Former first lady Rosalynn Carter diagnosed with dementia, Carter Center announces
Last edited Tue May 30, 2023, 02:08 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 doctors 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
Article updated.
Original article -
"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
(12,265 posts)NoRethugFriends
(2,354 posts)3auld6phart
(1,059 posts)So sorry to hear that
LiberalFighter
(51,289 posts)2naSalit
(86,915 posts)Elessar Zappa
(14,130 posts)I hope she passes before the dementia gets really bad. The Carters legacy will live on.
ShazzieB
(16,620 posts)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
(24,645 posts)Mark.b2
(261 posts), 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
(24,645 posts)Tanuki
(14,929 posts)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
(261 posts)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, its not that way with the Carters. I cannot say enough good about them
2naSalit
(86,915 posts)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
(20,881 posts)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
(7,250 posts)Paper Roses
(7,475 posts)My thoughts are with the Carter family.
Bayard
(22,225 posts)We have been fortunate to have them.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(1,996 posts)All the best to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
crickets
(25,989 posts)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
(15,565 posts)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
(6,560 posts)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
(15,565 posts)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
(9,269 posts)...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
(9,415 posts)Prayers for both of them.
kimbutgar
(21,263 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(11,675 posts)hlthe2b
(102,505 posts)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
(6,560 posts)Ilsa
(61,710 posts)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
(33,048 posts)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
(523 posts)It really is a bit fortunate that she managed to live so long with dementia.
She will be missed.
liberal N proud
(60,352 posts)Botany
(70,635 posts)Joinfortmill
(14,500 posts)Lucinda
(31,170 posts)Beacool
(30,253 posts)I wish them both the best in the final stages of their long lives. May they be surrounded by loved ones.
gademocrat7
(10,682 posts)I wish President and Mrs. Carter peace and comfort.
Aristus
(66,520 posts)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
(16,876 posts)May your days be peaceful with the love of your life.
StarryNite
(9,472 posts)But what a beautiful love story. They dedicated their lives to making the world a better place. Their legacy will live on.
AllaN01Bear
(18,723 posts)cry/.
highplainsdem
(49,113 posts)More prayers for both of them.
JudyM
(29,294 posts)Hoping for loving, peaceful days for them and Amy& sweetly poignant that this is happening during a beautiful season.
mcar
(42,458 posts)May her journey be filled with peace.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,175 posts)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
(11,112 posts)The Carters are truly exceptional human beings.