In context the attorney gave you proper advice. There are some nuances, though.
Please don't take this the wrong way...and you are not alone as most people/heirs want to shield assets. Medicaid is needs based. Translation: it is WELFARE. People with $800,000 houses and a quarter mil in savings do not qualify for welfare. If their liquid assets are depleted then they can qualify but Medicaid will be allowed to have a lien on their homes to reimburse the state after their death. (There are some exceptions if a survuiving spouse is living in the home).
The irony is that people want to get Medicaid assistance for NH care but they would never dream of applying for food stamps or other welfare programs. But it is the same thing.
Oh and yes, NH can receive a persons SS check to help pay for their NH care.
Sorry to be the (second) messenger here.
There are ways to partially preserve assets, but in a nut shell you would have to use his assets for 3+ years to private pay NH care. Lawyers have to be careful because it is a felony to assist some with welfare fraud but not a crime to assist in estate planning. There's a fine yet fuzzy line there for lawyers.