The Carter Center has announced the former first lady, Rosalynn, has been diagnosed with dementia at 95. The former first lady and her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, are “happily” together at their home in Plains. Rosalynn Carter’s medical diagnosis was released on May 30, 2023.
Mental Health Advocacy Begins
Since 1966, Rosalynn Carter has been an advocate for mental health. Her husband was running his first campaign to be the governor of Georgia. One morning, she stood outside of a cotton mill waiting to greet the overnight crew as they departed.
A female worker emerged looking weary and covered in lint. Carter asked the woman if she could go home and rest. The lady explained how that wasn’t feasible because she was going home to relieve her husband of tending to their mentally ill daughter so he could go to work.
The worker’s story stuck with her all day long. That night, she went to a campaign event her husband was attending and joined the receiving line. It surprised her husband when she approached to shake his hand and asked, “What are you doing here?” She responded, “I want to know what you’re going to do about mental health issues.”
Four years later, Jimmy Carter was elected governor of Georgia. Rosalynn Carter served on his commission to improve Georgia’s mental health services.
Rosalynn Carter’s Steps to National Mental Health Advocacy
Jimmy Carter became the President of the United States in 1976. Upon doing so, the First Lady began serving on his commission to examine mental health care on a national level. In September 1980, Congress passed legislation derived from data in the commission’s report. However, when Ronald Reagan took office, his administration abandoned an approach that Rosalynn Carter felt would have improved mental health services in the U.S.
In 2010, they honored her with a Presidential Citation at the American Psychological Association’s Annual Convention for her tireless mental health advocacy. APA President Carol D. Goodheart, EdD, presented the award to Rosalynn Carter. In addition to her hard work for national mental health parity, she also received the citation for:
- Her leadership at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at Georgia Southwestern State University.
- The books she wrote. Including, “Within our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis” (Rodale Books, 2010). This book outlined the ways the mental healthcare system failed people with mental illness. Unfortunately, this is still something many people across the U.S. are still facing today.
Family Time
Carter’s grandson, Jason, stated, “They’re coming to the end. He’s going to be 99 in October, but right now, it’s sort of the perfect way for them to spend these last days together at home in Plains. They’re together, and they’ve been together for 70-plus years.”
In February, they placed former President Jimmy Carter in hospice care. The loving couple will spend the rest of their days with each other and family.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
CNN: Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has dementia, Carter Center says
Carter Center: Carter Family Statement about Health of First Lady Rosalynn Carter
American Psychological Association (APA): First lady of mental health
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Georgia Institute of Technology‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Georgia Institute of Technology‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
