Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter are “coming to the end” but finding time for each other and family as they face health concerns, according to their grandson Jason Carter.
“He’s been in hospice now for several months, but they are happy,” said Jason, chair of The Carter Center, in remarks to USA Today.
“They are together. They are at home. They’re in love, and I don’t think anyone gets more than that. I mean, it’s a perfect situation for this time in their lives.”
His comments arrive months after The Carter Center announced in February that the former president was entering hospice care at the couple’s home in Plains, Georgia.
The center, in May, later shared that the former first lady had been diagnosed with dementia.
Jason told People magazine that he expected his grandfather, who is set to celebrate his 99th birthday on Oct. 1, had “a matter of days left” when he entered hospice care.
He said the past several months have instead “been surprising” for his loved ones, referring to the time as a “real blessing.”
“Both because there’s been so much additional time that we’ve all gotten to spend together, but also because it’s given us this ability to reflect on our personal relationships and experience the outpouring from around the world for him and for [Rosalynn] and for them as a couple,” Jason said.
Jason revealed to USA Today that one of those supporters is President Joe Biden, who he said is in touch with the former president “on a relatively regular basis.”
He added that Biden has written to the former president “just to let him know that he’s continuing to think about my grandfather, pray for him.”
Jason said his grandfather, who despite dealing with what he described as “very significant physical challenges,” finds time for family and watching baseball at home.
He told People that his grandfather and grandmother, who celebrated her 96th birthday last month, remain there for one another through their health challenges.
“They are in love at home together and at peace with whatever comes. … That love story that really defines their life continues to define it,” Jason told the magazine.
The Carter Center looks to honor the former president through a digital mosaic featuring messages, photos and videos for his 99th birthday.
