At 99, Jimmy Carter Makes Graceful Decision to Begin Hospice Care
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, made a deeply personal decision to enter hospice care at the age of 99 following several brief hospital stays. The announcement, shared by The Carter Center, marked a significant and emotional moment not only for his family,
but also for millions of Americans who have long admired his quiet strength and lifelong dedication to service. Carter chose to stop further medical treatment and spend his remaining time at home, surrounded by loved ones in Plains, Georgia.
Hospice care focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life rather than aggressive medical intervention. By choosing this path, Carter emphasized peace, pain management, and family presence over prolonging life at all costs. His openness about this decision helped bring attention to the importance of patient choice and honest conversations about end-of-life care—subjects that resonate deeply with families across the country.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Carter’s life was shaped by humility, faith, and service. From his early days in a farming community to serving as a U.S. Navy officer and later becoming president in 1976, he built a reputation for integrity and moral conviction. While his presidency is often debated, his commitment to human rights and diplomacy remains widely respected.
Carter’s legacy extended far beyond the White House. Through The Carter Center, he dedicated decades to humanitarian work, focusing on disease eradication, election monitoring, and global peace efforts. His leadership in fighting Guinea worm disease and promoting democracy worldwide earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, solidifying his role as one of the most impactful post-presidential figures in modern history.
Choosing to spend his final days at home in Plains—the same town where his life began—reflects the simplicity and grounded values that defined him. Surrounded by family and faith, Jimmy Carter’s decision to enter hospice care completes a life marked by compassion, resilience, and service. As the world reflects on his journey, he is remembered not only as a former president, but as a moral leader whose example continues to inspire even in life’s final chapter.