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At 68, Jill Crowell can certainly say she's lived a full life. She holds a PhD in Administration & Organizational Change, two masters degrees, has served as the CEO of the Michael Reese Hospital – Chicago, the VP of Strategic Project Management for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, also in Chicago, and Chief Information Officer at Pacific Medical Centre - Seattle.

In fact, her accomplishments are too many to list, and because she is passionate about living a life in service to others, she had absolutely no plans of slowing down. But everything changed in 2011, when a medical diagnosis threatened to end life as she knew it.

"I never was great at remembering things," she said. "But my friends started saying Jill, your memory is getting worse. I'd go to parties and not want to be near people, because I felt I couldn't talk right, and I couldn't remember names."

Concerned this was not a case of her usual memory flubs, Jill sought out a diagnosis, and after four months of tests, learned she had Alzheimer's, a form of dementia that affects 3.2 million American women. While most things these days are hazy, Jill says the events of that day were crystal clear.

"I was living in Chicago at the time, and didn't have any family there. So they called me in and told me I should bring a friend," she said. "The doctor said we've done everything we can to get the best outcome for you, and I'm sorry; but we have to describe it as Alzheimer's," Jill said. "The words left me stunned. I felt like I was on some other planet."

At the advice of her doctor, Jill packed up, left Chicago, and returned to Utah to be close to family. The move meant walking away from decades of career success, and she felt defeated, but it wasn't long before she began to count it one of the best life decisions she ever made, not only because of the comfort being close to her brother provided, but also because of the support she found in the Utah chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

The Association offers support groups for individuals in the early stages of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or mild cognitive impairment. They learn more about their diagnosis from professionals, and each other. And through sharing their stories and other group activities, many, like Jill, shrug off the urge to become reclusive as they realize that a diagnosis need not prevent them from living their best life.

Caregiver support groups also provide a wealth of knowledge and have proven invaluable to family members and friends caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's.

"It's very natural for caregivers to feel like no one understands what they are going through," the Association's Program Director, Kate Nederostek said. "But when they are able to attend support group meetings and go to education programs, they meet several others who share similar circumstances," she said. "Just knowing they are not alone is very powerful, because no one understands what it's like to be a dementia caregiver, like another dementia caregiver."

Over 140,000 friends and family members currently care for the 28,000 Utahns aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer's. That's 10% of the state's senior population, and experts predict that an additional 14,0000 Utahns will be living with the disease.

These figures put the Alzheimer's Association's work into perspective. For Jill and the thousands of other Utahns living with the disease, and those caring for them, the support and education the Association provides is invaluable.

"I'm getting better; I feel like I am coming out of my shell," Jill said. "When I got my diagnosis, I thought I would never be happy again. I'd never have guessed that my life would be as fulfilling as it is today, and I have to thank the Association in large part for that."

Listening to hear speak, it's clear that Jill has a new lease on life. She's excited about her future, and feels once again as if she has a purpose. She recently started using her years of corporate and healthcare experience to assist the Association with their fundraising efforts, proof she says, that life doesn't end with an Alzheimer's diagnosis.

To those newly diagnosed with the disease, Jill's message is one of hope

"When I think about all of the new friends I've made, who are also living with Alzheimer's, I'm sure they'd all say it's not as bad as they thought it would be," Jill said. "They'd say they have lots of good days, and lots of reasons to hope. I don't necessarily mean a cure; of course, we'd all like that," she said with a chuckle. "But we do have hope that the next day will be a good one," she said. "Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't, but we lean on each other to get through the tough times."

This immeasurable support is why Jill's advice to anyone newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's is to reach out to and visit the Association.

"It'll be okay," she said. "I'll come along with you."

Thousands of caregivers and those living with the disease currently benefit from the Alzheimer's Association's activities and programs in Utah. The Association is donor funded. To support their efforts or the find out more about the disease, please visit: http://www.alz.org/utah or call the 24 hour helpline at 1.800.272.3900.

To find out more about how you can get involved in Alzheimer's research studies, please visit: http://www.alz.org/TrialMatch

And, if you are concerned that you, or a loved one may have Alzheimer's visit this link: http://www.alz.org/10signs for a list of the top 10 warning signs.