Former first lady Rosalynn Carter diagnosed with dementia, Carter Center announces

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Tue May 30, 2023, 01:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: ABC News

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has been diagnosed with dementia, The Carter Center announced on Tuesday. "She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones," The Carter Center said in a statement.

The Carter Center pointed to the first lady's advocacy for mental health and said it was making the announcement to decrease stigma.

"We recognize, as she did more than half a century ago, that stigma is often a barrier that keeps individuals and their families from seeking and getting much-needed support," the statement continued. "We hope sharing our family's news will increase important conversations at kitchen tables and in doctor’s offices around the country."

Carter's husband, former President Jimmy Carter, has been receiving hospice care since February following a series of hospitalizations. The Carters are the longest-ever married presidential couple, having wed in 1946. At 98, Jimmy Carter is the oldest living former president and the longest-lived former president in U.S. history.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/former-lady-rosalynn-carter-diagnosed-dementia-carter-center/story?id=99697578

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Article updated.

Original article -

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has been diagnosed with dementia, The Carter Center announced on Tuesday.

"She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones," The Carter Center said in a statement.

Carter's husband, former President Jimmy Carter, has been receiving hospice care since February following years of health setbacks and, more recently, a series of hospitalizations.

The Carters are the longest-ever married presidential couple, having wed in 1946. At 98, Jimmy Carter is the oldest living former president and the longest-lived former president in U.S. history.

[redstatebluegirl]

1. So sad...

[NoRethugFriends]

2. Both have had a very well-lived life

[3auld6phart]

3. Dang

So sorry to hear that

[LiberalFighter]

4. She is fortunate it is very late in life.

[2naSalit]

34. +1

[Elessar Zappa]

5. For her sake,

I hope she passes before the dementia gets really bad. The Carters’ legacy will live on.

[ShazzieB]

18. That could very well happen.

They may be one of those couples whose deaths follow each other closely in time. He's presumably closer to the end at this point, but whichever one goes first, I think the other will follow in short order.

[brer cat]

25. I believe so too. I suspect they would consider it a blessing if they did.

[Mark.b2]

43. In 2015, my wife and I were near Plains one Sunday...

, and we decided to attend the Carters' church and hear President Carter teach Sunday School. We weren't the only ones! His class is quite popular.

He taught on Psalm 91. He hardly used notes and had much of the text memorized. And it's hardly some of the most quoted scripture, so it was pretty obvious he had studied it for a while, even years, I'd say.

He taught it so well. Simple and not dumbed down but at a level that seemed to assume the listener was familiar with passage somewhat. Anyone, no matter their spiritual level, would have found some enlightenment. It was obvious the President had taught the Bible thousands of times, enjoyed it, and it showed. Being able to attend was quite the blessing for my wife and me!

After, we lingered, desiring to converse with him. At one point, Mrs. Carter was alone, and we jumped at the chance to say "hi." She was so engaging and came across as genuinely interest in where we from, why we were in the area, if we knew a few people they knew from Arkansas. A few minutes in and the President joined us. We spent probably 10-12 minutes with them after he joined. It was like any of a thousand conversations I've had with people after church over the years.

As we headed to the car, my wife and I counted believe we had just had a regular ol' post-church conversation with a former President! It was almost surreal!

Anyway, that's my Jimmy and Rosalynn story. I'll always hold them in high esteem! And I agree with you they consider themselves blessed. As devout Christians, they, no doubt, have no dread about their near future.

[brer cat]

44. What a wonderful experience.

[Tanuki]

45. Thanks for sharing this! I also had the wonderful experience

of attending a service at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains and hearing our beloved former President teach his class. I found myself marveling that a tiny little town produced not one but two such extraordinary people within the space of just a couple of years. I have always been grateful that I had the opportunity to meet them and see first-hand a sterling example of "faith in action."

[Mark.b2]

46. It can be said of only a few...

But the Carters are good people. Genuinely good.

Many people have done good things without actually being good in heart. Many come to mind. Even big assholes can act good and do good, going against their nature.

But, it’s not that way with the Carters. I cannot say enough good about them’

[2naSalit]

35. Agreed.

They are true soulmates who have been together as one for nearly a century, they will very well probably go close to one another.

[CountAllVotes]

38. +1

When it is bad it is bad.

I know, I lost my husband to dementia last year at this time.

It was horrific in the end.

I hope Mrs. Carter goes quickly and that she does not linger.

