Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Diagnosed With Dementia

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has been diagnosed with dementia, her family announced. It comes more than three months after her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, entered hospice care. On Feb. 18, it was revealed the longest-living president of the United States, terminated medical intervention and would live the rest of his days at home in Georgia with loved ones.

Few updates have been announced on the former president, but the Carter family is now offering an update on Rosalynn’s health noting she will continue to live happily at home with her husband.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Diagnosed With Dementia — Twitter

“Mrs. Carter has been the nation’s leading mental health advocate for much of her life. First in the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, then in the White House, and later at The Carter Center, she urged improved access to care and decreased stigma about issues surrounding mental health,” a statement released by her family reads. The Carter Center pointed to the first lady’s advocacy for mental health and said it was announcing to decrease stigma.

The statement continues: “One in 10 older Americans have dementia, a condition that affects mental health. 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. We hope sharing our family’s news will increase important conversations at kitchen tables and in doctor’s offices around the country.”

“As the founder of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, Mrs. Carter often noted that there are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers,” The Carter Center concluded. “The universality of caregiving is clear in our family, and we are experiencing the joy and the challenges of this journey.”

Rosalynn met with her husband when he was age 3 and she was just a newborn. Their parents were reportedly close friends and neighbors, and Jimmy’s mom, Bessie Lilian Carter had interestingly helped deliver Rosalynn. On July 7th, 2022, the Carters celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary and they so far have four children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. However, the Carters have become well-known for their long association building houses with Habitat for Humanity.