Exhibit 23.1


                         Consent of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors
The Multicare Companies, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the September 30, 2000 annual report
on Form 10-K of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. of our reports dated February 14,
2001 with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of The Multicare Companies,
Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2000 and 1999 and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash
flows and the consolidated financial statement schedule for the years ended
September 30, 2000 and 1999 and 1998, which reports appear in the 2000 annual
report on Form 10-K of The Multicare Companies, Inc.

Our report refers to a change in the method of accounting for costs of start-up
activities effective October 1, 1999.

Our report also contains an explanatory paragraph that states that the Company
has suffered recurring losses in 2000 and 1999, is in default of various loan
agreements and, on June 22, 2000 filed voluntary petitions for relief under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. These conditions raise
substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement
schedule do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects
on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and
classifications of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.


                                               KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 14, 2001