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Dementia nurse still caring for patients aged 84

Nurse Daisy Richards pictured in the garden at the Fairways care home in Llanfairpwll where she works.Image source, Mandy Jones Wales Care Awards
Image caption,

Nurse Daisy Richards still feels as fresh as her name suggests

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An 84-year-old nurse who is thought to be Britain's oldest has been nominated for an award for her service.

Daisy Richards, from Llangefni, Anglesey, qualified in 1958 and still works full time at a dementia care home in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, where some of those she cares for are younger than her.

She has been shortlisted for an outstanding service award at the Wales Care Awards, which will be held in Cardiff next week.

"Every day I come to work, I enjoy my work, you have to," she said.

Image source, Mandy Jones Wales Care Awards
Image caption,

Ms Richards still works three 12-hour shifts each week

"It is true I am looking after people younger than me, and I enjoy it.

"Over the years nursing has evolved, it has to, but some things remain the same and that includes how we look after people in care homes. It is their home, and we are there to help them, and that means the care has to be excellent."

Ms Richards was nominated for an award by Rebekah Charles, the manager at the care home.

"Her approach reflects the values of an old-school matron, where she expects nothing less than excellence in care delivery, from the smallest details like bed-making to the overall organisation of medication administration," said Ms Charles.

"Daisy's dedication to high standards sets a benchmark for the entire team, ensuring residents receive care of the utmost quality."

Ms Richards began her career in the south of England and moved to Anglesey in 1972, working in a hospital in nearby Bangor.

After a period of time working as a district nurse on Anglesey, she moved into caring for the elderly.

While others her age have long since put their feet up to enjoy their retirement, she still works three 12-hours shift per week.

Ms Richards said she was honoured to have been nominated for the award, but remained modest.

"I have to say there are thousands of nurses in the same situation as me and doing this type of work," she said.