Partly cloudy skies. Low 38F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..
Partly cloudy skies. Low 38F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: May 7, 2026 @ 10:58 pm
News Director
{KXLG, Watertown, SD} The Village of Harmony Hill has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2026 Best Assisted Living Community. It is the only Assisted Living Community in South Dakota to receive this award in 2026.
Now in its fifth year, the 2026 Best Senior Living ratings from U.S. News evaluated more than 3,000 communities across the United States. Communities were assessed on several key criteria, including resident and family member satisfaction with safety, care, community management, staff, value, and other essential services and amenities.
“As the founders of The Village of Harmony Hill, the Benedictine Sisters of Mother of God Monastery are proud of the teamwork, partnerships, and commitment that has fostered the care of hundreds of residents since our opening in May of 2023. Our team members embody our core values and embrace the mission at hand: provide a home to each resident in our community of care where everyone can live life with meaning and purpose.The Village of Harmony Hill is the most important element of the intentional development of our 485-acre campus as we strive to meet some of the most pressing needs of the people around us. On behalf of the Sisters of Mother of God Monastery and The Village Board of Directors, we are grateful for the recognition bestowed by US News and World Report and applaud those who make The Village a place to call home each and every day,” said Sr. Barbara Younger, Prioress of Mother of God Monastery and Chair of the Board of The Village of Harmony Hill.
Michael Klatt, Strategic Advisor to the Sisters of Mother of God Monastery, stated, “It was one of the original goals of the Sisters to create a setting that provides hope in every life we touch. We desired to create a community within a community that team members wanted to work in and that residents and family members could trust. This recognition, based on surveys of those we serve and their families, demonstrated a confidence that we deeply appreciate.”
Only the highest-rated communities in each care level earned a “Best” rating from U.S. News, reflecting the viewpoints from nearly 550,000 consumer surveys.
“This recognition for our community affirms the dedication of the staff at the Village of Harmony Hill and the commitment to living out our core values, said Krista Beauchamp, Administrator. “Our team’s compassion and service are at the heart of everything we do.”
In addition to the primary ratings, The Village of Harmony Hill was recognized for Care Services and Staff & Management. These accolades are awarded only to communities that scored in the top 25% of evaluated communities nationwide for Caregiving, Activities & Enrichment, Management & Staff, Food, and “Feels Like Home.”
The Village of Harmony Hill is a part of the Benedictine Sisters’ legacy project on Harmony Hill in Watertown, South Dakota. The Village offers assisted living, memory care assisted living, and independent living apartments, providing a true continuum of care designed to support residents as their needs change.
For more information, visit villagewatertown.org. More information about The Village of Harmony Hill U.S. News ratings can be found at https://health.usnews.com/best-senior-living/the-village-of-harmony-hill-35798.
“Choosing a senior living community is a significant life decision for older adults and their families. U.S. News’ Best Senior Living ratings provide a transparent, data-driven tool to help families identify the highest-quality care available,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “We commend the communities that have earned this distinction, which reflects a deep commitment to resident well-being and exceptional service.”
While the Best Senior Living ratings offer a starting point for families, U.S. News encourages prospective residents, when appropriate, to consult with their health care providers or care teams to ensure a community’s specific services align with their individual clinical and wellness needs.
For more information on the U.S. News Best Senior Living ratings, visit U.S. News and explore Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and X using #BestSeniorLiving.
News Director
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