At 98 years old, Jimmy Carter holds the title of the longest-living U.S. president in history. Recently, his health has been a topic of discussion, and his grandson Josh Carter recently provided an update on his condition since entering hospice care earlier this year. Jimmy Carter is the first president to reach the age of 95 or older and the only one to witness the 40th anniversary of his inauguration. Here’s what you need to know about his health history.
Currently, Jimmy Carter is receiving hospice care at home with his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who was recently diagnosed with dementia. According to Josh Carter, he is in the “final chapter” of his life but is still fully himself. Although he is tired due to his age, he appreciates the well-wishes and feels the love from those around him. Their home is constantly occupied by a family member, usually one of their four children: Amy Carter, Jack Carter, James Carter, and Donnel Carter. Only caregivers and family have been visiting recently.
Regarding Rosalynn Carter’s dementia, Josh Carter mentioned that she still recognizes their family to a great extent and is capable of forming new memories.
In February 2023, a few months after his 98th birthday, Jimmy Carter announced that he would stop receiving medical intervention and focus solely on hospice care. This decision followed a series of hospital stays. Over the past few years, he has battled cancer, experienced multiple falls, and faced other illnesses.
In 2015, Jimmy Carter was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and received treatment for it. He underwent a surgery to remove a small mass from his liver, which was later revealed to be metastatic melanoma. The cancer had also spread to his brain, and he underwent radiation treatment. However, by December 2015, he appeared to be cancer-free, and subsequent immunotherapy treatments followed.
Jimmy Carter’s family has a history of cancer, with his father, brother, and sisters all succumbing to pancreatic cancer, and his mother being diagnosed with it as well.
In 2019, Jimmy Carter experienced a series of falls and required surgery. He broke his hip in May and underwent surgery while maintaining a positive attitude. In October, he fell again, resulting in 14 stitches on his forehead and a black eye, but he still attended a Habitat for Humanity event. Later that month, he suffered a fractured pelvis from another fall at home and was admitted to the hospital for observation and treatment. In November, he spent two weeks in the hospital recovering from a surgery to relieve pressure on his brain caused by bleeding from multiple falls. The surgery went smoothly without any complications.
As Jimmy Carter turned 98 in October 2022, his grandson Jason Carter shared that he was still mentally sharp but faced challenges in daily life due to his age.
In February 2023, the Carter Center announced that Jimmy Carter had chosen to receive hospice care at home after a number of short hospital stays. The family requested privacy and expressed gratitude for the concern shown by his many admirers. No specific details about the hospitalizations were disclosed.