Quick answers
- Is Emerald Oaks licensed?
- Emerald Oaks appears on the official license list of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Health & Safety Division (list dated October 30, 2025, retrieved October 31, 2026) as “Assisted Living Program”, license number S0169, status: licensed. Check the state record for the latest status and inspection reports.
- How many residents can Emerald Oaks have?
- The state license lists a capacity of 42. This is the licensed maximum, not the number of places free today.
- Where is Emerald Oaks?
- 2603 17th Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536, Palo Alto County, Iowa.
- What is the phone number of Emerald Oaks?
- (712) 852-4266, as listed by the state.
- What is the closest hospital emergency room?
- Palo Alto County Hospital, Emmetsburg (about 0.3 mi in a straight line). In a medical emergency, call 911.
What to ask when you visit
A general checklist for any assisted living or residential care home. It is not medical or legal advice.
- Is the license current? Can I see the latest state inspection report and how any problems were fixed?
- What does the monthly fee include, and what costs extra (levels of care, help with medicines, laundry, transport)?
- How and how often are fees raised, and with how much notice?
- What help with daily activities is offered (bathing, dressing, medicines), and who gives it?
- How many staff are on duty during the day and at night? Is a nurse on site or on call?
- What happens if care needs increase? When would a resident have to move out?
- Is there a memory-care area for people with dementia, and is the home licensed for it?
- Does the home accept Medicaid (or a state waiver program), long-term care insurance or veterans’ benefits?
- How are medical emergencies handled, and which hospital is usually used?
- Can I talk with residents and families, share a meal, and visit at different times of day?
- What does the contract say about moving out, discharge and refunds? Ask for a copy to read at home.
Read the state record before you visit: state license search.
Free official help: the Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration for Community Living), 1‑800‑677‑1116, eldercare.acl.gov, can connect you with your area agency on aging and your state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who helps residents and families with concerns about a home.
Other licensed homes nearby
From the same official state lists, by straight-line distance from the center of the ZIP code (not driving distance).
- Lakeside Assisted Living0.0 mi · Emmetsburg, IA · capacity 24
- Ruthven Community Care Center10 mi · Ruthven, IA · capacity 30
- Prairie Creek Assisted Living16 mi · West Bend, IA · capacity 32
- Windsor Manor AL21 mi · Estherville, IA · capacity 72
- Cobble Creek AL of Spencer23 mi · Spencer, IA · capacity 12
- Riverview Terrace23 mi · Spencer, IA · capacity 114
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
Hospitals that list emergency services in Medicare (CMS) data, by straight-line distance.
- Palo Alto County Hospital0.3 mi · Emmetsburg, IA
- Avera Holy Family Hospital21 mi · Estherville, IA
- Spencer Municipal Hospital23 mi · Spencer, IA
License information
| License type (as the state names it) | Assisted Living Program |
|---|---|
| License number | S0169 |
| License status | Licensed |
| Licensed capacity | 42 |
| Address | 2603 17th Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536 |
| County | Palo Alto |
| State | Iowa |
| Phone | (712) 852‑4266 |
| Licensing agency | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Health & Safety Division |
| Inspection reports | Search this home on the state website → |
| Corrections | Report an error or suggest an update → |
Sources
- Official license list of Iowa — Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Health & Safety Division, list dated October 30, 2025, retrieved October 31, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau ZIP code areas (Gazetteer) — approximate position (center of the ZIP code area) used for distances