If my elder mother and I are joint tenants of a house, can the government take her share of the house before giving elder care?

My mother is 87 and recently had hip replacement surgery. She may have to mover from her home into a nursing home. We are joint tenants and I had expected to inherit her share of the house when she dies. I have been told that the government could go after her interest in the house before providing her with government assistance as her health deteriorates.