‘In the final chapter’: Grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter shares update
Carter health update: Former president Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
The grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, provided an update on their health.
Josh Carter told People that his visits with his grandparents have been different since their recent health updates, according to WSB-TV.
“My grandparents have always been the entertainers,” Josh Carter told People. “But now we’re kind of the ones having to entertain. It’s different, it’s just a different era.”
Jimmy Carter is currently 98 years old, according to People. Rosalynn Carter is 96.
“It’s clear we’re in the final chapter,” Josh Carter told the magazine.
Josh Carter, 39, said that since his grandfather began hospice there has always been someone at the house with them. He also said the couple hasn’t been as active as they used to be, People reported.
In February, it was learned that Jimmy Carter had entered hospice care at home with his family without any additional medical treatment. WSB reported that three months after his announcement, the Carter Center announced that his wife, Rosalynn Carter, was diagnosed with dementia.
“He’s still fully Jimmy Carter,” Josh says about his grandfather, according to People. “He’s just tired. I mean he’s almost 99 years old, but he fully understands [how many well wishes he’s received] and has felt the love.”
Josh Carter says his grandmother is aware she has been diagnosed with dementia and had even “signed off on the May press release” when her diagnosis was announced, CNN reported.
“She still knows who we are, for the most part -- that we are family,” Josh Carter said, according to People. “My grandmother is still able to form new memories.”
For the moment, the couple’s family is focused on showing their love and appreciation for them. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are the longest-married presidential couple ever, according to the news outlet. They were married in 1946.
Jimmy Carter through the years Jimmy(James Earl) Carter as Ensign, USN, circa World War II. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) ( /Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years (Original Caption) Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter formerly announces intention to seek Dem. President candidacy here. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Jimmy Carter through the years James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, 39th President of the United States (1977-1981), Governor of Georgia (1971-1975). (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) (Photo 12/Universal Images Group via Getty)
Jimmy Carter through the years President Jimmy Carter. (Photo by/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images) (CQ Archive/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag)
Jimmy Carter through the years Louisville, Kentucky, USA - November 23, 1975: Then Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter stands in front of posters saying 'Let's Elect JIMMY CARTER President' and addresses the National Democratic Issues Convention. (Photo by Mariette Pathy Allen/Getty Images) (Mariette Pathy Allen/Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years (Original Caption) 11/23/1976-Washington, DC- Striking a pose similar to that of George Washington in the painting behind him, President-elect Jimmy Carter speaks to reporters at the Capitol where he met with House and Senate leaders. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Jimmy Carter through the years (Original Caption) 3/16/1977-Clinton, MA: President Jimmy Carter as he addresses a town meeting. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Jimmy Carter through the years U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the White House during a fireside chat on the Panama Canal Treaty, Washington, D.C., USA, photograph by Marion S. Trikosko,. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) (Circa Images/Universal History Archive/Univer)
Jimmy Carter through the years American President Jimmy Carter lays a wreath at the foot of a tomb at the cemetery at Omaha Bearch, where American soldiers killed during the Normandy landing of June 6, 1944 are buried, during his official trip to France. (Photo by Henri Bureau/Sygma/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) (Henri Bureau/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years November 17, 1979: President Carter, shown waist-up, waves as he boards a helicopter on the White House lawn to fly to Camp David, Maryland, where he will spend the Thanksgiving holiday. He canceled a holiday in Georgia because of the Iranian crisis. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Jimmy Carter through the years 1979 President Jimmy Carter with his name in large letters above him appearing at a high school. (Photo by Ray Fisher/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images) (Ray Fisher/The LIFE Images Collection via G)
Jimmy Carter through the years (Original Caption) Washington: President Carter speaks of the need for new energy source as he stands onto he roof of the West Wing of the White House to dedicate a newly installed solar heating system. The $28,000 unit primarily provides hot water for the staff mess hall. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Jimmy Carter through the years (Original Caption) 3/24/1979-Elk City, Oklahoma: President Jimmy Carter addressing a town meeting. American flag is hung in background. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Jimmy Carter through the years Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter renovating an apartment building on the Lower East Side for Project Habitat for Humanity, New York, NY 1984 (Photo by Evelyn Floret/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images via Getty Images) (Evelyn Floret/The LIFE Images Collection via G)
