Former US president Jimmy Carter elects to enter hospice care at his home

Former United States president Jimmy Carter has opted to enter hospice care at his home in Georgia at the age of 98.

According to an announcement from The Carter Center, the 39th US president elected to begin hospice care at his longtime home in Plains, Georgia, today. “After a series of short hospital stays, former US President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. He has the full support of his family and his medical team,” the statement said.

Carter has battled a series of health issues over the years, including brain cancer in 2015. Carter taught Sunday school in his hometown until recently when his ailing health made it impossible to continue. His grandson, Jason Carter, Tweeted that he had visited his grandfather and assured the public the former president and his family are at peace. “I saw both of my grandparents yesterday. They are at peace and—as always—their home is full of love. Thank you all for your kind words,” the younger Carter wrote.

Reactions have come from across the world, but many have come from the former president’s home state. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp wrote in a statement, “Marty, the girls, and I are praying for former President Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and their family during this time. We ask all Georgians to join us in sending them our thoughts and prayers.”

Carter is Currently the longest-living former United States president.