Owner, CEO
At just 10 years old, Kim Clatworthy told one of her aunts that she wanted to work in a nursing home. Watching her paternal grandmother move into a nursing home after living with Clatworthy’s family for many years — “In-home care did not exist then as we know it today,” she said — further solidified her commitment to serving older adults.
“That experience shaped my belief that people deserve the opportunity to remain at home, surrounded by dignity, familiarity and love,” Clatworthy said.
After many years in medical and pharmaceutical sales, a layoff prompted Clatworthy to reexamine her professional path. That led her to Elder Independence Home Care, which was founded by Mike Gross in 1999. Clatworthy worked alongside Gross before purchasing the company in 2014.
“I realized that for the second half of my career, I wanted more than professional success; I wanted significance,” Clatworthy said. “[Buying the company] allowed me to combine my professional experience with a lifelong passion for helping older adults.”
Much more than helping with daily tasks, in-home care is fundamentally about protecting the dignity and independence of older individuals, as well as supporting their loved ones through what can be difficult and emotional seasons of life. Clatworthy said her goal is to help families find the resources they need to minimize the stress that comes with caring for loved ones.
“I am proud to have a career that brings together all the stepping stones of my life: medicine, sales, management and the years my grandmother lived with our family,” she said. “Each experience prepared me for work I genuinely feel called to do.”
Clatworthy is also heavily involved in Alzheimer’s education and outreach and serves on the board of Alzheimer’s Arkansas. She has worked to improve hospice care quality and access, and she is an advocate for women and children escaping domestic abuse.
“I feel like the best version of myself when I am serving others,” Clatworthy said. “That may mean helping a family through a difficult season, encouraging my team, building relationships in the community or simply being present for someone I love. Service brings together my faith, compassion, leadership and sense of purpose.”
