1. Dakota Plains Legal Services
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 342-7171, (800) 742-8602
Address: 528 Kansas City St., Suite 1
Description: Dakota Plains Legal Services provides free legal help to US citizens age 60 or older regardless of income, as well as to income-qualified younger people. Areas of assistance include Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, elder abuse, spousal abuse, powers of attorney and living wills, housing and homelessness issues, employment, and more. The agency covers the entire Black Hills and beyond. Call for an appointment.
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Address: 303 North Maple Ave.
3. Shiine Program
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 342-3494, (800) 822-8804
Address: 2628 West Main St.
Description: SHIINE stands for Senior Health Information and Insurance Education. Trained volunteers in almost every county in the state help seniors sort out the complexities of health insurance, including Medicare, private long-term or supplemental insurance, and other benefits. One-on-one meetings can be arranged when questions are too involved to be handled by phone. All services are free of charge.
4. Aarp
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 394-7798
Address: 2200 North Maple St. (Rushmore Mall)
Description: The AARP is practically a one-stop shopping information outlet for people age 50 and older. Not only does the advocacy organization have its own education and assistance programs—for instance, a safe-driving course and help at tax time—but volunteers keep an astounding list of resource people and organizations that can answer your questions and direct you to service providers. So whether you want to find out if there’s a local adult soccer team, get help with a legal or medical problem, obtain a list of nursing facilities, or get information on just about any topic, the AARP can tell you where to turn. The office is open and staffed by volunteers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon through Fri. One chapter holds regular meetings, so ask about joining.
5. Primrose
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 342-6699
Address: 224 East Minnesota St.
Description: Primrose has 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors 60 and older, 16 of which are for those who require residential care or assisted living. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen and, depending on whether it’s on the first or second floor, a patio or a balcony. In the common area are a library, cozy fireplace, exercise room, entertainment center, and multipurpose room. During the summer, residents can have a garden spot on the grounds.
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Address: 255 Texas St.
7. Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 721-8710
Address: 2900 Canyon Lake Dr.
Description: Seniors age 60 and older find a wealth of activities and services here, including aerobics, bingo, cribbage, bridge, a discussion group, ceramics, dances, table tennis, pool, shuffleboard, line dancing, exercise classes, and limited computer training. There’s a rug loom for weavers, a library for book lovers, and a garden where you can rent space for summer flowers and veggies. Those with a flair for the performing arts will want to take part in community presentations by the Joyful Guys and Gals singing group and the center’s drama group. Special activities include crosscountry ski trips, golf lessons, hikes, and more. Yearly dues are $10, and there’s a small fee for certain activities. The center claims more than 1,800 active members.
8. Minneluzahan Senior Citizens Center
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 394-1887
Address: 315 North 4th St.
Description: There’s no excuse for idleness when exercise classes, dances, bingo, cards, table tennis, crochet classes, pool, shuffleboard, volleyball, and so much else is available here. The musically inclined will find a place in the Rambling Larks singing group or the Merry Music Makers “kitchen band.” Potlucks for members and suppers that are open to the public provide additional social opportunities, and a monthly bus trip to Deadwood provides a change of scenery. Members make good use of “retired” items through a greeting card recycling program and a thrift room where used clothing and household items are sold. Those 55 and older pay $5 a year to belong.
9. Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (Rsvp)
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 394-2507
Address: 333 6th St.
Description: This national organization has put the skills of seniors age 55 and older to use on worthy community projects for a quarter of a century. The organization tries to match individual skills and training to specific tasks, be it helping other seniors fill out their tax returns, working in a literacy program, guiding children safely across the street as a crossing guard, or joining a chorus to entertain nursing home residents. Other locations are in Spearfish at 236 West Jackson Blvd. (605-642-5198), and in Sturgis at 919 Second St. (605-347-5048).
10. Community Development Department
City: Rapid City, SD
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (605) 394-4181
Address: 300 6th St.
Description: Concentrates on issues, human needs and gaps in services that impact the living standards of the residents of Rapid City. At this writing, the department oversees nine city task forces dealing with issues ranging from early childhood development and care, to affordable housing and mental health issues.