Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s grandson recently gave an update regarding his grandfather’s health ahead of the politician’s 100th birthday. His reflections were shared during a music event that honored Jimmy.
Ahead of former President Jimmy Carter celebrating an incredible milestone on October 1, his loving grandson, Jason Carter, gave some new insights into how his grandad is doing health-wise. The words he shared come after Jason spoke about Jimmy receiving hospice care in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Speaking to People magazine at the “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song” birthday concert, Jason mentioned that while Jimmy is unable to do any physical activities on his own, he is still very much emotionally present and aware.
“I mean he’s been in hospice for over 19 months now and he has really physically diminished […] but he is emotionally engaged and still having experiences and laughing, loving,” divulged Jason. He then added, “[He’s] experiencing the world as best as he can as he continues through this process.”
Additionally, the 39th U.S. President’s grandson made it a point to clarify that while Jimmy is emotionally engaged, there hasn’t been all that much change regarding his health following several months in hospice care.
Jason also admitted that when his grandfather had first entered hospice, their family thought it would only be a matter of days before he passed. However, he expressed, “God had other plans.”
Prior to speaking with People, Jason had sat down with Southern Living to talk about his grandad’s condition. During the conversation, it was revealed that Jimmy isn’t awake every day, and while his loved ones visit him regularly, they are not able to gauge the kind of state he will be in when they see him.
Jimmy Carter entered hospice care in February 2023 at the home he and his late wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, built in 1961. In November 2023, Rosalynn, sadly, passed away at their home. She was 96.
Expressing the difficulty in trying to understand what his grandfather must be going through being in hospice without his beloved wife by his side, Jason stated, “After 77 years of marriage… I just think none of us really understand what it’s like for him right now. We have to embrace […] that there’s things about the spirit that you just can’t understand.”
In the same Southern Living interview, Jason shared that he had a conversation with Jimmy where he confessed to telling people that he doesn’t know how his grandfather is doing because of how hard it is to gauge his well-being. “And he kind of smiled and he said, ‘I don’t know, myself,'” disclosed Jason about the conversation.
Jason also admitted that when his grandfather had first entered hospice, their family thought it would only be a matter of days before he passed. However, he expressed, “God had other plans.”
Regarding the decision for Jimmy to receive care at his home in Plains, Jason explained, “[Plains] is the place that has given him the greatest support and it is the only place where he would go through this part of his life […] it is a fundamental part of […] who he has been for his whole life. There is no other place in the world that he would be at peace other than Plains.”
While Jason had previously disclosed that his grandfather may experience a little bit of frustration at times, given his extensive stay in hospice and physical limitations, he also highlighted, “But he also has been able to experience that level of love.”
As mentioned previously, Jason’s most recent updates about his grandfather, which he shared with People, came amid Jimmy’s centennial birthday celebration, which took place on September 17 at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre.
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The music bash was first announced on the Carter Center website on August 1 (2024) and promised stellar performances from world-renowned musical acts like Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Drive-By Truckers, Eric Church, and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus, to name a few.
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Of the event, which was open to the public, and what music means to his grandad, Jason said, “Whether it was on his record player, on the campaign trail, or on the White House lawn, music has been — and continues to be — a source of joy, comfort, and inspiration for my grandfather. I can think of no better way to celebrate him and his 100th birthday than a night of music.”