United Living Community sits at 495 1st Avenue in Brookings, SD, right near Pioneer Park, and folks there can choose from independent living apartments, assisted living suites, or skilled nursing care depending on what they need at the time and that's nice because it means nobody has to pick up and move just because health changes, and they've even got respite care, adult daycare, outpatient rehabilitation, HydroWorx Therapy, and hospice for folks facing different challenges, all on one campus. People live in their own private suites, with options for married couples and several layouts to choose from, and the Park Place Apartments and Park Place Assisted Living buildings offer different kinds of comfort for independent seniors or those needing a bit more support, and there's always someone on staff for help, including nurses, aides, caregivers, and even a Director of Social Services and Director of Environmental Services, all with the goal of making sure residents are safe and well looked after at any hour, not just during the front desk hours which are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm.
Meals get cooked up fresh in the kitchen each day and are served right there, and if someone needs help with eating or any daily care, staff can lend a hand. Group activities, exercise rooms, and organized trips keep things interesting, along with spaces for faith services, and you'll spot the Recreation and Volunteer Services Coordinator working to fill out the calendar with events and volunteer visits, so no one feels left out if they want some company. There's transportation available to and from appointments or outings, and the campus is easy to get around, with accessible parking, entrances, walkways, and restrooms, since not everybody moves around as quickly as they used to.
Each person gets a care plan tailored to what they need, which can change as life changes, so if someone starts out living pretty independently and then needs extra help later on, they don't have to go far or leave friends behind, because all six levels of care sit close together. Families and residents both get included in planning care, and the community really aims to keep people connected, whether that's through visiting with loved ones, participating in faith groups, or joining in the social events run by staff and volunteers. There's always a nurse on hand, and even specialists like an Infection Control & Wound Care Nurse for anyone needing special attention, and staff work all hours so there's always help in an emergency, day or night.
The place has a steady connection with Avera at Brookings and works closely with other community partners. The focus is always on health, safety, belonging, and giving each person a chance to live as independently as they can, all while building good relationships with staff and neighbors. The care and services go beyond just meeting the basic needs; the staff work to make sure everyone has support, opportunities for engagement, and a sense that they're part of the community, which is important to a lot of folks as they get older.
