As employees struggle to balance the responsibilities of work and caregiving, individual productivity suffers accordingly, inflicting a cost on the employer.

Even though it is mid-February, chances are the fond memories of family gatherings over the holidays remain fresh in our minds. But for many of us, since we are only able to see loved ones once or twice a year, we're a little surprised when we find a parent or grandparent who has started to slow down and become a little forgetful since the last visit. Or you realized they are going to need more help with basic things like cooking, driving and taking care of themselves—probably sooner than later.

Scenarios like these continue to dominate people's thoughts, leaving them unsure of what to do next and distracting them from their daily work; I know because the same thing happened to me after the holidays. I contend that right now, more than any other time of the year, millions of employees are making inquiries about caregiving and long-term care needs. I know from experience that January and February are the busiest times of year for long-term care providers to field questions about new policies. Are caregiving matters something your clients are aware of, or prepared to address?

Related: 10 staggering statistics about caregiving