Family First

Pros

• Chris and Julie Thomson are praised for building a family-owned home with integrity and deep care for seniors.
• The homes are inviting, warm, and nestled in wooded settings.
• The staff are attentive and work seamlessly with Hospice teams.
• Residents enjoy home-cooked meals in clean, well-kept environments.
• Family First is described as professional, compassionate, and truly family-first.
• The staff provide expert assistance with long-term care policy approvals.
• Families feel supported and receive clear, timely communication from the owners and staff.
• The organization is consistently recognized for high-quality care and staff professionalism.
• Family First is regarded as a trusted choice for 24-hour elder care.

Cons

• One reviewer said, "Don't send your loved ones here," and claimed there was only one staff member in the evenings, leading to their grandmother's fall from bed and death two days later due to incompetency.
• Another reviewer described the experience as an absolute nightmare for their mom and dad, stating the ownership listened to complaints but did nothing.
• A reviewer cited neglect and many injuries, and filed a complaint with the State of WA.
• A reviewer warned "BEWARE!" about the facility.
• One reviewer said the place felt "More like family last" and urged others not to send their loved ones there.

Review

Family First Adult Family Homes presents itself to families as a small, intimate, family-owned network of 24-hour care homes that feel more like a compassionate extension of your own family. Across several locations in and around Gig Harbor and Olalla, the owners - Chris and Julie Thompson - are repeatedly described as the driving force behind a culture that prioritizes personal connection, consistent communication, and hands-on involvement in residents' daily lives. Many families speak of a warm, welcoming atmosphere in homes tucked away in wooded settings, where meals are homemade and staff work closely with Hospice to ensure comfort, dignity, and continuity of care.

For many reviewers, a central strength of Family First is the sense that their loved ones are not simply residents but part of a "family" that knows their routines, preferences, and histories. Families recount experiences where staff members are described as attentive and respectful, with care plans that address not only medical needs but emotional and social well-being as well. Several reviews emphasize that the homes are clean, safe, and comfortable, with visiting hours that accommodate family involvement and staff who make an effort to be welcoming during every visit. The combination of small, home-like settings and professional oversight is repeatedly flagged as a compelling alternative to larger facilities.

A recurring theme in the testimonials is the comprehensive support families receive beyond routine caregiving. In one positive account, the staff worked seamlessly with Hospice, and the home's environment supported activities and companionship that contributed to a sense of normalcy and dignity during end-of-life care. Another reviewer highlights the practical help with navigating long-term care planning - specifically LTC (long-term care) policy approvals - which they credit to Family First's experience and knowledge. In their words, the owners and staff assisted with the approval process, easing a heavy burden for an aging relative and opening the door to sustained in-home support.

Love and gratitude come through clearly in stories of lifelong relationships with the Thompson family. One review notes that Family First became part of the family in 2003 when Chris and Julie cared for a father diagnosed with Parkinson's, and subsequent generations of kin have continued to trust the same care philosophy. Families describe not only compassionate caregiving but professional accountability: access to medical professionals who make home visits to address healthcare and dental needs, and a commitment to keeping residents as engaged and comfortable as possible. The overarching sentiment is that Family First creates a sense of "home" during difficult times, often transforming challenging transitions into smoother, more dignified experiences.

Yet the collection of reviews also includes a stark counterpoint, acknowledging that Family First is not without its challenges or criticisms. One reviewer describes a nightmare scenario in which neglect and poor responsiveness allegedly occurred, culminating in a tragic outcome and a formal complaint to the state. This account serves as a sobering reminder that even highly regarded small-care settings must be evaluated carefully on a case-by-case basis, with due diligence during tours, conversations with staff, and checks of licensing and complaint histories. The presence of a negative experience within the mix of strong praise underscores the importance of doing your own research, visiting multiple homes, and asking pointed questions about staffing, supervision, and incident reporting.

Despite the mixed experiences, the reputation that many families attribute to the Thomsons remains substantial. Several testimonials emphasize the owners' long-term commitment to the community, noting the growth from one to multiple intimate homes across Pierce and Kitsap counties and praising the culture of compassion that accompanies that growth. The praise extends to the quality of caregivers and nurses associated with Family First, with some reviewers mentioning local caregiving awards and the sense that staff genuinely put families and residents first. For many families, the guiding takeaway is that Family First offers a distinctive, family-centered option for 24-hour care that can feel like a home away from home when faced with the prospect of aging or end-of-life care.

The homes themselves are frequently described as welcoming, with features like wooded settings, large decks, and an emphasis on home-cooked meals and flexible visiting hours. Reviewers recount the importance of meeting Julie, the owner, and the staff to understand the ethos of Family First - the emphasis on taking care of loved ones with empathy, patience, and professional integrity. The positive experiences repeatedly claim that a family-first approach translates into smoother day-to-day routines, respectful treatment, and a collaborative relationship with families who are navigating complex caregiving decisions. Even as some reviews urge potential clients to tour and verify firsthand, the overall impression remains that the Thomsons have built an organization grounded in care, continuity, and community.

If you are considering Family First for 24-hour care, the prevailing message is to approach with eyes wide open: engage with the owners and staff, tour the homes, talk to residents and families, and assess how the care philosophy aligns with your loved one's needs. The positive stories suggest that, for many families, these homes offer a rare combination of intimate, family-like atmosphere and professional, attentive care - an option that can ease the emotional burden of placing a loved one into 24-hour care. At the same time, the cautions shared by others remind prospective clients to verify staffing levels, responsiveness, and the facility's response to concerns, to ensure that the care plan truly reflects best practices and meets both medical and emotional needs. In the end, Family First is described by many as offering a caring, highly personal path through a challenging life transition, guided by owners who view their work as more than a business - it's a calling to support families during some of their most difficult times.

This part of Gig Harbor, Washington offers a variety of medical services with convenient access to physicians specializing in eye care, pediatrics, ear, nose, and throat treatments, as well as mental health services. There are several pharmacies nearby for easy access to prescription medications. The area also features a selection of cafes and restaurants for dining options, along with places of worship for spiritual fulfillment. For recreational activities, residents can enjoy the nearby parks and waterfronts for outdoor relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a range of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment in Gig Harbor.

Physicians

• Pacific Northwest Eye Associates (0 miles)
• Harbor Pediatrics (0 miles)
• Franciscan Ear, Nose & Throat Associates - Gig Harbor (0 miles)
• Hill Kathy Harbor Pediatrics (0 miles)
• Optimal Wellness (0.2 miles)
• Donner Charles S MD (0.7 miles)
• Personalized Psychiatric Medicine (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.1 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• Sav-On Pharmacy (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Gig Harbor Ambulatory Surg Center (1.2 miles)
• MultiCare (6.1 miles)
• Group Health Cooperative (6.6 miles)
• MultiCare Regional Cancer Center - Tacoma (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• The Harbor General Store (2 miles)
• Tides Tavern (2 miles)
• El Pueblito (2.1 miles)
• Netshed No. 9 (2.2 miles)
• Puerto Vallarta (2.9 miles)
• Anthony's At Point Defiance (3.1 miles)
• Zog's (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church (2.2 miles)
• Agnus Dei Lutheran Church (3.7 miles)
• Christ Episcopal Church (6.5 miles)

Parks

• Eddon Boat Park (2.3 miles)
• Ancich Waterfront Park (2.3 miles)
• Five Mile Drive (2.5 miles)
• Point Defiance Park (2.8 miles)
• Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park (3.4 miles)
• Kandle Park (4 miles)
• Titlow Park (4 miles)

Theaters

• Grand Cinema (7 miles)