THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 18, 2026 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 8 Masshealth Lien Of Home O ne financial mistake a single person might make is to sell his or her home in order to pay for nursing home care, without at least giving serious consideration to another option. If this single person’s spouse had previously died and the home therefore (although not a countable asset) would now be lienable by MassHealth, selling the home might not be the best solution if the goal is to protect the hard-earned equity in the home for the benefit of the couple’s children. The lien placed on the home by MassHealth just might not be the worst thing. Remember, if both spouses are alive, and only one spouse goes into the nursing home, MassHealth cannot place a lien on the home as long the non-institutionalized spouse is still living in the home. Since the private pay rate for skilled nursing home care is approximately $15,000 per month, simply selling the home to private pay would mean that the nursing home will be paid approximately $180,000 for each year of nursing home stay. Assuming $2,500 per month in social security income is being paid to the nursing home, the cash assets expended per month from the proceeds from the sale of the house would amount to $12,500). If, on the other hand, the home is not sold but is rented instead to cover the monthly expenses, MassHealth can be applied for and if the individual satisfies the clinical eligibility test and has countable assets of $2,000 or less, approval can be obtained. The nursing home will then be entitled to the Medicaid monthly rate of approximately $7,500. The $2,500 per month in social security income going to the nursing home will reduce the $7,500 payment MassHealth would normally pay to the nursing home to $5,000. Consequently, the MassHealth lien will only build up at the rate of $5,000 per month, or $60,000 per year. Three years later the lien would amount to $180,000. If the home’s fair market value at the time of institutionalization was $750,000, and the home appreciated 5% per year over that three-year period, the home’s fair market value at the end of the three-year period would be $868,219, for a $118,219 increase in value. That helps to offset significantly the $180,000 MassHealth lien. A much better result for preserving the home for the children. Furthermore, if the home is sold during the life of the individual going into a nursing home, a capital gains tax might be due, particularly if the house is a two family wherein 50% is considered investment property. If the home is sold after the nursing home resident’s death, there would be a step-up in cost basis equal to the fair market value at the time of death with either no or little capital gains tax due on a subsequent sale. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. live animal exhibits, storytelling, music and family-oriented activities. Watch and learn about owls with Mass Audubon or hold a live snake with the Cape Ann Vernal Pond team. This event is cosponsored by DCR, Friends of Breakheart, Saugus Cultural Council and SAVE. ● On Saturday, Sept. 26, Saugus Olympics Day at World Series Park in Saugus will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nancy Kerrigan, a former Olympics medalist, will take part in the opening ceremony and will be available to meet and greet those in attendance. Other former Olympics medalists, including athletes who competed in this year’s Winter Olympics, have been invited. Funds raised from the event will go to Challenger Baseball and Boys & Girls Club. A baseball tournament involving Challenger Baseball teams from the area will start at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m. the opening ceremony and parade of athletes will take place. ● On Monday, Sept. 28, the Saugus Historical Society will hold a special one hour walking tour of Boston Common and some nearby Freedom Trail sites led by Saugonian Peggy Belmonte dressed as a Revolutionary war heroine. The group will be meeting at the Common near the Boston Visitor Information Center (just a short distance from Park Street Station) at 2:30 p.m. Please preregister with Laura Eisener, president of the Saugus Historical Society, so you can be informed of last-minute changes due to weather at 781-231-5988 (landline). There is no charge for the tour but tips for the guide are permitted. The Distinctive Neighborhoods of Saugus The next meeting of Saugus Historical Society will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 14 at 30 Main St., Saugus, with the featured topic: “The Distinctive Neighborhoods of Saugus.” Resident input is welcome – do you have some thoughts about what makes your neighborhood special or what has changed over the years? Please email Laura Eisener if you have photos or want to share some stories. THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 10 Page 9 Savvy Senior Simple Ways to Soothe Bunion Pain by Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’m a 62-year-old woman and have had a bunion on my big toe for years, but lately it’s become more painful and is making it hard to find comfortable shoes. I’d like to avoid surgery if possible. What can I do to ease the discomfort and keep it from getting worse? -- Sore Toe Susan Dear Susan, You’re not alone. Bunions are very common, especially among women, and they often become more painful with age as the joint shifts out of alignment and inflammation sets in. What may have started as a minor nuisance can turn into ongoing discomfort, making it difficult to find shoes that fit comfortably. A bunion, known medically as hallux valgus, is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe when the joint moves out of place, causing the toe to angle inward. Over time, this pushes the joint outward, creating the noticeable bump. Why it happens While tight or narrow shoes can make bunions worse, they’re usually not the root cause. Genetics plays a major role, which is why bunions often run in families. Other factors like flat feet, arthritis, and past foot injuries can also contribute. Women tend to be more prone to them, partly due to years of wearing high heels or shoes with narrow toe boxes. The good news is that most bunions can be managed without surgery, especially if your goal is to ease symptoms and slow their progression. Simple relief The first place to start is with your shoes. Switching to footwear with a wide toe box, soft materials, and good arch support can make a big difference, while high heels and tight shoes that crowd your toes should be avoided. It can also help to shop later in the day, when your feet are slightly swollen, for a more realistic fit. Beyond footwear, a few simple steps can help ease the pressure. Padding the area with over-the-counter bunion cushions can reduce friction, and if the joint becomes sore or swollen, icing it for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day may bring relief. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can also help, if your doctor says they are appropriate for you. To further reduce strain, orthotic inserts, either storebought or custom, can improve how your foot distributes weight. Toe spacers can also help by keeping the toes in a more natural position, while a night splint, such as Dr. Scholl’s Bunion Relief & Toe Corrector (about $20), can gently guide the big toe into better alignment while you sleep. It may also help to rotate your shoes rather than wearing the same pair every day, reducing repeated pressure. In addition, gentle exercises, such as stretching your toes, picking up small objects, or rolling your foot over a tennis ball, can help maintain flexibility. It is important to keep expectations realistic. These steps will not eliminate a bunion, but they can make it more manageable. When to get help If your bunion pain interferes with daily activities, or if you are developing corns, calluses or ongoing inflammation, it is wise to see a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist. They can evaluate the severity and recommend additional treatments. Also seek care if you notice redness, warmth or significant swelling, which could signal irritation or infection around the joint. Surgery is typically advised only when conservative measures no longer provide relief. Today’s procedures are more advanced than in the past and are often done on an outpatient basis, though recovery can up to six months and bunions can sometimes recur. In the meantime, taking steps to protect your feet can go a long way. With the right care, many people are able to manage bunions effectively and stay comfortable, active and on their feet. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
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