SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934




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        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 9, 1997



                          The Multicare Companies, Inc.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



           Delaware                    34-22090                  22-3152527
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(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission               (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)              File Number)            Identification No.)




                              411 Hackensack Avenue
                          Hackensack, New Jersey 07061
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                         (Address of principal executive
                          offices, including zip code)





                                  201-488-8818
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               Registrant's telephone number, including area code






Items 1 and 5. Changes in Control of Registrant and Other Events.

         On June 16, 1997, The Multicare Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Multicare") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger
Agreement") with Genesis ElderCare Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent"),
and Genesis ElderCare Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of Parent (the "Acquisition Corp.") pursuant to which
Acquisition Corp. offered to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), of Multicare at a purchase price of $28.00
per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest thereon, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated June 20,
1997 (the "Offer to Purchase") and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which
together with the Offer to Purchase, constitute the "Tender Offer").

         The Tender Offer expired at 7:00 p.m., New York City time, on
Wednesday, October 8, 1997 (the "Expiration Time") and Acquisition Corp.
accepted for purchase 32,790,495 Shares that had been validly tendered and not
withdrawn prior to the Expiration Time. The Shares accepted pursuant to the
Tender Offer constitute approximately 99.65% of Multicare's issued and
outstanding Shares. On October 10, 1997 (the "Effective Time"), pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, Acquisition Corp. was merged with and into Multicare (the
"Surviving Corporation")and the remaining 2,388,119 Shares not previously
purchased in the Tender Offer were canceled, extinguished and converted into the
right to receive $28.00 in cash, payable to the holder thereof without
interest.

         As a result of the Merger, Parent is the record and beneficial owner of
all Shares of the Surviving Corporation. Parent is owned by Genesis Health
Ventures, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation ("Genesis"), The Cypress Group L.L.C.
(together with its affiliates, "Cypress"), TPG Partners II, L.P. (together with
its affiliates, "TPG") and Nazem, Inc. (together with its affiliates, "Nazem")
and their affiliates.

         Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Board of Directors of Multicare
was reconstituted effective as of the completion of the Tender Offer so that
individuals designated by Acquisition Corp. comprised seven of the nine Members
of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation. Menachem Rosenberg and
George R. Zoffinger, directors of Multicare on the date of the Merger Agreement,
remained on the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation until the
Effective Time.

         As of the Effective Time, (i) the directors of Acquisition Corp. and
the officers of Multicare immediately prior to the Effective Time became the
directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation, (ii) the certificate of
incorporation of Multicare, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, became the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, and
(iii) the by-laws of Acquisition Corp., as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, became the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation.

         In addition, as a result of the Merger and as of the Effective Time,
pursuant to Amendment No. 1 to the Fiscal Agency Agreement, dated March 16,
1995, by and between Multicare and The Chase Manhattan Bank (successor by merger
to The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.) (the "Fiscal Agency Agreement"), the 7%
Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2003 of Multicare are convertible at the
Conversion Price (as defined in the Fiscal Agency Agreement) into the right to
receive $28.00 per share in cash.


Source and Amount of Funds

         Of the funds used to consummate the Tender Offer, Merger and related
transactions, (i) $745 million was furnished to Acquisition Corp. as capital
contributions by Parent from the sale by Parent of its common stock to each of


                                       -1-





Cypress, TPG, Genesis and Nazem (the "Equity Contributions"), (ii) $248.6
million was furnished from the proceeds of the issuance of 9% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "9% Notes") sold by Acquisition Corp. on August
11, 1997, (iii) $24 million was obtained from the proceeds of the Therapy Sale
(as defined below) and (iv) the remainder was furnished from the proceeds of
three term loans and a revolving credit facility of up to $525 million, in the
aggregate (collectively, the "Senior Facilities"), provided by a syndicate of
banks and other financial institutions (collectively, the "Lenders") led by
Mellon Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"),
pursuant to a certain credit agreement (the "Long Term Credit Agreement") dated
as of October 14, 1997.

         Equity Contributions. Pursuant to certain commitment letters dated as
of June 15, 1997, Cypress, TPG and Nazem purchased 210,000, 199,500 and 10,500
shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Parent, respectively, for
an aggregate purchase price of $420 million and Genesis purchased 325,000 shares
of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Parent for an aggregate purchase
price of $325 million.

