National Older Veg*ns Day: Safeguard your values with a Statement of Wishes

1 October is National Older Veg*ns Day, and this year, we’re encouraging vegans and vegetarians to take an important step in protecting their values. Have you thought about how your dietary and ethical beliefs will be respected if you need care in the future? By creating a Statement of Wishes, you can ensure that your lifestyle choices are upheld, even if you’re no longer able to communicate them yourself.

At V for Life, we understand the importance of staying true to your principles – especially in later life, when decisions may be made on your behalf. That’s why we’ve developed a Statement of Wishes template, specifically designed for vegans and vegetarians to outline their preferences regarding diet, care products, and more.

Why create a Statement of Wishes?

As an older vegan or vegetarian, you’ve lived your life in line with your ethical beliefs. A Statement of Wishes ensures that these beliefs will be respected by care providers, family members, or anyone involved in making decisions for you in the future. This document clearly sets out your preferences, from the food you eat to the products and materials used in your care.

This is especially important in care settings, where vegan and vegetarian options are not always guaranteed. A Statement of Wishes can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure your ethical values are not overlooked.

What does the Statement of Wishes cover?

Our template covers a range of key areas that reflect the concerns of vegans and vegetarians, such as:

• Dietary preferences: Whether you’re vegetarian or vegan, ensure your future care providers understand your dietary needs, including food preparation and the exclusion of animal products.
• Toiletries and cleaning products: You can specify your preference for cruelty-free or plant-based options, ensuring only products that align with your values are used.
• Medicines and treatments: Where non-animal-derived medications or treatments are available, you can make your preference clear for these options.
• Clothing and footwear: If you want to avoid materials like leather, wool, silk, or other animal-based products, you can indicate your choices.
• Furniture and bedding: For those wishing to avoid leather furniture or bedding made from materials such as wool or down, use the form to ensure your preferences are respected.
• Dining ware: You can also express your preference to avoid the use of bone china or other dining ware containing animal-derived materials.

How to complete your Statement of Wishes

Our template is designed to be straightforward and easy to fill in. You can add text to each section by clicking or tapping on the fields provided. There’s also space to elaborate on your choices, ensuring your preferences are as detailed as you wish. Once completed, it’s important to share the document with those closest to you, as well as your GP, to make sure it’s readily available if needed.

Here’s a simple guide to completing the form:

1. Download the template from our website. If you would like a version of the form you can fill in electronically, email us at info@vegetarianforlife.org.uk.
2. Fill in your preferences for each section, covering diet, materials, and products used in your care.
3. Sign the form and ask your next of kin or carer to sign as a witness.
4. Share the form with your family, friends, and GP, so everyone involved in your care is aware of your wishes.

Take action today

By taking the time to complete a Statement of Wishes, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your care will reflect your ethical beliefs. It’s a simple yet powerful way to ensure your values as a vegan or vegetarian are respected, whatever the future may bring.

In fact, many older vegans and vegetarians have already filled in their forms and feel reassured knowing their wishes are clear.

"I’ve done it," they say, "Have you?"

This National Older Veg*ns Day, take action. Download your Statement of Wishes today and make sure your values are protected for years to come.

Download your Statement of Wishes here, or email us for an electronic version at info@vegetarianforlife.org.uk.