For more information about the author, click to view their website: Jolene L. DeVries, Attorney
In a close-knit community like Cañon City, Colorado, planning for the future is more than a legal task—it’s a way to protect your family, your legacy, and your peace of mind. Whether it’s ensuring your wishes are honored, safeguarding your assets, or preparing for long-term care, elder law plays a critical role in helping seniors navigate life’s most important transitions.
Jolene L. DeVries, Attorney, brings experience, compassion, and local insight to families throughout Cañon City—helping them make informed decisions with confidence and clarity.
Elder law focuses on legal issues that affect older adults and their families. It goes beyond traditional estate planning to address the unique challenges that come with aging.
Key areas of elder law include:
These legal tools help ensure that individuals maintain control over their future—even when circumstances change.
Cañon City’s strong sense of community and family values makes planning for the future especially important. Many residents have deep roots in the area and want to ensure their legacy is preserved for future generations.
Without proper planning, families may face:
Jolene DeVries explains,
“Elder law is about more than documents—it’s about giving families peace of mind. When everything is clearly planned, families can focus on what matters most instead of navigating uncertainty.”
Planning ahead means putting the right legal protections in place. Some of the most important documents include:
Specifies how assets will be distributed and who will manage the estate.
Can help avoid probate, protect assets, and provide more control over how wealth is distributed.
Allows a trusted individual to handle financial matters if you become unable to do so.
Designates someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
Outlines your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care.
One of the biggest concerns for families is the cost of long-term care. Without proper planning, care expenses can quickly deplete savings.
Elder law strategies can help:
These strategies must be implemented carefully to comply with state and federal regulations.
Probate can be time-consuming, expensive, and stressful for families. With proper planning, many assets can be transferred without going through probate.
Benefits of avoiding probate include:
Jolene L. DeVries helps families create plans that simplify this process and reduce burdens on loved ones.
Many people focus on what happens after they pass—but planning for incapacity is just as important.
Unexpected events such as illness or injury can make it difficult to manage finances or make decisions.
Having the right legal documents in place ensures:
Legal planning often involves sensitive conversations about aging, health, and end-of-life wishes. These discussions can be challenging—but they are essential.
Jolene DeVries provides guidance that is:
Working with a local attorney offers important advantages. Jolene L. DeVries understands the specific legal landscape in Colorado and the needs of Cañon City residents.
Her local knowledge ensures:
The best time to plan is before a crisis occurs—but it’s never too late to begin.
You should consider meeting with an elder law attorney if:
Early planning provides more options and greater peace of mind.
Every family is different, and every plan should reflect individual goals, values, and priorities.
With the right guidance, you can:
If you’re ready to take control of your future and protect what matters most, expert legal guidance can make all the difference.
Visit Jolene L. DeVries, Attorney’s Seniors Blue Book listing today to learn more and connect. Start building a plan that provides confidence, security, and peace of mind for you and your family.
1. What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will outlines asset distribution, while a trust can help avoid probate and provide more control over assets.
2. Do I need an elder law attorney if I already have a will?
Yes, elder law covers additional areas such as long-term care planning and incapacity planning.
3. Can elder law help protect assets from nursing home costs?
Yes, with proper planning strategies.
4. What happens if I don’t have a power of attorney?
A court may need to appoint someone to manage your affairs.
5. When should I update my legal documents?
After major life events such as marriage, divorce, or changes in health.
