Can't qualify for NC Medicaid due to SS and Retirement income too high. Any suggestions?

My mother lives by herself. She is barely over the income limit to qualify for Medicaid to get into an assisted living facility. She would qualify if they only based it on her assets. She doesn't have the money to pay someone to come in to take care of her on a part-time basis and doesn't have any money of her own to go to assisted living. I live 45 minutes away and work during the day so I can't stay with her to give her the care she needs. Is there any way to change Medicaid's mind regarding the income limit?