COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kara Clark is passionate about serving others.
“Healthcare is my passion and, more importantly, people are my love,” said Clark, owner of Purple Hearts Home Health.
Inspired by service members who give their lives to serve their country and earn a Purple Heart, Clark’s Purple Hearts Home Health agency aims to serve others from the comfort of their home.
“The goal is to try to keep people in their homes so they can live out their golden years at home because, you know, it changes things once you go to a retirement home, you does not have the same rights, we do not have the same rights. I don’t have the same freedom,” Clark said.
She has worked in the healthcare industry for years, but after being laid off from her job, she decided to open her own agency in 2020.
“I know that’s my goal. I know what proposal to make. I’m supposed to serve people. And that doesn’t mean there’s only one way. There are many different ways to serve people,” Clark said.
As a homeowner, the mother of four sends home health aides to different clients in Franklin County to help with all of their non-medical needs.
“So we send home health aides to help people with maybe transportation to the store, help them clean, maybe help them in the shower, remind them of their medications,” Clark said.
Melissa Gualtieri of the Central Ohio Regional Agency on Aging said the need for this type of work is critical.
“The shortage of nurses in Ohio is exponential, especially in the home care field. Home care nurses make less money. They have to move between houses. A lot of times they travel long distances and don’t get mileage reimbursement,” said Melissa Gualtieri, director of clinical innovation for the Central Ohio Regional Agency on Aging.
And although Clark doesn’t work with certified nurses, Gualtieri is happy to hear that Clark is taking initiative and starting her own business to fill requests for in-home help.
“This is something we desperately need. You know, we have to be innovative and, you know, think about how we’re going to close the gaps in care,” Gualtieri said.
“I am blessed. I have an incredible support team. I have a support system of people who help me, my family, a few friends who help me with my kids if I need it. My kids really understand what mom does,” Clark said.
Clark says Purple Hearts Home Health is about accommodation and flexibility, because life is different for all of us, especially when it comes to finances.
“I try to make the project profitable for the family. I try to do it based on what’s convenient for them, because not everyone can afford the type of services someone might need,” Clark said.
To learn more about Purple Hearts Home Health, Click here.