggering array of new technologies that can make a positive impact for residents and staff.”
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, a LeadingAge state partner, said that SB 80, along with SB 209, which will provide $5 million in grants to assisted living communities and nursing homes to expand telehealth services, resulted from the 2023 legislative summer study session on the long-term care industry.
“Assisted living providers are a very important part of the healthcare continuum, especially as we lose nursing homes due to the staffing crisis,” SDAHO Chief Operating Officer Tammy Hatting told McKnight’s Senior Living. “We are happy to see South Dakota invest in assisted living providers to help them with funding for technology, such as remote patient monitoring devices, patient safety devices or other telemedicine services.”
Recipients will be required to evaluate the performance of the new technology or equipment and submit a report to the state detailing what did and did not work.
