My parents had a caregiver for more than 10 years and she was like a daughter for them, and they were very attached to her, now she is moving to another town. I'm afraid they won't accept easily the new caregiver I have for them. My father has moderate dementia and mother has cancer and memory loss too. Mother is a difficult person, distrustful, selfish and doesn't accept very well someone elses help in the house, even though she needs help even for geting dressed.
all. If she has a 10 year relationship. She may do better
than you, no offense intended, but they respect her and
her decision. She could explain she has to move but will
personally find a replacement. They may be more accepting
of the new person coming as her friend. It would be twice the
pay for a short time to work together. After 10 years she knows
a lot about them, wants and needs and likes. It may be worth
the extra money for the parents happiness. If they see her showing the new person what to do it may help. Good luck.
I'm guessing that she probably is fond of your parents too & will feel better within herself knowing that they are in good hands
If they are both amenable have the regular one give a big hug to new one in front of them both with a 'thank you' said at that time as this might help move her 'aura' to the new one & will show that there is no hard feelings with the switch - mom & dad might then see the new one as an extension on the old one which is what you are really trying to do
Perhaps you could buy something your parents like and have the new caregiver give it to them...something small, or even a bouquet of artificial flowers, so they don't have the obligation to change the water in a vase.
Or, bring special food. donuts and cider for fall? If you can link the first visit to something very positive, they might not remember her specifically but they might link with the event and the good thoughts afterward, if this is possible.
Just introduce her as a friendly visitor; Meals on Wheels and the VA provide these kinds of social visits, according to what I've read.
I've had some issues with just convincing my father to accept in home help. It wasn't until this last post-hospital and rehab visit that he recognized he needed some help. Then the issue was and still is finding a qualified, reputable agency.
My Dad was easy going as long as the caregiver and he had enough in common to talk about. I had the Agency keep sending out different caregivers until Dad found the right match, and then it was smooth sailing [my Mom passed by then].
GardenArtist, above, had some really great ideas :)