SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

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

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 21, 2000


                          THE MULTICARE COMPANIES, INC.

            - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


           Delaware                                         34-22090
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -              - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(State or other jurisdiction of                     (Commission File Number)
         incorporation or
           organization)

                              101 East State Street
                       Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348
               - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 610-444-6350


Item 5.  Other Events.

         On March 21, 2000, The Multicare Companies, Inc. announced that it had
begun debt restructuring discussions with its senior lenders and that it did not
expect to make scheduled payments due on its senior and subordinated debt during
the discussion period. See press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)               Financial Statements

                  None.

(b)               Pro Forma Financial Information

                  None.

(c)               Exhibits

                  99.1    Press release dated March 21, 2000


                                   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.

                                                   GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES, INC.

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


Date:    April 4, 2000