DakotAbilities to expand with new twin homes to elevate nursing care for people with disabilities

This piece is sponsored by DakotAbilities.

DakotAbilities is marking National Nurses Week with a bold step forward: Plans are underway to build two twin homes designed to enhance care for individuals with complex medical needs.

Construction is set to begin soon, replacing a large, decades-old home on the city’s south side that currently houses 16 adults requiring intensive nursing care. The new twin homes will accommodate 16 adults in four-person settings.

“The level of medical support and 24/7 nursing accessibility is what defines us — it’s what sets us apart,” said Marty Jolley, director of nursing at DakotAbilities.

“We’re equipped to care for people with significant medical complexities throughout adulthood, adapting as their needs evolve with age. This move will not only improve each person’s living environment and privacy but also enhance staff efficiency, allowing us to deliver even more personalized care to those who need it most.”

This expansion follows the recent opening of two other twin homes that replaced 1990s-era residences — an upgrade that helped DakotAbilities support a record-high 140 individuals.

“The growth of Sioux Falls, especially in the past five years, has brought families here from across the country,” said Nathan Stallinga, executive director. “Every day, we hear from people — some planning ahead, others facing urgent crises. The last thing we want is for someone in critical need to wait on a long list.”

Stallinga emphasized that DakotAbilities’ services not only transform lives but also generate significant community savings.

“Many people may never directly interact with us, but our impact is felt across the community,” he said. “By providing expert, around-the-clock nursing care, we reduce hospitalizations and nursing home placements for individuals we support — most of whom rely on Medicaid.”

DakotAbilities credits its dedicated nursing staff for the high level of care it provides. “Our nurses are attuned to subtle signs — early indicators of more serious issues,” Jolley explained.

“They collaborate closely and bring medical expertise, compassion and advocacy to their work every single day. This level of care takes an entire team, and the difference it makes is clear.”

“When we invest in these new homes, it’s about much more than bricks and mortar,” Stallinga added. “It’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to compassionate, person-centered care in spaces thoughtfully designed to meet people’s long-term physical and emotional needs.”

To learn more about DakotAbilities, visit dakotabilities.org.