More than 20% of working Americans balance their job and caring for a loved one. It’s heroic, and these employees tend to be top performers. But it takes a toll. Studies show that people balancing work and caregiving are at higher risk for serious illness and are more likely to take leaves of absence or leave the workforce. It costs employers billions of dollars. At a time when employers are focusing benefits strategies on impact and ROI, caregiving must be a top priority.

Take Susan, for example. She is a 36 year old high performing executive with Type 1 diabetes. She is also the primary caregiver for her young daughter and her aging grandmother. Balancing it all has left Susan less focused on managing her blood sugars. She doesn’t realize she’s at risk for a health crisis – until its too late. Susan ends up hospitalized for three days and costs her and her employer thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost work. Even when she returns to work, Susan is playing catch-up, and is struggling to keep her head above water. The result? Susan takes a three month leave of absence.