Corsica, SD — The Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Corsica will close on November 30, 2025, with leaders citing an intensifying workforce shortage that has made continued operations untenable. The decision affects 43 residents and 68 employees, according to public statements.
“In Corsica, we are facing workforce shortages that are expected to intensify in the coming years. As a result, we have made the difficult decision to close Good Samaritan Society,” said Katie Davis, vice president of operations for Good Samaritan Society.
Resident transfers to Wagner
All residents are set to relocate to the Good Samaritan Society facility in Wagner, about 30 miles away. That site, which previously closed, is reopening under Sanford Health, the parent organization of Good Samaritan Society following a 2023 acquisition. The move consolidates services in the region and is intended to stabilize care delivery amid ongoing staffing constraints.
Families and local officials have voiced concern about longer travel times and the strain that distance can place on regular visits. Operators, meanwhile, say the transfer plan is designed to maintain continuity of care for residents as the Corsica site winds down.
Lawmakers flag competition concerns
State lawmakers and observers have questioned potential anti-competitive effects of the shift, noting that closing Corsica while reopening Wagner could reduce options for long-term care in the area and limit competition for workers between facilities. The discussion underscores broader anxiety over access to elder care in rural communities as staffing pressures intensify.
“With the announced closure of Corsica’s Good Samaritan Society, many are wondering what’s to come for long term care in South Dakota,” a public report on lawmakers’ views stated.
Workforce challenges drive the decision
Industry reports show rural long-term care providers across South Dakota are struggling to recruit and retain staff, a trend that operators say has worsened in recent years. In Corsica, leaders said those pressures reached a point where the organization could no longer reliably staff the facility.
The closure adds to a pattern of consolidation in rural post-acute care, where smaller homes face steep hiring gaps, rising costs, and a limited pool of specialized workers. Advocates warn that each closure pushes residents farther from their hometowns and complicates family involvement, a key factor in resident well-being.
What’s next for the building and staff
Community leaders in Corsica are exploring future uses for the facility after the closure, with early ideas ranging from health services to broader community functions. Specific plans have not been finalized.
For the 68 employees, the shutdown creates immediate uncertainty. Operators have not detailed next steps for staff, but said the focus remains on resident transfers and a smooth transition as the Wagner facility reopens.
A local inflection point
The November closure marks a significant shift for Corsica, where the nursing home has long served as an anchor for seniors and their families. While the Wagner reopening offers a nearby landing spot, the move also highlights the fragile state of rural long-term care—and the difficult choices providers say they face as the workforce tightens.
