'Duck Dynasty' Star Updates Fans on Father's Declining Health

Former Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson is receiving a wave of support from fans following the announcement of his Alzheimer's diagnosis last week. Since going public with the news, his condition has continued to improve, according to his sons. 

Brothers Jase and Alan Robertson spoke about all the well wishes they've received in the Dec. 9 episode of their podcast Unashamed with the Robertson Family. 

"The outpouring of love, of support, of prayer just has almost been overwhelming for me," Alan said. It turns out that show of support helped their father rally after the episode went live a few days after filming it. 

"During that little transition time [between filming and airing], Phil had a little bit of a reprieve from, you know, his pain," Jase said. "Although his overall conditions remain the same, he just felt better. We had gone down and had lunch with him, [my wife] Missy and I, because, you know, if you bring him really good food, you can persuade him to eat."

"We've all realized as that us as Robertsons are food snobs," he quipped. "So we had to upgrade the menu and all of a sudden he's more [hungry]." Phil's usual lack of appetite, Jase said, can be chalked up to his condition. "He's not hungry at all," he said. "He just has to make himself eat."

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Jase went on to describe just how bad his dad was doing before fans began showering him with love. "He had a little reprieve from the pain and I really feel like it was just the prayers," Jase said. "Because, you know, for months, he's been on a downward decline." Prior to his diagnosis going public, Phil was reportedly at "the lowest point in this whole process." The show of love from fans, then, was a much-needed boost. 

"It was the first time I really saw some improvement. He felt a little better. We had a good conversation, and he was kind of in tune with the conversation," Jase noted. 

Episodes of Duck Dynasty are available to stream on Hulu, Tubi, A&E, and more.