Gerald Ford admitted to Mayo Clinic for tests

MINNEAPOLIS – Former President Ford was admitted Tuesday to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for “testing and evaluation,” his office said in a statement.

The statement gave no details about why the 93-year-old former chief executive went to the clinic in Rochester, about 75 miles southeast of Minneapolis.

“No further releases or updates are anticipated prior to early next week,” said the statement issued from Ford’s office in Beaver Creek, Colo. Ford also has a home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Mayo Clinic spokesman John Murphy confirmed that Ford had been admitted but said he had no additional information. He did not expect Ford’s family or the clinic to disclose any details on Tuesday.

A California friend, Lee Simmons, said he heard in the last two days that Ford planned to undergo a series of tests for various “medical problems.” He did not have details but said he believed the tests had been planned in advance.

“I did hear that they want to do a series of tests to make sure he’s OK and improve his quality of life,” Simmons, of Palm Desert, said in a telephone interview.

Simmons said he visited Ford last week at the former president’s vacation home in Beaver Creek.

“I just saw him and he was doing fine. He’s talking. His mind is sharp … he’s eating, talking to his family,” Simmons said.

Last month, Ford spent a few days in Colorado’s Vail Valley Medical Center because of shortness of breath. In January, he was hospitalized for 12 days in Rancho Mirage for treatment of pneumonia.

Ford suffered two small strokes five years ago and spent about a week in a hospital.