59 Leading UK Care Homes Take Vegetarian ‘Memory Care Pledge’

Vegetarian for Life, the UK’s leading authority on diet and healthy eating advice for older vegetarians and vegans, is pleased to announce the addition of care providers Sunrise Senior Living and Gracewell Healthcare as the newest signatories to its Memory Care Pledge.

The initiative, launched in 2019, helps to ensure that vegan and vegetarian residents can live the rest of their lives in the way that they intended.

Care homes pledge to follow five key measures so that residents experiencing cognitive losses or capacity issues will have their beliefs upheld and respected.

With all sites in the Gracewell Healthcare and Sunrise Senior Living chains having taken the Vegetarian for Life Memory Care Pledge, a total of 59 UK care homes have now made the commitment to their vegetarian and vegan residents.

Amanda Woodvine, Chief Executive of Vegetarian for Life (VfL) said:

“The number of UK care homes that have agreed to cater well and ethically for older vegetarians and vegans is constantly rising. We are delighted that 1,500 care homes are already on the VfL UK List. This constant growth shows how much of a priority meat-free catering is becoming in the care sector.

“We want to ensure that older vegetarians are catered for well for their whole lives, especially if capacity issues or cognitive losses become prevalent. We are encouraging care homes to pledge that they will also help uphold residents’ choices for vegetarian or vegan living.

“An example of best practice could be that if a vegan resident were to accidentally choose a meat-based or non-vegan option, catering staff would do their very best to offer a plant-based alternative, similar to the chosen dish.

“This would give family members peace of mind, knowing that everything was being done to help look after their loved one in the way that they wanted.

“However we can’t do this alone; we need as many care homes to sign up as possible. It’s free, and really simple to do.

“Let’s ensure that mealtimes are inclusive, enjoyable, and in line with all residents’ beliefs and wishes for their whole lives.”

Anokhi Popat, Head of PR for Sunrise Senior Living UK and Gracewell Healthcare,said: “Our homes are proud to have signed up to the Vegetarian for Life Memory Care and Inclusivity Pledge. We believe that the 5 fundamentals are central to our own values, ensuring that we support all of our residents to continue live meaningful lives consistent with their ethical beliefs.”