When an older adult needs help at home and sees several clinicians, a coverage decision can affect everything from prescription refills to rides. If youre considering TRU PACE in Lafayette, start by asking how enrollment would change the care and coverage you already use. How Medicare and Medicaid Fit Into PACEPACE is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It coordinates healthcare and support for eligible adults who meet a state standard for nursing home-level care and can live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Applicants must also be 55 or older and live in the programs service area. TRU PACE and Your Current CoveragePhone: 303-665-0115Medicare says people with Medicaid pay no monthly PACE premium. Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid pay premiums for the long-term care portion and Medicare Part D drugs. Medicare also says participants owe no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for drugs, services, or care approved by their PACE team. Ask TRU PACE for an estimate based on your individual coverage before enrolling. Doctors, Prescriptions, and Existing ServicesTRU PACE says it becomes the participants insurance provider at enrollment. Participants generally receive care through the programs provider network. Bring a list of your doctors, medications, and scheduled services. Ask which providers are in the network and how the team would coordinate any changes. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf you regularly see a clinician near home or have a specialist visit scheduled outside Lafayette, give the enrollment team the names and dates. Ask which appointments can continue and what to do about any refill due around the enrollment date. How to Get Started1. Gather Your Coverage InformationHave your Medicare and Medicaid information, if applicable, along with details of any current plan. List the appointments and prescriptions you rely on most.2. Ask for an Enrollment and Cost ReviewCall TRU PACE and ask for your expected monthly cost, when any coverage change would take effect, and who would help coordinate the transition. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesPACE Adult Day Services Care Management
After a death, families may have to make several decisions in a short time. Others prefer to talk through their wishes ahead of time. In either situation, it helps to separate the practical arrangements from the decisions about how to gather, remember, and say goodbye. What Funeral and Mortuary Services CoverA funeral home can help arrange transportation and care of the person who died, assist with paperwork, and coordinate burial or cremation. A family may also arrange a viewing, funeral, memorial, or private gathering. Ask which decisions need to be made immediately and which can wait. The Natural Funeral in LafayettePhone: 720-515-2344The Natural Funeral lists natural burial, flame cremation, water cremation, and terramation, also called natural organic reduction. Water cremation uses an alkaline water process, and terramation transforms remains into soil. If one of these options interests you, ask what the process involves, how long it typically takes, and what the family receives afterward. Planning a Gathering and Reviewing CostsThe Lafayette funeral home is at 102 W Chester Street in Old Town. Ask what can take place at the Lafayette location and which parts would involve another venue or a cemetery. Request a General Price List and a written breakdown of your choices so you can see which fees cover the funeral homes work and which come from outside providers. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf relatives are coming from out of town or some guests have limited mobility, ask about parking, step-free access, and how many people the gathering space can accommodate. If you plan to hold a service and burial at different locations, check how much time guests will need between them. How to Get Started1. Write Down the Persons WishesLook for written instructions and note any cultural or religious preferences. If youre planning ahead, tell a trusted person where you keep your instructions and whom to call.2. Ask for a Written PlanCall 720-515-2344 and ask what is needed on the first call. Once youve discussed options, request the expected timeline and itemized costs before approving arrangements. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCounseling Hospice Advance Care Planning
When an older adult spends most weekdays alone, families may need more than a place for them to go. They may also be juggling transportation, appointments, and help at home. TRU PACE in Lafayette offers a day center as part of a program that coordinates those needs for eligible older adults. What Are Adult Day Services?Adult day services offer daytime support outside the home. Depending on the program, participants may spend time with peers, eat a meal, take part in activities, or receive help with daily needs. Some centers accept people directly. The Lafayette TRU PACE center serves people enrolled in its broader Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU PACE in LafayettePhone: 303-665-0115TRU PACEs Lafayette center is at 2593 Park Lane. The program coordinates medical and social services and arranges transportation to the day center and medical visits as needed. Ask the enrollment team what a typical center day includes, how often a participant might attend, and how the team decides what support to arrange at home. Who May QualifyPACE applicants must be at least 55, live in the programs service area, meet the states standard for nursing home-level care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Ask how enrollment would affect access to current doctors and prescription coverage before making a decision. Why This Matters in LafayetteWhen family members already drive someone to several appointments a week, a coordinated schedule can change who needs to be available and when. Ask how pickup would work at the persons Lafayette address and who to call if a ride or appointment changes. How to Get Started1. Ask for an Eligibility ReviewCall TRU PACE. Have the participants ZIP code, current coverage, and a short list of the help they need. 2. Ask to Visit the CenterFind out what the participant might do on a center day, how transportation works, and what changes to their current care arrangements enrollment would involve. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCare Management Transportation Respite Care