Jimmy Carter: Former president completes 15 months in hospice care and is enjoying world 'as best he can' at 99

Jimmy Carter's grandson Jason Carter, recently shared that there has been 'really been no change' in the former president's condition
UPDATED JUN 8, 2024
Former US President Jimmy Carter's condition has not changed much as he nears 16 months in hospice care in a small Georgia town (Getty Images)
Former US President Jimmy Carter's condition has not changed much as he nears 16 months in hospice care in a small Georgia town (Getty Images)

PLAINS, GEORGIA: Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and Georgia governor, has been in hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, for 16 months.

His grandson, Jason Carter, recently shared that there has been "really been no change" in Carter's condition, but he continues to "experience the world as best he can."

Jimmy Carter is not awake every day 

At 99 years old, Carter is without his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who recently passed away.

Jason, the oldest of Jimmy and Rosalynn's 22 grandchildren, expressed that none of the family truly understands what Carter is going through after such a long marriage.

Jason Carter, 48, said that his grandfather isn't awake every day and that family members visit frequently, though they never know what kind of day he will have.

Former President Jimmy Carter discusses his cancer diagnosis during a press conference at the Carter Center on August 20, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. Carter confirmed that he has melanoma that has spread to his liver and brain and will start treatment today.
Jimmy Carter's wife  Rosalynn recently passed away (Getty Images)

Jason Carter recently visited his grandfather who is receiving care at his modest home in his tiny hometown of Plains, Georgia, he told Southern Living.

During the visit, they watched the Braves game, talked about The Carter Center, and discussed the family.


"I told him, I said: 'Pawpaw, you know, when people ask me how you’re doing I say, ‘honestly I don’t know.’ And he kind of smiled and he said ‘I don’t know myself,’" he said.

He described the exchange as "pretty sweet." 

Jason Carter (Wikimedia Commons)
Jason Carter, a lawyer and politician recently visited his grandfather Jimmy Carter, who is receiving care at his modest home in his tiny hometown of Plains, Georgia  (Wikimedia Commons)

God had other plans, says Jimmy Carter's grandson Jason Carter on his extended stay in hospice care  

The average hospice stay is around 70 days, although for many it may only be a couple of weeks. Carter entered hospice care in February of 2023. 

“God had other plans,” Jason Carter said about his grandfather unexpectedly hanging on for so long. 

Rosalynn Carter died last November. The two were married for 77 years.

(Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center)
The average hospice stay is around 70 days, although for many it may only be a couple of weeks. Jimmy Carter entered hospice care in February of 2023 (Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center)

"After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it’s like for him right now,” Jason Carter said.

Jimmy Carter has always preferred peace of Plains

Jason believes that Plains is the only place where his grandfather would want to spend this part of his life.

"That’s his home in every way, and he really cherished that time and that support," he said.

Jason described Carter's connection to his hometown as "truly remarkable."

 "There is no other place in the world that he would be at peace other than Plains," Jason said.

Plans for honoring and preserving the legacy of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate have long been established.

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Former president Jimmy Carter prior to the game between the Atlanta Falc
His grandson believes that Plains is the only place where his grandfather wo9uld want to spend this part of his life (Getty Images)

A state funeral will be held in Washington, DC, complete with the grandeur appropriate for a former president.

Additionally, smaller, more personal memorials will take place in Plains and other small towns globally that were impacted by Jimmy's lifelong service.

Jason mentions that his grandparents' home, where they have resided since 1961, will be gifted to the National Park Service for public visitation.

MORE STORIES

Trump revived his long-running clash with Jerome Powell by sharing a viral cartoon while demanding deeper rate cuts despite Fed independence
1 day ago
Supreme Court backs Trump’s move to freeze $4 billion in foreign aid, marking a major win for executive power
1 day ago
Pam Bondi also said the Justice Department was transferring inmates taken off death row under former President Joe Biden into maximum-security prisons
2 days ago
During a Wisconsin Senate immigration debate, the top Democrat lunged at chairman’s gavel, calling Republicans 'cowards' and questioning their faith
3 days ago
Donald Trump said UN officials 'ought to be ashamed,' adding he will send a letter to the Secretary General demanding an immediate investigation
4 days ago
JD Vance said that Democrats like Gavin Newsom and the left-wing media fuel violence by spreading lies about law enforcement
4 days ago
The display shows black-and-white presidential portraits in gold frames, but Joe Biden is replaced with an autopen signing his signature
4 days ago
The FBI confirmed the Dallas ICE shooting is a targeted assault after Joshua Jahn allegedly killed two detainees before turning the gun on himself
4 days ago
Local residents say they never want to see Lance Twiggs again, even as his dusty car and abandoned Amazon packages sit as reminders of the couple
4 days ago
Brilyn Hollyhand recalled Charlie Kirk’s lasting advice, later echoed by Donald Trump at Kirk’s memorial, saying it drives his fight today
6 days ago