[Russell James]

Trying to help my parents with an investment choice. They are retired, late 70s. They have their main nest egg in great shape. Very diversified and solid investments. My question is they have a chunk of cash outside of their IRAs that I would like to help them pick something to earn a little return on. But very very safely. We want this to be their emergency fund, easily convertible to cash. Dad's health may need nursing care/home in a year or two or three. 1 year would probably be the soonest worst case they would want to access it as cash.

As they have had to make required withdrawls from the IRAs, they've stuck that money and some other savings into a brokerage account at Fidelity. Instead of just sitting there as cash, any suggestion on a very safe 1 to 2 year investment? We've started with just part of it in a tax free municial bond fund. But I'd like to think about a couple other very safe options to keep it diversified. CDs don't pay squat right now. Any suggestions?

Thanks much!