Tag Archives: rosalyn carter

November 20, 2023 · 8:00 am

Remembering Rosalynn Carter, dedicated caregiver advocate

Embed from Getty Images

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter died Sunday at the age of 96.

Carter was well-known for her caregiver advocacy work. One of her most famous quotes sums up the universal importance of caregiving:

“There are only four kinds of people in the world—those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

Rosalynn Carter,
Former First Lady of the United States

Carter, much like her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, didn’t just deliver speeches or donate money to caregiving causes. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers was established in 1987. The Institute conducts important research on the impacts of caregiving and has launched programs like Working While Caring, which partners with employers to address the needs of their caregiver employees. The Institute also has programs dedicated to dementia and military caregivers.

The Carters were married for 77 years, a union that was a true and loving partnership.

For more on Carter’s long life dedicated to giving back to others, visit her tribute page.

The best way to honor her memory is to continue her mission, to create a society in which caregivers are supported and have the resources they need to thrive.

Leave a comment

Filed under Awareness & Activism

Tagged as , , , , ,

November 17, 2012 · 6:42 pm

Caregiving comes full circle

I recently discovered this quote from Rosalyn Carter and found it truly profound:

“There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.”

That’s very true. Most people will find themselves being a caregiver or receiving care at some point in their lives. Yet I feel we have not come very far as a society in our caregiving skills. It seems like many of us wake up one day to a nightmare and spend a great deal of time scrambling to get the situation under control.

For some people with nurturing souls, caregiving comes naturally. For others of us, we feel like we have been dropped on another planet. Physically, emotionally, mentally it is often the most difficult jobs of our lives.

But with every caregiving challenge, there are lessons to be learned. With Dad, I learned that when caring for someone with dementia, being present, even when you are not recognized, is a valuable gift.

Leave a comment

Filed under Memories

Tagged as ,