What counts as an asset, what is exempt, and how a spouse still living at home is protected all vary by state. The family home is often exempt while a spouse lives there.
Spending down legitimately on care, home adaptations or debts is different from giving assets away, which triggers the look-back rules.
Why it matters
How money is spent during this period has large consequences, and doing it without advice is expensive.
Sources
Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.