Former President Jimmy Carter Has Officially Been In Hospice Care For One Year

In February last year, former President Jimmy Carter revealed he had started hospice care, prompting the world to brace for his departure. However, a year later, he has defied expectations, remaining the longest-lived former president while shaping his legacy from his home in Plains, Georgia.

When Carter marked his first anniversary of being in hospice care on Sunday, multiple people, including Professor Douglas Brinkley, spoke on his resilience when he appeared on CBS News' "Face the Nation." The Professor of History at Rice University said:

"It is tough when you're 99, but Carter has a lot of will. He's alert and eating and has an ability to understand what's going on around him. I'm hoping he makes it to October 1st, 2024, so we can have Jimmy Carter at 100 years old, and we can celebrate."

The Presidential Historian added that even though Carter had "beat cancer before," his latest focus was on the eradication of guinea worms that "has ravaged over 20 African countries."

Brinkley's update ended with him praising his friend for achieving multiple goals during his one-term presidency and for having the "love of the people." The author's speech, which was shared via X, seemingly resonated with political heads, who promptly took to the replies to express their sentiments.

"That man is such a trooper," one X user noted, as another claimed, "Perhaps the only good president we've ever had," and a third lengthily stated:

"I have such respect for President Carter. He and Ms. Rosalynn sincerely restore my faith in humanity. I'm grateful he's here. I hope he feels the love from the country and around the world. I'm grateful to have been able to read a few of his books while he's here."

A fourth viewer shared, "Jimmy Carter is a warrior. His goodness and strength are unmatched!" while a fifth chimed in, "The world would be a better place if we all tried to be more like Jimmy Carter."

Just before the sweet words began flooding in for Carter, his family released a statement that read:

"President Carter continues to be at home with his family. The family is pleased that his decision last year to enter hospice care has sparked so many family discussions across the country on an important subject."

The decision of the Carters to put the patriarch in the nursing home was particularly good news for Angela Novas, who is the chief medical officer for the Hospice Foundation of America. 

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, she said, "It's been massive to have the Carters be so public. It has shed hospice in a new light, and it's raised questions" for onlookers to learn more.

In the months leading to his first hospice care anniversary, Carter suffered a tragedy. As The Blast reported, it began when his family announced that his wife, Rosalynn Carter, had joined him in hospice care.

At the time of the occurrence, a statement was published partly disclosing, "She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains, [Georgia], and visits with loved ones." 

The release further stated that the couple was spending ample time together and with their family while requesting privacy. Additionally, it expressed gratitude on behalf of the Carter family for "the outpouring of love and support."

Two days after the news, it was announced that Rosalyn had passed away at 96. Per reports, the former First Lady's health had been declining due to a urinary tract infection that had not responded to antibiotics. 

Despite being in hospice care, her husband attended the tribute service held in her honor at the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University in northeast Atlanta.

He wrapped himself in a blanket adorned with images of himself and Rosalynn and references to their hometown of Plains. He also attended her private funeral at their home church, Maranatha Baptist Church, on November 29.