         Senior Facilities. The Senior Facilities are being used for the purpose
of (i) refinancing certain short term facilities in the aggregate principal
amount of $431.6 million which were funded on October 9, 1997 to acquire the
Shares in the Tender Offer, refinance certain indebtedness of Multicare and pay
fees and expenses related to the transactions, (ii) funding interest and
principal payments on such facilities and on certain remaining indebtedness and
(iii) funding working capital and general corporate purposes.

         The Senior Facilities consist of: (1) a $200 million six year term loan
(the "Tranche A Term Facility"); (2) a $150 million seven year term loan (the
"Tranche B Term Facility"); (3) a $50 million term loan maturing on June 1, 2005
(the "Tranche C Term Facility"); (4) a $125 million six year revolving credit
facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"); and (5) one or more Swing Loans
(collectively, the "Swing Loan Facility") in integral principal multiples of
$500,000 up to an aggregate unpaid principal amount of $10 million. The Tranche
A Term Facility, Tranche B Term Facility and Tranche C Term Facility are subject
to amortization in quarterly installments, commencing at the end of the first
calendar quarter after the date of the consummation of the Merger (the "Closing
Date"). The Revolving Credit Facility will mature six years after the Closing
Date. All net proceeds received by Multicare from (i) the sale of assets of
Multicare or its subsidiaries other than sales in the ordinary course of
business (and other than the sale of Multicare's rehabilitation therapy
business) and (ii) any sale of common stock or debt securities of Multicare
(other than the 9% Notes and the Equity Contributions) in respect of common
stock will be applied as a mandatory prepayment. Fifty percent of Excess Cash
Flow must be applied to the Senior Facilities and shall be payable annually.

         The Senior Facilities are secured by a first priority security interest
in all of the (i) stock of Multicare, (ii) stock, partnership interests and
other equity of all of Multicare's present and future direct and indirect
subsidiaries and of its stock in the pharmacy business of Genesis and (iii)
intercompany notes among Parent and any subsidiaries or among any subsidiaries.
All of the obligations of Multicare with respect to any indebtedness under the
Senior Facilities are guaranteed by Acquisition Corp.

         Loans under the Senior Facilities bear, at Multicare's option, interest
at the per annum Prime Rate as announced by the Administrative Agent, or the
applicable Adjusted LIBO Rate. Loans under the Tranche A Term Facility bear
interest at a rate equal to LIBO Rate plus 2.5%; loans under the Tranche B Term
Facility bear interest at a rate equal to LIBO Rate plus 2.75%; loans under the
Tranche C Term Facility bear interest at a rate equal to LIBO Rate plus 3.0%;
loans under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to LIBO
Rate plus 2.5%; and loans under the Swing Loan Facility bear interest at the
Prime Rate unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. Five business days
following receipt of the quarterly and annual

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compliance certificates, changes in interest rates will take effect. Subject to
meeting certain financial covenants, the above-referenced interest rates will be
reduced.

         The Long Term Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that,
among other things, restrict the ability of Multicare and its subsidiaries to
dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, make loans and investments,
pay dividends, engage in mergers or consolidations, engage in certain
transactions with affiliates and change control of capital stock, prepay debt,
make material changes in accounting and reporting practices, create liens on
assets, give a negative pledge on assets, make acquisitions and amend or modify
documents. In addition, the Long Term Credit Agreement requires that Multicare
and its affiliates maintain the Management Agreement (as defined below) as well
as comply with certain financial covenants.

         Genesis Bank Financing. Genesis entered into a Third Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement dated October 9, 1997 (the "Genesis Credit Agreement")
with the Lenders pursuant to which the Lenders provided Genesis and its
subsidiaries with four loan facilities totaling $850 million (the "Genesis Bank
Financing") for the purpose of refinancing certain existing indebtedness of
Genesis; funding interest and principal payments on the facilities and certain
remaining indebtedness; funding permitted acquisitions; purchasing the common
stock of Genesis ElderCare Corp.; purchasing the rehabilitation therapy business
of Multicare; and funding Genesis' and its subsidiaries' working capital and
general corporate purposes, including fees and expenses of the transactions.

