INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES INC
8-K, 1996-10-25
SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES
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                       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) October 17, 1996
                                                 -------------------------------

                        INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                    1-12306                23-2428312
- ----------------------------        ------------              ----------
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission          (IRS Employer
        Of corporation)             File Number)         Identification No.)

10065 Red Run Boulevard, Owings Mills, Maryland               21117
- ------------------------------------------------            ---------
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (410) 998-8400
                                                    ----------------------------

                                 Not Applicable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



<PAGE>
ITEM 2.        ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

   On October  17,  1996,  Integrated  Health  Services,  Inc.  ("the  Company")
acquired  through merger First  American  Health Care of Georgia,  Inc.  ("First
American"),  a  provider  of home  health  services  in 21  states,  principally
Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The
Company   believes   First   American  is  the  fourth   largest   (and  largest
privately-held) provider of home healthcare services in the United States.


   The  purchase  price for  First  American  was  $154.1  million  in cash plus
contingent payments of up to $155 million.  The contingent payments will be paid
as follows:  $10 million for 1999;  $40 million for 2000;  $51 million for 2001;
$39 million for 2002;  and $15 million  for 2003;  provided  that no  contingent
payment will be paid in respect of any year in which the percentage  increase in
the seasonally  unadjusted  Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers for the
Medical Care  expenditure  category (the "Medical CPI") exceeds 8% unless in any
subsequent year prior to 2004 the percentage increase in the Medical CPI is less
than 8%; and provided further that the foregoing  contingency  shall immediately
leave  if  legislation  is  enacted  that  changes  the  Medicare  reimbursement
methodology  for  home  health  services  to  a  prospectively  determined  rate
methodology,  in whole or in part. The Company  borrowed the cash purchase price
paid at the  closing  under its $700  million  revolving  credit  facility  with
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and certain other lenders. $115 million
of the $154.1  million  paid at closing  was paid to the Health  Care  Financing
Administration  ("HCFA") in settlement of claims by HCFA seeking  repayment from
First American of certain disallowed reimbursements under Medicare, which claims
IHS believes relate to personal or corporate expenses,  rather than care-related
expenses (the "HCFA Claims").  The total  settlement with HCFA was $255 million;
the  remaining  $140  million will be paid from the  contingent  payments to the
extent such payments  become due.  During the first quarter of 1996, the Company
loaned  $18.1  million to First  American  to fund  certain of First  American's
pension and tax  liabilities.  The loan, which bore interest at a rate per annum
equal to the prime rate plus 4% and was due December 31, 1996,  was secured by a
pledge of  certain  shares of First  American  stock  owned by First  American's
principal stockholder.

   The  resolution  of the HCFA  Claims  will  require  a  restatement  of First
American's  financial  statements.  The HCFA  Claims  are  substantial,  and the
restatement  of  First  American's  financial  statements  is  likely  to have a
material adverse effect on First American's historical financial statements.  As
a result,  the  Company's pro forma  results of operation  reflecting  the First
American  acquisition will be adversely affected,  and such adverse effect could
be material.

   The  Company  believes  that the  acquisition  of First  American  will be an
important  component in the implementation of its post-acute  healthcare system.
First  American,  when  combined with the  Company's  existing  home  healthcare
operations,  will give the Company a significant home healthcare  presence in 24
states, many of which are the states the Company has targeted for its post-acute
healthcare  system.  The Company  believes  that its  expanded  home  healthcare
network will assist it in meeting the desire of payors for one stop shopping, as
well as offering  capitated rates to managed care providers.  Additionally,  the
Company  expects that Medicare will  implement a prospective  payment system for
home healthcare services in the next several years. Currently, Medicare provides
reimbursement  for home  healthcare  on a cost  basis  which  includes a rate of
return, subject to a cap. There is no reward for efficiency, provided that costs
are below the cap. Under  prospective  pay as currently  proposed,  a healthcare
provider would receive a predetermined rate for a given service.  Providers with
costs below the predetermined  rate will be entitled to keep some or all of this
difference.  Under  prospective  pay, the  efficient  operator will be rewarded.
Since  the  largest  component  of home  healthcare  costs  is  labor,  which is
basically   fixed,   the  Company   believes  the   differentiating   factor  in
profitability will be administrative costs. A large provider,  which the Company
is as a result of the First  American  acquisition,  should  be able to  achieve
administrative  efficiencies  compared with the small  providers which currently
dominate the home  healthcare  industry,  although  there can be no assurance it
will be able to do so. There can be no assurance  that Medicare will implement a
prospective  payment  system for home  healthcare  services in the next  several
years or at all.



<PAGE>


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS,  PRO FORMA  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  AND
         EXHIBITS

     a.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESSES ACQUIRED.

   It  is  impractible  for  the  Company  to  provide  the  required  financial
information  on the date this report is being  filed.  As a result,  pursuant to
Instruction  (a)(4)  of Item 7 to Form  8-K,  the  Company  intends  to file the
required historical  financial statements of First American within 60 days after
the date this report was required to be filed.

     b.   PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

   It  is  impractible  for  the  Company  to  provide  the  required  financial
information  on the date this report is being  filed.  As a result,  pursuant to
Instruction  (b)(2)  of Item 7 of Form  8-K,  the  Company  intends  to file the
required  pro forma  financial  information  within 60 days  after the date this
report was required to be filed.

   c. EXHIBITS.

     2.01  Merger  Agreement,  dated as of February  21,  1996 among  Integrated
Health Services, Inc., IHS Acquisition XIV, Inc., and First American Health Care
of Georgia, Inc. and its Principal Shareholders.


     2.02 Amendment to Merger  Agreement,  dated as of September 9, 1996, by and
among  Integrated  Health  Services,  Inc., IHS  Acquisition  XIV,  Inc.,  First
American Health Care of Georgia, Inc., Robert J. Mills and Margie B. Mills.
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

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

                                       INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.


Date: October 24, 1996                   By /s/  W. Bradley Bennett
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Name: W. Bradley Bennett
                                         Title: Executive Vice President and
                                                Chief Accounting Officer



                                MERGER AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 21, 1996

                                      AMONG

                        INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                            IHS ACQUISITION XIV, INC.

                                       AND

                   FIRST AMERICAN HEALTH CARE OF GEORGIA, INC.

                                     AND ITS

                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<S>               <C>                                                                                             <C>
         ARTICLE I:   MERGER....................................................................................  1
                  1.1      Merger...............................................................................  1
                  1.2      Taking of Necessary Action...........................................................  1

         ARTICLE II:  CONVERSION................................................................................  2
                  2.1      Conversion Of Stock..................................................................  2
                  2.2      Manner of Exchange...................................................................  3
                  2.3      Contingent Payments..................................................................  4
                  2.4      Closing Date Balance Sheet...........................................................  6

         ARTICLE III: THE CLOSING...............................................................................  7
                  3.1      Time and Place of Closing............................................................  7
                  3.2      Filings at Closing...................................................................  7
                  3.3      Effective Time.......................................................................  7

         ARTICLE IV:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
                                      PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND THE COMPANY....................................  8
                  4.1      Organization and Standing of the Company.............................................  8
                  4.2      Subsidiaries.........................................................................  8
                  4.3      Absence of Conflicting Agreements....................................................  8
                  4.4      Consents.............................................................................  8
                  4.5      Company Shares.......................................................................  9
                  4.6      Trademarks...........................................................................  9
                  4.7      Contracts............................................................................  9
                  4.8      Financial Statements................................................................. 11
                  4.9      Material Changes..................................................................... 12
                  4.10     Licenses; Permits; Certificates of Need.............................................. 12
                  4.11     Title, Condition of Personal Property................................................ 12
                  4.12     Legal Proceedings.................................................................... 13
                  4.13     Employees............................................................................ 13
                  4.14     Collective Bargaining, Labor Contracts, Employment Plans
                           and Practices, Etc................................................................... 14
                  4.15     ERISA................................................................................ 14
                  4.16     Insurance and Surety Agreements...................................................... 14
                  4.17     Relationships........................................................................ 14
                  4.18     Absence of Certain Events............................................................ 15
                  4.19     Compliance with Laws................................................................. 15
                  4.20     Finders.............................................................................. 16
                  4.21     Tax Returns.......................................................................... 16
                  4.22     Encumbrances Created by this Agreement............................................... 16
                  4.23     Environmental Matters................................................................ 16



<PAGE>



                  4.24     Real Property........................................................................ 17
                  4.25     Leasehold Interests.................................................................. 19

         ARTICLE V:  ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                       OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS................................................ 19
                  5.1      Authority............................................................................ 19
                  5.2      Binding Effect....................................................................... 19
                  5.3      Absence or Conflicting Agreements.................................................... 19
                  5.4      Consents............................................................................. 20
                  5.5      Ownership of Company Shares.......................................................... 20

         ARTICLE VI:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER................................................... 20
                  6.1      Organization and Standing............................................................ 20
                  6.2      Absence of Conflicting Agreements.................................................... 20
                  6.3      Consents............................................................................. 20
                  6.4      Finders.............................................................................. 21
                  6.5      Power and Authority.................................................................. 21
                  6.6      Material Changes..................................................................... 21
                  6.7      Binding Effect....................................................................... 21
                  6.8      Corporate Office..................................................................... 21
                  6.9      Legal Proceedings.................................................................... 21

         ARTICLE VII:  INFORMATION AND RECORDS
                                       CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND THE BUYER..................................... 21
                  7.1      Buyer's Access to Information and Records Before Closing............................. 21
                  7.2      Company's Access to Information and Records Before Closing........................... 22

         ARTICLE VIII:  OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNTIL
                                       EFFECTIVE TIME OF MERGER................................................. 22
                  8.1      Conduct of Business Pending Closing.................................................. 22
                  8.2      Negative Covenants of the Company.................................................... 23
                  8.3      Affirmative Covenants................................................................ 23
                  8.4      Pursuit of Consents and Approvals.................................................... 24
                  8.5      Supplementary Financial Information.................................................. 24
                  8.6      Exclusivity.......................................................................... 24
                  8.7      Solicitation Of Stockholders......................................................... 24
                  8.8      Dissenting Stockholders.............................................................. 24
                  8.9      Delivery of Schedules................................................................ 25
                  8.10     Audit................................................................................ 25
                  8.11     Delivery of Exhibits................................................................. 25

         ARTICLE IX:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS............................................... 25
                  9.1      Representations and Warranties....................................................... 26
                  9.2      Performance of Covenants............................................................. 26



<PAGE>



                  9.3      Delivery of Closing Certificate...................................................... 26
                  9.4      Opinions of Counsel.................................................................. 26
                  9.5      Legal Matters........................................................................ 26
                  9.6      Authorization Documents.............................................................. 26
                  9.7      Material Change...................................................................... 26
                  9.8      Approvals............................................................................ 26
                  9.9      Labor Agreements..................................................................... 27
                  9.10     Real Property Consents............................................................... 27
                  9.11     Title Insurance...................................................................... 27
                  9.12     Environmental Compliance............................................................. 28
                  9.13     Engineering Report................................................................... 28
                  9.14     Surveys.............................................................................. 28
                  9.15     Termite Inspections.................................................................. 28
                  9.16     No Adverse Legislation............................................................... 29
                  9.17     Settlement Releases.................................................................. 29
                  9.18     Severance Agreements................................................................. 29
                  9.19     Long-Term Debt....................................................................... 29
                  9.20     Options.............................................................................. 29
                  9.21     Financial............................................................................ 29
                  9.22     Approvals and Consents............................................................... 30
                  9.23     Resignations......................................................................... 30
                  9.24     Dissenters' Rights................................................................... 30
                  9.25     Hart-Scott-Rodino Act................................................................ 30
                  9.26     Release of Pledged Shares............................................................ 30
                  9.27     No Prohibited Transaction............................................................ 30
                  9.28     Other Documents...................................................................... 30
                  9.29     Bankruptcy Cases..................................................................... 30
                  9.30     Consulting Agreement................................................................. 31
                  9.31     Bankruptcy Court Approval, Break-Up Fee, Competitive Bidding
                            Requirements, and Exclusivity....................................................... 31
                  9.32     Disclosure Statement and Plan of Reorganization...................................... 31
                  9.33     Adequacy of Disclosure Statement..................................................... 31
                  9.34     Confirmation......................................................................... 31
                  9.35     Consummation......................................................................... 31
                  9.36     Conversion, Appointment of Trustee, Change in Management............................. 31
                  9.37     DIP Financing........................................................................ 32

         ARTICLE X:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE
                               OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS............................ 32
                  10.1     Representations and Warranties....................................................... 32
                  10.2     Performance of Covenants............................................................. 32
                  10.3     Delivery of Closing Certificate...................................................... 32
                  10.4     Opinion of Counsel................................................................... 32
                  10.5     Legal Matters........................................................................ 32



<PAGE>



                  10.6     Authorization Documents.............................................................. 32
                  10.7     Other Documents...................................................................... 32

         ARTICLE XI:  OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES AFTER CLOSING.................................................. 33
                  11.1     Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants................................ 33
                  11.2     Indemnification by Principal Shareholders............................................ 33
                  11.3     Indemnification by Buyer............................................................. 33
                  11.4     Indemnification Period and Basket.................................................... 34
                  11.5     Control Of Defense of Indemnifiable Claims........................................... 34
                  11.6     Offsets.............................................................................. 34
                  11.7     Restrictions......................................................................... 35
                  11.8     Records.............................................................................. 35
                  11.9     Audit................................................................................ 36
                  11.10    Corporate Office..................................................................... 36

         ARTICLE XII:  TERMINATION.............................................................................. 36
                  12.1     Termination.......................................................................... 36
                  12.2     Effect of Termination................................................................ 36

         ARTICLE XIII:  BANKRUPTCY.............................................................................. 37
                  13.1     Bankruptcy Cases..................................................................... 37
                           13.2     Consulting Agreement........................................................ 37
                  13.3     Bankruptcy Court Approval, Break-Up Fee, Competitive Bidding
                           Requirements, and Exclusivity........................................................ 38
                  13.4     Disclosure Statement and Plan of Reorganization...................................... 38
                  13.5     Conversion, Appointment of Trustee, Change in Management............................. 38
                  13.6     DIP Financing........................................................................ 38

         ARTICLE XIV:  MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................ 38
                  14.5     Cooperation - Further Assistance..................................................... 39
                  14.6     Notices.............................................................................. 39
                  14.7     Waiver, Discharge, Etc............................................................... 40
                  14.8     Rights of Persons Not Parties........................................................ 40
                  14.9     Governing Law........................................................................ 40
                  14.11    Severability......................................................................... 40
                  14.12    Joint and Several.................................................................... 40

</TABLE>

<PAGE>



                                MERGER AGREEMENT

         This Merger  Agreement  (this  "Agreement") is made as of 7:00 A.M. the
21st day of February,  1996, among Integrated Health Services,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation  ("Buyer"),  IHS  Acquisition  XIV,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Newco"),  Robert J. Mills and Margie B. Mills  (collectively,  the  "Principal
Shareholders"),  and First  American  Health  Care of Georgia,  Inc.,  a Georgia
corporation (the "Company").

         WHEREAS,  the Principal  Shareholders are the owners of an aggregate of
2,099,600  shares of the common  stock of the Company  (the total  shares of the
common  stock of the  Company  outstanding  from time to time being  referred to
herein as the "Company  Shares"),  representing  approximately  75% of the total
issued and outstanding Company Shares on a fully diluted basis;

         WHEREAS, Newco is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer;

         WHEREAS, Buyer, Newco, and the Company deem it advisable to merge Newco
with and into the Company  (the  "Merger")  pursuant to this  Agreement  and the
Certificate of Merger annexed as Exhibit A hereto (the "Certificate of Merger");

         WHEREAS,  pursuant to the Merger,  all Company Shares will be converted
into cash and the right to receive certain payments;

         WHEREAS,  at the time of the execution of this  Agreement,  the Company
advised Buyer that it intends to file  bankruptcy  cases under Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code for itself and each of its wholly-owned  subsidiaries  listed on
Schedule  A  attached  hereto,  in the United  States  Bankruptcy  Court for the
Southern District of Georgia, Brunswick Division (the "Bankruptcy Court");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  the Principal  Shareholders,  Newco,  Buyer,  and the
Company, agree as follows:

                                ARTICLE I: MERGER

         1.1       MERGER.    Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  of  this
Agreement,  at the Effective Time of Merger (as defined in Article III,  below),
Newco shall be merged with and into the Company and the  separate  existence  of
Newco shall cease.

         1.2       TAKING  OF  NECESSARY  ACTION.     Prior  to  and  after  the
Effective  Time of Merger,  subject to the  provisions  of this  Agreement,  the
Principal Shareholders and each of Buyer,



<PAGE>



Newco  and the  Company  shall  take  all such  action  as may be  necessary  or
appropriate  in order to effect the Merger  and the  consummation  of all of the
transactions contemplated hereunder.

                             ARTICLE II: CONVERSION

         2.1      CONVERSION OF STOCK.

          (a) For the purposes of this  Agreement,  the following terms shall be
     defined as indicated below:

                    (i) "Aggregate Common Share Merger  Consideration" means One
               Hundred  and  Fifty  Million  Dollars  ($150,000,000)  minus  the
               Aggregate Option Consideration.

                    (ii) "Aggregate  Option  Consideration"  means the aggregate
               amount equal to the Per Option Merger Consideration multiplied by
               the total number of Company Shares for which the Company  Options
               are exercisable as of the Effective Time of Merger.

                    (iii) "Company Options" means the options to purchase common
               stock of the Company set forth on Schedule 4.5.

                    (iv)  "Contingent  Payment"  means the payment to be made to
               the Shareholders pursuant to Section 2.3 below.

                    (v) "Equity  Holder" means a holder of Company  Shares or of
               Company Options.

                    (vi)  "Fully  Diluted  Shares"  means the  number of Company
               Shares  which  would  be  outstanding  immediately  prior  to the
               Effective Time of Merger  assuming the exercise in full of all of
               the options to purchase  common stock of the Company set forth on
               Schedule 4.5.

                    (vii) "Per  Common  Share  Merger  Consideration"  means the
               Aggregate Common Share Merger Consideration divided by the number
               of Company Shares issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time
               of Merger.

                    (viii) "Per Option Merger Consideration" means $53.925.

                    (ix) "Principal Shareholders' Merger Consideration" means an
               amount  equal  to  the  Per  Common  Share  Merger  Consideration
               multiplied  by the  total  number  of  Company  Shares  that  the
               Principal  Shareholders  own of record  immediately  prior to the
               Effective Time of Merger.


                                        2


<PAGE>




                    (x) "Proportionate Share" means a fraction, the numerator of
               which is one, and the denominator of which is the total number of
               Company Shares issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the
               Effective Time of Merger.

                    (xi) "Shareholder"  means any holder of a Company Share that
               is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
               of Merger.

          (b) At the Effective Time of Merger,  each of the Company Shares other
     than  Dissenting  Shares (as  hereinafter  defined in Section 2.2(e) below)
     which is issued and outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective Time of
     Merger shall,  without any action by the holder thereof,  be converted into
     the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the Per Common Share Merger
     Consideration  and the  right  to  receive  a  Proportionate  Share  of the
     Contingent Payment when and as payable under this Agreement.

          (c)  Each  Company  Option  that  has  not  been  exercised  as of the
     Effective  Time of  Merger  shall  by  reason  of  action  by the  Board of
     Directors of the Company  pursuant to the Stock Option Plan of the Company,
     without any action by the holder  thereof,  be converted  into the right to
     receive an amount of cash equal to the Per Option Merger Consideration.

          (d) Each share of Newco common stock outstanding  immediately prior to
     the  Effective  Time of Merger shall be converted  into one share of common
     stock of the Company.

         2.2      Manner of Exchange.

          (a) At the  Closing,  Buyer shall  deliver to each  Equity  Holder who
     shall surrender his or her certificates or instruments  representing his or
     her Company Shares or Company Options,  together with a proper  transmittal
     instrument  duly  executed,  and free and clear of all Liens,  an amount of
     cash  equal to the  amount of the Per  Common  Share  Merger  Consideration
     and/or Per Option Merger Consideration,  as the case may be, represented by
     his or her surrendered certificates and instruments.

               (i) In  furtherance  of satisfying  the closing  condition  under
          Section  9.17 hereof,  Principal  Shareholders'  Merger  Consideration
          shall be reduced by such  amount as shall be  necessary  to obtain the
          Settlement  Releases (as such term is defined in Section 9.17 hereof).
          Prior to the Merger,  the Company shall have agreed to pay to HCFA the
          amounts  required to obtain the Settlement  Releases,  and immediately
          after the Merger, the Company and/or the Company's  subsidiaries shall
          pay to HCFA such amounts.

               (ii) In  furtherance of satisfying  the closing  condition  under
          Section 9.26  hereof,  at the request of the  Principal  Shareholders,
          Buyer shall pay over by delivery of certified  check or wire  transfer
          such amount of the Principal Shareholders' Merger Consideration to The
          Coastal  Bank of Georgia  (the  "Share  Release  Amount")  as shall be
          necessary  to obtain  the Share  Releases  (as such term is defined in
          Section 9.26 hereof).

          (b) At any time after the Effective  Time of Merger,  Buyer,  the sole
     shareholder of Newco,  upon surrender of the stock  certificate  evidencing
     all outstanding shares of Newco, shall


                                        3


<PAGE>



     be  entitled  to receive in exchange  therefor a  certificate  representing
     shares of stock of the Company,  calculated on a one-to-one basis. Until so
     surrendered,  each such  certificate  that,  prior to the Effective Time of
     Merger, represented the outstanding shares of Newco stock will be deemed to
     evidence  such shares of the stock of the  Company.  Upon the  surrender of
     such certificate evidencing Newco stock, they shall be duly canceled.

          (c) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions  hereof,  the Plan of
     Merger and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "GCL")
     and laws of the State of Georgia,  at the Effective  Time of Merger,  Newco
     shall be merged with and into the Company.  Each party hereto  approves and
     agrees to the Certificate of Merger and shall execute, deliver and file, or
     shall cause to be  executed,  delivered  and filed,  all such  instruments,
     covenants, agreements,  certificates and documents as shall be necessary to
     effectuate the  Certificate  of Merger on the Closing Date (as  hereinafter
     defined).

