Jimmy Carter’s grandson says he is ‘coming to the end’ after more than a year in hospice care

Former President Jimmy Carter’s oldest grandson said Tuesday that his grandfather is “nearing the end” after spending more than a year in hospice care.

Jason Carter, who also serves as chairman of the Carter Center Board of Directors, spoke about grandparents at the 28th Annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum. Jason Carter said it was the first time the center had held such a forum since his grandmother, former President Rosalyn. Mr. Carter died in November at the age of 96.

“First of all, as you can imagine, my grandmother’s death was a difficult moment for all of us, including my grandfather,” Jason Carter told the audience. “Of course, this is the first forum since that day, but the outpouring of love and support that our family has received from those in this room and from the rest of the world has been so amazing to us. , it was meaningful.”

Jason Carter thanked the community and world “on behalf of my entire family” for making the former first lady’s death a celebration of her life.

He then provided an update on his grandfather, who at 99 years old is the oldest living president.

“Grandpa is doing well. You know, he’s been in hospice for almost a year and a half now. And I think he’s really nearing the end,” Jason Carter said.

“As I said before, there are parts of this faith journey that are very important to him,” he continued. “And there’s a part of that faith journey that you can only live at the very end. And I think he was in that space.”

Jason Carter said he met his grandfather a few weeks ago, when they watched a Braves baseball game and discussed the former president’s safety.

“I said, ‘Dad, I know, I can’t do it. People ask me how I’m doing and I say I don’t know.’ And he said, ‘Well, you know. I don’t understand myself,” Jason Carter said of his conversation with the former president.

“So he’s still there,” Jason Carter continued.

He noted the connection between caregiving and mental health, which he said has become more widespread since the former president entered hospice care.

“Mental health and mental illness-related care is so important and so fundamental to the work we all do in this room and to her legacy,” Jason Carter said, referring to his grandmother. ” he said. “It’s remarkable and it’s important. We’ve all experienced it firsthand this past year, so we’re grateful for that as well.”

The former president announced in February 2023 that he had begun receiving hospice care, foregoing further medical intervention so he could spend time with his family.

The former president will celebrate his 100th birthday on October 1st this year.