Formal to Senior
Care · Greeting
短い間でしたが、本当にお世話になりました。どうぞお元気でお過ごしくださいませ。 — It was a short time, but truly thank you for everything. Please stay in good health. (Care · Greeting, Formal to Senior, JLPT N3)
You
短い間でしたが、本当にお世話になりました。どうぞお元気でお過ごしくださいませ。
みじかいあいだでしたが、ほんとうにおせわになりました。どうぞおげんきでおすごしくださいませ。
It was a short time, but truly thank you for everything. Please stay in good health.
Romaji: Mijikai aida deshita ga, hontou ni osewa ni narimashita. Douzo ogenki de osugoshi kudasaimase. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso. Anata mo dou ka ogenki de.
Reply
こちらこそ。あなたもどうかお元気で。
こちらこそ。あなたもどうかおげんきで。
Likewise. Please take care of yourself too.
Gesture & etiquette
Stand at the entrance/car door, bow deeply (about 30-45 degrees) and hold for 2 seconds. Wave gently as the car departs—keep waving until they are out of sight. Many seniors look back to see if you're still there; do not turn away early.
Farewell from caregiver to departing resident. Even if the resident was difficult, frame the time positively. 「お世話になりました」 (you took care of me) is the standard humble framing—even though you were the carer. 「ませ」 adds final warmth. Hand them a small handwritten note if appropriate.