Arizona lawmakers got a chance to learn more about the Alzheimer’s State Plan at an event held by the Alzheimer’s Association and its partners.

For some lawmakers, the event was eye-opening.

James Fitzpatrick is the chapter’s director of programs and advocacy. He said lack of awareness is one reason why he and volunteers went to the capitol.

"That the biggest take home was it boiled down to awareness," Fitzpatrick said. "The legislators just did not know."

He said they didn't know that Alzheimer’s takes a financial toll on many families and it’s the fourth-leading cause of death in Arizona.

The state plan is a framework to bring together public and private stakeholders to tackle the issue.