Days after former President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday, Carter’s grandson Josh shared some troubling news about his father, Donnel “Jeff” Carter, Jimmy and Rosalynn’s youngest son.
Jeff has been navigating life with Parkinson’s disease for the past several years.
Josh, 40, said his 72-year-old father, knew of his diagnosis for some time but never made it public because he didn’t “want to be the face of anything.”
“It’s just, Parkinson’s sucks. It’s a hard disease. It’s a hard diagnosis.”
The former president’s grandson revealed the family secret during a panel discussion at the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons celebration on Monday, October 7.
He explained that his own father, while supportive of Jimmy, had been unable to visit his father in hospice as much as he would like due to his own diagnosis.
“We know that [Parkinson’s] is a one-way street. My dad is currently living by himself, he’s able to take care of himself, he’s independent, but he built his house knowing that one day he’s going to need more help,” Josh told People.
The Carter family acknowledges that one day soon Jeff will need a caregiver, something that comes second nature to the family.
When Jeff’s mother-in-law suffered severe memory loss after a stroke, the entire family stepped in to help. As an infant, Josh’s youngest son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with a rare and chronic intestinal disorder, and once again the Carter family was there to assist.
And when Jimmy and Rosalynn entered hospice, Jeff and his siblings agreed that their parents would never be left alone.
“We’re going into this with eyes wide open knowing that we’re going to have more and more responsibilities going on, and it’s just got to be a part of life,” Josh said.
For now, Jeff is able to manage his symptoms using deep brain stimulation therapy.
“He can literally control his brain with his iPhone, which is wild,” Josh explained. “Without his therapy, he’s basically not able to do anything. And then when he turns his therapy back on with his phone, then he can stand up, he can walk around, he can hold a drink without spilling it, he can eat, he can communicate. It’s a night and day shift.”
My heart goes out to the Carter family as they continue to fight one battle after another.
The Carter family’s resilience has been a defining trait throughout their decades in the public eye, and now they find themselves navigating another difficult chapter with Jeff Carter’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Josh Carter expressed the deep admiration he has for his father, describing Jeff as a quiet fighter who has handled his diagnosis with grace and determination.
“My dad’s always been someone who keeps to himself, not wanting to make a fuss,” Josh said during the United Nations panel. “But it’s hard to watch someone you love go through something like this. And it’s even harder knowing what’s ahead.”
Despite the challenges, the family remains committed to supporting one another, drawing on the close-knit bond they’ve shared for generations. In the face of his father’s diagnosis, Josh acknowledged that they’re all trying to make the best of a difficult situation, focusing on the good days and taking things one step at a time.
The Carter family’s legacy of caregiving, forged through years of public service and personal trials, is now being applied to their own lives. Jeff’s Parkinson’s journey is a reminder of the human toll that often goes unseen, even among the most famous of families. But Josh emphasized that they are far from alone in this fight, recognizing the struggles that millions of families face as they care for loved ones with chronic illnesses.
As Jeff continues to manage his condition with the aid of deep brain stimulation, the family remains hopeful. They understand that Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, but for now, the technology allows Jeff to retain some control over his daily life, providing a measure of relief.
“Technology has been a lifeline for him,” Josh noted. “We’re just grateful for the time we have and the moments where things feel a little bit normal again.”
With the recent passing of Rosalynn Carter, who was laid to rest in late November, and the continued frailty of former President Jimmy Carter, the family has had to confront the reality of multiple health challenges at once. Yet, their strength and unity serve as a testament to the values instilled in them by Jimmy and Rosalynn—compassion, service, and the enduring power of family.
As they face the future, Josh and the entire Carter family know that caregiving will become an even bigger part of their lives. But they face it with the same resolve that has defined the Carters for decades.
“These are the people who showed us what it means to take care of others,” Josh said. “Now it’s our turn to take care of them.”
