Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, aged 96, begins receiving hospice care

Rosalynn Carter, the former US First Lady and wife of ex-President Jimmy Carter, has entered hospice care at the age of 96, according to a statement from the Carter Center. Mrs. Carter was diagnosed with dementia in May, while her husband has been in hospice care since February. The couple, who recently celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary, are spending time with each other and their family. They live in the same house in Plains, Georgia, where they were married and lived before Mr. Carter's political career began. Despite their health challenges, the Carters have been actively involved in humanitarian work through the Carter Center. Mrs. Carter, in particular, has been a strong advocate for mental health treatment and caregiving, working to reduce the stigma around mental illness. As the honorary chair of the President's Commission on Mental Health during her time as First Lady, she helped pass a bill to increase spending on mental health services for disadvantaged communities. After leaving office, she founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, which provides support, research, and funding to Americans caring for aging family members. In August, Mrs. Carter quietly celebrated her 96th birthday at home with her husband and other family members, enjoying cupcakes, peanut butter ice cream, and releasing butterflies into the garden.