NAHC Statement on Death of First Lady Rosalynn Carter

November 20, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The National Association for Home Care & Hospice is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter yesterday, at the age of 96. Mrs. Carter, who was disagnosed with dementia in May, recently entered hospice care during her terminal illness. She was a long-time advocate for caregiving in the home and for mental health care.

Mrs. Carter recognized that taking care of another person was more than simply the everyday duty of family and those who selflessly cared for family and friends – caregivers – were often overlooked. These realizations led Mrs. Carter to become a champion for caregivers, a cause she served for decades, almost right to the end of her life. There are estimated to be over 53 million caregivers in the United States today.

In 1987, Mrs. Carter founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State University to support the unique needs of caregivers those who selflessly cared for family and friends; and build on her belief that everyone is a caregiver now, has been a caregiver, or will either be or need a caregiver in the future. NAHC has collaborated for some years with RCI on drawing attention to the invaluable contributions made by caregivers and we hope to continue that partnership for many years to come.

“Rosalynn Carter was an exceptional advocate for home care,” said NAHC President William A. Dombi. “All of us are deeply indebted to her for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the millions of elderly, sick, and disabled Americans, and the people who care for them. We are deeply saddened by Mrs. Carter’s death, and our thoughts now are with her family, especially the former President, her devoted husband of 77 years.”

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About National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC)

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is the voice of home care and hospice. NAHC represents the nation’s 33,000 home care and hospice providers, along with the more than two million nurses, therapists, and aides they employ. These caregivers provide vital services to Americans who are aged, disabled, and ill. Some 12 million patients depend on home care and hospice providers, who depend on NAHC for the best in advocacy, education, and information. NAHC is a nonprofit organization that helps its members maintain the highest standards of care. To learn more, visit http://www.nahc.org.