Research conducted by Swansea University’s OMNIPlaNT research group projects that the number of vegan and vegetarian care home residents in the UK will double by 2031. Currently, over 31 percent of care homes accommodate at least one vegetarian resident, showing a significant increase from 22.7 percent in 2014. Additionally, 2.6 percent of care homes cater to vegan residents, a number that is expected to triple to 2,400 by 2031.

Vegetarian For Life (VfL), a UK-based charity focusing on plant-based diets for older individuals, emphasizes the importance of respecting dietary preferences in care homes. They call for the adoption of best practices, nutritional knowledge for staff, and collaboration with nutritionists and suppliers to cater to residents' ethical beliefs and nutritional needs. The trend towards plant-based diets among older people is also supported by research linking meat-free diets to improved longevity and reduced disease risk, highlighting the importance of accommodating these dietary choices in care settings.