Family First AFH

Pros

• They are highly rated for compassionate, professional care by families.
• The care provided is outstanding, with thorough attention to contracts, finances, and timely communication.
• The homes are clean, offer homemade meals, and staff accommodate visiting hours.
• Residents are treated like family, with a warm, respectful, and supportive environment.
• Hospital staff frequently praise Family First for professional and loving care.
• The owners provide practical support, including help with long-term care approvals.
• The Thomsons are praised for integrity and care, earning a stellar reputation in the community.
• Family First is described as a family-owned business that treats loved ones like family and puts families first.

Cons

• One reviewer claimed there was only one staff member in the evenings, and that their grandmother fell out of bed and died two days later thanks to their incompetency.
• Another reviewer described Family First as "an absolutely nightmare" for their mom and dad, stating the ownership listened to complaints but did nothing.
• A reviewer stated there was neglect and many injuries, leading them to file a complaint with the State of WA.
• They ended with a warning: "BEWARE!"
• A reviewer recounted that their father had a stroke and died before they could move him out of the facility.

Review

Choosing the right place for 24-hour care and end-of-life support is one of the most intimate and weighty decisions families face. In this landscape, Family First Adult Family Homes emerges in several stories as a deeply personal, family-owned option that many families have come to rely on, while other voices urge careful consideration and diligence before making a commitment. Across multiple locations and numerous experiences, the tapestry is rich with praise for warmth, communication, and a genuine sense of family, alongside a few cautionary notes that remind us no single provider can guarantee perfection in every moment.

Several reviews highlight a strong, immediate sense of care the moment you walk into a Family First home. One family describes visiting a staff-led setting in Gig Harbor as an opportunity to see firsthand how care is delivered, how the staff interact with residents, and how the homes feel - namely warm, inviting, and nestled in pleasant, wooded surroundings. The sentiment shared by many is that when you talk with the owners and tour a home, you begin to understand why these locations are highly rated. A number of families recall that the staff are attentive, that care is coordinated with Hospice services, and that the homes maintain high cleanliness standards, with meals described as homemade and prepared to accommodate residents' preferences. The sense of timely, clear communication across all parties - caregivers, family members, and administrative staff - recurs as a strong point in several accounts.

The most poignant testimonials come from families who faced end-of-life care and found solace in the compassionate approach at Gig Harbor. One mother's final year is recalled as being supported with not only essential daily needs but also with the added comforts of meaningful engagement and family-like warmth. For this reviewer, the care provided comforted her during an incredibly difficult time, reinforcing the belief that their loved one was in good hands. The stories stress the human element: kindness from staff, the feeling that residents are treated with personal attention, and a home-like atmosphere that extends beyond basic caregiving to include companionship and respect.

Yet, not every experience mirrors this idealized portrait. A contrasting review recounts a starkly negative experience: after moving an elderly relative into Family First, the family felt neglected during evenings, observed a severe lapse in safety when their grandmother fell from a bed, and ultimately faced a death shortly afterward that the reviewer attributes to perceived incompetence. This account serves as a sobering counterpoint, urging families to thoroughly assess safety protocols, staffing patterns, and responsiveness during off-peak hours. It underscores the reality that in any home-like care setting, the consistency of care and supervision during evenings and nights can have profound consequences.

Amid the mix of experiences, several authors frame Family First as a long-standing family business built on integrity and deep care. The Thomsons - Chris and Julie - are repeatedly described as founders who grew their operation from a single Adult Family Home to a small, intimate network of homes across Pierce and Kitsap counties. Longstanding relationships with families date back to 2003, when they first provided care for a parent with Parkinson's disease, forming a lineage of trust that many reviewers say continues to guide the present. Reviewers emphasize that the owners prioritize families, that their staff are carefully selected for compassion and skill, and that the homes are designed to feel like inviting, safe, and supportive environments. The overarching message is that Family First's culture centers on treating residents as part of a big, caring family.

