Senior Care Authority

After an unexpected career change at age 60,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kearneymichael?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=overcoming-an-unexpected-layoff-corporate-veteran-finds-new-purpose-in-senior-care-franchise-2727447" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michael Kearney</a> was faced with the challenge of finding his next step. Encouraged by a friend to explore working with seniors, Kearney discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/senior-care-franchise-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=overcoming-an-unexpected-layoff-corporate-veteran-finds-new-purpose-in-senior-care-franchise-2727447" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Senior Care Authority</a> and quickly realized its potential to combine his skills with meaningful work. Now, as the owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority/info">Senior Care Authority</a> in Rochester, New York, Kearney guides families through difficult decisions with compassion, providing senior placement services at no cost to them.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke with Kearney to learn more about his story, his journey to Senior Care Authority and his plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Michael Kearney: It happened almost completely by accident. I was downsized out of a corporate marketing position unexpectedly at age 60. As I started looking at what my next step was going to be, I realized I was struggling with ageism. People younger and less qualified than me were getting the jobs I was applying for. A friend told me it was time to work for myself and suggested I work with seniors, saying the demographics are exploding, and they would love working with me. That got me thinking, and soon after, I connected with a franchise broker.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Kearney: I interviewed with plenty of franchises in different business models, and I loved the concept of helping families through stressful and difficult periods in their lives. Buying a franchise handed me a playbook. They know the way and have a concept that works — all I have to do is execute it.1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Kearney: I started sorting through different brands — I didn’t want a brick-and-mortar location or to hire a lot of people from the start. I wanted to be a “lone ranger” and figure things out as I grew. That led me to the placement service model. Nothing like this existed here when I started. The whole concept sounded too good to be true — I could help families through a stressful time, find the right housing and they don’t even have to pay me? But I still get paid? It felt like magic. I even went to my best friend and asked him to talk me out of it. In the end, he decided he wanted to do it with me!1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?Kearney: You get out of it what you put into it, but this business model has a fantastic future and great rewards. Not only am I really good at what I do, but I also find the work unbelievably rewarding. At the end of almost every encounter, my clients want to hug me, telling me they don’t know what they would have done without me. When I first started, I was offered additional territories, but I realized that all the opportunities I need are right here in Rochester, New York.1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Kearney:&nbsp;The need for these types of services is only going to grow. As I expand my business, my former customers end up selling me to my future customers. We’re all living longer, and with that come more challenges related to aging. About a third of the population over 85 have dementia. There are plenty of great services available, but most people don’t know of them or how to access them.1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Kearney: The advice I give to everyone is this: the franchise you’re buying is successful because they have a playbook. Too often, new franchisees come in wanting to do things their own way. In our franchise, you can do some things your way, but the key to success is following the playbook and executing it well.For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority">https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority</a>.About Senior Care AuthoritySenior Care Authority® was founded in 2009, began franchising in 2014, and currently serves over 100 locations in 30 states. The network consists of professionally trained and experienced local advisors who assist families with the overwhelming challenges associated with selecting the best options in assisted living, memory care,&nbsp; skilled nursing care, and navigating through a complex healthcare system. Senior Care Authority offers Eldercare Consulting services to families and is the exclusive provider of the Beyond Driving with Dignity program. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.seniorcareauthority.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=overcoming-an-unexpected-layoff-corporate-veteran-finds-new-purpose-in-senior-care-franchise-2727447" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.seniorcareauthority.com</a>.

Senior Care Authority Franchisee Michael Kearney Finds New Purpose in Helping Families

1851 Franchise

After facing ageism in the corporate world, Michael Kearney discovered a fulfilling second career helping families through Senior Care Authority in Rochester, New York.

This brand page has been paid for by SENIOR CARE AUTHORITY. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Overcoming an Unexpected Layoff, Corporate Veteran Finds New Purpose in Senior Care Franchise

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<a href="https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/franchise/">Senior Care Authority</a> has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/blog/personal-caregiving-journey-inspires-former-finance-exec-to-launch-senior-care-authority-in-the-boston-area-and-southeastern-ma/">opened a new location serving Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts</a>. The office began operating in March 2025 and is led by owner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysmcniff">Mary McNiff</a>, who brings decades of professional experience and a personal background in family caregiving.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority/info">Senior Care Authority</a> helps families navigate senior care options, including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and in-home support. Advisors work directly with families to help evaluate care options and identify appropriate placements based on each situation. The company also offers its Beyond Driving with Dignity program, which supports conversations around driving safety and independence for older adults.McNiff spent many years working in financial services technology while caring for her mother during cancer treatment, her father through progressive supranuclear palsy and hospice, and her brother who is quadriplegic. Those experiences led her to move into senior care advising, where she now helps families facing similar decisions. As owner of the Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts office, McNiff focuses on helping families make informed decisions while balancing work, caregiving responsibilities and long-term care planning.Read the full press release&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/blog/personal-caregiving-journey-inspires-former-finance-exec-to-launch-senior-care-authority-in-the-boston-area-and-southeastern-ma/">here</a>.&nbsp;To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority.">https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority.</a>&nbsp;

Former Finance Exec Opens Senior Care Authority in Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts

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For Captain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-kershaw-6ab8b75">Patrick Kershaw</a>, service didn’t end when he retired from the United States Navy — it simply evolved. Today, as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/franchise/">Senior Care Authority</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority/info">Senior Care Authority</a>.<h2>A Calling Rooted in Family and Faith</h2>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.<h2>Bringing the Mission Home</h2>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.”<a href="https://www.seniorcareauthority.com/blog/senior-care-authority-named-a-2025-top-franchise-by-franchise-business-review/">Senior Care Authority was recently awarded a spot on Franchise Business Review’s 2025 Top Franchises for Veterans list</a> — 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<h2>Building a Legacy Beyond the Uniform</h2>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:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority">https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority</a>.

How a Navy Captain Traded the High Seas for the Heart of Elder Care with Senior Care Authority Franchise

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Overcoming an Unexpected Layoff, Corporate Veteran Finds New Purpose in Senior Care Franchise

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