April 21, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Active Generations.

For more than four decades, Active Generations has provided adult day services in Sioux Falls — but growing demand is driving a major expansion.

The nonprofit recently opened Beacom Family Village, a purposefully designed space meant to better serve older adults and the caregivers who support them. It’s named in honor of lead contributors Miles and Lisa Beacom.

“Active Generations has been providing adult day services in the Sioux Falls community since 1983, evolving alongside the needs of older adults and their families,” said Molly Keegan, adult day and caregiver support services director.

What began as a smaller, socially focused program has grown into a comprehensive service offering structured daytime support for adults who need care, socialization or assistance because of cognitive decline or health conditions.

Programs include meaningful activities, meals, health monitoring and a safe, engaging environment — while also giving caregivers time to work, rest or manage other responsibilities.

“The demand has grown significantly in recent years,” Keegan said.

In 2025, Active Generations provided care for a record 205 participants and supported more than 400 caregivers. Families are traveling from across the region — often 30 to 60 miles — to access services, with some coming from Minnesota, Iowa and beyond.

“What’s driving this is a combination of factors: an aging population, more people choosing to age at home and a growing recognition of how essential caregiver support really is,” Keegan said.

“Families are balancing careers, raising children and caring for aging parents, and adult day services have become a critical solution. We’re also seeing increased awareness around dementia care and the importance of social connection, which is bringing more families to programs like ours earlier in their journey.”

The new Beacom Family Village at 3301 E. 26th St. represents a significant step forward.

Previously, services were offered within existing Active Generations locations, which had outgrown their capacity and functionality. The new campus brings together multiple programs — including the Men’s Program; Ceili Cottage, which supports those living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia; and caregiver support services — into one location designed specifically for adult day services.

“This space will allow us to expand capacity and create more specialized environments for different participant needs,” Keegan said.

In total, Active Generations now offers four specifically designed spaces across three locations, supporting cognitive health, mobility, comfort and engagement.

The new facility emphasizes a welcoming, nonclinical environment, with enhanced programming areas tailored to participants’ needs.

“The goal is to create a setting that feels dignified and engaging, not institutional,” Keegan said.

Location also played a key role in planning the new campus.

“We looked at where our current participants live, where growth is happening in the community and how we could best reduce barriers to access,” Keegan said. “Our goal was to create a central, easy-to-reach location.”

Families can begin the process of enrolling at any time, starting with a conversation to assess needs and determine the best fit. Tours and personalized care planning follow.

“One thing we always emphasize is that you don’t have to wait until you’re overwhelmed,” Keegan said. “Getting connected early can make a huge difference.”

That’s especially true given one of the most common questions Active Generations hears: Is it too early?

“Almost always, the answer is no,” Keegan said. “Using adult day services early often delays the need for full-time residential nursing care by months or even years.”

Cost and flexibility also are frequent concerns. Compared with in-home care or assisted living, adult day services offer a more affordable, sustainable option, with schedules tailored to individual needs.

“We work with families to create schedules that fit their needs, whether that’s a few days a week or more consistent support, and we help navigate available resources whenever possible,” she said.

Once participants begin attending, Keegan said, hesitation often fades.

“They build relationships, find routine and genuinely look forward to coming,” she said.

An official ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, with a program at 4:30 p.m., and tours will be available.

The Beacom Family Village project was made possible through a combination of state funding through the South Dakota Department of Human Services, philanthropic support and community partnerships, including lead contributions from the Beacom family.

Miles Beacom, CEO of PREMIER Bankcard, has known of Active Generations work for decades as colleagues served on the board of directors, and he became more aware of the need for adult day services when he co-chaired the Community Appeals Campaign through the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce to help build the east-side center.

“It just really educated us about the need that Active Generations is seeing,” he said. “This is a way to give back to the individuals who really helped build our city and help take care of them. We’re showing them respect and giving them the tools they need during their later years.”

He’s also personally experienced the need.

“We’ve seen what our parents went through, and it’s tough,” Beacom said. “You try to do it yourself if you can, but it’s tough on a family, and having a place to help with early-stage Alzheimer’s and dementia takes pressure off families so they can take a break, and that’s really important.”

At Active Generations, “we are incredibly grateful for lead supporters Miles and Lisa Beacom and others who recognized the growing need for adult day services in our region,” Keegan said.

“At the same time, this is a community-driven effort, and there are still opportunities for individuals and organizations to contribute.”

Additional support is still welcomed, whether through financial contributions, program sponsorships or helping raise awareness.

“At its core, this is about helping people live well and helping families stay together longer,” Keegan said.

“Adult day services are often one of the most underutilized but impactful supports available. They allow individuals to maintain independence and dignity while giving caregivers the support they need to continue in their role.”