Medi-Cal and Asset Preservation

Dear Len & Rosie,

It looks like my mother needs nursing home care soon, probably in the next year. I asked a lawyer friend of mine if there's anything that can be done to protect my mother's home and her $200,000 in savings. He said he heard that it would take five years to qualify my mother for Medi-Cal benefits. But he also said he doesn't do elder law like you (he's into securities) so I should ask someone who works in the field. Is there anything my mother can do to protect her assets?

Kelli