Last month, former President Jimmy Carter marked one year in hospice. After entering end-of-life care in February 2023, he celebrated his 99th birthday and grieved the death of his wife of 77 years and former first lady, Rosalynn Carter.
Even then, Carter was able — with help — to attend her funeral.
Even at the end of life, the nation’s longest-living president — someone who “practically no one ever thought” would be elected president, writes the New York Times’ Peter Baker — is defying the odds.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of patients who enter hospice care die within the first six months. Roughly 36% of patients die within a week of entering hospice.
End-of-life advocates and experts cite Carter’s stay in hospice as having a positive impact on the discourse surrounding end-of-life care. Northeastern University experts say many people put off hospice care until it’s too late.
“The thing about hospice care is that it’s generally underutilized,” says Carla Bouwmeester, clinical professor of pharmacy and health systems science. “When you think about the services that are offered, if you’re waiting until the very last few weeks of life to focus on quality of life, symptom control, pain relief — sometimes I see cases and think, ‘There are real missed opportunities here.’”
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