1 One of Gegia’s Finest 1
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Mary Georgia Mohr, a pioneer in the state’s
senior care industry for 40 years, is being named
the 2019 Distinguished Older Georgian.
Mohr, 80, was presented the award by the
Georgia Council on Aging for her work in helping
to develop the state’s
model of aging services,
especially the intimate,
family-like care homes for
adults who can no longer
live independently.
Mohr was honored Feb.
7 at a ceremony and
luncheon. The events are
part of GCOA and the
Coalition of Advocates for
Georgia’s Elderly (CO-AGE)
Senior Week activities at
the state Capitol.
“Mary Georgia is respected
across the South and the
nation for her expertise
in personal care homes
and services for seniors.
She’s been a key advocate
for securing funding for aging services for more
than 30 years,” said Jeanette Cummings, director
for the Area Agency on Aging for the Central
Savannah River area.
Cummings nominated Mohr, whom she
considers her mentor, for the award.
As a registered nurse, Mohr served as director
of nursing at a skilled nursing home during the
1970s and early 1980s. During that time, she
realized many of the elderly residents placed in
the institutional setting didn’t need that level of
care. She envisioned them thriving better in a
home setting with attentive caregivers who could
assist them with daily activities.
With alternatives to nursing home placement
still in its infancy in Georgia, Mohr and a business
partner formed CSRA Health Services, Inc., and
began providing family and group home residential
care for adults.
“Back then, people had no choices, and nursing
homes were like the caboose not the engine of
elder care,” said Mohr. “A nursing home was a
good place to be if you
needed to be there, but
I wanted to give people a
choice.”
Mohr has been a leader
in the development of
Georgia’s home and
community-based services
(HCBS). She’s worked
closely through the years
with state policy-makers to
develop the framework and
regulations for a Medicaid
waiver program that allows
the elderly and disabled to
live independently.
She also has been a voice at
the state Capitol, advocating
for improved elder care and
fair reimbursement rates for
providers.
“Her tenacity has been one of her driving forces,”
Cummings said. “She’s respected among elected
officials, providers and consumers.”
In 1990, Mohr formed the Georgia Association
of Community Care Providers and was also one
of the founding members in the organization.
Mohr also has served in leadership roles with the
National Association of Residential Care.
Now retired, Mohr remains active in senior care.
http://www.gcoa.org/
Mary Georgia Mohr, A Pioneer in the Senior Care Industry
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