AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORP
S-1, 1997-03-12
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<PAGE>   1
 
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 12, 1997
 
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
 
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                                <C>
            TENNESSEE                             8059                            62-1674303
 (State or Other Jurisdiction of      (Primary Standard Industrial             (I.R.S. Employer
  Incorporation or Organization)      Classification Code Number)           Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                         111 WESTWOOD PLACE, SUITE 402
                           BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
                                 (615) 221-2250
  (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of
                   Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
                             ---------------------
                                  W.E. SHERIFF
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         111 WESTWOOD PLACE, SUITE 402
                           BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
                                 (615) 221-2250
 (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                             of Agent For Service)
                             ---------------------
                          COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                 <C>
                  T. ANDREW SMITH                                  JEFFREY S. LOWENTHAL
              BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC                           STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN LLP
               FIRST AMERICAN CENTER                                  180 MAIDEN LANE
            NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37238                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10038
                  (615) 742-6200                                      (212) 806-5400
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  As soon
as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ] ____________.
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ] ____________.
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                             ---------------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================================================================
                                                                 PROPOSED            PROPOSED
                                                                  MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM            AMOUNT OF
        TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF              AMOUNT TO BE      OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE         REGISTRATION
      SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED          REGISTERED(1)       PER SHARE(2)      OFFERING PRICE(2)          FEE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Common Stock, par value $.01 per
  share................................      3,593,750            $17.00            $61,093,750           $18,514
=======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes 468,750 shares of Common Stock which the Underwriters have the
     option to purchase from the Registrant to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(a) solely for the purpose of
     calculating the registration fee.
                             ---------------------
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 12, 1997
PROSPECTUS
 
                                3,125,000 SHARES
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION (LOGO)
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                               ------------------
 
     All of the shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), of American Retirement Corporation (the "Company") offered hereby (the
"Offering") are being offered by the Company. Prior to the Offering, there has
been no public market for the Common Stock. It is currently anticipated that the
initial public offering price will be between $15.00 and $17.00 per share. See
"Underwriting" for information relating to the factors to be considered in
determining the initial public offering price. It is anticipated that
approximately 500,000 shares of Common Stock will be offered outside of the
United States.
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED
HEREBY.
 
                               ------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=============================================================================================================
                                                                       UNDERWRITING
                                                   PRICE TO           DISCOUNTS AND          PROCEEDS TO
                                                    PUBLIC            COMMISSIONS(1)          COMPANY(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Per Share..................................           $                     $                     $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)...................................           $                     $                     $
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See "Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated to be $900,000.
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to
    an additional 468,750 shares of Common Stock on the same terms and
    conditions as set forth above solely to cover over-allotments, if any. See
    "Underwriting." If such option is exercised in full, the total Price to
    Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions, and Proceeds to Company will
    be $        , $        , and $        , respectively.
 
                               ------------------
 
     The shares of Common Stock are offered by the Underwriters when, as, and if
delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters, and subject to various prior
conditions, including the right to withdraw, cancel, or modify the Offering and
to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of stock
certificates will be made in New York, New York on or about             , 1997.
 
                               ------------------
 
NATWEST SECURITIES LIMITED                      EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1997
<PAGE>   3
 
                            [MAP/PICTURES TO FOLLOW]
 
     FOR UNITED KINGDOM PURCHASERS:  This Prospectus has not been registered in
the United Kingdom and, accordingly, the shares of Common Stock offered hereby
may not be and are not being offered or sold in the United Kingdom other than to
persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing,
or disposing of investments, whether as principal or agent (except in
circumstances that do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning
of the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 or the Financial Services
Act 1986), and this Prospectus may only be issued or passed on to any person in
the United Kingdom if that person is of a kind described in Article 11(3) of the
Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996
or a person to whom this Prospectus may otherwise lawfully be passed on.
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN, OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING TRANSACTIONS,
SYNDICATE SHORT COVERING TRANSACTIONS, AND PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF
THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements and
notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. Prospective investors
should consider carefully the information set forth under "Risk Factors."
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Offering, American Retirement
Communities, L.P. ("ARCLP" or the "Predecessor") will be reorganized (the
"Reorganization") such that all of ARCLP's assets and liabilities will be
contributed to the Company in exchange for a total of 7,812,500 shares of Common
Stock, which will be immediately distributed to ARCLP's partners, and a
promissory note in the principal amount of $25.0 million (the "Reorganization
Note"). See "The Company -- Pending Reorganization." Unless otherwise indicated,
all information in this Prospectus (i) gives effect to the Reorganization, and
(ii) assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. Unless the
context otherwise requires, references to the Company include the Company, its
subsidiary partnerships and corporations, and the Predecessor.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is a national senior living and health care services company
providing a broad range of care and services to the elderly, including
independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and home health care
services. The Company has pioneered numerous developments in the provision of
care and services for the elderly since its inception in 1978, and believes it
ranks among the leading operators in the senior living and health care services
industry. Currently, the Company operates 19 senior living communities in 12
states, consisting of ten owned communities, two leased communities, and seven
managed communities, with an aggregate capacity for approximately 5,500
residents. The Company also owns and operates seven home health care agencies.
At December 31, 1996, the Company's owned and leased communities had an
occupancy rate of 96% and its managed communities had an occupancy rate of 92%.
Approximately 92.1% of the Company's total revenues for the year ended December
31, 1996 were derived from private pay sources.
 
     Over the past several years, the Company has experienced significant
growth, primarily through the acquisition of senior living communities. The
Company's revenues have grown from $17.8 million in 1992 to $75.6 million in
1996, an average annual growth rate of 43.5%. During the same period, the
Company's income from operations has grown from $2.3 million to $15.6 million,
an average annual growth rate of 61.7%. The Company intends to continue its
growth through a combination of (i) development of free-standing assisted living
residences, including special living units and programs for residents with
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia; (ii) selective acquisitions of senior
living communities, including assisted living residences; (iii) expansion of
existing communities; and (iv) development and acquisition of home health care
agencies. As part of its growth strategy, the Company is currently developing 19
free-standing assisted living residences, with an estimated aggregate capacity
for 1,684 residents, and is expanding eight of its existing communities to add
capacity to accommodate an additional 702 residents. The Company has also
entered into letters of intent to acquire one additional senior living
community, which is currently managed by the Company, and one additional home
health care agency.
 
     The Company was founded by Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr. and Jack C. Massey, the
principal founders of Hospital Corporation of America (now a subsidiary of
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation). The Company's operating philosophy was
inspired by Dr. Frist's and Mr. Massey's vision to enhance the lives of the
elderly by providing the highest quality of care and services in well-operated
communities designed to improve and protect the quality of life, independence,
personal freedom, privacy, spirit, and dignity of its residents. The Company
believes that its senior management, led by W.E. Sheriff, its Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and Christopher J. Coates, its President and Chief Operating
Officer, is one of the most experienced management teams in the senior living
industry. The Company's 12 senior officers have been employed by the Company for
an average of nine years and have an average of 14 years of industry experience.
The executive directors of the Company's communities have been employed by the
Company for an average of four years and have an average of 11 years of
experience in the senior living industry.
 
     The Company's target market, which consists of seniors age 75 and older, is
one of the fastest growing segments of the United States population. According
to the United States Census Bureau, this age group is
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
expected to grow from 13.2 million in 1990 to over 16.6 million by 2000, an
increase of 26%. The Company believes that the market for senior living and
health care services, including Alzheimer's and dementia care services, will
continue to grow as a result of (i) the aging of the U.S. population, (ii)
rising public and private cost-containment pressures, (iii) declining
availability of traditional nursing home beds as a result of nursing home
operators focusing on higher acuity patients, (iv) the quality of life
advantages of assisted living residences over traditional skilled nursing
facilities, and (v) the decreasing availability of family care as an option for
elderly family members. The Company believes that its experience, reputation,
and market presence favorably position it to take advantage of opportunities in
the rapidly growing senior living and health care industry.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company........................  3,125,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering..........  10,937,500 shares(1)
Use of proceeds............................................  To repay the Reorganization Note; to
                                                             complete two pending acquisitions; to fund
                                                             development activities and possible future
                                                             acquisitions; and for general corporate
                                                             purposes, including working capital. See
                                                             "The Company -- Pending Reorganization"
                                                             and "Use of Proceeds."
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Includes 7,812,500 shares of Common Stock to be issued in the
     Reorganization. Does not include 635,000 shares of Common Stock reserved
     for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options under the Company's 1997
     Stock Incentive Plan, which options are exercisable at the initial public
     offering price. See "Management -- Compensation Pursuant to Plans -- 1997
     Stock Incentive Plan" and "Description of Capital Stock."
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
           SUMMARY COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
     The following summary combined and consolidated financial and other data is
qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information in the financial
statements and pro forma financial information appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The summary financial data for the year ended December 31, 1994 and
for the three months ended March 31, 1995 is derived from the combined financial
statements of certain affiliated partnerships and corporations (collectively,
the "Predecessor Entities"). The summary financial data for the nine months
ended December 31, 1995 and the year ended December 31, 1996 is derived from the
consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor. See Note 1 to the Combined
and Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       PREDECESSOR ENTITIES
                                                            (COMBINED)                          PREDECESSOR
                                                    ---------------------------   ----------------------------------------
                                                                   THREE MONTHS   NINE MONTHS            YEAR ENDED
                                                     YEAR ENDED       ENDED          ENDED           DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                    DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,    ------------------------
                                                        1994           1995           1995         ACTUAL     PRO FORMA(1)
                                                    ------------   ------------   ------------    --------    ------------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, COMMUNITY, AND RESIDENT DATA)
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total revenues....................................    $33,341        $12,356        $48,763       $ 75,617      $ 79,543
Operating expenses................................     28,126         10,270         38,730         60,066        63,861
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
  Income from operations..........................      5,215          2,086         10,033         15,551        15,682
Other income (expense), net.......................     (5,053)        (3,334)        (6,682)       (10,938)      (11,353)
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  extraordinary item..............................        162         (1,248)         3,351          4,613         4,329
Income tax expense (benefit)(2)...................         --             20             55           (920)         (920)
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item...........        162         (1,268)         3,296          5,533         5,249
Extraordinary item(3).............................         --             --             --         (2,335)       (2,335)
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
Net income (loss).................................    $   162        $(1,268)       $ 3,296       $  3,198      $  2,914
                                                      =======        =======        =======       ========      ========
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA TAX DATA(4):
Income before income taxes and extraordinary
  item............................................                                                $  4,613      $  4,329
Pro forma income tax expense......................                                                     820           712
                                                                                                  --------      --------
Pro forma income before extraordinary item........                                                $  3,793      $  3,617
                                                                                                  ========      ========
Pro forma per share data:
  Income per share before extraordinary item......                                                $   0.40      $   0.39
                                                                                                  ========      ========
  Shares used in computing pro forma per share
    data(5).......................................                                                   9,375         9,375
                                                                                                  ========      ========
Pro forma as adjusted per share data(6):
  Income per share before extraordinary item(7)...                                                              $   0.33
                                                                                                                ========
  Shares used in computing pro forma as adjusted
    per share data................................                                                                10,938
                                                                                                                ========
OTHER DATA:
Operating income before interest, taxes,
  depreciation, amortization and rental payments
  ("EBITDAR")(8)..................................    $ 8,106        $ 3,213        $14,567       $ 22,457      $ 24,045
Distribution to partners, including preferred
  distributions...................................      2,580          1,400          5,189          7,139         6,359(9)
Revenue mix:
  Private pay.....................................       93.0%          92.2%          91.2%          92.1%         92.5%
  Medicare and other(10)..........................        7.0            7.8            8.8            7.9           7.5
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
        Total.....................................      100.0%         100.0%         100.0%         100.0%        100.0%
Communities (at period end):
  Owned...........................................          8              9             10             12            12(11)
  Managed.........................................         11             10             10              7             7
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
        Total.....................................         19             19             20             19            19
Resident capacity (at period end):
  Owned...........................................      2,141          2,386          2,594          3,369         3,369(11)
  Managed.........................................      3,315          3,079          3,008          2,159         2,159
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
        Total.....................................      5,456          5,456          5,602          5,528         5,528
Average occupancy rate:
  Owned...........................................         89%            91%            93%            94%           94%(11)
  Managed.........................................         93             95             90             91            90
                                                      -------        -------        -------       --------      --------
        Total.....................................         91%            93%            92%            92%           92%
</TABLE>
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         AT DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                              -------------------------------------------
                                                                                             COMPANY
                                                                   PREDECESSOR           ----------------
                                                              ----------------------        PRO FORMA
                                                                              PRO               AS
                                                               ACTUAL      FORMA(12)       ADJUSTED(13)
                                                              --------     ---------     ----------------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>           <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $  3,222     $ 11,514          $ 32,114
Working capital (deficit)...................................   (14,289)       3,913            24,513
Total assets................................................   228,162      212,925           233,525
Long-term debt, including current portion...................   170,689      156,096           156,096
Partners' and shareholders' equity..........................    37,882       37,882            44,966
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 (1) Gives effect to the following transactions as if they had occurred on
     January 1, 1996: (a) the May 1996 acquisition (the "Carriage Club
     Acquisitions") of Carriage Club of Charlotte, L.P. and Carriage Club of
     Jacksonville, L.P. (collectively, "Carriage Club"), and (b) the January
     1997 sale-leaseback by the Company of two senior living communities (the
     "Sale-Leaseback Transactions") and the application of a portion of the net
     proceeds therefrom to retire debt. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
     Combined Financial Information."
 (2) Provision for income taxes reflects income tax expense of only one of the
     Predecessor Entities because the Predecessor and the other Predecessor
     Entities were partnerships. No income tax expense is reflected for periods
     prior to 1995 because of losses or the availability of net operating loss
     carryforwards ("NOLs"). Both periods in 1995 reflect a provision for
     alternative minimum taxes. In 1996, the Company recorded an income tax
     benefit and a deferred tax asset of $920,000 because of the anticipated
     utilization of NOLs that will offset taxable gains recognized from the
     Sale-Leaseback Transactions. See Note 12 to the Combined and Consolidated
     Financial Statements.
 (3) Amount represents loss on early extinguishment of debt. See Note 9 to the
     Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements.
 (4) Except for one of the Predecessor Entities, the Predecessor and the
     Predecessor Entities, as partnerships, were exempt from U.S. Federal and
     state income taxes. The pro forma financial data reflects the effect on
     certain income statement data of income tax expense that would have been
     recorded had the Predecessor and the other Predecessor Entities not been
     exempt from paying such income taxes. Pro forma income tax expense has been
     calculated using the statutory U.S. Federal and state tax rates and gives
     effect to the recognition in 1996 of the $920,000 deferred tax asset
     described in footnote (2) above.
 (5) Reflects 7,812,500 shares issuable in the Reorganization, plus 1,562,500
     shares, representing the value of the $25.0 million principal amount of the
     Reorganization Note (based upon the assumed initial public offering price
     of $16.00 per share).
 (6) Gives effect to the following transactions as if they had occurred on
     January 1, 1996: (a) the transactions described in footnote (1) above; (b)
     the Reorganization; and (c) the sale of the 3,125,000 shares of Common
     Stock offered hereby, at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00
     per share, and the application of a portion of the estimated net proceeds
     to retire the Reorganization Note . The pro forma as adjusted per share
     data does not give effect to a non-recurring $13.5 million ($1.23 per
     share) charge to income that will be incurred at the time of the
     Reorganization in connection with the conversion from a non-taxable to a
     taxable entity and the resulting recognition of a deferred income tax
     liability for the differences between the accounting and tax bases of the
     Company's assets and liabilities. See Note 16 to the Combined and
     Consolidated Financial Statements.
 (7) The Company intends to repay approximately $15.0 million of debt in January
     1998, when applicable prepayment restrictions lapse, and is currently in
     discussions with its lender to prepay such debt during 1997. Giving pro
     forma effect to the transactions described in footnote (6) above and to
     such anticipated repayment as if it had occurred on January 1, 1996,
     including the elimination of interest expense incurred in 1996 with respect
     to such debt and the related tax effects, (i) income before income taxes
     and extraordinary item for 1996 would have been $5.1 million ($0.47 per
     share), and (ii) pro forma income before extraordinary item for 1996 would
     have been $4.1 million ($0.38 per share).
 (8) This measurement is not intended to represent net income, cash flow, or any
     other measure of performance in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles, but is included because the Company believes it is
     useful for measuring and identifying trends with respect to the Company's
     operating performance and creditworthiness.
 (9) Reflects the elimination, on a pro forma basis, of the preferred
     distributions paid with respect to $5.2 million of ARCLP's special
     redeemable preferred limited partnership interests (the "Preferred
     Partnership Interests"), which interests were redeemed with a portion of
     the net proceeds from the Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The Company redeemed
     $4.8 million of the Preferred Partnership Interests in June 1996 out of
     operating cash flow and distributions of $324,000 paid from January 1996
     through June 1996 with respect to the Preferred Partnerships Interests were
     not eliminated.
(10) Includes Medicare (including Medicare-related private co-insurance) and
     Medicaid.
(11) Includes the two senior living communities with total aggregate capacity
     for 483 residents that were the subject of the Sale-Leaseback Transactions
     effected January 2, 1997.
(12) Gives effect to the Sale-Leaseback Transactions and the application of a
     portion of the net proceeds therefrom to retire debt as if they had
     occurred on December 31, 1996.
(13) Gives effect to the following transactions as if they had occurred at
     December 31, 1996: (a) the Sale-Leaseback Transactions and the application
     of a portion of the net proceeds therefrom to retire debt; (b) the
     Reorganization, including a $13.5 million charge to income resulting in a
     reduction of shareholders' equity that will be incurred at the time of the
     Reorganization in connection with the conversion from a non-taxable to a
     taxable entity and the resulting recognition of a deferred tax liability
     for the differences between the accounting and tax bases of the Company's
     assets and liabilities; (c) the sale of the 3,125,000 shares of Common
     Stock offered hereby, at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00
     per share, and the application of a portion of the estimated net proceeds
     to retire the Reorganization Note.
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Potential investors should consider carefully the following factors, as
well as the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus,
before making a decision to invest in the Common Stock offered hereby.
 
ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH
 
     The Company intends to expand its operations through the development,
construction, and acquisition of free-standing assisted living residences and,
to a lesser extent, through the acquisition of other types of senior living
communities, as well as through the expansion of the Company's home health care
services. See "Business -- Growth Strategy." The success of the Company's growth
strategy will depend, in large part, on its ability to effectively operate any
newly acquired or developed residences, communities, or home health care
agencies, as to which there can be no assurance. The Company has limited
experience developing and operating assisted living residences on a
free-standing basis. The Company's growth plans will also place significant
demands on the Company's management and operating personnel. The Company's
ability to manage its future growth effectively will require it to improve its
operational, financial, and management information systems and to continue to
attract, retain, train, motivate, and manage key employees. If the Company is
unable to manage its growth effectively, its business, results of operations,
and financial condition will be adversely affected. See "Business -- Growth
Strategy" and "Management -- Directors and Executive Officers."
 
LOSSES FROM NEWLY DEVELOPED RESIDENCES AND ACQUISITIONS
 
     Although the Company was profitable in 1994, 1995, and 1996, in view of its
growth plan for development and acquisitions, there can be no assurance that the
Company will continue to be profitable in any future period. Newly developed
assisted living residences are expected to incur operating losses during a
substantial portion of their first twelve months of operations, on average,
until the residences achieve targeted occupancy levels. Newly acquired
residences and communities may also incur losses pending their integration into
the Company's operations. The Company may also incur operating losses as a
result of the expansion of its existing home health care agencies and the
establishment of additional home health care agencies in new markets. See
"Business -- Growth Strategy" and "Business -- Development Activities."
 
ABILITY TO DEVELOP ADDITIONAL ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES
 
     An integral component of the Company's growth strategy is to develop and
operate free-standing assisted living residences. As part of its growth
strategy, the Company is currently developing 19 free-standing assisted living
residences, with an estimated aggregate capacity for 1,684 residents, and is
expanding eight of its existing senior living communities to add capacity to
accommodate an additional 702 residents. The Company's ability to develop
successfully assisted living residences will depend on a number of factors,
including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to acquire suitable
development sites at reasonable prices; the Company's success in obtaining
necessary zoning, licensing, and other required governmental permits and
authorizations; and the Company's ability to control construction costs and
project completion schedules. In addition, the Company's development plans are
subject to numerous factors over which it has little or no control, including
competition for developable properties; shortages of labor or materials; changes
in applicable laws or regulations or their enforcement; the failure of general
contractors or subcontractors to perform under their contracts; strikes; and
adverse weather conditions. As a result of these factors, there can be no
assurance that the Company will not experience construction delays, that it will
be successful in developing and constructing currently planned or additional
assisted living residences, or that any developed assisted living residences
will be economically successful. If the Company's development schedule is
delayed, the Company's growth plans could be adversely affected. Additionally,
the Company anticipates that the development and construction of additional
assisted living residences will involve a substantial commitment of capital with
little or no revenue associated with residences under development, the
consequence of which could be an adverse impact on the Company's liquidity. See
"Business -- Development Activities."
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
ACQUISITION OF COMMUNITIES AND COMPLEMENTARY BUSINESSES
 
     The Company plans to make strategic acquisitions of senior living
communities (which may include a variety of independent living, assisted living,
and skilled nursing facilities), free-standing assisted living residences, home
health care agencies, and other properties or businesses that are complementary
to the Company's operations and growth strategy. The acquisition of existing
communities or other businesses involves a number of risks. Existing communities
available for acquisition frequently serve or target different markets than
those presently served by the Company. The Company may also determine that
renovations of acquired communities and changes in staff and operating
management personnel are necessary to successfully integrate such communities or
businesses into the Company's existing operations. The costs incurred to
reposition or renovate newly acquired communities may not be recovered by the
Company. In undertaking acquisitions, the Company also may be adversely impacted
by unforeseen liabilities attributable to the prior operators of such
communities or businesses, against whom the Company may have little or no
recourse. The success of the Company's acquisition strategy will be determined
by numerous factors, including the Company's ability to identify suitable
acquisition candidates, the competition for such acquisitions, the purchase
price, the requirement to make operational or structural changes and
improvements, the financial performance of the communities or businesses after
acquisition, the Company's ability to finance the acquisitions, and the
Company's ability to integrate effectively any acquired communities or
businesses into the Company's management, information, and operating systems.
There can be no assurance that the Company's acquisition of senior living
communities and complementary properties and businesses will be completed at the
rate currently expected, if at all, or, if completed, that any acquired
communities or businesses will be successfully integrated into the Company's
operations.
 
SUBSTANTIAL DEBT AND OPERATING LEASE PAYMENTS
 
     Following the Sale-Leaseback Transactions on January 2, 1997, the Company
had long-term debt (including current portion) of $156.1 million, of which
$144.2 million was payable to one lender. In addition, the Company is obligated
to pay annual rental obligations of $2.5 million under long-term operating
leases. The Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to establish
an operating lease facility with a health care real estate investment trust (the
"REIT") pursuant to which the REIT, at the Company's request and upon certain
conditions, would develop, construct, or acquire up to $110.0 million of senior
living communities and lease the communities to the Company (the "REIT
Facility"). The Company currently intends to finance its growth through a
combination of bank indebtedness, construction and mortgage financing,
transactions with the REIT or other real estate investment trusts, proceeds from
the Offering, and joint venture arrangements. As a result, a substantial portion
of the Company's cash flow will be devoted to debt service and lease payments
and the Company will be subject to risks normally associated with a high degree
of financial leverage. There can be no assurance that the Company will generate
sufficient cash flows from operations to cover required interest, principal, and
operating lease payments. Any payment or other default could cause the lender to
foreclose upon the communities securing such indebtedness, or, in the case of an
operating lease, could terminate the lease, with a consequent loss of income and
asset value to the Company. Furthermore, because most of the Company's mortgages
and sale-leaseback agreements contain cross-default provisions, a default by the
Company on one of its payment obligations could adversely affect a significant
number of the Company's other properties and, consequently the Company's
business, results of operations, and financial condition.
 
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING; EXPOSURE TO RISING INTEREST RATES
 
     The Company's ability to sustain any operating losses and to otherwise meet
its growth objectives will depend, in part, on its ability to obtain additional
financing on acceptable terms from available financing sources. Raising
additional funds through the issuance of equity securities could cause existing
shareholders to experience further dilution and could adversely affect the
market price of the Common Stock. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in securing additional financing or that adequate financing
will be available and, if available, will be on terms that are acceptable to the
Company. The Company's inability to
 
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<PAGE>   10
 
obtain additional financing on acceptable terms could delay or eliminate some or
all of the Company's growth plans.
 
     Following the Sale-Leaseback Transactions, $41.8 million in principal
amount, or approximately 24.5%, of the Company's indebtedness bore interest at
floating rates, with a weighted average annual rate of 7.7%. In addition, it is
anticipated that the REIT Facility will require operating lease payments that
will be based on prevailing interest rates. Future indebtedness, from commercial
banks or otherwise, and lease obligations are also expected to be based on
interest rates prevailing at the time such debt and lease arrangements are
obtained. Therefore, increases in prevailing interest rates could increase the
Company's interest or lease payment obligations and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of
operations.
 
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION
 
     The Company's growth strategy involves the development of assisted living
residences and the acquisition of senior living communities in concentrated
geographic service areas. See "Business -- Growth Strategy." Accordingly, the
Company's occupancy rates in existing, developed, or acquired communities may be
adversely affected by a number of factors, including regional and local economic
conditions, general real estate market conditions including the supply and
proximity of senior living communities, competitive conditions, and applicable
local laws and regulations. See "Business -- Operating Residences,"
"Business -- Development Activities," and "Business -- Government Regulation."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The senior living and health care services industry is highly competitive,
and the Company expects that all segments of the industry will become
increasingly competitive in the future. The Company competes with other
companies providing independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, home
health care, and other similar service and care alternatives. Although the
Company believes there is a need for assisted living residences in the markets
where the Company is operating and developing residences, the Company expects
that competition will increase from existing competitors and new market
entrants, some of whom may have substantially greater financial resources than
the Company. In addition, some of the Company's competitors operate on a
not-for-profit basis or as charitable organizations and have the ability to
finance capital expenditures on a tax-exempt basis or through the receipt of
charitable contributions, neither of which are readily available to the Company.
Furthermore, if the development of new senior living communities (particularly
given the rapid pace of development of new assisted living residences) outpaces
the demand for such communities in the markets in which the Company has or is
developing senior living communities, such markets may become saturated. An
oversupply of such communities in the Company's markets could cause the Company
to experience decreased occupancy, reduced operating margins, and lower
profitability. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the Company will not
encounter increased competition that adversely affects its occupancy rates,
pricing for services, and growth prospects. See "Business -- Competition."
 
DEPENDENCE ON PRIVATE PAY RESIDENTS
 
     Approximately 92.1% of the Company's total revenues for the year ended
December 31, 1996 were attributable to private pay sources. For the same period,
7.9% of the Company's revenues came from reimbursement from third-party payors,
including Medicare. The Company expects to continue to rely primarily on the
ability of residents to pay for the Company's services from their own or
familial financial resources. Inflation or other circumstances that adversely
affect the ability of the elderly to pay for the Company's services could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and
results of operations.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The Company is dependent on the services of its executive officers,
particularly the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, W.E. Sheriff,
and the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, Christopher J. Coates,
for the management of the Company. Neither Mr. Sheriff, Mr. Coates, nor any of
the Company's other executive officers has an employment agreement with the
Company. The Company has a key employee life insurance policy in the amount of
$2.0 million covering Mr. Sheriff. The loss by the Company of certain of its
executive officers and the inability to attract and retain qualified management
personnel could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition,
and results of operations. See "Management -- Directors and Executive Officers."
 
RESIDENCE MANAGEMENT, STAFFING, AND LABOR COSTS
 
     The Company competes with other providers of senior living and health care
services with respect to attracting and retaining qualified management personnel
responsible for the day-to-day operations of each of the Company's communities
and skilled technical personnel responsible for providing resident care. A
shortage of nurses or trained personnel may require the Company to enhance its
wage and benefits package in order to compete in the hiring and retention of
such personnel or to hire more expensive temporary personnel. The Company will
also be dependent on the available labor pool of semi-skilled and unskilled
employees in each of the markets in which it operates. No assurance can be given
that the Company's labor costs will not increase, or that, if they do increase,
they can be matched by corresponding increases in rates charged to residents.
Any significant failure by the Company to attract and retain qualified
management and staff personnel, to control its labor costs, or to pass on any
increased labor costs to residents through rate increases could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of
operations.
 
SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE OFFERING TO BENEFIT EXISTING
SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The Company will use $25.0 million of the estimated net proceeds of the
Offering to repay the Reorganization Note, regardless of the price per share at
which the Common Stock is sold or the net proceeds received by the Company from
the Offering. ARCLP will distribute in liquidation all amounts received from the
repayment of the Reorganization Note to its limited partners, who are the
existing shareholders of the Company, including approximately $17.4 million to
the Company's non-employee directors and their immediate family members and
affiliates, and $1.5 million to the Company's executive officers and their
immediate family members and affiliates. See "The Company -- Pending
Reorganization," "Use of Proceeds," and "Certain Transactions -- Pending
Reorganization."
 
CONTROL BY MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company's officers and directors and
entities controlled by them will, collectively, beneficially own approximately
42.4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (40.7% if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full). Accordingly, such persons will have
the ability, by voting their shares in concert, to influence the election of the
Company's Board of Directors and the outcome of all other matters submitted to
the Company's shareholders. Furthermore, such influence could preclude any
unsolicited acquisition of the Company and, consequently, adversely affect the
market price of the Common Stock. See "Principal Shareholders."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     Federal and state governments regulate various aspects of the Company's
business. The development and operation of health care facilities and the
provision of health care services are subject to federal, state, and local
licensure, certification, and inspection laws that regulate, among other
matters, the number of licensed beds, the provision of services, the
distribution of pharmaceuticals, billing practices and policies, equipment,
staffing (including professional licensing), operating policies and procedures,
fire prevention measures, environmental matters, and compliance with building
and safety codes. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result
in the denial of reimbursement, the imposition of fines, temporary suspension of
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
admission of new patients, suspension or decertification from the Medicare
programs, restrictions on the ability to acquire new facilities or expand
existing facilities, and, in extreme cases, the revocation of a community's
license or closure of a community. There can be no assurance that federal,
state, or local governments will not impose additional restrictions on the
Company's activities that could materially adversely affect the Company.
 
     Many states, including several of the states in which the Company currently
operates, control the supply of licensed skilled nursing beds and home health
care agencies through certificate of need ("CON") programs. Presently, state
approval is required for the construction of new health care communities, the
addition of licensed beds, and certain capital expenditures at such communities,
as well as the opening of a home health care agency. To the extent that a CON or
other similar approval is required for the acquisition or construction of new
facilities, the expansion of the number of licensed beds, services, or existing
communities, or the opening of a home health care agency, the Company could be
adversely affected by the failure or inability to obtain such approval, changes
in the standards applicable for such approval, and possible delays and expenses
associated with obtaining such approval. In addition, in most states the
reduction of the number of licensed beds or the closure of a community requires
the approval of the appropriate state regulatory agency and, if the Company were
to seek to reduce the number of licensed beds at, or to close, a community, the
Company could be adversely affected by a failure to obtain or a delay in
obtaining such approval.
 
     Federal and state anti-remuneration laws, such as "anti-kickback" laws,
govern certain financial arrangements among health care providers and others who
may be in a position to refer or recommend patients to such providers. These
laws prohibit, among other things, certain direct and indirect payments that are
intended to induce the referral of patients to, the arranging for services by,
or the recommending of, a particular provider of health care items or services.
Federal anti-kickback laws have been broadly interpreted to apply to certain
contractual relationships between health care providers and sources of patient
referral. Similar state laws vary, are sometimes vague, and seldom have been
interpreted by courts or regulatory agencies. Violation of these laws can result
in loss of licensure, civil and criminal penalties, and exclusion of health care
providers or suppliers from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
There can be no assurance that such laws will be interpreted in a manner
consistent with the practices of the Company.
 
     Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all places of public
accommodation are required to meet certain federal requirements related to
access and use by disabled persons. A number of additional federal, state, and
local laws exist that also may require modifications to existing and planned
communities to create access to the properties by disabled persons. Although the
Company believes that its communities are substantially in compliance with
present requirements or are exempt therefrom, if required changes involve a
greater expenditure than anticipated or must be made on a more accelerated basis
than anticipated, additional costs would be incurred by the Company. Further
legislation may impose additional burdens or restrictions with respect to access
by disabled persons, the costs of compliance with which could be substantial.
See "Business -- Government Regulation."
 
POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY
 
     Under various federal, state, and local environmental laws, ordinances, and
regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be
required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum
product releases at such property, and may be held liable to a governmental
entity or to third parties for property damage and for investigation and clean
up costs incurred by such parties in connection with the contamination. Such
laws typically impose clean-up responsibility and liability without regard to
whether the owner knew of or caused the presence of the contaminants, and
liability under such laws has been interpreted to be joint and several unless
the harm is divisible and there is a reasonable basis for allocation of
responsibility. The costs of investigation, remediation, or removal of such
substances may be substantial, and the presence of such substances, or the
failure to properly remediate such property, may adversely affect the owner's
ability to sell or lease such property or to borrow using such property as
collateral. In addition, some environmental laws create a lien on the
contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs in
connection with the contamination. Persons who arrange for the disposal or
treatment of hazardous or toxic substances also may be liable for the costs of
removal or remediation of such
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
substances at the disposal or treatment facility, whether or not such facility
is owned or operated by such person. Finally, the owner of a site may be subject
to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from
environmental contamination emanating from a site.
 
LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
 
     The provision of personal and health care services entails an inherent risk
of liability. In recent years, participants in the health care services industry
have become subject to an increasing number of lawsuits alleging negligence or
related legal theories, many of which involve large claims and result in the
incurrence of significant defense costs. Moreover, assisted living residences
offer residents a greater degree of independence in their daily living. This
increased level of independence may subject the resident and the Company to
certain risks that would be reduced in more institutionalized settings. The
Company currently maintains liability insurance in amounts it believes are
sufficient to cover such claims based on the nature of the risks, its historical
experience, and industry standards. There can be no assurance, however, that
claims in excess of the Company's insurance or claims not covered by the
Company's insurance, such as claims for punitive damages, will not arise. A
claim against the Company not covered by, or in excess of, the Company's
insurance could have a material adverse effect upon the Company. In addition,
the Company's insurance policies must be renewed annually. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain liability insurance in the
future or that, if such insurance is available, it will be available on
acceptable economic terms. See "Business -- Insurance and Legal Proceedings."
 
EFFECT OF CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
     The Company's Board of Directors has the authority, without action by the
shareholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to fix the
rights and preferences of such shares. This authority, together with certain
provisions of the Company's Charter (including provisions that implement
staggered terms for directors, limit shareholder ability to call a shareholders'
meeting or to remove directors, and require a supermajority vote to amend
certain provisions of the Charter), may delay, deter, or prevent a change in
control of the Company. In addition, as a Tennessee corporation, the Company is
subject to the provisions of the Tennessee Business Combination Act and the
Tennessee Greenmail Act, each of which may be deemed to have anti-takeover
effects and may delay, deter, or prevent a takeover attempt that might be
considered by the shareholders to be in their best interests. See "Description
of Capital Stock -- Certain Provisions of the Charter, Bylaws, and Tennessee
Law."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market following
the Offering, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely
affect the prevailing market price of the Common Stock. Upon completion of the
Offering, the Company will have 10,937,500 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Of these shares, the 3,125,000 shares sold in the Offering will be freely
tradeable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), except for shares purchased by "affiliates" of
the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act. The remaining 7,812,500 shares will be issued in the
Reorganization and will be "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule
144 and may not be resold in the public markets unless registered under the
Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption, such as the safe harbor provided by
Rule 144. Holders of the restricted shares will have certain contractual
registration rights with respect thereto. The Company and all directors and
executive officers of the Company (who in the aggregate will beneficially own
4,637,986 shares of Common Stock) have agreed, and certain holders of 5% or more
of the Company's Common Stock outstanding after the Offering will be asked to
agree, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell, or otherwise dispose
of any Common Stock for a period of 180 days after the date hereof. See
"Principal Shareholders," "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights,"
and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
 
     As soon as practicable following the consummation of the Offering, the
Company intends to file a registration statement under the Securities Act to
register the issuance of an aggregate of 1,343,750 shares under the Company's
1997 Stock Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As of the date
hereof,
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
options to purchase 635,000 shares of Common Stock have been granted under the
1997 Stock Incentive Plan, which options are exercisable at the initial public
offering price. Following the effective date of such registration statement,
shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to either plan will be freely tradeable
in the open market, subject to lock-up agreements, if applicable. See
"Management -- Compensation Pursuant to Plans" and "Shares Eligible For Future
Sale."
 
ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC TRADING MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public trading market for the
Common Stock. The public offering price for the Common Stock will be determined
by negotiations among the Company and the Underwriters based upon several
factors and will not necessarily bear any relationship to the Company's assets,
book value, results of operations, net worth, or any other generally accepted
criteria of value, and should not be considered as indicative of the actual
value of the Company. See "Underwriting." Although the Company will apply to
list the Common Stock on a securities exchange, there can be no assurance that a
securities exchange will authorize the Common Stock for listing or that an
active trading market will develop or be sustained after the Offering. To the
extent that an active trading market does develop, factors such as quarterly
variations in the Company's financial results, announcements by the Company or
others, general market conditions, or certain regulatory pronouncements may
cause the market price of the Common Stock to fluctuate substantially. There can
be no assurance that the Common Stock can be resold at or above the initial
public offering price.
 
DILUTION
 
     Purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby will experience immediate and
substantial dilution in the amount of $11.89 per share in the pro forma net
tangible book value of their shares of Common Stock, based upon the assumed
initial public offering price of $16.00 per share. See "Dilution."
                               ------------------
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This Prospectus contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Those statements include,
but may not be limited to, the discussions of the Company's expectations
concerning its future profitability and the discussion of the Company's
operating and growth strategy, including possible acquisitions. Investors are
cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
including, without limitation, the factors set forth under the caption "Risk
Factors" in this Prospectus. Although the Company believes that the assumptions
underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any
of the assumptions could be inaccurate and there can be no assurance that the
forward-looking statements included in this Prospectus will prove to be
accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the
forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information
should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person
that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances
occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
GENERAL
 
     The Company is a national senior living and health care services company
providing a broad range of care and services to the elderly, including
independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and home health care
services. The Company has pioneered numerous developments in the provision of
care and services for the elderly since its inception in 1978, and believes it
ranks among the leading operators in the senior living and health care industry.
Currently, the Company operates 19 senior living communities in 12 states,
consisting of ten owned communities, two leased communities, and seven managed
communities, with an aggregate capacity for approximately 5,500 residents. The
Company also owns and operates seven home health care agencies. At December 31,
1996, the Company's owned and leased communities had an occupancy rate of 96%
and its managed communities had an occupancy rate of 92%. Approximately 92.1% of
the Company's total revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 were derived
from private pay sources.
 
     Over the past several years, the Company has experienced significant
growth, primarily through the acquisition of senior living communities. The
Company's revenues have grown from $17.8 million in 1992 to $75.6 million in
1996, an average annual growth rate of 43.5%. During the same period, the
Company's income from operations has grown from $2.3 million to $15.6 million,
an average annual growth rate of 61.7%. The Company intends to continue its
growth through a combination of (i) development of free-standing assisted living
residences, including special living units and programs for residents with
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia; (ii) selective acquisitions of senior
living communities, including assisted living residences; (iii) expansion of
existing communities; and (iv) development and acquisition of home health care
agencies. As part of its growth strategy, the Company is currently developing 19
free-standing assisted living residences, with an estimated aggregate capacity
for 1,684 residents, and is expanding eight of its existing communities to add
capacity to accommodate an additional 702 residents. The Company has also
entered into letters of intent to acquire one additional senior living
community, which is currently managed by the Company, and one additional home
health care agency.
 
     The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Tennessee in
February 1997 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARCLP in anticipation of the
Reorganization and the Offering. The Company's principal executive offices are
located at 111 Westwood Place, Suite 402, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027, and its
telephone number at that address is (615) 221-2250.
 
THE 1995 ROLL-UP
 
     The Company's predecessor, ARCLP, was formed in February 1995 in connection
with the reorganization (the "1995 Roll-Up") of certain Predecessor Entities
that owned, operated, or managed various senior living communities. Each of the
Predecessor Entities was organized at the direction of the members of the
Company's management and controlling shareholders. As a result of the 1995
Roll-Up, ARCLP issued partnership interests to the partners and shareholders of
the Predecessor Entities in exchange for their limited partnership interests and
stock, respectively, and thereby became the owner, directly or indirectly, of
all of the assets of the Predecessor Entities. The general partner of ARCLP is
American Retirement Communities, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company (the
"LLC"), whose members include W.E. Sheriff, the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and other Company executive officers. See "Certain
Transactions -- The 1995 Roll-Up."
 
PENDING REORGANIZATION
 
     Prior to the consummation of the Offering, ARCLP will undergo another
series of transactions that will result in the Reorganization. Pursuant to the
Reorganization, ARCLP will contribute all of its assets, subject to all of its
liabilities, to the Company in exchange for 7,812,500 shares of Common Stock and
the Reorganization Note in the principal amount of $25.0 million. The principal
amount of the Reorganization Note was established by ARCLP and the Company in
connection with the Reorganization based on a number of factors, including the
value of the assets to be contributed to the Company. Immediately after
 
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<PAGE>   16
 
consummation of the Reorganization, ARCLP will distribute all 7,812,500 shares
of Common Stock to its Limited Partners and the LLC. See "Principal
Shareholders" and "Certain Transactions -- Pending Reorganization." Upon
consummation of the Offering, the Reorganization Note will be repaid by the
Company out of the net proceeds from the Offering and such amounts received by
ARCLP will be distributed to the limited partners of ARCLP in liquidation. See
"Risk Factors -- Substantial Portion of the Proceeds of the Offering to Benefit
Existing Shareholders," "Use of Proceeds," and "Certain Transactions -- Pending
Reorganization."
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock offered hereby are
estimated to be approximately $45.6 million (approximately $52.6 million if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), assuming an initial
public offering price of $16.00 per share (the midpoint of the range shown on
the cover page of this Prospectus) and after deduction of the underwriting
discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the
Company. The Company will use $25.0 million of the net proceeds to repay the
Reorganization Note. See "The Company -- Pending Reorganization" and "Certain
Transactions -- Pending Reorganization." The principal amount of the
Reorganization Note was established by ARCLP and the Company in connection with
the Reorganization based on a number of factors, including the value of the
assets to be contributed to the Company.
 
     The Company has entered into non-binding letters of intent to acquire a
home health care agency located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and to acquire
Parklane West, a senior living community in San Antonio, Texas currently managed
by the Company. The Company intends to use approximately $1.0 million and $1.2
million, respectively, of the net proceeds from the Offering to complete such
acquisitions. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will complete
these transactions or, if completed, that the terms of the transactions will not
differ materially from those currently contemplated.
 
     The Company intends to use the balance of the net proceeds, together with
cash on hand, to fund development and construction of free-standing assisted
living residences and possible acquisitions of businesses engaged in activities
similar or complementary to the Company's business; and for other general
corporate purposes, including working capital. Pending such uses, the net
proceeds will be invested in short-term, investment-grade securities.
 
                    DIVIDEND POLICY AND PRIOR DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     Following the Offering, it will be the policy of the Company's Board of
Directors to retain all future earnings to finance the operation and expansion
of the Company's business. Accordingly, the Company does not anticipate
declaring or paying cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable
future. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be at the sole
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend on, among other
things, the Company's earnings, operations, capital requirements, financial
condition, restrictions in then existing financing agreements, and other factors
deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
 
     Prior to the Offering, the Predecessor and the Predecessor Entities have
made periodic distributions to their respective partners or shareholders in
accordance with their ownership interests therein. During 1995 and 1996, ARCLP
made or accrued for distributions of approximately $6.6 million and $7.1
million, respectively, to its partners, including approximately $30,000 and
$59,000, respectively, to the LLC. In addition, in 1996 ARCLP redeemed its
Preferred Partnership Interests for $10.0 million. See "Certain Transactions --
Redemption of Preferred Partnership Interests." Prior to the consummation of the
Reorganization, ARCLP will distribute approximately $2.5 million to its
partners, which amount substantially approximates the income taxes associated
with ARCLP's anticipated earnings in 1997 through the date of the
Reorganization. In addition, immediately following the consummation of the
Offering, and in connection with ARCLP's liquidation, the proceeds from the
repayment of the Reorganization Note will be distributed by ARCLP to its limited
partners, generally in accordance with their respective contribution accounts.
See "The Company -- Pending Reorganization" and "Certain Transactions -- Pending
Reorganization."
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth (i) the actual capitalization of the
Predecessor at December 31, 1996, (ii) the capitalization of the Predecessor at
December 31, 1996 on a pro forma basis as if the Sale-Leaseback Transactions had
occurred on such date, and (iii) the capitalization of the Company at December
31, 1996 on a pro forma as adjusted basis to reflect (a) the Sale-Leaseback
Transactions; (b) the Reorganization (including a $13.5 million one-time charge
to income resulting in a reduction of shareholders' equity which will be
incurred at the time of the Reorganization in connection with the conversion
from a non-taxable to a taxable entity and the resulting recognition of a
deferred income tax liability for the differences between the accounting and tax
bases of the Company's assets and liabilities); and (c) the issuance and sale of
the 3,125,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, at an assumed initial
public offering price of $16.00 per share, and the application of a portion of
the estimated net proceeds to retire the Reorganization Note, as if all such
events had occurred on December 31, 1996. This table should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Combined and Consolidated Financial
Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                                  PREDECESSOR          COMPANY
                                                              --------------------   -----------
                                                                                      PRO FORMA
                                                               ACTUAL    PRO FORMA   AS ADJUSTED
                                                              --------   ---------   -----------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>         <C>
Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term
  debt......................................................  $  8,053   $  2,838     $  2,838
                                                              ========   ========     ========
Long-term debt, less current portion........................  $162,636   $153,258     $153,258
Partners'/shareholders' equity:
  Partners' equity..........................................    37,882     37,882           --
  Preferred Stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares
     authorized, no shares issued and outstanding...........        --         --           --
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares
     authorized; 10,937,500 shares issued and outstanding,
     pro forma as adjusted (1)..............................        --         --          109
  Additional paid-in capital................................        --         --       44,857
                                                              --------   --------     --------
     Total partners'/shareholders' equity...................    37,882     37,882       44,966
                                                              --------   --------     --------
     Total capitalization...................................  $200,518   $191,140     $198,224
                                                              ========   ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Includes 7,812,500 shares of Common Stock to be issued in the
     Reorganization. Does not include 635,000 shares of Common Stock reserved
     for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options under the Company's
     Stock Incentive Plan, which options are exercisable at the initial public
     offering price. See "Management -- Compensation Pursuant to Plans -- 1997
     Stock Incentive Plan" and "Description of Capital Stock."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                                    DILUTION
 
     The actual and pro forma net tangible book value of the Company at December
31, 1996 was approximately $37.9 million, or $4.04 per share of Common Stock.
Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of the Company's total
tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding, which, for purposes of these calculations, is presumed
to be 9,375,000 shares (which reflects 7,812,500 shares issuable in the
Reorganization, plus 1,562,500 shares, representing the value of the $25.0
million principal amount of the Reorganization Note, based upon an assumed
initial public offering price of $16.00 per share). After giving effect to (i)
the Reorganization (including a $13.5 million one-time charge to income
resulting in a reduction of shareholders' equity which will be incurred at the
time of the Reorganization in connection with the conversion from a non-taxable
to a taxable entity and the resulting recognition of a deferred income tax
liability for the differences between the accounting and tax bases of the
Company's assets and liabilities); (ii) the sale of the 3,125,000 shares of
Common Stock offered hereby, at an assumed initial public offering price of
$16.00 per share, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions
and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company; and (iii) the
application of a portion of the estimated net proceeds to retire the
Reorganization Note, the pro forma net tangible book value of the Company as of
December 31, 1996 would have been approximately $45.0 million, or $4.11 per
share of Common Stock. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net
tangible book value per share of $0.07 to existing shareholders and an immediate
dilution of $11.89 per share to investors purchasing Common Stock in the
Offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>
Assumed initial public offering price.......................          $16.00
  Pro forma net tangible book value prior to the Offering...  $4.04
  Increase in pro forma net tangible book value attributable
     to new investors.......................................   0.07
                                                              -----
Pro forma net tangible book value after the Offering........            4.11
                                                                      ------
Dilution to new investors...................................          $11.89
                                                                      ======
</TABLE>
 
     The following table summarizes the number of shares of Common Stock issued
by the Company, the total consideration paid to the Company, and the average
price per share paid by the existing shareholders and to be paid by the new
investors. For purposes of the total consideration and average price per share
paid by the existing shareholders, the Company has based such valuation on the
aggregate amount of the partners' cash contributions to the Predecessor and the
Predecessor Entities, without deducting distributions paid to such partners.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             SHARES PURCHASED      TOTAL CONSIDERATION
                                           --------------------   ---------------------   AVERAGE PRICE
                                             NUMBER     PERCENT     AMOUNT      PERCENT     PER SHARE
                                           ----------   -------   -----------   -------   -------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>       <C>
Existing shareholders....................   7,812,500     71.4%   $34,838,000     41.1%      $ 4.46
New investors............................   3,125,000     28.6%   $50,000,000     58.9%      $16.00
                                           ----------    -----    -----------   ------
          Total..........................  10,937,500    100.0%   $84,838,000    100.0%
                                           ==========    =====    ===========   ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
          UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations
for the year ended December 31, 1996 reflects the pro forma effects of the
Carriage Club Acquisitions and the Sale-Leaseback Transactions and the
application of a portion of the net proceeds therefrom to retire debt, as if
these transactions had occurred on January 1, 1996.
 
     The accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet at December
31, 1996 reflects the pro forma effects of (i) the Sale-Leaseback Transactions
and the application of a portion of the net proceeds therefrom to retire debt,
(ii) the Reorganization (including the recognition of a non-recurring $13.5
million charge to income resulting in a reduction of shareholders' equity which
will be incurred at the time of the Reorganization in connection with the
conversion from a non-taxable to a taxable entity and the resulting recognition
of a deferred income tax liability for the differences between the accounting
and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities), and (iii) the sale of
the 3,125,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, at an assumed initial
public offering price of $16.00 per share, and the application of a portion of
the estimated net proceeds to retire the Reorganization Note, as if all of these
transactions had occurred at December 31, 1996.
 
     These unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are
presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be indicative of the actual
results that would have been obtained if the transactions had occurred on the
dates indicated or that may be realized in the future. The pro forma information
should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of the
Predecessor and the historical combined financial statements of Carriage Club
and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
            UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           SALE-
                                                                                      CARRIAGE CLUB      LEASEBACK
                                                                     CARRIAGE CLUB     ACQUISITIONS     TRANSACTIONS
                                                   PREDECESSOR(A)   ACQUISITIONS(B)   ADJUSTMENTS(C)   ADJUSTMENTS(D)
                                                   --------------   ---------------   --------------   --------------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
Revenues:
  Resident and health care revenue...............     $ 73,878          $4,086           $     --         $    --
  Management services revenue....................        1,739              --               (160)             --
                                                      --------          ------           --------         -------
    Total revenues...............................       75,617           4,086               (160)             --
Operating expenses:
  Community operating expense....................       46,960           2,498               (160)             --
  General and administrative.....................        6,200              --                 --              --
  Lease expense..................................           --              --                 --           2,090
  Depreciation and amortization..................        6,906             464                104          (1,201)
                                                      --------          ------           --------         -------
    Total operating expenses.....................       60,066           2,962                (56)            889
                                                      --------          ------           --------         -------
    Income (loss) from operations................       15,551           1,124               (104)            889
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense...............................      (12,160)           (833)              (991)          1,388
  Interest income................................          434              21                 --              --
  Other..........................................          788              --                 --              --
                                                      --------          ------           --------         -------
    Other income (expense), net..................      (10,938)           (812)              (991)          1,388
                                                      --------          ------           --------         -------
    Income (loss) before income taxes and
      extraordinary item.........................        4,613             312             (1,095)            499
    Income tax expense (benefit).................         (920)             --                 --              --
                                                      --------          ------           --------         -------
    Income (loss) before extraordinary item......     $  5,533          $  312           $ (1,095)        $   499
                                                      ========          ======           ========         =======
PRO FORMA TAX DATA:
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  extraordinary item.............................     $  4,613          $  312           $ (1,095)        $   499
Pro forma income tax expense (benefit)(E)........          820             119               (416)            189
                                                      --------          ------           --------         -------
Pro forma income (loss) before extraordinary
  item...........................................     $  3,793          $  193           $   (679)        $   310
                                                      ========          ======           ========         =======
Pro forma per share data:
  Income per share before extraordinary
    item(F)......................................     $   0.40
                                                      ========
  Shares used in computing pro forma per share
    data(G)......................................        9,375
                                                      ========
Pro forma as adjusted per share data:
  Income per share before extraordinary
    item(H)(I)...................................
  Shares used in computing pro forma as adjusted
    per share data(J)............................
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   PRO FORMA
                                                   ---------
 
<S>                                                <C>
Revenues:
  Resident and health care revenue...............  $ 77,964
  Management services revenue....................     1,579
                                                   --------
    Total revenues...............................    79,543
Operating expenses:
  Community operating expense....................    49,298
  General and administrative.....................     6,200
  Lease expense..................................     2,090
  Depreciation and amortization..................     6,273
                                                   --------
    Total operating expenses.....................    63,861
                                                   --------
    Income (loss) from operations................    15,682
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense...............................   (12,596)
  Interest income................................       455
  Other..........................................       788
                                                   --------
    Other income (expense), net..................   (11,353)
                                                   --------
    Income (loss) before income taxes and
      extraordinary item.........................     4,329
    Income tax expense (benefit).................      (920)
                                                   --------
    Income (loss) before extraordinary item......  $  5,249
                                                   ========
PRO FORMA TAX DATA:
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  extraordinary item.............................  $  4,329
Pro forma income tax expense (benefit)(E)........       712
                                                   --------
Pro forma income (loss) before extraordinary
  item...........................................  $  3,617
                                                   ========
Pro forma per share data:
  Income per share before extraordinary
    item(F)......................................  $   0.39
                                                   ========
  Shares used in computing pro forma per share
    data(G)......................................     9,375
                                                   ========
Pro forma as adjusted per share data:
  Income per share before extraordinary
    item(H)(I)...................................  $   0.33
                                                   ========
  Shares used in computing pro forma as adjusted
    per share data(J)............................    10,938
                                                   ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(A) Reflects the historical consolidated statement of operations of the
    Predecessor for the year ended December 31, 1996, including the operations
    of Carriage Club for the period May 1, 1996 (the effective date of the
    Carriage Club Acquisitions) through December 31, 1996.
(B) Reflects the historical combined statement of operations for Carriage Club
    for the period January 1, 1996 through April 30, 1996.
(C) Includes the following adjustments relating to the Carriage Club
    Acquisitions for the period January 1, 1996 through April 30, 1996: (i)
    elimination of $160,000 in management fees paid to the Predecessor by
    Carriage Club; (ii) additional depreciation expense of $104,000 attributable
    to the increase in the carrying value of the acquired assets; and (iii)
    additional interest costs of $991,000 associated with the financing of the
    Carriage Club Acquisitions.
(D) Includes the following adjustments relating to the Sale-Leaseback
    Transactions: (i) elimination of $1.2 million of depreciation and
    amortization expense on assets sold in the Sale-Leaseback Transactions; (ii)
    lease expense of approximately $2.5 million, less $455,000 representing
    amortization of the deferred gain on the Sale-Leaseback Transactions ($4.6
    million over ten years); and (iii) elimination of $1.4 million of interest
    expense on debt retired with a portion of the net proceeds from the
    Sale-Leaseback Transactions.
(E) Reflects income tax expense that would have been recognized if the
    Predecessor, the Predecessor Entities, and Carriage Club had been
    corporations since January 1, 1996, filing a consolidated tax return.
(F) Income per share before extraordinary item is calculated before subtracting
    the return on the Preferred Partnership Interests.
(G) Reflects 7,812,500 shares issuable in the Reorganization, plus 1,562,500
    shares, representing the value of the $25.0 million principal amount of the
    Reorganization Note (based upon an assumed initial public offering price of
    $16.00 per share).
(H) Does not reflect a $13.5 million ($1.23 per share) one-time charge to income
    which will be incurred at the time of the Reorganization in connection with
    the conversion from a non-taxable to a taxable entity and the resulting
    recognition of a deferred income tax liability for the differences between
    the accounting and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities.
(I) The Company intends to repay approximately $15.0 million of debt in January
    1998, when applicable prepayment restrictions lapse, and is currently in
    discussions with its lender to prepay such debt during 1997. Giving pro
    forma effect to such anticipated repayment as if it had occurred on January
    1, 1996, including the elimination of interest expense incurred in 1996 with
    respect to such debt and the related tax effects, (i) income before income
    taxes and extraordinary item for 1996 would have been $5.1 million ($0.47
    per share), and (ii) pro forma income before extraordinary item for 1996
    would have been $4.1 million ($0.38 per share).
(J) Reflects 7,812,500 shares issuable in the Reorganization, plus the 3,125,000
    shares offered hereby.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              SALE-LEASEBACK                REORGANIZATION
                                                               TRANSACTIONS                  AND OFFERING     PRO FORMA
                                                PREDECESSOR   ADJUSTMENTS(A)    PRO FORMA   ADJUSTMENTS(B)   AS ADJUSTED
                                                -----------   ---------------   ---------   --------------   ------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>               <C>         <C>              <C>
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>               <C>         <C>              <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.....................   $  3,222        $  8,292       $ 11,514       $ 20,600        $ 32,114
Assets whose use is limited...................      1,022            (500)           522             --             522
Resident and health care receivables..........      2,782              --          2,782             --           2,782
Other current assets..........................      2,245              --          2,245             --           2,245
                                                 --------        --------       --------       --------        --------
        Total current assets..................      9,271           7,792         17,063         20,600          37,663
Land, buildings and equipment, net............    213,124         (22,890)       190,234             --         190,234
Other assets..................................      5,767            (139)         5,628             --           5,628
                                                 --------        --------       --------       --------        --------
        Total assets..........................   $228,162        $(15,237)      $212,925       $ 20,600        $233,525
                                                 ========        ========       ========       ========        ========
Current portion of long-term debt.............   $  8,053        $ (5,215)      $  2,838       $     --        $  2,838
Redemption payable............................      5,195          (5,195)            --             --              --
Promissory note...............................         --              --             --         25,000              --
                                                                                                (25,000)
Other current liabilities.....................     10,312              --         10,312             --          10,312
                                                 --------        --------       --------       --------        --------
        Total current liabilities.............     23,560         (10,410)        13,150             --          13,150
Long-term debt................................    162,636          (9,378)       153,258             --         153,258
Deferred income taxes.........................         --              --             --         13,516          13,516
Other long-term liabilities...................      4,084           4,551          8,635             --           8,635
                                                 --------        --------       --------       --------        --------
        Total liabilities.....................    190,280         (15,237)       175,043         13,516         188,559
Partners' equity..............................     37,882              --         37,882        (37,882)             --
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock................................         --              --             --            109             109
  Additional paid-in capital..................         --              --             --         44,857          44,857
                                                 --------        --------       --------       --------        --------
        Total shareholders' equity............         --              --             --         44,966          44,966
                                                 --------        --------       --------       --------        --------
        Total liabilities and
          partners'/shareholders' equity......   $228,162        $(15,237)      $212,925       $ 20,600        $233,525
                                                 ========        ========       ========       ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(A) Includes the following adjustments relating to the Sale-Leaseback
    Transactions: (i) the cash proceeds received of $27.6 million; (ii) the
    application of a portion the net proceeds therefrom to repay $14.6 million
    of debt, including $5.2 million of short-term debt and $9.4 million of
    long-term debt, and to redeem the remaining balance of the Preferred
    Partnership Interests for $5.2 million; (iii) the sale of $22.9 million of
    land, buildings, and equipment; (iv) the write-off of $139,000 of deferred
    financing costs on long-term debt which was repaid with the net proceeds;
    (v) the recognition of a deferred gain of $4.6 million reflecting the excess
    of the sale price of such assets over the Company's bases in the assets; and
    (vi) the reclassification of $500,000 which was previously restricted as to
    use.
(B) Includes the following adjustments relating to the Reorganization and the
    Offering: (i) the reorganization of the Predecessor from a limited
    partnership to a corporation; (ii) the issuance of the Reorganization Note;
    (iii) the recognition of a non-recurring $13.5 million ($1.23 per share)
    charge to income resulting in a reduction of shareholders' equity which will
    be incurred at the time of the Reorganization in connection with the
    conversion from a non-taxable to a taxable entity and the resulting
    recognition of a deferred income tax liability for the differences between
    the accounting and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities; (iv)
    the issuance and sale of the 3,125,000 shares of Common Stock offered
    hereby, at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, and
    the receipt by the Company of estimated net proceeds of $45.6 million; and
    (v) the application of a portion of the net proceeds from the Offering to
    retire the Reorganization Note.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
               SELECTED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following table sets forth selected financial data and pro forma data
of the Company, the Predecessor, and the Predecessor Entities. The selected
financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 1992, 1993, and 1994
and the three months ended March 31, 1995 are derived from the combined
financial statements of the Predecessor Entities. The selected financial data as
of and for the nine months ended December 31, 1995 and as of and for the year
ended December 31, 1996 are derived from the consolidated financial statements
of the Predecessor. The selected data as of and for the periods ended December
31, 1994, March 31, 1995, December 31, 1995, and December 31, 1996 are derived
from the combined and consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor,
which financial statements have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants. The combined and consolidated
financial statements as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and for the year ended
December 31, 1994, the three months ended March 31, 1995, the nine months ended
December 31, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1996, and the report thereon,
are included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The information below should be read
in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the combined and consolidated financial
statements of the Predecessor, the related notes, and the independent auditors'
report, which refers to a change in cost basis as a result of a purchase
business combination in connection with the 1995 Roll-Up.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PREDECESSOR ENTITIES (COMBINED)                      PREDECESSOR
                                       -------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------
                                                                     THREE MONTHS    NINE MONTHS          YEAR ENDED
                                        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,         ENDED          ENDED         DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                       ---------------------------     MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,   ----------------------
                                        1992      1993      1994         1995            1995       ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(1)
                                       -------   -------   -------   -------------   ------------   -------   ------------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                    <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>             <C>            <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  Resident and health care revenue...  $16,045   $23,162   $30,979      $11,761        $47,239      $73,878     $77,964
  Management services revenue........    1,774     2,752     2,362          595          1,524        1,739       1,579
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
        Total revenues...............   17,819    25,914    33,341       12,356         48,763       75,617      79,543
Operating expenses:
  Community operating expense........   11,329    16,401    21,780        8,035         30,750       46,960      49,298
  General and administrative.........    2,656     3,290     3,455        1,108          3,446        6,200       6,200
  Lease expense......................       --        --        --           --             --           --       2,090
  Depreciation and amortization......    1,557     2,251     2,891        1,127          4,534        6,906       6,273
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
    Total operating expenses.........   15,542    21,942    28,126       10,270         38,730       60,066      63,861
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
    Income from operations...........    2,277     3,972     5,215        2,086         10,033       15,551      15,682
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense...................   (2,914)   (3,569)   (5,354)      (2,370)        (7,930)     (12,160)    (12,596)
  Interest income....................      145       122       203           49            329          434         455
  Other..............................       39       189        98       (1,013)(2)        919          788         788
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
    Other income (expense), net......   (2,730)   (3,258)   (5,053)      (3,334)        (6,682)     (10,938)    (11,353)
    Income (loss) before income taxes
      and extraordinary item.........     (453)      714       162       (1,248)         3,351        4,613       4,329
Income tax expense (benefit) (3).....       --        --        --           20             55         (920)       (920)
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
  item...............................     (453)      714       162       (1,268)         3,296        5,533       5,249
Extraordinary item(4)................       --        --        --           --             --       (2,335)     (2,335)
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
Net income (loss)....................     (453)      714       162       (1,268)         3,296        3,198       2,914
Preferred return on special
  redeemable preferred limited
  partnership interests(5)...........       --        --        --           --         (1,125)      (1,104)       (324)
                                       -------   -------   -------      -------        -------      -------     -------
Net income (loss) available for
  distribution to partners and
  shareholders ......................  $  (453)  $   714   $   162      $(1,268)       $ 2,171      $ 2,094     $ 2,590
                                       =======   =======   =======      =======        =======      =======     =======
Distribution to partners, excluding
  preferred distributions............  $   404   $ 5,708   $ 2,580      $ 1,400        $ 4,064      $ 6,035     $ 6,035
                                       =======   =======   =======      =======        =======      =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  PREDECESSOR
                                                              --------------------
                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                              --------------------
                                                                            PRO
                                                              ACTUAL      FORMA(1)
                                                              ------      --------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS,
                                                                EXCEPT PER SHARE
                                                                     DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA TAX DATA(6):
Income before income taxes and extraordinary item...........  $4,613       $4,329
Pro forma income tax expense................................     820          712
                                                              ------       ------
Pro forma income before extraordinary item..................   3,793        3,617
Preferred return on special redeemable preferred limited
  partnership interests(5)..................................  (1,104)        (324)
                                                              ------       ------
Pro forma income before extraordinary item available for
  distribution to partners and shareholders.................  $2,689       $3,293
                                                              ======       ======
Pro forma per share data:
  Income before extraordinary item..........................  $ 0.40       $ 0.39
  Preferred return on special redeemable preferred limited
    partnership interests...................................    0.12         0.03
                                                              ------       ------
  Income before extraordinary item available for
    distribution to partners and shareholders...............  $ 0.29       $ 0.35
                                                              ======       ======
  Shares used in computing pro forma per share data(7)......   9,375        9,375
                                                              ======       ======
Pro forma as adjusted per share data(8):
  Income before extraordinary item(9).......................               $ 0.33
  Preferred return on special redeemable preferred limited
    partnership interests...................................                 0.03
                                                                           ------
  Income before extraordinary item available for
    distribution to partners and shareholders(9)............               $ 0.30
                                                                           ======
  Shares used in computing pro forma as adjusted per share
    data....................................................               10,938
                                                                           ======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         AT DECEMBER 31,
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         PREDECESSOR ENTITIES
                                              (COMBINED)                           PREDECESSOR                    COMPANY
                                     ----------------------------   -----------------------------------------   ------------
                                                                                                                    1996
                                                                                                                 PRO FORMA
                                                                                       1996         1996             AS
                                      1992      1993       1994          1995         ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(10)   ADJUSTED(11)
                                     -------   -------   --------   --------------   --------   -------------   ------------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..........  $ 2,186   $ 3,205   $  2,894      $  3,825      $  3,222     $ 11,514        $ 32,114
Working capital (deficit)..........    1,545     2,529      3,168        (1,048)      (14,289)       3,913          24,513
Total assets.......................   54,419    63,393    111,425       165,579       228,162      212,925         233,525
Long-term debt, including current
  portion..........................   38,469    43,335     89,414       102,245       170,689      156,096         156,096
Partners' and shareholders'
  equity...........................   11,937    15,042     12,823        51,823        37,882       37,882          44,966
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 (1) Gives effect to the following transactions as if they had occurred on
     January 1, 1996: (a) the Carriage Club Acquisitions, and (b) the
     Sale-Leaseback Transactions and the application of a portion of the net
     proceeds therefrom to retire debt.
 (2) Includes a one-time expense of $964,000 incurred in connection with the
     1995 Roll-Up. See Note 11 to the Combined and Consolidated Financial
     Statements.
 (3) Provision for income taxes reflects income tax expense of only one of the
     Predecessor Entities because the Predecessor and the other Predecessor
     Entities were partnerships. No income tax expense is reflected for periods
     prior to 1995 because of losses or the availability of NOLs. Both periods
     in 1995 reflect a provision for alternative minimum taxes. In 1996, the
     Company recorded an income tax benefit and a deferred tax asset of $920,000
     because of the anticipated utilization of NOLs that will offset taxable
     gains recognized from the Sale-Leaseback Transactions. See Note 12 to the
     Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements.
 (4) Amount represents loss on early extinguishment of debt. See Note 9 to the
     Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements.
 (5) In connection with the 1995 Roll-Up, $10.0 million of promissory notes were
     exchanged for $10.0 million of Preferred Partnership Interests bearing a
     15% cumulative distribution right. From October 1994 (when such notes were
     created) through the 1995 Roll-Up, interest expense at 15% was recorded and
     paid. Following the 1995 Roll-Up, the Company has paid preferred 15%
     distributions to the holders of the Preferred Partnership Interests. From
     January 1996 to June 1996, the Company paid $324,000 of distributions with
     respect to $4.8 million of the Preferred Partnership Interests which were
     redeemed in June 1996 out of operating cash flow and were not eliminated.
     The remaining $5.2 million of the Preferred Partnership Interests were
     redeemed with a portion of the net proceeds from the Sale-Leaseback
     Transactions, and therefore distributions with respect to this $5.2 million
     portion of the Preferred Partnership Interests have been eliminated in the
     Pro Forma Statement of Operations data.
 (6) Except for one of the Predecessor Entities, the Predecessor and the
     Predecessor Entities, as partnerships, were exempt from U.S. Federal and
     state income taxes. The pro forma financial data reflects the effect on
     certain income statement data of income tax expense that would have been
     recorded had the Predecessor and the other Predecessor Entities not been
     exempt from paying such income taxes. Pro forma income tax expense has been
     calculated using statutory U.S. Federal and state tax rates and gives
     effect to the recognition in 1996 of the $920,000 deferred tax asset
     described in footnote (3) above.
 (7) Reflects 7,812,500 shares issuable in the Reorganization, plus 1,562,500
     shares, representing the value of the $25.0 million principal amount of the
     Reorganization Note (based upon an assumed initial public offering price of
     $16.00 per share).
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
 (8) Gives effect to the following transactions as if they had occurred on
     January 1, 1996: (a) the transactions described in footnote (1) above; (b)
     the Reorganization; and (c) the sale of the 3,125,000 shares of Common
     Stock offered hereby, at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00
     per share, and the application of a portion of the estimated net proceeds
     to retire the Reorganization Note. The pro forma as adjusted per share data
     does not give effect to a non-recurring $13.5 million ($1.23 per share)
     charge to income that will be incurred at the time of the Reorganization in
     connection with the conversion from a non-taxable to a taxable entity and
     the resulting recognition of a deferred income tax liability for the
     differences between the accounting and tax bases of the Company's assets
     and liabilities. See Note 16 to the Combined and Consolidated Financial
     Statements.
 (9) The Company intends to repay approximately $15.0 million of debt in January
     1998, when applicable prepayment restrictions lapse, and is currently in
     discussions with its lender to prepay such debt during 1997. Giving pro
     forma effect to the transactions described in footnote (8) above and to
     such anticipated repayment as if it had occurred on January 1, 1996,
     including the elimination of interest expense incurred in 1996 with respect
     to such debt and the related tax effects, (i) income before income taxes
     and extraordinary item for 1996 would have been $5.1 million ($0.47 per
     share), and (ii) pro forma income before extraordinary item for 1996 would
     have been $4.1 million ($0.38 per share).
(10) Gives effect to the Sale-Leaseback Transactions and the application of a
     portion of the net proceeds therefrom to retire debt as if they had
     occurred on December 31, 1996.
(11) Gives effect to the following transactions as if they had occurred at
     December 31, 1996: (a) the Sale-Leaseback Transactions and the application
     of a portion of the net proceeds therefrom to retire debt; (b) the
     Reorganization, including a $13.5 million charge to income resulting in a
     reduction of shareholders' equity which will be incurred at the time of the
     Reorganization in connection with the conversion from a non-taxable to a
     taxable entity and the resulting recognition of a deferred income tax
     liability for the differences between the accounting and tax bases of the
     Company's assets and liabilities; and (c) the sale of the 3,125,000 shares
     of Common Stock offered hereby, at an assumed initial public offering price
     of $16.00 per share, and the application of a portion of the estimated net
     proceeds to retire the Reorganization Note.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company is a national senior living and health care services company
providing a broad range of care and services to the elderly within a residential
setting. The Company currently operates 19 senior living communities in 12
states with an aggregate capacity for approximately 5,500 residents. The Company
currently owns ten communities, leases two communities pursuant to long-term
leases, and manages seven communities pursuant to management agreements. The
Company's total revenues have grown from $17.8 million in 1992 to $75.6 million
in 1996, an average annual growth rate of 43.5%. During the same period, the
Company's income from operations has grown from $2.3 million to $15.6 million,
an average annual growth rate of 61.7%.
 
     The Company and its predecessors have owned, operated, or managed senior
living communities since 1978. The Predecessor, ARCLP, was formed in February
1995 in connection with the 1995 Roll-Up. The 1995 Roll-Up, effective April 1,
1995, was accounted for as a purchase business combination by the Predecessor.
The Company was incorporated in February 1997 for purposes of effecting the
Reorganization and the Offering. See "The Company -- Pending Reorganization."
For the purposes of the following discussion, amounts for the year ended
December 31, 1995 represent the sum of the combined results of operations of the
Predecessor and Predecessor Entities for the period from January 1, 1995 through
March 31, 1995 and the consolidated results of operations of the Predecessor for
the period from April 1, 1995 (the effective date of the 1995 Roll-Up) through
December 31, 1995. See Note 1 to the Combined and Consolidated Financial
Statements.
 
     In its early history, the Company focused its efforts on providing contract
management, marketing, and development services primarily to third parties.
Beginning in 1990 and continuing through 1996, the Company embarked on a
strategy of acquiring senior living communities through the Predecessor Entities
and the Predecessor. During that period, the Company acquired the 12 communities
it now owns or leases. Over the last three years, the Company acquired eight of
these senior living communities, with an aggregate capacity for 2,186 residents,
at a total cost of approximately $139.0 million. See Note 3 to the Combined and
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
     During the next three years, the Company intends to develop approximately
35 free-standing assisted living residences with an aggregate capacity for
approximately 2,900 residents at an aggregate estimated cost to complete and
lease-up such residences of approximately $250.0 million to $300.0 million. The
Company is currently constructing an $11.6 million expansion at one of its owned
communities and is constructing, on behalf of the lessor, a $14.0 million
expansion at one of its leased communities. In addition, the Company plans to
commence additional expansions at five of its owned communities, which are
expected to cost approximately $50.0 million to $60.0 million to complete and
lease-up. These seven expansion projects will add capacity to accommodate an
additional 613 residents. The development of assisted living residences
typically involves a substantial commitment of capital over a twelve month
construction period, during which no revenues are generated, followed by a
twelve month lease-up period. The Company anticipates that newly opened or
expanded communities will operate at a loss during a substantial portion of the
lease-up period. See " -- Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Risk
Factors -- Losses from Newly Developed Residences and Acquisitions" and "Risk
Factors -- Ability to Develop Additional Assisted Living Residences." In
addition to the expansion of its owned and leased communities, the Company is
currently managing the expansion of one of its managed communities.
 
     The Company's growth strategy also includes the acquisition of
free-standing assisted living residences and, to a lesser extent, other senior
living communities; home health care agencies; and other properties or
businesses that are complementary to the Company's operations and growth
strategy.
 
     The Company's total revenues are comprised of (i) resident and health care
revenues, which include all resident and home health care agency fees, and (ii)
management services revenues, which include fees, net of reimbursements, for the
development, marketing, and management of facilities owned by third parties. The
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
Company's resident and health care revenues are derived primarily from three
principal sources: (i) monthly service fees from independent and assisted living
residents, representing 75.2%, 71.6%, and 61.9% of total revenues for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively; (ii) per diem charges
from nursing patients, representing 14.0%, 17.2%, and 29.1% of total revenues
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively; and (iii)
per visit billings from home health care patients and companion services
clients, representing 8.5%, 7.7%, and 1.9% of total revenues for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Management services revenues
represented 2.3%, 3.5%, and 7.1% of total revenues for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Approximately 92.1%, 91.3%, and 93.0% of
the Company's total revenues for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and
1994, respectively, were attributable to private pay sources, with the balance
attributable to Medicare (7.8% in 1996), including Medicare-related private
co-insurance, and Medicaid (0.1% in 1996).
 
     The Company's operating expenses are comprised, in general, of (i)
community operating expense, which includes all operating expenses of the
Company's owned or leased facilities, including the expenses of its home health
care agencies; (ii) general and administrative expense, which includes all
corporate office overhead; and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense. As a
result of the Sale-Leaseback Transactions in January 1997, the Company will
incur lease expense for periods after such date.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected
Statements of Operations data in thousands of dollars and expressed as a
percentage of total revenues, and certain resident capacity and occupancy data.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             -----------------------------------------------------
                                                  1994               1995               1996
                                             ---------------    ---------------    ---------------
                                                $        %         $        %         $        %
                                             -------   -----    -------   -----    -------   -----
<S>                                          <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Resident and health care revenue...........  $30,979    92.9%   $59,000    96.5%   $73,878    97.7%
Management services revenue................    2,362     7.1      2,119     3.5      1,739     2.3
                                             -------   -----    -------   -----    -------   -----
          Total revenues...................   33,341   100.0     61,119   100.0     75,617   100.0
Community operating expense................   21,780    65.3     38,785    63.5     46,960    62.1
General and administrative.................    3,455    10.4      4,554     7.5      6,200     8.2
Depreciation and amortization..............    2,891     8.7      5,661     9.3      6,906     9.1
                                             -------   -----    -------   -----    -------   -----
          Total operating expenses.........   28,126    84.4     49,000    80.2     60,066    79.4
                                             -------   -----    -------   -----    -------   -----
          Income from operations...........    5,215    15.6     12,119    19.8     15,551    20.6
Interest expense...........................   (5,354)  (16.0)   (10,300)  (16.9)   (12,160)  (16.1)
Interest income............................      203     0.6        378     0.6        434     0.6
Other......................................       98     0.3        (94)   (0.1)       788     1.0
                                             -------   -----    -------   -----    -------   -----
  Other income (expense), net..............   (5,053)  (15.1)   (10,016)  (16.4)   (10,938)  (14.5)
  Income before income taxes and
     extraordinary item....................      162     0.5%     2,103     3.4%     4,613     6.1%
Income tax expense (benefit)...............       --      --         75    (0.1)      (920)    1.2
                                             -------   -----    -------   -----    -------   -----
Income before extraordinary item...........      162     0.5%     2,028     3.3%     5,533     7.3%
Extraordinary item.........................       --      --         --      --      2,335     3.1
                                             -------   -----    -------   -----    -------   -----
Net income.................................  $   162     0.5%   $ 2,028     3.3%   $ 3,198     4.2%
                                             =======   =====    =======   =====    =======   =====
</TABLE>
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            ------------------------------------------------------
                                                 1994                1995               1996
                                            ---------------    ----------------    ---------------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>
OPERATING DATA:
End of year capacity:
  Owned...................................       2,141              2,594               3,369
  Managed.................................       3,315              3,008               2,159
                                                 -----              -----               -----
          Total...........................       5,456              5,602               5,528
                                                 =====              =====               =====
Average occupancy rate:
  Owned...................................          89%                93%                 94%
  Managed.................................          93                 91                  91
                                                 -----              -----               -----
          Total...........................          91%                92%                 92%
                                                 =====              =====               =====
End of year occupancy rate:
  Owned...................................          91%                94%                 96%
  Managed.................................          96                 91                  92
                                                 -----              -----               -----
          Total...........................          94%                92%                 94%
                                                 =====              =====               =====
Stabilized average occupancy rate (1):
  Owned...................................          89%                93%                 94%
  Managed.................................          93                 95                  96
                                                 -----              -----               -----
          Total...........................          91%                94%                 95%
                                                 =====              =====               =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes the effect of new communities or expansions of the Company's
    existing communities including: (i) the opening of a managed community in
    1995 with a capacity for 242 residents; (ii) the opening of two expansions
    of owned communities in mid-1996 with an aggregate additional capacity for
    114 residents; and (iii) the opening of a managed community in mid-1996 with
    a capacity for 76 residents. These openings resulted in decreased average
    occupancy rates for the periods noted.
 
     The following table sets forth certain selected financial and operating
data on a Same Facility basis. For purposes of the following discussion, "Same
Facility basis" refers to communities that were owned by the Company throughout
each of the periods being compared. Revenues on a Same Facility basis do not
include any management services revenues.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED                     YEAR ENDED
                                             DECEMBER 31,                   DECEMBER 31,
                                           -----------------              -----------------
                                            1994      1995     % CHANGE    1995      1996     % CHANGE
                                           -------   -------   --------   -------   -------   --------
                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER UNIT DATA)
<S>                                        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Monthly/per diem service fees............  $26,384   $29,040      10.1%   $46,398   $48,888      5.4%
Home health and companion services
  revenue................................      627     2,699     330.5%     2,699     3,789     40.4%
                                           -------   -------              -------   -------
  Resident and health care revenue.......   27,011    31,739      17.5%    49,097    52,677      7.3%
Community operating expense..............   19,212    21,795      13.4%    32,854    34,314      4.4%
                                           -------   -------              -------   -------
  Resident income from operations(1).....  $ 7,799   $ 9,944      27.5%   $16,243   $18,363     13.1%
                                           =======   =======              =======   =======
  Resident income from operations
     margin..............................     28.9%     31.3%                33.1%     34.9%
OTHER DATA:
Average occupancy rate(2)................       88%       91%                  92%       94%
Average monthly revenue per occupied
  unit(3)................................  $ 2,322   $ 2,467       6.2%   $ 2,217   $ 2,295      3.5%
Average monthly expense per occupied
  unit(4)................................    1,639     1,665       1.6%     1,465     1,475      0.7%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Reflects resident and health care income from operations before depreciation
    and amortization, interest, general and administrative expense, and other
    non-operating expenses.
(2) Average occupancy rate is based on the ratio of occupied apartments to
    available apartments expressed on a monthly basis for independent and
    assisted living residences, and occupied beds to available beds on a per
    diem basis for nursing beds.
(3) Average monthly revenue per occupied unit is total annual resident and
    health care revenues, excluding home health care agency and companion
    services fees, divided by total occupied apartments and nursing beds,
    expressed on a monthly basis.
(4) Average monthly expense per unit is total annual community operating
    expenses, excluding home health care agency and companion services expenses,
    divided by total occupied apartments and nursing beds, expressed on a
    monthly basis.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED WITH THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
     Revenues.  Total revenues were $75.6 million in 1996 compared to $61.1
million in 1995, representing an increase of $14.5 million, or 23.7%. Resident
and health care revenues increased by $14.9 million, which was offset, in part,
by a decrease in management services revenues of $380,000. Of the increase in
resident and health care revenues, $11.3 million, or 75.9%, was attributable to
revenues derived from acquired senior living communities, with the remaining
$3.6 million, or 24.1%, of such increase attributable to Same Facility growth.
During 1995 and 1996, the Company acquired four senior living communities that
the Company had previously managed, resulting in a decrease in management
services revenues in 1996 to $1.7 million, as compared to $2.1 million in 1995.
 
     Revenues attributable to Same Facilities were $52.7 million in 1996,
representing an increase of $3.6 million, or 7.3%, over 1995. Home health care
agency and companion services fees on a Same Facility basis increased by $1.1
million, or 40.4%, over 1995. Monthly/per diem service fee revenue on a Same
Facility basis increased $2.5 million, or 5.4%, over 1995. Of this increase,
3.6% was due primarily to rate increases and 1.8% was due to higher occupancy.
Same Facility average occupancy rates increased from 92% in 1995 to 94% in 1996.
Same Facility end of year occupancy rates increased from 93% in 1995 to 96% in
1996.
 
     Community Operating Expense.  Community operating expense increased to
$47.0 million in 1996, as compared to $38.8 million in 1995, representing an
increase of $8.2 million, or 21.1%. Of the increase in community operating
expense, $6.7 million, or 82.0%, was attributable to expenses from acquired
senior living communities, and 18.0% of this increase was attributable to Same
Facility operating expenses, which increased by $1.5 million, or 4.4%, over
1995. Of such increase, $694,000 was attributable to increases in home health
care agency and companion services expenses. Same Facility operating expenses,
exclusive of home health care agency and companion services expenses, increased
2.5% in 1996 as compared to 1995. Community operating expense as a percentage of
resident and health care revenues declined to 63.6% in 1996 from 65.7% in 1995.
Same Facility community operating expense as a percentage of Same Facility
resident and health care revenues declined to 65.1% in 1996 from 66.9% in 1995,
primarily due to improved economies of scale resulting from higher occupancy.
 
     General and Administrative.  General and administrative expense increased
to $6.2 million in 1996, as compared to $4.6 million in 1995, representing an
increase of $1.6 million, or 36.1%. General and administrative expense as a
percentage of total revenues increased to 8.2% in 1996 from 7.5% in 1995. Of
this increase in general and administrative expense, $546,000 was directly
related to the creation of a new operating department by the Company in 1996 to
manage the Company's home health care agencies, which had previously been
managed by a third party. The remaining increase of approximately $1.1 million
resulted from continued investments in infrastructure necessary to support the
Company's growth, including the incurrence of costs related to personnel
training, the expansion of the development services department, the upgrade of
management information systems, and the centralization of the Company's
accounting staff and functions.
 
     Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense
increased to $6.9 million in 1996 from $5.7 million in 1995, representing an
increase of $1.2 million, or 22.0%. This increase was primarily the result of
depreciation associated with acquisitions and amortization of related financing
costs, offset in part by a decrease in amortization resulting from the write-off
of certain financing costs. As a result of the Sale-Leaseback Transactions
effected in January 1997, the Company expects Same Facility depreciation and
amortization expense to decrease in the future, which decrease will be offset,
in part, by increased lease expense.
 
     Other Income (Expense).  Interest expense increased to $12.2 million in
1996 from $10.3 million in 1995, representing an increase of $1.9 million, or
18.1%. The increase in interest expense was related to indebtedness incurred in
connection with the acquisition of senior living communities. Interest expense,
as a percentage of total revenues, declined to 16.1% in 1996 from 16.9% in 1995.
Interest income increased to $434,000 in 1996 from $378,000 in 1995. The Company
had other income of $788,000 in 1996, including a gain on the sale of assets of
$874,000, compared to other expense of $94,000 in 1995. The 1995 other expense
included: (i) $982,000 of nonrecurring expense related to the 1995 Roll-Up; (ii)
a gain on the sale of assets of
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
$1.1 million; and (iii) other non-operating expenses of $256,000. As a result of
the Sale-Leaseback Transactions, the Company expects Same Facility interest
expense will decrease in the future, which decrease will be offset, in part, by
increased lease expense.
 
       Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  At December 31, 1996, the Company had NOLs
of approximately $5.4 million. In 1996, the Company recognized an income tax
benefit of $920,000 because of the anticipated utilization of such net operating
loss carryforwards to offset taxable gains related to the Sale-Leaseback
Transactions. The provision for income taxes reflects income tax expense of only
one of the Predecessor Entities, because the Predecessor and the other
Predecessor Entities were partnerships.
 
       Extraordinary Loss.  In 1996, the Company wrote off $2.3 million of
financing costs in connection with the refinancing of $62.1 million of mortgage
financing.
 
       Net Income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, net income increased
to $3.2 million ($5.5 million before extraordinary item) in 1996 from $2.0
million in 1995.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED WITH THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
     Revenues.  Total revenues were $61.1 million in 1995 compared to $33.3
million in 1994, representing an increase of $27.8 million, or 83.3%. Resident
and health care revenues increased by $28.0 million, which was offset, in part,
by a decrease in management services revenues of $243,000. Of the increase in
resident and health care revenues, $23.3 million, or 83.1%, was attributable to
revenues derived from acquired senior living communities, with the remaining
$4.7 million, or 16.9%, of such increase attributable to Same Facility growth.
During 1994 and 1995, the Company acquired six senior living communities, three
of which had been previously managed by the Company, resulting in a decrease in
management services revenues in 1995 to $2.1 million, as compared to $2.4
million in 1994.
 
     Revenues attributable to Same Facilities were $31.7 million in 1995,
representing an increase of $4.7 million, or 17.5%, over 1994. Home health care
agency and companion services fees on a Same Facility basis increased by $2.1
million, or 330.5%, over 1994. Monthly/per diem service fee revenue on a Same
Facility basis increased $2.6 million, or 10.1%, over 1994. Of this increase,
6.5% was due primarily to rate increases and 3.6% was due to higher occupancy.
Same Facility average occupancy rates increased from 89% in 1994 to 91% in 1995.
Same Facility end of year occupancy rates increased from 90% in 1994 to 92% in
1995.
 
     Community Operating Expense.  Community operating expense increased to
$38.8 million in 1995, as compared to $21.8 million in 1994, representing an
increase of $17.0 million, or 78%. Of the increase in community operating
expense, $14.4 million, or 84.8%, was attributable to operating expenses from
acquired senior living communities, and 15.2% of this increase was attributable
to Same Facility operating expenses, which increased by $2.6 million, or 13.4%,
over 1994. Of such increase, $1.6 million was attributable to increases in home
health care agency and companion services expenses. Same Facility operating
expenses, exclusive of home health care agency and companion services expenses,
increased 5.2% in 1995 as compared to 1994. Community operating expense as a
percentage of resident and health care revenues declined to 65.7% in 1995 from
70.3% in 1994. Same Facility community operating expense as a percentage of Same
Facility resident and health care revenues increased to 71% in 1995 from 69% in
1994.
 
     General and Administrative.  General and administrative expense increased
to $4.6 million in 1995, as compared to $3.5 million in 1994, representing an
increase of $1.1 million, or 31.8%. General and administrative expense as a
percentage of total revenues decreased to 7.5% in 1995 from 10.4% in 1994. The
majority of the increase resulted from costs incurred in connection with
increased personnel costs incurred to support the Company's growth, including
costs associated with the upgrade of management information systems and the
centralization of the Company's accounting staff and functions.
 
     Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense
increased to $5.7 million in 1995 from $2.9 million in 1994, representing an
increase of $2.8 million, or 95.8%. This increase was primarily the result of
depreciation associated with acquisitions and amortization of related financing
costs.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
     Other Income (Expense).  Interest expense increased to $10.3 million in
1995 from $5.4 million in 1994, representing an increase of $4.9 million, or
92.4%. The increase in interest expense was related to indebtedness incurred in
connection with the acquisition of senior living communities. Interest expense,
as a percentage of total revenues, increased to 16.9% in 1995 from 16.1% in
1994. Interest income increased to $378,000 in 1995 from $203,000 in 1994. The
Company had other expense of $94,000 in 1995 compared to other income of $98,000
in 1994, primarily as a result of $981,000 of nonrecurring expenses related to
the 1995 Roll-Up, and $268,000 of other expenses associated with a 1995
acquisition, which was offset, in part, by a $1.1 million gain on sale of
assets.
 
     Net Income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, net income increased to
$2.0 million in 1995 from $162,000 in 1994.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     The Company has traditionally financed its activities from net proceeds
from private placements of equity interests, long-term mortgage borrowing, and
cash flows from operations. At December 31, 1996, excluding mortgage debt in the
amount of $14.6 million that was repaid on January 2, 1997 in connection with
the Sale-Leaseback Transactions, the Company had $156.1 million of indebtedness
outstanding, including $144.2 million payable to one lender, with fixed
maturities ranging from December 31, 2001 to April 30, 2003. In addition, the
Company has the capacity to borrow up to an additional $15.9 million from such
lender to finance future acquisitions or expansions. The Company also maintains
a $2.5 million line of credit with a bank that is available for working capital
and to secure various debt instruments. At December 31, 1996, $925,000 of this
line of credit had been used to obtain letters of credit. The Sale-Leaseback
Transactions resulted in minimum annual lease obligations of $2.5 million,
beginning in 1997. After giving effect to the Sale-Leaseback Transactions,
approximately 73.2% of the Company's indebtedness bears interest at fixed rates,
with a weighted average interest rate of 8.6%. The Company's variable rate
indebtedness carried an average rate of 7.7% as of December 31, 1996.
 
     Net cash provided by operating activities was $11.9 million, $9.0 million,
and $3.5 million in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Unrestricted cash
balances were $3.2 million, $3.8 million, and $2.9 million at December 31, 1996,
1995, and 1994, respectively. Adjusted for the Sale-Leaseback Transactions,
unrestricted cash balances as of December 31, 1996, would have been $11.5
million.
 
     Net cash used by investing activities totaled $67.6 million, $11.0 million,
and $46.3 million in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Over this period, the
Company acquired an aggregate of $139.0 million of senior living community
assets, and made capital expenditures at its owned properties in an aggregate
amount of $8.9 million, including expansion activity in the amount of $3.5
million. During the same period, the Company sold an aggregate of $2.8 million
of assets.
 
     Net cash provided by financing activities was $55.1 million, $2.9 million,
and $42.6 million in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Proceeds from the
issuance of long-term debt was $73.9 million, $26.7 million, and $49.0 million
in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively, including $23.5 million of debt assumed
by the Company pursuant to acquisitions in 1995. The Company also raised $11.0
million in a private placement of equity in 1995. The Company retired debt in
the amount of $5.5 million, $4.3 million, and $2.5 million in 1996, 1995, and
1994, respectively; made cash distributions to its partners of $7.1 million,
$6.6 million, and $2.6 million in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively; and
redeemed all of the outstanding Preferred Partnership Interests for $10.0
million in 1996. The Company intends to make a distribution in the first quarter
of 1997 prior to the consummation of the Offering in the amount of approximately
$2.5 million, which amount substantially approximates the income taxes
associated with the Predecessor's anticipated earnings in 1997 through the date
of the Reorganization. Following the Reorganization and conversion from
partnership to corporate form, the Company does not anticipate declaring or
paying cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company
intends to retain future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of the
Company's business. See "Dividend Policy and Prior Distributions."
 
     In January 1997, the Company effected the Sale-Leaseback Transactions with
respect to its Holley Court Terrace and Trinity Towers senior living communities
and realized net cash proceeds therefrom of $27.6
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
million. Of such proceeds, $14.6 million were used to retire indebtedness and
$5.2 million were used to redeem the Predecessor's outstanding Preferred
Partnership Interests (which redemption had been accrued as of December 31,
1996). The Sale-Leaseback Transactions resulted in a gain of approximately $4.6
million, which will be recognized over the ten-year initial term of the lease.
 
     The Company is currently constructing an $11.6 million expansion at one of
its owned communities. The Company has a construction loan commitment from a
bank, as well as a permanent loan commitment from a mortgage lender to fund the
costs of construction. The Company also plans to expand certain of its other
owned communities; to open home health care agencies at certain of its owned
and/or leased communities that do not currently operate home health care
agencies; to develop new assisted living residences; and to acquire assisted
living residences and selected senior living and health care services assets.
 
     The Company has signed non-binding letters of intent for the acquisition of
a home health care agency located in Corpus Christi, Texas for $1.0 million, and
Parklane West, a senior living community in San Antonio, Texas currently managed
by the Company, for $6.0 million, $4.8 million of which is expected to be
financed by the seller at a weighted average interest rate of 7.4%. The Company
expects to complete both acquisitions in the second quarter of 1997.
 
     The Company intends to repay approximately $15.0 million of debt in January
1998, when applicable prepayment restrictions lapse, and is currently in
discussions with its lender to repay such debt during 1997.
 
     The Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with respect to
the REIT Facility pursuant to which the REIT, at the Company's request, will
develop, construct, or acquire up to $110.0 million of senior living communities
and lease the communities to the Company.
 
     The Company expects that its current cash and the net proceeds from the
Offering, together with cash flow from operations, the REIT Facility, and the
proceeds of borrowings available to it under existing credit arrangements, will
be sufficient to meet its operating requirements and to fund its anticipated
growth for at least the next 12 months. The Company expects to use a wide
variety of financing sources to fund its future growth, including public and
private debt and equity, conventional mortgage financing, and unsecured bank
financing, among other sources. There can be no assurance that financing from
such sources will be available in the future or, if available, that such
financing will be available on terms acceptable to the Company.
 
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY
 
     The Company will incur a one-time $13.5 million ($1.23 per share) charge to
income resulting in a reduction of shareholders' equity at the time of the
Reorganization in connection with the conversion from a non-taxable to a taxable
entity and the resulting recognition of a deferred income tax liability for the
differences between the accounting and tax bases of the Company's assets and
liabilities.
 
IMPACT OF INFLATION
 
     To date, inflation has not had a significant impact on the Company.
Inflation could, however, affect the Company's future revenues and results of
operations because of, among other things, the Company's dependence on senior
residents, many of whom rely primarily on fixed incomes to pay for the Company's
services. As a result, during inflationary periods, the Company may not be able
to increase resident service fees to account fully for increased operating
expenses. In structuring its fees, the Company attempts to anticipate inflation
levels, but there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
anticipate fully or otherwise respond to any future inflationary pressures.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW AND HISTORY
 
     The Company is a national senior living and health care services company
providing a broad range of care and services to the elderly, including
independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and home health care
services. The Company has pioneered numerous developments in the provision of
care and services for the elderly since its inception in 1978, and believes it
ranks among the leading operators in the senior living and health care services
industry. Currently, the Company operates 19 senior living communities in 12
states, consisting of ten owned communities, two leased communities, and seven
managed communities, with an aggregate capacity for approximately 5,500
residents. The Company also owns and operates seven home health care agencies.
At December 31, 1996, the Company's owned and leased communities had an
occupancy rate of 96% and its managed communities had an occupancy rate of 92%.
Approximately 92.1% of the Company's total revenues for the year ended December
31, 1996 were derived from private pay sources.
 
     Over the past several years, the Company has experienced significant
growth, primarily through the acquisition of senior living communities. The
Company's revenues have grown from $17.8 million in 1992 to $75.6 million in
1996, an average annual growth rate of 43.5%. During the same period, the
Company's income from operations has grown from $2.3 million to $15.6 million,
an average annual growth rate of 61.7%. The Company intends to continue its
growth through a combination of (i) development of free-standing assisted living
residences, including special living units and programs for residents with
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia; (ii) selective acquisitions of senior
living communities, including assisted living residences; (iii) expansion of
existing communities; and (iv) development and acquisition of home health care
agencies. As part of its growth strategy, the Company is currently developing 19
free-standing assisted living residences, with an estimated aggregate capacity
for 1,684 residents, and is expanding eight of its existing communities to add
capacity to accommodate an additional 702 residents. The Company has also
entered into letters of intent to acquire one additional senior living
community, which is currently managed by the Company, and one additional home
health care agency.
 
     The Company was founded by Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr. and Jack C. Massey, the
principal founders of Hospital Corporation of America (now a subsidiary of
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation). The Company's operating philosophy was
inspired by Dr. Frist's and Mr. Massey's vision to enhance the lives of the
elderly by providing the highest quality of care and services in well-operated
communities designed to improve and protect the quality of life, independence,
personal freedom, privacy, spirit, and dignity of its residents. The Company
believes that its senior management, led by W.E. Sheriff, its Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and Christopher J. Coates, its President and Chief Operating
Officer, is one of the most experienced management teams in the senior living
industry. The Company's 12 senior officers have been employed by the Company for
an average of nine years and have an average of 14 years of industry experience.
The executive directors of the Company's communities have been employed by the
Company for an average of four years and have an average of 11 years of
experience in the senior living industry.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     The Company believes that the fragmented nature of the senior living
industry and the limited capital resources available to many small, private
operators provide a unique opportunity for the Company to expand its existing
base of senior living operations. The Company believes that its existing senior
living communities serve as the foundation on which the Company can build senior
living networks in targeted geographic markets and thereby provide a broad range
of high quality care in a cost-efficient manner. The following are the principal
elements of the Company's growth strategy:
 
  Develop New Assisted Living Residences
 
     The Company has implemented an aggressive growth plan to expand primarily
through the development and construction of new assisted living residences,
including special living units and programs for residents with Alzheimer's and
other forms of dementia. The Company's primary strategy is to develop a cluster
of
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
residences within a particular geographic service area and thereby achieve
regional density. In this regard, the Company believes that its existing senior
living communities and its extensive knowledge of the local markets in which the
Company operates provide the Company with a strong platform from which to expand
its operations. In addition, the Company believes that through clustering its
residences it can maximize operational, marketing, and management efficiencies
while achieving economies of scale. The Company believes that regional density
also provides strengthened local presence, community familiarity, and
reputation, and will enhance the Company's opportunities in the evolving managed
care environment. The Company currently is developing 19 free-standing assisted
living residences, with an estimated aggregate capacity for 1,684 residents. See
"Business -- Development Activities."
 
     The Company follows a disciplined development strategy that includes the
following sequential components: (i) a market demographic analysis is conducted
by the Company to assess and confirm the relative strength of a potential
market; (ii) cohesive neighborhoods and submarkets are identified within the
market; (iii) within each neighborhood and submarket, competitive projects are
identified and assessed as to their market niche, program of services and
pricing, physical condition, and likely financial condition; (iv) based on the
prior three steps, a determination is then made as to whether to participate in
the market by acquisition or development; (v) if the Company elects to develop
within the market, the Company then determines which submarkets to serve,
selects a specific design type for each submarket and determines the number of
assisted living units and dementia care units to develop; and (vi) specific
sites are analyzed, whereby the Company considers a number of factors including
site visibility, location within a submarket, the specific neighborhoods which
can be served from the site, probability of achieving zoning approvals and the
proximity of the site to the Company's other assisted living residences and
senior living communities. Architectural design and hands-on construction
functions are usually performed by outside architects and contractors with whom
the Company has an historical relationship. The Company expects that the average
construction time for a typical assisted living residence will be approximately
10 to 12 months. Once construction is completed, the Company estimates that it
will take approximately 12 months on average for the assisted living residence
to achieve a stabilized level of occupancy.
 
     The Company's senior management and development staff have extensive
experience in the development of senior living communities, including assisted
living residences, real estate acquisition, engineering, general construction,
and project management. The Company's development team has the demonstrated
ability to target potential markets, perform appropriate market and demographic
studies, identify zoning and development issues, and determine the appropriate
size and configuration of residences to be developed.
 
  Expand Existing Facilities
 
     The Company plans to expand certain of its existing communities to include
additional assisted living residences (including special programs and living
units for residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia), and skilled
nursing beds. The Company currently has three expansion projects under
construction (including one managed community) and five expansion projects under
development, representing an aggregate increase in capacity to accommodate an
additional 702 residents. The expansion of existing senior living communities
allows the Company to create operating efficiencies and capitalize on its local
presence, community familiarity, and reputation in markets in which the Company
currently operates.
 
  Pursue Strategic Acquisitions
 
     The Company intends to continue to pursue single or portfolio acquisitions
of assisted living residences and, to a lesser extent, other senior living and
long-term care communities. Through strategic acquisitions, the Company plans to
enter new markets or acquire communities in existing markets as a means to
increase market share, augment existing clusters, strengthen its ability to
provide a broad range of care, and create operating efficiencies. The Company
believes that the current fragmentation of the industry, combined with the
Company's financial resources and extensive contacts within the industry, should
provide it with the opportunity to consider a number of potential acquisition
opportunities. In reviewing acquisition opportunities, the Company will
consider, among other things, geographic location, competitive climate,
reputation and quality of management and residences, and the need for renovation
or improvement of the residences. In
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
February 1997, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent to
purchase Parklane West, a senior living community in San Antonio, Texas
currently managed by the Company. The Company expects to complete the
acquisition in the second quarter of 1997.
 
  Develop and Acquire Additional Home Health Care Agencies
 
     The Company intends to expand its home health care services by developing,
acquiring, and managing new home health care agencies and expanding its range of
existing home health care services. The Company currently anticipates that its
home health care agencies will be based at the Company's communities, and will
serve both the Company's communities and the surrounding area. The Company
believes that the expansion of its home health care services will enhance its
ability to provide a broad range of health care services, increase its market
visibility, and augment the creation of senior living networks in targeted
areas. The Company currently operates seven home health care agencies, four of
which are in their initial year of operation, and has entered into a letter of
intent to acquire an additional home health care agency in Corpus Christi,
Texas. The Company expects to complete such acquisition in the second quarter of
1997.
 
  Expand Referral Networks and Strategic Alliances
 
     The Company intends to continue to develop relationships (which, in certain
instances, may involve strategic alliances or joint ventures) with local and
regional hospital systems, managed care organizations, and other referral
sources to attract new residents to the Company's communities. The Company
believes that such arrangements or alliances, which could range from joint
marketing arrangements to priority transfer agreements, will enable it to be
strategically positioned within the Company's markets if, as the Company
believes, senior living programs become an integral part of the evolving health
care delivery system.
 
  Pursue Additional Third-Party Management Opportunities
 
     Although the Company intends to focus its efforts primarily on development
and acquisition activities, it may in certain instances pursue third-party
management opportunities as a means to enter new markets or expand its presence,
market knowledge, and influence in a targeted market. The Company currently
manages seven communities with an aggregate capacity for 2,158 residents
pursuant to management contracts. Furthermore, the Company intends to continue
its consulting and contract activities on a selective basis.
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
     The Company's operating strategy is to provide high quality health care
services to its residents while achieving and sustaining a strong competitive
position within its chosen markets, as well as to continue to enhance the
performance of its operations.
 
  Continue to Provide A Broad Range of High-Quality Personalized Care
 
     Central to the Company's operating strategy is its focus on providing
high-quality care and services that are personalized and tailored to meet the
individual needs of each community resident. The Company's residences and
services are designed to provide a broad range of care that permits residents to
"age in place" as their needs change and as they develop further physical or
cognitive frailties. By creating an environment that maximizes resident autonomy
and provides individualized service programs, the Company seeks to attract
seniors at an earlier stage, before they need the higher level of care provided
in a skilled nursing facility. The Company also maintains a comprehensive
quality assurance program designed to ensure the satisfaction of its residents
and their family members.
 
  Offer Services Across a Range of Pricing Options
 
     The Company is continually expanding its range of personal, health care,
and support services to meet the evolving needs of its residents. The Company
has developed several different care plans and residence designs which may, in
each instance, be customized to serve the upper income and moderate income
markets of a particular targeted geographic area. By offering a range of pricing
options that are customized for each target
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
market, the Company believes it can develop synergies, economies of scale, and
operating efficiencies in its efforts to serve a larger percentage of the
elderly population within a particular geographic market.
 
  Maintain and Improve Occupancy Rates
 
     The Company also seeks to maintain and improve occupancy rates by (i)
retaining residents as they "age in place" by emphasizing quality and breadth of
care and service; (ii) attracting new residents through marketing programs
directed towards family decision makers, namely adult children, and prospective
residents; and (iii) actively seeking referrals from hospitals, rehabilitation
hospitals, physicians' clinics, home health care agencies, and other acute and
sub-acute health care providers in the markets served by the Company.
 
  Improve Operating Efficiencies
 
     The Company will seek to improve operating efficiencies at its communities
by continuing to actively monitor and manage operating costs. By concentrating
residences within selected geographic regions, the Company believes it will be
able to achieve operating efficiencies through economies of scale and reduced
corporate overhead, and provide more effective management supervision and
financial controls.
 
  Emphasize Employee Training
 
     The Company devotes special attention to the hiring, screening, training,
and supervising of its employees and caregivers to ensure that quality standards
are achieved. During 1997, the Company expects to spend in excess of $700,000 on
personnel training and development of on-site field personnel. In 1995, the
Company, together with Dr. Frist, founded The Frist Center at Belmont University
in Nashville, Tennessee. The Frist Center is a non-profit foundation providing
training, education, and career services for management and front line personnel
involved in the senior living and health care services industry. The Company
works closely with The Frist Center and the Company's employees actively
participate in the training programs, seminars, and classes sponsored by The
Frist Center. In addition, professional training programs designed to be
delivered on-site by The Frist Center staff have been and are being developed by
the Company and The Frist Center. The Company believes its commitment to and
emphasis on employee training differentiates the Company from many of its
competitors.
 
CARE AND SERVICES PROGRAMS
 
     The Company provides a wide array of senior living and health care services
to the elderly at its communities, including independent living, assisted living
(with special programs and living units for residents with Alzheimer's and other
forms of dementia), skilled nursing, and home health care services. By offering
a variety of services and involving the active participation of the resident and
the resident's family and medical consultants, the Company is able to customize
its service plan to meet the specific needs and desires of each resident. As a
result, the Company believes that it is able to maximize customer satisfaction
and avoid the high cost of delivering all services to every resident without
regard to need, preference, or choice.
 
  Independent Living Services
 
     The Company provides independent living services to seniors who do not yet
need assistance or support with the activities of daily life ("ADLs"), but who
prefer the physical and psychological comfort of a residential community that
offers health care and other services. The Company currently owns or leases
twelve communities and manages an additional five communities which provide
independent living services, with an aggregate capacity for 2,646 residents and
1,496 residents, respectively.
 
     Independent living services provided by the Company include daily meals,
transportation, social and recreational activities, laundry, housekeeping,
security, and health care monitoring. The Company also fosters the wellness of
its residents by offering health screenings such as blood pressure checks,
periodic special services such as influenza inoculations, chronic disease
management (such as diabetes with its attendant blood glucose monitoring),
dietary and similar programs, as well as ongoing exercise and fitness classes.
Classes are
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
given by health care professionals to keep residents informed about health and
disease management. Subject to applicable government regulation, personal care
and medical services are available to independent living residents through
either community staff or through the Company's or independent home health care
agencies. The Company's independent living residents pay a fee ranging from
$1,150 to $4,105 per month, in general depending on the specific community,
program of services, size of the units, and amenities offered. The Company's
contracts with its independent living residents are generally for a term of one
year and are terminable by the resident upon 60 days' notice.
 
  Assisted Living and Memory Impaired Services
 
     The Company offers a wide range of assisted living care and services 24
hours per day, including personal care services, support services, and
supplemental services, at all of its owned and leased communities and at six
managed communities. The residents of the Company's assisted living residences
generally need help with some or all ADLs, but do not require the more acute
medical care traditionally given in nursing homes. Upon admission to the
Company's assisted living residences, and in consultation with the resident and
the resident's family and medical consultants, each resident is assessed to
determine his or her health status, including functional abilities, and need for
personal care services, and completes a lifestyles assessment to determine the
resident's preferences. From these assessments, a care plan is developed for
each resident to ensure that all staff members who render care meet the specific
needs and preferences of each resident where possible. Each resident's care plan
is reviewed periodically to determine when a change in care is needed.
 
     The Company has adopted a philosophy of assisted living care that allows a
resident to maintain a dignified independent lifestyle. Residents and their
families are encouraged to be partners in their care and to take as much
responsibility for their well being as possible. The basic type of assisted
living services offered by the Company include the following:
 
          Personal Care Services.  These services include assistance with ADLs
     such as ambulation, bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, personal hygiene,
     monitoring or assistance with medications, and confusion management.
 
          Support Services.  These services include meals, assistance with
     social and recreational activities, laundry services, general housekeeping,
     maintenance services, and transportation services.
 
          Supplemental Services.  These services include extra transportation
     services, personal maintenance, extra laundry services, non-routine care
     services, and special care services, such as services for residents with
     Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Certain of these services require
     an extra charge in addition to the pricing levels described below.
 
     In pricing its services, the Company has developed the following three
levels or tiers of assisted living care:
 
     - Level I typically provides for minimum levels of care and service, for
      which the Company generally charges a monthly fee per resident ranging
      from $1,500 to $2,100, depending upon apartment size and the project
      design type. Typically, Level I residents need minimal assistance with
      ADLs.
 
     - Level II provides for relatively higher levels and increased frequency of
      care, for which the Company generally charges a monthly fee per resident
      ranging from $1,800 to $2,700, depending upon the apartment size and the
      project design type. Typically, Level II residents require moderate
      assistance with ADLs and may need additional personal care, support, and
      supplemental services.
 
     - Level III provides for the highest level of care and service, for which
      the Company generally charges a monthly fee per resident ranging from
      $2,400 to $3,100, depending upon the apartment size and the project design
      type. Typically, Level III residents are either very frail or impaired and
      utilize many of the Company's services on a regular basis.
 
     The Company maintains programs and special units at its assisted living
residences for residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, which
provide the attention, care, and services needed to help those residents
maintain a higher quality of life. Specialized services include assistance with
ADLs, behavior
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
management, and a lifeskills based activities program, the goal of which is to
provide a normalized environment that supports residents' remaining functional
abilities. Whenever possible, residents assist with meals, laundry, and
housekeeping. Special units for residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of
dementia are located in a separate area of the community and have their own
dining facilities, resident lounge areas, and specially trained staff. The
special care areas are designed to allow residents the freedom to ambulate as
they wish while keeping them safely contained within a secure area with a
minimum of disruption to other residents. Special nutritional programs are used
to help ensure caloric intake is maintained in residents whose constant movement
increases their caloric expenditure. Resident fees for these special units are
dependent on the size of the unit, the design type, and the level of services
provided.
 
  Skilled Nursing and Sub-Acute Services
 
     The Company provides traditional skilled nursing services in four
communities owned or leased by the Company and five communities managed by the
Company, with an aggregate capacity for 313 residents at the Company's owned and
leased communities and 393 residents at the Company's managed communities. In
addition, the Company has communities under development or expansion which will
add estimated additional capacity of 393 skilled nursing beds. In its skilled
nursing facilities, the Company provides traditional long-term care through
24-hour a day skilled nursing care by registered nurses, licensed practical
nurses, and certified nursing aides. The Company also offers a range of
sub-acute care services in certain of its communities. Sub-acute care is
generally short-term, goal-oriented rehabilitation care intended for individuals
who have a specific illness, injury or disease, but who do not require many of
the services provided in an acute care hospital. Sub-acute care is typically
rendered immediately after, or in lieu of, acute hospitalization in order to
treat such specific medical conditions.
 
  Home Health Care
 
     The Company provides home health care services to residents at certain of
its senior living communities and the surrounding areas through home health care
agencies based at certain of its existing senior living communities. The
services and products that the Company provides through its home health care
agencies include (i) general and specialty nursing services to individuals with
acute illnesses, long-term chronic health conditions, permanent disabilities,
terminal illnesses or post-procedural needs; (ii) therapy services consisting
of, among other things, physical, occupational, speech, and medical social
services; (iii) personal care services and assistance with ADLs; (iv) hospice
care for persons in the final phases of incurable disease; (v) respiratory,
monitoring, medical equipment services, and medical supplies to patients; and
(vi) a comprehensive range of home infusion and enteral therapies. The Company
intends to expand its home health care services to additional senior living
communities and to develop, acquire, or manage home health care service
businesses at other communities. In addition, the Company will make available to
residents certain physician, dentistry, podiatry, and other health related
services that will be offered by third-party providers. The Company may elect to
provide these services directly or through participation in managed care
networks or in joint ventures with other providers. The Company currently
operates seven home health care agencies, four of which are in their initial
year of operation.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
OPERATING RESIDENCES
 
     The table below sets forth certain information with respect to the senior
living communities currently operated by the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       AVERAGE     OCCUPANCY
                                                             RESIDENT CAPACITY (1)     COMMENCEMENT     1996        RATE AT
                                                           -------------------------        OF        OCCUPANCY   DECEMBER 31,
COMMUNITY                                   LOCATION        IL     AL    SN    TOTAL   OPERATIONS(2)    RATE          1996
- ---------                                   --------       -----   ---   ---   -----   -------------  ---------   ------------
<S>                                    <C>                 <C>     <C>   <C>   <C>     <C>            <C>         <C>
OWNED/LEASED:
Broadway Plaza.......................  Ft. Worth, TX         252    40   122     414      Apr-92          94%          91%(3)
Carriage Club of Charlotte...........  Charlotte, NC         355    54    42     451      May-96          92(4)        92(4)
Carriage Club of Jacksonville........  Jacksonville, FL      274    60    --     334      May-96          89(4)        91(4)
The Hampton at Post Oak..............  Houston, TX           162    21    --     183      Oct-94          94           97
Heritage Club........................  Denver, CO            220    35    --     255      Feb-95         100          100
Holley Court Terrace(5)..............  Oak Park, IL          179    17    --     196      Jul-93          81           95
Parkplace............................  Denver, CO            195    48    --     243      Oct-94          99           99
Richmond Place.......................  Lexington, KY         204     4    --     208      Apr-95          98           98
Santa Catalina Villas................  Tucson, AZ            197    15    --     212      Jun-94          90           96
The Summit at Westlake Hills.........  Austin, TX            167    30    89     286      Apr-92          98          100
Trinity Towers(5)....................  Corpus Christi, TX    195    32    60     287      Jan-90          94           97
Westlake Village.....................  Cleveland, OH         246    54    --     300      Oct-94          94           97
                                                           -----   ---   ---   -----                     ---          ---
    Subtotal/Average.................                      2,646   410   313   3,369                      94%          96%
 
MANAGED(6):
Burcham Hills........................  East Lansing, MI      143    66   133     342      Nov-78          92%          91%
Meadowood............................  Worcester, PA         355    51    59     465      Oct-89          95           94
Parklane West(7).....................  San Antonio, TX        --    17   124     141      Oct-94          86           91
Reeds Landing........................  Springfield, MA       148    54    40     242      Aug-95          65(8)        84(8)
USAA Towers..........................  San Antonio, TX       505    --    --     505      Oct-94         100          100
Weinberg Village.....................  Tampa, FL              --    75    --      75      May-96          25           39
Williamsburg Landing.................  Williamsburg, VA      345     7    37     389      Sept-85         98           99
                                                           -----   ---   ---   -----                     ---          ---
    Subtotal/Average.................                      1,496   270   393   2,159                      91%          92%
                                                           -----   ---   ---   -----                     ---          ---
    Grand Total/Average..............                      4,142   680   706   5,528                      92%          94%
                                                           =====   ===   ===   =====                     ===          ===
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Independent living residences (IL), assisted living residences (including
    areas dedicated to residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia)
    (AL), and skilled nursing beds (SN).
(2) Indicates the date on which the Company acquired or commenced management of
    the community.
(3) Broadway Plaza's skilled nursing facility contains a sub-acute unit.
    Sub-acute units generally experience shorter lengths of stay and
    corresponding higher fluctuations in occupancy rates. Excluding the skilled
    nursing facility, Broadway Plaza's occupancy rate at December 31, 1996, was
    98%.
(4) Communities at which expansions opened in 1996, which resulted in decreased
    occupancy rates for the period. Excluding the effect of the expansions, the
    average 1996 occupancy rate and the occupancy rate at December 31, 1996
    would have been 97% and 98%, respectively, at Carriage Club of Charlotte and
    91% and 95%, respectively, at Carriage Club of Jacksonville.
(5) Leased pursuant to operating leases with initial terms of ten years expiring
    December 31, 2006 and renewal options for up to three additional ten year
    terms, provided that both leases are extended concurrently. The Company pays
    contractually fixed rent, plus additional rent, subject to certain limits,
    based upon the gross revenues of the community. Without the lessor's
    consent, the Company may not operate any other type of senior care facility
    within three miles of either of the premises during the term of the leases
    and for one year thereafter.
(6) The Company's management agreements are generally for terms of five to ten
    years, but may be canceled by the owner of the community, without cause, on
    three to six months' notice. Pursuant to the management agreements, the
    Company is generally responsible for providing management personnel,
    marketing, nursing, resident care and dietary services, accounting and data
    processing reports, and other services for these communities at the owner's
    expense and receives a monthly fee for its services based either on a
    contractually fixed amount or a percentage of revenues or income. Certain
    management agreements also provide the Company with an incentive fee based
    on various performance goals. The Company's existing management agreements
    expire at various times between June 1997 and July 2000.
(7) The Company has a letter of intent to acquire Parklane West, which
    acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 1997.
(8) Reeds Landing is a life care community. Its fill-up rate has been consistent
    with the feasibility projection for its bond financing, and the fill-up rate
    of life care communities generally.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
 
     The table below summarizes information regarding the expansion of certain
of the Company's existing senior living communities and the residences currently
under development.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SCHEDULED
LOCATION                                              COMPLETION   ADDITIONAL RESIDENT CAPACITY     STATUS(1)
- --------                                              ----------   -----------------------------   -----------
                                                                    IL      AL      SN    TOTAL
                                                                   ----   ------   ----   ------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>
EXPANSION PROJECTS:
Santa Catalina Village, Tucson, AZ..................    12/97       20        70     42      132   Construction
Williamsburg Landing, Williamsburg, VA(2)...........    12/97       10        58     21       89   Construction
Trinity Towers, Corpus Christi, TX..................     3/98       27        68     16      111   Construction
Richmond Place, Lexington, KY.......................     4/98       --        71     --       71   Development
Carriage Club of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC...........     7/98       --        30     --       30   Development
Carriage Club of Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL.....    10/98       --        15     60       75   Development
The Hampton at Post Oak, Houston, TX................    11/98       --        15     76       91   Development
Westlake Village, Cleveland, Ohio...................     6/99       --        15     88      103   Development
                                                                    --     -----    ---    -----
         Subtotal...................................                57       342    303      702
                                                                    --     -----    ---    -----
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:
Lady Lake, FL.......................................    11/97       --        55     --       55   Construction
Halls, TN...........................................     1/98       --        55     --       55   Construction
Pearland, TX........................................     2/98       --        82     --       82   Development
Spring City, TX.....................................     4/98       --        67     --       67   Development
Houston, TX (Willowchase)...........................     4/98       --        67     --       67   Development
Houston, TX (Northwest).............................     4/98       --        95     --       95   Development
Knoxville, TN.......................................     4/98       --       108     --      108   Development
Lakeway, TX.........................................     5/98       --        70     --       70   Development
Nashville, TN (Franklin)............................     7/98       --        67     --       67   Development
Nashville, TN (West)................................     8/98       --        90     --       90   Development
Tampa, FL...........................................     8/98       --        90     --       90   Development
Aurora, CO..........................................    10/98       --        95     --       95   Development
Lakewood, CO........................................    10/98       --        93     --       93   Development
Greenwood Village , CO..............................    11/98       --        85     90      175   Development
Houston, TX (West)..................................    11/98       --        85     --       85   Development
Austin, TX..........................................     1/99       --        95     --       95   Development
Denver, CO (East)...................................     1/99       --        95     --       95   Development
Nashville, TN (Central).............................     3/99       --       115     --      115   Development
Houston, TX (West University).......................     7/99       --        85     --       85   Development
                                                                    --     -----    ---    -----
         Subtotal...................................                --     1,594     90    1,684
                                                                    --     -----    ---    -----
         Grand Total................................                57     1,936    393    2,386
                                                                    ==     =====    ===    =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) "Development" means that development activities, such as site surveys,
    preparation of architectural plans, or initiation of zoning processes, have
    commenced (but construction has not commenced). "Construction" means that
    construction activities, such as ground-breaking activities, exterior
    construction, or interior build-out, have commenced.
(2) Williamsburg Landing is a managed community. The Company is providing full
    development services related to the expansion for the owner.
 
     The Company has developed a portfolio of flexible designs for its assisted
living residences, each of which may be configured in a number of different ways
thereby providing the Company with flexibility in adapting to a particular
geographic market, neighborhood, or site. In addition, each design has been
developed to facilitate the prompt, efficient, cost-effective delivery of health
care and personal services. Site requirements for the various designs range from
2.5 to 6.0 acres. Each of the Company's designs also provide for specially
designed residential units, common areas, and dining rooms for residents with
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
 
     The Company believes that its designs meet the desire of many of its
residents to move into a new residence that approximates, as nearly as possible,
the comfort of their prior home. The Company also believes that its designs
achieve several other objectives, including (i) lessening the trauma of change
for residents and their families, (ii) facilitating resident mobility and
caregiver access, (iii) enhancing operating efficiencies, (iv) enhancing the
Company's ability to match its products to targeted markets, and (v)
differentiating the Company from its competitors.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
     The Company intends to develop new assisted living residences by using a
combination of in-house development personnel and experienced third-party
project managers and by acquiring newly constructed residences from developers
under "turnkey" purchase and sale agreements. To the extent the Company acquires
newly developed residences from a developer on a "turnkey" basis, it intends to
enter into a purchase and sale agreement whereby the Company, subject to
construction of the residence to the Company's designs and specifications and
satisfaction of typical purchase and sale contingencies for the Company's
benefit, will commit to purchase the residence upon completion at an agreed upon
price.
 
     The Company has also entered into contractual arrangements with
established, regional real estate development contractors pursuant to which such
developers will provide assistance in the development process. These
arrangements are intended to enable the Company to develop and construct
additional assisted living residences while reducing the investment of, and
associated risk to, the Company. The Company's development contractors provide
construction management experience, knowledge of local state and building codes
and zoning laws, and assistance with site locations. As a result, the Company's
development staff is able to evaluate and direct overall development activity
more efficiently. The Company has also entered into a development and management
agreement with a development contractor which provides that the Company will
manage nine assisted living residences to be developed using the Company's
residence designs and grants the Company an option to purchase the residences.
 
OPERATIONS
 
  Centralized Management
 
     The Company centralizes its corporate and other administrative functions so
that the community-based management and staff can focus their efforts on
resident care. The Company maintains centralized accounting, finance, human
resources, training, and other operational functions at its national corporate
office in Brentwood (Nashville), Tennessee. The Company's corporate office is
generally responsible for (i) establishing Company-wide policies and procedures
relating to, among other things, resident care and operations, (ii) performing
accounting functions, (iii) developing employee training programs and materials,
(iv) coordinating human resources and food service functions, (v) coordinating
marketing functions, and (vi) providing strategic direction. In addition,
financing, development, construction and acquisition activities, including
feasibility and market studies, residence design, development, and construction
management, are conducted by the Company's corporate office.
 
     The Company seeks to control operational expenses for each of its
communities through standardized management reporting and centralized controls
of capital expenditures, asset replacement tracking, and purchasing for larger
and more frequently used supplies. Community expenditures are monitored by
regional operations teams headed by the Company's Regional Vice Presidents who
are accountable for the resident satisfaction and financial performance of the
communities in their region. The Company's assisted living residences
operational activities are directed by the Senior Director for Assisted Living
Operations who is responsible, together with the appropriate Regional Vice
President, for the opening and operation of the Company's assisted living
residences.
 
  Community-Based Management
 
     An executive director manages the day-to-day operations at each senior
living community, including oversight of the quality of care, delivery of
resident services, and monitoring of financial performance, and is responsible
for all personnel, including food service, maintenance, activities, security,
assisted living, housekeeping, and, where applicable, nursing. Executive
directors are compensated based on certain quality of service goals and on the
financial performance of the community. In most cases, each senior living
community also has department managers that direct the environmental services,
nursing or care services, business management functions, dining services,
activities, transportation, housekeeping, and marketing functions.
 
     A residence manager manages the day-to-day operations at each assisted
living residence. While the residence managers have many of the same operational
responsibilities as the Company's executive directors, their primary
responsibility is to oversee resident care. For its assisted living residences,
the Company has
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
adopted the concept of universal workers whereby each employee's
responsibilities span a number of traditional job descriptions. For example, an
assisted living residence employee may, during the course of a day, provide
housekeeping, food service, activities, and assistance with ADLs services to
residents. As a result, and because the Company's senior living communities
located near assisted living residences provide certain support personnel and
services on an on-going basis, each assisted living residence employs fewer
associates. On-site care managers and residents' assistants provide most of the
actual resident care in conjunction with a small support team consisting of a
housekeeper, a maintenance helper, an administrative coordinator, and a small
dining service team. In most assisted living residences, the residence manager
is also a licensed nurse.
 
     The Company actively recruits personnel to maintain adequate staffing
levels at its existing communities as well as new staff for new or acquired
communities prior to opening. The Company has adopted comprehensive recruiting
and screening programs for management positions that utilize personnel
profiling, corporate office interviews, and drug screening company-wide. The
Company offers system-wide training and orientation for its front line
employees, department level managers, and executive staff at the community level
through a combination of Company-sponsored seminars and conferences and through
its contract for training services with The Frist Center.
 
  Home Health Management
 
     The Company centralizes all home health financial and clinical data through
an electronic data collection system. This data warehouse allows corporate
regional directors to identify emerging trends, establish critical pathways, and
develop and monitor cost and utilization controls. All accounting functions
including claims submission and processing are performed at the corporate
office.
 
     The Company's centralized approach allows its home health care agencies to
achieve a more efficient delivery of care. Each community-based agency is
operated under the auspices of the community's executive director and under the
direct control of an agency director. This director and his or her team of
nurses, personal care aides, physical therapists, speech therapists,
occupational therapists, and social workers focus on assessing the health care
needs of residents in the Company's senior living or assisted living
communities, as well as clients in the surrounding market.
 
  Quality Assurance
 
     The Company's quality assurance program is designed to achieve and maintain
a high degree of resident and family satisfaction with the care and services the
Company provides. The Company coordinates the implementation of its quality
assurance program at each of its communities through its corporate office. The
Company encourages resident and family participation and seeks feedback from
families and residents through surveys conducted on a regular basis. In
addition, inspections of each community are conducted regularly by corporate
staff. These inspections, performed periodically, review all aspects of
operations, care, and services provided, and the overall appearance and
cleanliness of the community.
 
  Marketing
 
     The Company's marketing efforts are implemented on a regional and local
level, all under the supervision of the corporate marketing staff, and are
intended to create awareness of the Company and its services among prospective
residents, their families, professional referral sources, and other key decision
makers. The corporate marketing staff conducts regional and state-wide surveys
of age- and income-qualified seniors to ensure that the Company understands the
needs and demands of that marketplace. To further both market awareness of the
Company by prospective residents and to more accurately assess the needs and
demands of seniors in that market, the Company periodically conducts regional
focus groups. Corporate office personnel develop the overall marketing
strategies for each community, produce all marketing materials, maintain
marketing databases, oversee direct mailings, place all media advertising, and
assist community personnel in the initial development and continuing refinement
of marketing plans for each community.
 
     Before opening a new assisted living residence, the Company makes referral
source contacts and conducts marketing programs such as lead-generating media
consisting of direct mail, telemarketing follow-up, and
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
print media advertising. These public awareness campaigns usually begin with the
start of construction and intensify several months before the opening of the
residence. An on-site marketing person is at the residence approximately six
months prior to the opening of the residence and is supported by the Company's
corporate marketing department.
 
     Once the residence opens, the Company believes that satisfied residents and
their families are the most important referral sources. Accordingly, the Company
believes that its emphasis on high-quality services and resident satisfaction
will result in a strong referral base for its existing communities. In addition,
the Company focuses on enhancing the reputation of the communities and the
services provided among potential referral sources, such as hospitals, home
health care agencies, physicians, therapy companies, and other health care
professionals.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     The senior living and health care services industry encompasses a broad and
diverse range of living accommodations and health care services that are
provided primarily to persons 75 years of age or older. For the elderly who
require limited services, care in their own or family members' homes or in
independent living residences or retirement centers, supplemented at times by
home health care, offers a viable option. For the elderly who are interested in
a community housing option, most independent living residences and retirement
centers typically offer a basic services package limited to meals, housekeeping,
and laundry. As a senior's need for assistance increases, care in an assisted
living residence is often preferable and more cost-effective than home-based
care or nursing home care. Assisted living residents usually enter a residence
when other living accommodations no longer provide the level of care required by
the individual. Typically, assisted living represents a combination of housing
and 24-hour a day personal support services designed to aid elderly residents
with ADLs. Certain assisted living residences may also provide assistance to
residents with low acuity medical needs, or may offer higher levels of personal
assistance for incontinent residents or residents with Alzheimer's disease or
other forms of dementia. Generally, assisted living residents require higher
levels of care than residents of independent living residences and retirement
living centers, but require lower levels of care than patients in skilled
nursing facilities. For seniors who need the constant attention of a skilled
nurse or medical practitioner, a skilled nursing facility may be required.
 
     According to the United States Health Care Financing Administration, annual
expenditures in the assisted living sector of the senior living and health care
services industry range from $12.0 billion to $14.0 billion and include
facilities ranging from "board and care" (generally 12 or fewer residents with
little or no services) to full-service assisted living residences such as those
operated by the Company. The assisted living sector is highly fragmented and
characterized by numerous small operators. Moreover, the scope of assisted
living services varies substantially from one operator to another. Many smaller
assisted living providers do not operate in purpose-built residences, do not
have professional training for staff, and provide only limited assistance with
low-level care activities. The Company believes that few assisted living
operators provide the required comprehensive range of assisted living services,
such as dementia care and other services designed to permit residents to "age in
place" within the community as they develop further physical or cognitive
frailties.
 
     The Company believes there will continue to be significant growth
opportunities in the senior living market for providing health care and other
services to the elderly, particularly in the assisted living segment of the
market. The Company believes that a number of demographic, regulatory, and other
trends will contribute to the continued growth in the assisted living market,
the Company's targeted market for future development and expansion, including
the following:
 
  Consumer Preference
 
     The Company believes that assisted living is increasingly becoming the
setting preferred by prospective residents and their families for the care of
the frail elderly. Assisted living offers residents greater independence and
allows them to age in place in a residential setting, which the Company believes
results in a higher quality of life than that experienced in more institutional
or clinical settings.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
  Demographics
 
     The primary market for the Company's senior living and health care services
is comprised of persons age 75 and older. This age group is one of the fastest
growing segments of the United States population. According to United States
Census Bureau information, this population segment will increase from
approximately 13.2 million in 1990 to over 16.6 million by 2000, an increase of
26%. The population of seniors aged 85 and over is expected to increase from
approximately 3.1 million in 1990 to over 4.3 million by 2000, an increase of
39%. As the number of persons aged 75 and over continues to grow, the Company
believes that there will be corresponding increases in the number of persons who
need assistance with ADLs. According to the United States General Accounting
Office, in 1991 there were over seven million people in the United States who
needed assistance with ADLs, and the number of people needing such assistance
was expected to double by the year 2020. Furthermore, the number of persons
afflicted with Alzheimer's disease is also expected to grow from the current 3.8
million to 4.5 million, or an increase of 26.3%, by the year 2000, according to
data published by the Alzheimer's Association.
 
  Restricted Supply of Nursing Beds
 
     The majority of states in the United States have adopted CON or similar
statutes generally requiring that, prior to the addition of new beds, the
addition of new services, or the making of certain capital expenditures, a state
agency must determine that a need exists for the new beds or the proposed
activities. The Company believes that this CON process tends to restrict the
supply and availability of licensed nursing facility beds. High construction
costs, limitations on government reimbursement for the full costs of
construction, and start-up expenses also act to constrain growth in the supply
of such facilities. At the same time, nursing facility operators are continuing
to focus on improving occupancy and expanding services to sub-acute patients
requiring significantly higher levels of nursing care. As a result, the Company
believes that there has been a decrease in the number of skilled nursing beds
available to patients with lower acuity levels and that this trend should
increase the demand for the Company's senior living communities, including
particularly the Company's assisted living residences and skilled nursing
facilities.
 
  Cost-Containment Pressures
 
     In response to rapidly rising health care costs, governmental and private
pay sources have adopted cost-containment measures that have reduced admissions
and encouraged reduced lengths of stays in hospitals and other acute care
settings. The federal government had previously acted to curtail increases in
health care costs under Medicare by limiting acute care hospital reimbursement
for specific services to pre-established fixed amounts. Private insurers have
begun to limit reimbursement for medical services in general to predetermined
reasonable charges, and managed care organizations (such as health maintenance
organizations) are attempting to limit the hospitalization costs by negotiating
for discounted rates for hospital and acute care services and by monitoring and
reducing hospital use. In response, hospitals are discharging patients earlier
and referring elderly patients, who may be too sick or frail to manage their
lives without assistance, to nursing homes and assisted living residences where
the cost of providing care is typically lower than hospital care. In addition,
third-party payors are increasingly becoming involved in determining the
appropriate health care settings for their insureds or clients based primarily
on cost and quality of care. Based on industry data, in 1993 the annual cost per
patient for skilled nursing care averaged approximately $35,000, in contrast to
the annual per patient cost for assisted living care of approximately $24,000.
 
  Senior Affluence
 
     According to United States Census Bureau information, the average net
income per senior citizen household member is 9% higher than for non-senior
citizen households. In addition, seniors frequently have accumulated equity,
primarily through home ownership. The Company believes that a substantial
portion of the senior population thus has significant resources available for
their retirement and long-term care needs. The Company's target population is
comprised of middle- to upper-income seniors who have, either directly or
indirectly through familial support, the financial resources to pay for senior
living communities, including an assisted living alternative to traditional
long-term care.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
  Reduced Reliance on Family Care
 
     Historically, the family has been the primary provider of care for seniors.
The Company believes that the increase in the percentage of women in the work
force, the reduction of average family size, and the increased mobility in
society will reduce the role of the family as the traditional care-giver for
aging parents. The Company believes that this trend will make it necessary for
many seniors to look outside the family for assistance as they age.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     Changes in existing laws and regulations, adoption of new laws and
regulations and new interpretations of existing laws and regulations could have
a material effect on the Company's operations. Failure by the Company to comply
with applicable regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Accordingly, the Company devotes significant resources to monitoring legal and
regulatory developments on local and national levels.
 
     The health care industry is subject to extensive regulation and frequent
regulatory change. At this time, no federal laws or regulations specifically
regulate assisted or independent living residences. While a number of states
have not yet enacted specific assisted living regulations, the Company's
communities are subject to regulation, licensing, CON and permitting by state
and local health and social service agencies and other regulatory authorities.
While such requirements vary from state to state, they typically relate to
staffing, physical design, required services, and resident characteristics. The
Company believes that such regulation will increase in the future. In addition,
health care providers are receiving increased scrutiny under anti-trust laws as
integration and consolidation of health care delivery increases and affects
competition. The Company's communities are also subject to various zoning
restrictions, local building codes, and other ordinances, such as fire safety
codes. Failure by the Company to comply with applicable regulatory requirements
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition, and results of operations. Regulation of the assisted living industry
is evolving. The Company is unable to predict the content of new regulations and
their effect on its business. There can be no assurance that the Company's
operations will not be adversely affected by regulatory developments.
 
     Federal and state anti-remuneration laws, such as the Medicare/Medicaid
anti-kickback law, govern certain financial arrangements among health care
providers and others who may be in a position to refer or recommend patients to
such providers. These laws prohibit, among other things, certain direct and
indirect payments that are intended to induce the referral of patients to, the
arranging for services by, or the recommending of, a particular provider of
health care items or services. The Medicare/Medicaid anti-kickback law has been
broadly interpreted to apply to certain contractual relationships between health
care providers and sources of patient referral. Similar state laws, which vary
from state to state, are sometimes vague and seldom have been interpreted by
courts or regulatory agencies. Violation of these laws can result in loss of
licensure, civil and criminal penalties, and exclusion of health care providers
or suppliers from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid program. There can
be no assurance that such laws will be interpreted in a manner consistent with
the practices of the Company.
 
     The Company believes that its communities are in substantial compliance
with applicable regulatory requirements. However, in the ordinary course of
business, one or more of the Company's communities could be cited for
deficiencies. In such cases, the appropriate corrective action would be taken.
To the Company's knowledge, no material regulatory actions are currently pending
with respect to any of the Company's communities.
 
     Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all places of public
accommodation are required to meet certain federal requirements related to
access and use by disabled persons. A number of additional federal, state, and
local laws exist which also may require modifications to existing and planned
properties to permit access to the properties by disabled persons. While the
Company believes that its communities are substantially in compliance with
present requirements or are exempt therefrom, if required changes involve a
greater expenditure than anticipated or must be made on a more accelerated basis
than anticipated, additional
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
costs would be incurred by the Company. Further legislation may impose
additional burdens or restrictions with respect to access by disabled persons,
the costs of compliance with which could be substantial.
 
     In addition, the Company is subject to various Federal, state and local
environmental laws and regulations. Such laws and regulations often impose
liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for,
the presence of hazardous or toxic substances. The costs of any required
remediation or removal of these substances could be substantial and the
liability of an owner or operator as to any property is generally not limited
under such laws and regulations and could exceed the property's value and the
aggregate assets of the owner or operator. The presence of these substances or
failure to remediate such contamination properly may also adversely affect the
owner's ability to sell or rent the property, or to borrow using the property as
collateral. Under these laws and regulations, an owner, operator or an entity
that arranges for the disposal of hazardous or toxic substances, such as
asbestos-containing materials, at a disposal site may also be liable for the
costs of any required remediation or removal of the hazardous or toxic
substances at the disposal site. In connection with the ownership or operation
of its properties, the Company could be liable for these costs, as well as
certain other costs, including governmental fines and injuries to persons or
properties.
 
     The Company believes that the structure and composition of government, and
specifically health care, regulations will continue to change and, as a result,
regularly monitors developments in the law. The Company expects to modify its
agreements and operations from time to time as the business and regulatory
environment changes. While the Company believes it will be able to structure all
its agreements and operations in accordance with applicable law, there can be no
assurance that its arrangements will not be successfully challenged.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The senior living and health care services industry is highly competitive,
and the Company expects that all segments of the industry will become
increasingly competitive in the future. Although there are a number of
substantial companies active in the senior living and health care industry, the
industry continues to be very fragmented and characterized by numerous small
operators. The Company believes that the primary competitive factors in the
senior living and health care services industry are (i) reputation for and
commitment to a high quality of care; (ii) quality of support services offered
(such as home health care and food services); (iii) price of services; (iv)
physical appearance and amenities associated with the communities; and (v)
location. The Company competes with other companies providing independent
living, assisted living, skilled nursing, home health care, and other similar
service and care alternatives, some of whom may have greater financial resources
than the Company. Because seniors tend to choose senior living communities near
their homes, the Company's principal competitors are other senior living and
long-term care communities in the same geographic areas as the Company's
communities. The Company also competes with other health care businesses with
respect to attracting and retaining nurses, technicians, aides, and other high
quality professional and non-professional employees and managers.
 
INSURANCE AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The provision of personal and health care services entails an inherent risk
of liability. In recent years, participants in the senior living and health care
services industry have become subject to an increasing number of lawsuits
alleging negligence or related legal theories, many of which involve large
claims and result in the incurrence of significant defense costs. The Company
currently maintains property, liability, and professional medical malpractice
insurance policies for the Company's owned and certain of its managed
communities under a master insurance program in amounts and with such coverages
and deductibles which the Company believes are within normal industry standards
based upon the nature and risks of the Company's business. The Company also has
an umbrella excess liability protection policy in the amount of $15.0 million
per location. There can be no assurance that a claim in excess of the Company's
insurance will not arise. A claim against the Company not covered by, or in
excess of, the Company's insurance could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company. In addition, the Company's insurance policies must be renewed annually.
There can be no
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain liability insurance in the
future or that, if such insurance is available, it will be available on
acceptable terms.
 
     Under various federal, state, and local environmental laws, ordinances, and
regulations, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be
required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum
product releases at such property, and may be held liable to a governmental
entity or to third parties for property damage and for investigation and clean
up costs. The Company is not aware of any environmental liability with respect
to any of its owned, leased, or managed communities that it believes would have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, or
results of operations. The Company believes that its communities are in
compliance in all material respects with all federal, state, and local laws,
ordinances, and regulations regarding hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum
products. The Company has not been notified by any governmental authority, and
is not otherwise aware of any material non-compliance, liability, or claim
relating to hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products in connection
with any of the communities it currently operates.
 
     The Company currently is not party to any legal proceeding that it believes
would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, or
results of operations.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     The Company employs approximately 2,160 persons, of which approximately
1,350 are full-time employees (approximately 50 of whom are located at the
Company's corporate offices) and 810 are part-time employees. In addition, there
are approximately 535 full-time employees and 455 part-time employees who are
employed by the owners of communities managed by the Company who are under the
direction and supervision of the Company. None of the Company's employees is
currently represented by a labor union and the Company is not aware of any union
organizing activity among its employees. The Company believes that its
relationship with its employees is good.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information concerning the directors
and executive officers of the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                     AGE                         POSITION
                   ----                     ---                         --------
<S>                                         <C>    <C>
W.E. Sheriff..............................  54     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Christopher J. Coates.....................  46     President and Chief Operating Officer
George T. Hicks...........................  39     Executive Vice President -- Finance, Chief
                                                   Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary
H. Todd Kaestner..........................  41     Executive Vice President -- Corporate Development
James T. Money............................  49     Executive Vice President -- Development Services
Tom G. Downs..............................  51     Senior Vice President -- Operations
Lee A. McKnight...........................  51     Senior Vice President -- Marketing
H. Lee Barfield II........................  50     Director
Jack O. Bovender, Jr......................  51     Director
Frank M. Bumstead.........................  54     Director
Robin G. Costa............................  30     Director
Clarence Edmonds..........................  63     Director
John A. Morris, Jr., M.D..................  50     Director
Daniel K. O'Connell.......................  68     Director
Nadine C. Smith...........................  39     Director
Lawrence J. Stuesser......................  54     Director
</TABLE>
 
     W.E. Sheriff has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and its predecessors since April 1984. From 1973 to 1984, Mr. Sheriff
served in various capacities for Ryder System, Inc., including as president and
chief executive officer of its Truckstops of America division. Mr. Sheriff also
serves on the boards of various educational and charitable organizations and in
varying capacities with several trade organizations, including as a member of
the board of the National Association for Senior Living Industries, and as a
member of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and the
American Senior Housing Association.
 
     Christopher J. Coates has served as President and Chief Operating Officer
of the Company and its predecessors since January 1993. From 1988 to 1993, Mr.
Coates served as chairman of National Retirement Company ("NRC"), a senior
living management company acquired by a subsidiary of the Company in 1992. From
1985 to 1988, Mr. Coates was senior director of the Retirement Housing Division
of Radice Corporation, following that company's purchase in 1985 of National
Retirement Consultants, a company formed by Mr. Coates. Mr. Coates is chairman
of the board of directors of the American Senior Housing Association.
 
     George T. Hicks, a certified public accountant, has served as the Executive
Vice President -- Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary
since September 1993. Mr. Hicks has served in various capacities for the
Company's predecessors since 1985, including Vice President -- Finance and
Treasurer from November 1989 to September 1993.
 
     H. Todd Kaestner has served as Executive Vice President -- Corporate
Development since September 1993. Mr. Kaestner has served in various capacities
for the Company's predecessors since 1985, including Vice President -
Development from 1988 to 1993 and Chief Financial Officer from 1985 to 1988.
 
     James T. Money has served as Executive Vice President -- Development
Services since September 1993. Mr. Money has served in various capacities for
the Company's predecessors since 1978, including Vice President -- Development
from 1985 to 1993. Mr. Money is a member of the board of directors and the
executive committee of the National Association for Senior Living Industries.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
     Tom G. Downs has served as Senior Vice President -- Operations since 1989.
Mr. Downs has served in various capacities for the Company's predecessors since
1979.
 
     Lee A. McKnight has served as Senior Vice President -- Marketing since
September 1991. Mr. McKnight has served in various capacities for the Company's
predecessors since 1979.
 
     H. Lee Barfield II has served as a director of the Company since its
inception, as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since its formation
in 1995, and as director of various of the Company's predecessors since 1978.
Mr. Barfield is a member in the law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, the
Company's outside general counsel, and has served in various capacities for that
firm since 1974.
 
     Jack O. Bovender, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since its
inception and as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since September
1996. Until his retirement in March 1994, Mr. Bovender worked for Hospital
Corporation of America for over 18 years in various capacities, including
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Bovender is a director
of Response Oncology, Inc., a physician practice management company specializing
in oncology, and a director of Quorum Health Group, Inc., a hospital management
company.
 
     Frank M. Bumstead has served as a director of the Company since its
inception and as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since June 1995.
Since 1989, Mr. Bumstead has been president and a principal shareholder of
Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc., a business management firm that
represents, among others, artists, songwriters, and producers in the music
industry. Since 1993, Mr. Bumstead has also served as the chairman and chief
executive officer of FBMS Financial, Inc., an investment advisor registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Mr. Bumstead is vice chairman and a
director of Response Oncology, Inc., a physician practice management company
specializing in oncology, and a director of Nashville Country Club, Inc., an
owner and operator of restaurants and hotels. Mr. Bumstead also serves as a
director, secretary, and treasurer of Imprint Records, Inc., a music recording
company.
 
     Robin G. Costa has served as a director of the Company since its inception
and as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since October 1996. Since
1994, Ms. Costa has served as chief operating officer of Maddox Companies, a
group of over 40 entities involved in oil and gas exploration, real estate
development and investment, and other investments. Ms. Costa has served in
various capacities for the Maddox Companies since 1985, including as Secretary
and Treasurer from 1992 to 1994.
 
     Clarence Edmonds has served as a director of the Company since its
inception, as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since June 1995,
and as a director of various of the Company's predecessors since 1987. Mr.
Edmonds has served in various capacities, including vice president and
treasurer, of Massey Company, an investment services firm, since 1969.
 
     John A. Morris, Jr., M.D. has served as a director of the Company since its
inception and as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since June 1995.
Dr. Morris has served in varying capacities of the medical profession since
1977, and is currently a Professor of Surgery and the Director of the Division
of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at the Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine, the Medical Director of the Life Flight Air Ambulance Program at
Vanderbilt University Hospital, and an Associate in the Department of Health
Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Morris is also
chairman of the board of Sirrom Capital Corporation, a small business investment
company.
 
     Daniel K. O'Connell has served as a director of the Company since its
inception, as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since June 1995,
and as a director of various of the Company's predecessors since 1985. Until his
retirement in 1990, Mr. O'Connell worked for Ryder System, Inc. for over 25
years in various capacities, including legal counsel and chief financial
officer.
 
     Nadine C. Smith has served as a director of the Company since its inception
and as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since June 1995. Since
1990, Ms. Smith has been managing general partner of NC Smith & Co., a financial
and management consulting firm. Ms. Smith is also a director of UTI Energy
Corp., an oil services company.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
     Lawrence J. Stuesser has served as a director of the Company since its
inception and as a member of ARCLP's limited partners committee since June 1995.
Since June 1996, Mr. Stuesser has been the president and chief executive officer
and a director of Computer People, Inc., an information technology professional
services and staffing company. From August 1993 to May 1996, Mr. Stuesser was a
private investor and independent business consultant. From January 1991 to July
1993, Mr. Stuesser was chairman and chief executive officer of Kimberly Quality
Care, Inc., a home health care services company. Mr. Stuesser is chairman of the
board of Curative Health Services Inc., a disease management company in the
chronic wound care market, and a director of IntegraMed America, Inc., an owner
and operator of clinical ambulatory care facilities.
 
     The Company's Board of Directors, currently consisting of ten members, is
divided into three classes of as nearly equal size as possible. At each annual
meeting of shareholders, directors constituting one class are elected for a
three-year term. The terms of Messrs. Bovender, O'Connell, and Stuesser will
expire at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the terms of Messrs. Bumstead
and Edmonds and Ms. Smith will expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, and the terms of Messrs. Sheriff, Barfield, and Morris and Ms.
Costa will expire at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. See "Description
of Capital Stock -- Certain Provisions of the Charter, Bylaws, and Tennessee
Law." Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
 
     The Board of Directors has established a policy of holding meetings on a
regular quarterly basis and on other occasions when required by special
circumstances. Certain directors also devote their time and attention to the
Board's principal standing committees. The committees and their primary
functions are as follows.
 
          Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee is authorized generally
     to act on behalf of the Board of Directors between scheduled meetings,
     subject to certain limitations established by the Board of Directors and
     applicable corporate law. The Executive Committee currently consists of
     Messrs. Bovender, Bumstead, Morris, and Sheriff.
 
          Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the
     Board of Directors with respect to the Company's financial statements and
     the appointment of independent accountants, reviews significant audit and
     accounting policies and practices, meets with the Company's independent
     accountants concerning, among other things, the scope of audits and
     reports, and reviews the performance of the overall accounting and
     financial controls of the Company. The Audit Committee currently consists
     of Messrs. Barfield and Edmonds and Ms. Costa.
 
          Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee has the
     responsibility for reviewing and approving salaries, bonuses, and other
     compensation and benefits of executive officers, advising management
     regarding benefits and other terms and conditions of compensation, and
     administering the Company's stock incentive, employee stock purchase,
     401(k), and other executive compensation plans. See "-- Compensation
     Pursuant to Plans." The Compensation Committee currently consists of
     Messrs. O'Connell and Stuesser and Ms. Smith.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   50
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued by
ARCLP on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly
paid executive officers (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers") for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1)
                                                        -----------------------       ALL OTHER
             NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                SALARY ($)    BONUS ($)    COMPENSATION ($)
             ---------------------------                ----------    ---------    ----------------
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>          <C>
W.E. Sheriff..........................................   212,400       30,515           84,000(2)
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Christopher J. Coates.................................   153,400       22,038           11,033(3)
  President and Chief Operating Officer
George T. Hicks.......................................   100,300       14,410            7,214(3)
  Executive Vice President -- Finance, Chief Financial
  Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
H. Todd Kaestner......................................   106,200       15,257            7,637(3)
  Executive Vice President -- Corporate Development
James T. Money........................................   100,300       14,410            7,214(3)
  Executive Vice President -- Development Services
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Does not include amounts distributed by the LLC to its members, including
     Named Executive Officers. In 1996, ARCLP distributed to the LLC an
     aggregate of approximately $59,000 and the LLC distributed approximately
     $13,561 to Mr. Sheriff, $9,686 to Mr. Coates, and $7,749 to each of Messrs.
     Hicks, Kaestner, and Money in accordance with their ownership interests in
     the LLC.
(2) Reflects insurance premiums paid by the Company for insurance policies
     benefiting Mr. Sheriff.
(3) Reflects contributions by the Company under the Company's Section 162 Plan.
     See "-- Compensation Pursuant to Plans -- Section 162 Plan."
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     Directors who are employees of the Company do not receive additional
compensation for serving as directors of the Company. Non-employee directors are
entitled to an annual retainer of $12,000 payable, in arrears, on the date of
each annual meeting of shareholders, commencing with the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. Non-employee directors are also entitled to a fee of $500 for each
board meeting attended by such director, and $250 for each committee meeting
attended by such director that is not on the same day as a meeting of the Board
of Directors. All directors are entitled to reimbursement for their actual
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings. In
addition, non-employee directors receive options to purchase shares of Common
Stock in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. See
"-- Compensation Pursuant to Plans -- 1997 Stock Incentive Plan."
 
COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO PLANS
 
  1997 Stock Incentive Plan
 
     The Company has adopted a stock incentive plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan")
that will become effective upon the consummation of the Offering. The Stock
Incentive Plan was approved by the Board of Directors and shareholder of the
Company in February 1997. Under the Stock Incentive Plan, the Compensation
Committee has the authority to grant to key employees and consultants of the
Company, and the Board of Directors has the authority to grant to directors who
are not employed by the Company ("Outside Directors"), the following types of
awards: (1) stock options; (2) stock appreciation rights; (3) restricted stock;
and/or (4) other stock-based awards. Pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan,
1,093,750 shares of Common Stock have been reserved and will be available for
issuance, which may include authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.
The number of shares reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the Stock
Incentive Plan will, upon the consummation of any Equity Issuance (as defined in
the Plan), increase
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   51
 
automatically by 10% of the number of shares of Common Stock issued in such
Equity Issuance; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") may
not be issued after 1,093,750 shares of Common Stock have been issued under the
Stock Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which
awards may be made under the Stock Incentive Plan to any officer of the Company
or other person whose compensation may be subject to the limitations on
deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), is 200,000 during any single year. As of the date hereof,
and subject to the consummation of the Offering, options to purchase 635,000
shares of Common Stock, exercisable at the initial public offering price, have
been awarded to 105 key employees, directors, and consultants of the Company.
Any shares as to which an option or other award expires, lapses unexpired, or is
forfeited, terminated, or canceled may become subject to a new option or other
award. The Stock Incentive Plan will terminate on, and no award may be granted
later than, the tenth anniversary of the date of adoption of the Stock Incentive
Plan, but the exercise date of awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary
may extend beyond that date.
 
     The Stock Incentive Plan provides for automatic grants of non-qualified
stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock to Outside Directors. Options
to purchase 9,000 shares of Common Stock have been automatically granted to each
person serving as an Outside Director as of the consummation of the Offering at
an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price. If any person who
was not previously a member of the Board of Directors is elected or appointed an
Outside Director following the consummation of the Offering but prior to the
date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company in the year 2000, such
Outside Director will automatically be granted an option to purchase 7,000
shares of Common Stock if such Outside Director's service begins prior to the
second anniversary of the Offering and 5,000 shares of Common Stock if such
Outside Director's service begins after the second anniversary of the Offering.
The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, increase or decrease the number
of shares subject to such option to reflect the extent to which such Outside
Director's expected service may exceed two years or may be less than one year.
Such options shall vest with respect to 5,000 shares on the date of the first
annual meeting of shareholders following the date of grant, 2,000 shares on the
date of the second annual meeting of shareholders following the date of grant,
and any remaining shares on the date of the third annual meeting of shareholders
following the date of grant.
 
     On the date of each annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company
beginning with the annual meeting of shareholders held in the year 2000, unless
the Stock Incentive Plan has been terminated, each Outside Director who will
continue as a director following such meeting will receive an option to purchase
3,000 shares of Common Stock. Such options will vest with respect to all 3,000
shares on the date of the next annual meeting of shareholders. All options
automatically granted to an Outside Director will enable the optionee to
purchase shares of Common Stock at the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date of grant. Outside Director optionees will not be able to transfer or
assign their options without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors
other than (i) transfers by the optionee to a member of his or her immediate
family or a trust for the benefit of the optionee or a member of his or her
immediate family, or (ii) transfers by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. Options automatically granted to Outside Directors will have a
term of ten years from the date of grant. The exercise price may be paid in
cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof. The Board of Directors
has the discretion to reduce, but not increase, the number of shares awardable
to Outside Directors.
 
     ISOs and non-qualified stock options may be granted for such number of
shares as the Board or Compensation Committee may determine and may be granted
alone, in conjunction with, or in tandem with other awards under the Stock
Incentive Plan or cash awards outside the Stock Incentive Plan. A stock option
will be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as
the Compensation Committee will determine. In the case of an ISO, however, the
term will be no more than ten years after the date of grant (five years in the
case of ISOs for certain 10% shareholders). The option price for an ISO will not
be less than 100% (110% in the case of certain 10% shareholders) of the fair
market value of the Common Stock as of the date of grant and for any
non-qualified stock option will not be less than 50% of the fair market value as
of the date of grant. ISOs granted under the Stock Incentive Plan may not be
transferred or assigned other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. Non-qualified stock options and stock appreciation rights may
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   52
 
not be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the
Compensation Committee, other than (i) transfers by the optionee to a member of
his or her immediate family or a trust for the benefit of the optionee or a
member of his or her immediate family, or (ii) transfers by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution.
 
     Stock appreciation rights may be granted under the Stock Incentive Plan in
conjunction with all or part of a stock option and will be exercisable only when
the underlying stock option is exercisable. Once a stock appreciation right has
been exercised, the related portion of the stock option underlying the stock
appreciation right will terminate. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation
right, the Company will pay to the employee or consultant in cash, Common Stock,
or a combination thereof (the method of payment to be at the discretion of the
Committee), an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the exercise date over the option price, multiplied by the number of
stock appreciation rights being exercised.
 
     Restricted stock awards may be granted alone, in addition to, or in tandem
with, other awards under the Stock Incentive Plan or cash awards made outside
the Plan. The provisions attendant to a grant of restricted stock may vary from
participant to participant. In making an award of restricted stock, the
Compensation Committee will determine the periods during which the restricted
stock is subject to forfeiture and may provide such other awards designed to
guarantee a minimum value for such stock. During the restriction period, the
employee or consultant may not sell, transfer, pledge, or assign the restricted
stock but will be entitled to vote the restricted stock and to receive, at the
election of the Compensation Committee, cash or deferred dividends.
 
     The Compensation Committee also may grant other types of awards such as
performance shares, convertible preferred stock, convertible debentures, or
other exchangeable securities that are valued, as a whole or in part, by
reference to or otherwise based on the Common Stock. These awards may be granted
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, stock options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted stock, or cash awards outside of the Stock Incentive Plan.
Awards will be made upon such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee
may determine.
 
     If there is a change in control or a potential change in control of the
Company (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan), stock appreciation rights and
limited stock appreciation rights, and any stock options which are not then
exercisable, will become fully exercisable and vested and the restrictions and
deferral limitations applicable to restricted stock and other stock-based awards
may lapse and such shares and awards will be deemed fully vested. Stock options,
stock appreciation rights, limited stock appreciation rights, restricted stock
and other stock-based awards, will, unless otherwise determined by the
Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, be cashed out on the basis of the
change in control price (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan and as described
below). The change in control price will be the highest price per share paid or
offered to be paid in any bona fide transaction relating to a change in control
or potential change in control at any time during the immediately preceding
60-day period, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
 
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
     The Company has adopted an employee stock purchase plan (the "Stock
Purchase Plan") that will become effective on the later of July 1, 1997 or the
consummation of the Offering. The Stock Purchase Plan was approved by the Board
of Directors and shareholder of the Company in February 1997. An aggregate of
250,000 shares of Common Stock has been reserved for issuance pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Plan. Under the Stock Purchase Plan, employees, including
executive officers, who have been employed by the Company continuously for at
least one year are eligible, as of the first day of any option period (January 1
through June 30, or July 1 through December 31) (an "Option Period"), to
contribute on an after-tax basis up to 15% of their base pay per pay period
through payroll deductions and/or a single lump-sum contribution per Option
Period to be used to purchase shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no employee who is a 5% or greater shareholder of the Company's
voting stock is eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan. On the last
trading day of each Option Period (the "Exercise Date"), the amount contributed
by each participant over the course of the Option Period will be used to
purchase shares of Common Stock at a purchase price per share equal to the
lesser of (a) 85% of the closing market price of the Common Stock on
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   53
 
the Exercise Date, or (b) 85% of the closing market price of the Common Stock on
the first trading date of such Option Period. The Stock Purchase Plan is
intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 423 of the Code.
 
  401(k) Plan
 
     Employees of the Company participate in a savings plan (the "401(k) Plan")
which is qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code. To be eligible,
an employee must have been employed by the Company for at least three months.
The 401(k) Plan permits employees to make voluntary contributions up to
specified limits. Additional contributions may be made by the Company at its
discretion, which contributions vest ratably over a five-year period.
 
  Section 162 Plan
 
     The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which
allows employees who are "highly compensated" under IRS guidelines to make
after-tax contributions to an investment account established in such employee's
name. Additional contributions may be made by the Company at its discretion. All
contributions to the Section 162 Plan are subject to the claims of the Company's
creditors. Approximately 45 employees are eligible to participate in the Section
162 Plan, which is administered by the Compensation Committee. In each of 1995
and 1996, the Company contributed approximately $271,000 to the Section 162
Plan.
 
  Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan
 
     The officers of the Company participate in an Officers' Incentive
Compensation Plan which provides contingent incentive compensation. The plan
provides for a single annual incentive compensation payment in the amount of up
to 60% of an officer's base salary dependent upon the degree to which the
Company achieves its operational and financial objectives, or up to a maximum
total of 100%, contingent upon the degree to which the Company exceeds its
objectives.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
     The Tennessee Business Corporation Act ("TBCA") provides that a corporation
may indemnify any of its directors and officers against liability incurred in
connection with a proceeding if (i) such person acted in good faith, (ii) the
director or officer reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in an official
capacity, that such conduct was in the corporation's best interests, or, in all
other cases, that such conduct was not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and (iii) in connection with any criminal proceeding, the director
or officer had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
In actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, however, the TBCA
provides that no indemnification may be made if the director or officer was
adjudged liable to the corporation. The TBCA also provides that in connection
with any proceeding charging improper personal benefit to a director or officer,
no indemnification may be made if such director or officer is adjudged liable on
the basis that such personal benefit was improperly received. In cases where the
director or officer is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the
defense of any proceeding instigated because of his or her status as a director
or officer of a corporation, the TBCA mandates that the corporation indemnify
the director or officer against reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the TBCA provides that a court of competent
jurisdiction, upon application, may order that a director or officer be
indemnified for reasonable expenses if, in consideration of all relevant
circumstances, the court determines that such individual is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnification, even if such director or officer (i) was
adjudged liable to the corporation in a proceeding by or in right of the
corporation, (ii) was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received, or (iii) breached his or her duty of care to the
corporation.
 
     The Company's Charter provides that to the fullest extent permitted by
Tennessee law no director shall be personally liable to the Company or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of any fiduciary duty as a
director. Under the TBCA, this charter provision relieves the Company's
directors of personal liability to
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   54
 
the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability arising from a judgment or other final
adjudication establishing (i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty, (ii)
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, or (iii) any unlawful distributions. In addition, the
Company's Charter and Bylaws provide that each director and officer of the
Company shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent allowed by
Tennessee law.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Compensation Committee, consisting of Messrs. O'Connell and Stuesser
and Ms. Smith, each an Outside Director, was established in February 1997. Prior
to the Offering, the Company's executive officers were compensated as employees
of ARCLP and compensation decisions were made by ARCLP's compensation committee,
which was comprised in 1996 of the persons who now constitute the Company's
Compensation Committee. No executive officer of the Company served during 1996
as a member of a compensation committee or as a director of any entity of which
any of the Company's directors or members of ARCLP's limited partners committee
serves as an executive officer.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   55
 
                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock after giving effect to the
Reorganization with respect to (i) each of the Named Executive Officers, (ii)
each of the Company's directors, (iii) each person known by the Company to own
beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock, and (iv) all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group, both before and after giving
effect to the Offering. Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), a person is deemed to be a "beneficial owner" of
a security if he or she has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of
such security or the power to dispose of or direct the disposition of such
security. Accordingly, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial
owner of the same security. Shares of Common Stock subject to options held by
the directors and executive officers that are not exercisable within 60 days of
the date hereof are not, in accordance with beneficial ownership rules
promulgated by the Commission, deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing
such director's or executive officer's beneficial ownership.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PERCENT OF
                                                                                      COMMON STOCK
                                                                                  --------------------
                                                           NUMBER OF SHARES        BEFORE      AFTER
                         NAME                            BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)    OFFERING    OFFERING
                         ----                            ---------------------    --------    --------
<S>                                                      <C>                      <C>         <C>
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:
W.E. Sheriff...........................................        1,670,353(2)(3)      21.4%       15.3%
Christopher J. Coates..................................          242,603(4)          3.1         2.2
George T. Hicks........................................          170,259(5)          2.2         1.6
H. Todd Kaestner.......................................          180,244(6)          2.3         1.6
James T. Money.........................................          175,252(7)          2.2         1.6
DIRECTORS:
H. Lee Barfield II.....................................          602,661(8)(9)       7.7         5.5
Jack O. Bovender, Jr...................................               --              --          --
Frank M. Bumstead......................................               --              --          --
Robin G. Costa.........................................        1,467,526(10)(11)    18.8        13.4
Clarence Edmonds.......................................          360,907(12)         4.6         3.3
John A. Morris, Jr., M.D...............................          358,490(13)         4.6         3.3
Daniel K. O'Connell....................................           10,285            *           *
Nadine C. Smith........................................           29,956            *           *
Lawrence J. Stuesser...................................           67,547(14)        *           *
OTHER 5% SHAREHOLDERS:
American Retirement Communities, LLC...................        1,350,000(15)        17.3        12.3
Dan Maddox.............................................        1,419,782(10)(16)    18.2        13.0
DMAR Limited Partnership...............................        1,372,037(17)        17.6        12.5
Mary Louise Frist Barfield.............................          602,661(18)(19)     7.7         5.5
Robert A. Frist, M.D...................................          573,872(20)(21)     7.3         5.2
All directors and executive officers as a group (16
  persons).............................................        4,637,986            59.4%       42.4%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
   * Less than 1%.
 (1) The information listed below with respect to the beneficial ownership of
     the Common Stock is based upon the estimated allocation of the Common Stock
     in the Reorganization. See "Certain Transactions -- Pending
     Reorganization."
 (2) Address: 111 Westwood Place, Suite 402, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.
 (3) Includes 320,353 shares beneficially owned by a family limited partnership
     in which Mr. Sheriff is a general partner and 1,350,000 shares beneficially
     owned by the LLC. See Note 15. Mr. Sheriff is Chief Manager and a member of
     the LLC. Mr. Sheriff disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by
     the LLC except to the extent of the 294,698 shares as to which he holds a
     pecuniary interest.
 (4) Includes 210,499 shares beneficially owned by the LLC and 1,860 shares
     beneficially owned by Sylvester I, L.P. ("Sylvester I") as to which Mr.
     Coates holds a pecuniary interest.
 (5) Includes 168,399 shares beneficially owned by the LLC and 1,860 shares
     beneficially owned by Sylvester I as to which Mr. Hicks holds a pecuniary
     interest.
 (6) Includes 168,399 shares beneficially owned by the LLC and 1,860 shares
     beneficially owned by Sylvester I as to which Mr. Kaestner holds a
     pecuniary interest.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   56
 
 (7) Includes 168,399 shares beneficially owned by the LLC and 1,860 shares
     beneficially owned by Sylvester I as to which Mr. Money holds a pecuniary
     interest.
 (8) Address: 2700 First American Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37238.
 (9) Includes 457,857 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Barfield's wife, Mary
     Louise Frist Barfield. See Note 19. Mr. Barfield is the brother-in-law of
     Robert A. Frist.
(10) Address: 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, Suite 400, Nashville, Tennessee 37215.
(11) Includes 1,372,037 shares beneficially owned by DMAR Limited Partnership
     ("DMAR") and 95,489 shares beneficially owned by Little Buck Limited
     Partnership ("Little Buck"). Ms. Costa is a Vice President of Margaret
     Energy, Inc., the general partner of DMAR and Little Buck. See Note 16.
(12) Includes 335,888 shares beneficially owned by The Jack C. Massey Foundation
     ("The Massey Foundation"), of which Mr. Edmonds serves as a co-trustee, and
     25,019 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Edmonds' wife. Mr. Edmonds
     disclaims beneficial ownership of his wife's shares.
(13) All shares are beneficially owned by partnerships owned and controlled by
     Dr. Morris, his brother Alfred Morris, and members of Dr. Morris' family.
(14) All shares are beneficially owned by B&W Development Centers ("B&W"), of
     which Mr. Stuesser is a director and 50% shareholder.
(15) Address: 111 Westwood Place, Suite 402, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027. The
     members of the LLC include the Named Executive Officers and other members
     of management of the Company. See Notes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
(16) Includes 1,372,037 shares beneficially owned by DMAR and 47,745 shares
     beneficially owned by Little Buck as to which Mr. Maddox holds a pecuniary
     interest. See Notes 11 and 17.
(17) The partners in DMAR include corporations and trusts owned by, or for the
     benefit of, Mr. Maddox and his wife.
(18) Address: c/o H. Lee Barfield II, 2700 First American Center, Nashville,
     Tennessee 37238.
(19) Includes 144,804 shares beneficially owned by Mrs. Barfield's husband, H.
     Lee Barfield II, and an aggregate of 169,084 shares beneficially owned by
     trusts for the benefit of Mrs. Barfield's children, of which Mrs. Barfield
     serves as trustee. See Note 9. Mrs. Barfield is the sister of Robert A.
     Frist.
(20) Address: 1326 Page Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37205.
(21) Includes 22,569 shares beneficially owned by Dr. Frist's wife. Does not
     include an aggregate of 191,554 shares beneficially owned by Dr. Frist's
     children who are 18 years of age or older. Dr. Frist is the brother of Mary
     Louise Barfield Frist and the brother-in-law of H. Lee Barfield II.
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
THE 1995 ROLL-UP
 
     ARCLP was formed in February 1995 in anticipation of the 1995 Roll-Up of
the Predecessor Entities. As a result of the 1995 Roll-Up, ARCLP issued
partnership interests to the partners and shareholders of the Predecessor
Entities, many of whom are directors, executive officers, and greater than 5%
shareholders of the Company, in exchange for their limited partnership interests
and stock in the Predecessor Entities and thereby became the owner, directly or
indirectly, of all of the assets of the Predecessor Entities. The LLC was
organized in connection with the formation of ARCLP and serves as its general
partner. The members of the LLC include each of the Named Executive Officers and
certain other members of management of the Company. Messrs. Sheriff and Coates
have LLC membership interests of approximately 21.8% and 15.6%, respectively,
and Messrs. Kaestner, Money, and Hicks have LLC membership interests of
approximately 14.5% each.
 
REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
 
     In connection with the 1995 Roll-Up, partners in certain of the Predecessor
Entities exchanged promissory notes for the Preferred Partnership Interests. In
1996, the Company redeemed the Preferred Partnership Interests for an aggregate
amount of $10.0 million. In connection with the redemption of the Preferred
Partnership Interests, certain executive officers, directors, and certain other
limited partners who will be greater than five percent (5%) beneficial owners of
the Common Stock (including, unless otherwise noted, their immediate family
members and affiliates) received the following amounts in payment for the
redemption of their Preferred Partnership Interests: H. Lee Barfield II and Mary
Louise Frist Barfield -- $1.12 million (does not include amounts distributed to
Robert A. Frist or an aggregate of $780,000 distributed to Mrs. Barfield's
sister and trusts for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Barfield's nephews); Lawrence
J. Stuesser -- $150,000 (distributed to B&W); DMAR -- $2.16 million; Robert A.
Frist -- $1.57 million (does not include an aggregate of $1.24 million
distributed to Dr. Frist's children who are 18 years of age or older; amounts
distributed to H. Lee Barfield II and Mary Louise Frist Barfield, or an
aggregate of $780,000 distributed to Dr. Frist's sister and trusts for the
benefit of Dr. Frist's nephews); and Dan Maddox -- $2.52 million (includes
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   57
 
$2.16 million distributed to DMAR and $360,000 distributed to Little Buck; does
not include $240,000 distributed to a partnership controlled by Mr. Maddox's
son).
 
PENDING REORGANIZATION
 
     In connection with the Reorganization, the Company will issue an aggregate
of 7,812,500 shares of Common Stock and the Reorganization Note to ARCLP. ARCLP
will distribute approximately 1,350,000 shares of Common Stock to the LLC, as
general partner of ARCLP, and an aggregate of approximately 6,462,500 shares of
Common Stock to the limited partners of ARCLP, generally in accordance with the
limited partners' ARCLP contribution accounts. The number of shares of Common
Stock allocated to the LLC will be determined at the time of the consummation of
the Offering and will have a value, based upon the initial public offering
price, equal to the sum of (i) $15.0 million, plus (ii) 10% of the value of the
Company (including the value of the Reorganization Note) immediately prior to
the Offering (the "Pre-IPO Valuation") between $84.0 million and $160.0 million,
plus (iii) 20% of the Pre-IPO Valuation over $160.0 million. The information
below assumes an initial public offering price of $16.00. In addition, ARCLP
will distribute, in liquidation, proceeds from the repayment of the
Reorganization Note to the limited partners of ARCLP, generally in accordance
with the limited partners' contribution accounts.
 
     In connection with the Reorganization, certain executive officers,
directors, and other limited partners of ARCLP who will beneficially own more
than 5% of the Common Stock (and, in each case, their immediate family members
and affiliates), will receive shares of Common Stock and proceeds from the
Reorganization Note as set forth in the table below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        NUMBER OF SHARES        PROCEEDS FROM THE
                        NAME                           OF COMMON STOCK(1)     REORGANIZATION NOTE($)
                        ----                           ------------------     ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                    <C>
W.E. Sheriff.........................................      1,670,353              $1,239,281.70(2)
Christopher J. Coates................................        242,603(3)              124,191.71(4)
George T. Hicks......................................        170,259(3)                7,194.55(4)
H. Todd Kaestner.....................................        180,244(3)               45,822.69(4)
James T. Money.......................................        175,252(3)               26,508.62(4)
H. Lee Barfield II...................................        602,661(5)            2,331,370.74(6)
Robin G. Costa.......................................      1,467,526               5,677,087.37(7)
Clarence Edmonds.....................................        360,907               1,396,160.43(8)
John A. Morris, Jr., M.D.............................        358,490               1,386,809.40(9)
Daniel K. O'Connell..................................         10,285                  39,786.98
Nadine C. Smith......................................         29,956                 115,884.42
Lawrence J. Stuesser.................................         67,547                 261,302.67(10)
American Retirement Communities, LLC.................      1,350,000                         --
Dan Maddox...........................................      1,419,782(11)           5,492,388.24(12)
DMAR Limited Partnership.............................      1,372,037               5,307,689.10
The Jack C. Massey Foundation........................        335,888               1,299,375.88
Mary Louise Frist Barfield...........................        602,661(13)           2,331,370.74(14)
Robert A. Frist, M.D.................................        573,872(15)           2,220,008.29(16)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 (1) See Notes to "Principal Shareholders" for certain beneficial ownership
     information.
 (2) Amounts to be distributed to a family limited partnership in which Mr.
     Sheriff is a general partner.
 (3) Does not include shares to be distributed to other members of the LLC or
     other partners in Sylvester I.
 (4) Includes $7,194.55 which represents such person's pro rata portion of
     amounts to be distributed to Sylvester I.
 (5) Does not include shares to be distributed to Robert A. Frist or an
     aggregate of 841,555 shares to be distributed to Mr. Barfield's
     father-in-law, sister-in-law, and trusts for the benefit of Mr. Barfield's
     brother-in-law and nephews.
 (6) Includes $1,117,109.09 to be distributed to Mr. Barfield's wife, Mary
     Louise Frist Barfield, and an aggregate of $654,092.04 to be distributed to
     trusts for the benefit of Mr. Barfield's children, of which Mrs. Barfield
     serves as trustee. See Note 12. Does not include amounts to be distributed
     to Robert A. Frist, Mr. Barfield's brother-in-law, or an aggregate of
     $3,255,533.84 to be distributed to Mr. Barfield's father-in-law,
     sister-in-law, and trusts for the benefit of Mr. Barfield's brother-in-law
     and nephews.
 (7) Includes $5,307,689.10 to be distributed to DMAR and $369,398.27 to be
     distributed to Little Buck. Ms. Costa is a Vice President of Margaret
     Energy, Inc., the general partner of DMAR and Little Buck.
 (8) Includes $1,299,375.88 to be distributed to The Massey Foundation and
     $96,784.55 to be distributed to Mr. Edmonds' wife.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   58
 
 (9) All amounts to be distributed to partnerships owned and controlled by Dr.
     Morris, his brother Alfred Morris, and members of Dr. Morris' family.
(10) Amounts to be received by B&W, of which Mr. Stuesser is a director and 50%
     shareholder.
(11) Does not include 111,672 shares to be distributed to a partnership
     controlled by Mr. Maddox's son or 47,745 shares to be distributed to Little
     Buck as to which Mr. Maddox's son holds a pecuniary interest.
(12) Includes $5,307,689.10 to be distributed to DMAR and $184,699.14 which
     represents Mr. Maddox's pro rata portion of amounts to be distributed to
     Little Buck. Does not include $431,999.70 to be distributed to a
     partnership controlled by Mr. Maddox's son and $184,699.14 which represents
     Mr. Maddox's son's pro rata portion of amounts to be distributed to Little
     Buck.
(13) Does not include shares to be distributed to Robert A. Frist or an
     aggregate of 841,555 shares to be distributed to Ms. Barfield's father,
     sister, and trusts for the benefit of Ms. Barfield's brother and nephews.
(14) Includes $560,169.61 to be distributed to Mrs. Barfield's husband, H. Lee
     Barfield II, and an aggregate of $654,092.04 to be distributed to trusts
     for the benefit of Mrs. Barfield's children, of which Mrs. Barfield serves
     as trustee. See Note 5. Does not include amounts to be distributed to
     Robert A. Frist, Mrs. Barfield's brother, or an aggregate of $3,255,533.84
     to be distributed to Ms. Barfield's father, sister, and trusts for the
     benefit of Ms. Barfield's brother and nephews.
(15) Does not include shares to be distributed to H. Lee Barfield II or Mary
     Louise Frist Barfield, or an aggregate of 841,555 shares to be distributed
     to Dr. Frist's father, sister, or trusts for the benefit of Dr. Frist's
     brother and nephews.
(16) Includes $87,306.35 to be distributed to Dr. Frist's wife. Does not include
     an aggregate of $741,022.43 to be distributed to Dr. Frist's children who
     are 18 years of age or older. Dr. Frist is the brother of Mary Louise Frist
     Barfield and the brother-in-law of H. Lee Barfield II. Does not include
     amounts to be distributed to H. Lee Barfield II or Mary Louise Frist
     Barfield, or an aggregate of $3,255,533.84 to be distributed to Dr. Frist's
     father, sister, and trusts for the benefit of Dr. Frist's brother and
     nephews.
 
POLICY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Board of Directors has adopted a policy providing that any transaction
between the Company and any of its directors, officers, or principal
shareholders or affiliates thereof must be on terms no less favorable to the
Company than can be obtained from unaffiliated parties. Management believes that
past transactions have complied with this policy.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   59
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per
share (the "Preferred Stock"). Upon consummation of the Offering, 10,937,500
shares of Common Stock will be issued and outstanding, no shares of Preferred
Stock will be outstanding, and 635,000 shares of Common Stock will be reserved
for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options under the Stock Incentive
Plan.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted on by shareholders and are not entitled to cumulative voting
in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the
shares voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors then
standing for election by the holders of Common Stock. The holders of Common
Stock are entitled to share ratably in such dividends, if any, as may be
declared from time to time by the Board of Directors in its discretion out of
funds legally available therefor. See "Dividend Policy and Prior Distributions."
The holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in any assets
remaining after satisfaction of all prior claims upon liquidation of the
Company. The Company's Charter gives holders of Common Stock no preemptive or
other subscription or conversion rights, and there are no redemption provisions
with respect to such shares. All shares of Common Stock to be outstanding upon
consummation of the Offering, including the shares offered hereby, will be, when
issued and paid for, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and
privileges of holders of Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely
affected by, the rights of holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock
which the Company may designate and issue in the future.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The authorized Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or
more designated series or classes. The Board of Directors may issue shares of
Preferred Stock without approval of the shareholders, except as may be required
by applicable law or by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Common
Stock may be listed. The Board of Directors is also authorized to establish the
voting, dividend, redemption, conversion, liquidation, and other relative
provisions as may be provided in a particular series or class. The issuance of
Preferred Stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible
acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely
affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock and, under certain
circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or
discourage a third party from acquiring, a majority of the outstanding voting
stock of the Company. The Company has no present intention to issue any series
or class of Preferred Stock.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER, BYLAWS, AND TENNESSEE LAW
 
  General
 
     The provisions of the Charter, the Bylaws, and Tennessee statutory law
described in this section may delay or make more difficult acquisitions or
changes of control of the Company that are not approved by the Board of
Directors. Such provisions have been implemented to enable the Company,
particularly (but not exclusively) in the initial years of its existence as an
independent, publicly-owned company, to develop its business in a manner that
will foster its long-term growth without the disruption of the threat of a
takeover not deemed by the Board of Directors to be in the best interests of the
Company and its shareholders.
 
  Directors
 
     The Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be no fewer than
three nor more than fifteen, with the exact number to be established by the
Board of Directors and subject to change from time to time as determined by the
Board of Directors. Vacancies on the Board of Directors (including vacancies
created by an increase in the number of directors) may be filled by the Board of
Directors, acting by a majority of the remaining directors then in office, or by
a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum
is present. Officers are elected annually by and serve at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   60
 
     The Charter and Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors is divided into
three classes of as nearly equal size as possible, and the term of office of
each class expires in consecutive years so that each year only one class is
elected. The Charter also provides that directors may be removed only for cause
and only by (i) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of all the shares of the Company's capital stock then entitled to vote in
the election of directors, voting together as a single class, unless the vote of
a special voting group is otherwise required by law, or (ii) the affirmative
vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors then in office. The overall
effect of these provisions in the Company's Charter and Bylaws may be to render
more difficult a change in control of the Company or the removal of incumbent
management.
 
  Advance Notice for Shareholder Proposals or Making Nominations at Meetings
 
     The Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholder proposals
to be brought before a meeting of shareholders of the Company and for
nominations by shareholders of candidates for election as directors at an annual
meeting or a special meeting at which directors are to be elected. Subject to
any other applicable requirements, only such business may be conducted at a
meeting of shareholders as has been brought before the meeting by, or at the
direction of, the Board of Directors, or by a shareholder who has given to the
Secretary of the Company timely written notice, in proper form, of the
shareholder's intention to bring that business before the meeting. The presiding
officer at such meeting has the authority to make such determinations. Only
persons who are selected and recommended by the Board of Directors, or the
committee of the Board of Directors designated to make nominations, or who are
nominated by a shareholder who has given timely written notice, in proper form,
to the Secretary prior to a meeting at which directors are to be elected will be
eligible for election as directors of the Company.
 
     To be timely, notice of nominations or other business to be brought before
any meeting must be received by the Secretary of the Company not later than 120
days in advance of the anniversary date of the Company's proxy statement for the
previous year's annual meeting or, in the case of special meetings, at the close
of business on the tenth day following the date on which notice of such meeting
is first given to shareholders.
 
     The notice of any shareholder proposal or nomination for election as
director must set forth various information required under the Bylaws. The
person submitting the notice of nomination and any person acting in concert with
such person must provide, among other things, the name and address under which
they appear on the Company's books (if they so appear) and the class and number
of shares of the Company's capital stock that are beneficially owned by them.
 
  Amendment of the Bylaws and Charter
 
     The Bylaws provide that a majority of the members of the Board of Directors
who are present at any regular or special meeting or, subject to greater voting
requirements imposed by the Charter, the holders of a majority of the voting
power of all shares of the Company's capital stock represented at regular or
special meeting have the power to amend, alter, change, or repeal the Bylaws.
 
     Any proposal to amend, alter, change, or repeal provisions of the Charter
relating to staggered terms for directors, and limitations on the ability of
shareholders to call a shareholders' meeting or to remove directors require
approval by the affirmative vote of both a majority of the members of the Board
of Directors then in office and the holders of three-fourths of the voting power
of all of the shares of the Company's capital stock entitled to vote on the
amendments. Other amendments to the Charter require the affirmative vote of both
a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office and the
holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the shares of the Company's
capital stock entitled to vote on the amendments, with shareholders entitled to
dissenters' rights as a result of the Charter amendment voting together as a
single class. Shareholders entitled to dissenters' rights as a result of a
Charter amendment are those whose rights would be materially and adversely
affected because the amendment (i) alters or abolishes a preferential right of
the shares; (ii) creates, alters, or abolishes a right in respect of redemption;
(iii) alters or abolishes a preemptive right; (iv) excludes or limits the right
of the shares to vote on any matter, or to cumulate votes, other than a
limitation by dilution through issuance of shares or other securities with
similar voting rights; or
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   61
 
(v) reduces the number of shares held by such holder to a fraction if the
fractional share is to be acquired for cash. In general, however, under the TBCA
no shareholder is entitled to dissenters' rights if the security he or she holds
is listed on a national securities exchange.
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER LEGISLATION
 
     The Tennessee Business Combination Act (the "Combination Act") provides,
among other things, that any corporation to which the Combination Act applies,
including the Company, shall not engage in any "business combination" with an
"interested shareholder" for a period of five years following the date that such
shareholder became an interested shareholder unless prior to such date the board
of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the
transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested
shareholder. The Combination Act defines "business combination," generally, to
mean any: (i) merger or consolidation; (ii) share exchange; (iii) sale, lease,
exchange, mortgage, pledge, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of
transactions) of assets representing 10% or more of (A) the market value of
consolidated assets, (B) the market value of the corporation's outstanding
shares or (C) the corporation's consolidated net income; (iv) issuance or
transfer of shares from the corporation to the interested shareholder; (v) plan
of liquidation; (vi) transaction in which the interested shareholder's
proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of securities is
increased; or (vii) financing arrangements pursuant to which the interested
shareholder, directly or indirectly, receives a benefit except proportionately
as a shareholder. The Combination Act defines "interested shareholder,"
generally, to mean any person who is the beneficial owner, either directly or
indirectly, of 10% or more of any class or series of the outstanding voting
stock, or any affiliate or associate of the corporation who has been the
beneficial owner, either directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting
power of any class or series of the corporation's stock at any time within the
five year period preceding the date in question. Consummation of a business
combination that is subject to the five-year moratorium is permitted after such
period if the transaction (i) complies with all applicable charter and bylaw
requirements and applicable Tennessee law and (ii) is approved by at least
two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not beneficially owned by the
interested shareholder, or when the transaction meets certain fair price
criteria. The fair price criteria include, among others, the requirement that
the per share consideration received in any such business combination by each of
the shareholders is equal to the highest of (i) the highest per share price paid
by the interested shareholder during the preceding five-year period for shares
of the same class or series plus interest thereon from such date at a treasury
bill rate less the aggregate amount of any cash dividends paid and the market
value of any dividends paid other than in cash since such earliest date, up to
the amount of such interest, (ii) the highest preferential amount, if any, such
class or series is entitled to receive on liquidation, or (iii) the market value
of the shares on either the date the business combination is announced or the
date when the interested shareholder reaches the 10% threshold, whichever is
higher, plus interest thereon less dividends as noted above.
 
     The Tennessee Control Share Acquisition Act (the "Acquisition Act")
prohibits certain shareholders from exercising in excess of 20% of the voting
power in a corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition," as defined in
the Acquisition Act, unless such voting rights have been previously approved by
the disinterested shareholders of the corporation. The Company has elected not
to make the Acquisition Act applicable to the Company. No assurance can be given
that such election, which must be expressed in a charter or bylaw amendment,
will not be made in the future.
 
     The Tennessee Greenmail Act (the "Greenmail Act") prohibits the Company
from purchasing or agreeing to purchase any of its securities, at a price in
excess of fair market value, from a holder of 3% or more of any class of such
securities who has beneficially owned such securities for less than two years,
unless such purchase has been approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of each class of voting stock issued by the Company or
the Company makes an offer of at least equal value per share to all holders of
shares of such class.
 
     The effect of the Combination Act, the Acquisition Act, and the Greenmail
Act may be to render more difficult a change of control of the Company.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   62
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     Following the consummation of the Offering, beneficial holders of an
aggregate of 7,812,500 shares of Common Stock will have contractual rights with
respect to the registration of the sale of such shares ("Registrable Shares").
Beginning one year after the date hereof (the "IPO Date"), holders of
Registrable Shares that may not otherwise be sold pursuant to Rule 144 of the
Securities Act will be entitled to two demand registrations upon the written
demand to the Company to register the sale of 25% or more of the Registrable
Shares; provided, however, that in no event will any holder of Registrable
Shares participating in such demand registrations be permitted to sell in excess
of 20% of such holder's Registrable Shares. In addition, until the second
anniversary of the IPO Date, holders of Registrable Shares that may not
otherwise be sold pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act may require the
Company to include all or a portion of such holder's Registrable Shares in a
registration statement filed by the Company for its own account for cash,
provided, among other conditions, that the managing underwriter (if any) of such
offering has the right, subject to certain conditions, to limit the number of
Registrable Shares included in such registration statement. In general, all
fees, costs, and expenses of such registrations (other than the underwriting
commissions, dealers' fees, brokers' fees and concessions applicable to Common
Stock) will be borne by the Company.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     First Union National Bank, Charlotte, North Carolina will be the transfer
agent and registrar for the Common Stock.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   63
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has not been any public market for securities
of the Company. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that market
sales of shares of Common Stock or the availability of shares of Common Stock
for sale will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Sales of
substantial amounts of Common Stock of the Company in the public market after
the restrictions described below lapse could adversely affect the prevailing
market price and the ability of the Company to raise equity capital in the
future.
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding
10,937,500 shares of Common Stock (11,406,250 shares if the underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full). Of these shares, the 3,125,000
shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering will be freely tradeable without
restriction or limitation under the Securities Act, except to the extent such
shares are subject to the Agreement with the representatives of the Underwriters
described below, and except for any shares purchased by "affiliates," as that
term is defined under the Securities Act, of the Company. The remaining
7,812,500 shares will be "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144
adopted under the Securities Act (the "Restricted Shares"). The Restricted
Shares were issued by the Company in the Reorganization in reliance upon an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act and none of such shares may
be sold in the public market, except in compliance with the registration
requirements of the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from
registration, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities
Act. Upon consummation of the Offering, the beneficial holders of all of the
Restricted Shares will have demand and piggyback registration rights with
respect to the sale of such shares. See "Description of Capital Stock --
Registration Rights."
 
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, any person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned
shares for at least a one-year period (as computed under Rule 144) is entitled
to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed
the greater of (i) 1% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (109,375
shares after giving effect to the Offering), and (ii) the average weekly trading
volume in the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks immediately preceding
the date on which the notice of sale is filed with the Commission. Sales under
Rule 144 are also subject to certain provisions relating to the manner and
notice of sale and the availability of current public information about the
Company. A shareholder who is not an affiliate of the Company at any time during
the 90 days immediately preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned his or
her shares for at least two years (as computed under Rule 144), is entitled to
sell such shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to the volume, manner and
notice of sale, and availability of public information limitations described
above. Shares properly sold in reliance upon Rule 144 to persons who are not
affiliates are thereafter freely tradeable without restrictions or registration
under the Securities Act.
 
     The Company and all directors and executive officers of the Company (who in
the aggregate will beneficially own 4,637,986 shares of Common Stock) have
agreed, and certain holders of 5% or more of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding after the Offering will be asked to agree, with the Underwriters
that, for a period of 180 days following the Offering (the "Lock-up Period"),
they will not offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant an option to purchase
or otherwise dispose (or announce any offer, sale, grant of any option or other
distribution) of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into
or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of
NatWest Securities Limited (except that the Company may grant options to
purchase or award shares of Common Stock under the Stock Incentive Plan and the
Stock Purchase Plan and issue privately placed shares in connection with
acquisitions). See "Principal Shareholders" and "Management -- Compensation
Pursuant to Plans."
 
     As soon as practicable following the consummation of the Offering, the
Company intends to file a registration statement under the Securities Act to
register shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan
and the Stock Purchase Plan. See "Management -- Compensation Pursuant to Plans."
Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock
Purchase Plan after the effective date of such registration statement will be
available for sale in the open market, subject to the Lock-up Period, if
applicable.
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   64
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     The Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters") have severally agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, to purchase
from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite their
names below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITER                                                   NUMBER OF SHARES
- -----------                                                   ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>
NatWest Securities Limited..................................
Equitable Securities Corporation............................
 
          Total.............................................
</TABLE>
 
     The Underwriters are obligated to purchase all the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby, if any such shares are purchased.
 
     The Underwriters propose to offer the shares directly to the public
initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus, and to certain securities dealers at such price less a concession
not in excess of $        per share of Common Stock. Such dealers may re-allow a
concession not in excess of $          per share of Common Stock to certain
other brokers and dealers. After the public offering, the per share price and
such concessions may be changed by the Underwriters. The Underwriters have
informed the Company that they do not intend to confirm sales of shares of
Common Stock to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the federal securities laws, or will contribute to payments that the
Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Company has granted an option to the Underwriters, exercisable for 30
days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 468,750 additional
shares of Common Stock at the initial public offering price less the
underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The
Underwriters may exercise such option only to cover over-allotments in the sale
of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
 
     NatWest Securities Limited, a United Kingdom broker-dealer and a member of
the Securities and Futures Authority Limited, has agreed that, as part of the
distribution of the Common Stock offered hereby and subject to certain
exceptions, it will not offer or sell any Common Stock within the United States,
its territories or possessions or to persons who are citizens thereof or
residents therein. The Underwriting Agreement does not limit the sale of the
Common Stock offered hereby outside of the United States.
 
     NatWest Securities Limited has further represented and agreed that (a) it
has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any shares of Common Stock to
persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose ordinary activities
involve them in acquiring, holding, managing, or disposing of investments
(whether as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or
otherwise in circumstances that have not resulted and will not result in an
offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public
Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 or the Financial Services Act 1986 (the
"Act"); (b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of
the Act with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares of Common
Stock in, from, or otherwise involving the United Kingdom; and (c) it has only
issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on, in the United Kingdom, any
document that consists of or any part of listing
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   65
 
particulars, supplementary listing particulars, or any other document required
or permitted to be published by listing rules under Part IV of the Act, to a
person who is of a kind described in Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act
1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1996 or is a person to whom
the document may otherwise be lawfully issued or passed on.
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. The initial public offering price of the Common Stock will be determined
by negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters. Among the factors to be
considered in determining the initial public offering price, in addition to
prevailing market and general economic conditions, are the history of, and
prospects for, the industry in which the Company operates, the ability of the
Company's management, the Company's past and present operations, the Company's
historical results of operations, the Company's earnings prospects, the prices
of similar securities of comparable companies, and other relative factors. There
can be no assurance, however, that the price at which the Common Stock will sell
in the public market after the Offering will not be lower than the price at
which it is sold by the Underwriters. See "Risk Factors -- Absence of Prior
Public Trading Market."
 
     The Company, directors and officers of the Company, and certain holders of
5% or more of the shares of Common Stock and options to purchase Common Stock
outstanding after the Offering will agree with the Underwriters that, for a
period of 180 days following the Offering, they will not offer to sell, sell,
contract to sell, grant an option to purchase or otherwise dispose (or announce
any offer, sale, grant of any option or other distribution) of any shares of
Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of
Common Stock without the prior written consent of NatWest Securities Limited
(except that the Company may grant options to purchase or award shares of Common
Stock under the Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Purchase Plan and issue
privately placed shares in connection with acquisitions). See "Principal
Shareholders" and "Management -- Compensation Pursuant to Plans."
 
     The Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, may engage in
over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and
penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which
creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to
purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a
specific maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the
securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order
to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the Representatives to
reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities
originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering
transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Such stabilizing transactions,
syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids may cause the price of the
securities to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such
transactions. These transactions may be effected on a securities exchange or
otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
     At the request of the Company, up to 300,000 shares of Common Stock have
been reserved for sale in the Offering to certain individuals, including
directors and employees of the Company, members of their families, and other
persons having business relationships with the Company. The price of such shares
to such persons will be the initial public offering price set forth on the cover
of this prospectus. The number of shares available for sale to the general
public will be reduced to the extent these persons purchase such reserved
shares. Any reserved shares not purchased will be offered by the Underwriters to
the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered hereby.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, Nashville, Tennessee. H. Lee
Barfield II, a member of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, is a director of the Company.
Mr. Barfield and his wife and children beneficially own 602,661 shares of Common
Stock, and will receive approximately $2.3 million pursuant to ARCLP's
liquidation and distribution of the repayment of the Reorganization Note. See
"The Company -- Pending Reorganization," "Principal Shareholders," and "Certain
Transactions -- Pending Reorganization." Certain legal matters in connection
with the Offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Stroock & Stroock
& Lavan LLP, New York, New York.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   66
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The Predecessor Entities' and the Predecessor's Combined and Consolidated
Financial Statements and schedule as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and for the
year ended December 31, 1994, the three months ended March 31, 1995, the nine
months ended December 31, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1996, and the
combined financial statements of Carriage Club for the four months ended April
30, 1996 have been included herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing. The report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP covering the Predecessor Entities'
and the Predecessor's Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements refers to a
change in cost basis as a result of a purchase business combination.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (herein, together with all amendments thereto, called the "Registration
Statement"), of which this Prospectus constitutes a part, under the Securities
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to the
Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus omits certain information contained
in the Registration Statement, and reference is made to the Registration
Statement, including the exhibits thereto, for further information with respect
to the Company and the securities offered hereby. Statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of documents are necessarily summaries of such
documents; when any such document is an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
each such statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of
such document filed with the Commission. The Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules thereto may be reviewed without charge at the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the New York Regional Office located at Seven World Trade Center,
13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and at the Chicago Regional Office located
at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such
materials may be obtained, upon payment of the fee prescribed by the Commission,
at the Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
The Commission maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy statements, and
other information regarding registrants, including the Company. The address of
the Commission's web site is http://www.sec.gov.
                             ---------------------
 
     The Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports
containing financial statements audited by the Company's independent public
accountants.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   67
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
American Retirement Communities, L.P.
Independent Auditors' Report................................   F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets -- December 31, 1995, and
  1996......................................................   F-3
Combined Statements of Operations -- Year Ended December 31,
  1994 and Three Months Ended March 31, 1995 and
  Consolidated Statements of Operations -- Nine Months Ended
  December 31, 1995 and Year Ended December 31, 1996........   F-4
Combined Statements of Partners'/Shareholders'
  Equity -- Year Ended December 31, 1994 and Three Months
  Ended March 31, 1995 and Consolidated Statements of
  Partners' Equity -- Nine Months Ended December 31, 1995
  and Year Ended December 31, 1996..........................   F-6
Combined Statements of Cash Flows -- Year Ended December 31,
  1994 and Three Months Ended March 31, 1995 and
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Nine Months Ended
  December 31, 1995 and Year Ended December 31, 1996........   F-7
Notes to Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements.....   F-9
Carriage Club of Charlotte, Limited Partnership and Carriage
  Club of Jacksonville, Limited Partnership
Independent Auditors' Report................................  F-21
Combined Statement of Operations -- Four Months Ended April
  30, 1996..................................................  F-22
Combined Statement of Partners' Equity -- Four Months Ended
  April 30, 1996............................................  F-22
Combined Statement of Cash Flows -- Four Months Ended April
  30, 1996..................................................  F-23
Notes to Combined Financial Statements......................  F-24
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   68
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Partners
  American Retirement Communities, L.P.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American
Retirement Communities, L.P. and consolidated subsidiaries (the Predecessor) as
of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in partners' equity, and cash flows for the period April 1,
1995 through December 31, 1995 and for the year ended December 31, 1996
(Predecessor periods), and the related combined statements of operations,
changes in partners'/shareholders' equity, and cash flows of American Retirement
Corporation and combined entities (Predecessor Entities) for the year ended
December 31, 1994 and for the period from January 1, 1995 through March 31, 1995
(Predecessor Entities periods). These combined and consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Companies' management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined and consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the aforementioned Predecessor consolidated financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
American Retirement Communities, L.P. and consolidated entities as of December
31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
the Predecessor periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Further, in our opinion, the aforementioned Predecessor Entities
combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
results of operations and cash flows of American Retirement Corporation and
combined entities for the Predecessor Entities periods, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     As discussed in note 1 to the combined and consolidated financial
statements, effective April 1, 1995, an exchange of common stock or partnership
interests for limited partnership interests in American Retirement Communities,
L.P. was accounted for as a purchase business combination (the Roll-up). As a
result of the Roll-up, net assets not previously owned by the acquirer were
recorded at fair value. Accordingly, consolidated financial information for
periods after the Roll-up is presented on a different cost basis than that for
periods before the Roll-up and, therefore, is not comparable.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Nashville, Tennessee
January 22, 1997
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   69
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  1995            1996
                                                              ------------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
                           ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................    $  3,825        $  3,222
  Assets limited as to use (note 5).........................       2,411           1,022
  Resident and health care receivables, less allowance for
     doubtful accounts of $78 in 1995 and $108 in 1996......       1,585           2,782
  Management services receivables...........................         876             565
  Inventory.................................................         324             420
  Prepaid expenses..........................................         233             340
  Deferred income taxes (note 12)...........................          --             920
                                                                --------        --------
     Total current assets...................................       9,254           9,271
Assets limited as to use, excluding amounts classified as
  current (note 5)..........................................       3,532           3,607
Land, buildings and equipment, net (notes 6, 9, and 15).....     149,082         213,124
Marketable securities (note 4)..............................         102              52
Other assets (note 7).......................................       3,609           2,108
                                                                --------        --------
          Total assets......................................    $165,579        $228,162
                                                                ========        ========
              LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt (note 9)................    $  1,800        $  8,053
  Accounts payable..........................................       2,615           2,441
  Redemption payable (note 10)..............................          --           5,195
  Accrued expenses (note 8).................................       4,442           6,239
  Accrued partner distributions.............................       1,445           1,632
                                                                --------        --------
     Total current liabilities..............................      10,302          23,560
Tenant deposits.............................................       2,748           3,850
Long-term debt, excluding current portion (note 9)..........     100,445         162,636
Other long-term liabilities.................................         261             234
                                                                --------        --------
     Total liabilities......................................     113,756         190,280
Partners' equity:
  Special redeemable preferred partnership interests (note
     10)....................................................      10,000              --
  Other general and limited partners' interests.............      41,823          37,882
                                                                --------        --------
     Total partners' equity.................................      51,823          37,882
                                                                --------        --------
Commitments and contingencies (notes 13 and 14)
          Total liabilities and partners' equity............    $165,579        $228,162
                                                                ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
   See accompanying notes to combined and consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   70
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
               COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PREDECESSOR ENTITIES               PREDECESSOR
                                                ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                    YEAR       THREE MONTHS   NINE MONTHS        YEAR
                                                   ENDED          ENDED          ENDED          ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1994           1995           1995           1996
                                                ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenues:
  Resident and health care revenue............    $30,979        $11,761        $47,239        $ 73,878
  Management services revenue.................      2,362            595          1,524           1,739
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Total revenues...........................     33,341         12,356         48,763          75,617
Expenses:
  Community operating expenses................     21,780          8,035         30,750          46,960
  General and administrative..................      3,455          1,108          3,446           6,200
  Depreciation and amortization...............      2,891          1,127          4,534           6,906
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Total operating expenses.................     28,126         10,270         38,730          60,066
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Income from operations...................      5,215          2,086         10,033          15,551
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense............................     (5,354)        (2,370)        (7,930)        (12,160)
  Interest income.............................        203             49            329             434
  Other (note 11).............................         98         (1,013)           919             788
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Other income (expense), net..............     (5,053)        (3,334)        (6,682)        (10,938)
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Income (loss) before income taxes and
       extraordinary item.....................        162         (1,248)         3,351           4,613
Income tax expense (benefit) (note 12)........         --             20             55            (920)
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Income (loss) before extraordinary
       item...................................        162         (1,268)         3,296           5,533
Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt
  (note 9)....................................         --             --             --           2,335
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Net income (loss)........................        162         (1,268)         3,296           3,198
Preferred return on special redeemable
  preferred limited partnership interests
  (note 10)...................................         --             --          1,125           1,104
                                                  -------        -------        -------        --------
     Net income (loss) available for
       distribution to partners and
       shareholders...........................    $   162        $(1,268)       $ 2,171        $  2,094
                                                  =======        =======        =======        ========
</TABLE>
 
                                                                     (Continued)
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   71
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
          COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS CONTINUED
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1996
                                                              ------
<S>                                                           <C>
Pro forma earnings data (unaudited) (note 16):
Income before income taxes and extraordinary items, as
  reported..................................................  $4,613
Pro forma income taxes......................................     820
                                                              ------
  Pro forma income before extraordinary item................   3,793
Preferred return on special redeemable preferred limited
  partnership interests.....................................   1,104
                                                              ------
     Pro forma income before extraordinary item available
      for distribution to partners and shareholders.........  $2,689
                                                              ======
Pro forma earnings per common share (note 16):
  Pro forma income before extraordinary item................  $ 0.40
  Preferred return on special redeemable preferred limited
     partnership interests..................................    0.12
                                                              ------
  Pro forma income before extraordinary item available for
     distribution to partners and shareholders..............  $ 0.29
                                                              ======
  Shares used in computing pro forma income per common
     share..................................................   9,375
                                                              ======
</TABLE>
 
   See accompanying notes to combined and consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   72
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS'/SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994; THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995;
     NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995; AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PARTNERS'/
                                                              SHAREHOLDERS'
                                                                 EQUITY
                                                              -------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Combined balance, January 1, 1994...........................     $15,042
  Combined income for 1994..................................         162
  Exercise of stock options (ARC)...........................         199
  Distributions to partners during 1994.....................      (2,580)
                                                                 -------
Combined balance, December 31, 1994.........................      12,823
  Combined loss for the period January 1, 1995 through March
     31, 1995...............................................      (1,268)
  Exercise of stock options (ARC)...........................         257
  Acquisition of treasury stock by ARC......................      (1,619)
  Contribution by ARC-LP partners...........................      11,000
  Distributions to partners.................................      (1,400)
                                                                 -------
Combined balance, March 31, 1995............................     $19,793
                                                                 =======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    SPECIAL REDEEMABLE         OTHER GENERAL
                                                     PREFERRED LIMITED          AND LIMITED
                                                   PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS   PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS    TOTAL
                                                   ---------------------   ---------------------   --------
<S>                                                <C>                     <C>                     <C>
Combined balance, March 31, 1995.................        $     --                 $19,793          $ 19,793
  Adjustment to equity as a result of business
     combination (note 1)........................              --                  23,923            23,923
  Conversion of debt to special redeemable
     preferred limited partnership interests.....          10,000                      --            10,000
  Earnings for the period April 1, 1995 through
     December 31, 1995...........................           1,125                   2,171             3,296
  Distribution to partners for the period April
     1, 1995 through December 31, 1995...........          (1,125)                 (4,064)           (5,189)
                                                         --------                 -------          --------
Consolidated balance, December 31, 1995..........          10,000                  41,823            51,823
  Earnings for 1996..............................           1,104                   2,094             3,198
  Redemption of preferred limited partnership
     interests...................................         (10,000)                     --           (10,000)
  Distribution to partners.......................          (1,104)                 (6,035)           (7,139)
                                                         --------                 -------          --------
Consolidated balance, December 31, 1996..........        $     --                 $37,882          $ 37,882
                                                         ========                 =======          ========
</TABLE>
 
   See accompanying notes to combined and consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   73
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
               COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PREDECESSOR ENTITIES               PREDECESSOR
                                                ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                    YEAR       THREE MONTHS   NINE MONTHS        YEAR
                                                   ENDED          ENDED          ENDED          ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1994           1995           1995           1996
                                                ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income (loss)...........................    $    162       $(1,268)       $ 3,296        $  3,198
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
     to net cash provided (used) by operating
     activities:
     Depreciation and amortization............       2,891         1,127          4,534           6,906
     Deferred taxes...........................          --            --             --            (920)
     Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of
       debt...................................          --            --             --           2,335
     Write-down of value of insurance
       policies...............................          --            --             --              66
     Gain on sale of assets...................        (155)           --         (1,143)           (874)
     Increase (decrease), net of retirement
       communities acquired, in cash, due to
       changes in:
       Receivables............................        (653)         (903)           701            (431)
       Inventory..............................         (67)           (6)           (21)            (56)
       Prepaid expenses.......................          27        (1,496)         1,894            (105)
       Other assets...........................         (97)          382             --             748
       Accounts payable.......................         586           381            948            (249)
       Accrued expenses.......................       1,004          (157)           487           1,130
       Tenant deposits........................         344            60            279             202
       Other long-term liabilities............        (588)           --            (87)            (27)
                                                  --------       -------        -------        --------
          Net cash provided (used) by
            operating activities..............       3,454        (1,880)        10,888          11,923
                                                  --------       -------        -------        --------
Cash flows from (used by) investing
  activities:
  Additions to land, building and equipment...     (45,606)       (3,237)        (6,032)        (71,545)
  Proceeds from (purchases of) assets limited
     as to use................................        (904)           17         (2,915)          2,578
  Proceeds from the sale of assets............         205             6          1,214           1,346
  Purchases of marketable securities..........         (52)           --            (50)             --
                                                  --------       -------        -------        --------
          Net cash used by investing
            activities........................     (46,357)       (3,214)        (7,783)        (67,621)
                                                  --------       -------        -------        --------
</TABLE>
 
                                                                     (Continued)
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   74
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
         COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PREDECESSOR ENTITIES                PREDECESSOR
                                           ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                               YEAR        THREE MONTHS    NINE MONTHS         YEAR
                                              ENDED           ENDED           ENDED           ENDED
                                           DECEMBER 31,     MARCH 31,      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                               1994            1995            1995            1996
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                        <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Contributions from partners............          --         11,000               --              --
  Distributions to partners..............      (2,580)          (485)          (4,659)         (6,952)
  Payment of redeemable preferred
     interests...........................          --             --               --          (4,805)
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term
     debt................................      48,979          1,636            1,614          73,922
  Principal payments on long-term debt...      (2,471)          (628)          (3,720)         (5,479)
  Expenditures for financing costs.......      (1,535)          (130)            (346)         (1,591)
  Proceeds from the issuance of common
     stock...............................         199            257               --              --
  Acquisition of treasury stock..........          --         (1,619)              --              --
                                              -------        -------          -------         -------
          Net cash provided (used) by
            financing activities.........      42,592         10,031           (7,111)         55,095
                                              -------        -------          -------         -------
          Net increase (decrease) in cash
            and cash equivalents.........        (311)         4,937           (4,006)           (603)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period.................................       3,205          2,894            7,831           3,825
                                              -------        -------          -------         -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
  period.................................     $ 2,894        $ 7,831          $ 3,825         $ 3,222
                                              =======        =======          =======         =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION:
  Cash paid during the period for
     interest............................     $ 4,946        $ 2,381          $ 7,772         $11,907
                                              =======        =======          =======         =======
  Income taxes paid......................     $    --        $    --          $    20         $    55
                                              =======        =======          =======         =======
</TABLE>
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH TRANSACTION
 
  During 1994, 1995, and 1996, as discussed in note 3, the Partnership acquired
certain communities. In conjunction with the acquisitions, net assets and
liabilities were assumed as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PREDECESSOR ENTITIES                PREDECESSOR
                                           ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                               YEAR        THREE MONTHS    NINE MONTHS         YEAR
                                              ENDED           ENDED           ENDED           ENDED
                                           DECEMBER 31,     MARCH 31,      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                               1994            1995            1995            1996
                                           ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                        <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
  Current assets.........................      $  --         $    486         $   892          $ 497
  Other assets...........................        481               --              --            674
  Debt...................................         --          (15,480)         (8,010)            --
  Current liabilities....................       (597)              --            (384)          (502)
  Other liabilities......................       (580)             (77)             --             --
</TABLE>
 
     As discussed in note 1, the Partnership engaged in a roll-up transaction in
1995.
 
   See accompanying notes to combined and consolidated financial statements.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   75
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
            NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                           DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
 
(1)  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     The accompanying financial statements include the combined financial
statements of (1) American Retirement Corporation II, formerly known as American
Retirement Corporation (ARC) and its wholly owned subsidiaries; (2) Trinity
Towers Limited Partnership; (3) Fort Austin Limited Partnership; (4) Holley
Court Terrace L.P.; and (5) American Retirement Communities, L.P. (ARC-LP) for
the period January 1, 1994 through March 31, 1995 and, as a result of a purchase
business combination, the consolidated financial statements of these entities
for the periods since April 1, 1995. In these financial statements, activities
or transactions occurring on or after April 1, 1995 relate to those of the
consolidated entity and are referred to as those of the Partnership.
 
     Prior to March 31, 1995, ARC-LP, and three limited partnerships (Trinity
Towers Limited Partnership, Fort Austin Limited Partnership and Holley Court
Terrace L.P.) were entities that were each managed and/or partially owned by
ARC. ARC provided management services to ARC-LP and was the managing general
partner of and had contracts to provide management services to each of the other
three limited partnerships. The accompanying financial statements for the
periods prior to March 31, 1995 are presented on a combined basis. All material
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
 
     Effective March 31, 1995, substantially all of the shareholders of ARC and
the non-ARC partners of the three limited partnerships exchanged their common
stock or partnership interests for limited partnership interests in ARC-LP (the
Roll-up). Certain minority shareholders of ARC tendered their common stock for
approximately $1.6 million of cash. The Roll-up was accounted for as a purchase
business combination in which ARC was determined to be the accounting acquirer.
Accordingly, the ownership interests in ARC-LP and the three operating
partnerships not previously owned by ARC were recorded at fair value as of the
date of the Roll-up. The net assets acquired were allocated as follows:
land -- $2.6 million; buildings and improvements -- $20.4 million; and furniture
and fixtures -- $1.0 million. The general partner of ARC-LP is American
Retirement Communities, LLC, whose members are the senior management of ARC.
 
     The accompanying financial statements for the periods beginning after March
31, 1995 are presented on a consolidated basis. All material intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated.
 
     Concurrent with the Roll-up, holders of $10.0 million of notes receivable
from Fort Austin Limited Partnership exchanged their notes for an equivalent
amount of preferred limited partnership interests in the Partnership (see note
10).
 
     As further discussed in note 16, a reorganization of the Partnership is
planned for 1997.
 
(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  (a) Use of Estimates and Assumptions
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  (b) Recognition of Revenue
 
     Resident and health care revenues are reported at the estimated net
realizable amounts from residents, third-party payors, and others for services
rendered, including estimated retroactive adjustments under
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   76
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
reimbursement agreements with third-party payors. Retroactive adjustments are
accrued on an estimated basis in the period the related services are rendered
and adjusted in future periods as final settlements are determined. Resident and
health care revenues, primarily Medicare, subject to retroactive adjustments,
were 7.5%, 9.0%, and 7.8% of resident and health care revenues in 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively.
 
     Management services revenue is recorded as earned and relates to providing
certain management and administrative support services under management
agreements. Revenues are shown net of reimbursed expenses. Such fees are based
either on a percentage of revenues of the managed facility or a negotiated fee
per the managed facility.
 
  (c) Cash Equivalents
 
     All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when
purchased are considered to be cash equivalents.
 
  (d) Marketable Securities
 
     Marketable securities consist of U.S. Treasury securities and marketable
corporate debt securities. All of the Partnership's marketable securities are
classified as held-to-maturity securities which are recorded at amortized cost,
adjusted for the amortization or accretion of premiums or discounts. A decline
in the market value of any held-to-maturity security below cost that is deemed
other than temporary is charged to earnings resulting in the establishment of a
new cost basis for the security. Discounts are accreted over the life of the
related held-to-maturity security as an adjustment to yield using the effective
interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.
Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the
specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.
 
  (e) Assets Limited as to Use
 
     Assets limited as to use include assets held by lenders under loan
agreements in escrow for property taxes and property improvements, certificates
of deposit held as collateral for letters of credit, and resident deposits.
 
  (f) Inventory
 
     Inventory consists of supplies and is stated at the lower of cost
(first-in, first-out) or market.
 
  (g) Land, Buildings and Equipment
 
     Land, buildings, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided
over the estimated useful life of each class of depreciable asset and is
computed on the straight-line basis. Buildings and improvements are depreciated
over 15 to 40 years, and furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over
5 to 7 years.
 
     The Partnership periodically reviews the carrying value of land, buildings
and equipment to assess the recoverability of these assets. Any impairments
would be recognized in operating results if a diminution in value considered to
be other than temporary were to occur. As part of this assessment, the
Partnership reviews the expected future net operating cash flows from its
facilities.
 
  (h) Other Assets
 
     Other assets consist primarily of deferred financing charges being
amortized on the straight-line basis over the terms of the debt agreement and
management contract rights being amortized over the initial terms of the
management contracts.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   77
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (i) Income Taxes
 
     Except for ARC, the entities included in these financial statements are
partnerships, and the income and losses of the partnerships and distributions
are allocated to the partners in accordance with the various partnership
agreements. Accordingly, no provision has been made in the accompanying
financial statements for federal and state income taxes related to the
partnerships since such taxes are the liabilities of the partners.
 
     ARC follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes,
under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax
assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the
period that includes the enactment date.
 
     See note 16 for a discussion of pro forma taxes.
 
  (j) Disclosure of Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
     The fair values of the financial instruments are estimates based upon
current market conditions and quoted market prices for the same or similar
instruments as of December 31, 1996. Book value approximates fair value for
substantially all of the Partnership's assets and liabilities meeting the
definition of a financial instrument.
 
(3)  ACQUISITIONS
 
     During 1994, Fort Austin Limited Partnership acquired the assets of four
retirement communities. Santa Catalina Villas was acquired on June 15, 1994 for
a purchase price of $10.9 million. Hampton at Post Oak, Park Place Retirement
Community, and Westlake Village were acquired on October 31, 1994 for a purchase
price of $34.7 million. The purchases were financed primarily through various
borrowings.
 
     On February 1, 1995, ARC-LP acquired certain assets and assumed certain
liabilities of a retirement community in Denver, Colorado known as Heritage
Club. The purchase price was $22.0 million and was a combination of cash of
approximately $6.5 million and assumption of debt of $15.5 million.
 
     Effective April 1, 1995, ARC-LP acquired all of the assets and all
contractual liabilities of a retirement community and related home health agency
in Lexington, Kentucky known as Richmond Place. The purchase price approximated
$10.3 million and included the payment of cash of $2.3 million and the
assumption of debt of $8.0 million.
 
     Effective May 1, 1996, ARC-LP acquired all assets and all contractual
liabilities of a retirement community in Charlotte, North Carolina known as
Carriage Club of Charlotte and a retirement community in Jacksonville, Florida
known as Carriage Club of Jacksonville. The purchase price totaled $61.1 million
and was financed primarily through various borrowings.
 
     The above acquisitions were accounted for as purchases, and the
accompanying financial statements include the results of operations from the
date of the acquisitions. The following unaudited pro forma financial
information presents the results of operations as if the acquisitions noted
above occurring subsequent to January 1, 1995 had occurred on January 1, 1995,
after giving effect to certain adjustments primarily additional depreciation
expense and increased interest expense on debt related to the acquisitions. The
pro
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   78
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
forma financial information does not necessarily reflect the results of
operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions occurred at the
beginning of the year:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1995       1996
                                                   -------    -------
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                <C>        <C>
Total revenues...................................  $74,308    $79,543
                                                   =======    =======
Income (loss) before extraordinary item..........  $   (93)   $ 4,750
                                                   =======    =======
Net income (loss)................................  $   (93)   $ 2,415
                                                   =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
(4)  MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 
     Marketable securities consist of securities which are classified as
held-to-maturity and are reported at amortized cost of $102,000 and $52,000 at
December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     The amortized cost, which approximates market, for marketable securities
was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1995     1996
                                                        -----    -----
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>
Held-to-maturity:
  U.S. Treasury securities............................   $ 52     $52
  Exxon Capital Corporation marketable corporate debt
     securities.......................................     50      --
                                                         ----     ---
                                                         $102     $52
                                                         ====     ===
</TABLE>
 
     Maturities of marketable securities classified as held-to-maturity was due
between one and five years.
 
(5)  ASSETS LIMITED AS TO USE
 
     Assets limited as to use that are required for obligations classified as
current liabilities are reported as current assets. Assets limited as to use,
other than tenant deposits, are on deposit with the lender of the mortgage note
payable. Tenant deposits are comprised of resident deposits and deferred
entrance fees. The residency agreements which govern the terms under which some
of the communities lease apartments to residents require each resident to place
a tenant deposit with the Partnership in an amount equal to one month's rent.
The deposit functions as a security deposit. These deposits are carried as a
liability on the balance sheet. In compliance with state laws when applicable,
cash reserve accounts are maintained for the tenant deposits. At December 31,
1995 and 1996, assets limited as to use consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1995      1996
                                                     ------    ------
                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
Operating expense reserve..........................  $  349    $  349
Tax escrow account.................................   1,904       285
Capital improvement escrow.........................     890       218
Bond principal and interest escrow.................     617       862
Tenant deposits....................................   1,292     2,114
Collateral for letter of credit with bank..........     891       801
                                                     ------    ------
                                                      5,943     4,629
Less amounts classified as current assets..........   2,411     1,022
                                                     ------    ------
Assets limited as to use, excluding amounts
  classified as current assets.....................  $3,532    $3,607
                                                     ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   79
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(6)  LAND, BUILDINGS, AND EQUIPMENT
 
     A summary of land, buildings and equipment is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1995        1996
                                                 --------    --------
                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                              <C>         <C>
Land...........................................  $ 18,326    $ 26,519
Buildings and improvements.....................   132,775     187,239
Furniture, fixtures and equipment..............     8,960      11,512
                                                 --------    --------
                                                  160,061     225,270
Less accumulated depreciation..................    11,141      17,423
                                                 --------    --------
                                                  148,920     207,847
Construction in progress.......................       162       5,277
                                                 --------    --------
Land, buildings and equipment, net.............  $149,082    $213,124
                                                 ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
(7)  OTHER ASSETS
 
     Other assets at December 31, 1995 and 1996 consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1995      1996
                                                     ------    ------
                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated         $2,941    $1,790
  amortization.....................................
Long term investments..............................     435        --
Other..............................................     233       318
                                                     ------    ------
                                                     $3,609    $2,108
                                                     ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
     Long-term investments at December 31, 1995 consisted of an investment in
property held by ARC for resale or development. During September 1996,
Williamsburg Landing, Inc. (WLI), a third party, exercised its $1.3 million
option to purchase an unimproved parcel of land adjacent to Williamsburg
Landing, a facility managed by the Partnership. The basis of the land to ARC was
approximately $435,000 resulting in a net gain of approximately $865,000.
 
     In 1996, the Partnership entered into a development management agreement
with WLI whereby the Partnership oversees the land development and administers
any relevant payments; however, WLI provides full funding of the development and
the Partnership has no financial obligation with respect to the project. The
Partnership has a contractual right to participate in the appreciation value
upon any subsequent sale of the real property to the extent of 20% of the net
realized profit.
 
(8)  ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
     Accrued expenses as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1995      1996
                                                     ------    ------
                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
Property taxes payable.............................  $2,454    $2,550
Accrued payroll....................................     628     1,439
Other..............................................   1,360     2,250
                                                     ------    ------
                                                     $4,442    $6,239
                                                     ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   80
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(9)  LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     A summary of long-term debt is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995        1996
                                                              --------    --------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Residential
  Facilities Revenue Bonds refinanced May 1, 1987,
  collateralized by mortgage liens on property and
  equipment. The refinancing bond issue is remarketed to set
  the coupon rate on April 1 of each year (3.65% for the
  year ended March 31, 1997) until the bonds mature on April
  1, 2015. Interest is due semi- annually on April 1 and
  October 1. ...............................................  $  8,010    $  8,010
Mortgage note payable bearing interest at a fixed rate of
  8.2%. Interest is due monthly with principal payments due
  monthly in varying amounts with remaining principal and
  unpaid interest due at maturity on December 31, 2002. The
  loan is secured by land, buildings, equipment and
  assignment of rents and leases. See note (a) below. ......    62,109      62,332
Mortgage note payable bearing interest at 2.65% above the
  lender's composite commercial paper rate, as defined in
  the promissory note (8.16% at December 31, 1996). Interest
  is due monthly with principal payments due monthly in
  varying amounts. The remaining principal and unpaid
  interest is due at maturity on December 31, 2002. The loan
  is secured by land, buildings, equipment and assignment of
  rents and leases. See note (a) below. ....................        --      16,767
Mortgage note payable bearing interest at a fixed rate of
  9.28%. Interest is due monthly with principal payments of
  $61,000 per month continuing until and including April 30,
  2003, the maturity date of the note. The loan is secured
  by land, buildings, equipment, assignment of leases and
  rents, and escrow accounts. ..............................        --      37,000
Mortgage note payable bearing interest at 3.25% above the
  lender's composite commercial paper rate, as defined in
  the promissory note (8.76% at December 31, 1996). Interest
  is due monthly with principal payments of $19,000 due
  monthly continuing until and including April 30, 2003, the
  maturity date of the note. The loan is secured by land,
  buildings, equipment, assignment of rents and leases, and
  escrow accounts. .........................................        --      13,110
Note payable to a bank bearing interest at a floating rate
  equal to the bank's index rate (8.25% at December 31,
  1996). Interest is due monthly with quarterly principal
  payments of an amount equal to 20% of the excess of total
  project value over the amount of the note beginning
  September 30, 1997, and continuing until December 31,
  1998, the maturity date of the note. The note is secured
  by a land deed. ..........................................        --         825
Mortgage note payable bearing interest at a fixed rate of
  8.2%. Interest is due monthly with principal payments of
  $20,000 per month with remaining principal and unpaid
  interest due at maturity on December 31, 2001. The loan is
  secured by land, buildings, equipment and assignment of
  rents and leases. ........................................    15,260      15,020
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   81
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995        1996
                                                              --------    --------
                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Note payable to a bank bearing interest at 7.6%. Interest
  due quarterly with principal due at maturity on June 30,
  1997. The loan is secured by land, buildings and equipment
  and assignment of rents and leases, and is guaranteed by
  certain limited partners. This debt instrument was repaid
  during January 1997 (note 15). See note (b) below. .......     5,000       5,000
Term loan note to a bank with a fixed interest rate of
  10.07%. Principal and interest of $288,822 due quarterly
  through March 31, 1998. This debt instrument was repaid
  during January 1997 (note 15). See note (b) below. .......     9,768       9,585
Term loan note payable to a bank. Principal of $160,000 and
  interest at a variable rate (8.04% at December 31, 1996)
  tied to the LIBOR rate are due quarterly on the 10th day
  of each January, April, July, and October until October
  31, 1998, when all remaining principal and interest become
  due. The note was amended during 1996 increasing the face
  amount by $1,150,000. ....................................     2,000       2,630
Other long-term debt, generally payable monthly.............        98         410
                                                              --------    --------
  Total long-term debt......................................   102,245     170,689
  Less current portion......................................     1,800       8,053
                                                              --------    --------
          Long-term debt, excluding current portion.........  $100,445    $162,636
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     The aggregate scheduled maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1996
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>
1997...................................     $  8,053(b)
1998...................................       14,402(b)
1999...................................        2,303
2000...................................        2,287
2001...................................        2,272
Thereafter.............................      141,372
                                            --------
                                            $170,689
                                            ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(a) In 1996, the Partnership refinanced two of its notes held with a capital
    corporation. In 1995, the debt was in the form of two notes, one for $38.5
    million and one for $23.5 million, both of which had a variable interest
    rate of 4.5% above the lender's composite commercial paper rate. The
    maturity date of both notes was October 31, 2001. The refinancing combined
    the two notes into a single loan with a $62.0 million initial advance and a
    $35.0 million commitment for additional borrowing. In 1996, the Partnership
    borrowed $17.7 million against the remaining commitment. The initial $62.0
    million advance bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.2%. Borrowings against
    the remaining commitment bear interest at a variable rate of 2.65% over the
    lenders' composite commercial paper rate. All principal reductions under the
    advances are first applied to any balance outstanding under the variable
    rate portion of the advances. The maturity of the loan is December 31, 2002.
    In conjunction with the refinancing, the Partnership wrote off net financing
    costs related to the previous notes of $2,335,000. This loss was recorded as
    an extraordinary loss in 1996.
 
(b) Of the $14,585,000 of debt repaid in January 1997, $5,207,000 and $9,378,000
    matured in 1997 and 1998, respectively (see note 15).
 
     The Partnership is also required to comply with certain restrictive
financial and other covenants.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   82
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Under the terms of various long-term debt accounts, the Partnership is
required to maintain certain deposits with trustees. Such deposits are included
with assets limited as to use in these financial statements.
 
(10)  EQUITY
 
     As discussed in note 1, in connection with the Roll-up, the shareholders of
ARC and the partners in various partnerships exchanged their common stock or
partnership interests for limited partnership interests in the Partnership.
Additionally, holders of $10.0 million of notes payable by the Fort Austin
Limited Partnership exchanged these notes for special redeemable preferred
limited partnership interests. Such preferred interests were entitled to a
cumulative 15% preferred distribution. Such preferred interests were redeemable,
in whole or in part, at the option of the Partnership. During 1996, the
Partnership redeemed $4.8 million of the preferred interests and on December 4,
1996, the Partnership approved the redemption of the remaining $5.2 million.
Accordingly, the $5.2 million was removed from equity and shown as redemption
payable at December 31, 1996 (see note 15). During both 1995 and 1996, the
Partnership distributed $1.1 million of preferred distributions. There were no
cumulative unpaid preferred distributions at December 31, 1995 or 1996.
 
     Distributions of all or any portion of the net cash flow from operations or
from the proceeds of capital transactions are at the discretion of the general
partner. Such distributions are made pursuant to formulas set forth in the
limited partnership agreement.
 
(11)  OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
     Other income (expense) consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PREDECESSOR ENTITIES               PREDECESSOR
                                                ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                    YEAR       THREE MONTHS   NINE MONTHS        YEAR
                                                   ENDED          ENDED          ENDED          ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1994           1995           1995           1996
                                                ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Gain on sale of assets........................      $155         $    --         $1,143          $874
Costs incurred for the roll-up (see note 1)...        --            (964)           (17)           --
Other, net....................................       (57)            (49)          (207)          (86)
                                                    ----         -------         ------          ----
                                                    $ 98         $(1,013)        $  919          $788
                                                    ====         =======         ======          ====
</TABLE>
 
     The 1995 gain resulted primarily from the sale of certain assets and
liabilities of a retirement center by a general partnership in which ARC had an
investment, and the 1996 gain included a gain of approximately $865,000 from the
sale of land owned by ARC (see note 7).
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   83
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(12)  INCOME TAXES
 
     As discussed in note 2, income taxes, other than those for ARC, are the
responsibility of the individual partners. Accordingly, the information shown
below relates solely to ARC.
 
     The income tax expense (benefit), all of which was allocated to income,
consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PREDECESSOR ENTITIES               PREDECESSOR
                                                ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                    YEAR       THREE MONTHS   NINE MONTHS        YEAR
                                                   ENDED          ENDED          ENDED          ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1994           1995           1995           1996
                                                ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
U.S. federal:
  Current.....................................     $   --         $   20         $   55         $   --
  Deferred....................................         --             --             --           (823)
                                                   ------         ------         ------         ------
                                                       --             20             55           (823)
                                                   ------         ------         ------         ------
State:
  Current.....................................         --             --             --             --
  Deferred....................................         --             --             --            (97)
                                                   ------         ------         ------         ------
Total.........................................     $   --         $   20         $   55         $ (920)
                                                   ======         ======         ======         ======
</TABLE>
 
     For 1994 and 1995, ARC had no income tax expense other than an alternative
minimum tax expense of $75,000 in 1995. ARC has net operating loss carryforwards
available to offset further taxable income. Such carryforwards represent a
deferred tax asset. However, a valuation allowance was applied to produce a net
tax asset of zero for 1994 and 1995, since it was not likely the net operating
loss carryforwards could be realized. In 1996, ARC has recorded an income tax
benefit and a deferred tax asset of $920,000 because of the anticipated
utilization of net operating loss carryforwards that will offset taxable gains
recognized from a January 1997 sale/leaseback transaction (see note 15).
 
     The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 1995
and 1996 are presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1995     1996
                                                              ------   ------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Federal and state operating loss carryforward.............  $1,900   $2,052
  Deferred compensation.....................................      28       46
  Other.....................................................      --       32
                                                              ------   ------
     Total gross deferred tax assets........................   1,928    2,130
     Less valuation allowance...............................   1,164      339
                                                              ------   ------
                                                                 764    1,791
                                                              ------   ------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Partnership income or loss................................     740      847
  Accumulated depreciation..................................      24       24
                                                              ------   ------
     Total gross deferred tax liabilities...................     764      871
                                                              ------   ------
     Net deferred tax asset.................................  $   --   $  920
                                                              ======   ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   84
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     At December 31, 1996, ARC had unused net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $5.4 million for regular tax purposes, and $5.0 million for
alternative minimum tax purposes, which expire in varying amounts from 2004 to
2009. Additionally, the Corporation had alternative minimum tax credit
carryovers in the amount of approximately $143,000 at December 31, 1996, to be
used to offset regular tax in the future in the event the regular tax expense
exceeds the alternative minimum tax expense.
 
     See note 16 for a discussion of pro forma income taxes.
 
(13)  RETIREMENT PLAN
 
     The Partnership has established the American Retirement Communities, L.P.
401(k) Plan (the "Plan") for eligible employees who have completed ninety days
of service and are at least 21 years old. This Plan is administered by the
Partnership with a bank serving as trustee. A Plan participant may elect to
contribute up to 20% of his or her annual compensation, subject to certain
Internal Revenue Service limitations. The Partnership can elect to make
voluntary contributions to the Plan. Such contributions will be allocated to
each participant's account. Participants vest in Partnership contributions at
20% per year beginning the first year of employment becoming fully vested after
five years of service. The Partnership contributed $54,000 and $277,000 to the
Plan during the periods ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     At retirement, the participant receives the balance in his or her
individual account. Upon termination of employment prior to retirement, the
participant receives 100% of his or her individual contributions plus related
earnings and the vested portion of the Partnership's contributions and related
earnings. The nonvested portion of a terminated employee's account is
reallocated among the remaining Plan participants.
 
     The Partnership has also established a post tax deferral plan (the 162
plan) for highly compensated employees. The Partnership and the individual
participant can both make contributions to the 162 plan and the individual has
freedom of investment elections. The Partnership contributed $99,000 and
$274,000 to the 162 plan during 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
(14)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Partnership maintains commercial insurance on a claims-made basis for
medical malpractice liabilities. Management is unaware of any incidents which
could ultimately result in a loss in excess of the Partnership's insurance
coverage.
 
     In the normal course of business, the Partnership is a defendant in certain
litigation. However, management is unaware of any action which would have a
material adverse impact on the financial position or results of operation of the
Partnership.
 
     The Partnership is self-insured for workers' compensation claims with
excess loss coverage of $250,000 per individual claim and $1.3 million for
aggregate claims. The Partnership utilizes a third party administrator to
process and pay filed claims. The Partnership has accrued $300,000 to cover open
claims not yet settled and incurred but not reported claims as of December 31,
1996. Management is of the opinion that such amounts are adequate to cover any
such claims.
 
     The Partnership leases its corporate facilities. The current lease expires
December 31, 2001 and requires annual rentals of $252,000.
 
     The Partnership maintains a $2.5 million line of credit with a bank which
is available to provide working capital and to secure various debt instruments.
At December 31, 1996, $925,000 of this line of credit had been used to obtain
letters of credit.
 
     At December 31, 1996, the Partnership has construction in process at the
two retirement communities acquired during the year. The costs to complete the
construction approximates $600,000. The Partnership has
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   85
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
an outstanding commitment from a mortgage lender of $1.1 million to complete the
construction. In December 1996, The Partnership began an expansion of another
retirement community. The total cost of construction is expected to be
approximately $11.6 million. The partnership has a construction loan commitment
from a bank, as well as a permanent loan commitment from a mortgage lender to
cover the construction.
 
(15)  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     In January 1997, the Partnership entered into a sale-leaseback transaction
with a third party for the property, plant, and equipment of Holley Court
Terrace and Trinity Towers retirement communities owned by the Partnership. The
net cash proceeds to the Partnership were approximately $27.5 million. The lease
is an operating lease with the gain from the transaction of approximately $4.6
million to be recognized over the life of the lease, which is ten years. Lease
payments will consist of a base rent which totals approximately $2.5 million per
year and additional rent, not to exceed 2.5% over the prior year's rent, based
on an increase in revenues at the leased facilities. The agreement contains
three separate ten-year renewal options. The proceeds from the sale were used to
retire debt of approximately $14.6 million and to fund the redemption of the
special redeemable preferred limited partnership interests of $5.2 million.
 
(16)  FORMATION OF NEW AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION AND PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
     The Partnership intends to proceed with a reorganization and a concurrent
initial public offering of the common stock of the reorganized entity.
Immediately prior to the effective date of the registration statement covering
the planned public offering of newly issued shares of common stock, the
Partnership will be reorganized such that all of its assets and liabilities will
be contributed to a newly formed corporation known as American Retirement
Corporation (New ARC) in exchange for common stock totaling 7,812,500 shares and
a promissory note in the original principal amount approximating $25.0 million.
The Partnership will distribute its common stock of New ARC to its partners. New
ARC plans to sell up to an additional 3,593,750 shares of its common stock in
the initial public offering, including the overallotment option; the proceeds of
which will be utilized to, among other things, repay the approximately $25.0
million promissory note. New ARC will only commence operations and issue shares
of common stock upon completion of the reorganization and initial public
offering. New ARC currently has no assets or liabilities. The Partnership's
historical carrying value for assets and liabilities will carry over to New ARC
upon consummation of the reorganization.
 
  (a) Pro Forma Statement of Earnings Information (Unaudited)
 
     The income taxes on earnings of the Partnership, other than for ARC, are
the responsibility of the partners. The pro forma adjustments reflected on the
statement of earnings provide for income taxes in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, assuming
the Partnership was subject to income taxes. Pro forma income tax expense has
been calculated using statutory U.S. federal and state tax rates and gives
effect to the recognition in 1996 of the $920,000 deferred tax asset as
described in Note 12.
 
  (b) Pro Forma Net Earnings Per Share (unaudited)
 
     Pro forma net earnings per share are based on the number of shares which
would have been outstanding assuming the partners had been shareholders and is
based on the 7,812,500 the partners will receive when the reorganization is
effective plus 1,562,500 shares for the $25.0 million promissory note assuming
an offering price of $16.00 per share.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   86
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
     NOTES TO COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (c) Tax Expense Charge to Income
 
     At the time of the reorganization and as a result of the conversion from a
limited partnership to a corporation, New ARC will record, as a one-time charge
to income, a deferred income tax liability of approximately $13.5 million
resulting from the difference between the accounting and tax bases of New ARC's
assets and liabilities.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   87
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Partners
  American Retirement Communities, L.P.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying combined statements of operations,
partners' equity and cash flows of the Carriage Club of Charlotte Limited
Partnership and Carriage Club of Jacksonville Limited Partnership for the four
months ended April 30, 1996. These combined financial statements are the
responsibility of the Partnerships' management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the operations and cash flows of Carriage Club
of Charlotte Limited Partnership and Carriage Club of Jacksonville Limited
Partnership for the four month period ending April 30, 1996, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Nashville, Tennessee
January 22, 1997
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   88
 
                 CARRIAGE CLUB OF CHARLOTTE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             AND CARRIAGE CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
                        COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                        FOUR MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Resident and health care revenue............................  $4,086
Expenses:
  Community operating expenses..............................   2,498
  Depreciation and amortization.............................     464
                                                              ------
     Total operating expenses...............................   2,962
                                                              ------
     Income from operations.................................   1,124
                                                              ------
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense..........................................    (833)
  Interest income...........................................      21
                                                              ------
     Other income (expense), net............................    (812)
                                                              ------
          Net income........................................  $  312
                                                              ======
</TABLE>
 
                     COMBINED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' EQUITY
 
                        FOUR MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PARTNERS'
                                                               EQUITY
                                                              ---------
<S>                                                           <C>
Combined balance, December 31, 1995.........................   $1,090
  Combined net income for the four months ended April 30,
     1996...................................................      312
  Contributions from partners...............................      646
                                                               ------
Combined balance, April 30, 1996............................   $2,048
                                                               ======
</TABLE>
 
            See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   89
 
                 CARRIAGE CLUB OF CHARLOTTE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             AND CARRIAGE CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
                        COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                        FOUR MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income................................................  $   312
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................      464
     Increase (decrease) in cash, due to changes in:
       Resident, patient, and personal care receivables.....        4
       Inventory............................................        2
       Prepaid expenses.....................................        8
       Other assets.........................................       (4)
       Accounts payable.....................................      (65)
       Property taxes payable...............................      (42)
       Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.......       24
       Tenant deposits......................................      (34)
                                                              -------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.........      669
                                                              -------
Cash flows used by investing activities:
     Expenditures for purchases of furniture, fixtures and
      equipment.............................................   (2,664)
     Purchases of assets limited as to use..................      (81)
                                                              -------
          Net cash used by investing activities.............   (2,745)
                                                              -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Contributions from partners............................      646
     Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt...........      727
     Expenditures for financing costs.......................      (27)
                                                              -------
Net cash provided by financing activities...................    1,346
                                                              -------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents...................     (730)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............    1,963
                                                              -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period..................  $ 1,233
                                                              =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for interest....................  $   833
                                                              =======
</TABLE>
 
            See accompanying notes to combined financial statements
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   90
 
                 CARRIAGE CLUB OF CHARLOTTE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             AND CARRIAGE CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
                     NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 APRIL 30, 1996
 
(1)  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     The accompanying financial statements include the combined financial
statements of Carriage Club of Charlotte Limited Partnership and Carriage Club
of Jacksonville Limited Partnership (the Partnerships) for the four months ended
April 30, 1996. Carriage Club of Charlotte is a retirement living community
located in Charlotte, North Carolina with 306 units. Carriage Club of
Jacksonville is a retirement community located in Jacksonville, Florida with 260
units. The limited partners in the Partnerships are shareholders of the
corporate general partners. Allocations of profits, losses and cash
distributions of the Partnership are made pursuant to the terms of the
partnership agreement. Generally, such allocations and cash distributions are
made to the partners in proportion to their respective ownership interests.
 
(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  (a) Use of Estimates and Assumptions
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  (b) Cash Equivalents
 
     For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Partnerships consider
highly liquid debt investments with a maturity of three months or less when
purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
  (c) Income Taxes
 
     The entities included in these financial statements are partnerships, and
the income and losses of the partnerships and distributions are allocated to the
partners in accordance with the various partnership agreements. Accordingly, no
provision has been made in the accompanying financial statements for federal and
state income taxes related to the partnerships since such taxes are the
liabilities of the partners.
 
  (d) Recognition of Revenue
 
     Resident and health care revenues are reported at the estimated net
realizable amounts from residents, third-party payors, and others for services
rendered, including estimated retroactive adjustments under reimbursement
agreements with third-party payors. Retroactive adjustments are accrued on an
estimated basis in the period the related services are rendered and adjusted in
future periods as final settlements are determined.
 
  (e) Depreciation
 
     Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful life of each class of
depreciable asset and is computed on the straight-line basis.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   91
 
                 CARRIAGE CLUB OF CHARLOTTE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             AND CARRIAGE CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
             NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(3)  RENTS
 
     The partnerships lease the majority of their units to their tenants under
leases that have lease terms of one year with rents due monthly. The leases are
noncancelable except for instances of tenant death or tenant health reasons.
 
(4)  MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
 
     Carriage Club of Charlotte and Carriage Club of Jacksonville each have a
management agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Retirement
Corporation II (ARC) which provides for management of daily operations of the
retirement communities. Each entity pays ARC $20,000 per month for these
services.
 
(5)  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
     Effective May 1, 1996, American Retirement Communities, L.P. acquired all
assets and all contractual liabilities of Carriage Club of Charlotte Limited
Partnership and Carriage Club of Jacksonville Limited Partnership.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   92
 
======================================================
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON, OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OTHER
THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE
MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE
HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE
DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO
WHICH IT RELATES, OR AN OFFER TO, OR SOLICITATION OF, ANY PERSON IN ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................     3
Risk Factors..........................     7
The Company...........................    14
Use of Proceeds.......................    15
Dividend Policy and Prior
  Distributions.......................    15
Capitalization........................    16
Dilution..............................    17
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined
  Financial Information...............    18
Selected Combined and Consolidated
  Financial Data......................    21
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................    24
Business..............................    31
Management............................    46
Principal Shareholders................    54
Certain Transactions..................    55
Description of Capital Stock..........    58
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......    62
Underwriting..........................    63
Legal Matters.........................    64
Experts...............................    65
Additional Information................    65
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements..........................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
                               ------------------
  UNTIL           , 1997 (FOR 25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS DELIVERY
REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
======================================================
======================================================
                                3,125,000 SHARES
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION (LOGO)
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                          ----------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                          ----------------------------
                           NATWEST SECURITIES LIMITED
 
                        EQUITABLE SECURITIES CORPORATION
                                            , 1997
======================================================
<PAGE>   93
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses of the
Registrant in connection with the Offering described in the Registration
Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
SEC registration fee........................................  $ 18,514
NASD fee....................................................     6,610
Accounting fees and expenses................................   150,000*
Legal fees and expenses.....................................   375,000*
Printing and engraving expenses.............................   150,000*
Blue sky fees and expenses..................................     2,500*
Transfer agent and registrar fees...........................    10,000*
Miscellaneous fees and expenses.............................   187,376
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $900,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* Estimated.
 
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The Tennessee Business Corporation Act ("TBCA") provides that a corporation
may indemnify any director or officer against liability incurred in connection
with a proceeding if (i) the director or officer acted in good faith, (ii) the
director or officer reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in his or her
official capacity with the corporation, that such conduct was in the
corporation's best interest, or, in all other cases, that his or her conduct was
not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and (iii) in connection
with any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had no reasonable cause to
believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In actions brought by or in the
right of the corporation, however, the TBCA provides that no indemnification may
be made if the director or officer is adjudged to be liable to the corporation.
Similarly, the TBCA prohibits indemnification in connection with any proceeding
charging improper personal benefit to a director or officer, if such director or
officer is adjudged liable on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly
received. In cases where the director or officer is wholly successful, on the
merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding instigated because of his
or her status as a director or officer of a corporation, the TBCA mandates that
the corporation indemnify the director or officer against reasonable expenses
incurred in the proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the TBCA provides
that a court of competent jurisdiction, upon application, may order that a
director or officer be indemnified for reasonable expense if, in consideration
of all relevant circumstances, the court determines that such individual is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, whether or not the standard
of conduct set forth above was met.
 
     The Charter and Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company will
indemnify from liability, and advance expenses to, any present or former
director or officer of the Company to the fullest extent allowed by the TBCA, as
amended from time to time, or any subsequent law, rule, or regulation adopted in
lieu thereof. Additionally, the Charter provides that no director of the Company
will be personally liable to the Company or any of its shareholders for monetary
damages for breach of any fiduciary duty except for liability arising from (i)
any breach of a director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders,
(ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law, (iii) any unlawful distributions, or (iv)
receiving any improper personal benefit.
 
     The proposed form of the Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1 to
this Registration Statement contains certain provisions relating to the
indemnification of the Company and its controlling persons by the Underwriters
and relating to the indemnification of the Underwriters by the Company and its
controlling persons.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   94
 
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
     All of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof will be
distributed to the Registrant's shareholders immediately prior to the
effectiveness of the Offering in connection with the transfer of assets to the
Registrant by an affiliated limited partnership and the simultaneous liquidation
of the affiliated limited partnership. Prior to such distribution, the
Registrant's shareholders have been partners of the affiliated limited
partnership. In accordance with the provisions of the limited partnership's
Partnership Agreement, the partners voted prior to the filing of this
Registration Statement to organize the Registrant and liquidate the limited
partnership, subject only to the effectiveness of the Offering. The Registrant
believes that the distribution of shares of Common Stock by the affiliated
limited partnership will be an exempt transaction in accordance with Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D
promulgated thereunder.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) The following exhibits are filed as part of the Registration Statement:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION
- -------                                -----------
<C>       <C>  <S>
  1        --  Form of Underwriting Agreement*
  2.1      --  Limited Partnership Agreement of American Retirement
               Communities, L.P., dated February 7, 1995, as amended April
               1, 1995
  2.2      --  Articles of Share Exchange between American Retirement
               Communities, L.P., and American Retirement Corporation,
               dated March 31, 1995 (including attached Plan and Agreement
               of Share Exchange)
  2.3      --  Reorganization Agreement, dated February 28, 1997*
  3.1      --  Charter of the Registrant
  3.2      --  Bylaws of the Registrant
  4.1      --  Specimen Common Stock certificate*
  4.2      --  Article 8 of the Registrant's Charter (included in Exhibit
               3.1)
  5        --  Opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC*
 10.1      --  American Retirement Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
 10.2      --  American Retirement Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 10.3      --  American Retirement Corporation 401(k) Retirement Plan
 10.4      --  Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan
 10.5      --  Registration Rights Policy
 10.6      --  Lease and Security Agreement, dated January 2, 1997, by and
               between Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. and American
               Retirement Communities, L.P.
 10.7      --  Lease and Security Agreement, dated January 2, 1997, by and
               between N.H. Texas Properties Limited Partnership and
               Trinity Towers Limited Partnership
 10.8      --  Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated December 21,
               1994, between Carriage Club of Denver, L.P. and General
               Electric Capital Corporation
 10.9      --  Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated December 21,
               1994 between Carriage Club of Denver, L.P. and General
               Electric Capital Corporation
 10.10     --  Assumption, Consent and Loan Modification Agreement, dated
               February 8, 1995, by and among Carriage Club of Denver,
               L.P., American Retirement Communities, and General Electric
               Capital Corporation
 10.11     --  Loan Agreement, dated October 31, 1995, by and between
               American Retirement Communities, L.P. and First Union
               National Bank of Tennessee, as amended
 10.12     --  Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated October 31,
               1995, by American Retirement Communities, L.P. to First
               Union National Bank of Tennessee, as amended
 10.13     --  Revolving Credit Promissory Note, dated October 31, 1995, by
               American Retirement Communities, L.P. to First Union
               National Bank of Tennessee, as amended
 10.14     --  Standby Note, dated October 31, 1995, by American Retirement
               Communities, L.P. to First Union National Bank of North
               Carolina
 10.15     --  Reimbursement Agreement, dated October 31, 1995, between
               American Retirement Communities, L.P. and First Union
               National Bank of North Carolina, as amended
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   95
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION
- -------                                -----------
<C>       <C>  <S>
 10.16     --  Loan Agreement, dated January 4, 1996, between General
               Electric Capital Corporation and Fort Austin Limited
               Partnership
 10.17     --  Promissory Note, dated January 4, 1996, by Fort Austin
               Limited Partnership to General Electric Capital Corporation
 10.18     --  Promissory Note, dated April 1, 1992, by Fort Austin Limited
               Partnership to General Electric Capital Corporation, as
               amended
 10.19     --  Loan Agreement, dated May 7, 1996, between ARCLP-Charlotte,
               LLC, American Retirement Communities, L.P. and General
               Electric Capital Corporation
 10.20     --  Junior Promissory Note, dated May 7, 1996, by
               ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and American Retirement Communities,
               L.P. to General Electric Capital Corporation
 10.21     --  Senior Promissory Note, dated May 7, 1996, by
               ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and American Retirement Communities,
               L.P. to General Electric Capital Corporation
 11        --  Statement re Computation of Per Share Earnings
 21        --  Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 23.1      --  Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 23.2      --  Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (to be included in Exhibit
               5)
 24        --  Power of Attorney (included on page II-4)
 27        --  Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* To be filed by amendment
 
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
          Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
          All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
     accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not
     required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore
     have been omitted.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the
Underwriters, at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement,
certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by
the Underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 14 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered hereunder, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
     a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   96
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Nashville, Tennessee on March 12,
1997.
 
                                          AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
 
                                          By:        /s/ W.E. SHERIFF
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                        W.E. Sheriff
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     Each person whose signature to the Registration Statement appears below
hereby constitutes and appoints W.E. Sheriff and George T. Hicks, and each of
them, with full power to act without the other, as his or her attorney-in-fact,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or
her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in writing)
to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including
post-effective amendments and amendments thereto), and any registration
statement relating to the same offering as this Registration Statement that is
to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of
1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and each of them full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing, ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                     -----                    ----
<C>                                                    <S>                              <C>
 
                  /s/ W.E. SHERIFF                     Chairman and Chief Executive     March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------    Officer (Principal Executive
                    W.E. Sheriff                         Officer)
 
                 /s/ GEORGE T. HICKS                   Executive Vice President --      March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------    Finance, Chief Financial
                   George T. Hicks                       Officer (Principal Financial
                                                         and Accounting Officer)
 
               /s/ H. LEE BARFIELD II                  Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 H. Lee Barfield II
 
              /s/ JACK O. BOVENDER, JR.                Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Jack O. Bovender, Jr.
 
                /s/ FRANK M. BUMSTEAD                  Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Frank M. Bumstead
 
                 /s/ ROBIN G. COSTA                    Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Robin G. Costa
 
                /s/ CLARENCE EDMONDS                   Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Clarence Edmonds
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   97
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                     -----                    ----
<C>                                                    <S>                              <C>
 
            /s/ JOHN A. MORRIS, JR., M.D.              Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
              John A. Morris, Jr., M.D.
 
               /s/ DANIEL K. O'CONNELL                 Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Daniel K. O'Connell
 
                 /s/ NADINE C. SMITH                   Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Nadine C. Smith
 
              /s/ LAWRENCE J. STUESSER                 Director                         March 12, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Lawrence J. Stuesser
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   98
 
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
 
                 SCHEDULE II -- ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
 
        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995,
      NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Balance January 1, 1994.....................................  $ 19
  1994 charge to expense....................................     5
  Write-offs against allowance..............................    (5)
                                                              ----
Balance December 31, 1994...................................    19
  Charge to expense for three months ended March 31, 1995...    --
  Write-offs against allowance for three months ended March
     31, 1995...............................................    --
                                                              ----
Balance March 31, 1995......................................    19
  Charge to expense for nine months ended December 31,
     1995...................................................   122
  Write-offs against allowance for nine months ended
     December 31, 1995......................................   (63)
                                                              ----
Balance December 31, 1995...................................    78
  1996 charge to expense....................................   123
  Write-offs against allowance..............................   (93)
                                                              ----
Balance December 31, 1996...................................  $108
                                                              ====
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-1
<PAGE>   99
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION
- -------                               -----------
<S>      <C>  <C>
1        --   Form of Underwriting Agreement*
2.1      --   Limited Partnership Agreement of American Retirement
              Communities, L.P., dated February 7, 1995, as amended April
              1, 1995
2.2      --   Articles of Share Exchange between American Retirement
              Communities, L.P., and American Retirement Corporation,
              dated March 31, 1995 (including attached Plan and Agreement
              of Share Exchange)
2.3      --   Reorganization Agreement, dated February 28, 1997*
3.1      --   Charter of the Registrant
3.2      --   Bylaws of the Registrant
4.1      --   Specimen Common Stock certificate*
4.2      --   Article 8 of the Registrant's Charter (included in Exhibit
              3.1)
5        --   Opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC*
10.1     --   American Retirement Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
10.2     --   American Retirement Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.3     --   American Retirement Corporation 401(k) Retirement Plan
10.4     --   Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan
10.5     --   Registration Rights Policy
10.6     --   Lease and Security Agreement, dated January 2, 1997, by and
              between Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. and American
              Retirement Communities, L.P.
10.7     --   Lease and Security Agreement, dated January 2, 1997, by and
              between N.H. Texas Properties Limited Partnership and
              Trinity Towers Limited Partnership
10.8     --   Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated December 21,
              1994, between Carriage Club of Denver, L.P. and General
              Electric Capital Corporation
10.9     --   Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated December 21,
              1994 between Carriage Club of Denver, L.P. and General
              Electric Capital Corporation
10.10    --   Assumption, Consent and Loan Modification Agreement, dated
              February 8, 1995, by and among Carriage Club of Denver,
              L.P., American Retirement Communities, and General Electric
              Capital Corporation
10.11    --   Loan Agreement, dated October 31, 1995, by and between
              American Retirement Communities, L.P. and First Union
              National Bank of Tennessee, as amended
10.12    --   Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated October 31,
              1995, by American Retirement Communities, L.P. to First
              Union National Bank of Tennessee, as amended
10.13    --   Revolving Credit Promissory Note, dated October 31, 1995, by
              American Retirement Communities, L.P. to First Union
              National Bank of Tennessee, as amended
10.14    --   Standby Note, dated October 31, 1995, by American Retirement
              Communities, L.P. to First Union National Bank of North
              Carolina
10.15    --   Reimbursement Agreement, dated October 31, 1995, between
              American Retirement Communities, L.P. and First Union
              National Bank of North Carolina, as amended
10.16    --   Loan Agreement, dated January 4, 1996, between General
              Electric Capital Corporation and Fort Austin Limited
              Partnership
10.17    --   Promissory Note, dated January 4, 1996, by Fort Austin
              Limited Partnership to General Electric Capital Corporation
10.18    --   Promissory Note, dated April 1, 1992, by Fort Austin Limited
              Partnership to General Electric Capital Corporation, as
              amended
10.19    --   Loan Agreement, dated May 7, 1996, between ARCLP-Charlotte,
              LLC, American Retirement Communities, L.P. and General
              Electric Capital Corporation
10.20    --   Junior Promissory Note, dated May 7, 1996, by
              ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and American Retirement Communities,
              L.P. to General Electric Capital Corporation
10.21    --   Senior Promissory Note, dated May 7, 1996, by
              ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and American Retirement Communities,
              L.P. to General Electric Capital Corporation
11       --   Statement re Computation of Per Share Earnings
21       --   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1     --   Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
23.2     --   Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (to be included in Exhibit
              5)
24       --   Power of Attorney (included on page II-4)
27       --   Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* To be filed by amendment

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 2.1


                          LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
                      AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

         THIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the
7th day of February, 1995, by and among American Retirement Communities, LLC, a
Tennessee limited liability company, as the general partner, and those persons
whose names and addresses are listed on Exhibit A hereto as limited partners and
the other persons who may become limited partners under the terms of this
Agreement, as the limited partners.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the Partners (as hereinafter defined) desire to enter into
this Agreement for the purpose of establishing a limited partnership (the
"Partnership") to invest in, acquire, own, develop, construct, hold, operate,
manage and dispose of, directly or indirectly, adult living retirement
communities and similar or related facilities or businesses; and

         WHEREAS, it is contemplated that the Partnership may acquire the
outstanding shares of stock of American Retirement Corporation, and certain debt
and equity interests in limited partnerships in which American Retirement
Corporation has a direct or indirect interest, in exchange for additional
limited partnership interests in the Partnership;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
<PAGE>   2

                                 I. DEFINITIONS

     As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below (which shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms
of the terms so defined).

     1.1 The term "Act" shall mean the Tennessee Revised Uniform Limited
Partnership Act, being Sections 61-2-101, et seq of the Tennessee Code
Annotated, as the same may be amended from time to time.

     1.2 The term "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Person in question,
(ii) any Person owning or controlling 20% or more of the outstanding voting
securities of the Person in question, (iii) any manager, governor, officer or
director of the Person in question and (iv) the spouse or child, or the spouse
of a child, of any Person described in the foregoing clauses of this Section
1.2.

     1.3 The term "Affiliated Partnerships" shall mean (a) Fort Austin Limited
Partnership, a Texas limited partnership, (b) Fort Austin Associates Limited
Partnership, a Texas limited partnership, (c) Holley Court Terrace, L.P., a
Tennessee limited partnership, and (d) Trinity Towers Limited Partnership, a
Tennessee limited partnership.

     1.4 The term "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement of Limited Partnership,
as amended from time to time, which Agreement shall also be the agreement of
limited partnership among the Partners.

     1.5 The term "Applicable Percent" shall be eight percent (8%) per annum in
calendar year 1995, nine percent (9%) per annum in calendar year 1996 and ten
percent (10%) per annum in calendar year 1997 and each calendar year thereafter.


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

     1.6 The term "ARC" shall mean American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee
corporation.

     1.7 The term "ARCLLC" shall mean American Retirement Communities, LLC, a
Tennessee limited liability company.

     1.8 The term "Bankruptcy" with respect to any Person shall mean the
adjudication of bankruptcy, declaration of insolvency, or the assignment for the
benefit of creditors of or by such person, the subjection of any part or all of
the property of such Person to the control and direction of a receiver, which
receivership is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of such receiver's
appointment, or the filing by such person of a petition for relief under any
federal or other bankruptcy or other insolvency law or for an arrangement with
creditors.

     1.9 The term "Budgets" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.1(a)
hereof.

     1.10 The term "Capital Account" shall mean the financial account to be
established and maintained by the Partnership for each Partner as computed from
time to time in accordance with Section 4.3 of this Agreement.

     1.11 The term "Capital Transaction" shall mean (a) a sale, condemnation or
other final disposition of any of the properties of the Partnership or any of
its Subsidiaries, (b) an initial financing of any property of the Partnership or
any of its Subsidiaries, or a refinancing of all or a portion of any
indebtedness secured by any of such properties, or (c) the receipt of insurance
proceeds or other damage recoveries by the Partnership in respect of any
property of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding, in any case,
the proceeds of business interruption or similar insurance of the Partnership).


                                       3
<PAGE>   4


     1.12 The term "Certificate" shall mean the Certificate of Limited
Partnership of American Retirement Communities, L.P. as filed with the Secretary
of State of Tennessee, as amended from time to time.

     1.13 The term "Code" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as the same may be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

     1.14 The term "Contribution Account" shall mean a financial account to be
maintained by the Partnership for each Partner, which account shall be credited
(increased) by the amount of cash or property actually contributed by such
Partner to the Partnership from time to time pursuant to Article IV of this
Agreement (excluding the LEAAF Notes). The balance of each Partner's
Contribution Account shall be debited (reduced) by the amounts distributed to
such Partner from time to time pursuant to Section 6.2(d) of this Agreement.

     1.15 The term "Effective Date" means February 7, 1995.

     1.16 The term "General Partner" shall mean ARCLLC and any successor(s) as
general partner in compliance with Sections 11.2, 11.6 or 11.7 of this
Agreement.

     1.17 The term "General Partner's Subordinated Interest" shall mean those
distributions to the General Partner constituting twenty percent (20%), subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 15.4 hereof, of the total distributions
specified in Section 6.1(c), Section 6.2(e) and Section 12.2(d) representing
distributions unrelated to any capital contributions by the General Partner.

     1.18 The term "LEAAF Contribution Account" shall mean a financial account
to be maintained by the Partnership for each LEAAF Partner pursuant to Section
4.2 hereof, which account shall initially be in an amount equal to the
outstanding principal amount of the LEAAF 


                                       4
<PAGE>   5

Notes contributed to the Partnership by such LEAAF Partner, and shall be debited
(reduced) by amounts distributed to such LEAAF Partner pursuant to Sections
6.2(c), 6.3 and 12.2(b) of this Agreement.

     1.19 The term "LEAAF Notes" shall mean, collectively, those certain
non-negotiable subordinated promissory notes dated October 31, 1994, due
December 31, 2001, in the aggregate original principal amount of $10,000,000,
issued by Fort Austin Limited Partnership to various investors.

     1.20 The term "LEAAF Partners" shall mean those Limited Partners (if any)
that have received LEAAF Partnership Interests in the Partnership pursuant to
Section 4.2 hereof in exchange for capital contributions of the LEAAF Notes, but
only in such capacity.

     1.21 The term "LEAAF Partnership Interests" shall mean the special
redeemable preferred limited partnership interests (if any) in the Partnership
received by holders of the LEAAF Notes in exchange for their LEAAF Notes which
are contributed to the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof, but shall not
include the Partnership Interest (if any) received by such Partners in exchange
for such LEAAF Notes and all other rights and claims related to the LEAAF Notes,
which rights and claims will be surrendered in connection with the contribution
of their LEAAF Notes pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof.

     1.22 The term "LEAAF Return" shall mean a sum equal to fifteen percent
(15%) per annum, simple interest, on the outstanding balance of the LEAAF
Contribution Account of each LEAAF Partner from time to time during the period
to which the LEAAF Return relates, cumulative to the extent not distributed in
any given Year.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6

     1.23 The term "Limited Partners" shall mean the Persons (including
substituted Limited Partners and LEAAF Partners) who are, from time to time,
admitted to the Partnership as limited partners (pursuant to the provisions of
the Act and of this Agreement) and whose names, business or residence addresses,
the amount of their original capital contributions and capital commitments and
their Percentage Interests appear on Exhibit A to this Agreement, as amended
from time to time.

     1.24 The term "Limited Partners Committee" shall mean the committee
referred to in Section 7.2 hereof.

     1.25 The term "Minimum Gain" shall mean the amount determined by (a)
computing for each Nonrecourse Liability of the Partnership any gain the
Partnership would realize if it disposed of the property subject to that
liability for no consideration other than full satisfaction of the liability and
(b) aggregating the separately computed gains, increased by any minimum gain
assigned to the Partnership from a Subsidiary pursuant to Regulation section
1.704-2(k). If, pursuant to Regulations sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d) or
1.704-1(b)(2) (iv)(f), Partnership property is properly reflected on the books
of the Partnership at a value different from the adjusted tax basis of such
property, the calculation of Minimum Gain pursuant to the preceding sentence
shall be made by reference to such book value.

     1.26 The term "Net Capital Gain" shall mean, for each Year, the excess of
the Partnership's gains realized from sales or exchanges of capital assets over
the losses realized during such Year from such sales or exchanges and expenses
incurred in connection with the transactions, excluding all capital gains or
losses which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof. For a Year
in which "section 1231 gains" exceed "section 1231 losses," as those



                                       6
<PAGE>   7

terms are defined in section 1231(a)(3) of the Code, such gains and losses from
sales and exchanges of property used in the trade or business shall be treated
as gains and losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets and shall be
included in the determination of Net Capital Gain. For a Year in which "section
1231 gains" do not exceed "section 1231 losses," such gains and losses from
sales and exchanges of property used in the trade or business shall not be
treated as gains and losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets and shall
not be included in the determination of Net Capital Gain.

     1.27 The term "Net Capital Gain Available for General Allocation" shall
mean, for each Year, the amount of Net Capital Gain remaining (if any) after
allocation of Net Capital Gain pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof.

     1.28 The term "Net Capital Loss" shall mean, for each Year, the excess of
the Partnership's losses realized from sales or exchanges of capital assets and
expenses incurred in connection with the transactions over gains realized during
such Year from such sales and exchanges, excluding all capital gains or losses
which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof. For a Year in
which "section 1231 gains" exceed "section 1231 losses," as those terms are
defined in section 1231(a)(3) of the Code, such gains and losses from sales and
exchanges of property used in the trade or business shall be treated as gains
and losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets and shall be included in
the determination of Net Capital Loss. For a Year in which "section 1231 gains"
do not exceed "section 1231 losses," such gains and losses from sales and
exchanges of property used in the trade or business shall not be treated as
gains and losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets and shall not be
included in the determination of Net Capital Loss.



                                       7
<PAGE>   8

     1.29 The term "Net Cash Flow From Operations" shall mean, with respect to
the Year or period since the last distribution of Net Cash Flow From Operations,
the excess of

          (a)  the sum of

               (i)  all cash receipts from operations (excluding capital
                    contributions, loan proceeds and proceeds from Capital
                    Transactions), provided that the General Partner, with the
                    consent of the Limited Partners Committee, may include all
                    or any portion of the proceeds of a designated Capital
                    Transaction in the determination of Net Cash Flow From
                    Operations,

               (ii) proceeds of business interruption insurance, and

               (iii) reductions in the Partnership's operating reserve, over

          (b)  the sum of

               (i)  cash disbursements for operating and non- operating
                    expenses,

               (ii) cash payments of capital expenditures,

               (iii) cash payments representing amortization of principal, or
                    any other payment of principal, on any debt of the
                    Partnership,

               (iv) additions to the Partnership's operating reserve, and

               (v)  additions to the Partnership's capital reserve (other than
                    additions from capital contributions, from loan proceeds or
                    from proceeds of Capital Transactions);


                                       8
<PAGE>   9

provided, however, that none of the items in clause (b) above shall be
subtracted to the extent the item in question is paid from capital
contributions, from loan proceeds, from the Partnership's capital reserve or
from proceeds of Capital Transactions.

     1.30 The term "Net Income Available for General Allocation" shall mean, for
each Year, the sum of the Net Capital Gain Available for General Allocation (if
any) and the Net Operating Income Available for General Allocation (if any).

     1.31 The term "Net Operating Income" or "Net Operating Loss" shall mean,
for each Year, an amount equal to the Partnership's taxable income or loss
(after the adjustments described below) for each Year, determined in accordance
with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or
deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1)
shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

          (a)  Expenditures described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code shall
               be included as an expense in the determination of Net Operating
               Income and Net Operating Loss;

          (b)  Income exempt from taxation shall be included in the
               determination of Net Operating Income and Net Operating Loss;

          (c)  Items which are specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.5
               hereof shall be added or subtracted in the determination of Net
               Operating Income and Net Operating Loss; and

          (d)  Net Capital Gain or Net Capital Loss for the Year shall be
               subtracted or added, respectively.


                                       9
<PAGE>   10


     1.32 The term "Net Operating Income Available for General Allocation" shall
mean, for each Year, the amount of Net Operating Income remaining (if any) after
allocation of Net Operating Income pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof.

     1.33 The term "Nonrecourse Deductions" shall mean losses, deductions and
items described in section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code attributable to Nonrecourse
Liabilities of the Partnership as described in Regulations sections
1.704-2(b)(1) and 1.704- 2(c), including nonrecourse deductions of any
subsidiary allocated to the Partnership and treated as described in Regulation
section 1.704-2(k)(4).

     1.34 The term "Nonrecourse Liability" shall mean a debt or liability of the
Partnership or any subsidiary to the extent that no Partner or related person
bears the economic risk of loss for that liability within the meaning of
Regulations sections 1.752-2 and 1.752-4(a).

     1.35 The term "Partner Nonrecourse Debt" shall mean a debt or liability of
the Partnership (including a debt or liability of any subsidiary pursuant to
Regulation section 1.704-2(k)(5)) which would be a Nonrecourse Liability except
that a Partner bears the economic risk of loss because, for example, the Partner
is the creditor or guarantor as described in Regulations section 1.704-2(b)(4).

     1.36 The term "Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain" shall have the
meaning ascribed to such term in Regulations section 1.704-2(i)(2).

     1.37 The term "Partner Nonrecourse Deductions" shall mean any item of
partnership loss, deduction, or expenditure under section 705(a)(2)(B) of the
Code that is attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, as determined pursuant
to Regulations section 1.704-2(i)(2).


                                       10
<PAGE>   11

     1.38 The term "Partners" shall mean and include the General Partner and all
Limited Partners.

     1.39 The term "Partnership" shall mean this limited partnership, American
Retirement Communities, L.P.

     1.40 The term "Partnership Capital Loss Account" shall mean the account
maintained by the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof.

     1.41 The term "Partnership Interest" shall mean the interests of the
Limited Partners in the Partnership, excluding LEAAF Partnership Interests.

     1.42 The term "Partnership Operating Loss Account" shall mean the account
maintained by the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof.

     1.43 The term "Percentage Interest" shall mean (a) for each Partner his
interest in certain allocations and distributions as determined pursuant to
Section 5.4 hereof and (b) with respect to the voting and consent rights of
Limited Partners, the interest of a Limited Partner (other than a LEAAF Partner
in respect of his LEAAF Partnership Interest) in the Partnership, based on such
Limited Partner's interest in certain allocations and distributions as
determined pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof. A Limited Partner's Percentage
Interest for purposes of clause (a) of this Section 1.43 shall be the same as
such Limited Partner's Percentage Interest for purposes of clause (b) of this
Section 1.43.

     1.44 The term "Person" shall mean any individual, trust, partnership,
limited partnership, corporation, association, limited liability company or
other entity.

     1.45 The term "Policies" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.1(a)
hereof.


                                       11
<PAGE>   12

     1.46 The term "Preferred Cash Return" shall mean a sum equal to the
Applicable Percent of simple interest on the daily balance of each Partner's
Contribution Account from time to time during the period to which the "Preferred
Cash Return" relates, cumulative to the extent not distributed in any given
Year.

     1.47 The term "Regulations" shall mean Treasury Department regulations,
temporary regulations and proposed regulations promulgated under the Code from
time to time, and any successor provisions thereto.

     1.48 The term "Requisite Percentage" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.4(b) hereof.

     1.49 The term "Roll-Up" shall mean either (a) a transaction or series of
transactions by which (i) the Partnership achieves ownership, directly or
indirectly, of at least a majority of the partnership interests in the
Affiliated Partnerships, and (ii) the Partnership becomes the owner of all of
the then outstanding shares of stock of ARC or (b) any other transaction or
series of transactions which the Limited Partners Committee deems to be
equivalent to the transaction described in Section 1.49(a).

     1.50 The term "Share Exchange" shall mean either (a) a transaction or
series of transactions by which the Partnership becomes the owner of all of the
then outstanding shares of capital stock of ARC or (b) any other transaction or
series of transactions which the Limited Partners Committee deems to be
equivalent to the transaction described in Section 1.50(a).
 


                                       12
<PAGE>   13

     1.51 The term "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, partnership, limited
partnership or other entity of which the Partnership owns, directly or
indirectly, at least 50% of the outstanding common equity interests and which is
controlled by the Partnership or the General Partner.

     1.52 The term "Termination Event" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 12.1 hereof.

     1.53 The term "Year" shall mean the fiscal year of the Partnership, which
shall be the calendar year.

     1.54 The term "Year of Liquidation" shall mean the Year during which the
Partnership is liquidated and the final distributions are made to Partners.

                      II. ORGANIZATION AND RELATED MATTERS

     2.1 Formation of Partnership. The parties hereto hereby form a Tennessee
limited partnership under the Act. The General Partner will cause a certificate
of limited partnership to be filed for record in the Office of the Secretary of
State of Tennessee, and in such other places as deemed necessary by the General
Partner to protect the status of the Partnership as a limited partnership and as
otherwise required by law. No copies of this Agreement, the Certificate or any
amendment hereto or thereto need to delivered to the Limited Partners, unless
requested by a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 61-2-304 of the Act.

     2.2 Name of Partnership. The name of the Partnership is American Retirement
Communities, L.P.



                                       13
<PAGE>   14



     2.3 Purpose. The Partnership is hereby formed primarily for the purpose of
establishing a limited partnership that will invest in, acquire, own, develop,
construct, hold, operate, finance, manage and dispose of, directly or
indirectly, adult living retirement communities and similar or related
facilities or businesses. In addition, the Partnership may carry on any business
related thereto or arising therefrom or useful in connection therewith.

     2.4 Principal Place of Business; Registered Agent. The principal business
office of the Partnership shall be located at 111 Westwood Place, Suite 402,
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 or at such other place as the General Partner from
time to time shall designate in writing to the Limited Partners. The Partnership
may maintain such other offices and places of business as the General Partner
may deem beneficial for the Partnership. The initial agent for service of
process for the Partnership at such address shall be W. E. Sheriff.

     2.5 Names and Addresses of Partners. The names and addresses of the
Partners are set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, which Exhibit A is hereby
incorporated herein by reference. Any Partner may change his address by written
notice to the Partnership given as provided herein. The General Partner shall
supplement and amend Exhibit A to reflect the current names and addresses of the
Partners as such names and addresses may change from time to time.



                                       14
<PAGE>   15


                                    III. TERM

     3.1 Term. The term of the Partnership shall commence on the date of the
filing of the Certificate creating the Partnership with the Secretary of State
of Tennessee and shall continue until December 31, 2015, unless earlier
terminated as provided in Article XIII of this Agreement.

     3.2 Termination. Dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be
governed by the provisions of Article XIII of this Agreement.

                   IV. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS, CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

     4.1 Capital Contributions of the Partners. The amount of each Limited
Partner's original capital contribution as of the Effective Date is set forth on
Exhibit A hereto. In addition, Exhibit A hereto lists for each Limited Partner
the amount of any additional capital contributions such Limited Partner has
agreed to make and whether such amounts are due as of a specified date or on
call. Each Limited Partner hereby agrees to contribute the amount of any such
additional capital contributions set forth opposite such Limited Partner's name
on Exhibit A hereto on the date specified thereon or on call as specified
thereon. If any Limited Partner fails to make a capital contribution provided
for on Exhibit A hereto with respect to such Limited Partner, the General
Partner may, in its discretion, institute suit against such defaulting Limited
Partner for the amount of such capital contribution, plus interest,
consequential damages and any expenses (including attorney's fees) relating to
such suit, to the extent allowable, and in addition may seek contributions on a
voluntary basis from other Limited Partners or other Persons for the amount of
such capital contribution.



                                       15
<PAGE>   16

     4.2 Issuance of LEAAF Partnership Interests. The General Partner may, with
the approval of the Limited Partners Committee, cause the Partnership to issue
LEAAF Partnership Interests in exchange for the outstanding principal amount of
the LEAAF Notes, and Partnership Interests in exchange for the surrender of such
LEAAF Notes and all other rights and claims related to the LEAAF Notes. The
LEAAF Partners shall be credited with a LEAAF Contribution Account in a dollar
amount equal to the principal amount of the LEAAF Notes contributed to the
Partnership, in exchange for the contribution of such LEAAF Notes, and a
Contribution Account in a dollar amount to be determined by the General Partner
and the Limited Partners Committee in exchange for the surrender of such LEAAF
Notes and all other rights and claims related to the LEAAF Notes. The LEAAF
Partnership Interests shall be subject to redemption as provided in Section 6.3
hereof. The LEAAF Partnership Interests shall not be deemed to have a Percentage
Interest and shall have no voting or consent rights except as otherwise
specifically provided in Section 7.4 of this Agreement or required by law.

     4.3 Capital Account. A Capital Account shall be established on the books of
the Partnership for each Partner. Each such Capital Account shall be credited
with the amount of the respective Partner's contributions to the Partnership as
and when made (including the principal amounts of the LEAAF Notes) and with the
respective Partner's share, determined as provided herein, of Partnership
income, gains, and profits; each Partner's Capital Account shall be debited with
the respective Partner's share, determined as provided herein, of Partnership
losses and with the amount of all distributions made by the Partnership to such
Partner. The Capital Accounts shall be maintained in accordance with the rules
of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) of the Regulations, and the items of income,
profit, gain, expenditures, deductions and losses which increase or


                                       16
<PAGE>   17


decrease such Capital Accounts shall be those items which, pursuant to such
provision, affect the balance of capital accounts.

     4.4 Contribution Account. A Contribution Account shall be established on
the books of the Partnership for each Partner, other than LEAAF Partners in
respect of their LEAAF Partnership Interests. Each such Contribution Account
shall be credited (increased) with the amount of the respective Partner's
contributions to the Partnership as and when made, with property contributed in
kind being valued in accordance with Section 4.6(c) hereof. The balance of each
Partner's Contribution Account shall be debited (reduced) by the amounts
distributed to such Partner pursuant to Section 6.2(d) or Section 12.2 of this
Agreement.

     4.5 Partnership Loss Accounts.

         (a) Partnership Capital Loss Account. The Partnership shall maintain a
single Partnership Capital Loss Account which shall be credited each Year with
the amount of Net Capital Loss allocated pursuant to Section 5.1(b) hereof and
which shall be debited each Year with the amount of Net Capital Gain allocated
pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof.
      
         (b) Partnership Operating Loss Account. The Partnership shall maintain
a single Partnership Operating Loss Account which shall be credited each Year
with the amount of Net Operating Loss allocated pursuant to Section 5.1(b)
hereof and which shall be debited each Year with the amount of Net Operating
Income allocated pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof.

     4.6 Additional Contributions and Limited Partnership Interests.

         (a) Additional Contributions. In order to raise additional capital
             or to acquire assets or to redeem or retire debt or for any other
             Partnership purpose, the General Partner, with the approval of the
             Limited Partners Committee, is authorized to accept additional 
             capital 


                                       17
<PAGE>   18

contributions in cash or in property other than cash from Partners or from
other Persons from time to time and to admit such Persons as additional Limited
Partners. The Partnership may assume related liabilities in connection with any
such issuance. In addition, the General Partner is authorized to cause the
issuance of limited partnership interests having different relative rights,
powers, and privileges, including preferences as to distributions and voting,
and other types of securities, from time to time, to Partners or other Persons,
all on terms and conditions approved by the Limited Partners Committee, with
the consent of the Requisite Percentage of the Limited Partners if required
pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof. In accepting additional capital contributions
or in causing the issuance of limited partnership interests, the General
Partner, with approval of the Limited Partners Committee, is hereby expressly
authorized and empowered to determine a minimum amount for any such investment
by each Partner or other Person, to determine a maximum total for the
additional investments, and to fix the relative rights and preferences of the
limited partnership interests so issued to the full extent allowable by law,
except as such rights and preferences are fixed herein. The General Partner
shall do all things deemed by the General Partner to be necessary or advisable
in connection with any future issuance, including compliance with any statute,
rule, regulation or guideline of any Federal, state or other governmental
agency.

