ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter's grandson provided a brief update on his health Tuesday during a forum at the Carter Center, saying the 39th president is "doing okay" while nearing the end of his "faith journey."
Jason Carter spoke at the 28th Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, the first of the annual event since the First Lady's passing last November. The eldest grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Jason, is currently the chair of the Board of Trustees for the Carter Center.
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"First of all, as you all have expected I'm sure, my grandmother's passing was a difficult moment for all of us -- including my grandfather," Jason Carter said. "This is of course the first of these forums since that day. The outpouring of love and support that we as a family received from the people in this room, and from the rest of the world, was so remarkable and meaningful to us, and it really turned that whole process into a celebration."
Of former President Carter, Jason said he had visited him just a couple weeks ago at his home in Plains, Georgia, and that they watched a Braves game together.
"He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now, and he really is, I think, coming to the end, that, as I've said before, there's a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and there's a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end, and I think he has been there in that space," Jason Carter said.
He added an anecdote form his visit, though, illustrating how former President Carter has retained his sharp wit.
"I said, 'Pa Pa, you know I can't -- people ask me how you're doing and I say, I don't know. And he said, 'Well, I don't know myself.' And so he's still there,'" Jason Carter recounted, laughing.
Back in February, the Carter marked one year since Jimmy Carter had entered hospice care. At that time the family issued a statement saying he continued to be at home visiting his family.
"The Carter Family is grateful for the many expressions of love they have received and the continued respect for their privacy during this time," the statement said. "The family is pleased that his decision last year to enter hospice care has sparked so many family discussions across the country on an important subject.”
The Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum is ongoing through Tuesday afternoon, and according to the event listing this year "will emphasize inclusivity, equity, and resilience in mental health advocacy."
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