Who would have ever thought a bank certificate of deposit would merit an entire article they are common as an old shoe, a bank product that a lot of retired folks have used for generations. Generally the only question to discuss is what's the rate?  But there's a newer generation of FDIC insured bank CDs to consider; the variable rate, market linked CDs. These are issued by federally charted U.S. banks and, have the same FDIC protection, but with a new twist we don't know the yield from year to year. That yield will never be negative (you cant lose money), but could be as low as zero for a given year and then in other years be in the 4 to 7% range.For example, at the time of this printing the most recent declared yield was for the CD that had an anniversary on February 2013 - it paid a one year yield of 3.32%, and one year ago (Feb.2012) that same CD paid 5.78%. The average yield paid for the 12 months of 2012 was 3.21% . Finally some attractive FDIC insured yields!I'm thrilled with this alternative said Steve a Fort Collins resident and retired forester. I've used CDs for years, but when my last group of certificates matured the bank offered me 0.5%. Obviously the banks don't want my money these days. The interest earned is paid out each year and generally cant be compounded into the existing CD. Other features include:They can be set up for IRA or non IRA dollars have no loads or costs to set up or maintain generally have minimums of $25,000 no risk of market loss, or a negative yieldare issued by very large, national or global banksoften have longer terms; more toward the 5 year range, most have additional liquidity or access to your funds during the term, but vary somewhat from product to productSo before you renew that CD, contact a safe money specialist who can show you examples of this new CD in town.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Greg W. Anderson CEA, of Balanced Financial Inc. He may be reached at 970-204-1500 or by email at andersongw@msn.com

Doing it all for someone you love can be beautiful and fulfilling, but it can also cause fatigue. As Americas population ages and the number of those with severe health issues increases, more family caregivers find themselves in similar situations, especially during the pandemic. Join SBB University and local area experts as we explore family caregiver challenges and discuss local resources available that can help provide support - including topics such as compassion fatigue, taking care of yourself as a caregiver, options for care, ways to pay for care, ensuring the recipient's paperwork is in order, alternative pain management through the healing plant of medical marijuana, and more.Click below to learn more about the participating organizations:Sechler Law Firm, LLCSenior Helpers of Southwest PittsburghFamily Home Health / Three Rivers HospiceHope GrowsCountry Meadows Retirement CommunitySolevo Wellness

When people with Diabetes, Heart Failure, COPD, or other chronic conditions return home after a hospital stay, it can be an uncertain time. It may be difficult for them to manage their condition on their own, and they may end up being readmitted to the hospital within a few weeks or months. Most would prefer to remain at home in the comfort of family, friends, and familiar surroundings, instead of having to go back to the hospital. And rehospitalization is quite costly.If you need home care services when you return from the hospital, look for a company that is committed to keeping patients with chronic conditions safe at home, and out of the hospital. You may need a comprehensive range of home health care services, including skilled nursing, therapy (physical, occupational, or speech), or home health aide or social work services. Be sure to enlist a company that works closely with hospital discharge planners, follows up with you after your discharge from the hospital, monitors your condition, and acts as a liaison between you and your primary care physician. Make sure the company has the clinical expertise that your condition requires, provides you with a treatment plan created especially for you, and is there for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.If you have a chronic condition, its very important to understand the disease and your role in keeping it under control. Enlist a company that teaches techniques and methods to help you self-manage many aspects of your condition, and helps identify what you can do on an ongoing basis to improve your own health. Be sure you know what the signs and symptoms are when your condition may be worsening and when you may need to call your physician or your home health care company. By working with your home care company and taking charge of your own care, you can achieve the best possible health and highest possible level of independence. By managing your own chronic condition, a crisis can often be avoided, and you will be able to remain safely at home, where you want to be. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Lynda Van Dyke, director of the Bayada Nurses office in Colorado Springs. For additional information, she can be reached at 719-598-9100

The Larimer County Office on Aging, which is located in the Department of Human Services, is the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Larimer County. As one of sixteen AAA's in Colorado, the Office on Aging receives funding from the Federal Older Americans Act and the Older Coloradans Fund to provide services to Larimer County residents who are 60 and older, and to serve as the lead agency for planning and coordinating those services. Included in the Office on Aging service area are the communities of Berthoud, Estes Park, Fort Collins, LaPorte, Loveland and Wellington, as well as the rural areas of the county.Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), as mandated under the Older American's Act, play a unique role to not only fund community partners and provide direct services but to innovate, advocate, and lead our community to meet the growing needs of the population. AAA's need to be visible, innovative, collaborative, and responsive to community needs.The Office on Aging provides funding to agencies that provide services for seniors in Larimer County, including congregate meals, transportation, legal assistance, caregiver support and many more. These agencies are referred to as our funded community partners. In addition, the Office on Aging staff provides direct services and programs to older adults.MissionThe Office on Aging advocates, plans, coordinates and delivers services for older adults, adults living with disabilities, and caregivers so they may experience their highest quality of life characterized by empowerment, dignity, health and independence.