When someone you love and deeply care about has dementia it's emotionally and physically overwhelming. Add in their vegan, vegetarian, or religious dietary needs. Suddenly, ensuring their choices are respected in a care setting becomes a major concern.
Some care homes give meat to vegans or vegetarians with dementia, saying they need more proteins. But what about the health risks? Red and processed meat are linked to cardiovascular diseases, hence dementia.
It gets even more challenging when, due to cognitive changes, your loved one starts asking for non-vegan meals or even pick from others' plates!
The Equality Act 2010 protects religion and belief. But the care home tells you your loved one wants meat? The question is: should vegans and vegetarians with dementia have their beliefs disregarded? Should their condition override their right to freedom of belief? Is it fair to treat someone differently just because they have dementia?
Some care homes give meat to vegans or vegetarians with dementia, saying they need more proteins. But what about the health risks? Red and processed meat are linked to cardiovascular diseases, hence dementia.
It gets even more challenging when, due to cognitive changes, your loved one starts asking for non-vegan meals or even pick from others' plates!
The Equality Act 2010 protects religion and belief. But the care home tells you your loved one wants meat? The question is: should vegans and vegetarians with dementia have their beliefs disregarded? Should their condition override their right to freedom of belief? Is it fair to treat someone differently just because they have dementia?