         The facilities under the Genesis Bank Financing consist of (i) $200
million six year Term Loan (the "Genesis Tranche A Term Facility"), (ii) $200
million seven year Term Loan (the "Genesis Tranche B Term Facility"), (iii) $200
million Term Loan maturing on June 1, 2005 (the "Genesis Tranche C Term
Facility") and (iv) $250 million six year Revolving Credit Facility (the
"Genesis Revolving Credit Facility"), including a $25 million sublimit for
standby letters of credit ("Letters of Credit") (collectively, the "Genesis
Senior Facilities" and individually, a "Genesis Senior Facility").

         Loans under the Genesis Senior Facilities bear, at the option of
Genesis, interest rates at the per annum Prime Rate as announced by the
Administrative Agent plus an applicable margin, or the applicable Adjusted LIBO
Rate. The initial applicable margins for Prime Rate loans are: .75% for loans
under the Genesis Tranche A Term Facility and under the Genesis Revolving Credit
Facility; 1.0% for loans under the Genesis Tranche B Term Facility; and 1.25%
for loans under the Genesis Tranche C Term Facility. The following are the
Adjusted LIBO Rates for the Genesis Senior Facilities: loans under the Genesis
Tranche A Term Facility will bear interest at a rate equal to LIBO Rate plus
2.5%; loans under the Genesis Tranche B Term Facility will bear interest at a
rate equal to LIBO Rate plus 2.75%; loans under Genesis Tranche C Term Facility
will bear interest at a rate equal to LIBO Rate plus 3.0%; and loans under the
Genesis Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest at a rate equal to LIBO
Rate plus 2.5%. Subject to meeting certain financial covenants, the interest
rate applicable to the Genesis Senior Facilities will be reduced.

         The Genesis Tranche A Term Facility, Genesis Tranche B Term Facility
and Genesis Tranche C Term Facility are subject to amortization in quarterly
installments, commencing at the end of the first calendar quarter after the
Closing Date.

         All the net cash proceeds received by Genesis from (i) the sale of
assets of Genesis or its subsidiaries other than sales in the ordinary course of
business and other specifically exempted assets that are to be sold to
ElderTrust, a healthcare real estate investment trust, and (ii) any sale of
common stock or debt securities of Genesis or its subsidiaries (other than the
proceeds of equity raised for purposes of complying with the Put/Call Agreement
(as defined below) or the proceeds of debt or equity used to refinance Genesis'
subordinated debt or to make permitted capital contributions or investments in
Multicare) will be applied

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as a mandatory prepayment pursuant to the Genesis Senior Facilities. Fifty
percent of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Genesis Credit Agreement) must be
applied to the repayment of the Genesis Senior Facilities and shall be payable
annually.

         The Genesis Senior Facilities are secured by a first priority security
interest in all of the (i) stock, partnership interests and other equity of all
of Genesis' present and future direct and indirect subsidiaries (including,
without limitation, Genesis' and its subsidiaries' ownership interest in Parent)
other than stock of Acquisition Corp., Multicare and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries and (ii) all intercompany notes among Genesis and any subsidiaries
or among any subsidiaries.

         The Genesis Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among
other things, restrict the ability of Genesis and its subsidiaries to dispose of
assets, incur additional indebtedness, make loans and investments, pay
dividends, engage in mergers or consolidations, engage in certain transactions
with affiliates and change control of capital stock, and to make capital
expenditures; prohibit the ability of Genesis and its subsidiaries to prepay
debt to other persons, make material changes in accounting and reporting
practices, create liens on assets, give a negative pledge on assets, make
acquisitions and amend or modify documents; cause Genesis and its affiliates to
maintain the Management Agreement, the Put/Call Agreement and corporate
separateness; and cause Genesis to comply with the terms of other material
agreements as well as comply with usual and customary covenants for transactions
of this nature.

         9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007. On August 11, 1997, Acquisition
Corp. sold to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Montgomery Securities, L.P. and
First Union Capital Markets Corp. (collectively, the "Placement Agents") $250
million principal amount of its 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "9%
Notes") which were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of August 7, 1997
(the "Indenture") by and between Acquisition Corp, as issuer, and PNC Bank,
National Association, as trustee. The 9% Notes bear interest at 9% per annum
from August 11, 1997, payable semiannually on February 1 and August 1 of each
year, commencing on February 1, 1998.

         Under the terms of the Indenture, the issuer of the 9% Notes is
obligated to consummate an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") pursuant to an
effective registration statement or to cause resales of the 9% Notes to be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement. In the event that the
Exchange Offer is not consummated and a shelf registration statement is not
declared effective on or prior to the earlier of (i) the date that is six months
after the Closing Date and (ii) March 31, 1998, the per annum interest rate on
the 9% Notes will be increased by .5% until the Exchange Offer is consummated or
the shelf registration statement is declared effective.

