Family First - Rosedale

Pros

• Family First is praised for providing outstanding 24-hour care, including support, meals, and entertainment.
• The staff are attentive and work seamlessly with Hospice.
• The homes are clean, inviting, and feel like family environments, with visiting hours accommodated.
• The owners, Chris and Julie Thompson, are described as caring, professional, and focused on putting families first.
• Family First is recognized for integrity, compassionate care, and a stellar reputation.
• They assist with Long-Term Care (LTC) approvals, easing families' future planning.
• Families report that their loved ones are happy, well cared for, warm, and treated with respect.
• The homes are located in beautiful, peaceful settings, offering comfortable, private environments.

Cons

• One reviewer warned, "Don't send your loved ones here."
• Another stated there was only one staff member in the evenings, and that their grandmother fell out of bed and died two days later due to "their incompetency."
• A reviewer described Family First as "an absolutely nightmare" for their mom and dad, saying the ownership did nothing about complaints.
• They claim neglect and many injuries, and filed a complaint with the State of WA.
• A reviewer wrote "More like family last" and cautioned potential clients, "Don't send your loved ones here."

Review

Family First Adult Family Homes and their leadership are described by many families as a tightly woven, family-owned care network that takes a highly personal approach to 24-hour elder care. The reviews center on a core idea: these homes are not just facilities, but small, intimate communities run by the Thomson family - Chris and Julie - who are credited with building a business that grew from one home into several, driven by decades of hands-on experience and a strong commitment to treating residents like family. One reviewer notes that the founders opened the first Adult Family Home and, due to its success, expanded to five more, a trajectory that many readers find compelling and reassuring. The consistency across testimonies is to trust a leadership team whose history in elder care stretches back more than twenty years, and whose personal connections to their clients' families are frequently highlighted as a hallmark of their service.

A recurring recommendation in the feedback is to witness the care firsthand. One reviewer urges prospective families to visit the Family First office, meet the owners and the marketing director, and tour a home in person in a wooded setting. The idea is that seeing the staff, the routines, and the level of attention firsthand can convey why Family First is highly rated. The homes themselves are described as warm, inviting spaces, nestled in peaceful surroundings, with staff who are attentive and who coordinate closely with Hospice teams to ensure smooth end-of-life care. Cleanliness, homemade meals, and flexible visiting hours are consistently mentioned as simple, meaningful elements that contribute to a sense of home rather than a clinical confinement.

Several reviewers share deeply personal stories about loved ones who spent their final years in Gig Harbor locations. One account describes a mother's last year as being fully supported - care, food, and even entertainment were provided, alleviating what was described as an emotionally exhausting period for the family. The sentiment is that the care offered at Family First brought comfort to the daughter during an incredibly hard time, underscoring the perception that the homes strive to make end-of-life moments as peaceful and dignified as possible. The emphasis in these narratives is not only on medical or daily care, but on creating a dignified, comforting atmosphere that honors the person's life and preferences.

Not all experiences are framed in unequivocal praise, however. A contrasting review recounts a highly negative experience, stating that the ownership listened to complaints but did not address them effectively, leaving the reviewer feeling neglected during a critical transition. According to that account, a planned move in September 2022 was disrupted by a stroke and death before relocation could occur, and the reviewer describes injuries and neglect as contributing factors. The reviewer ultimately relocated their loved one to The Ridge in Silverdale, where they characterize the experience as wonderful, contrasting sharply with the prior facility. This perspective serves as a caution to potential clients, reminding readers that experiences can vary and that due diligence and careful observation are essential.

Other testimonials emphasize stability, expertise, and a long-standing reputation. One reader describes the Thomson family as having built a strong local reputation over decades, with compassionate, skilled caregivers and nurses who are selectively employed to support residents. The sense conveyed is of a small, intimate operation that prioritizes consistent, high-quality care over impersonal efficiency. Several comments praise the owners for their professional yet deeply caring approach, noting that families feel listened to, and that the staff consistently strives to treat residents with respect and warmth. In particular, the notion that residents are treated as part of a "special family" by experienced, attentive caregivers recurs across narratives.

The practical support surrounding care at Family First also surfaces in multiple stories. A reviewer shares how the owners' experience translates into real-world benefits, such as assistance with long-term care (LTC) approvals and navigating complex insurance policies. This account highlights Joe, a stepfather who moved into a Family First home in Gig Harbor and began thriving under the care of seasoned workers who treat residents with thoughtfulness and respect. The same reviewer notes that Family First possessed substantial knowledge about the LTC industry, enabling a smoother approval and payment process - an important handhold for families facing difficult financial and administrative tasks in the weeks and months after a loved one's transition. The sense is of a team that not only provides daily care but also supports families through bureaucratic and financial hurdles.

In sum, the tapestry of reviews presents Family First as a beloved, family-centered network of small, carefully managed homes where the owners' long-standing commitment to compassionate care is palpable. The overwhelmingly positive stories emphasize a home-like atmosphere, attentive staff, clean and welcoming environments, and strong collaboration with Hospice and medical professionals. Yet, the collection also includes a candid caution that experiences can diverge, underscoring the importance of visiting in person, meeting the staff, observing the routines, and asking thorough questions before making decisions. For families evaluating end-of-life care or 24-hour support, these accounts collectively offer a nuanced portrait: Family First is, for many, a trusted, almost familial partner in care, while reminding prospective clients that the best fit always depends on direct engagement with the specific home and staff involved.

Parks

• Sehmel Homestead Park (1.2 miles)
• Eddon Boat Park (2.4 miles)
• Ancich Waterfront Park (2.5 miles)
• Kopachuck State Park (2.5 miles)
• Horseshoe Lake County Park (5.1 miles)
• Five Mile Drive (5.4 miles)
• Point Defiance Park (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church (1.8 miles)
• Agnus Dei Lutheran Church (2.9 miles)
• Christ Episcopal Church (10 miles)

Physicians

• Nancy E. Boyden, ARNP (1.9 miles)
• Crescent Psychiatry (2.3 miles)
• Personalized Psychiatric Medicine (2.4 miles)
• Harbor Orthopedic Clinic (2.5 miles)
• Franciscan Urology Associates at St. Anthony (2.5 miles)
• Pulmonary Consultants (2.5 miles)
• Optimal Wellness (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Puerto Vallarta (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)
• Qdoba Mexican Eats (2.6 miles)
• Netshed No. 9 (2.7 miles)
• El Pueblito (2.7 miles)
• The Harbor General Store (2.7 miles)
• Tides Tavern (2.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Franciscan Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Sav-On Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.4 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (3.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Gig Harbor Ambulatory Surg Center (2.8 miles)
• MultiCare (9.6 miles)
• Group Health Cooperative (10.1 miles)
• MultiCare Regional Cancer Center - Tacoma (10.2 miles)

Transportation

• Port Orchard Airport (6.7 miles)