Former US president Jimmy Carter, 98, has decided to receive hospice care and “spend his remaining time at home with his family”, according to a statement.

It follows a series of brief hospital stays for the ex-US leader, the Carter Centre said on Saturday.

The oldest living former US president opted for hospice care “instead of additional medical intervention”, the statement said.

It said he has the full support of his medical team and family, which “asks for privacy at this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers”.

In recent years, the Georgia native suffered from several health issues including a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.