When a family starts looking for care options for an aging parent or grandparent, the choices can feel overwhelming. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care communities — and then there is the term you may have heard but are not quite sure about: the adult family home.
An adult family home (AFH) is a licensed residential care setting located in an actual house within a neighborhood. It typically serves between two and six residents, providing 24-hour personal care, meals, and supervision in a genuinely home-like environment.
How Is an Adult Family Home Different from Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities are usually large buildings with dozens or even hundreds of residents. They offer structured activities, amenity-rich common areas, and on-site staff shifts. Adult family homes are the opposite: small, quiet, and intimate.
- Size: An AFH typically has 2–6 residents. Assisted living can house 20–200+.
- Staffing ratio: In an AFH, one caregiver often looks after just a few residents at a time. In larger facilities, one staff member may be responsible for 10 or more.
- Environment: An AFH is literally a home in a residential neighborhood — not a facility.
- Cost: Adult family homes in Washington State often cost less per month than large assisted living facilities offering the same level of care.
What Services Does an Adult Family Home Provide?
A licensed adult family home like Fedrick AFH provides a full range of personal care services, including:
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Medication management and administration
- Home-cooked meals tailored to dietary needs
- Help with mobility and transfers
- Laundry and light housekeeping
- 24-hour supervision and support
- Cognitive support for residents with dementia or Alzheimer's
Who Is an Adult Family Home Right For?
Adult family homes are an excellent option for seniors who:
- Need daily personal care but do not require skilled nursing (IV therapy, wound care, etc.)
- Thrive in small, quiet, familiar environments
- Have dementia or memory loss and benefit from consistent routines and familiar faces
- Want home-cooked meals rather than cafeteria-style dining
- Value a high caregiver-to-resident ratio
Is an Adult Family Home Licensed?
Yes. In Washington State, all adult family homes must be licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Providers must pass background checks, complete state-mandated training, and maintain their home to health and safety standards. Fedrick Adult Family Home is fully licensed and regularly inspected.
How Much Does an Adult Family Home Cost in Washington?
Costs vary depending on the level of care required. In the Bonney Lake and greater Pierce County area, adult family home rates generally range from $3,500 to $6,000 per month. Some residents qualify for Medicaid waiver programs through DSHS that may help cover the cost. We encourage families to contact us to discuss pricing and payment options directly.
Final Thoughts
For families who want their loved one to receive attentive, personalized care in a real home rather than an institution, an adult family home is often the best choice available. If you have questions about whether Fedrick Adult Family Home is the right fit for your family, we welcome you to schedule a free tour and see our home for yourself.