The longest-serving US president has entered hospice care, his charity says
Former US President Jimmy Carter decided to receive palliative care at home instead of seeking additional medical interventions, in order to “spend your remaining time” with his family, the charity created by the 98-year-old political veteran announced on Saturday.
The decision follows a “series of short hospital stays”, and is fully supported by his family and medical team, according to the Carter Center.
Although the brief statement did not specify any immediate life-threatening conditions, the 98-year-old’s health has gradually declined over the past decade. In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with melanoma and a small cancerous mass was removed from her liver, but was declared cancer-free after undergoing radiation and immunotherapy. He was also hospitalized several times after falls suffered in 2019.
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Carter’s family asked “privacy during this period,” while expressing his gratitude “for the interest shown by his many admirers.”
Carter served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981 and remains America’s longest-serving leader to date. His single term in office was marred by double-digit inflation amid the global oil shock, as well as the hostage crisis in Iran, which derailed his bid for re-election.
After a crushing defeat by Ronald Reagan, Carter retired from electoral politics and, along with his 95-year-old wife Rosalynn, established The Carter Center to promote their human rights agenda. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
