Jimmy Carter had faced a series of health challenges in recent years. After undergoing liver surgery in 2015 to remove a mass, the former president received a diagnosis of melanoma that had metastasized to various parts of his brain. Following surgery, along with several months of radiation and immunotherapy, Carter’s cancer went into remission.
Subsequently, Carter experienced dehydration and multiple falls, resulting in a broken hip, pelvic fracture, and other injuries. Tragically, his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, entered hospice care alongside him in November 2023. She passed away a few days later at the age of 96.
The Carter family’s openness about their aging journey, hospice care, and bereavement has drawn praise from experts. Angela Novas, the chief medical officer for the Hospice Foundation of America, emphasized the significance of the Carters’ public disclosure, stating that it has illuminated hospice care in a new way and sparked curiosity among the public.
Dr. Harold Braswell, an associate professor of Health Care Ethics at St. Louis University, underscored that hospice care is interdisciplinary, encompassing medical, psychosocial, and spiritual support, as well as assistance with daily activities. Contrary to curative treatment, hospice focuses on symptom management and ensuring patient comfort.
Braswell clarified the eligibility criteria for hospice care, explaining that individuals are considered when diagnosed with a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice care does not aim to cure the patient but to enhance their quality of life. As such, curative interventions like chemotherapy are typically discontinued upon entering hospice.
Hospice care is not a substitute for nursing home or residential care, nor is it intended to accelerate death. The Hospice Foundation of America emphasized that hospice does not provide round-the-clock care; instead, the hospice team attends to the patient and family caregivers as required.
While some hospice services offer inpatient care for those in the final stages of life, this is usually brief and primarily for individuals actively approaching death. Most hospice patients in the United States receive care in outpatient settings like their homes, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities.
Jimmy Carter spent almost two years in hospice care before passing away at the age of 100. His journey and the Carter family’s experience have shed light on the importance of open discussion about end-of-life care and the role of hospice in providing comfort and support during challenging times.
The former president’s commitment to transparency and sharing his healthcare journey has sparked conversations about hospice care, challenging misconceptions and fostering greater understanding of this vital service.
