Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are “coming to the end,” but the former president and first lady are still spending time with each other and family as they face health concerns, according to their grandson.
“He’s been in hospice now for several months, but they are happy,” said Jason Carter, chair of The Carter Center, in remarks to USA Today on Thursday.
“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 after The Carter Center, a humanitarian organization that the couple founded in the ’80s, announced in February that the former president was entering hospice care at their home in Plains, Georgia.
In May, the center shared that the former first lady had been diagnosed with dementia.
In a Friday story by People magazine, Jason Carter said that when his grandfather first entered hospice care, he thought the 98-year-old only had “a matter of days” left.
He said the past several months have instead “been surprising” for Jimmy Carter’s loved ones, referring to the time they’ve spent together as a “real blessing.”
“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],” he said.
One of the people showing their appreciation is President Joe Biden, who is in touch with Jimmy Carter “on a relatively regular basis,” the grandson told USA Today.
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 Carter told People that his grandparents, who celebrated Rosalynn Carter’s 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,” he told the magazine. “That love story that really defines their life continues to define it.”
The Carter Center looks to honor the former president through a digital mosaic featuring messages, photos and videos for his 99th birthday in October.