Jimmy Carter through the years ATLANTA - OCTOBER 17: Former President Jimmy Carter throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game One of the 1992 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fulton County Stadium on October 17, 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Blue Jays 3-1. (Photo by MLB via Getty Images) (MLB Photos/MLB via Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years ATLANTA - January 4: Former US President Jimmy Carter photographed with a wooden Chess set, board, case and photo album he made by hand at The Carter Center on January 4,1993 in Atlanta Georgia. (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 717 -- Pictured: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on June 21, 1995 -- (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) (NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via)
Jimmy Carter through the years Jimmy Carter attends Habitat For Humanity Benefit Project on June 23, 1995 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Jimmy Carter through the years Former US president Jimmy Carter takes a rest June 2, 1997, during an early bicycle tour at the office of Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok in The Hague. Carter and some members of his family cycled some 25 km (16 miles) from the Noordwijk congress center through the dunes to the center of The Hague. Carter is taking part in the Inter Action Council of former heads of state and governments. (Photo credit should read ED OUDENAARDEN/AFP via Getty Images) (ED OUDENAARDEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years ATLANTA -- SEPT 14: Former President Jimmy Carter interviewed for "The Presidents' Gatekeepers" project at the Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, September 14, 2011. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images) (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years ATLANTA -- SEPT 14: Former President Jimmy Carter interviewed for "The Presidents' Gatekeepers" project at the Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, September 14, 2011. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images) (David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years Former US president Jimmy Carter speaks during a press conference about his home building work project on November 7, 2011 in Leogane, south of Port-au-Prince for victims of the last earthquake of January 12, 2010. AFP PHOTO/Thony BELIZAIRE (Photo credit should read THONY BELIZAIRE/AFP via Getty Images) (THONY BELIZAIRE/AFP via Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school on Easter Sunday at Maranatha Baptist Church on April 20, 2014 in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chris McKay/Getty Images) (Chris McKay/Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school on Easter Sunday at Maranatha Baptist Church on April 20, 2014 in Plains, Georgia. (Photo by Chris McKay/Getty Images) (Chris McKay/Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years Jimmy Carter speaks onstage during the 2015 MusiCares Person of The Year honoring Bob Dylan held at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic) (Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
Jimmy Carter through the years Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter attends the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The annual benefit raises critical funds for MusiCares' Emergency Financial Assistance and Addiction Recovery programs. For more information visit musicares.org. (Photo by Michael Kovac/WireImage) (Michael Kovac/WireImage)
Jimmy Carter through the years Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks to the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church before teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia on April 28, 2019. Carter, 94, has taught Sunday school at the church on a regular basis since leaving the White House in 1981, drawing hundreds of visitors who arrive hours before the 10:00 am lesson in order to get a seat and have a photograph taken with the former President and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES - 2018/03/26: Former US President Jimmy Carter at a book signing for his new book "Faith: A Journey For All" at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan in New York City. (Photo by Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Jimmy Carter through the years FILE- In this Oct. 7, 2019 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter builds corbels at a Habitat for Humanity project in Nashville, Tenn. Carter fell at home, requiring 14 stitches, but he did not let his injuries keep him from participating in his 36th building project with the nonprofit Christian housing organization. Carter, the longest serving president in U.S. history, recovered from several falls this year. This was one of the top stories in Georgia in 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey/AP)
Jimmy Carter through the years FILE-In this Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 file photo, Former President Jimmy Carter answers questions during a news conference at a Habitat for Humanity project, in Nashville, Tenn. Carter has been hospitalized after an another fall at his home in Plains, Ga. A statement from The Carter Center says Carter suffered "a minor pelvic fracture" on Monday, Oct. 21 but remains in good spirits and looks forward to recovering at home. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) (Mark Humphrey/AP)
Jimmy Carter through the years Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, left, meets with former President Jimmy Carter, center, at the Buffalo Cafe in Plains, Ga., Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (Matt Rourke/AP)