Jimmy Carter to receive hospice care at Georgia home

Former President Jimmy Carter has decided to receive hospice care at home after several short hospital stays, according to a statement from the Carter Center Saturday.

"After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention," the statement reads. "He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers."

Carter, the 39th president, turned 98 in October. He survived a brain cancer diagnosis in 2015 and a serious fall at home in 2019. In recent years, Carter has kept a low public profile due to the pandemic but has continued to speak out about risks to democracy.

"I saw both of my grandparents yesterday," former Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter tweeted. "They are at peace and—as always—their home is full of love. Thank you all for your kind words."

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock tweeted: "Across life’s seasons, President Jimmy Carter, a man of great faith, has walked with God. In this tender time of transitioning, God is surely walking with him. May he, Rosalynn & the entire Carter family be comforted with that peace and surrounded by our love & prayers."

The Carters live in Plains, Georgia, a rural farming community where they both were born.

Carter won the 1976 presidential election after beginning the campaign as a little-known Democratic Georgia governor. He went on to defeat President Gerald Ford in the general election.

He served a single, tumultuous term and was defeated by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role.

His foreign policy wins included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978.

Carter also built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy.

But Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat.

After his presidency, Carter founded The Carter Center alongside his wife, Rosalynn. His diplomatic work there garnered a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Shayna Greene and The Associated Press contributed to this report.