I’m watching her 8 hrs a day while my wife works at the Pharmacy. I have to keep an eye on her every minute. If I go to the bathroom I come out and she’s trying to cook which I told her not to. She puts her hand on or near the stovetop. My wife and I are trying to get her into a facility but this couldn’t be a worse time.
It's an ongoing lesson in patience and a real challenge to figure out what an Alzheimer's sufferer will get herself into next, isn't it?
There are Memory Care Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) that are accepting new intakes at this time. Do your homework......call around; ask about whether or not the virus has hit their place, and if not, ask about getting your MIL in asap. Even if the virus DOES hit the ALF, that doesn't necessarily mean your MIL will get it. A positive case will be quarantined according to strict rules and regulations from the State on the matter, so an outbreak CAN be contained. I agree with you, however, that now is not the ideal time to place a loved one, that's for sure. My own 93 y/o mother lives in a Memory Care ALF and so far, they've had no cases of the virus.
Go over to Alzheimers.org and read all about the disease and what to expect. Teepa Snow has some excellent videos on YouTube as well; they are short, funny and very informative as well. The key to the castle here is to try keeping MIL distracted. If she needs to keep her hands busy, you can get her a fidget blanket on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alzheimers+fidget+toys+for+adults&crid=1MJ4TQN4LOA3P&sprefix=alzheimers+fidget+%2Caps%2C189&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_18
Wishing you the best of luck moving forward, my friend.