by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

When The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) launched our guide titled Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, and Other Sernior Facilities (Senior Guide) in 2019, we quickly realized that most facilities in the United States offered no vegan dishes. In fact, many were unfamiliar with veganism. A few told us that they would gladly accommodate vegans if any moved in yet had not had the opportunity to do so, or may have encountered only one vegan in recent memory.

Surprisingly, we received a similar response about vegetarian diets in senior living facilities although we noticed a few vegetarian entrées on sample menus at locations scattered around the U.S. Those places are listed in this Senior Guide by state (search from the beginning).

Yet, as a response to the growing number of seniors looking for a living arrangement suitable to their vegan lifestyle, The VRG pursued the search, raising awareness to staff and culinary directors about the increasing popularity of vegan diets in a space not traditionally accustomed to it.

In those early years of our Senior Guide, we located a greater number of facilities offering vegetarian options even if they were served only upon request. By comparison, in the last few years, we began to notice more senior living facilities offering plenty of vegan menu options in rotation. Several places clearly identified them by a vegan icon on their print menus or on their websites. As we find them, we list them here as well as their sample vegan offerings. There is no doubt that the likelihood of finding a senior living facility serving vegan meals these days is greater than it was just seven years ago, and will probably increase even more in future years due to an aging population.

The reason for this trend toward veganism is one we’ve witnessed several times before. Whether it’s vegan food on college and university campuses or in healthcare facilities, greater consumer demand results in more vegan options.

In all respects, this Senior Guide should be thought of as a work in progress. Not only are we adding brand new entries as facilities introduce vegan dishes to their menus for the first time. We’re also updating those which had previously offered only vegetarian meals, but now serve vegan dishes as well. These places are proactively addressing the dietary preferences of a growing number of seniors looking to maintain their vegan lifestyle as they transition to a new type of living arrangement in their golden years.

If you know of a senior living location of any type that offers vegan menu items but is not listed here, please let us know at [email protected]! You will be helping others searching for vegan meals at a senior living facility, making their life transition much more comfortable as it is familiar.