Hospice Leaders Share Their Views on Jimmy Carter’s Hospice Choice

This blog post first appeared on TulipCremation.com in September 2023. Following President Carter’s death on December 29, 2024, we’ve revised the post accordingly in June of 2025. 

In 2023, when the Carter Center announced former president Jimmy Carter was entering hospice and spending time with his family at home, no one knew he’d live to celebrate his 100th birthday and spend nearly two years in hospice care. But what was known was that he’d already made an impact on educating the public and dispelling myths about hospice care.

Carter is perhaps the most prominent American to publicly announce his choice of hospice -- and with it -- publicized this important resource, which is often misunderstood.

As his 99th birthday approached, his family shared that the previous seven months had been a “real blessing.” His grandson Jason explained “both because there's been so much additional time that we've all gotten to spend together, but also because it's given us this ability to reflect on our personal relationships and experience the outpouring from around the world for him and for [Rosalynn] and for them as a couple.”

As Carter entered hospice, we checked in with several leaders in the end-of-life and hospice arenas to gather their views on the lessons he left behind with his choice.

Gratitude for Carter’s Openness

Social worker and Death Deck co-creator Lisa Pahl said Carter’s announcement, like his openness about his cancer treatment in 2015, was an opportunity for more understanding of hospice. “I have so much gratitude for him and his family for getting these messages out there, that sickness, dying, and death do not have to be hidden.”

Pahl says one thing she noticed about the media coverage about Carter’s choice was that it was described as “forgoing medical treatment,” but as she explained to Tulip, “In reality, we shift the focus from curative to comfort, still treating, but rather treating for symptom management rather than to cure.”

Normalizing Hospice Care

End Well founder, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, said, “By raising awareness about hospice care, more individuals may feel comfortable seeking this type of care when they are facing a life-limiting illness. This can help to increase access to hospice services and ensure that patients receive the tailored care and support that they need.” She says that hospice care is also supportive of the caregivers and that “when hospice care is normalized, more caregivers may receive the support they need to care for their loved ones, reducing stress and burnout.”

Focused on Carter’s Work and Lessons

The Hospice Heart’s Gabby Jimenez focused on the lessons of Carter’s life, “As I revisit his work and accomplishments, I imagine what his family must think, and the legacy he will leave behind for all of them, and those that come after them. Besides being one of the presidents of our country, he did some remarkable and generous work. He reminds me to strive for making a difference, being the best version of myself, and to live a full life, one of which one of which my children and grandchildren would be proud of.” But Jimenez says she’s comforted by the fact he’s receiving hospice care, “because it means he will be provided with compassionate care, something I wish for all humans ... not just presidents.”

Hospice is Not ‘Giving Up’

Mettle Health founders BJ Miller and Sonja Dolan were hopeful this would get more people curious about hospice care since it is so often misunderstood. “The takeaway is that hospice care is appropriate for EVERYONE and signing on to hospice is not "giving up.” This man has lived with metastatic brain cancer and other health issues and is recognizing the moment to transition to this level of care (at 98!) and that's a beautiful thing,” they wrote.

Hope for ‘Moments of Joy’

U.K. palliative care expert and author Dr. Kathryn Mannix shared this message with us, “My hope for President Carter is that any symptoms of his illnesses are well-enough controlled that he can enjoy physical comfort and emotional peace of mind as he rests from his many years of service to his nation and to the world. May he have moments of joy with his loved ones as he accepts the approach of death at the end of his distinguished life.”

A ‘Last Act of Service’

Gone From My Sight Author and hospice pioneer, Barbara Karnes, told Tulip, “Jimmy Carter’s life is an example of how to be of service. His last act is also one of service. By going on hospice, he and his family address an often overlooked and misunderstood component of health care. 

He has opened the door to showing others that the end of life can be embraced in a dignified, comforting manner. Our blessings and thoughts are with him and his entire family during this special time.”

Learn More About Hospice

Learn how hospice helped one family focus on “the only day that mattered,” what research reveals about dreams in hospice, and when to consider end-of-life arrangements for stroke and other patients.

Photo credit: Carter Center, [caption] Jimmy Carter, 39th US President, 10/1/1924 - 12/29/2024