[LoisB]

6. This is sad news.

[Paper Roses]

7. Rosalynn was a gracious and lovely 1St lady. Sad news.

My thoughts are with the Carter family.

[Bayard]

8. I am glad the Carter's still have each other to comfort

We have been fortunate to have them.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

41. +1

All the best to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.

[crickets]

9. How sad.

I'm sure the Carters are facing this with the same grace they've faced all the challenges in their lives. I do hope the dementia is not so advanced that Rosalyn no longer recognizes her husband and how much he loves her. May her eventual passing be peaceful, and his as well. They have both done so much for everyone else around them - peace to them both.

[llmart]

10. I admired her for a long time.

It goes without saying that I also admired Jimmy, but often think about what could have been if he had won a second term instead of a two-bit actor. Reagan winning showed me how many gullible people we had in this country.

Carter was my very first vote and I am proud of that.

[pazzyanne]

19. "... instead of a two-bit actor. Reagan winning ..."

My Granddad left the Republican party becoming a staunch Democrat when this happened. He used cuss words whenever Regan's name came up in conversations.

[llmart]

36. Same with my stepmother.

She was living in subsidized housing, widowed twice and barely making it with her Social Security and when he decided that a huge block of processed cheese would help these elderly people she said, "Just what we all need in here as if we're not constipated enough." LOL I will never forget that line. She tried to pawn some of that cheese off on us but I declined. She never voted for a Republican again.

[CousinIT]

11. They have great kids and grandkids...

...who will ensure they get the best care and that their legacies are properly honored and that their work continues. I'm thankful for that.

[ificandream]

12. Oh my ... and on top of the news about Jimmy Carter.

Prayers for both of them.

[kimbutgar]

13. As long as they are happy together that's all that counts.

[MustLoveBeagles]

14. +1

[hlthe2b]

15. I think she will pass shortly after Jimmy. A kindness, really.

I laud them on their long marriage, unmatched public service, and the respect that both have intensely earned. May their passing be peaceful and as pain-free as possible.

to both wonderful people.

[pazzyanne]

20. Beautifully said, hlthe2b!

[Ilsa]

21. A kindness all around. They may have paid

in-home caregivers, but their children and grandchildren will still feel the stress of managing their care. Their deaths will be a sad relief for them, but also a celebration of the cycle of life.

[irisblue]

16. From the Carter Center

https://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/2023/statement-on-rosalynn-carters-health.html

May2023
snip-" ATLANTA — The Carter family is sharing that former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has dementia. She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones


More there

[Shoonra]

17. She is age 95 ....

It really is a bit fortunate that she managed to live so long with dementia.
She will be missed.

[liberal N proud]

22. They have done so much for the world

[Botany]

23. May they both find peace & grace.

[Joinfortmill]

24. Love these two people. If there is a heaven, they're going there.

[Lucinda]

26. ❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️

[Beacool]

27. That's sad to hear.

I wish them both the best in the final stages of their long lives. May they be surrounded by loved ones.

[gademocrat7]

28. Such sad news

I wish President and Mrs. Carter peace and comfort.

[Aristus]

29. She was such a wonderful, gracious, and kind First Lady.

And a wonderful human being. My whole Southern family loved her when JEC was President.

Heck, even MAD Magazine adored her, calling her "Numero Uno damsel."

[ProudMNDemocrat]

30. Hugs Former FLOTUS, Rosalyn Carter.

May your days be peaceful with the love of your life.

[StarryNite]

31. Very sad.

But what a beautiful love story. They dedicated their lives to making the world a better place. Their legacy will live on.

[AllaN01Bear]

32. oh fudge.

cry/.

[highplainsdem]

33. Very sad news.

More prayers for both of them.

[JudyM]

37. The emotional stress of Jimmy's decline may have played a role in accelerating this.

Hoping for loving, peaceful days for them and Amy&… sweetly poignant that this is happening during a beautiful season.

[mcar]

39. Blessings on her

May her journey be filled with peace.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

40. Being diagnosed at age 95 is not so bad.

Wonder how long she's been on the spectrum... My hubby was diagnosed on the spectrum in 2015. He has slid considerably, but is still functioning pretty well at age 94.

Being diagnosed at an advanced age, often means a slow slide. The younger you are, the faster the progression.

The sadness here is that they may not have the same connection they once shared. But they've had long, productive lives while serving their country every step of the way.

[democrank]

42. I'm sorry to hear this.

The Carters are truly exceptional human beings.