Phil Robertson, the 78-year-old patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his son Jase Robertson revealed on the family’s podcast Unashamed with the Robertson Family on Friday.

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The news comes amid Phil’s ongoing battle with a blood disorder that has caused significant health challenges in recent years.

“Phil’s not doing well,” Jase, 55, said during the episode titled “Phil’s Diagnosis.” He explained that doctors have identified a blood disease as the primary issue, which has led to complications throughout Phil’s body.

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“According to the doctors, they’re sure that he has some sort of blood disease that’s causing all kinds of problems,” Jase said.

Alan Robertson, Phil’s oldest son, added that their father has been dealing with health problems for “a few years” but has not shown signs of improvement.

“It’s causing problems with his entire body, and he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling,” Jase continued.

The family shared that they have been working closely with a team of doctors to run tests and manage Phil’s condition. Despite their efforts, the prognosis remains grim. “There’s no curing what he has,” Jase said.

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The Robertsons are focused on keeping Phil comfortable and supporting him through his health challenges.

Despite his condition, Phil has expressed a desire to continue participating in the family’s work, including their podcast, which emphasizes their Christian faith and the spread of the Gospel.

“Phil wants to keep working,” Jase said. “I’m like, ‘Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain,’ and, ‘Your memory is not what it once was.’”

Jase recounted how Phil’s condition became especially apparent during the opening day of duck season in November.

“But my dad did not fire his weapon nor did he say much,” Jase explained. After the hunt, Phil admitted to his son, “Jase, I was miserable.”

Jase shared that Phil’s worsening health led him to step back from one of his favorite activities. “He just said, ‘Y’all don’t call me. I’ll call you when I’m ready to go back.’ If he’s unable to go duck hunting, that pretty much tells you all you need to know,” Jase added.

Phil Robertson’s impact on hunting and popular culture is well-documented. In 1973, he founded Duck Commander, a hunting gear company that gained widespread recognition.

His family’s reality TV show, Duck Dynasty, aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017 and became a cultural phenomenon, spotlighting the Robertsons’ family dynamics and Christian faith.

As the family navigates this challenging time, they remain committed to their faith and to honoring Phil’s legacy, both on and off the water.

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