Former US president on hospice

by Ella Walston

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On Saturday, February 25th, the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization founded by Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn announced devastating news.

They announced that the 39th U.S. president, Jimmy Carter, is on hospice care. After a series of hospital stays, the 98-year-old has decided to spend his last weeks in his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family and medical team.

Now, you may be wondering, what exactly is hospice care? Hospice care is a type of specialty medical care for people near the end of their lives that focuses on maximizing comfort for the patient and support for the patient and their family. This option was ideal for the Carters because they want to be prepared for whatever could happen in the coming weeks of Jimmy’s life.

Jimmy Carter has previously suffered and survived through melanoma, which spread to his brain and liver, several broken bones, most of which were related to falls, and brain surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

I asked Upper School history teacher, Mrs. King, what her thoughts were about Carter’s legacy and impact on the United States. She said, “He was elected during the bicentennial and I think that made a huge impact on his presidency. He also signed the Camp David peace accord with the Arabs and the Israelis and I think that was huge too.”

While Carter is expected to live his final days in the coming weeks, we will be hopeful that the oldest living U.S. president will push through his health struggles for a little while longer. When the sad day does come and Jimmy Carter passes away, he will be fondly remembered and forever respected.