         The 9% Notes are unsecured, general obligations of the issuer,
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness,
as defined in the Indenture, of the issuer, including indebtedness under the
Senior Facilities. The 9% Notes rank pari passu in right of payment with any
future senior subordinated indebtedness of the issuer and are senior in right of
payment to all future subordinated indebtedness of the issuer.

         The 9% Notes are redeemable at the option of the issuer, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after August 1, 2002, initially at 104.5% of their
principal amount, plus accrued interest, declining ratably to 100% of their
principal amount, plus accrued interest, on or after August 1, 2004. The 9%
Notes are subject to mandatory redemption at 101%. Upon a Change in Control, as
defined in the Indenture, the issuer is required to make an offer to purchase
the 9% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus
accrued interest.


                                       -4-





          The Indenture contains a number of covenants that, among other things,
restrict the ability of the issuer of the 9% Notes to incur additional
indebtedness, pay dividends, redeem capital stock, make certain investments,
issue the capital stock of its subsidiaries, engage in mergers or consolidations
or asset sales, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, and create
dividend and other restrictions affecting its subsidiaries.

         Upon the consummation of the Merger, Multicare assumed all obligations
of Acquisition Corp. with respect to and under the 9% Notes and the related
Indenture.



Agreements between Genesis and Multicare

         Management Agreement. On October 9, 1997, Multicare, Genesis and
Genesis ElderCare Network Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Genesis,
entered into a management agreement (the "Management Agreement") pursuant to
which Genesis will manage Multicare's operations. The Management Agreement has a
term of five years with automatic renewals for two years unless either party
terminates the Management Agreement. Genesis will be paid a fee of six percent
of Multicare's net revenues for its services under the Management Agreement
provided that payment of such fee in respect of any month in excess of the
greater of (i) $1,991,666 and (ii) four percent of Multicare's consolidated net
revenues for such month, shall be subordinate to the satisfaction of Multicare's
senior and subordinate debt covenants; and provided, further, that payment of
such fee shall be no less than $23.9 million in any given year. Under the
Management Agreement, Genesis is responsible for Multicare's non-extraordinary
sales, general and administrative expenses (other than certain specified
third-party expenses), and all other expenses of Multicare will be paid by
Multicare.

         Therapy Sale Agreement. On October 10, 1997, Genesis entered into an
asset purchase agreement (the "Therapy Sale Agreement") with Multicare and
certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to which Genesis acquired all of the assets
used in Multicare's outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation therapy business for
$24 million, subject to adjustment (the "Therapy Sale").

         Pharmacy Sale Agreement. On October 10, 1997, Genesis and one of its
wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into a stock purchase agreement (the "Pharmacy
Sale Agreement") with Multicare and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to
which Genesis will acquire all of the outstanding capital stock and limited
partnership interests of certain subsidiaries of Multicare that are engaged in
the business of providing institutional pharmacy services to third parties for
$50 million, subject to adjustment.


Agreements among Genesis, Cypress, TPG and Nazem

         Stockholders' Agreement. In connection with their investments in the
common stock of Parent, Cypress, TPG, Genesis and Nazem entered into a
Stockholders' Agreement (the "Stockholders' Agreement") dated as of October 9,
1997 relating to their respective ownership interests in Parent. Pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Stockholders' Agreement, each of Cypress, TPG and
Genesis, as holders of Parent common stock, have at all times the right to
designate one-third of the members to Parent's Board of Directors. The
Stockholders' Agreement places certain restrictions on the transfer of stock and
also provides that significant actions require the approval of at least one
designee of each of Cypress, TPG and Genesis.


                                       -5-





         Put/Call Agreement. In connection with the funding pursuant to their
respective equity commitments, Genesis, Cypress, TPG and Nazem entered into an
agreement (the "Put/Call Agreement") dated as of October 9, 1997 pursuant to
which, among other things, Genesis has the option, on the terms and conditions
set forth in the Put/Call Agreement, to purchase (the "Call") the common stock
of Parent held by Cypress, TPG and Nazem commencing on October 9, 2001 and for a
period of 270 days thereafter, at a price determined pursuant to the terms of
the Put/Call Agreement. Cypress, TPG and Nazem have the option, on the terms and
conditions set forth in the Put/Call Agreement, to require Genesis to purchase
(the "Put") such common stock of Parent commencing on October 9, 2002 and for a
period of one year thereafter, at a price determined pursuant to the Put/Call
Agreement.

