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For Captain Patrick Kershaw, service didn’t end when he retired from the United States Navy — it simply evolved. Today, as a Senior Care Authority franchise owner in Kansas City, Kershaw has translated his decades of leadership, discipline and empathy into helping seniors and their families navigate the complexities of aging care.
Commissioned in 1984 after earning an NROTC scholarship to the University of Southern California, Kershaw began his military career in the submarine force, serving aboard the submarine USS Tunny out of Pearl Harbor. After teaching at the Trident Training Facility and serving through the end of the Cold War, Kershaw transitioned to the Naval Reserves, where he played a vital role in harbor security and Naval Coastal Warfare.
In 2003, he was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as operations officer for all deep-water ports in the Persian Gulf. “I had typical organizations working for me — as many as 800 at a time — that I had to organize and keep moving in the right direction,” Kershaw said. “That part doesn’t necessarily translate here, because I don’t have that many moving parts, but what does translate is my ability to communicate to a large number of people.”
That ability to lead, connect and care for others is now the cornerstone of his work with Senior Care Authority.
A Calling Rooted in Family and Faith
After leaving active duty for the Reserves, Kershaw worked in engineering and technology but always felt called toward care. “Right around 2000, my wife and I really felt God was calling us to start a residential care home,” he said. “We were surrounded by nurses and had access to people who could teach us how to do it, but at the time I decided I didn’t want to have employees.”
Years later, when both his father and mother-in-law experienced serious health conditions, caregiving became personal. “We had three adults living with us here in Kansas City,” Kershaw said. “God was laughing hysterically with big belly laughs, saying, ‘If only you’d done what I told you to do.’”
Those years of firsthand caregiving taught Kershaw and his wife, Tina, a registered nurse, the emotional and logistical realities that families face. When they discovered Senior Care Authority, everything fell into place. “The skill set we were taught in caring for our parents really jibes very closely with what we do here,” Kershaw said.
Bringing the Mission Home
Kershaw says the structure, communication and values instilled through his military service directly inform his approach to elder care. “I can communicate comfortably with everyone — from senior hospital leaders to frontline staff. That ability to connect with people in all roles has helped me the most.”
He also believes that veterans bring a unique perspective to senior care. “It establishes a certain credibility,” Kershaw said. “People know the discipline and integrity it takes to serve, and that translates into trust.”
That trust has led to some truly life-changing moments. One client story still stands out for Kershaw — a family who called him and Tina when their father had been placed on hospice care after repeated hospitalizations. “We went in, Tina called the doctor, and the very next day we had occupational, physical and speech therapy back at his home, and we arranged for home care to allow the primary caregiver a sanity break,” he said. “It made their lives significantly better.”
The client eventually regained strength, returned to therapy and, in a joyful twist, called to say he was traveling back to Cleveland for Thanksgiving. “He said, ‘Pat, you and your wife have been helping me get better, and we really appreciate it,’” Kershaw said. “That’s the kind of work that warms your heart.”
Senior Care Authority was recently awarded a spot on Franchise Business Review’s 2025 Top Franchises for Veterans list — recognition based solely on franchisee satisfaction data. The honor underscores the brand’s commitment to supporting those who have served by providing meaningful, mission-driven business ownership opportunities. The company proudly supports U.S. Veterans by waiving minimum royalties during their first year in business and also partners with trusted funding organizations that specialize in assisting military entrepreneurs.
Building a Legacy Beyond the Uniform
Today, Kershaw’s focus remains on expanding his consulting work and helping more families find clarity in their senior care journey. His advice for other veterans considering franchising in the senior care space? “Network within veteran organizations, but don’t be blatant about it,” he said. “Recognize someone’s contribution — it’s a shared sacrifice and a shared experience. That goes a long way.”
For Kershaw, service continues — just in a different uniform. “We want to have an impact on our environment, on our people,” he said. “And we think we’re doing good stuff here.”
For more information about franchising with Senior Care Authority, visit: https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority.
