Jimmy Carter: Ex-president completes 15 months in hospice and is enjoying world 'as best he can' at 99
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.
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."
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.
"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.
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.