         The prices determined for the Put and Call are based on a formula that
calculates the equity value attributable to the common stock of Parent held by
Cypress, TPG and Nazem plus a portion of the Genesis pharmacy business (the
"Calculated Equity Value"). The Calculated Equity Value is determined based upon
a multiple of Genesis ElderCare Corp.'s earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, amortization and rental expenses, as adjusted ("EBITDAR") after
deduction of certain liabilities plus a portion of the EBITDAR related to the
Genesis pharmacy business. The multiple to be applied to EBITDAR depends on
whether the Put or the Call is being exercised. Any payment to Cypress, TPG or
Nazem under the Call or the Put maybe in the form of cash or Genesis common
stock at Genesis' option.

         Upon exercise of the Call, Cypress, TPG and Nazem will receive at a
minimum their original investment plus a 25% compound annual return thereon
regardless of the Calculated Equity Value. Any additional Calculated Equity
Value attributable to Cypress', TPG's or Nazem's Genesis ElderCare Corp. common
stock will be determined on the basis set forth in the Put/Call Agreement which
provides generally for additional Calculated Equity Value to be divided based
upon the proportionate share of the capital contributions of the stockholders to
Parent. Upon exercise of the Put by Cypress, TPG or Nazem, there will be no
minimum return to Cypress, TPG or Nazem; any payment to Cypress, TPG or Nazem
will be limited to Cypress', TPG's or Nazem's share of the Calculated Equity
Value based upon a formula set forth in the terms of the Put/Call Agreement
which provides generally for the preferential return of the stockholders'
capital contributions (subject to certain priorities), a 25% compound annual
return on Cypress', TPG's and Nazem's capital contributions and the remaining
Calculated Equity Value to be divided based upon the proportionate share of the
capital contributions of the stockholders to Parent.

         Cypress', TPG's and Nazem's rights to exercise the Put will be
accelerated upon an event of bankruptcy of Genesis, a change of control of
Genesis or an extraordinary dividend or distribution or the occurrence of the
leverage recapitalization of Genesis. Upon an event of acceleration or the
failure by Genesis to satisfy its obligations upon exercise of the Put, Cypress,
TPG and Nazem have the right, inter alia, to terminate the Stockholders'
Agreement and Management Agreement and to control the sale or liquidation of
Parent. In the event of such sale, the proceeds from such sale will be
distributed among the parties as contemplated by the formula for the Put option
exercise price and Cypress, TPG and Nazem will retain a claim against Genesis
for the difference, if any, between the proceeds of such sale and the put option
exercise price. In the event of a bankruptcy or change of control of Genesis,
the option price shall be payable solely in cash provided any such payment will
be subordinated to the payment of principal and interest under the Genesis Bank
Financing.

         Commencing on October 10, 2003, if the Put option has not been
exercised, subject to Genesis' right of first offer, Cypress and TPG have the
right to sell their stock of Genesis ElderCare Corp. Genesis shall have the
right to participate in such sale and Cypress and TPG shall have the right to
require Genesis to

                                       -6-





participate in such sale. Upon such sale, Genesis shall pay to Cypress and TPG
(in cash or Genesis common stock at Genesis' option) the difference between the
proceeds received by them and the amount they would have received had they
exercised the Put on October 9, 2003.

         The Put/Call Agreement also contains certain restrictions on Genesis'
right to take certain corporate actions including its ability to sell all or a
portion of its pharmacy business.


Agreements with Affiliates of Multicare

         Non-Competition Agreement. Genesis, together with Parent and
Acquisition Corp. entered into Amended and Restated Noncompetition and
Consulting Agreements (collectively, the "Noncompetition Agreements"), dated
October 8, 1997, with each of Daniel E. Straus and Moshael J. Straus (each, a
"Consultant" and together, the "Consultants"). Pursuant to the Noncompetition
Agreements, Genesis ElderCare Corp. irrevocably appointed each Consultant, and
each Consultant agreed to act as, a consultant, for a period of 12 months
commencing on the date of the consummation of the Merger (the "Closing"), to
perform such reasonable consulting services as the chief executive officer of
Genesis ElderCare Corp. requests. As compensation for each Consultant's
services, Genesis ElderCare Corp. agreed to pay each Consultant a consulting fee
of $500,000 payable in immediately available funds at the Closing. In addition,
each Consultant will be reimbursed for all expenses actually incurred by such
Consultant in the performance of his duties. As consideration for each
Consultant's agreement to be bound by the Restrictive Covenants, as defined
therein, Parent agreed, among other things, to pay each Consultant a cash
payment in the amount of $2.625 million payable in immediately available funds
at the Closing.

