The senior living landscape is changing rapidly. By 2050, approximately 27 million individuals will need paid long-term care services like home health, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities.
That’s a massive jump from 8.3 million in 2025. The population aged 85 and over is expected to nearly triple by 2060, and about 70 percent of seniors will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime.
These numbers tell us something important: senior living must evolve to meet the expectations of tomorrow’s residents. The days of institutional dining and limited choices are over. Today’s and tomorrow’s seniors expect restaurant-quality food, personalized service, and dining experiences that honor their independence.
Senior Housing News has recognized this shift, calling it “the senior living customer of tomorrow.” SHN has featured Civitas Senior Living as a leader in this transformation. Our latest recognition focuses on what matters most to residents and their families: exceptional dining.
Our Feature in Senior Housing News
In October 2025, SHN featured Co-Founder and Chief Program Officer Misti Powell and Vice President of Food and Beverage Taylor Richey in an in-depth article about our completely reimagined dining program.
The feature highlighted how we scrapped everything we’d previously done and rebuilt our dining program from the ground up. As Powell explained, “We reimagined what it would be like if you were a resident coming into our communities.”
Our approach focuses on three key elements: greeting, warmth, and presence.
“We trained our team members not just to serve food, but to create hospitality-forward experiences,” Taylor Richey says. “We didn’t want to simply copy restaurants. We want to compete with them for top-level staff and food quality.”
The results speak for themselves. Since implementing these changes, we’ve achieved the lowest food and beverage turnover across our organization. Our communities now average high occupancy rates. Most importantly, our residents are happier and healthier.
As Richey told SHN, “You have to be committed to breaking away from ‘we’ve always done it that way.’ Staying in that mindset keeps you in a comfortable echo chamber, and we weren’t willing to do that.”
Our Passionate Dining Program
At Civitas Senior Living, dining is more than nutrition. It’s about connection, choice, and celebrating life’s pleasures.
Fresh, Seasonal Menus
Our chefs change menus every 90 days to reflect what’s fresh and in season. Larger communities offer 15 entree options at lunch and dinner. We source ingredients from local farmers, bringing peak-flavor produce straight to our kitchens. When tomatoes are ripest in summer or apples are fresh in fall, our menus reflect these seasonal bounties.
Fork & Leaf Build-Your-Own Salad Bar
Select communities now feature Fork & Leaf, our build-your-own salad bar stocked with locally sourced ingredients. Residents create custom salads exactly how they like them, choosing from fresh vegetables, proteins, dressings, and toppings.
The Cottage: Picture Menus for Memory Care
Our memory care residents in The Cottage deserve exceptional dining, too. We’ve developed picture menus specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Visual menus help residents make choices independently, honoring their dignity while supporting their needs.
My Food Program
Our signature My Food program puts residents in charge of their dining experience:
- My Recipe: Residents share family recipes, and our chefs bring them to life
- Cooking Demonstrations: Watch our chefs prepare meals and learn their techniques
- Seasonal Sips: Refreshing beverages crafted with the best seasonal ingredients
- MINDful Menu: Brain-healthy selections based on Mediterranean diet principles, essential for cognitive wellness
These signature programs are the ways we honor each resident’s story, preferences, and independence.
Why Senior Nutrition Matters
As people age, nutritional needs change. Older adults need fewer calories but more vitamins, minerals, and protein. The Nutrition and Aging Resource Center reports that nearly one in four older adults is at risk of malnutrition.
Proper nutrition supports:
- Physical strength and energy
- Cognitive function and memory
- Immune system health
- Better management of chronic conditions
- Overall quality of life
Our MINDful Menu specifically addresses brain health through principles of the Mediterranean diet. We include lean proteins, healthy fats like olive oil, and ingredients shown to support cognitive function. Every meal is thoughtfully balanced to nourish both body and mind.
Dining also provides social connection. Shared meals combat loneliness and create routine. Our elegant restaurant-quality service encourages residents to gather, converse, and enjoy each other’s company while savoring delicious food.
About Civitas Senior Living
At Civitas Senior Living, we simplify the journey to finding the right care:
- Financial concierges to share how to pay for senior living
- Estate planning and real estate partners
- Moving and logistics services
- Apartment furnishing
- On-site medical care
- Family resources
Our communities across the country provide assisted living, memory care, and independent living designed around what matters most to residents.
Our Passion Program drives everything we do. From passionate service to passionate care, we believe every interaction should honor each resident’s unique story and preferences. Dining is just one expression of this philosophy.
Through Miracle Moments, we celebrate what makes each resident special. Whether it’s recreating a family recipe, hosting a themed dinner, or honoring a birthday with a favorite meal, we create moments that bring joy and meaning to daily life.
We don’t just talk about person-centered care. We live it every day through programs like My Food, seasonal menus, and teams trained to bring genuine hospitality to every interaction.
Tour and Taste Civitas Senior Living
Nothing tells our story better than sitting down for a meal with us.
We invite you to visit a Civitas community near you for a complimentary lunch. Taste our seasonal menu. Meet the chefs who prepare meals with passion. See residents enjoying conversation and connection in our restaurants. Ask questions about how we accommodate dietary needs, source local ingredients, and create personalized experiences.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our table.
For more information about Civitas Senior Living, contact our team.
Want to keep exploring Civitas Senior Living?
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- Discover how to pay for senior living.
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