          (d)  Notwithstanding  any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
     if holders of Company  Shares are entitled to demand  appraisals  for their
     Company Shares under the laws of the State of Georgia,  the following shall
     apply.  Any Company  Shares held by a holder who had demanded  appraisal of
     such holder's  Company  Shares in accordance  with such laws and who, as of
     the Effective Time of Merger,  has neither  effectively  withdrawn nor lost
     the right to such appraisal ("Dissenting  Shares"),  shall not be converted
     into or  represent  a right to receive  the Merger  consideration,  but the
     holder thereof shall only be entitled to such rights as are granted by such
     laws.

         2.3      CONTINGENT PAYMENTS.

          (a) Buyer shall pay to the  Shareholders the Contingent  Payments,  if
     any, as set forth in this Section 2.3.

          (b) (i) The  Contingent  Payments  shall  be  payable  in  respect  of
     calendar years ending  December 31, 1999,  December 31, 2000,  December 31,
     2001 and December 31, 2002.

               (ii) The  amount of the  Contingent  Payment  in  respect  of any
          calendar  year  shall  not  exceed  the   Cumulative   Maximum  Amount
          applicable to such  calendar year as defined and set forth below,  and
          otherwise  shall equal $20  multiplied  by the amount by which (x) the
          total  number of Home  Health  Visits (as defined  below)  during such
          calendar  year  exceeds  (y) the Base  Number  of Home  Health  Visits
          applicable to such calendar year as set forth below.


          (c) Subject to Buiyer's indemnification and offset rights as set forth
     in Section 11.6 below,  the Contingent  Payments in respect of any calendar
     year shall be paid as soon as practicable but no later than forty-five (45)
     days after the last day of such calendar year,  together with documentation
     reasonably  satisfactory  to Principal  Shareholders  evidencing the actual
     number of Home Health Visits for such calendar year.

                                        4


<PAGE>

               (i) For these purposes "Home Health Visits" means all home health
          visits,  whether  pursuant  to  Medicare,  Medicaid,   private-pay  or
          otherwise  made in the home  health  care  operations  of Buyer,  on a
          consolidated basis (the "Home Health Division").

               (ii)  (A)  The  "Cumulative  Maximum  Amount"  applicable  to the
          calendar year ending December 31, 1999 shall be $20 million.  The Base
          Number of Home Health  Visits  applicable  to such  calendar year (the
          "1999 Base") shall be 9,200,000.

                    (B)  The  "Cumulative  Maximum  Amount"  applicable  to  the
               calendar year ending  December 31, 2000 shall be $55 million less
               any  Contingent  Payments  made during  prior  periods.  The Base
               Number of Home Health  Visits  applicable  to such  calendar year
               (the "2000 Base") shall be equal to the 1999 Base plus the number
               of Home Health Visits  during the calendar  year ending  December
               31, 1999 for which a Contingent Payment became due.

                    (C)  The  "Cumulative  Maximum  Amount"  applicable  to  the
               calendar year ending December 31, 2001 shall be $100 million less
               any  Contingent  Payments  made during  prior  periods.  The Base
               Number of Home Health  Visits  applicable  to such  calendar year
               (the "2001 Base") shall be equal to the 2000 Base plus the number
               of Home Health Visits  during the calendar  year ending  December
               31, 2000 for which a Contingent Payment became due.

                    (D)  The  "Cumulative  Maximum  Amount"  applicable  to  the
               calendar  year ending  December 31, 2002 shall be $127.5  million
               less any Contingent Payments made during prior periods.  The Base
               Number of Home Health  Visits  applicable  to such  calendar year
               (the "2002 Base") shall be equal to the 2001 Base plus the number
               of Home Health Visits  during the calendar  year ending  December
               31, 2001 for which a Contingent Payment became due.

          (d)  Buyer  agrees  that  if  it  sells,  disposes  of,  or  otherwise
     eliminates  any of the  agencies  constituting  any part of the Home Health
     Division,  then it  shall  add to the  number  of Home  Health  Visits  for
     subsequent  periods the  proportionate  number of Home  Health  Visits that
     would   otherwise  have  occurred  in  such   subsequent   periods,   which
     proportionate  amount  shall  be  calculated  at the end of each  remaining
     calendar year. If Buyer sells all or  substantially  all of the Home Health
     Division,  unless otherwise paid by the acquiror,  Buyer's obligation under
     this Section 2.3 shall survive such sale or disposition,  and the number of
     Home Health Visits for the year of the sale or disposition and future years
     shall be computed  by using the number of Home  Health  Visits for the year
     before the sale or disposition and increasing such number by 8% annually.

         2.4      CLOSING DATE BALANCE SHEET.

          (a) At the Closing, the Principal Shareholders shall cause the Company
     to deliver to Buyer a written  statement of the Company that the  Company's
     Executive Vice President and Chief

                                        5


<PAGE>



     of Corporate Staff certifies to be his good faith estimate of the Company's
     balance sheet as of the Closing Date (the "Closing Date Balance Sheet").

          (b) As soon as is  reasonably  practicable,  but in any  event  within
     sixty (60) days  following  the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall cause KPMG Peat
     Marwick LLP, to complete,  at Buyer's  expense,  a full-scope  audit of the
     Company's   Closing  Date  Balance  Sheet  and  the  related   consolidated
     statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for the period
     from January 1, 1996,  through the Closing  Date,  to verify the  Company's
     current  assets and current  liabilities  as of the Closing Date, and shall
     deliver to the  Principal  Shareholders  its written  report (the  "Working
     Capital Audit") setting forth the amount of such current assets and current
     liabilities.  Buyer will cause the auditors to consult  with the  Principal
     Shareholders  from  time  to  time  during  such  audit.  If the  Principal
     Shareholders  dispute  the  amount  of the  reduction  as set  forth in the
     Working  Capital  Audit,   the  parties  agree  to  utilize  the  following
     procedures to resolve such dispute:

               (i)  Within  sixty  (60) days  after  delivery  to the  Principal
          Shareholders of the Working Capital Audit, the Principal  Shareholders
          may  deliver to Buyer a written  report (the  "Shareholders'  Report")
          from an independent  accounting firm which the Principal  Shareholders
          select (the  "Shareholders'  Accountants")  advising Buyer either that
          Shareholders' Accountants (A) agree with the Working Capital Audit, or
          (B)  that  one  or  more  adjustments  are  required.   The  Principal
          Shareholders  shall bear the costs and expenses of the services of the
          Shareholders' Accountants.  If Buyer shall concur with the adjustments
          the Shareholders'  Accountants  propose,  or if Buyer shall not object
          thereto in a writing  that it delivers to the  Principal  Shareholders
          within (30) days after Buyer's receipt of a Shareholders'  Report, the
          calculation of current assets and current  liabilities (as so adjusted
          in such  Shareholders'  Report)  shall  become  final and shall not be
          subject to further review,  challenge or adjustment,  absent fraud. If
          the Principal Shareholders do not submit a Shareholders' Report within
          the 60-day  period  provided  herein,  then the Working  Capital Audit
          shall  become  final and  shall  not be  subject  to  further  review,
          challenge or adjustment, absent fraud.

               (ii) In the event  that the  Principal  Shareholders  submit  the
          Shareholders'  Report and Buyer and the Shareholders'  Accountants are
          unable  to  resolve  with  Buyer the  disagreements  set forth in such
          report  within  thirty  (30) days after the date of the  Shareholders'
          Report, then such disagreements shall be referred to a recognized firm
          of independent  certified public  accountants  experienced in auditing
          home health care companies that the Principal  Shareholders  and Buyer
          mutually  select (or if they cannot  agree on such  selection,  then a
          "big six" accounting firm selected by lot, other than Price Waterhouse
          LLP or KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ) (the "Settlement Accountants"), and the
          determination of the Settlement  Accountants  shall be final and shall
          not be subject to further  review,  challenge  or  adjustment,  absent
          fraud.  The  Settlement  Accountants  shall use their best  efforts to
          reach a  determination  not more than  forty-five (45) days after such
          referral.  Buyer shall pay the costs and  expenses of the  services of
          the Settlement  Accountants if it is determined that there will be any
          adjustment to the Working  Capital  Audit;  otherwise,  if there is no
          adjustment,  the  Principal  Shareholders  shall  pay such  costs  and
          expenses of the Settlement Accountants.

                                        6


<PAGE>



          (c) Buyer shall be  entitled  to be  indemnified  in  accordance  with
     Section  11.2(e)  hereof,  if the Working  Capital Audit discloses that the
     Company's  current  liabilities as of the Closing Date exceed the Company's
     current  assets as of the Closing  Date by more than  $34,000,000.  In such
     event,  Buyer  shall be  entitled to  indemnity  in an amount  equal to the
     amount by which the  excess  (the  "Current  Liabilities  Excess")  of such
     current  liabilities over such current assets is greater than  $34,000,000.
     For  purposes  hereof,  current  assets and  current  liabilities  shall be
     determined on a consolidated  basis in accordance  with generally  accepted
     accounting  principles  consistently  applied,  and  subject  also  to  the
     condition that any accrual or reserve on the Closing Date Balance Sheet for
     Medicare  recoupment  shall not be  included  in  current  liabilities  for
     purposes of determining the Current Liabilities Excess.

                              ARTICLE III THE CLOSING

         3.1    TIME AND PLACE OF CLOSING.  The Closing of the transactions that
this  Agreement  contemplates  (the  "Closing")  shall  take place at offices of
Hunton &  Williams  in  Atlanta,  Georgia  three  (3)  business  days  after the
satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions  precedent set forth in Articles IX
and X hereof,  or at such other time and place upon which the parties may agree.
The date on which the Closing is held is hereinafter called the "Closing Date."

         3.2    FILINGS AT CLOSING.  On the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall file the
Certificate of Merger or such other  certificates,  instruments and documents as
shall be required in order to effect the Merger in accordance  with the Delaware
General  Corporation  Law, and the Company  shall file the Articles of Merger in
accordance  with the  Official  Code of Georgia  Annotated.  Each of Buyer,  the
Company,  Newco and Principal Shareholders shall take all lawful actions and use
their  respective best efforts to cause the Merger to become effective as of the
Closing Date (or as promptly thereafter as possible).

         3.3    EFFECTIVE  TIME.  The Merger shall become  effective at the time
the Plan of Merger or such other  instrument as the Delaware  Secretary of State
shall  require is made  effective  under the laws of the State of Delaware  (the
"Effective Time of Merger").


               ARTICLE IV: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE

                     PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND THE COMPANY

         Each Principal Shareholder and the Company hereby represent and warrant
to Buyer as follows:

         4.1    ORGANIZATION  AND  STANDING  OF THE  COMPANY.  The  Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Georgia. Each of the Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 4.2) is
a corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the
laws of the state of its incorporation. The Company and each Subsidiary are duly
qualified  to do business  in each state  where the failure to so qualify  would
have a material adverse

                                       7


<PAGE>




effect on their respective  businesses.  Copies of the Articles of Incorporation
and By-Laws of the Company and the Subsidiaries,  and all amendments  thereof to
date, have been delivered to Buyer and are complete and correct. The Company and
the  Subsidiaries  have the power and  authority  to own the property and assets
they now own and to  conduct  the  businesses  they  presently  conduct,  and to
execute and deliver this Agreement and each  Transaction  Document (as such term
is hereinafter  defined) and to carry out the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and thereby.

         4.2    SUBSIDIARIES.  Except as described on Schedule  4.2, the Company
has no equity interest or investment in any other corporation, limited liability
company,  partnership,  joint  venture  or  other  entity  or  association.  The
subsidiaries  of the Company as described on Schedule 4.2 are referred to herein
collectively as the "Subsidiaries."

         4.3    ABSENCE  OF  CONFLICTING  AGREEMENTS.  Except  as  disclosed  in
Schedule  4.3,  the  execution  and  delivery by the Company of this  Agreement,
including  all  Schedules  and  Exhibits  hereto,  and of the other  agreements,
instruments,   documents  and  certificates   required  or  contemplated  hereby
("Transaction   Documents"),   and  the   performance  by  the  Company  of  the
transactions   contemplated  hereby  and  thereby,  do  not  conflict  with,  or
constitute a breach of or a default under (i) the Articles of  Incorporation  or
By-Laws of the Company; or (ii) to the Company's knowledge,  any applicable law,
rule, judgment,  order, writ,  injunction,  or decree of any court, or (iii) any
applicable  rule  or  regulation  of  any   governmental   authority  or  fiscal
intermediary; or (iv) any material agreement,  indenture, contract or instrument
to which the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  is now a party or by which any
of the assets of the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  are bound. The Company
has taken all necessary  corporate  action to execute,  deliver and perform this
Agreement and each Transaction  Document and to perform each of the transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby.  The Company has duly  executed and  delivered
this  Agreement.  When the Company  executes and delivers this  Agreement,  each
Transaction  Document will be the legal,  valid and binding  obligations  of the
Company,  enforceable  against it in  accordance  with their  respective  terms,
except  to the  extent  that  enforcement  may  be  limited  by (x)  bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights generally or (y) general principles of equity.

         4.4    CONSENTS.   Except  as   disclosed   on  Schedule   4.4,  or  as
contemplated  by Article  XIII  hereof,  no  authorization,  consent,  approval,
license,  exemption by, or filing or registration with, any court,  governmental
or   quasi-governmental   department,   commission,   board,   bureau,agency  or
instrumentality,  domestic  or foreign  (Federal,  state or local) is or will be
necessary in connection  with the  execution,  delivery and  performance  by the
Company of this Agreement or of any of the Transaction Documents.

         4.5    COMPANY  SHARES.  Schedule  4.5 sets forth a  complete  list and
description of the authorized capital stock of the Company, the number of shares
issued and  outstanding  of each class or series of such capital  shares and the
identity of each  Shareholder of the Company,  in each case indicating the class
and number of shares held.  All of such shares  shown as issued and  outstanding
are duly authorized,  validly issued,  fully paid and non-assessable.  Except as
disclosed  on Schedule  4.5,  none of such shares is held in the treasury of the
Company. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.5, the Principal Shareholders are the
record and  beneficial  owners of the number of shares set forth  opposite their
respective names on Schedule 4.5, which shares are free and clear of any and all
liens,

                                        8


<PAGE>


claims,  security  interests,  mortgages,  pledges,  charges,  rights of setoff,
restraints  on  transfers  and  encumbrances  of any kind or  nature  whatsoever
("Liens").  Schedule 4.5 sets forth a list of all currently  outstanding options
and warrants for the purchase of securities of the Company,  and the identity of
each holder of any Company  Options as well as certain  other  claims to options
more fully described in Schedule 4.12. At the Closing, each Company Option shall
have been  converted  into Per  Option  Merger  Consideration  or  cancelled  in
accordance with all applicable  law. At the Effective Time of the Merger,  there
will be no preemptive or similar rights to purchase or otherwise acquire capital
shares of the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  pursuant to any  provision of
law or the  Articles  of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries or by agreement or otherwise.  At the Effective Time of the Merger,
except for the claims for options  that are  described on Schedule  4.12,  there
shall not be outstanding any warrants,  options or other rights to subscribe for
or purchase from the Company or the Principal  Shareholders any capital stock of
the Company,  nor shall there be outstanding any securities  convertible into or
exchangeable for such capital stock.

         4.6    TRADEMARKS. Schedule 4.6 sets forth a complete and accurate list
of all  registered  trademarks,  service  marks,  copyrights  and other items of
intellectual  property that the Company or any of the Subsidiaries  own, possess
or use,  and any  applications  for any of the  same.  There  are no  claims  or
proceedings  pending or, to the  knowledge  of  Principal  Shareholders  and the
Company,  overtly  threatened  against  the  Company or any of the  Subsidiaries
asserting that the use of any of the aforementioned intellectual property rights
infringes the rights of any other person, and, to the knowledge of the Principal
Shareholders  and  the  Company,  the  Company  and  the  Subsidiaries  are  not
infringing on the intellectual property rights of any other person.

         4.7    CONTRACTS.  Schedule  4.7 sets forth a complete and correct list
of all  contracts  of the  following  types to which the  Company  or any of the
Subsidiaries  is a party or by which the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  or
any of the assets of the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries are bound and as to
which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has any outstanding  obligations as
of the date hereof (the "Contracts"):

          (a)  each  contract  for  the  employment,   retention,  severance  or
     termination of any director, officer, employee,  consultant, agent or group
     of employees  of the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries,  each  collective
     bargaining  agreement covering any group of employees of the Company or any
     of the Subsidiaries  and each  noncompetition,  confidentiality  or similar
     agreement with any such person or persons;

          (b) each profit  sharing,  bonus,  incentive,  deferred  compensation,
     stock option, stock purchase,  severance pay, thrift, pension,  retirement,
     hospitalization or other similar plan, agreement or arrangement;

          (c)  each  contract  or  option  for the  sale  of any of the  assets,
     properties or rights of the Company or any Subsidiary  outside the ordinary
     course of business,  (whether or not such sale would be  accomplished  by a
     sale of assets, a sale of shares, a merger or otherwise);

          (d) each contract which contains any provisions  requiring the Company
     or any of the  Subsidiaries  to  indemnify  or act for any other  person or
     entity or to guaranty or act as surety for

                                        9


<PAGE>

     any other person or entity, except for any contract under which the Company
     or any of the Subsidiaries is obligated for less than $50,000;

          (e) each contract  restricting the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries
     from  conducting any type of business for any period of time or restricting
     their use or disclosure of any confidential or proprietary information;

          (f) each partnership,  joint venture or management contract or similar
     arrangement or agreement  which involves a right to share profits or future
     payments;

          (g)  each  licensing,   distributor,   dealer,  franchise,   sales  or
     manufacturer's  representative,  agency  or other  similar  contract  which
     entails  aggregate  payments by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of
     more than $50,000;

          (h) each contract  under which the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries
     performs services;

          (i) each  lease,  license,  sublease,  sublicense  or  agreement  with
     respect to any real property or aIny interest therein;

          (j)  each  lease,   license,   sublease,   sublicense,   agreement  or
     arrangement  with respect to the use or ownership of any tangible  personal
     property  by the  Company  or any of the  Subsidiaries  and  which  entails
     aggregate annual payments of more than $25,000; and

          (k) any other agreement which entails aggregate annual payments by the
     Company or any of the Subsidiaries of more than $50,000;

          (l) each  agreement  pursuant  to which any  professional  of the type
     described under 42 C.F.R.  ss.410.20(b)  renders  services on behalf of the
     Company;

          (m) each  agreement with referral  sources,  whether or not related to
     the  referrals,  including  "sub-contracting  agreements"  with  respect to
     Medicare and Medicaid patients.

         Except as set forth on Schedule  4.7,  each of the  Contracts is valid,
binding and  enforceable  in accordance  with its terms and is in full force and
effect.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, neither the Company nor any of the
Subsidiaries is in default under any material  provision of any Contract and has
not given any party to any  contract any written  notice of default,  set-off or
claim  of  default.  To the  knowledge  of the  Principal  Shareholders  and the
Company,   the  parties  to  the  Contracts  other  than  the  Company  and  the
Subsidiaries are not in default of any of their respective obligations under the
Contracts,  and there has not  occurred any event which with the passage of time
or the giving of notice (or both) would  constitute a default under any Contract
by  such  other  parties.  All  amounts  payable  by the  Company  or any of the
Subsidiaries  under the Contracts are, and will at the Closing Date, be current.
The Company has either  delivered or made available to Buyer complete  copies of
each of the Contracts or written descriptions in reasonable detail of the same.


                                       10


<PAGE>


         4.8      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

          (a) The consolidated  unaudited balance sheet (the "Balance Sheet") of
     the Company and the  Subsidiaries  as of September  30, 1995 (the  "Balance
     Sheet Date"),  and the consolidated  unaudited balance sheet of the Company
     and the Subsidiaries (the "New Balance Sheet") as of December 31, 1995 (the
     "New Balance Sheet  Date"),  and the related  statements of operations  and
     accumulated deficit and statements of cash flows for the nine- month period
     and the year then  ended,  respectively,  present  fairly  in all  material
     respects the  financial  condition and results of operations of the Company
     and the Subsidiaries at and for the periods therein  specified,  subject to
     normal,  recurring audit adjustments,  and were prepared in accordance with
     generally  accepted  accounting  principles  applied on a consistent basis.
     Such  statements  of  operation  do not  contain  any items of  special  or
     nonrecurring  income or expense  or any other  income not earned or expense
     not  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business  except  as  expressly
     specified therein.

          (b) The audited balance sheets of the Company and the  Subsidiaries as
     of December 31, 1993 and 1994, and the related  statement of operations and
     accumulated  deficit and  statement  of cash flows for the year then ended,
     that the  Company  previously  delivered  to Buyer,  present  fairly in all
     material respects the financial  condition and results of operations of the
     Company and the  Subsidiaries  at and for the period therein  specified and
     were prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles
     applied on a consistent  basis. Such statements of operation do not contain
     any items of special or nonrecurring  income or expense or any other income
     not earned or expense  not  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business
     except as expressly specified therein.

          (c) Except as set forth on Schedule  4.8(c) or as expressly  set forth
     on the Balance  Sheet,  at the Balance Sheet Date or as expressly set forth
     on the New Balance  Sheet,  at the New Balance Sheet Date,  the Company and
     the  Subsidiaries  have no material  liabilities  or  obligations  (whether
     absolute,  accrued,  contingent  or otherwise  and whether due or to become
     due, including,  without  limitation,  any guarantees of any obligations of
     any other  person or entity) of any kind or nature which was or is required
     by generally accepted accounting  principles to be reflected in a corporate
     balance sheet and/or the notes thereto.

         4.9    MATERIAL  CHANGES.  Except as  expressly  set forth in detail on
Schedule  4.9,  since the Balance  Sheet Date,  there has not been any  material
adverse  change  in the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise)  of  the  assets,
properties or operations of the Company,  whether or not covered by insurance or
other indemnity, and during such period of time the Company and the Subsidiaries
have  conducted  their  businesses  in the  ordinary  course,  and have  made no
payments or distributions to any Shareholder other than compensation paid in the
ordinary  course of business,  except as otherwise  expressly  permitted by this
Agreement.

         4.10   LICENSES;  PERMITS;  CERTIFICATES  OF NEED.  Schedule  4.10 sets
forth   a   description   of  (a)   all   licenses   and   other   governmental,
quasi-governmental or other regulatory permits,  authorizations or approvals for
the Company and the Subsidiaries that are now in effect; (b) all Certificates of
Need  issued  with  respect to the home  health  agencies of the Company and the
Subsidiaries that are now in effect; and (c) each other license, permit or other
authorization  that is necessary for the operation of such agencies (a "License"
and  collectively  the   "Licenses").   The

                                       11


<PAGE>

Licenses constitute all of the governmental,  quasi-governmental  and regulatory
licenses,  permits and authorizations necessary to the operation of the business
of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  as it is operated on the date hereof.  The
Company has made available to Buyer copies of all of the Licenses. Except as set
forth on  Schedule  4.10,  the  Company  and its  Subsidiaries  own,  possess or
otherwise have the exclusive legal right to use the Licenses,  free and clear of
all Liens.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10,  each License is in full force
and effect,  and neither the Company nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has  received
written  notice of any  proceeding to terminate or suspend any License or of any
condition  or event  (other  than  survey  deficiencies  which  singly or in the
aggregate  would not be material  to any home health  agency that the Company or
any of the  Subsidiaries  operates)  which,  if  uncured,  would  result  in the
termination  or  suspension  of any  License.  None  of the  Licenses  are:  (a)
provisional,  probationary,  or  restricted  in any  way  except  to the  extent
qualified by any  outstanding  deficiencies  or citations,  particulars of which
have been set forth on  Schedule  4.10;  or (b)  subject  to any  investigation,
cancellation,   impairment,   limitation,   order,  complaint,   proceeding,  or
suspension  nor is such  threatened or pending.  Except as set forth on Schedule
4.10,  all Licenses are in full force and effect.  No  conditions  not generally
applicable  to home health  agencies  requiring  changes in the operation of the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries have been imposed, formally or informally, by
any License issuer during the past twenty-four (24) months.

         4.11     TITLE, CONDITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.

          (a) Except as  disclosed  on  Schedule  4.11(a),  the  Company and its
     Subsidiaries  have good and indefeasible  title to, or valid and subsisting
     leasehold  interests  in, all of the  personal  property  reflected  on the
     Balance  Sheet and located at or used in  connection  with the operation of
     their businesses, subject to no Liens whatsoever other than Permitted Liens
     (as defined below).  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.11(a) and except for
     Permitted  Liens, no other person has any right to the use or possession of
     any  of  such  personal  property  and  no  currently  effective  financing
     statement  relating to any such personal  property has been filed under the
     Uniform  Commercial  Code  in any  jurisdiction,  and the  Company  and its
     Subsidiaries have not signed any currently effective financing statement or
     any security agreement  authorizing any secured party to file any financing
     statement.  All  personal  property  comprising  equipment,   improvements,
     furniture and other tangible  personal  property that the Company or any of
     its Subsidiaries  use, whether owned or leased, is sufficient to enable the
     Company  and its  Subsidiaries  to  operate  their  businesses  in a manner
     consistent with their operation  during the  immediately  preceding  twelve
     (12) months.

          (b) "Permitted Liens" shall mean

               (i)   carriers',   warehouseman's,   mechanic's,   materialmen's,
          repairmen's  or other similar liens arising in the ordinary  course of
          business and not reflected on applicable  public records,  or any such
          liens bonded or properly reserved against; and

               (ii) deposits to secure the performance of bids,  trade contracts
          (other than for  borrowed  money),  leases and  statutory  obligations
          incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

               (iii)  rights of parties  under  Contracts  set forth on Schedule
          4.7;

                                       12


<PAGE>


               (iv)   pledges  or  deposits   in   connection   with   workman's
          compensation,   unemployment  insurance,  and  other  social  security
          legislation; and

               (v) liens described on Schedule 4.11(a).

         4.12   LEGAL  PROCEEDINGS.  Other than as set forth on  Schedule  4.12,
there  are  no  legal  or  equitable  claims,   actions,   suits,   proceedings,
arbitrations or investigations,  either administrative or judicial, pending, or,
to  the  knowledge  of the  Principal  Shareholders  and  the  Company,  overtly
threatened  against  the  Company  or any  of its  Subsidiaries  and  which,  if
adversely  determined against the Company, (i) would involve a loss or liability
to the Company which exceeds insurance proceeds and the amount of any applicable
reserves on the Balance Sheet by Fifty  Thousand  ($50,000)  Dollars or more, or
(ii) would interfere with the Company's  ability to consummate the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

         4.13   EMPLOYEES. Schedule 4.13 contains a complete and correct list of
the name, position and 1995 W-2 compensation of (i) each employee of the Company
or any of its  Subsidiaries  who earns gross  compensation in excess of $100,000
per  year,  and (ii)  each  consultant  or agent  of the  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  (other  than  lawyers  and  accountants)  who  regularly  receives
compensation  in excess of $100,000  per year.  Except as  described on Schedule
4.13 and on Schedule 4.7(b), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
any  retirement  or welfare  benefit plan  applicable  to any of its  employees.
Except as  described  on  Schedule  4.13,  neither  the  Company  nor any of its
Subsidiaries  has  liability  for any  accrued and unpaid  employee  benefits or
compensation  (including  accrued  vacation  and sick  days) for which  adequate
accruals are not reflected on the Company's  Balance  Sheet.  Schedule 4.13 also
sets forth a description of each written  guideline or policy of the Company and
the Subsidiaries (whether or not enforceable)  applicable generally to employees
with respect to vacations, sick days and termination of employment.

         4.14   COLLECTIVE  BARGAINING,  LABOR  CONTRACTS,  EMPLOYMENT PLANS AND
PRACTICES,  ETC. During the two years prior to the Closing Date,  there has been
no  material  adverse  change in the  relationship  between  the Company and its
Subsidiaries  and their  employees  generally  nor any strike or material  labor
disturbance by any employees and, to the knowledge of the Principal Shareholders
and the  Company,  there is no  indication  that such a change,  strike or labor
disturbance  is  likely.  No labor  union  or  similar  organization  represents
employees of the Company and the Subsidiaries and the Principal Shareholders and
the Company have no knowledge of pending or threatened  activities,  the purpose
of which is to achieve such  representation  of all or some of the  employees of
the  Company or its  Subsidiaries.  The Company  and the  Subsidiaries  have not
received  written  notice that they are not  currently  in  compliance  with the
requirements  of all Federal,  state and local  statutes,  rules and regulations
applicable to any of the employee  benefit plans,  agreements  and  arrangements
identified on Schedule 4.7 and Schedule  4.13 and, to the best  knowledge of the
Company and Principal Shareholders, except for the matters disclosed on Schedule
4.13, no basis exists for any such notice to be given.

         4.15   ERISA. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.15, neither the Company
nor any of the Subsidiaries  maintains or makes  contributions to and has not at
any time in the past maintained or made  contributions  to any employee  pension
benefit plan which is subject to the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 ("ERISA"), including without limitation, any minimum funding



                                       13


<PAGE>

standards.   The  Company  and  the   Subsidiaries   do  not  maintain  or  make
contributions  to,  and  have not at any  time in the  past  maintained  or made
contributions  to,  any   multiemployer   plan  subject  to  the  terms  of  the
Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendment Act of 1980.

         4.16   INSURANCE  AND  SURETY  AGREEMENTS.  Schedule  4.16  contains  a
correct  list  of:  (a) all  policies  of fire,  liability  and  other  forms of
insurance  that the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  own  (including but not
limited to professional  liability  insurance,  and any state- sponsored plan or
program for worker's compensation);  and (b) all bonds, indemnity agreements and
other  agreements  of  suretyship  made for or held by the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries,  including a brief  description  of the  character  of the bond or
indemnity agreement and the name of the surety or indemnifying  party.  Schedule
4.16 sets  forth for each such  insurance  policy the name of the  insurer,  the
amount of coverage, the type of insurance, the policy number, the annual premium
and a brief  description  of the nature of  insurance  included  under each such
policy.  The  Company or one of the  Subsidiaries  own each such  policy and the
proceeds  are  payable  solely to the  Company or one of the  Subsidiaries.  All
insurance  policies  listed on Schedule  4.16 are in full force and effect.  The
Company and the  Subsidiaries  have not  received  notice from any insurer of an
intention  to  terminate   or  modify  any  such   policies   other  than  under
circumstances  where the Company and the Subsidiaries have received a commitment
for a satisfactory replacement policy, nor have the Company and the Subsidiaries
failed to  comply  with any of the  material  conditions  contained  in any such
policies.

         4.17   RELATIONSHIPS.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.17 hereto,  no
Principal  Shareholder and no partner or affiliate of any Principal  Shareholder
has at any time within the last two (2) years had an  ownership  interest in any
business  (corporate or otherwise) that had any business  relationship  with the
Company  or  any  of  the  Subsidiaries  by  which  the  Company  or  any of the
Subsidiaries will be bound, or upon which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
will rely, after the Closing.

         4.18   ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18,
since the Balance  Sheet Date,  neither the Company nor any of the  Subsidiaries
has:

          (a) sold,  assigned or  transferred  any of its assets or  properties,
     except  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  and  consistent  with  past
     practice,

          (b)  mortgaged,  pledged  or  subjected  to  any  Lien,  other  than a
     Permitted  Lien or a Real Estate  Permitted  Lien, any of the assets of the
     Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

          (c) made or suffered  any  amendment  or  termination  of any Contract
     other than in the  ordinary  course of business  and  consistent  with past
     practice;

          (d) except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
     practice,  or  otherwise  to  the  extent  necessary  to  comply  with  any
     applicable  minimum wage law,  increased the salaries or other compensation
     of any of its employees,  agents or consultants identified on Schedule 4.13
     or made any increase in, or any additions  to, other  benefits to which any
     of such employees, agents or consultants may be entitled;


                                       14


<PAGE>

          (e)  failed  to  pay  or  discharge   when  due  any   liabilities  or
     obligations,  which  failure has caused or will likely  cause any  material
     damage  or will  likely  give  rise to the risk of a  material  loss to the
     Company or any of the Subsidiaries;

          (f)  changed  any of the  accounting  principles  it  followed  or the
     methods of applying such principles;

          (g) declared,  paid,  set aside or reserved any amounts for payment of
     any  dividend  or other  distribution  in  respect  of its  securities,  or
     redeemed  or  repurchased  or agreed to  redeem  or  repurchase  any of its
     securities;

          (h) failed to collect,  withhold and/or pay to any proper governmental
     agency  any  federal,  state  or  local  income,  franchise,   sales,  use,
     withholding  or similar tax that  applicable  law  requires  be  collected,
     withheld and/or paid;

          (i) instituted,  settled or agreed to settle any litigation, action or
     proceeding  before any court or  governmental  agency relating to it or its
     property  which will likely have or has had a materially  adverse affect on
     the condition (financial or otherwise),  properties,  assets,  liabilities,
     operations,   business  or   prospects   of  the  Company  or  any  of  the
     Subsidiaries; or

          (j) entered into any material  transaction  other than in the ordinary
     course of business and consistent with past practice.

         4.19   COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except for notices of  non-compliance  set
forth on Schedule  4.19 or as to which the Company and  Subsidiaries  have taken
corrective action acceptable to the applicable  governmental agency, neither the
Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has, within two (2) years preceding the date
of this  Agreement,  received any written notice that it failed to comply in any
material respect with any Federal,  state,  local or other  governmental laws or
ordinances,  or any  applicable  orders,  rules or  regulations  of any Federal,
state,  local  or  other  governmental  or   quasi-governmental   agency  having
jurisdiction over them  ("Governmental  Requirements").  Principal  Shareholders
shall report to Buyer, within ten (10) business days after receiving any written
notices that the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries is not in compliance in any
material  respect  with any of the  foregoing.  Except as set forth on  Schedule
4.19, the Company and Principal  Shareholders have no reason to believe that the
Company  and  the  Subsidiaries  are not in  compliance  with  all  Governmental
Requirements  applicable to them and their respective operations,  employees and
properties.

         4.20   FINDERS.  No broker or finder other than Hambrecht & Quist,  LLC
and its  affiliates  has acted for  Principal  Shareholders  or the  Company  in
connection with the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  and no other
broker or finder is entitled to any broker's or finder's fee or other commission
based  in  any  way on  agreements,  understandings  or  arrangements  with  any
Principal Shareholder or the Company or the Subsidiaries.

         4.21   TAX RETURNS.  Except as disclosed on Schedule  4.21, the Company
and the  Subsidiaries  have timely  filed all Federal,  state,  county and local
income, franchise, excise, property,  employment-related,  and other tax returns
and abandoned property reports (if any) that are due and

                                       15


<PAGE>



required  to be filed,  and have paid all taxes  (including  any  penalties  and
interest)  due with respect to such returns and reports.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule  4.21,  there are no claims,  liens or judgments for taxes due from the
Company  or any of the  Subsidiaries,  and  to the  knowledge  of the  Principal
Shareholders  and the  Company,  no basis for any such  claim,  lien or judgment
exists.

         4.22  ENCUMBRANCES  CREATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.  The execution and
delivery of this  Agreement  and the  Transaction  Documents  does not,  and the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and  thereby  will not,
create any liens or other  encumbrances  on any of the assets of the  Company or
the Subsidiaries.

         4.23     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

          (a) At any time  during  the  Company's  ownership  of the Owned  Real
     Property  (as  defined  in  Section  4.24)  and,  to the  knowledge  of the
     Principal  Shareholders and the Company,  prior to the Company's  ownership
     thereof,

               (i) Such Owned Real  Property  has not been used for the disposal
          of any  industrial  refuse  or waste,  including  but not  limited  to
          potentially  infectious waste,  blood-contaminated  materials or other
          wastes  generated  in the  course of patient  treatment  (collectively
          "Medical  Waste")  or  for  the  processing,   manufacture,   storage,
          handling,  treatment or disposal of any hazardous or toxic  substance,
          material or waste,  other than in the ordinary  course of business and
          in substantial compliance with applicable Governmental Requirements;

               (ii) Except as set forth in Schedule  4.23(a)(ii),  no  asbestos-
          containing  materials have been used or disposed of at such Owned Real
          Property or used in the construction of such Owned Real Property;

                                       16


<PAGE>



               (iii)   No   machinery,    equipment   or   fixtures   containing
          polychlorinated  biphenyls  ("PCBs")  are  located  at such Owned Real
          Property;

               (iv)  Except as set forth in  Schedule  4.23(a)(iv),  no  storage
          tanks for gasoline, petroleum or any other similar substance have been
          located at such Owned Real Property;

               (v) No Hazardous  Substances (as defined below) have been located
          at such Owned Real Property, which would subject the owner or occupant
          to damages,  penalties,  or liabilities,  and any obligation to remove
          such Hazardous  Substances has been met in compliance  with applicable
          Governmental Requirements; and

               (vi)   Within  the  last  two  (2)  years  the  Company  and  the
          Subsidiaries  have not received  written notice from any  governmental
          agency, except for notices of violation as to which the Company or the
          Subsidiaries have taken corrective action acceptable to the applicable
          governmental agency and as set forth in Schedule 4.23(a)(vi), claiming
          that the Owned Real  Property is not in material  compliance  with the
          environmental  laws  described  in 9(c) below or claiming any material
          violation  of any Federal,  state or local law,  rule,  regulation  or
          ordinance concerning the generation,  handling, storage or disposal of
          Medical Waste.

          (b) Schedule  4.23 lists all reports of health care and  environmental
     agencies that the Company or the Subsidiaries  received during the last two
     (2) years with respect to the operations of any of the Owned Real Property.
     The Company has delivered copies of such reports to Buyer.

          (c)  The  Company  is  in  material  compliance  with  all  applicable
     environmental  laws,  rules,   regulations  and  ordinances  regarding  the
     protection  of the  environment  and  applicable  to it and the Owned  Real
     Property,  including,  but not limited to, the  Resource  Conservation  and
     Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, the Comprehensive  Environmental Response
     Compensation  and  Liability  Act of 1980,  as amended,  the Federal  Water
     Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act, the Federal Toxic
     Substances  Control  Act,  as amended.  The  foregoing  representation  and
     warranty applies to all aspects of the operation of the Owned Real Property
     including,  but not  limited  to, the use,  handling,  treatment,  storage,
     transportation  and disposal of any hazardous,  toxic or infectious  waste,
     material  or  substance  (including  Medical  Waste or any other  Hazardous
     Substances).

          (d) The term  "Hazardous  Substance" as used in this  Agreement  shall
     include,  without limitation,  gasoline,  oil and other petroleum products,
     and related and similar materials, and any other substance or material that
     any federal, state or local law, ordinance,  rules or regulation defines as
     a hazardous, toxic or polluting substance or material.

         4.24     REAL PROPERTY.

          (a)  Schedule  4.24 sets forth a complete and correct list of all real
     property the Company or any  Subsidiary  owns (the "Owned Real  Property").
     The  Company  and the  Subsidiaries  have good and valid title to the Owned
     Real Property, free and clear of all liens,


                                       17


<PAGE>



     claims, charges,  easements,  encumbrances and title exceptions of any kind
     except for Real Estate Permitted Liens (as defined below).

          (b) Except as set forth on Schedule  4.24(b),  there are no agreements
     of the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries  as  sub-lessor  granting to any
     third party the right to use or occupy any of the Owned Real  Property  and
     no person has any  ownership  interest or option or right of first  refusal
     (which has not been waived) to acquire any ownership interest in any of the
     Owned Real Property or any building or improvements thereon;

          (c) The Company and the  Subsidiaries  have not  received  any written
     notices of violation  that remain in effect which prohibit the existing use
     of the structures presently comprising any of the Owned Real Property;

          (d) To the  knowledge of the Principal  Shareholders  and the Company,
     there is no plan, study or effort by any governmental agency which would in
     any material and adverse way affect the present use or zoning of any of the
     Owned Real  Property.  To the knowledge of Principal  Shareholders  and the
     Company,  there are no assessments or proposed  assessments and there is no
     existing,  proposed or  contemplated  plan to widen,  modify or realign any
     street or highway or any existing,  proposed or contemplated eminent domain
     proceedings  that would in any  material  and adverse way affect any of the
     Owned Real Property,

          (e) The buildings  and other  improvements  comprising  the Owned Real
     Property  and all of  their  systems,  including  without  limitation,  the
     heating,   ventilating  and  air   conditioning   systems,   the  plumbing,
     electrical,  mechanical  and  drainage  systems,  and  roofs  are  in  good
     operating  condition,  repair  and  working  order,  normal  wear  and tear
     excepted;

          (f) No assessment  for public  improvements  has been made against the
     Owned Real Property that remains unpaid, except for any assessments payable
     in installments that are not yet due at the time of the Closing.

          (g) All public utilities  required for the operation of the Owned Real
     Property either enter the property through adjoining public streets,  or if
     they pass through  adjoining  private land do so in  accordance  with valid
     easements.  Each parcel of Owned Real Property is adjacent to or has access
     to an abutting street;

          (h) There are no  easements  traversing  or  contiguous  to any of the
     Owned Real Property  which  interfere in any material  respect with the use
     and operation of thereof and which are not disclosed on any schedule hereto
     or shown on the surveys referred to in Section 9.14 hereof; and

          (i) Each parcel of Owned Real Property  complies  with all  applicable
     zoning regulations, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received
     any written notice of material  noncompliance from any governmental  agency
     regarding  any of the  improvements  constructed  at any of the Owned  Real
     Property or the use or occupancy thereof which remains uncured.

          (j) "Real Estate Permitted Liens" shall mean


                                       18


<PAGE>




               (i) Permitted Liens (as defined in Section 4.11(b));

               (ii)   easements,    rights-of-way,    restrictions   and   other
          encumbrances which, in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with
          the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary;

               (iii)  matters  which an  accurate  survey or  inspection  of the
          premises would disclose; and

               (iv) liens described on Schedule 4.24(j).

         4.25        LEASEHOLD  INTERESTS.  Schedule  4.25  hereto  sets forth a
complete  and  correct  list of all leases  pursuant  to which the  Company or a
Subsidiary  leases real property.  Each of the Company and the  Subsidiaries has
valid leasehold interests in all such real property free and clear of all liens,
claims,  charges and encumbrances of any kind  whatsoever,  except for Permitted
Liens.  The Company  has  provided  access to the Buyer to complete  and correct
copies of the leases identified in Schedule 4.25.

              ARTICLE V: ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                            OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

         Each of Principal  Shareholders hereby represents and warrants to Buyer
as follows:

         5.1   AUTHORITY.  Each Principal  Shareholder  has the full legal
power and authority to make, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the
Transaction  Documents to which he or she is a party. Such execution,  delivery,
performance and  consummation  have been duly authorized by all necessary action
on the part of such Principal  Shareholder,  and such Principal  Shareholder has
obtained or by the Closing  Date will have  obtained any  necessary  consents of
holders of indebtedness.

         5.2  BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement and all Transaction Documents
to which such Principal  Shareholder is a party constitute the legal,  valid and
binding  obligations of such  Principal  Shareholder,  enforceable  against such
Principal  Shareholder in accordance with their respective terms,  except to the
extent  that   enforcement  may  be  limited  by  (i)  bankruptcy,   insolvency,
reorganization,   moratorium  or  similar  laws  affecting  the  enforcement  of
creditors' rights generally or (ii) general principles of equity.

         5.3   ABSENCE OR CONFLICTING  AGREEMENTS.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule 5.3, the execution and delivery by each  Principal  Shareholder of this
Agreement and each Transaction  Document to which such Principal  Shareholder is
or shall be a party,  and the  performance by such Principal  Shareholder of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not conflict with, or constitute
a breach of or a default under any law or any judgment,  order, writ, injunction
or decree of any court applicable to such Principal Shareholder,  or any rule or
regulation of any other governmental or quasi-governmental  agency applicable to
such Principal Shareholder, or any agreement,  indenture, contract or instrument
to which such Principal Shareholder is now a party or by which any of the assets
of such Principal Shareholder is bound.


                                       19


<PAGE>




         5.4  CONSENTS.  No  authorization,  consent,  approval,  license,
exemption   by,   filing  or   registration   with  any  court,   government  or
quasi-governmental   department,    commission,   board,   bureau,   agency   or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is or will be necessary in connection with
the execution,  delivery and  performance by such Principal  Shareholder of this
Agreement  or any  of  the  Transaction  Document  or  any  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.

         5.5        OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY SHARES. Except as described on Schedule
5.5, each Principal Shareholder is the lawful record and beneficial owner of all
of the Company Shares shown as owned by such  Principal  Shareholder in Schedule
4.5, with good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of all Liens.

               ARTICLE VI: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         Buyer and  Newco  each  represents  and  warrants  to the  Company  and
Principal Shareholders as follows:

         6.1        ORGANIZATION AND STANDING.  Buyer and Newco are corporations
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
State of Delaware.  Copies of Buyer's and of Newco's  Articles of  Incorporation
and By-Laws,  and all amendment thereof have been delivered to the Company,  and
are complete and correct. Each of Buyer and Newco has the power and authority to
own the  property  and assets it now owns and to conduct  the  business  that it
presently conducts.

         6.2        ABSENCE OF CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS.  Neither the execution or
delivery by Buyer or Newco of this Agreement  (including  Schedules and Exhibits
hereto)  or any of the  Transaction  Documents,  nor  (except  for the  required
approval of Buyer's senior secured  lender) the performance by Buyer or Newco of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, conflicts with, or constitutes
a breach of or a default under (i) the Certificate of  Incorporation  or By-Laws
of Buyer or Newco;  or (ii) any  applicable  law or any judgment,  order,  writ,
injunction, or decree of any court or (iii) any applicable rule or regulation of
any  other  governmental  agency  or  quasi-governmental  agency,  or  (iv)  any
agreement,  indenture,  contract or  instrument to which Buyer or Newco is now a
party or by which any of the assets of Buyer or Newco is bound.  The  execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Transaction Document and the
performance of each of the transactions  contemplated hereby or thereby has been
authorized by all necessary  corporate action of the Company and of Newco, other
than, in the case of the Company, approval by its stockholders.

         6.3        CONSENTS.  Except   for the  consents  of  Buyer's  Board of
Directors,  the Buyer's senior secured lender, and filings pursuant to the H-S-R
Act, no  authorization,  consent,  approval,  license,  exemption  by, filing or
registration  with any court or  government  or  quasi-governmental  department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or


                                       20


<PAGE>



foreign, is or will be necessary in connection with the execution,  delivery and
performance  by  Buyer  or Newco  of this  Agreement  or any of the  Transaction
Documents.

         6.4        FINDERS. Buyer has not dealt with any broker or finder other
than  Hambrecht  &  Quist,  LLC  and  its  affiliates  in  connection  with  the
transactions  contemplated by this  Agreement,  and no other broker or finder is
entitled to any broker's or finder's fee or other commission based in any way on
agreements, understandings or arrangements with Buyer.

         6.5        POWER  AND  AUTHORITY.  Each  of  Buyer  and  Newco  has the
corporate  power and authority to execute,  deliver and perform this  Agreement,
and as of the Closing, each of Buyer and Newco will have the corporate power and
authority  to execute and deliver the  Transaction  Documents it must deliver to
the Company at the Closing.

         6.6        MATERIAL  CHANGES.  Except as noted on Schedule 6.6, between
September  30,  1995  and the  date of this  Agreement,  there  has not been any
material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the assets,
properties or operations of Buyer and its subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis,
whether or not  covered by  insurance,  and during such period of time Buyer has
conducted  its  business  only  in the  ordinary  course  consistent  with  past
practice.

         6.7        BINDING  EFFECT.   Each of Buyer and Newco has duly executed
and delivered this Agreement.  This Agreement is, and the Transaction  Documents
when Buyer and Newco execute and deliver them at the Closing will be, the legal,
valid and binding  obligation  of Buyer or Newco,  enforceable  against  them in
accordance  with their  respective  terms except to the extent that  enforcement
maybe  limited by (a)  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium  or
similar laws  affecting the  enforcement of creditors'  rights  generally or (b)
general principles of equity.

         6.8        CORPORATE OFFICE.  Buyer  has no present intention of moving
the Company's  principal  corporate office from Brunswick,  Georgia for five (5)
years following the Closing Date.

         6.9        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  Other than as set forth on Schedule 6.9,
there  are  no  legal  or  equitable  claims,   actions,   suits,   proceedings,
arbitrations or investigations,  either administrative or judicial,  pending, or
to the knowledge of the Buyer,  overtly  threatened  against the Buyer or any of
its subsidiaries that would interfere with the Buyer's ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                      ARTICLE VII: INFORMATION AND RECORDS

                      CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND THE BUYER

         7.1        BUYER'S  ACCESS  TO  INFORMATION AND RECORDS BEFORE CLOSING.
Prior to the  Closing  Date,  Buyer  may  investigate  the  financial  and legal
condition of the Company and the

                                       21


<PAGE>



Subsidiaries  as Buyer deems  necessary or advisable to familiarize  itself with
the Company and the  Subsidiaries  and/or matters  relating to their  respective
history or operations.  The Company and the Subsidiaries  shall permit Buyer and
its authorized representatives (including legal counsel and accountants) to have
full access to the books and records of the  Company and the  Subsidiaries  upon
reasonable  notice and during  normal  business  hours,  and the Company and the
Subsidiaries  will furnish to Buyer such  financial and operating data and other
information  and copies of  documents  with respect to the  products,  services,
operations  and assets of the Company and the  Subsidiaries  as Buyer shall from
time to time reasonably request.  The documents to which Buyer shall have access
shall  include,  but shall not be limited to, the tax  returns and related  work
papers of the Company and the Subsidiaries since inception and the Company shall
make  such  extracts  thereof  as Buyer or its  representatives  may  reasonably
request from time to time to enable Buyer and its representatives to investigate
the  affairs  of the  Company  and  the  Subsidiaries  and the  accuracy  of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement.  The Company shall request its
accountants to cooperate  with Buyer to disclose the results of audits  relating
to the Company and the  Subsidiaries  and to produce the working papers relating
thereto.

         7.2        COMPANY'S  ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND RECORDS BEFORE CLOSING.
Prior to the Closing Date,  Buyer will furnish to the Company such financial and
operating data and other information and copies of documents with respect to the
Buyer's products, services, operations and assets as the Company shall from time
to time  reasonably  request.  The  information  to which the Company shall have
access shall include only such  information  reasonably  necessary to enable the
Company  and  its   representatives   to   investigate   the   accuracy  of  the
representations  and  warranties  the Buyer made in this  Agreement  and will be
limited to publicly available information.

                 ARTICLE VIII: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNTIL

                            EFFECTIVE TIME OF MERGER

         8.1        CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING. Between the date hereof
and the Effective Time of Merger, each of the Company, each Subsidiary and Buyer
shall  maintain  its  existence  and shall  conduct its business in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice.


                                       22


<PAGE>



         8.2        NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. Without the prior written
approval of Buyer, which it shall not unreasonably withhold, neither the Company
nor any  Subsidiary  shall,  between the date hereof and the  Effective  Time of
Merger:

          (a)  cause  or  permit  to  occur  any of the  events  or  occurrences
     described in Section 4.18 (Absence of Certain Events) of this Agreement, or
     which would have caused any of the  representations  or  warranties  of the
     Company under this  Agreement to be untrue had the same  occurred  prior to
     the date hereof; or

          (b)  dissolve or merge or enter into a share  exchange  with any other
     entity; or

          (c) enter into any contract or  negotiations  in  connection  with any
     union  or  other  collective  bargaining  representative  representing  any
     employees at the Company or any Subsidiary; or

          (d) make any change to its Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws.

         8.3        AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.  Between  the  date  hereof  and  the
Closing, the Company or any Subsidiary shall:

          (a) maintain the physical assets of the Company and each Subsidiary in
     substantially  the  state of  repair,  order and  condition  as on the date
     hereof, reasonable wear and tear or loss by casualty excepted;

          (b) maintain in full force and effect its Licenses currently in effect
     unless any License is no longer  necessary for the operation of the Company
     or any Subsidiary;

          (c)  maintain  in full  force and effect the  insurance  policies  and
     binders  currently in effect or  replacements  thereof,  including  without
     limitation those listed on Schedule 4.16;

          (d)  utilize  reasonable  efforts to  preserve  the  present  business
     organization  of the  Company  and  each  Subsidiary,  keep  available  the
     services  of the  present  employees  and  agents of the  Company  and each
     Subsidiary, and maintain the relations and goodwill of the Company and each
     Subsidiary  with  suppliers,  employees and any others having business with
     any of them;

          (e) maintain  all of the books and records  relating to the Company or
     any Subsidiary in accordance with its past practices;

          (f)  comply  in all  material  respects  with  all  provisions  of the
     Contracts  listed in Schedule 4.17,  and with any other material  contracts
     into which the Company or any Subsidiary  entered in the ordinary course of
     business from the date of this Agreement until the

                                       23


<PAGE>



     Closing Date,  and comply in all material  respects with all material laws,
     rules and  regulations  applicable  to the  business  of the Company or any
     Subsidiary;

          (g) pay when due all taxes,  assessments,  charges  or levies  imposed
     upon the Company or any Subsidiary or on any of their respective properties
     or which it is required to withhold and pay; and

          (h)  promptly  advise  Buyer in writing of the threat or  commencement
     against  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary  of  any  claim,  action,  suit,
     proceeding,   arbitration  or  investigation   that  would  materially  and
     adversely  affect the  operations,  properties,  assets or prospects of the
     Company or any Subsidiary.

         8.4        PURSUIT  OF CONSENTS  AND  APPROVALS.  Prior to the Closing,
Buyer shall use  reasonable  efforts to obtain all consents and  approvals  from
governmental   agencies  and  all  other   parties   necessary  for  the  lawful
consummation   of  the   transactions   contemplated   hereby,   (the  "Required
Approvals"). The Principal Shareholders and the Company shall cooperate with and
use reasonable efforts to assist Buyer in obtaining all such approvals.

         8.5        SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  Within forty-five (45)
days after the end of each calendar month between the date of this Agreement and
the  Closing  Date,  the  Company  shall  provide to Buyer  unaudited  financial
statements  (including at a minimum,  income statements and a balance sheet) for
the calendar month and, if applicable,  the calendar quarter, then most recently
ended,  which statements  shall present fairly,  in all material  respects,  the
results of the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated
basis at such  date and for the  period  covered  thereby,  subject  to  normal,
recurring  audit   adjustments,   all  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles applied on a consistent basis;  provided,  however,  that
such financial statements need not include financial  information  pertaining to
ABC  Pharmaceuticals,  Inc.,  ABC  Continuecare,  Ltd. (a  Pennsylvania  limited
partnership), or ABC International, Inc.

         8.6        EXCLUSIVITY.   Until the earlier of the Closing  Date or the
termination  of this Agreement  pursuant to Section 12.1,  neither the Principal
Shareholders  nor the Company,  nor any of their  respective  affiliates,  shall
engage in any discussions or negotiations  directly or indirectly with any other
party in respect of the sale of the Company  Shares or of  substantially  all of
the assets of the Company,  or in respect of any merger,  consolidation or other
sale of the  Company  (any of said  transactions  being  referred to herein as a
"Prohibited Transaction").

         8.7        SOLICITATION OF STOCKHOLDERS.  The Company shall through its
board of directors  unanimously  recommend to its stockholders  approval of this
Agreement and the Merger and as promptly as  practicable  after the date of this
Agreement use its best efforts to obtain stockholder approval.

         8.8        DISSENTING STOCKHOLDERS.   The  Company shall give Buyer (a)
prompt notice of any demands the Company  receives from dissenting  stockholders
for payment of the fair value


                                       24


<PAGE>



for  their  Company  Shares  and  (ii) the  opportunity  to  participate  in all
negotiations  and  proceedings  with respect to such demands.  The Company shall
not,  except  with the prior  written  consent  of Buyer,  voluntarily  make any
payment  with  respect  to, or settle or offer to settle,  any such  demands for
payment.

         8.9        DELIVERY  OF  SCHEDULES.  The  Principal  Shareholders  will
deliver the Schedules to Buyer within  twenty (20)  business days  following the
date of this Agreement  except for Schedules under Section 4.23 and 4.24,  which
shall be  delivered  within  five (5)  business  days  after  each of the  title
commitment and the environmental compliance report is delivered. Buyer will have
the right to terminate  this  Agreement  forthwith upon notice to the Company if
any of the information  disclosed on the Schedules is not acceptable to Buyer in
its sole discretion, or if all of the Schedules have not been delivered to Buyer
within the required time period,  provided that such notice of termination  must
be given, if at all,  within a period (the "Schedule  Review Period") which ends
twenty (20) business days following the date on which all of the Schedules shall
have been  delivered to Buyer,  or,  except for  Schedules  4.23 and 4.24 (which
shall be delivered as  aforesaid),  if all of the Schedules are not delivered to
Buyer within twenty (20) business days hereof, the period which ends twenty (20)
business days following the date on which all of the Schedules were to have been
delivered.

         8.10       AUDIT.    The  Company  and  Principal   Shareholders  shall
cooperate  with KPMG Peat Marwick with respect to the  completion of an audit of
the Company's  consolidated  financial  statements as of and for the years ended
December 31, 1993,  1994,  and 1995. The costs of such audit with respect to the
1993 and 1994 financial  statements (the "1993-1994  Audit Costs") will be borne
one-half  by the  Company  and  one-half  by the  Buyer.  If this  Agreement  is
terminated pursuant to Section 12.1, the Company promptly shall pay to the Buyer
the Company's  portion of the 1993-1994 Audit Cost. The entire cost of the audit
of the  Company's  1995  financial  statement  will  be  paid  by  the  Company,
irrespective of whether the Closing occurs.

         8.11       DELIVERY  OF  EXHIBITS.   Buyer shall  deliver the  Exhibits
within ten days after the date hereof.  The Principal  Shareholders or the Buyer
shall have the right to terminate  this  Agreement  forthwith upon notice to the
parties if the  parties  are unable to agree on the  contents  of such  Exhibits
within  ten  days  after  Buyer  delivers  such  Exhibits  to  Buyer.  Principal
Shareholder  shall have the right,  in its sole  discretion,  to  terminate  the
Agreement  if Buyer fails to deliver  such  Exhibits  within the  required  time
period.

             ARTICLE IX: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS

         Buyer's   obligation  to  consummate  the  Merger  is  subject  to  the
fulfillment,  prior to or at the Closing,  of each of the following  conditions,
any one or more of which Buyer may waive in writing.  Upon failure of any of the
following  conditions,  Buyer may terminate  (without the necessity of obtaining
the consent of the Bankruptcy Court) this Agreement prior to Closing pursuant to
and in accordance with Article XII herein.


                                       25


<PAGE>




         9.1        REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES.  The  representations  and
warranties  of the  Principal  Shareholders  and the Company in Article IV and V
shall be true and  correct in all  material  respects  at and as of the  Closing
Date, as though such  representations and warranties were made at and as of such
time except to the extent affected by the transactions herein contemplated.

         9.2        PERFORMANCE OF COVENANTS. Each of the Principal Shareholders
and the Company shall have  performed or complied in all material  respects with
their respective agreements and covenants that this Agreement requires that they
perform or comply with prior to or at the Closing.

         9.3        DELIVERY  OF  CLOSING  CERTIFICATE.   Each of the  Principal
Shareholders  and the  Company  shall have  executed  and  delivered  to Buyer a
certificate  dated the Closing Date certifying that the conditions  contemplated
by Sections 9.1 and 9.2 have been satisfied.

          9.4       OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. The Company and Principal  Shareholders
shall have delivered to Buyer an opinion of their counsel dated the Closing Date
in the form of Exhibit 9.4.

         9.5        LEGAL MATTERS.  No  preliminary  or permanent  injunction or
other order  (including  a  temporary  restraining  order)  which  prevents  the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  shall be in
effect.

         9.6        AUTHORIZATION  DOCUMENTS.    Buyer  shall  have  received  a
certificate  of the Secretary or other officer of the Company  certifying a copy
of resolutions of board of directors and Shareholders  authorizing the Company's
execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement  and the  Transaction
Documents  (including,   without  limitation,   the  Plan  of  Merger)  and  the
transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby.  Buyer also shall have received a
certificate of the Secretary or other officer certifying as to the incumbency of
the Company's officers.

         9.7        MATERIAL  CHANGE.   Since the date of this  Agreement  there
shall not have been any material  adverse change in the condition  (financial or
otherwise) of the assets,  properties  or  operations  of the Company  except as
permitted in or contemplated by this Agreement.

         9.8      APPROVALS.

          (a)  The  consent  or  approval  of  all  persons  necessary  for  the
     consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall  have  been
     granted, including without limitation, the Required Approvals.

          (b) None of the  foregoing  consents or approvals  (i) shall have been
     conditioned  upon the  modification  or termination of any material  lease,
     Contract,  commitment,  license,  easement or other  authorization  or (ii)
     shall impose on Buyer any material condition or requirement with respect to
     the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective operations

                                       26


<PAGE>



     that is more restrictive than or different from the conditions imposed upon
     such operations prior to Closing.

         9.9        LABOR AGREEMENTS.    The Company shall not have entered into
any  contract  or  negotiations  with any union or other  collective  bargaining
representative  representing  (or seeking to  represent)  any  employees  of the
Company.

         9.10     REAL PROPERTY CONSENTS.

          (a) The  Company  shall  have used  reasonable  efforts  to obtain the
     consent of each landlord  with whom the Company or any of the  Subsidiaries
     has a lease of real property which, by its terms,  requires  consent in the
     event of a change of control of the Company,  and the written consent of at
     least  two-thirds  (2/3) of such landlords  shall have been received by the
     Company.   Buyer  shall  have  received   written   notice  from  Principal
     Shareholders  by the Closing  Date,  identifying  any landlord that has not
     given any necessary consent as of such date.

          (b) The  Company  shall  have  obtained  the  written  consent  of the
     respective  holders of each of the mortgages and deeds of trust  identified
     on Schedule 4.3 to the change of control contemplated hereunder.

          (c) The  Company  shall  have  obtained  the  written  consent  of IBM
     Corporation to the change of control contemplated hereunder.

         9.11       TITLE  INSURANCE.   Buyer shall have obtained  within thirty
(30) days after the date of this  Agreement,  at its own  expense  and at normal
rates, a title  commitment from a reputable  title insurance  company of Buyer's
choice (the "Title Company") for an owner's title policy, insuring the Company's
fee title in the Owned Real Property and insuring  that the  Company's  title to
such  property  shall be good and  marketable  and free and clear of all  liens,
assessments, restrictions, encumbrances, easements, leases, tenancies, claims or
rights of use or possession and other title  objections  ("Real Estate  Liens"),
except  for  Permitted  Liens,  Real  Estate  Permitted  Liens and the  standard
exceptions  normally  contained  in the ALTA Form B title  policy and  schedules
thereto;  provided,  however,  that at the request of Buyer,  the Company  shall
provide  affidavits  to the Title  Company or take such other actions that would
enable  the Title  Company  to remove any of such  standard  exceptions.  Within
thirty (30) days after the date of this  Agreement,  Buyer may obtain any survey
or engineering study, at Buyer's expense,  and if such survey or study discloses
any  material  discrepancy  or  exception  to  title  not  included  within  the
restrictions  permitted hereunder,  including Real Estate Permitted Liens, Buyer
may give written  notice to the Principal  Shareholders  and the Company  within
five (5) days after  Buyer's  receipt of such  report and give them up to thirty
(30) days  thereafter to correct any problem  identified  therein.  Upon Buyer's
full  compliance  with this Section 9.11 and in the absence of such  correction,
Buyer may consider such a breach of  representation  and warranty  under Section
9.1 above, subject to the provisions therein.


                                       27


<PAGE>



         9.12       ENVIRONMENTAL  COMPLIANCE.  Buyer shall have received within
thirty (30) days after the date of this Agreement, at its own expense, a written
report from a qualified  geotechnical  or  engineering  firm of Buyer's  choice,
concerning the presence of Hazardous Substances, asbestos or products containing
asbestos,  radon  and/or  ureaformaldehyde  insulation  on or in the Owned  Real
Property.  Such report shall disclose at a minimum:  (1) the results of a review
of prior uses of the Owned Real Property that local public records  disclose (2)
contacts  with local  officials  to  determine  whether any  records  exist with
respect to the disposal of Hazardous Substances at the Owned Real Property;  (3)
if deemed necessary by such engineering or geotechnical  firm, or by Buyer, soil
samples and groundwater samples consistent with good engineering  practice;  and
(4) evaluation of the surrounding areas for sensitive  environmental  receptors,
such as drinking water wells or aquifers, hospitals and schools.

         In the event  that such  report  states  that any  Hazardous  Substance
exists  at the  Owned  Real  Property  or that the Owned  Real  Property  is not
otherwise  in  material   compliance  with  applicable   environmental  laws  or
regulations, Buyer may give written notice to the Principal Shareholders and the
Company within five (5) days after Buyer's  receipt of such report and give them
up to thirty (30) days  thereafter  to correct any problem  identified  therein.
Upon Buyer's full  compliance  with this Section 9.12 and in the absence of such
correction,  Buyer may  consider  such a breach of  representation  and warranty
under Section 9.1 above, subject to the provisions therein.

         9.13       ENGINEERING  REPORT.  Buyer  shall have received within (30)
days after the date of this Agreement, at its own expense, an engineering survey
and report from a qualified engineering firm of Buyer's choice concerning a full
and complete  inspection of the Owned Real Property,  the physical soundness and
structural  integrity of the buildings and the condition (including freedom from
material  defect) of the heating,  air  conditioning,  plumbing  and  electrical
systems, the appliances of or in the buildings and other material components.

         In the event that such report  states that a material  problem  exists,
Buyer may give  written  notice to the  Principal  Shareholders  and the Company
within  five (5) days after  Buyer's  receipt of such report and give them up to
thirty (30) days to correct  such  problem.  In the absence of such  correction,
Buyer may consider such a breach of  representation  and warranty  under Section
9.1 above, subject to the provisions therein.

         9.14       SURVEYS.  Buyer shall have  received,  at  Buyer's  expense,
surveys from licensed surveyors of the Owned Real Property.

         9.15       TERMITE INSPECTIONS. Buyer shall have received within thirty
(30) days after the date hereof,  at Buyer's  expense,  reports  from  qualified
inspectors of Buyer's choice with respect to any termite, wood- boring insect or
other pest infestation at the Owned Real Property,  and/or resultant damage that
has not been corrected in all material respects.

         In the event that such report  states that a material  problem  exists,
Buyer may give  written  notice to the  Principal  Shareholders  and the Company
within five (5) days after Buyer's receipt


                                       28


<PAGE>


of such  report and give them up to thirty  (30) days to correct  such  problem.
Upon Buyer's full  compliance  with this Section 9.13 and in the absence of such
correction,  Buyer may  consider  such a breach of  representation  and warranty
under Section 9.1 above, subject to the provisions therein.

         9.16       NO  ADVERSE  LEGISLATION.  Between  the date  hereof and the
Closing Date, there shall not have been adopted any legislation, and there shall
not have been  adopted by HCFA any  regulation,  which  shall have the effect of
implementing  Medicare  reimbursement  rules applicable to the Company which are
not at least as favorable to the Company as the  prospective  pay  reimbursement
structure contained in that certain bill known and designated as H.R. 2491.

         9.17       SETTLEMENT RELEASES.  Within nine months of the date hereof,
Buyer shall have received agreements (the "Settlement Releases") that the Office
of the Inspector  General ("OIG") and HCFA have executed and that are reasonably
acceptable to Buyer  providing that none of the Company,  any Subsidiary and the
Buyer  will be held  liable  (including,  without  limitation,  by way of making
offsets) or responsible for any Medicare or Medicaid liability for periods prior
to the  Closing,  and  which  provide  for  the  withdrawal  of any  pending  or
threatened legal proceedings by OIG or HCFA which propose to exclude the Company
from Medicare or Medicaid  programs as set forth below.  HCFA shall have resumed
periodic  interim  payments  ("PIPs")  and agreed to pay to the Company all PIPs
withheld prior to Closing.

         9.18       SEVERANCE  AGREEMENTS.  The Company  shall have entered into
Severance  Agreements with Joel V. Mills,  David G. Mills and Lee Dobson, in the
form of Exhibit 9.18,  which  Severance  Agreements  shall provide for severance
benefits equal to three times the annual salary on the date hereof,  and premium
amounts on the date of termination of employment for life, health and disability
insurance  paid by the Company to or on behalf of him less  amounts paid to each
such individual after the Closing.

         9.19       LONG-TERM DEBT.  The aggregate amount of long-term debt  and
long-term  capital lease  obligations  of the Company,  determined in accordance
with generally accepted  accounting  principles  consistently  applied shall not
exceed $12,000,000.

         9.20       OPTIONS.  Each  of  the  Company  Options  shall  have  been
converted into the Per Option Merger Consideration.

         9.21       FINANCIAL.  Buyer  shall  have  received  (a) the  unaudited
consolidated  financial statements of the Company for each quarterly and monthly
period since  January 1, 1995,  through the Closing  Date,  (b) the Closing Date
Balance Sheet that the Company's Vice President and Chief of Corporate Staff has
certified in  accordance  with  Section  2.3,  and (c) the audited  consolidated
financial  statement  of the Company as of and for the year ended  December  31,
1995;  provided,  however,  that  such  financial  statements  need not  include
financial information pertaining to ABC Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ABC Continuecare,
Ltd. or ABC International, inc.



                                       29


<PAGE>

         9.22       APPROVALS AND CONSENTS.

          (a) The Buyer's senior secured lenders shall have approved the Merger,
     provided that this condition shall be deemed to be waived if Buyer does not
     notify the Company of its failure to obtain such  approval on or before the
     later of (a) March 31, 1996, or (b) the  expiration of the Schedule  Review
     Period.

          (b) The Buyer's  board of  directors  shall have  approved the Merger,
     provided that this condition shall be deemed to be waived if Buyer does not
     notify the  Company on or before  three  weeks after the date hereof of its
     failure to obtain such approval.

         9.23       RESIGNATIONS.  Buyer shall have received the resignations of
the Principal  Shareholders as officers of the Company and the Subsidiaries,  as
well  as  their  written  agreement  to  terminate  their  existing   employment
agreements  with the Company  effective  as of the Closing Date and to waive any
severance  or other  compensation  and  benefits  payable  to them  under  their
existing Employment Agreements after the Closing Date, other than their right to
be paid for paid days off  accrued on the Balance  Sheet.  Buyer also shall have
received the resignations of all of the directors of each of the Company and the
Subsidiaries.

         9.24       DISSENTERS'  RIGHTS.  At  least  ninety-five  percent of the
Shareholders shall have approved the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated  hereby,  and all Equity Holders shall have irrevocably  waived any
rights to make demand for  appraisal of Company  Shares in  accordance  with the
corporation law of the State of Georgia in connection with the Merger.

     9.25  HART-SCOTT-RODINO  ACT.  All  applicable  waiting  periods  under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements  Act of 1976 (the "H-S-R  Act") shall
have expired or been terminated.

         9.26       RELEASE OF PLEDGED SHARES. All of the Company Shares pledged
by the  Principal  Shareholders  to The Coastal Bank of Georgia  shall have been
released  from  such  pledge  in a  manner  satisfactory  to Buyer  (the  "Share
Releases").

         9.27       NO PROHIBITED TRANSACTION.  No Prohibited  Transaction shall
have occurred.

         9.28       OTHER DOCUMENTS.  The Principal Shareholders and the Company
shall have  furnished  Buyer with all other  documents,  certificates  and other
instruments that they are required to furnish to Buyer.

         9.29       BANKRUPTCY  CASES.  Each  of t he  Debtors  (as such term is
defined in Section  13.1  below)  shall have filed a petition  for relief  under
Chapter 11 of the  Bankruptcy  Code (as  hereinafter  defined) in the Bankruptcy
Court (as hereinafter defined) on or before February 21, 1996.



                                       30


<PAGE>



         9.30       CONSULTING  AGREEMENT.  The Debtors shall file a motion for,
and use their  reasonable  efforts to obtain,  Bankruptcy  Court approval of the
Consulting  Agreement (as hereinafter  defined in Section 13.02). The Bankruptcy
Court  shall have  issued a "Final  Order" (as  defined  herein)  approving  the
Consulting  Agreement  on or  before  40 days  after  commencement  of the first
bankruptcy  case.  The  Consulting  Agreement  will  be in  form  and  substance
satisfactory to Buyer in its sole and absolute discretion and will not have been
terminated without Buyer's consent.  "Final Order" means an order or judgment of
the Bankruptcy Court or other court of competent jurisdiction, as entered on the
docket in any  chapter  11 case or the  docket of any other  court of  competent
jurisdiction,  which has not been reversed,  stayed, or amended, and as to which
the time to appeal or seek certiorari has expired, and no appeal or petition for
certiorari has been timely filed, or as to which any appeal that has been or may
be taken or any  petition  for  certiorari  that has been timely  filed has been
resolved by the highest  court to which the order or  judgment  was  appealed or
from which certiorari was sought.

         9.31       BANKRUPTCY COURT APPROVAL, BREAK-UP FEE, COMPETITIVE BIDDING
REQUIREMENTS,  AND  EXCLUSIVITY.  The Bankruptcy Court shall have issued a Final
Order  approving  the motion  referred to in Section  13.3 below on or before 40
days after commencement of the first bankruptcy case.

         9.32       DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION. The Debtors
shall  have  filed  a  disclosure  statement,   if  required,  (the  "Disclosure
Statement")  and  proposed  plan  of  reorganization  in  the  bankruptcy  cases
consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, all in
form and substance  reasonably  acceptable to Buyer,  on or before 35 days after
commencement of the first bankruptcy case.

         9.33       ADEQUACY OF DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. The Bankruptcy Court shall
have issued a Final Order approving the adequacy of the Disclosure Statement, if
a disclosure  statement is required,  on or before 55 days after commencement of
the first bankruptcy case.

         9.34       CONFIRMATION. The Bankruptcy Court shall have issued a Final
Order  confirming  the  plan  of  reorganization  on or  before  95  days  after
commencement of the first bankruptcy case.

         9.35       CONSUMMATION.  The plan  of  reorganization  shall have been
consummated  on or before 110 days after  commencement  of the first  bankruptcy
case.

         9.36       CONVERSION, APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE, CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT. No
chapter 11 case  regarding any Debtor shall have been  converted to a case under
chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, no trustee shall have been appointed regarding
any  Debtor,  and there  shall have been no  material  changes  in the  Debtors'
management  to  which  Buyer  has not  consented.  Buyer  has  consented  to the
employment of Chamberlain & Canster, Inc.

         9.37       DIP  FINANCING.  No order shall have been entered  providing
for any post-petition financing arrangement without the previous written consent
of Buyer with respect thereto.



                                       31


<PAGE>


                     ARTICLE X: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE

              OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

         The  obligation  of the  Principal  Shareholders  and  the  Company  to
consummate the Merger is subject to the fulfillment, prior to or at the Closing,
of each of the following conditions:

         10.1       REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES.  The  representations   and
warranties of Buyer and Newco in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material  respects at and as of the Closing Date as though such  representations
and warranties  were made at and as of such time,  except to the extent affected
by the transactions herein contemplated.

         10.2       PERFORMANCE  OF COVENANTS.  Buyer  and Newco each shall have
performed or complied in all material  respects with each of its  agreements and
covenants that this Agreement requires that they perform or comply with prior to
or at the Closing.

         10.3       DELIVERY OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE.  Buyer shall have delivered
to the Principal  Shareholders  a  certificate  of an officer of Buyer dated the
Closing Date  certifying  that the statements made in Sections 10.1 and 10.2 are
true, correct and complete as of the Closing Date.

         10.4       OPINION OF  COUNSEL.  Buyer  shall   have  delivered  to the
Principal  Shareholders  an opinion,  dated the Closing Date, of Blass & Driggs,
Esqs., counsel for Buyer, in the form of Exhibit 10.4.

         10.5       LEGAL MATTERS.  No  preliminary  or  permanent injunction or
other order  (including  a  temporary  restraining  order)  which  prevents  the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  shall be in
effect.

         10.6       AUTHORIZATION  DOCUMENTS.  The Principal  Shareholders shall
have received a  certificate  of the Secretary or other officer of each of Buyer
and Newco  certifying a copy of  resolutions  of the board of directors of Buyer
and Newco authorizing Buyer's and Newco's execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the Transaction  Documents  (including,  without limitations,
the Plan of Merger) and the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,  and
also certifying the incumbency of the officers of Buyer and Newco.

         10.7       OTHER DOCUMENTS.  Buyer  shall  have furnished the Principa 
Shareholders  with all documents,  certificates  and other  instruments that the
Buyer is required to furnish to the Principal Shareholders.

              ARTICLE XI: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES AFTER CLOSING

         11.1       SURVIVAL  OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.  All
representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements that each party makes in
this Agreement or in any



                                       32


<PAGE>


Schedule,  certificate,  document or list that any such party delivered pursuant
hereto   shall   survive  the  Closing  and  the   Effective   Time  of  Merger.
Notwithstanding  any investigation  conducted before or after the Closing or the
decision of any party to  consummate  the  Closing,  each party  hereto shall be
entitled  to rely and is hereby  declared  to have  reasonably  relied  upon the
representations and warranties of the other party.

         11.2       INDEMNIFICATION  BY  PRINCIPAL  SHAREHOLDERS.   Each  of the
Principal  Shareholders  and the Company,  shall  indemnify and defend Buyer and
hold it harmless against any and all damage, loss,  liability,  cost and expense
(including, without limitations,  reasonable attorney's fee's and expenses) (all
of the foregoing hereinafter collectively referred to as "Loss") resulting from:

          (a)  any  inaccuracy  in  any  representation,  or any  breach  of any
     warranty,  that any  Principal  Shareholder  made in this  Agreement or any
     Transaction  Document,  provided  that Buyer makes a claim to the Principal
     Shareholders  within ninety (90) days after Buyer learns of such inaccuracy
     or breach, except for breaches as to which any of the Subsidiaries would be
     entitled to indemnification from Buyer under the Management Agreement; or

          (b) the breach by any  Principal  Shareholder  of any covenant in this
     Agreement or any Transaction Document,  except for breaches as to which any
     of the Subsidiaries would be entitled to  indemnification  from Buyer under
     the Management Agreement; or

          (c) any liability of the Company to the Medicare or Medicaid programs,
     or to any other third party payor, for the recoupment of reimbursement  the
     Company received prior to the Effective Time of Merger; or

          (d) the claims  for  options,  and any  related  employment  agreement
     claims, described on Schedule 4.12; or

          (e) the amount of Current Liability Excess as determined in accordance
     with Section 2.4(c); or

          (f) the  investigation,  defense or (to the  extent  the  indemnifying
     party consents)  settlement,  of any of the foregoing or the enforcement of
     this indemnity obligation.

         11.3       INDEMNIFICATION  BY  BUYER. Buyer shall indemnify and defend
the Principal  Shareholders  and hold them harmless  against and with respect to
any and all Loss resulting from:

          (a) any inaccuracy in any  representation,  or breach of any warranty,
     that the Buyer made in this Agreement or any Transaction Document, provided
     that the  Principal  Shareholders  make a claim to Buyer within ninety (90)
     days after they learn of such inaccuracy or breach; or



                                       33


<PAGE>



          (b) the  breach  by Buyer of any  covenant  in this  Agreement  or any
     Transaction Document; or

          (c) the  investigation,  defense,  or (to the extent the  indemnifying
     party consents)  settlement,  of any of the foregoing or the enforcement of
     this indemnity obligation.

         11.4       INDEMNIFICATION   PERIOD   AND   BASKET.    Any   claim  for
indemnification  pursuant to  Sections  11.2 or 11.3 must be asserted by written
notice to the party  from whom  indemnification  is sought  within  twelve  (12)
months  following the Closing Date,  provided that no such time limitation shall
be  applicable  to claims  that Buyer  asserts  with  respect to any  Recoupment
Liability or with respect to any breach of the  representations  and  warranties
contained  in  Section  4.21.  Such  written  notice  shall  contain a  detailed
description of the nature of the claim and the basis therefor. No party shall be
entitled to  indemnification  hereunder unless and until the aggregate amount of
all claims for which such party may be  entitled  to  indemnification  hereunder
equals or exceeds One Hundred Fifty Thousand ($150,000) Dollars.

         11.5       CONTROL OF DEFENSE OF INDEMNIFIABLE  CLAIMS. A party seeking
indemnification under Section 11.2 or 11.3, or 2.4(c) shall give the other party
prompt written notice of the claim for which it seeks  indemnification.  Failure
of the party  seeking  indemnification  to give  such  prompt  notice  shall not
relieve the other party of its  indemnification  obligation,  provided that such
indemnification  obligation  shall be reduced by any  damages  such other  party
suffered that results from a failure to give prompt notice hereunder.  The party
receiving  the  aforementioned  notice shall be entitled to  participate  in the
defense  of  such  claim.  If at  any  time  the  party  receiving  such  notice
acknowledges  in  writing  that  the  claim is fully  indemnifiable  under  this
Agreement,  it shall have the right to assume total control of such claim at its
own expense. If the party receiving such notice does not assume total control of
such claim,  the other party agrees not to settle such claim without the written
consent of the party receiving  notice,  which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld,  delayed or conditioned.  Nothing contained in this Section 11.5 shall
prevent either party from assuming total control of the defense and/or  settling
of any claim  against  it for which  indemnification  is not  sought  under this
Agreement.

         11.6       OFFSETS.  Buyer  shall be entitled to offset any amounts due
to it by reason of any  indemnification  claim under this Article 11 against any
amount which may then or thereafter become due to any Principal Shareholder as a
Contingent Payment. If Buyer shall be entitled to indemnification  under Section
11.2(e)  above,  it shall  offset  any  indemnification  claims  against  future
Contingent   Payments  as  they  become  due  prior  to  proceeding  with  other
indemnification rights.

         11.7       RESTRICTIONS.

          (a) From and after the Closing  Date, no Principal  Shareholder  shall
     disclose,  directly or indirectly,  to any person outside of Buyer's employ
     without  the  express  authorization  of Buyer any  pricing  strategies  or
     records of the Company, any proprietary data or trade secrets



                                       34


<PAGE>


     the Company owns or any  financial or other  information  about the Company
     not  then  in  the  public  domain;   provided,   however,  that  Principal
     Shareholder  shall be permitted to make such disclosures as may be required
     by law or by a court or governmental authority.

          (b)  For  five  (5)  years  after  the  Closing   Date,  no  Principal
     Shareholder  shall engage or participate in any effort or act to induce any
     of the suppliers,  employees or  independent  contractors of the Company to
     cease  doing  business  with or to  terminate  their  employment  with  the
     Company.

          (c)  For  five  (5)  years  after  the  Closing  Date,  the  Principal
     Shareholders  shall  not,  directly  or  indirectly,  for or on  behalf  of
     themselves or any other person, firm, entity or other enterprise, engage in
     or act as a  consultant  for (except as provided  below),  be a partner in,
     have a  proprietary  interest in, or loan money to any person,  enterprise,
     partnership,  association, corporation, joint venture or other entity which
     is directly or indirectly engaging in the business of owning,  operating or
     managing any entity of any type,  licensed or unlicensed,  which is engaged
     in or  provides  home  health  care  anywhere  within the United  States of
     America.   However,   the  foregoing   shall  not  prohibit  the  Principal
     Shareholders  from  owning  not more  than 2% of the  issued  shares of any
     company whose common stock is listed for trading on any national securities
     exchange  or on the  NASDAQ  National  Market  System,  or from  writing or
     speaking about the home health care industry,  or from  consulting with any
     home health care provider  about  Medicare,  Medicaid and other third party
     payor reimbursement issues and regulatory compliance issues.

          (d) Principal Shareholders acknowledge that the restrictions contained
     in this  Paragraph  11.7  are  reasonable  and  necessary  to  protect  the
     legitimate  business  interests of Buyer and that any violation  thereof by
     any of  them  would  result  in  irreparable  harm to  Buyer.  Accordingly,
     Principal  Shareholders  agree that if they violate any of the restrictions
     contained  in this  Section  11.7,  Buyer  shall be  entitled,  without the
     necessity  of posting  any bond or  security,  to obtain  from any court of
     competent  jurisdiction a preliminary  and permanent  injunction as well as
     any other  relief  provided  at law or  equity,  under  this  Agreement  or
     otherwise.  In the event any of the  foregoing  restrictions  are  adjudged
     unreasonable in any proceedings,  then the parties agree that the period of
     time or the scope of such  restrictions (or both) shall be adjusted in such
     a manner or for such a time (or both) as is adjudged to be reasonable.

         11.8       RECORDS.  On  the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to
Buyer all  records  and files not then in  Buyer's  possession  relating  to the
operation  of the  Company.  Buyer  shall  provide  the  Principal  Shareholders
reasonable  access to such records and files during  normal  business  hours and
upon  reasonable  prior notice for purposes of  completing  tax returns or other
filings with governmental authorities or courts.

         11.9        AUDIT.  Following Closing, the  Principal Shareholders will
cooperate and provide such information as may be necessary in connection with an
audit of the Company's financial



                                       35


<PAGE>


statement  for the  periods  beginning  January  1, 1995,  and ending  after the
Closing Date. Buyer shall bear the cost of such audit.

         11.10      CORPORATE  OFFICE.  For a  period of not less than three (3)
years  following  the  Closing  Date,  Buyer  agrees to maintain  the  principal
corporate  operations of the Company in Brunswick,  Georgia, and to continue the
employment  of as many of the current  employees  of the  Company as  reasonably
practicable in the context of the Company's then current business plan.

                            ARTICLE XII: TERMINATION

         12.1       TERMINATION.  This Agreement  may be  terminated at any time
at or prior to the Closing by:

          (a) Buyer, if any condition precedent to Buyer's obligations hereunder
     that is set  forth in  Article  IX  hereof  has not been  satisfied  by the
     Closing Date, or by Buyer pursuant to Section 8.9 hereof or by Buyer if the
     Consulting Agreement is terminated for any reason; or

          (b) the  Principal  Shareholders,  if any  condition  precedent to the
     Principal Shareholders'  obligations hereunder that is set forth in Article
     X hereof has not been satisfied by the Closing Date; or

          (c) the mutual consent of Buyer and Principal Shareholders; or

          (d) Buyer or the Principal Shareholders, if the Closing shall not have
     occurred by a date (the "Expiration Date") which is the later of (i) a date
     six (6)  months  following  the  date  hereof,  and  (ii) a date  which  is
     forty-five (45) days after the execution of the Settlement  Releases (other
     than due to the breach of any party hereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
     however,  in the event that the Closing  shall not have  occurred by a date
     six  (6)  months  following  the  date  hereof  due to the  failure  of the
     Bankruptcy  Court to proceed  expeditiously  with the  confirmation  of the
     Debtors' plan of reorganization,  then Buyer shall have the right to extend
     the  Expiration  Date by a period  not to  exceed  three (3)  months  under
     Section 12.1(d)(i).

         12.2       EFFECT OF  TERMINATION.  If  this  Agreement  is  terminated
pursuant to Section 12.1,  this Agreement shall become null and void without any
liability of any party to the other except as otherwise provided herein.

         12.3       BREAK-UP FEE.  In  the event that the Closing does not occur
due to:

          (a) any  direct or  indirect  conduct by or on behalf of any Debtor to
     preclude  Buyer  from  being able to  fulfill  its  obligations  under this
     Agreement or the Consulting Agreement; or



                                       36


<PAGE>


          (b) this  Agreement  not being  approved by the  Bankruptcy  Court (i)
     because of an offer from,  or a sale or  transfer  to some other  person or
     entity of all or a substantial portion of any of the Company Shares, or all
     or a  substantial  portion  of the  assets  of any of the  Debtors,  or, in
     respect of any  merger,  consolidation  or other sale of any Debtor or (ii)
     because  any of the  Debtors  seeks  to  obtain  confirmation  of a plan of
     reorganization in contravention of the terms of this Agreement,

     and provided that Buyer has fully performed the obligations  that it was to
     perform prior to Closing, the Principal  Shareholders and the Company shall
     be jointly and  severally  obligated  to pay to Buyer a break-up fee in the
     amount of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000), with the exception that if
     the  Closing  does  not  occur  due  to the  marketing  of  any  Debtor  in
     contravention of the Agreement by the Principal  Shareholders,  the Company
     or its  subsidiaries  during  the  term of this  Agreement,  the  Principal
     Shareholders  and the Company shall be jointly and  severally  obligated to
     pay to Buyer a break-up fee in the amount of  Twenty-Five  Million  Dollars
     ($25,000,000).   This  provision  shall  survive  the  Termination  of  the
     Agreement.

          In  the  event  that  the  Closing  does  not  occur  due  to  Buyer's
     unjustified  refusal  to close  and  provided  that the  Company  has fully
     performed the  obligations  that it was to perform prior to Closing,  Buyer
     shall pay to the Company in cash the amount by which the consideration that
     a  purchaser  pays for the  stock or  assets  of the  Company  is less than
     $250,000,000  but such payment shall not exceed  $15,000,000.  In the event
     that either (i) Buyer without cause terminates the Consulting  Agreement or
     (ii) the Company terminates the Consulting  Agreement with cause, and Buyer
     thereafter  terminates  this Agreement based solely upon the termination of
     the Consulting Agreement, then no break-up fee shall be payable.

                            ARTICLE XIII: BANKRUPTCY

         13.1       BANKRUPTCY  CASES.  The  Company  has advised  Buyer that it
intends that it and each of its subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 13.1 attached
hereto (the "Debtors")  shall file a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the
United States  Bankruptcy  Code,  11 U.S.C.  ss.ss.  101- 1330 (the  "Bankruptcy
Code"),  in the United  States  Bankruptcy  Court for the  Southern  District of
Georgia,  Brunswick Division (the "Bankruptcy  Court") on or before February 21,
1996.

         13.2       CONSULTING  AGREEMENT.  The Debtors shall file a motion for,
and use their respective best efforts to obtain,  Bankruptcy Court approval of a
"Consulting  Agreement" in form and substance  satisfactory to Buyer in its sole
and absolute  discretion on or before 7 business days after  commencement of the
first  bankruptcy  case. The Consulting  Agreement will not have been terminated
without Buyer's consent,  unless termination is for cause. The motion, any order
regarding  approval of the  Consulting  Agreement and the  Consulting  Agreement
shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer.

         13.3       BANKRUPTCY COURT APPROVAL, BREAK-UP FEE, COMPETITIVE BIDDING
REQUIREMENTS,  AND  EXCLUSIVITY.  The Debtors  shall file a motion for,  and use
their respective



                                       37


<PAGE>


best efforts to obtain,  Bankruptcy  Court  approval of (a) all of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement,  (b) the break-up fee provided for in Section 12.3
of this Agreement,  (c) competitive bidding  requirements to the effect that any
competing bid provides for total  consideration  provided in this Agreement plus
Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) and that Buyer has the right to match any
competing bid and to receive a partial credit in respect of any increased bid by
Buyer against the cash portion of the purchase  price under this Agreement in an
amount equal to Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00), and (d) the exclusivity
provisions of Section [8.6] of this Agreement,  all on or before 7 business days
after commencement of the first bankruptcy case.

         13.4       DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION. The Debtors
shall  file  a  disclosure  statement,   if  required,   and  proposed  plan  of
reorganization  in the  bankruptcy  cases  consistent  with  the  terms  of this
Agreement and the  Consulting  Agreement,  all in form and substance  reasonably
acceptable  to  Buyer,  on or  before 35 days  after  commencement  of the first
bankruptcy case.

         13.5       CONVERSION, APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE, CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT. No
chapter 11 case  regarding any Debtor shall have been  converted to a case under
chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. No trustee shall have been appointed regarding
any Debtor.

         13.6       DIP  FINANCING.  No order shall have been entered  regarding
any post-petition  financing arrangement without the previous written consent of
Buyer with respect thereto.

                           ARTICLE XIV: MISCELLANEOUS

         14.1       COSTS AND EXPENSES.  Except as expressly  otherwise provided
in this  Agreement,  each party  hereto shall bear its own costs and expenses in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         14.2       PERFORMANCE.  In  the  event of a breach by any party of its
obligations hereunder,  the other party shall have the right, in addition to any
other remedies  which may be available,  to obtain  specific  performance of the
terms of this Agreement,  and the breaching party hereby waives the defense that
there  may be an  adequate  remedy  at law.  Should  any  party  default  in its
performance  hereunder,  the  remaining  party shall be entitled to recover from
such defaulting party its reasonable  attorneys fees incurred in the enforcement
of its rights hereunder.

         14.3       BENEFIT AND  ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement binds and inures to
the benefit of each party hereto and its or their successors and proper assigns.
No party may assign its, his or her interest  under this  Agreement to any other
person or entity without the prior written  consent of the other parties hereto;
provided,  however,  that,  after the  Closing,  Buyer  may  assign  its  rights
hereunder to one or more subsidiaries of Buyer.



                                       38


<PAGE>

         14.4       EFFECT AND  CONSTRUCTION OF THIS  AGREEMENT.  This Agreement
and the Exhibits,  Schedules, and other agreements referenced herein, embody the
entire  agreement  and  understanding  of the parties and  supersede any and all
prior agreements,  arrangements and understandings  relating to matters provided
for herein.  The  captions  used herein are for  convenience  only and shall not
control  or  affect  the  meaning  or  construction  of the  provisions  of this
Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,  and all
such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         14.5       COOPERATION -- FURTHER  ASSISTANCE.  As  and  when any party
hereto after the Closing  reasonably  requests,  the other  parties will (at the
expense of the requesting  party)  execute and deliver,  or cause to be executed
and  delivered,  all  such  documents,  instruments  and  consents  and will use
reasonable  efforts to take all such action as may be  reasonably  necessary  to
carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

         14.6       NOTICES.  All  notices  and  demands  required or  permitted
hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be properly  given or made
when personally delivered to the party or parties entitled to receive the notice
or when  sent  by  certified  or  registered  mail,  postage  prepaid,  properly
addressed  to the party  entitled to receive  such notice at the address  stated
below:

If to any Seller                       Robert J. and Margie B. Mills
or the Company:                        2660 Frederica Road
                                       St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522

Copy to:                               David H. Williams, Esq.
                                       Hunton & Williams
                                       NationsBank Plaza, Suite 4100
                                       600 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                                       Atlanta, Georgia  30308-2216

If to Buyer:                           Integrated Health Services, Inc.
                                       10065 Red Run Boulevard
                                       Owings Mills, Maryland  21117
                                       Attention:  Brian K. Davidson

Copy to:                               Integrated Health Services, Inc.
                                       10065 Red Run Boulevard
                                       Owings Mills, Maryland  21117
                                       Attention:  Marshall A. Elkins, Esq.

Such  addresses may be changed by providing  written  notice as provided in this
Section 14.6.



                                       39


<PAGE>


         14.7       WAIVER,  DISCHARGE,  ETC.  This   Agreement   shall  not  be
released,  discharged or abandoned in any manner,  except by an instrument  that
each of the parties  hereto  executes  in  writing.  The failure of any party to
enforce any of the provisions of this  Agreement  shall not be construed to be a
waiver of any such  provision,  nor to affect the validity of this  Agreement or
any part hereof or the right of such party  thereafter to enforce each and every
such provision.  No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to be a
waiver of any other breach.

         14.8       RIGHTS OF PERSONS NOT PARTIES.  Nothing  contained  in  this
Agreement shall be deemed to create rights in persons not parties hereto,  other
than the successors and proper assigns of the parties hereto.

         14.9       GOVERNING LAW.  This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, disregarding any
contrary rules relating to the choice or conflict of laws.

         14.10      AMENDMENTS,  SUPPLEMENTS,  ETC.  At any time before or after
the  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  the  parties  may  amend  or
supplement  this  Agreement  as  the  parties  may  determine  to be  necessary,
appropriate or desirable to further the purposes of this  Agreement,  to clarify
the  intention of the parties or to add to or to modify the terms or  conditions
hereof.  The parties hereto shall make such technical changes to this Agreement,
not  inconsistent  with the  purposes  hereof,  as may be  required to effect or
facilitate  any  governmental  approval or  acceptance  of this  Agreement or to
effect or facilitate any filing or recording  required for the  consummation  of
any portion of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Any such  amendment  or
supplement may only be done by an instrument in writing that each of the parties
signs.

         14.11      SEVERABILITY.  Any provision,  or distinguishable portion of
any  provision,  of this  Agreement  which  is  determined  in any  judicial  or
administrative  proceeding to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition
or unenforceability  without  invalidating the remaining  provisions hereof, and
any  such  prohibition  or   unenforceability  in  any  jurisdiction  shall  not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  It
is the  intention of the parties that if any  provision of Section 11.5 shall be
determined to be overly broad in any respect,  then it should be  enforceable to
the  maximum  extent  permissible  under the law,  To the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law, the parties waive any provision of law which renders a provision
hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

         14.12      JOINT AND  SEVERAL.  Except as expressly  set forth  herein,
each of the representations,  warranties and covenants of Principal Shareholders
under this Agreement shall be joint and several.


                                       40


<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the  parties  hereto and in the  capacity
indicated  below has executed this  Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.

                                        PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS:
                                        
                                        /s/ Robert J. Mills
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Robert J. Mills

                                        /s/ Margie B. Mills
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Margie B. Mills

                                        COMPANY:

                                        FIRST AMERICAN HEALTH CARE OF
                                        GEORGIA, INC.

                                        By:/s/ Frank M. Chamberlain
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Frank M. Chamberlain

                                        BUYER:

                                        INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                        By:/s/ Marshall A. Elkins
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Marshall A. Elkins

                                        NEWCO:

                                        IHS ACQUISITION XIV, INC.

                                        By: /s/ Marshall A. Elkins
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Marshall A. Elkins

                                       41



                          AMENDMENT TO MERGER AGREEMENT

     This Amendment (this "Amendment Agreement"), dated as of September 9, 1996,
is by and  among  Integrated  Health  Services,  Inc.  ("IHS" or  "Buyer"),  IHS
Acquisition  XIV, Inc.  ("Newco"),  First American Health Care of Georgia,  Inc.
("First American" or the "Company"),  Robert J. Mills ("R. Mills") and Margie B.
Mills ("M. Mills", and together with R. Mills, the "Principal Shareholders").

                                WITNESSETH THAT:

     WHEREAS,  the parties hereto are parties to a Merger Agreement (the "Merger
Agreement"), dated as of February 21, 1996; and

     WHEREAS,  First  American  and its  subsidiaries  (the  "Debtors")  filed a
petition for relief under  Chapter 11 of the United States  Bankruptcy  Code, 11
U.S.C. ss.ss.  101-1330,  in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of Georgia,  Brunswick (the "Bankruptcy  Court"), on February 21, 1996;
and

     WHEREAS,   the  Debtors  have  filed  an  Amended  and  Restated   Plan  of
Reorganization  (the  "Plan") and an Amended and Restated  Disclosure  Statement
(the  "Disclosure  Statement")  with the Bankruptcy Court on or about August 21,
1996; and

     WHEREAS,  it is a  condition  to the  Closing  (as  defined in Section  3.1
hereof) under the Merger Agreement that IHS (including its subsidiaries) receive
executed  agreements from the United States Office of the Inspector General (the
"OIG") and the U.S.  Department of Health and Human Services  through the Health
Care Financing  Administration ("HCFA") reasonably acceptable to IHS, providing,
among other things, that IHS, First American,  and its subsidiaries shall not be
held  liable  (including,  without  limitation,  by way of  making  offsets)  or
responsible  for any  Medicare or Medicaid  liability  for periods  prior to the
Closing  (except for First  American's  payment of the amount required to obtain
the Settlement  Releases,  as  contemplated  by Section  2.2(a)(i) of the Merger
Agreement),  and which  provide for the  withdrawal of any pending or threatened
legal  proceedings  by OIG or HCFA that  propose to  exclude  the  Company  from
Medicare or Medicaid programs; and

     WHEREAS,  IHS, First American and the  subsidiaries  of First American have
entered  into a term sheet  (the  "Term  Sheet")  with  respect to a  Settlement
Agreement  (the  "Settlement  Agreement")  with HCFA and the U.S.  Department of
Justice (the "DOJ") with respect to the  settlement of various  claims among the
parties thereto; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Term  Sheet  and  the  Plan  and  the  Disclosure  Statement
contemplate that the Merger Agreement be amended in certain respects; and


<PAGE>


     WHEREAS,  the  parties  hereto  desire to amend  the  Merger  Agreement  as
provided herein;

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable
consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Article II of the Merger  Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety
as follows:

                           "ARTICLE II: CONVERSION AND
                        TERMINATION OF ALLOWED INTERESTS

     2.1 Certain Definitions.

     (a)  References to this  "Agreement"  shall mean the Merger  Agreement,  as
amended with the written consent of each party thereto.

     (b) Capitalized terms used herein,  and not otherwise  defined,  shall have
the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement. To the extent not covered
by the  preceding  sentence,  capitalized  terms used  herein and not  otherwise
described  herein shall have the meanings  ascribed thereto in the Plan as filed
on or about  August 21,  1996;  provided  that if any such  definition  shall be
amended  pursuant to an  amendment  to the Plan,  which  amended  definition  is
approved in writing by each party hereto, such amended definition shall apply.

     (c) "Merger  Consideration"  shall mean the Mills Merger  Consideration and
the Non-Mills Merger Consideration.

     (d) "Mills  Merger  Consideration"  shall mean the  amounts  payable to the
Mills Holders in accordance with Section 2.3(a)(i) and 2.3(b) below.

     (e) "Non-Mills Merger  Consideration" shall mean the amounts payable to the
Non-Mills Option Holders in accordance with Section 2.3(a)(ii) below.

     (f) "Non-Mills  Option  Holders" means the holders of Allowed Options other
than the Principal  Shareholders,  Joel V. Mills, David G. Mills,  Angela Dobson
and Lee Dobson (the "Mills  Family")  and other than any person who has acquired
(except for  transfer(s)  to J. Alan Welch prior to the date hereof) any Allowed
Options from any member of the Mills Family (collectively,  the Mills Family and
such transferees being referred to herein as the "Mills Holders").


                                        2

<PAGE>

     (g)  "Pro  Rata"  means,  with  respect  to any  Non-Mills  Option  Holder,
proportionately  so that the  ratio of the  amount of funds  distributed  to any
Non-Mills  Option Holder (on account of Allowed  Option(s)) to the amount of all
funds  distributed to Non-Mills  Option Holders on account of Allowed Options is
the same as the ratio of the  Individual  Equity  Holding of such  holder to the
Total Equity Holdings of the Non-Mills Option Holders;  provided,  however, that
H. Wayne  Phears  will  receive no more than $20 per  Allowed  Option out of the
Non-Mills Merger Consideration.

     2.2 Conversion and Cancellation of Allowed Interests.

     (a) At the  Effective  Time of Merger (as  defined  in Section  3.3 of this
Agreement),  each share of Allowed Common Stock shall, without any action by the
holder thereof,  be converted into the right to receive the portion of the Mills
Merger Consideration  allocable to such share in accordance with Schedule 2.1(g)
and the Plan as the same may be amended  with the written  consent of each party
hereto.

     (b) At or prior to the Effective Time of Merger,  each Allowed Option shall
have been canceled and terminated and converted,  in accordance with the Plan as
the same may be amended  with the written  consent of each party  hereto and the
Stock Option Plan of the  Company,  into the right to receive the portion of the
Mills Merger  Consideration  in accordance  with Schedule 2.1(g) and the Plan as
the same may be amended with the written  consent of each party  hereto,  in the
case of Mills Holders, or in the case of Non-Mills Option Holders,  the Pro Rata
distribution of the Non-Mills Merger  Consideration,  in each case, allocable to
such Allowed Option in accordance  with the Plan as the same may be amended with
the  written  consent of each  party  hereto,  without  any action by the holder
thereof.

     (c) Each share of Newco common stock  outstanding  immediately prior to the
Effective  Time of Merger shall be  converted  into one share of common stock of
the Company.

     (d) Buyer agrees that, prior to the Closing, the Company may, in accordance
with all applicable laws,  rules and  regulations,  cancel each of the three (3)
awards of 25,000  shares of the Company's  Class B Stock the Company  granted to
individuals  (themselves  not being  Principal  Shareholders)  for  services  as
directors. The consideration for any such cancellation shall be the agreement by
the Company to pay to the holder of such  canceled  shares any amount that would
have  been  payable  to him or her had the  shares  not been  canceled  prior to
consummation of the Merger on the dates and in the manner otherwise  provided by
this Agreement (including Schedule 2.1(g)). Such amounts payable to such holders
shall be deemed part of the Mills Merger  Consideration for all purposes of this
Agreement and the holders  thereof shall be holders of Allowed  Interests to the
extent  provided in the Plan. The Company shall not cancel any such award unless
the  holder  thereof  shall  have  executed  and  delivered  to  the  Company  a
transmittal letter in the form and substance required pursuant to Section 2.3(c)
below.

                                        3

<PAGE>

     2.3 Manner of Exchange and Payment; Estate Representative.

     (a) At the Closing, Buyer shall pay to the Estate  Representative,  by wire
transfer to the Bank Account (as such term is hereinafter  defined),  as payment
of the cash portion of: (i) the Mills Merger  Consideration  payable at Closing,
an amount  equal to Thirty  Million  Two  Hundred  and Thirty  Thousand  Dollars
($30,230,000), less (A) any amount by which the Mills Merger Consideration shall
be reduced in accordance with Section 11.6 of this Agreement,  and (B) any other
indemnification  amounts to which Buyer may then be entitled in accordance  with
Article  XI  hereof;  and (ii) the  Non-Mills  Merger  Consideration  payable at
Closing,  an amount equal to Eight Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand
Dollars  ($8,854,000),  less  (A) any  amount  by  which  the  Non-Mills  Merger
Consideration  shall  be  reduced  in  accordance  with  Section  11.6  of  this
Agreement,  and (B) any other indemnification amounts to which Buyer may then be
entitled in accordance with Article XI hereof.  Such payment(s) shall be further
reduced by applicable  federal,  state and local tax withholdings as provided in
instructions Buyer furnishes to the Company.

     (b) On such dates as shall be required in  accordance  with  Section 2.4 of
this Agreement,  Buyer shall pay to the Estate  Representative the amount of the
Contingent  Payments then due in accordance  with Section 2.4 of this Agreement,
less (i) any amount by which the Mills Merger  Consideration shall be reduced in
accordance   with   Section  11.6  of  this   Agreement,   and  (ii)  any  other
indemnification  amounts to which Buyer may then be entitled in accordance  with
Article XI  hereof.  Such  payment(s)  shall be  further  reduced by  applicable
federal,  state and local tax  withholdings  as provided in  instructions  Buyer
furnishes to the Company.

     (c) The Plan shall  require the Estate  Representative  to  distribute  the
Merger  Consideration  to any  holder of any  Allowed  Interest  only after such
holder  executes  and  delivers  to  the  Estate   Representative  and  Buyer  a
transmittal letter, accompanied (in the case of issued and outstanding stock) by
the instrument,  if any,  evidencing such holder's  Allowed  Interest (or a lost
certificate  affidavit  and  indemnity,  with such other  assurance as Buyer may
reasonably require), such transmittal letter to include: (i) representations and
warranties  to the effect  that:  (A) such  holder owns the  applicable  Allowed
Interests  free and  clear  of all  liens,  claims,  restrictions  on  transfer,
security interests,  pledges and encumbrances (collectively "adverse claims") of
any kind or nature  whatsoever other than adverse claims described in subsection
(d) hereof that are fully  discharged  upon payment of the Merger  Consideration
pursuant to  subsection  (d), (B) such holder has the  authority and capacity to
execute and deliver such transmittal  letter, to surrender such Allowed Interest
(as applicable) and to receive the Merger  Consideration  with respect  thereto,
and to accept and perform any other  provisions of the transmittal  letter which
the  holder is  specified  therein to  perform;  (ii)  acknowledgment  that such
holder's rights to receive Merger  Consideration  are governed by the provisions
of the Plan, including,  without limitation,  the right of Buyer to make offsets
in accordance with Section 11.6 of this Agreement; (iii) acknowledgment that the
Company or its designee (including Buyer, as applicable) may withhold or receive
applicable Federal,  state and local taxes out of the distribution of any Merger
Consideration  to such holder;  (iv) an undertaking of the holder to give effect
to the terms of appointment of the Estate

                                        4

<PAGE>


Representative in accordance with Annex A of this Agreement;  (v) agreement that
such holder  waives,  releases and agrees not to assert,  any claims against the
Company,  any of its Subsidiaries,  the Buyer, Newco or any Mills Holder, or any
of their respective  shareholders,  officers,  directors,  agents,  attorneys or
other advisers,  or any other person or persons any of them designates,  arising
out of any action,  omission,  matter,  event or  occurrence  on or prior to the
Closing,  except for specific enumerated  exceptions with respect to the Company
or Buyer that are acceptable to the Company and Buyer;  (vi) agreement that upon
payment of any amount to the Estate  Representative,  none of Buyer,  Newco, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries  shall have any liability with respect to any
such payment or the Bank Account (as defined in subsection (g) below); and (vii)
an undertaking to indemnify and hold Buyer, Newco and the Estate  Representative
harmless from any loss, damage, liability, cost and expense (including,  without
limitation,  attorneys'  fees)  arising  out of any breach by said holder of any
representation,  warranty,  covenant  or  undertaking  he or she  makes  in such
transmittal  letter.  If such a  transmittal  letter  cannot be obtained,  Buyer
and/or the Estate Representative may seek approval from the Bankruptcy Court for
release of the affected funds subject to legal  safeguards the Bankruptcy  Court
may provide in lieu of the provisions of the transmittal letter.

     (d) Each Principal  Shareholder  hereby authorizes and directs Buyer and/or
the Estate  Representative to pay, out of the Mills Merger Consideration payable
to such Principal Shareholder, to The Coastal Bank of Georgia, the DOJ and, with
the  agreement  of such  Principal  Shareholder,  any other holder of an adverse
claim which Buyer  and/or the Estate  Representative  may deem  necessary,  such
amount as shall be  necessary  to  discharge  adverse  claims  such  persons  or
entities hold against the Principal  Shareholders or the Allowed  Interests they
hold and otherwise to give effect to the Principal Shareholders' agreements with
such holders, as made known to Buyer and/or the Estate  Representative  prior to
Closing.

     (e) At any time after the Effective Time of Merger, IHS of Brunswick, Inc.,
a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Buyer and the sole  shareholder  of Newco,  upon
surrender of the stock certificate  evidencing all outstanding  shares of Newco,
shall be  entitled to receive in exchange  therefor a  certificate  representing
shares of stock of the  Company,  calculated  on a  one-to-one  basis.  Until so
surrendered,  each such certificate that, prior to the Effective Time of Merger,
represented  the  outstanding  shares of Newco  stock will be deemed to evidence
such shares of the stock of the Company.  Upon the surrender of such certificate
evidencing Newco stock, they shall be duly canceled.

     (f) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement,  at the
Effective Time of Merger, Newco shall be merged with and into the Company.  Each
party hereto  shall  execute,  deliver and file,  or shall cause to be executed,
delivered  and filed,  all such  instruments,  certificates  of merger and other
certificates  and documents as shall be necessary to effectuate the Merger under
corporate and bankruptcy  laws, and in accordance with the Plan (as the same may
be amended with the written  consent of each party hereto),  on the Closing Date
(as hereinafter defined).

                                        5

<PAGE>

     (g) The "Bank  Account"  shall mean the bank  account  established  for the
Estate  Representative  in accordance with the Plan or such other  depository or
means  of  safeholding  as the  Bankruptcy  Court  may  approve.  The  Principal
Shareholders agree that upon payment of any amount to the Estate Representative,
subject to applicable  withholdings and payments to holders of adverse claims to
the extent required above, none of Buyer, Newco, the Company or any other Debtor
shall have any  liability  with respect to such Bank Account or any such payment
regardless  of whether the Bank Account is opened in the name of any of them and
regardless  of any  investment  decisions  made with respect to such funds after
such payment by Buyer and regardless of to whom the Estate  Representative makes
any payment.  The Principal  Shareholders  shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Buyer  and the  Company  from and  against  any and all  Loss  (as such  term is
hereinafter  defined)  arising  out of any  action  or  omission  by the  Estate
Representative  with respect to any funds Buyer or the Company paid to or at the
instruction of the Estate Representative.

     2.4 Contingent Payments.

     (a) The Mills Merger  Consideration  shall  include the  following  amounts
payable on the following dates, subject to the contingencies set forth below and
Buyer's rights under Section 11.6 of this Agreement (the "Contingent Payments"):

          (i) On or before  February 15, 2001, a sum shall be paid to the Estate
     Representative  in respect of the year 2000 equal to Five  Million  Dollars
     ($5,000,000);

          (ii) On or before February 15, 2002, a sum shall be paid to the Estate
     Representative  in respect of the year 2001  equal to Six  Million  Dollars
     ($6,000,000) plus the amount, if any, of the Contingent  Payment in respect
     of the year 2000 that shall not have been paid by reason of the  occurrence
     of the  contingency  set forth  below in any such  prior year  provided  in
     subsection (b) hereof;

          (iii) On or  before  February  15,  2003,  a sum  shall be paid to the
     Estate  Representative  in respect  of the year 2002 equal to Four  Million
     Dollars ($4,000,000) plus the amount, if any, of the Contingent Payments in
     respect  of the years 2000 and 2001 that shall not have been paid by reason
     of the occurrence of the contingency set forth below in any such prior year
     as provided in subsection (b) hereof; and

          (iv) On or before February 15, 2004, a sum shall be paid to the Estate
     Representative equal to any amount of the Contingent Payments in respect of
     the years  2000,  2001 and 2002 that  shall not have been paid by reason of
     the occurrence of the contingency set forth below in any such prior year as
     provided in subsection (b) hereof.

     (b) No Contingent  Payment shall be payable following an applicable year (a
"Subject  Year") if the  year-to-year  percentage  increase from December of the
year  preceding the Subject Year in the  seasonally  unadjusted  Consumer  Price
Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U)

                                        6

<PAGE>

for the Medical  Care  expenditure  category  (as reported in table 1 of the CPI
Detailed  Report,  prepared  by the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  in the  U.S.
Department of Labor) ("CPI") exceeds eight percent (8%).  Thus, for example,  if
the CPI  determined  for the period of December  1999 to December  2000  exceeds
eight percent (8%), the Contingent Payment of Five Million Dollars  ($5,000,000)
otherwise accruing in the year 2000 and due to be paid on or before February 15,
2001,  would not be paid; then, if the CPI determined for the period of December
2000 to December 2001 does not exceed eight percent (8%), the Contingent Payment
of Six Million Dollars  ($6,000,000)  otherwise  accruing in the year 2001, plus
the Contingent  Payment of Five Million  Dollars  ($5,000,000) in respect of the
year  2000  would  be  due  and  payable  on  or  before   February   15,  2002.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if  legislation  is enacted  that  changes the
Medicare  reimbursement  methodology for home health services to a prospectively
determined  rate  methodology,  in whole or in part,  the foregoing  contingency
shall  terminate  thereupon and all  Contingent  Payments shall be made then and
thereafter,  including  payment in full of Contingent  Payments from prior years
that have not yet been paid, as if no  contingency  thereafter  applies.  In the
event that the CPI, as defined above, is not regularly  maintained and published
by the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  in the U.S.  Department  of  Labor,  or a
successor  agency,  any affected party may petition the Bankruptcy Court for use
of a comparable reference considered appropriate.

     (c) Buyer shall cause the Company or its  successors to make  payment,  and
Buyer agrees to provide HHS and DOJ with a guarantee, to HHS and DOJ as provided
in the Settlement Agreement.

     2.5 Working Capital Adjustments to the Merger Consideration.

     (a) Buyer shall be entitled to be indemnified in accordance with Article XI
of this  Agreement on a  dollar-for-dollar  basis (subject to application of the
Reserve (as defined in, and in  accordance  with,  Section 11.4 below),  for the
amount of the Company's  Negative  Working  Capital (as defined below) as at the
Closing Date that  exceeds  Thirty-Four  Million  Dollars  ($34,000,000).  1 For
purposes of this Agreement,  the Company's  "Negative  Working Capital" shall be
the amount by which the consolidated  current liabilities of the Company and its

- -------- 
1  By  way  of  example  only,   assuming  that  Negative  Working  Capital  was
   $50,000,000,   and  Buyer  had  no  indemnification   claims  under  Sections
   11.2(a)(i)   through   and   including   Section   11.2(a)(v),   and  had  no
   indemnification  claims under Sections  11.2(a)(vii) and 11.2(a)(viii),  then
   Buyer would have an indemnification claim for $16,000,000 pursuant to Section
   11.2(a)(vi).  Pursuant to Section 11.4,  $16,000,000  of the Reserve would be
   applied against such  $16,000,000  claim,  and accordingly no amount would be
   payable in respect of such $16,000,000 claim, and the amount of the remaining
   Reserve available for application against any future  indemnification  claims
   would be reduced by such $16,000,000, from $17,000,000 to $1,000,000.

   On the other hand, assuming Buyer were entitled to indemnification for a Loss
   in the amount of $1,500,000  pursuant to Section 11.2(a)(i) for a breach of a
   representation  and  that  such  Loss  could  not be  included  as a  current
   liability or current asset reduction in the  calculation of Negative  Working
   Capital,  and further assuming that Negative Working Capital was $50,000,000,
   then Buyer would have aggregate indemnification claims for $17,500,000 (i.e.,
   $1,500,000 for the breach of  representation  pursuant to Section  11.2(a)(i)
   plus  $16,000,000 for the amount by which Negative  Working Capital  exceeded
   $34,000,000 pursuant to Section  11.2(a)(vi)).  Pursuant to Section 11.4, the
   entire  $17,000,000  Reserve  would be applied  against  $17,000,000  of such
   indemnification  aggregate  $17,500,000  claims,  and the balance of $500,000
   would be payable by the Principal Shareholders to Buyer.

                                        7

<PAGE>

Subsidiaries as at the Closing Date shall exceed the consolidated current assets
of the Company as at the Closing  Date.  For the  purposes  of  calculating  the
Negative  Working  Capital,  current  assets and  current  liabilities  shall be
determined  on a  consolidated  basis  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting   principles    consistently   applied   ("GAAP");    provided   that
notwithstanding  GAAP  requirements or past practices,  (i) current  liabilities
will be accrued for the Allowed  Claim of Buyer for $18  million,  plus  accrued
interest, due to it in connection with the Reimbursement Agreement,  dated as of
December 29, 1995,  among the Company,  its Subsidiaries and Buyer, and for fees
and expenses of KPMG Peat  Marwick  which the Company has agreed to reimburse to
Buyer under  Section  8.10 of this  Agreement,  but no other  reimbursements  in
connection  with  Buyer's  participation  in the  Bankruptcy  proceedings  or in
connection with Buyer's  acquisition of the Company shall be included as current
liabilities for this purpose;  (ii) periodic interim payments hereafter received
and/or due from  Medicare  for service  periods  ending on or before the Closing
Date shall be treated as current  assets at the Closing,  without  deduction for
overpayment,  disallowance of charges, or any other reduction, for such purpose,
and no other periodic interim  payments  received and/or due from Medicare on or
after the  Closing  Date shall be treated as current  assets of the  Closing for
such  purpose;  (iii)  severance/separation  payments  payable to Joel V. Mills,
David G.  Mills,  and Lee  Dobson as  provided  in this  Agreement  shall not be
treated as current liabilities at the Closing for such purpose; (iv) liabilities
for  overpayments  or prior reserves that have been  discharged  pursuant to the
Settlement  Agreement shall not be treated as current liabilities at the Closing
for such purpose;  (v)  settlement  obligations of the Company with HCFA and DOJ
pursuant to the Settlement Agreement shall not be treated as current liabilities
at the Closing for such purpose and, except as otherwise  expressly  provided in
Section 11.7(c) of this Agreement,  the tax benefits associated with the payment
of such  obligations  shall not be treated as current  assets for such  purpose;
(vi) the credit of $2,900,000  that HCFA has agreed to accept for payment of the
fine the Company  incurred,  as provided in the  Settlement  Agreement,  will be
treated as a  reduction  in the current  liability  for such fine at Closing for
such  purpose  and the  balance  of the  fines  shall be  treated  as a  current
liability  for such  purpose;  (vii) the  Company  and Buyer will  agree  (after
consultation with the Principal Shareholders or their representatives), prior to
Closing, on reasonable reserves for pending or threatened claims and proceedings
and other contingencies  resulting from pre- closing events or circumstances for
such purpose,  and all of such reserves shall be treated as current  liabilities
for this purpose;  and (viii) the costs and savings arising out of restructuring
and cost reduction  measures  heretofore or hereafter  incurred will be excluded
from the calculation of Negative  Working Capital for this purpose to the extent
Buyer and Company hereafter  jointly confirm in writing that such  restructuring
or cost  reduction  measures  were  undertaken  after  consultation  with  Buyer
primarily to provide operational benefits after the Closing (which restructuring
and cost  reduction  measures may include  sale or  disposition  of  facilities;
cancellation of leases; and termination or reassignment of personnel).

     (b) By  September  15, 1996 (or such later date as Buyer may  accept),  the
Company shall deliver to Buyer the projected  balance  sheet,  as at the Closing
Date,  of  the  Company  and  the  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis  (the
"Company's  Projected Closing Date Balance Sheet") and of the amount of Negative
Working Capital, if any, that the Company has

                                        8

<PAGE>

certified  to be its best good  faith  estimate  of the  foregoing  prepared  in
accordance  with GAAP subject to the  adjustments  described in  subsection  (a)
above, and except that footnote information and effects of adjusting, closing or
correcting  entries  that  can  only  be  ascertained   through  year-end  audit
procedures may, as necessary,  be omitted.  As soon as practicable after receipt
by Buyer of the Company's Projected Closing Date Balance Sheet, and in any event
within ten (10) days after such receipt, Buyer shall complete and deliver to the
Company a review  ("Buyer's  Review") of the  Company's  Projected  Closing Date
Balance Sheet and the projected  Negative Working Capital.  If such review shall
reveal  that Buyer has any  disputes  with  respect to the  Company's  Projected
Closing Date Balance  Sheet or the  projected  Negative  Working  Capital,  then
representatives  of Buyer,  the Company  and the  Principal  Shareholders  shall
promptly meet and shall attempt in good faith to resolve any such disputes:

          (i) If  there  are no such  disputes  or if all of such  disputes  are
     resolved  within  ten (10) days  after the  Company's  receipt  of  Buyer's
     Review,  then the projected  balance sheet,  as at the Closing Date, of the
     Company and the  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis as agreed to between
     Buyer  and  the  Company,  including  the  determination  of the  projected
     Negative  Working  Capital,  if any, shall be set forth as an attachment to
     this Agreement (the "Projected Closing Date Balance Sheet"), and the amount
     of the Merger  Consideration  payable  at  Closing  shall be reduced by the
     amount,  if any, to which Buyer  shall be  entitled to  indemnification  in
     accordance  with  Section   11.2(a)(vi)  (the  "Negative   Working  Capital
     Indemnification Amount") in accordance with Section 11.6 of this Agreement.
     If the projected Negative Working Capital  Indemnification  Amount, if any,
     set forth in the Projected Closing Date Balance Sheet shall be in excess of
     the amount of the Merger Consideration payable at the Closing in accordance
     with Section 2.3(a) hereof,  then Buyer, in its sole  discretion,  shall be
     entitled to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Article XII hereof,
     or to proceed  with the closing of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
     Agreement,  in which case, it shall be entitled to offset the amount of the
     projected  Negative  Working Capital that exceeds the Merger  Consideration
     payable at Closing against payment of the Contingent Payments in accordance
     with  Section  11.6 of this  Agreement  and/or  to  proceed  with any other
     indemnification or other rights it may have.

          (ii) If the parties are unable to resolve all of such disputes  within
     such time  period,  then the  Closing  may be delayed for up to thirty (30)
     days  following  Confirmation  of the Plan  unless  Buyer  elects  to close
     notwithstanding  such  disputes,  in which case  Buyer  shall  deposit  the
     disputed  amount of any Negative  Working  Capital  Indemnification  Amount
     under  escrow  arrangements  acceptable  to  the  Company,  Buyer  and  the
     Principal  Shareholders  (or,  as  applicable,   as  the  Bankruptcy  Court
     prescribes) pending resolution of such disputes.  If the representatives of
     Company,  Buyer and the Principal Shareholders are unable to resolve all of
     such disputes  within thirty (30) days following  Confirmation of the Plan,
     and if Buyer  does not  elect to close as  aforesaid  notwithstanding  such
     disputes,  then either the Company or Buyer shall be entitled to  terminate
     this Agreement in accordance with Article XII hereof.

                                        9

<PAGE>


     (c) On or prior to the first  anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer shall,
at Buyer's  expense,  review the  Projected  Closing Date Balance  Sheet and the
related  consolidated  statements of  operations,  stockholders  equity and cash
flows for the period from  January 1, 1996 through the Closing  Date,  to verify
the Company's Negative Working Capital as of the Closing Date, and shall deliver
to the Estate  Representative  its written report (the "Negative Working Capital
Report") setting forth the amount of such Negative  Working Capital.  Buyer will
consult with the Estate  Representative from time to time during such review. If
the Estate  Representative  disputes the Negative  Working Capital  Report,  the
parties agree to utilize the following procedure to resolve such dispute:

          (i)  After  delivery  to the  Estate  Representative  of the  Negative
     Working Capital Report,  the Estate  Representative  may deliver to Buyer a
     written report (the "Estate Representative's Report") advising Buyer either
     (A) that the Estate Representative agrees with the Negative Working Capital
     Report,  or (B) that one or more  adjustments  are required.  If the Estate
     Representative  fails to deliver an Estate  Representative  Report ten (10)
     days after Buyer has  notified the Estate  Representative  that ninety (90)
     days  have  elapsed  since the date of  delivery  of the  Negative  Working
     Capital  Report  to the  Estate  Representative,  and  that a  response  is
     required if it is intended to be given, the Estate  Representative shall be
     deemed to have consented to the calculation of Negative  Working Capital as
     set forth on the Negative Working Capital Report,  which  calculation shall
     thereupon  become  final  and  shall  not be  subject  to  further  review,
     challenge or adjustment,  absent fraud, but subject to item (iii) below. If
     Buyer concurs with the adjustments the Estate  Representative  proposes, or
     if Buyer  does not  object  thereto in a writing  that it  delivers  to the
     Estate  Representative  within (30) days after Buyer's receipt of an Estate
     Representative's Report, the calculation of Negative Working Capital (as so
     adjusted in such Estate  Representative's  Report)  shall  become final and
     shall not be subject to further  review,  challenge or  adjustment,  absent
     fraud,  but subject to clause (iii) below. The Company shall make available
     to the Estate  Representative such books and records of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries as shall be reasonably necessary for the Estate Representative
     to prepare the Estate Representative's Report.

          (ii) In the event that the Estate  Representative  submits  the Estate
     Representative's Report, and Buyer and the Estate Representative are unable
     to resolve  with Buyer the  disagreements  set forth in such report  within
     thirty  (30) days after the date of Estate  Representative's  Report,  then
     such  disagreements  shall be referred to a recognized  firm of independent
     certified public accountants  experienced in auditing home health companies
     that the Estate Representative and Buyer mutually select (or if they cannot
     agree on such selection,  then a "big six" accounting firm selected by lot,
     other than any such  accounting  firm for the  Company or Buyer  during the
     two-year period then ended,  or if there shall be no such accounting  firm,
     then  any  nationally  recognized  accounting  firm  the  Bankruptcy  Court
     selects)  (the  "Settlement  Accountants"),  and the  determination  of the
     Settlement  Accountants  shall be final and shall not be subject to further
     review,  challenge or adjustment,  absent fraud. The Settlement Accountants
     shall

                                       10

<PAGE>

     use their best efforts to reach a  determination  not more than  forty-five
     (45) days after such referral. Buyer shall pay the cost and expenses of the
     services of the Settlement  Accountants;  however, if it is determined that
     there will not be any adjustment to the Negative  Working  Capital Audit in
     favor of the Estate  Representative,  Buyer shall be entitled to offset the
     amount of such costs and expenses of the Settlement Accountants against the
     Contingent Payment next coming due.

          (iii) If any  contingent  liability for which a reserve is included in
     the  calculation of Negative  Working  Capital is finally  determined to be
     liquidated and undisputed,  such liquidated and undisputed  amount shall be
     used in lieu of the reserve for purposes of  calculating  Negative  Working
     Capital.

     (d) If the  actual  Negative  Working  Capital  as  finally  determined  in
accordance with  subsections (c) (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be greater than
the last applicable determination of Negative Working Capital in accordance with
this  Agreement,  then the amount,  if any, for which Buyer shall be entitled to
indemnification  in  accordance  with Article XI of this  Agreement  (including,
without limitation, Section 11.4 thereof relating to application of the Reserve)
shall be redetermined  based on such excess.  If the Negative Working Capital as
finally  determined in accordance with subsection  (c)(i),  (ii) and (iii) above
shall be less than the last applicable determination of Negative Working Capital
in  accordance  with this  Agreement,  then Buyer  shall,  subject to its offset
rights for other indemnification claims pursuant to Section 11.6 hereof, return,
upon   demand,   to  the  Estate   Representative   the  amount  of  any  excess
indemnification  amount  it  receives  in  accordance  with  Article  XI of this
Agreement  by reason of such higher  Negative  Working  Capital set forth in the
last  applicable  determination  of Negative  Working Capital in accordance with
this  Agreement,  such  amount to be  distributed  to the holders of the Allowed
Interests in accordance with the Plan. 2

     (e) In  connection  with this Section 2.5,  Buyer and the Company  agree to
notify  each  other  prior  to  Confirmation  of the  Plan  of any  findings  or
anticipated  disputes that its respective senior management believes will have a
significant  impact on the calculation of the Negative Working Capital.  Failure
to  comply  with the  foregoing  obligation  shall not be deemed a waiver of the
right to assert such fact after the Closing with respect to the  calculation  of
Negative Working Capital or otherwise."

- --------
2  By way of example only, assuming that Negative Working Capital was determined
   on the  Closing  Date to be  $52,000,000,  and Buyer  had no  indemnification
   claims under Sections  11.2(a)(i)  through and including Section  11.2(a)(v),
   and  had  no   indemnification   claims  under  Sections   11.2(a)(vii)   and
   11.2(a)(viii), then Buyer would have an indemnification claim for $18,000,000
   pursuant to Section 11.2(a)(vi). Pursuant to Section 11.4, $17,000,000 of the
   Reserve would be applied against such $18,000,000  claim, and accordingly the
   balance  of  $1,000,000  would be offset  against  the  Merger  Consideration
   payable at the  Closing.  If six months  later,  a matter is  liquidated  for
   $2,500,000  and the amount of the reserve  for such  matter on the  Projected
   Closing  Date  Balance  Sheet was  $2,000,000,  then the  amount of  Negative
   Working  Capital  would  be  redetermined  by  substituting   the  $2,500,000
   liquidated  amount for the  $2,000,000  reserve.  Accordingly,  the amount of
   Buyer's indemnification claim under Section 11.2(a)(vi) would be redetermined
   to  be  $18,500,000  instead  of  $18,000,000.   Pursuant  to  Section  11.4,
   $17,000,000 of the Reserve would be applied against such  $18,500,000  claim,
   and  accordingly  Buyer  would be  entitled  to receive  $1,500,000.  Because
   $1,000,000 was previously offset against the Merger Consideration  payable at
   the Closing,  the remaining  $500,000  would be offset against the Contingent
   Payments.

                                       11

<PAGE>


2. Section 3.1 of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety
   as follows:

     "3.1 Time and Place of Closing.  The closing of the transactions  that this
Agreement  contemplates  (the "Closing")  shall take place at the offices of the
Company's counsel Nelson Mullin Riley & Scarborough in Atlanta,  Georgia,  after
the  satisfaction  or waiver of all the  conditions  precedent set forth in this
Agreement  on such date as Buyer  shall  select  upon giving the Company and the
Principal  Shareholders  at least three (3) business days prior written  notice,
which date shall not be fewer than three (3) business days after such conditions
have  been  satisfied  or more  than  fifteen  (15)  business  days  after  such
conditions have been  satisfied,  or at such other time and place upon which the
parties may agree.  The date on which the Closing is held is hereinafter  called
the "Closing Date"."

3. Article IV of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

     (a) The last sentence of Section 4.3 of the Agreement is hereby  amended to
read in its entirety as follows:

     "Subject to obtaining a Final Order  confirming  the Plan,  this  Agreement
and, when executed and delivered,  each other  Transaction  Document will be the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company (insofar as the Company is a
party  thereto  or  otherwise  bound by its  terms)  enforceable  against  it in
accordance  with their terms.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  the Transaction
Documents shall include this  Agreement,  the  certificates  of merger,  and the
closing certificate contemplated by Section 9.3 hereof."

     (b) Buyer agrees that the following  matters shall not constitute  breaches
of representations  or warranties or covenants:  (i) any disallowance of charges
or business  activities to the extent they are sought (it being  understood that
the foregoing shall not apply to items as to which the parties to the Term Sheet
agreed merely to  cooperate)  or  considered to be settled  pursuant to the Term
Sheet;  (ii) the  existence of the claims set forth in the Claims  Registry with
the Bankruptcy  Court, but only to the extent described  therein and included as
current  liabilities in the  determination of Negative  Working  Capital;  (iii)
restructuring and cost reduction measures  heretofore,  or hereafter incurred to
the extent  Buyer and Company  hereafter  jointly  confirm in writing  that such
restructuring or cost reduction measures were undertaken after consultation with
Buyer  primarily  to  provide  operational  benefits  after the  Closing  (which
restructuring  or cost  reduction  measures may include sale or  disposition  of
facilities,   cancellation  of  leases,   and  termination  or  reassignment  of
personnel) (iv) changes in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practices in the physical condition of, the property, plant and equipment of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, (v) adjustments to the financial statements of the
Company and its  Subsidiaries  for the 1993,  1994 and 1995 fiscal years made on
the  recommendation  of  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  pursuant  to the  written  reports
heretofore  delivered to Buyer,  (vi) any changes in Allowed  Interests that are
otherwise  fully  addressed  in the Plan,  and (vii)  any  other  event,  act or
occurrence  insofar as and to the  extent  that the  resulting  Loss can be, and
therefore is,  included as a current  liability in the Negative  Working Capital
determination.


                                       12
<PAGE>


4. Article VIII of the Merger Agreement is amended by adding the following:



     "8.12 Best Efforts.  Buyer,  the  Principal  Shareholders  and,  subject to
approval of this Agreement by the Bankruptcy  Court, the Company shall use their
best  efforts to cause the  conditions  set forth in  Articles  IX and X of this
Agreement to be satisfied.

     8.13 The Plan.  The  Principal  Shareholders  agree to vote in favor of the
Plan,  as the same may be amended  with their  consent or as the  Company  shall
recommend to conform to this  Agreement and as shall not  adversely  affect such
Principal Shareholders.

     8.14 Consulting. On and after September 9, 1996, Buyer may consult with the
Company,  and the  parties  shall  cooperate  with each  other to make plans and
provide  preparation,  to  the  extent  consistent  with  the  dictates  of  the
Bankruptcy Court, for an efficient and orderly  transition in the management and
control of the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  to Buyer  after the  Closing.  In
furtherance of the foregoing, a limited number of Buyer's  representatives shall
be entitled to visit the Company for this  purpose at  reasonable  times  during
business  hours upon  giving the  Company at least two (2)  business  days prior
notice of such  visit;  provided  that all such  visits  shall be made under the
supervision of the senior management of the Company and shall not interfere with
the operations of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.  In no event
shall the  foregoing be deemed to limit the  authority of senior  management  to
direct the business and affairs of the Company in  accordance  with their rights
and obligations as senior management.

5. Article IX of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

     (a) With  respect to the  condition  set forth in Section 9.4 of the Merger
Agreement,  the forms of legal opinions of counsel to the Company and of counsel
to the Principal  Shareholders which, if delivered at the Closing,  will satisfy
the condition set forth in Section 9.4 are attached hereto as Exhibits 9.4-1 and
9.4-2.

     (b) The conditions set forth in Section 9.10 may be deemed satisfied if the
consents referred to therein shall not be required by reason of actions taken in
accordance with the Plan.  Buyer  acknowledges  that the conditions set forth in
Section 9.11 to 9.15 have been satisfied or waived.

     (c) Section 9.17 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     "9.17 Settlement Releases.  The Settlement  Agreement,  consistent with the
Term Sheet shall have been executed and delivered and all of the  conditions set
forth therein shall have been satisfied."

     (d) Section 9.23 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     "9.23  Resignations.  Buyer shall have received the  resignations of all of
the directors of each of the Company and the  Subsidiaries.  Effective as of the
Closing Date, each of Frank  Chamberlain and Charles Cansler shall have provided
their written resignations as officers and from all other authority on behalf of
the Company and the Subsidiaries and their engagement shall have been terminated
with no further  liability for compensation  payable for services rendered after
the Closing  Date,  except that Buyer agrees to pay  compensation  and reimburse
expenses on the basis provided in their engagement agreement with the Company as
disclosed to Buyer for services  requested by Buyer or the Company (with Buyer's
knowledge) through completion of

                                       13

<PAGE>



Closing and thereafter to wind up their  responsibilities  or for other services
in the Bankruptcy  Case, in each case such services to be provided after Closing
to be coordinated  in advance with the General  Counsel of Buyer as he requests,
and  provided  Buyer  agrees to continue  to give effect to the  indemnification
provision  included in their  written terms of engagement as disclosed to Buyer.
All costs and expenses payable to or on behalf of Messrs. Chamberlain or Cansler
for  services  described  above  shall be  treated  as  current  liabilities  or
reductions  in current  assets for  purposes  of  determining  Negative  Working
Capital."

     (a)  Sections  9.30,  9.31,  9.32 and 9.33 are  hereby  deemed to have been
waived or satisfied.

     (b) Section 9.34 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     "9.34 Confirmation  Period. The Bankruptcy Court shall have issued an order
confirming  the Plan, and such order shall not be subject to any appeal which is
unacceptable to Buyer or its senior secured lenders."

     (c) Section 9.35 shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows:

     "9.35  Consummation.  The Plan  shall  have been  consummated  on or before
November 15, 1996."

     (d) Two new conditions are added to the end of Article IX as follows:

     "9.38 Consent of Secured Lenders.

     (a) The senior secured lenders of Buyer shall have approved this Agreement,
as amended,  the Plan, as amended,  and the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement and the Plan, as amended.

     (b) All of the conditions to the foregoing  consent and Buyer's  receipt of
its financing from its senior secured  lenders with respect to the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been satisfied.

     9.39 Omnibus  Agreement.  An Omnibus  Agreement  (the "Omnibus  Agreement")
providing  for the final  resolution  of  financial  claims  and  interests  (in
addition to the matters  provided  for  therein) of each  Principal  Shareholder
shall have been executed and  delivered by each  Principal  Shareholder  and the
Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to Buyer."

     9.40 Indemnification Obligations. The aggregate amount to which Buyer shall
be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article XI of this Agreement (subject
to Section 11.4 thereof  relating to the Reserve) shall not exceed the amount of
cash Merger Consideration otherwise payable at Closing.

                                       14

<PAGE>



     ARTICLE X OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

     (a) The following provision is added as Section 10.8:

     10.8  Bankruptcy.  The Bankruptcy  Court will approve this  Agreement,  all
conditions to Confirmation  provided in the Plan as amended to conform with this
Agreement or as shall not adversely  affect any Principal  Shareholder  or as to
which said Principal  Shareholder  shall agree will be substantially  satisfied,
and the Bankruptcy Court will confirm the Plan, as so amended.

5. Article XI of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

     (a) Section 11.2 of the Merger  Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

     "11.2 Indemnification of Buyer.

     (a) Subject to Section 11.4 below (which  provides for  application  of the
Reserve),  each of the  Principal  Shareholders,  and,  to the  extent set forth
below,  the  Company,  shall  indemnify  and defend  Buyer and hold it  harmless
against  any and all  damage,  loss,  liability,  cost and  expense  (including,
without limitation,  reasonable attorney's fee's and expenses) the Buyer (or any
of  its  subsidiaries),  the  Company  or its  Subsidiaries  incur  (all  of the
foregoing hereinafter collectively referred to as "Loss") resulting from:

          (i)  any  inaccuracy  in  any  representation,  or any  breach  of any
     warranty,  that  the  Company  or any  Principal  Shareholder  made in this
     Agreement or any Transaction Document; or

          (ii) the breach by the  Company or any  Principal  Shareholder  of any
     covenant in this Agreement or any Transaction Document; or


          (iii) any  liability of the Company or any  Subsidiary to the Medicare
     or Medicaid programs, or to any other third party payor, for the recoupment
     of  reimbursement  the  Company  or any  Subsidiary  received  prior to the
     Effective Time of Merger, except to the extent paid or otherwise discharged
     pursuant to the releases provided  pursuant to the Settlement  Agreement or
     discharged  pursuant to the payment of the criminal  fine by any  Principal
     Shareholder or by Buyer,  the Company or its  Subsidiaries  pursuant to the
     Settlement Agreement; or

                                       15

<PAGE>



          (iv) the claims for  options,  and any  related  employment  agreement
     claims,  described  on Schedule  4.12 except to the extent  included in the
     Merger  Consideration or included as a current liability or asset reduction
     in the calculation of Negative Working Capital; or

          (v) any action or omission of any Principal Shareholder,  or any other
     officer,  director or employee of the Company or any  Subsidiary  occurring
     before the filing of  bankruptcy  by the Company that  constituted a crime,
     fraud or pertained to any personal  benefit he or she  improperly  received
     (exclusive of matters paid or otherwise discharged pursuant to the releases
     provided  pursuant  to  the  Settlement  Agreement  or the  payment  of the
     criminal fine by any Principal Shareholder or by the payments to be made by
     Buyer,  the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  pursuant to the Settlement
     Agreement),  any  indemnification  or  contribution  claims  by  any of the
     foregoing in connection  with any such action (or any action from which the
     Buyer, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is discharged pursuant to the
     Settlement Agreement),  and any amounts due to any Principal Shareholder by
     the  Company  or any  Subsidiary,  except  as  expressly  provided  in this
     Agreement or the Omnibus Agreement; or

          (vi) the amount by which Negative Working Capital exceeds  $34,000,000
     as determined in accordance with Section 2.5;

          (vii) any pension,  retirement or profit sharing plan,  arrangement or
     fund (including obligations mandated by foreign or local law), or any other
     employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(e) of the Employee Retirement
     Income  Security  Act of 1934,  as amended  ("ERISA"),  including,  without
     limitation,  the failure to comply with any provisions thereof or any laws,
     rules,  regulations,  orders or guidelines  applicable thereto,  including,
     without limitation,  any "prohibited transaction",  as such term is defined
     in the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "IRC")  Section 4975
     and Title I of ERISA, any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in IRC
     Section 412(a)) or any "reportable  event" (as defined under any applicable
     provision of the IRC or ERISA) or liabilities  arising from disallowance of
     tax  deduction  taken by the Company or any  Subsidiary  on or prior to the
     Closing; or

          (viii)  the  investigation,   defense  or  reasonable  settlement  (in
     accordance  with  Section 11.5  hereof)  after the  Closing,  of any of the
     foregoing or the  enforcement of this indemnity  obligation;  provided that
     with  respect  to clause  (vi)  above,  expenses  of  normal  investigation
     (including  audit  expenses  and  fees)  and  analysis  and  resolution  of
     liabilities  arising in the  ordinary  course of  business  will not be the
     basis for a Loss.

     (b) The Company's indemnification obligations under this Section 11.2 shall
terminate  and be of no  further  force  or  effect  upon  the  Closing,  and no
Principal   Shareholder  shall  have  any  right  to  claim  indemnification  or
contribution against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or their respective
successors and assigns,  or right to claim reduction or pro ration of his or her
own indemnification obligations, based on the applicability or non-applicability
of such indemnification obligations of the Company.

                                       16

<PAGE>



     (b) Section  11.3(a) of the Merger  Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
all words after the words "Transaction Document" and before the word "or".

     (c) Sections 11.4, 11.5 and 11.6 of the Merger Agreement are hereby amended
to read in their entirety as follows:

     "11.4  Indemnification  Period and Reserve.  Any claim for  indemnification
pursuant  to Sections  11.2 or 11.3 must be  asserted  by written  notice to the
party from whom indemnification is sought by no later than the date on which the
first  Contingent  Payment  shall become due and payable,  provided that no such
time limitation shall be applicable to claims that Buyer asserts with respect to
any indemnification claim pursuant to Section 11.2(a)(iii) above or with respect
to any breach of the  representations  or the  warranties  contained in Sections
4.15 or 4.21 or the  indemnification  set forth in Section  11.2(a)(vii)  above.
Such written  notice shall contain a detailed  description  of the nature of the
claim and the basis  therefor.  No  Principal  Shareholder  shall be entitled to
indemnification  hereunder  unless and until the aggregate amount for all claims
for which such party may be  entitled  to  indemnification  hereunder  equals or
exceeds One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000). Upon Closing, Buyer shall
not be  entitled to  indemnification  or any other  recovery  for breach of this
Agreement or the other  Transaction  Documents  for claims  asserted  unless and
until  and to the  extent  the  aggregate  amount of all such  claims  equals or
exceeds Seventeen Million Dollars ($17,000,000) (the "Reserve"), except that the
Reserve  shall not limit claims based on any defect in title or ownership of any
Allowed  Interest of the Principal  Shareholders,  or adverse claims  pertaining
thereto,  shall not limit  operation of the Plan in accordance with its terms or
remedies  generally  available from the Bankruptcy Court, and shall not apply to
claims against the Principal Shareholders under Section 11.2(a)(v).

     11.5  Control  of  Defense  of   Indemnifible   Claims.   A  party  seeking
indemnification  under  Section  11.2 or 11.3 shall give the other party  prompt
written notice of the claim for which it seeks  indemnification.  Failure of the
party seeking  indemnification  to give such prompt notice shall not relieve the
other   party   of  its   indemnification   obligation,   provided   that   such
indemnification  obligation  shall be reduced by any  damages  such other  party
suffered  that results  from a failure to give prompt  notice  hereunder.  Buyer
shall be entitled to manage and control the defense,  reasonable  settlement  or
other disposition, payment or discharge of all matters for which indemnification
is available,  provided it acts in good faith in a manner reasonably expected to
minimize  the  applicable  Loss.  Buyer  shall  give  notice  to  the  Principal
Shareholders  a reasonable  period of time prior to its settlement of any matter
covered by Section  11.2 of this  Agreement  (other than any matter for which it
shall seek indemnification under Section 11.2(a)(vi) of this Agreement).

     11.6  Offsets.  Buyer  shall be entitled to offset any amounts due to it by
reason of any  indemnification  claim  under this  Agreement  against any amount
which may then or  thereafter  become due to any  holder of an Allowed  Interest
(regardless  of  whether  the  holder of such  Allowed  Interest  shall  have an
indemnification  obligation).  Buyer  acknowledges that any such offset shall be
applied  proportionately  to the Allowed Interests by the Estate  Representative
based

                                       17

<PAGE>


on the ratio  that the amount of the  Merger  Consideration  payable to a holder
bears to the  total  amount  of the  Merger  Consideration.  If  Buyer  shall be
entitled to  indemnification  under Section  11.2(a)(vi)  above, it shall offset
such indemnification  claims against any payments of Merger Consideration as the
same become due prior to proceeding with other indemnification rights.

     (b) A new Section 11.7 is hereby added at the end of Article XI as follows:

     "11.7 Interest;  Net Losses;  Other Matters.  (a) All liabilities for which
any party is entitled  to  indemnification  under this  Agreement  shall  accrue
interest at the rate of interest Buyer's senior secured lenders charge from time
to time under its revolving  credit  facility  from the date such  liability was
paid until the date that recovery of such indemnification amount shall occur.

     (b) The  amount of any Loss  shall be  reduced by the amount of any net tax
benefits (after taking into account the amount of recovery received) arising out
of the Loss for which  indemnification is sought, the net insurance proceeds the
party  being  indemnified  receives  that  arise  out  of  the  Loss  for  which
indemnification  is sought,  and the amount of any recovery for such Loss which,
considered in light of normal  practice and in compliance  with  applicable laws
and regulations,  is obtained from Medicare, Medicaid or third party payors with
respect to any period after January 1, 1997.

     (c) Insofar as the Losses are for additional taxes due for periods prior to
Closing in respect of the proof of claim the Internal  Revenue Service filed for
potential  claims of up to  approximately  $8,100,000,  the amount of  carryback
permitted  (for  purposes of  calculating  such Losses)  based on net  operating
losses  incurred by virtue of the Settlement  Agreement or based on post-Closing
periods shall be limited to $3,000,000 in the aggregate.

     (d) Buyer  agrees that it shall not be entitled to  indemnification  (other
than pursuant to Section  11.2(a)(vi))  for any Loss to the extent the amount of
such Loss can be, and  therefor is,  included as a current  liability or current
asset reduction in the calculation of Negative  Working Capital as determined in
accordance with this Agreement.

     (e) Buyer  acknowledges  (without becoming  responsible  therefor) that the
Plan provides that if Buyer makes any recovery for contractual claims, including
indemnification,  asserted directly against the Principal Shareholders, with the
exception  of claims  based on any defect in title or  ownership  of the Allowed
Interests of the Principal Shareholders or adverse claims pertaining thereto, or
claims against the Principal  Shareholders under Section 11.2(a)(v) hereof, then
the  Principal  Shareholders  will  be  entitled  to  receive  from  the  Estate
Representative  reallocation  of the  Merger  Consideration  payable  at Closing
otherwise  payable to the  holders of Allowed  Interest  sufficient  to make the
Principal  Shareholders  whole for the pro rata  portion of the  recovery  Buyer
obtained for which other holders of Allowed  Interest would have borne financial
responsibility if the recovery had instead been out of such Contingent Payments.


                                       18
<PAGE>


     (c) A new Section 11.11 is added as follows:

     11.11  Compliance  with Plan.  Upon  Closing  and  subject to the terms and
conditions of this  Agreement,  Buyer  undertakes to perform the  obligations of
Buyer set forth in the Plan and to cause the  Company  and the  Subsidiaries  to
perform the obligations of the Company and its  Subsidiaries as set forth in the
Plan.

7.  Section  12.1 of the  Merger  Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

     "12.1  Termination.  The  parties  obligations  to close  the  transactions
contemplated  by this Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to the
Closing by:

          (a) Buyer,  if any condition  precedent to Buyer's  obligations  under
     this  Agreement has not been  satisfied by the Closing Date, or by Buyer as
     otherwise provided in this Agreement; or

          (b) the  Principal  Shareholders,  if any  condition  precedent to the
     Principal  Shareholders'  obligations  under  this  Agreement  has not been
     satisfied  by  the  Closing  Date,  or by  the  Principal  Shareholders  as
     otherwise provided in this Agreement; or

          (c) the mutual consent of Buyer and the Principal Shareholders; or

          (d) Buyer or the Principal Shareholders, if the Closing shall not have
     occurred by November 30, 1996.

8.  Article  XIII is hereby  amended by deleting  Section  13.2 and deleting all
references to the "Consulting Agreement" in such Article.

9. Article XIV of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

     (a)  Section  14.1  of  the  Merger  Agreement  is  hereby  amended  (i) to
acknowledge  Buyer's consent to the Company's  reimbursement of a portion of the
Principal Shareholders' legal expenses as limited by the Omnibus Agreement,  and
(ii) to  acknowledge  Buyer's  consent to payment by the  Company in full of the
Company's professional advisors, subject to approval of Company management after
consulting with Buyer's General Counsel (after giving due  consideration  to his
recommendations) before Closing and subject to approval of the Bankruptcy Court.

     (b) Section 14.3 of the Merger  Agreement is hereby amended to provide that
the rights and  obligations  of the  Company  under this  Agreement  may, at the
request and with the consent of Buyer,  be assigned  to, and assumed by, the New
Parent.  The rights and  obligations of Buyer may not be assigned to, or assumed
by, any other  entity  unless  Buyer  provides  its  irrevocable,  unconditional
guaranty to the Estate  Representative  for payment of the  obligations of Buyer
and the  Company  hereunder,  in  accordance  with and  subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

                                       19

<PAGE>



     (c)  Section  14.6 is hereby  amended  to set forth  that all  notices  and
demands  with respect to the Estate  Representative  shall be delivered to it at
the address provided in the Plan.

     (d) A new  Section  14.6  is  hereby  added  to the end of  Article  XIV as
follows:

     14.6 Power of Attorney.  If a person acting under a power of attorney for a
Principal  Shareholder  executes and delivers  this  Agreement on behalf of such
Principal  Shareholder,  then such Principal  Shareholder  covenants  that, upon
request of Buyer,  he or she shall  personally  execute a copy of this Agreement
and deliver it to Buyer. This covenant shall be deemed to be a material covenant
for purposes of Section 9.2 of this Agreement.

10. Each party hereto  represents and warrants to the others that this Amendment
Agreement has been duly authorized and executed by such party as its, his or her
own free act and not under duress of any type, and constitutes the legal,  valid
and binding obligation of such party,  except to the extent that enforcement may
be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium or similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditor's  rights  generally,  or (b) general
principles of equity.

11. Except as expressly provided in this Amendment  Agreement,  all other terms,
conditions, provisions,  representations,  warranties, covenants and obligations
under the Merger Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.


                       [SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]


                                       20

<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  each of the parties hereto has executed, or caused its
duly authorized  representative to execute,  this Amendment  Agreement as of the
date first above written. 

                                   PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS:




                                   /s/ Robert J. Mills
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                   Robert J. Mills

                                   /s/ Margie B. Mills
                                   -----------------------------------------   
                                   Margie B. Mills





                                   COMPANY:


                                   FIRST AMERICAN HEALTH CARE OF GEORGIA, INC.




                                   By: /s/ Frank M. Chamberlain
                                       ----------------------------
                                       Frank M. Chamberlain 


                                   BUYER:


                                   INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.



                                   By:  /s/ Marshall A. Elkins
                                        ---------------------------
                                        Marshall A. Elkins



                                   NEWCO:


                                   IHS ACQUISITION XIV, INC.



                                   By:  /s/ Marshall A. Elkins
                                        ---------------------------
                                        Marshall A. Elkins


                                       21




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