         Parent and Acquisition Corp. also entered into a Noncompetition
Agreement with Stephen R. Baker on terms identical in all material respects to
the terms of the Noncompetition Agreements described above, except that the
Noncompetition Agreement with Mr. Baker provides for a cash payment in the
amount of $2.0 million to Mr. Baker in immediately available funds at the
Closing as consideration for his agreement to be bound by the Restrictive
Covenants, as defined therein.

         Colchester. Genesis Health Ventures of Bloomfield, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Genesis, acquired from Straus Associates, a partnership which is
owned by Daniel E. Straus, Moshael J. Straus and certain other members of their
family, the land and buildings comprising an eldercare facility located in New
London, Connecticut for $8.4 million. The facility is leased to a subsidiary of
Multicare. At the closing of the acquisition of the facility, the lease was
amended to provide for a future monthly rent equal to the debt service paid on
the facility's mortgage as of October 1, 1997 plus the fixed amount set forth in
the original lease.













                                       -7-





Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         c.       Exhibits:


Exhibit No.          Description                          
- -----------          -----------                          
10.1 (1)        Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 16, 1997 by
                and among Genesis ElderCare Corp., Genesis
                ElderCare Acquisition Corp., Genesis Health Ventures,
                Inc. and The Multicare Companies, Inc.

10.2 (2)        Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated
                October 9, 1997 to Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. from
                Mellon Bank, N.A., Citicorp USA, Inc., First Union
                National Bank and NationsBank, N.A.

10.3 (2)        Credit Agreement dated October 14, 1997 to The
                Multicare Companies, Inc. from Mellon Bank, N.A.,
                Citicorp USA, Inc., First Union National Bank and
                NationsBank, N.A.

10.4 (3)        Management Agreement dated October 9, 1997 among
                The Multicare Companies, Inc., Genesis Health
                Ventures, Inc. and Genesis ElderCare Network                
                Services, Inc.

10.5 (2)        Stockholders' Agreement dated October 9, 1997 among
                Genesis ElderCare Corp., The Cypress Group L.L.C.,
                TPG Partners II, L.P., Nazem, Inc. and Genesis Health
                Ventures, Inc.

10.6 (2)        Put/Call Agreement dated October 9, 1997 among The         
                Cypress Group L.L.C., TPG Partners II, L.P., Nazem,
                Inc. and Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.
             
10.7 (3)        Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 10, 1997
                among Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., The Multicare
                Companies, Inc., Concord Health Group, Inc., Horizon
                Associates, Inc., Institutional Health Care Services,
                Inc., Care4, L.P., Concord Pharmacy Services, Inc.,
                Compass Health Services, Inc. and Encare of                
                Massachusetts, Inc.
             
10.8 (3)        Asset Purchase Agreement dated October 10, 1997
                among Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., The Multicare
                Companies, Inc., Health Care Rehab Systems, Inc.,
                Horizon Rehabilitation, Inc., Progressive Rehabilitation   
                Centers, Inc. and Total Rehabilitation Center, L.L.C.
          

                                      -8-



10.9(1)      Letter Agreement dated June 16, 1997 between
             Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. and Straus Associates.
- -----------
(1)  Incorporated by reference to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1
     filed by Genesis ElderCare Corp. and Genesis ElderCare Acquisition Corp. on
     June 20, 1997.

(2)  Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 7 to the Tender Offer Statement
     on Schedule 14D-1 filed by Genesis ElderCare Corp. and Genesis ElderCare
     Acquisition Corp. on June 20, 1997.

(3)  Incorporated by reference to Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.'s Current
     Report on Form 8-K dated October 9, 1997



                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       THE MULTICARE COMPANIES, INC.


                                       By:  /s/ George V. Hager
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            George V. Hager, Jr.
                                            Senior Vice President and 
                                            Chief Financial Officer


Date:  October 24, 1997

                                       -9-