How Jimmy Carter Is Doing after 1 Year in Hospice: Wife’s Death Could Impact Him, Doctor Says

Jimmy Carter, the 38th president of the U.S. has been in hospice care for a year now. He began his presidency after his inauguration on January 20, 1977, serving until January 20, 1981.

In 2015, he was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to his brain. After several brief hospital stays, he chose in 2023 to forego further medical treatment.

In February 2023, the Carter Center announced that the former president had chosen to spend his remaining time at home with his family, receiving hospice care. They added in a statement, “He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.”

A year later, Jimmy remains at home with his family, according to a statement provided to USA TODAY by the Carter family. “The Carter family expresses gratitude for the outpouring of love and the ongoing respect for their privacy during this period,” the statement read.

The family expressed gratitude for the fact that Jimmy’s decision to enter hospice care in 2023 had initiated meaningful discussions among families throughout the country on this important subject.

This statement comes a few months after Jimmy lost his wife, Rosalynn Carter in 2023. Before, Rosalynn’s demise, the couple’s grandson, Jason Carter, an attorney, said that his grandparents were united and in love even as they battled health challenges. Jason, who is the chairman of the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees added, “They’re coming to the end, as we know.”

Jason Carter mentioned that his father had been in hospice care for several months, but emphasized that he and Rosalynn were happy. The two were spending time together at home and were still in love. “I don’t think anyone gets more than that. I mean, it’s a perfect situation for this time in their lives,” he gushed.

Rosalynn’s last public appearance with Jimmy, before she passed away was on September 23, 2023. They both participated in the annual Plains Peanut Festival in their hometown shortly before Jimmy’s 99th birthday. Rosalynn and Jimmy sat at the back of an SUV driven by a Secret Service agent, where she waved to the crowd while holding her husband’s hand.

The couple had been taking care of each other through their health challenges. In 2018, Rosalynn was hospitalized due to severe pain caused by scarring from a previous operation, leading to the removal of a significant portion of her colon.

During her recovery, Jimmy Carter cared for her attentively, bringing her treats and massaging her toes. Jill Stuckey, a family friend from Plains, described Jimmy as being a “very good nurse.”.

Kim Fuller also noted that the pair continued to care for each other, even in moments when all they could offer was the simple act of holding hands. “They were never far from each other,” Kim added. Jill, who interacted with them frequently, echoed this sentiment, “It’s hard to imagine one without the other.”

In February 2023, when Jimmy made the decision to enter hospice care, expressing his desire to no longer undergo hospital treatments, he acknowledged that hospital trips were challenging for Rosalynn, emphasizing his wish for them to remain together.

Jimmy’s wish to be with his wife had prompted him to truly retire. Jason remembered that after Rosalynn’s surgery in 2018, Jimmy phoned him at 6 a.m., expressing his desire to return home and spend his remaining time with her. “He said no more executive meetings at the Carter Center. He just wanted to be with her,” Jason recalled.

Jimmy was devasted when he lost his wife on November 19, 2023. He mourned Rosalyn, who died at the age of 96, as an “equal partner” in everything he accomplished. Rosalynn Carter gave her husband motivation and wise guidance when he needed it. “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me,” acknowledged Jimmy.

Jimmy attended his late wife’s memorial in a wheelchair. The former president traveled approximately 120 miles from his residence in Plains, Georgia, to Atlanta to attend Rosalynn’s memorial service. He was covered with a blanket displaying her face, in a poignant farewell to his partner of over 70 years.

Now, a year after Jimmy entered hospice care, he is doing well. Jason noted that the family has no expectations for his grandfather’s body as he continues being in hospice care but they know that his spirit is as strong as ever.

Danny Guerdon, from The Carter Center, has expressed empathy for Jimmy after he lost his wife. Danny acknowledged Jimmy’s sadness but believed that the former president finds solace in the certainty of reuniting with Rosalynn. Danny suggested that after spending so many years together, it can be challenging to carry on alone.

This notion, often referred to as “broken heart syndrome,” is valid. Dr. Jayne Morgan, a cardiologist and executive director of Health and Community Education at Piedmont Healthcare, explained that the loss of a spouse can trigger stress and hormonal fluctuations, which can put pressure on the heart.

“We see it in about 2% of patients who present with signs and symptoms of a heart attack, and it turns out, they have this specific type of cardiac myopathy,” Jayne added.

Family members of the Carters revealed that Rosalynn derived solace from the view outside her front door in Plains, where she could see the grassy slope where she and her husband envisioned being laid to rest, side by side.

As much as Jimmy is without Rosalynn, he has a big family made up of four children and a total of 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, totaling 38 members. They all endeavor to maintain family unity and cherish the joys of familial bonds.

Josh Carter, Jimmy’s grandson, reminisced about a long-standing tradition led by his grandparents, recalling annual New Year’s gatherings that ceased only with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These family trips, gathering the entire family in remarkable destinations, remained among his most cherished memories. Additionally, Josh fondly remembered the special bond his older son developed with Jimmy through fishing and the amusing anecdote of his younger son performing scooter tricks in the former first couple’s home, a tale that Rosalynn enjoyed recounting.

Jimmy has had the support of his family and they continue standing by him to date. At 99, he faces several physical challenges but continues to spend his time watching baseball games and seeing his family, almost each day.

Jimmy’s family sometimes share the special moments they spend with him online. The kids gush at pictures of their parents when they pop online. One time, James Carter shared a video of him and his wife having fun at home. He wrote, “We are all juggling a lot lately. But yesterday my wife and I got to juggle for my grandparents. They loved it.”

When speaking about Jimmy’s legacy, Jason remarked that his grandfather’s tenure in the private sector and his efforts at the Carter Center, dedicated to advocating for the most marginalized and impoverished communities worldwide, will form the cornerstone of what he will be remembered for.

Jason emphasized Jimmy’s belief in their capacity to transform their lives and in the importance of human rights and democracy for them. But as for now, Jimmy is doing well in hospice as much as he lost Rosalynn. The love of family and his strong spirit keep him going.