Another recurring theme is the practical assistance that families receive beyond daily caregiving. In several stories, the owners and staff go beyond the house to assist with administrative and bureaucratic processes that accompany elder care. One reviewer notes that Family First helped with a Long-Term Care (LTC) approval, reducing worry about future needs. In another account, Joe, a stepfather moving into a Family First home in Gig Harbor, benefited from a staff team that made him feel welcome and supported; his discharge from the hospital was handled smoothly, and his progress is described as excellent thanks to the experienced caregivers. The same family also references the staff's willingness and ability to navigate LTC policies, which a number of families perceive as a significant advantage in planning and funding ongoing care.

The community perception of Family First is not monolithic - and a few voices remind readers to look closely at the range of experiences. Some reviewers praise the homes as inviting and well-run, noting that medical professionals occasionally visit homes to address health needs, and that the staff's dedication earns them recognition and awards within the caregiving community. Others describe the care as compassionate and family-oriented, with strong emphasis on personalized attention, clean environments, and respectful treatment. The idea of "family first" resonates in these accounts as both a guiding philosophy and a daily practice, shaping how caregivers interact with residents and how families feel supported during difficult times.

Despite the lengthy, positive testimonials, a few reviewers urge potential clients to approach with due diligence. One account compares Family First's offerings with the experience of moving a parent to another facility, finding the alternative to be a better fit after a negative encounter. The underlying message is not to abandon hope in a provider but to recognize that experiences can vary, and that state-level oversight and family feedback are essential components of ensuring safety and quality. In other words, the strongest endorsement of Family First comes with encouragement to visit, tour, talk with staff and owners, and observe the day-to-day operations before making a commitment.

In sum, Family First Adult Family Homes presents a spectrum of experiences that cohere around a shared core: a family-owned approach to elder care that prioritizes warmth, personal connection, and a commitment to treating residents with dignity and respect. The homes are described as intimate settings where residents can enjoy home-cooked meals, safe and clean environments, and a willingness to work closely with external care teams, including Hospice and LTC professionals. The owners, Chris and Julie, are frequently cited as the heart of the operation, guiding a culture that many families come to value deeply - one built on integrity, compassion, and a true sense of family. For those navigating the emotional terrain of end-of-life care, the collective testimony suggests that visiting a Family First home, speaking with the owners, and meeting the staff can offer meaningful insights into whether this model aligns with a loved one's needs and a family's expectations.

Pharmacies

• Safeway Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (3 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• Pharmacy Compounding Solutions (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)

Physicians

• Pacific Northwest Eye Associates (0.9 miles)
• Harbor Pediatrics (0.9 miles)
• Franciscan Ear, Nose & Throat Associates - Gig Harbor (0.9 miles)
• Hill Kathy Harbor Pediatrics (0.9 miles)
• Dr Jonathan L. Ritson, MD (1 miles)
• Optimal Wellness (1.1 miles)
• Donner Charles S MD (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Gig Harbor Ambulatory Surg Center (1.8 miles)
• MultiCare (5.3 miles)
• Group Health Cooperative (5.7 miles)
• MultiCare Regional Cancer Center - Tacoma (5.8 miles)

Parks

• Five Mile Drive (1.8 miles)
• Point Defiance Park (2.1 miles)
• Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park (2.6 miles)
• Ancich Waterfront Park (2.9 miles)
• Eddon Boat Park (2.9 miles)
• Kandle Park (3.1 miles)
• Titlow Park (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Anthony's At Point Defiance (2.3 miles)
• Tides Tavern (2.4 miles)
• The Harbor General Store (2.4 miles)
• El Pueblito (2.6 miles)
• Netshed No. 9 (2.7 miles)
• The Beach Tavern At Titlow (3.4 miles)
• Puerto Vallarta (3.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church (2.9 miles)
• Agnus Dei Lutheran Church (4.2 miles)
• Christ Episcopal Church (5.6 miles)

Theaters

• Grand Cinema (6.1 miles)