Exhibit 5
 
                [LETTERHEAD OF GREENEBAUM DOLL & MCDONALD PLLC]


                                August 20, 1997


Atria Communities, Inc.
515 West Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as legal counsel in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Registration Statement"), covering an aggregate of 90,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Atria Communities,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to be issued under the Vencor
Employees' Stock Option Agreements (the "Agreements").

     We have examined and are familiar with the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws of the Company, and the various corporate records and proceedings
relating to the organization of the Company and the proposed issuance of the
Common Stock. We have also examined such other documents and proceedings as we
have considered necessary for the purpose of this opinion.

     Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Common Stock has been
duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of
the Registration Statement and the Agreements, will be validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this Opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and with such state securities administrators as may
require such opinion of counsel for the registration of the Common Stock.  In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 /s/ Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC

                                 Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC