Local, Generational and Women Owned Business serving Snoh. Co's Highest Maintenance Golden Girls!
"To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors."
A Generational Legacy
Tia Walker, Author of The Inspired Caregiver
Since the early 90's, we've been a multigenerational family residing within the Monroe community. Melonie (Adkinson) Claybrook retired from the Monroe School District at the age of 49 after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2009; she had an Astrocytoma tumor removed, beating the odds by undergoing extensive treatment and choosing to practice her belief in the power of having a positive mindset.
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Late in 2018, Melonie experienced a traumatic seizure which resulted in her using a wheelchair fulltime and utilizing in-home care services to assist with her daily care needs. Based on Melonie's increased amount of care - as well as the safety oversight for both Melonie and her mother, Gerri - they decided to make the move into an assisted living facility where meals, housekeeping, entertainment and access to 24/7 safety would be provided.
Things went well for a short period of time; however, like many families (...especially during a global pandemic!) We experienced the frustration of overpromised services, excessively long response times, and shared empathy for the staff, which comprised largely of burned-out caregivers, all tasked with too many unrealistic expectations and often presenting emotionally drained.
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After many discussions (...and several games of Yahtzee!) between the three generations, it was a unanimous agreement that Jessica would pursue creating an AFH in support of Melonie's need for personalized care and bring a premier care option to her hometown of Monroe.
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SBCW '09
In August of 2020, as a family, it was decided that Melonie and Gerri would temporarily reside in Monroe at Jessica and Scott's home, with the goal of helping Melonie receive the one-on-one care and therapy attention she needed and construct the adult family home. Jessica left the corporate assisted living &
memory care industry to pursue the administrator training through Washington State Department of Social & Health Services and a Certification in Gerontology
through the University of Washington - go Dawgs!
We found a 1925 style farmhouse in a neighborhood next to Monroe High School - the location felt serendipitous, as Melonie's last position prior to retiring was at MHS (...way to go Bearcats!) She enjoyed a fulfilling career serving the counseling department as their Lead Secretary and is proud to be a part of the founding staff ambassador team to advocate for the Monore High School Gay/Straight Alliance Student Club.
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In 2021, Monroe Equity Community held their first
Pride Celebration; Adkinson Estates is proud to be
an annual sponsor and have Melonie's contribution
to the local youth community honored.
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We were officially licensed on October 10th, 2022 (Happy birthday to Scott - DSHS doesn't factor in holidays!) ​​
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Thankful for 15 years of clear MRI's
First Sponsored Easter Dinner at MCSC in '21
We did it mama! #bossbabes
GSA Ambassador circa '06
Monroe High School
1st Pride in '21
Many special memories of our '21-'22 Reno!
Forever thankful for this opportunity & each day that follows
"When we stand together, it's our finest hour,
We can do anything, anything.
Keep believin' in the power of love."
~ The Judds, Love Can Build a Bridge
A legacy built on the foundation of love
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A note from Jessica:
It's been a whirlwind of the first few years - we are incredibly proud to have built something that retains true professionals in our line of "work".
It has been an honor to provide a quality care solution for over 15+ families and their loved ones since 2020; many connections have been
built and precious memories shared. To our A-Team and families - thank you for your contiguous trust and support in our mission!
The greatest honor has been receiving the gift of being
able to be so closely involved in helping my
own mother and grandmother.
Through advocating for them both to aiding
my beloved mother in her passing earlier this year
(2025) due to a reoccurrence of ovarian cancer.
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My mother, Melonie, was a truly amazing person.
She never surrendered power to her limitations and left
a beautiful light in anyone whom she interacted with.
Advocating for her and building this care solution
together has provided me with the deepest sense of
gratitude that I’ve ever felt within my lifetime.
My best friend, Lori, provided me with such a comforting
statement, telling me she believed "Had you (meaning me)
not gone through this adventure together, I don't think your
mom would have lived as long as she did."
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Truly, how lucky I am to have been blessed with a mother where
forever is not a long enough measurement of time to have
together? Due to our amazing A-Team, I received the
greatest gift of all - getting to be a daughter to my mom,
spending as much quality time as we could together,
before she passed peacefully in April of 2025.
Melonie’s legacy lives on every day at Adkinson Estates
in the culture that she created and example she set.
I love you mom - always and forever, to the moon and back!
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AFH Council Annual Conference '24