     (b) Options and Rights. The General Partner, with the approval of the
Limited Partners Committee, shall have the power and authority to issue on
behalf of the Partnership options, warrants and other instruments, contracts or
securities which are convertible into Partnership Interests or other interests
in the Partnership or which entitle the holder to purchase Partnership Interests
or other interests in the Partnership in the future, and to fix the terms and
conversion or exercise price thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, to


                                       18
<PAGE>   19

finance the purchase of said options, warrants and other instruments, contracts
or securities on such terms as may be deemed appropriate by the General Partner,
with the approval of the Limited Partners Committee.

     (c) Valuation of Capital Contributions. The General Partner shall, with the
approval of the Limited Partners Committee, determine the value of any
contributions to the capital of the Partnership that are not made in cash and
the Percentage Interest, if any, to be assigned to the Partner making such
contribution. Any such value and Percentage Interest (if any) shall be set forth
in an agreement between the General Partner and the contributing Partner on or
prior to the date on which the contribution is made. In determining the value of
any such contribution, and in assigning a Percentage Interest (if any) to the
Partner making such contribution, the General Partner and the Limited Partners
Committee shall have the right (but not the obligation) to rely on opinions of
investment banking firms or other professional appraisals, as well as financial
statements and other information that they, in their sole discretion, deem to be
relevant. The value so established shall be credited to the contributing
Partner's Capital Account and Contribution Account.

     (d) Admission of Affiliates of the General Partner. The admission of an
additional Limited Partner which is an Affiliate of the General Partner, the
valuation of such Limited Partner's capital contribution and the Percentage
Interest, if any, assigned to the contributing Partner shall require the
approval of the Limited Partners Committee, except for any Limited Partner who
is admitted on terms described in Section 8.2(d) hereof.



                                       19
<PAGE>   20

         (e) Adjustment of Percentage Interests. If additional Partnership 
Interests are issued in accordance with this Section 4.6, the General Partner
and the Limited Partners Committee will adjust the Percentage Interests of the
other Partners as appropriate and make appropriate changes to Exhibit A hereto.

     4.7 No Additional Required Contributions or Preemptive Rights. Except as
otherwise specifically required by the terms of this Agreement, no additional
capital contributions shall be required to be made by any of the Partners. No
Partner shall have any preemptive right with respect to (a) additional
contributions to the capital of the Partnership, (b) issuance of additional
Partnership Interests or other interests in the Partnership, (c) issuance of any
obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of the Partnership,
whether or not convertible into or exchangeable for, or carrying or accompanied
by any rights to receive, purchase or subscribe to Partnership Interests or
other interests in the Partnership, (d) issuance of any right of subscription
for or right to receive, or any warrant or option for the purchase of, any of
the foregoing securities or (e) issuance or sale of any other securities that
may be issued or sold by the Partnership.

     4.8 No Right to Withdrawal of Capital Contributions.

         (a) No Limited Partner shall have the right to with- draw or reduce his
contribution to the capital of the Partnership or to require the Partnership to
make any distribution to the Partners or purchase such Limited Partner's
Partnership Interest or other interest in the Partnership.

         (b) No Limited Partner shall have the right to demand, to have 
distributed, or to receive any specific class or item of property. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement,



                                       20
<PAGE>   21

no Limited Partner shall have any priority over any other Limited Partner,
either as to contributions of capital or otherwise.
    
     4.9 Limited Liability. No Limited Partner shall be subject to assessment
nor shall any Limited Partner be personally liable for or upon any of the debts
or obligations of the Partnership or any of the losses of the Partnership beyond
his obligation to contribute to the capital of the Partnership as specified in
Section 4.1 hereof. No Limited Partner shall be required to return to the
Partnership any amount previously distributed to him by the Partnership, except
as and to the extent otherwise required by law.

     4.10 Capital Contribution of the General Partner. The General Partner may,
but (except as provided in this Section 4.10) is not required to, make capital
contributions to the Partnership. If the General Partner does not make capital
contributions and fails to maintain a capital account balance equal to the
lesser of (a) 1.01% of the capital contributions and Capital Account balances,
respectively, of the Limited Partners or (b) $500,000, the General Partner shall
be required, upon the occurrence of a Termination Event, to contribute for the
benefit of the Limited Partners (but not for creditors of the Partnership) an
amount equal to the lesser of (i) the deficit capital account balance of the
General Partner after the final distribution pursuant to Section 12.2 hereof
(disregarding the contribution required by this Section 4.10), or (ii) the
excess of 1.01% of total capital contributions of the Limited Partners over the
life of the Partnership over capital contributions by the General Partner.


                                       21
<PAGE>   22


                       V. ALLOCATION OF PROFITS AND LOSSES
                         FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES

     As of the end of each Year, the Partnership's Net Operating Income or Net
Operating Loss, Net Capital Gain or Net Capital Loss, and each item of income,
gain, loss and deduction related thereto, as well as other items of income,
gain, loss or deduction which are subject to special allocation provisions,
shall be allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Partners and for federal
income tax purposes pursuant to the following Sections of this Article V.

     5.1 Allocation of Losses. After giving effect to the special allocations
set forth in Section 5.5 hereof, if the Partnership has a Net Capital Loss or
Net Operating Loss for the Year, or both, any such Net Capital Loss or Net
Operating Loss, or both, shall be allocated as follows:

         (a) First, in an amount not exceeding the excess of cumulative 
allocations pursuant to Section 5.3(d) hereof (if any) through the current Year
over cumulative allocations in prior Years of Net Capital Loss or Net Operating
Loss, or both, pursuant to this Section 5.1(a), 20% to the General Partner in
respect of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest and 80% to the Partners
in proportion to their Percentage Interests; and

         (b) Second, to the Partners in proportion to their Percentage
 Interests.

     5.2 Allocation of Profits to Extent of Balance of Partnership Loss
Accounts. After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section
5.5 hereof, if the Partnership has Net Capital Gain or Net Operating Income, or
both, for the Year, Net Capital Gain shall be allocated to Partners in an amount
not exceeding the balance of the Partnership Capital Loss Account, such amount
to be allocated to each Partner in proportion to his Percentage Interest, and
Net Operating Income shall be allocated to Partners in an amount not exceeding
the balance of the Partnership's Operating Loss Account, such amount to be
allocated to each Partner in proportion to his Percentage Interest. Any Net
Capital Gain and any Net Operating Income remaining after the



                                       22
<PAGE>   23

foregoing allocations (defined as "Net Capital Gain Available for General
Allocation" and "Net Operating Income Available for General Allocation,"
respectively) shall be combined as Net Income Available for Allocation and
allocated in accordance with Section 5.3 hereof.

     5.3 General Allocation of Profits. After giving effect to the special
allocations described in Section 5.5 hereof and the allocations described in
Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof, any Net Income Available for General Allocation
shall be allocated as follows:

          (a) First, to the LEAAF Partners, in proportion to and to the extent
     of, for each LEAAF Partner, the excess of (i) the cumulative distributions
     of the LEAAF Return to such LEAAF Partner, as of the end of the current
     Year, over (ii) allocations to such LEAAF Partner pursuant to this Section
     5.3(a) for all prior Years;

          (b) Second, to the General Partner, to the extent of the distributions
     during the current Year of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest
     pursuant to Sections 6.1(c) and 6.2(e) hereof;

          (c) Third, to the Partners (other than the LEAAF Partners in respect
     of their LEAAF Partnership Interests), in proportion to and to the extent
     of the distributions during the current Year of their Preferred Cash
     Return; and

          (d) Fourth, any remaining amount 20% to the General Partner in respect
     of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest and 80% to the Partners
     (other than the LEAAF Partners in respect of their LEAAF Partnership
     Interests) in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests.



                                       23
<PAGE>   24

Each allocation of Net Income Available for General Allocation pursuant to this
Section 5.3 shall consist of pro rata portions of Net Capital Gain Available for
General Allocation and Net Operating Income Available for General Allocation.

     5.4 Determination of Percentage Interests. The Percentage Interest shall be
determined initially for each Partner as the ratio of the amount of that
Partner's initial contribution to the Partnership (excluding the contribution of
the LEAAF Notes by the LEAAF Partners), including the value of property
contributed in the Roll-Up described in Section 1.49 hereof, to the total of
such initial contributions to the Partnership by all Partners (excluding the
contribution of the LEAAF Notes by the LEAAF Partners), as more particularly set
forth in Exhibit A hereto. Upon the admission of a new Limited Partner or the
making of additional capital contributions by Partners other than in proportion
to their Percentage Interests, the Percentage Interests shall be adjusted as
agreed by the General Partner and the Limited Partners Committee.

     5.5 Special Allocations. Prior to the allocations pursuant to Section 5.1
and Section 5.2 of this Agreement, items of income, gain, loss and deduction for
the Year shall be allocated in accordance with the following provisions of this
Section 5.5 to the extent such provisions are applicable, and any items so
allocated shall not be taken into account in determining Net Operating Income,
Net Operating Loss, Net Capital Gain or Net Capital Loss:

         (a) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions of the Partnership 
for any Year shall be specially allocated to the Partners in accordance with the
Percentage Interests of the respective Partners. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions
of the Partnership for any Year shall be specially allocated to the Partner who
bears the economic risk of loss for the Partner Nonrecourse Debt in question.
The provisions of this Section 5.5(a) are intended to satisfy the



                                       24
<PAGE>   25

requirements of Regulations sections 1.704-2(e)(2) and 1.704-2(i)(1) and shall
be interpreted in accordance therewith for all purposes under this Agreement.

         (b) Minimum Gain Chargeback. If there is a net decrease in the Minimum 
Gain of the Partnership during any Year, each Partner shall be specially
allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year equal to that
Partner's share of the net decrease in Minimum Gain, within the meaning of
Regulations section 1.704-2(g)(2). The provisions of this Section 5.5(b) are
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement of Regulations
section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith for all
purposes under this Agreement.


         (c) Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain Chargeback. If there is a net
decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Year, each Partner
that has a share of such Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, determined in
accordance with Regulations section 1.704-2(i)(5), as of the beginning of such
Year shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such
Year (and, if necessary, for succeeding Years) equal to such Partner's share of
the net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. The provisions of
this Section 5.5(c) are intended to comply with the partner nonrecourse debt
minimum gain chargeback requirement of Regulations section 1.704-2(i)(4) and
shall be interpreted in accordance therewith for all purposes under this
Agreement.

         (d) Deficit Capital Account. In the event that any Partner, after all
allocations pursuant to this Article V disregarding this Section 5.5(d), would
have a deficit balance in his Capital Account at the end of any Year which
deficit would be in excess of the sum of (i) the amount that such Partner is
obligated to restore to the Partnership under Regulations section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), and (ii) such Partner's share of Minimum Gain (which is
also treated as an


                                       25
<PAGE>   26



obligation to restore in accordance with Regulation section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)), the Capital Account of such Partner shall be specially
credited with items of Partnership income (including gross income) and gain for
such Year in a manner to eliminate such excess as quickly as possible.
    
         (e) Qualified Income Offset. If any Partner unexpectedly receives any
adjustment, allocation or distribution described in clauses (4), (5) and (6) of
Regulations section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), such Partner shall be allocated items
of Partnership income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of
Partnership income, including gross income, and gain for such Year) in an amount
and manner sufficient to eliminate, as quickly as possible, the deficit balance
of such Partner's Capital Account, if any, to the extent required by the
relevant Regulations. The provisions of this Section 5.5(e) are intended to
comply with the "qualified income offset" requirement of Regulations section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(3) and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith for all
purposes under this Agreement.

         (f) Allocations to Reflect Contributed Property. If a Partner
contributes property to the Partnership which has a difference between its tax
basis and its fair market value on the date of its contribution, then all items
of income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to such contributed property
shall be shared among the Partners, pursuant to Section 704(c)(1)(A) of the
Code, solely for federal income tax purposes, so as to take account of the
variation between the basis of such property and its fair market value at the
time of contribution. Such allocations shall be made in accordance with the
traditional method with reasonable curative allocations described in Regulations
section 1.704-3(c). If two or more Partners contribute in related transactions
depreciable property which has a difference between its tax basis and fair
market value, the curative allocations between those Partners as to the
depreciable property which they



                                       26
<PAGE>   27

each contribute shall be limited to depreciation on the property contributed as
described in Regulation section 1.704-3(c)(4) Ex.(2). Any elections or other
decisions relating to such curative allocations shall be made by the General
Partner, after consulting with the accounts for the Partnership, in any manner
that reasonably reflect the purpose and intention of this Agreement. Allocations
pursuant to this Section 5.5(f) are solely for purposes of federal income taxes
and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any
Partner's Capital Account or distributions pursuant to any provision of this
Agreement. A Limited Partner who contributes property to the Partnership
(including the interests in the Affiliated Partnerships) shall provide to the
General Partner such information as may be required to establish such Limited
Partner's tax basis in the contributed property.

     5.6 Limitation on Allocations.

         (a) General Partner's Minimum Allocation. Notwithstanding any provision
of this Article V to the contrary, in no event shall less than one percent (1%)
of the Partnership's Net Operating Profit or Net Operating Loss for the Year and
Net Capital Gain or Net Capital Loss for the Year be allocated to the General
Partner.

         (b) Section 706(d) Restriction. In the case of a Partner who has
contributed capital to the Partnership during the Year or who became (or ceased
to be) a Partner during the Year, the allocation of federal income tax items to
such Partner shall not exceed the maximum allocation permitted under Section
706(d) of the Code to limit retroactive allocations.

     5.7 Allocations for Year of Liquidation. After giving effect to the special
allocations set forth in Section 5.5 hereof, the amount of Net Operating Income
or Net Operating Loss and Net Capital Gain or Net Capital Loss for the Year of
Liquidation, and each item of income, gain,


                                       27
<PAGE>   28

loss and deduction related thereto, shall be allocated to all Partners in such
manner as to produce, as nearly as possible, a Capital Account balance for each
Partner (including the LEAAF Partners) immediately prior to the final
distribution of assets to such Partner equal to the amount required to be
distributed to that Partner pursuant to Section 12.2 hereof. To the extent that
allocations for the Year of Liquidation cannot be made to satisfy the foregoing
sentence, these allocations shall be made in accordance with the Partners'
respective interests in the Partnership (taking into account all facts and
circumstances) pursuant to Regulation section 1.704(b)-1(b)(1)(i), as determined
by the accountants for the Partnership.

     5.8 Adjustment Upon Transfer of Partnership Interest or Change in
Percentage Interest. For any Year during which a Partner (or LEAAF Partner)
transfers all or part of his interest in the Partnership (including a transfer
of all or part of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest) or during which
there is a change in the Percentage Interests, the adjustment for allocation of
(i) Net Operating Income or Net Operating Loss, (ii) Net Capital Gain or Net
Capital Loss, and (iii) other items of income, gain, loss and deduction between
the transferor and transferee Partners (or LEAAF Partners) or regarding a
Partner having different Percentage Interests during portions of the Year shall
be made in the following manner:

          (a) Allocations in respect of distributions of the LEAAF Return, the
     Preferred Cash Return and the General Partner's Subordinated Interest
     pursuant to Sections 5.3(a), 5.3(b) and 5.3(c) hereof shall be adjusted in
     proportion to the amount of distributions of such LEAAF Return, Preferred
     Cash Return or General Partner's Subordinated Interest received by the
     transferor and transferee Partners (or LEAAF Partners) during the Year,
     respectively, or to the amount of such distributions received by the same
     Partner during



                                       28
<PAGE>   29

     portions of the Year in which his Percentage Interest is different,
     regardless of the number of days that the Partnership Interest (or LEAAF
     Partnership Interest) was held, and regardless of the number of days during
     each period that the Percentage Interest was different; and

          (b) All allocations other than the allocations described in Section
     5.8(a) hereof shall be adjusted between the transferor and transferee
     Partner or between each Partner having a different Percentage Interest
     during different portions of the Year according to the "pro-rata method"
     described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.706- 1(c)(2)(ii); that is, all
     such items for the entire Year shall be allocated between the disposing and
     transferee Partners according to the number of days in the Year that the
     Partnership Interest was held by each, or between each Partner having a
     different Percentage Interest during different portions of the Year
     according to the number of days in the Year that each discrete Percentage
     Interest was applicable to that Partner.

                                VI. DISTRIBUTIONS
  
     6.1 Distribution of Net Cash Flow from Operations. Distributions of all or
any portion of Net Cash Flow from Operations shall be made in amounts and at
times determined by the General Partner, consistent with the Budgets and
Policies. Such distributions of the Partnership's Net Cash Flow from Operations
shall be apportioned among the Partners as follows:

         (a) First, to the LEAAF Partners, in proportion to and to the extent of
the excess, if any, of (i) the cumulative LEAAF Return of each LEAAF Partner to
the time of the


                                       29
<PAGE>   30


distribution, over (ii) the sum of all prior distributions to such LEAAF Partner
pursuant to this Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.2(a) hereof;

         (b) Second, to the Partners (other than the LEAAF Partners in respect
of their LEAAF Partnership Interests), in proportion to and to the extent of the
excess, if any, of (i) the cumulative Preferred Cash Return of each Partner,
over (ii) the sum of all prior distributions to such Partner pursuant to this
Section 6.1(b) and Section 6.2(b) hereof;

         (c) Third, any remaining amount 20% to the General Partner in respect
of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest and 80% to the Partners (other
than LEAAF Partners in respect of their LEAAF Partnership Interests),
apportioned among the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage
Interests at the time of the distribution.

         6.2 Distribution of Proceeds of Capital Transactions. Proceeds of
Capital Transactions may, in the discretion of the General Partner and
consistent with any Budgets and Policies, be applied to capital expenditures, to
payment of outstanding debt, to redeem the LEAAF Partnership Interests, to
increase the capital reserve, to increase Net Cash Flow From Operations with the
approval of Limited Partners Committee, or to provide cash for a distribution to
Partners pursuant to this Section 6.2. The General Partner shall identify any
distribution which represents part or all of the proceeds of a Capital
Transaction and shall designate it as such to the Limited Partners Committee.
Any such distribution (except for proceeds of Capital Transactions in the Year
of Liquidation distributed in the winding up of the Partnership pursuant to
Section 12.2 hereof) shall be apportioned among the Partners as follows:

         (a) First, to the LEAAF Partners, in proportion to and to the extent of
the excess, if any, of (i) the cumulative LEAAF Return of each LEAAF Partner to
the time of the



                                       30
<PAGE>   31

distribution, over (ii) the sum of all prior distributions to such LEAAF Partner
pursuant to Section 6.1(a) hereof and this Section 6.2(a);

         (b) Second, to the Partners (other than the LEAAF Partners in respect
of their LEAAF Partnership Interests), in proportion to and to the extent of the
excess, if any, of (i) the cumulative Preferred Cash Return of each Partner,
over (ii) the sum of all prior distributions to such Partner pursuant to Section
6.1(b) hereof and this Section 6.2(b);

         (c) Third, in the discretion of the General Partner, to the LEAAF 
Partners, in proportion to and to the extent of the outstanding balance of their
LEAAF Contribution Accounts;

         (d) Fourth, to the Partners (other than the LEAAF Partners in respect
of their LEAAF Partnership Interests), in proportion to and to the extent of the
outstanding balance of their Contribution Accounts; and

         (e) Fifth, any remaining amount 20% to the General Partner in respect 
of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest and 80% to the Partners (other
than the LEAAF Partners in respect of their LEAAF Partnership Interests), in
accordance with their respective Partnership Interests immediately prior to the
distribution of proceeds of the Capital Transaction.

     6.3 Redemption of LEAAF Partners' Interest. At any time or from time to
time, the General Partner shall have the right, with the approval of the Limited
Partners Committee or in accordance with any Budgets or Policies, to cause the
LEAAF Partnership Interest of each LEAAF Partner to be redeemed, in whole or in
part, by repaying all or a portion of the outstanding amount of such LEAAF
Partner's LEAAF Contribution Account, together with an amount equal to the LEAAF
Return on such LEAAF Contribution Account, less any amounts theretofore paid in
respect of such LEAAF Return pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or 6.2(a) hereof or


                                       31
<PAGE>   32

this Section 6.3. Following a redemption of all or part of the LEAAF Partnership
Interest of any LEAAF Partner, such LEAAF Partner shall have no rights as a
Partner with respect to the LEAAF Partnership Interest that has been redeemed
and such LEAAF Partnership Interest shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding.

     6.4 Consequences of Distributions. Upon its determination to distribute,
remit or pay funds in any manner expressly provided in this Article VI, made in
good faith, the General Partner and, if applicable, the Limited Partners
Committee shall incur no liability on account of such distribution, even if such
distribution results in the Partnership retaining insufficient funds for the
operation of its business or such insufficiency results in loss to the
Partnership or necessitates the borrowing of funds by the Partnership.

                       VII. GOVERNANCE OF THE PARTNERSHIP

     7.1 Management by General Partner. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the management of the business and affairs of the Partnership shall
be vested in the General Partner. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the General Partner shall have the power and authority to:

         (a) make distributions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, 
or refrain from making any distributions, to the extent that such making or
refraining from making of distributions is not inconsistent with any annual
operating or capital budget approved by the Limited Partners Committee pursuant
to Section 7.3(a) hereof ("Budgets") or any other policies, resolutions or
determinations of the Limited Partners Committee pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof
("Policies");


                                       32
<PAGE>   33

         (b) establish, maintain or reduce any operating or capital reserves, 
to the extent such establishment, maintenance or reduction is not inconsistent
with any Budgets or Policies or any loan agreement to which the Partnership or
any of its Subsidiaries is subject;

         (c) subject to Section 7.3(f) hereof, spend the capital and net income
of the Partnership, to the extent not inconsistent with any Budgets or Policies;

         (d) subject to Section 7.3(f) hereof, purchase or acquire, hold, lease,
manage and operate the properties and other assets of the Partnership and its
Subsidiaries and enter into agreements containing such terms, provisions and
conditions as the General Partner in its discretion shall approve, to the extent
not inconsistent with any Budget or Policies;

         (e) subject to Section 7.3(i) hereof, purchase from or through others
contracts of liability, casualty and other insurance which the General Partner
deems advisable for the protection of the Partnership or for any purpose
convenient or beneficial to the Partnership, to the extent not inconsistent with
any Budget or Policies;

         (f) subject to Section 7.3(c) and 7.3(f) hereof, incur indebtedness on
behalf of the Partnership in the ordinary course of business, to the extent not
inconsistent with any Budgets or Policies;

         (g) subject to Section 7.3(g) hereof, sell, exchange or otherwise 
dispose of properties or assets of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in
the ordinary course of business, upon such terms and conditions as the General
Partner may deem advisable, appropriate or convenient, to the extent not
inconsistent with any Budgets or Policies;

         (h) invest in short term debt obligations (including those issued or
guaranteed by federal and state governments and their agencies and certificates
of deposit of commercial



                                       33
<PAGE>   34

banks, savings banks or savings and loan association), "money market" accounts
of commercial banks, or "money market" mutual funds, such funds as are
temporarily not required for the purposes of the Partnerships operations to the
extent not inconsistent with any Budgets or Policies;

         (i) delegate all or any of its duties hereunder and, in furtherance of 
any such delegation, appoint, employ or contract with any Person for the
transaction of the business of the Partnership, which Persons may, under the
supervision of the General Partner, act as consultants, accountants, attorneys,
brokers, escrow agents, leasing agents or in any other capacity deemed by the
General Partner necessary or desirable and pay appropriate fees to any of such
Persons, all to the extent not inconsistent with any Budget or Policies; and

         (j) take any and all action necessary or deemed necessary or desirable
by the General Partner to carry out any Budgets or Policies or take any other
action consistent with the actions of the Limited Partners Committee or the
Limited Partners in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

     7.2 Limited Partners Committee.

     (a) Constitution of the Limited Partners Committee; Number and Term of
Office. The Partnership shall have a committee (the "Limited Partners
Committee"), which shall be composed of not less than three (3) nor more than
ten (10) individuals, which Limited Partners Committee shall have the powers and
authority granted to it in this Agreement. The exact number of members of the
Limited Partners Committee, between the minimum of three (3) and the maximum of
ten (10), shall be determined from time to time by the Limited Partners
Committee. The initial members of the Limited Partners Committee shall be
Clarence Edmonds, Nadine Smith and Daniel O'Connell (the "Initial Members"). As
soon as practicable after the consummation



                                       34
<PAGE>   35

of the Roll Up, but in no event later than June 1995, the Limited Partners
Committee shall call a meeting of the Limited Partners of the Partnership
pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof, at which meeting all Limited Partners holding
Partnership Interests as of the date of such meeting shall have the right to
elect new members of the Limited Partners Committee, to serve a term of one year
or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. Thereafter, the members of
the Limited Partners Committee (other than the Chief Manager or other chief
executive officer of the General Partner, who shall be a member ex officio of
the Limited Partners Committee as provided in Section 7.2(b) below) shall be
elected on an annual basis pursuant to Sections 7.4 and 7.5 hereof and shall
serve for a term of one year or until their earlier death, resignation or
removal. Members of the Limited Partners Committee may serve for repeated terms
if re-elected. The Limited Partners Committee shall have the right to appoint
additional members to fill any vacancy on the Limited Partners Committee until
the next annual meeting of Limited Partners.

         (b) Qualifications for Membership. The members of the Limited Partners
Committee shall be: (i) Limited Partners or their designated representatives,
(ii) the Chief Manager or other chief executive officer of the General Partner,
who shall serve ex officio as a voting member of the Limited Partners Committee
and (iii) up to two additional members. On or after June 30, 1995, individuals
who (directly or indirectly other than through the Partnership) hold partnership
interests in any of the Affiliated Partnerships (except if, as a result of the
Roll Up, such Affiliated Partnership owns only partnership interests in the
Partnership), or designated or professional representatives of such individuals
or their Affiliates, will not have the right to serve as members of the Limited
Partners Committee. Until the consummation of the Roll Up, if ARCLLC is the
General Partner, no individual who (directly or indirectly) holds an equity



                                       35
<PAGE>   36

interest in the General Partner or is employed by ARC may serve as a member of
the Limited Partners Committee, except for the Chief Manager or other chief
executive officer of the General Partner.

         (c) Meetings and Notice. The Limited Partners Committee may hold
regular and special meetings either within or without the State of Tennessee.
The Limited Partners Committee may permit any or all of its members to
participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through
the use of, any means of communication by which all members participating may
simultaneously hear each other during the meeting. A member of the Limited
Partners Committee participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be
present in person at the meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the Limited
Partners Committee, regular meetings of the Limited Partners may be held without
notice of the date, time, place or purpose of the meeting at such dates, times
and places as may be determined by the Limited Partners from time to time.
Special meetings of the Limited Partners Committee may be called by the General
Partner or any two members of the Limited Partners Committee. Special meetings
must be preceded by at least 24-hours notice of the date, time and place of the
meeting, but need not describe the purpose of such meeting. Notice of an
adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place to which the meeting
is adjourned are fixed at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, and if
the period of adjournment does not exceed one month for any one adjournment. A
member of the Limited Partners Committee may waive any required notice before or
after the date and time stated in the notice. Except as provided in the next
sentence, the waiver must be in writing, signed by the member of the Limited
Partners Committee and filed with the minutes or Partnership records. A member's
attendance at or participation in a meeting



                                       36
<PAGE>   37

waives any required notice to him or her of such meeting unless the member at
the beginning of the meeting (or promptly upon his or her arrival) objects to
holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not
thereafter vote for or assent to any action taken at the meeting.

         (d) Quorum. A quorum of the members of the Limited Partners Committee
consists of a majority of the total number of members that has been fixed by the
Limited Partners Committee as the total number of members of the Limited
Partners Committee.

         (e) Voting. If a quorum is present when a vote is taken, the 
affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the Limited Partners
Committee present is the act of the Limited Partners Committee. A member of the
Limited Partners Committee who is present at a meeting of the Limited Partners
Committee when action is taken is deemed to have voted in favor of such action
unless:

            (i) He or she objects at the beginning of the meeting (or promptly
     upon his or her arrival) to holding the meeting or transacting business at
     the meeting;

            (ii) His or her dissent or abstention from the action is entered in
     the minutes of the meeting; or

            (iii) He or she delivers written notice of such dissent or
     abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before its adjournment
     or to the Partnership immediately after adjournment. The right of dissent
     or abstention is not available to a member who votes in favor of the action
     taken.

         (f) Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted by this
Agreement to be taken by the Limited Partners Committee may be taken without a
meeting. If



                                       37
<PAGE>   38

all members of the Limited Partners Committee consent to taking such action
without a meeting, the affirmative vote of the number of members that would be
necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting is the act of the
Limited Partners Committee. Such action must be evidenced by one or more written
consents describing the action taken, indicating the member's vote or abstention
on the action, which consents shall be included in the minutes or filed with the
Partnership records reflecting the action taken. Action taken by consent is
effective when the last member signs the consent, unless the consent specifies a
different effective date.

         (g) Right to Confer with General Partner and Others. Members of the 
Limited Partners Committee shall have the right to confer with representatives
of the General Partner and employees of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries in
connection with any matter regarding the Partnership's business, and may confer
with legal counsel, accountants and other advisers to the Partnership. The
General Partner must consult with (but need not receive the approval of) the
Limited Partners Committee prior to amending its operating agreement, charter or
similar constitutive document.

         (h) Additional Rules and Procedures. The members of the Limited
Partners Committee may from time to time establish additional rules and
procedures for the conduct of



                                       38

<PAGE>   39



the business of the Limited Partners Committee to the extent that such
additional rules and procedures are not inconsistent with this Agreement or the
Act.

         (i) Compensation. Members of the Limited Partners Committee shall be
entitled to reasonable compensation from the Partnership for their services as
members of the Limited Partners Committee, and shall be entitled to
reimbursement from the Partnership for any reasonable expenses incurred in
attending meetings of the Limited Partners Committee.

         (j) Resignation. A member of the Limited Partners Committee may resign 
at any time by delivering written notice to the Limited Partners Committee or to
the General Partner. A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered
unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

         (k) Removal of Members of the Limited Partners Committee. Members of 
the Limited Partners Committee may be removed with or without cause upon a vote
of the Limited Partners at a meeting called expressly for such purpose.

     7.3 Approval Rights of the Limited Partners Committee. The following
matters shall require the approval of the Limited Partners Committee:

         (a) the adoption of annual operating and capital budgets for the
Partnership and its Subsidiaries;

         (b) the adoption of policies with respect to distributions, including
policies with respect to the establishment, maintenance or reduction of
operating and capital reserves;

         (c) the adoption of policies with respect to the incurrence or
repayment of indebtedness of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries (except as
already approved pursuant to Section 7.3(a) or (h) hereof);


                                       39
<PAGE>   40

    
         (d) the adoption of executive and management compensation plans for
employees of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries and the entry into any new
compensation arrangement with senior executives of the Partnership and its
Subsidiaries;

         (e) the issuance of additional equity interests in the Partnership as
provided in Section 4.5 hereof;

         (f) the acquisition by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries of
any assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business (except
as already approved pursuant to Section 7.3(a) hereof);

         (g) the disposition by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries of
any assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business (except
as already approved pursuant to Section 7.3(a) hereof);

         (h) the refinancing of any indebtedness of the Partnership or any of 
its Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business or as already
approved pursuant to Section 7.3(a) or (c) hereof;

         (i) the adoption of policies to be followed by the Partnership with 
respect to the acquisition and maintenance of insurance coverage for the assets
and properties of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries;

         (j) the adoption of any amendment to this Agreement; provided, however,
that any amendment described in Section 7.4(a)(iv) hereof shall also require the
approval of the Limited Partners to the extent provided in such Section
7.4(a)(iv);

         (k) the selection of any independent accounting firm to audit the
financial statements of the Partnership;



                                       40
<PAGE>   41

         (l) transactions with Affiliates of the General Partner to the extent
provided in Section 8.1(a) hereof;

         (m) any other matters requiring the approval of the Limited Partners
Committee pursuant to this Agreement or submitted to the Limited Partners
Committee by the General Partner; and

         (n) the approval of any matter (other than the election or removal of
any members of the Limited Partners Committee) for which a vote of the Limited
Partners is required pursuant to this Agreement.

     7.4 Approval Rights of the Limited Partners.

         (a) Approval Rights. The approval of the Requisite Percentage of the
Limited Partners at a meeting at which a quorum is present in accordance with
Section 7.5 hereof or acting by written consent shall be required for:

            (i) the election or removal of members of the Limited Partners
     Committee, except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 7.2(a)
     hereof;

            (ii) the merger of the Partnership with or into another entity, or
     the sale of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Partnership to
     another entity (other than a sale of assets to a wholly-owned Subsidiary);

            (iii) the dissolution of the Partnership;

            (iv) the amendment of this Agreement in any manner that would
     materially and adversely alter the rights of the Limited Partners (or the
     holders of any particular class of limited partnership interests) with
     respect to: (i) the rights of Limited Partners under this Article VII or
     (ii) the rights and preferences with respect to allocations 


                                       41
<PAGE>   42

     and distributions (including the Preferred Cash Return) pursuant to
     Articles V and VI and Section 12.2 hereof, other than (A) by reason of
     adjustment of the Percentage Interests of Partners in accordance with
     Section 4.6 hereof upon the admission of a new Limited Partner or the
     making of additional capital contributions by Partners other than in
     proportion to their Percentage Interests, (B) an adjustment to the method
     set forth in Section 5.8 hereof regarding tax allocations for the Year
     during which a change in Percentage Interests or a transfer of part or all
     of a Partnership Interest occurs or (c) alteration of the tax allocations
     set forth in Article V as necessary to conform to the Code or Regulations
     (or the interpretation thereof by the Internal Revenue Service) or to
     conform to the Partners' interests in the Partnership;

               (v) the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, or election
          of a new General Partner, except as provided in Section 11.2 hereof;

               (vi) the continuation of the Partnership following the
          resignation, removal or withdrawal of the General Partner (except as
          provided in Section 11.2 hereof);

               (vii) the assignment of the partnership interest of the General
          Partner in the Partnership or the transfer of a majority interest in
          the equity of the General Partner to Persons other than employees of
          the General Partner and its Affiliates;

               (viii) any other matter submitted to a vote of Limited Partners
          at the discretion of the Limited Partners Committee.

         (b) Requisite Percentage. The "Requisite Percentage" for the election 
or removal of any member of the Limited Partners Committee shall be a plurality
of the Percentage Interests of Limited Partners present and voting at any
meeting at which a quorum is present. The


                                       42
<PAGE>   43


"Requisite Percentage" required for the approval of a merger or sale of assets
shall be a majority of the outstanding Percentage Interests of Limited Partners.
The "Requisite Percentage" for any vote to dissolve the Partnership shall be
three-quarters (75%) of the Percentage Interests of Limited Partners. The
"Requisite Percentage" for the approval of any amendment of this Agreement
requiring a vote of the Limited Partners holding Percentage Interests pursuant
to Section 7.4(a)(iv) shall be a majority of the Percentage Interests of Limited
Partners and the "Requisite Percentage" for any amendment requiring a vote of
the holders of any particular class of limited partnership interest in a
majority of the outstanding balances in the contribution accounts with respect
to such class. The "Requisite Percentage" for the removal or the election of a
General Partner pursuant to Section 7.4(a)(v) shall be two-thirds (66.67%) of
the outstanding Percentage Interests of Limited Partners. The "Requisite
Percentage" for the continuation of the Partnership pursuant to Section
7.4(a)(vi) shall be all of the outstanding Percentage Interests of Limited
Partners and other interests (if any) in the Partnership. The "Requisite
Percentage" for the approval of the assignment of the partnership interest of
the General Partner or the transfer of a majority interest in the equity of the
General Partner pursuant to Section 7.4(a)(vii) is a majority of the outstanding
Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners. The "Requisite Percentage" for the
approval of any other matter submitted to the vote of the Limited Partners shall
be a majority of the Percentage Interests of Limited Partners present and voting
at any meeting at which a quorum is present.



                                       43
<PAGE>   44

     7.5 Meeting of Limited Partners.

         (a) Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the Limited Partners shall be 
held on such date as may be determined by the Limited Partners Committee. The
business to be transacted at such meeting shall be the election of members of
the Limited Partners Committee and such other business as shall be properly
brought before the meeting.

         (b) Special Meetings. A special meeting of the Limited Partners shall 
be held on call by the General Partner, the Limited Partners Committee or if the
holders of at least ten percent of the Percentage Interests or any other
partnership interest entitled to vote on any issue proposed to be considered at
the proposed special meeting sign, date and deliver to the General Partner and
the members of the Limited Partners Committee one or more written demands for
the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which such special meeting is
to be held, including all statements necessary to make a statement of such
purpose not incomplete, false or misleading. Only business within the purpose or
purposes described in the meeting notice may be conducted at a special Limited
Partners' meeting.

         (c) Place of Meetings. The Limited Partners Committee may designate any
place, either within or without the State of Tennessee, as the place of meeting
for any annual meeting or for any special meeting. If no place is fixed by the
Limited Partners Committee, the meeting shall be held at the principal office of
the Partnership.

         (d) Notice of Meetings; Waiver. Notice of the date, time and place of 
each annual and special Limited Partners' meeting and, in the case of a special
meeting, a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called, shall be given no fewer than ten days nor more than sixty days before
the date of the meeting. A Limited Partner may waive any notice



                                       44
<PAGE>   45


required by law or by this Agreement before or after the date and time stated in
such notice. Except as provided in the next sentence, the waiver must be in
writing, be signed by the Limited Partner entitled to notice and delivered to
the Partnership for inclusion in the minutes or filing with Partnership records.
A Limited Partner's attendance at a meeting: (i) waives objection to lack of
notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the Limited Partner at the
beginning of the meeting (or promptly upon his or her arrival) objects to
holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting; and (ii) waives
objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not
within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the
Limited Partner objects to considering the matter when it is presented.

         (e) List of Limited Partners. Each Limited Partner shall have the right
to receive, for any proper purpose, the name and address of each Limited Partner
and the Percentage Interests or other interests in the Partnership held by each
Limited Partner, and the Partnership shall furnish such information to any
Limited Partner requesting same in writing. Prior to any meeting of the Limited
Partners, the General Partner shall prepare a list of the names of all Limited
Partners who are entitled to notice of a Limited Partners meeting and the
address of such Limited Partners. The list will be available for inspection by
any Limited Partner, beginning two business days after notice of the meeting is
given for which the list was prepared and continuing through the meeting, at the
Partnership's principal office or at a place identified in the meeting notice in
the city where the meeting will be held. A Limited Partner or his or her agent
or attorney is entitled on written demand to inspect and to copy the list,
during regular business hours and at his or her expense during the period in
which it is available for inspection.



                                       45
<PAGE>   46

         (f) Quorum. A majority of the Percentage Interests or other partnership
interests entitled to vote on any matter constitutes a quorum for action on that
matter, unless the Requisite Percentage is greater than a majority of such
Percentage Interests or other partnership interests. If the Requisite Percentage
is greater than a majority of the Percentage Interests or other partnership
interests entitled to vote on a matter, a quorum shall consist of the Percentage
Interests or the percentage of other partnership interests constituting the
Requisite Percentage.

         (g) Adjournment. Once a Limited Partner is represented for any purpose
at a meeting, such Limited Partner is deemed present for quorum purposes for the
remainder of the meeting and for any adjournment of that meeting, unless a new
record date is or must be set for that adjourned meeting. If a quorum shall not
be present or represented at any meeting, the Limited Partners entitled to vote
thereat shall have power to adjourn the meeting to a different date, time or
place without notice other than the announcement at the meeting of the new time,
date or place to which the meeting is adjourned. At any adjourned meeting at
which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted
which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

         (h) Proxies. A Limited Partner may vote in person or by proxy. A 
Limited Partner may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for such Limited
Partner by signing an appointment either personally or by his or her
attorney-in-fact. An appointment of a proxy is effective when received by the
General Partner. An appointment is valid for eleven months unless another period
is expressly provided in the appointment form. An appointment of a proxy is
revocable by the Limited Partner unless the appointment form conspicuously
states that it is irrevocable and that the appointment is coupled with an
interest.


                                       46
<PAGE>   47

         (i) Acceptance of Limited Partner Documents. If the name on a Limited
Partner document (a vote, consent, waiver or proxy appointment) corresponds to
the name of the Limited Partner, the General Partner, if acting in good faith,
is entitled to accept such Limited Partner document and give it effect as the
act of the Limited Partner. If the name signed on such Limited Partner document
does not correspond to the name of a Limited Partner, the General Partner, if
acting in good faith, is nevertheless entitled to accept such Limited Partner
document and give it effect as the act of the Limited Partner if (i) the Limited
Partner is an entity and the name signed purports to be that of an officer or
agent of the entity; (ii) the name signed purports to be that of the fiduciary
representing the Limited Partner and, if the General Partner requests, evidence
of fiduciary status acceptable to the General Partner has been presented with
respect to such Limited Partner document; (iii) the name signed purports to be
that of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or the Limited Partner and, if the
General Partner requests, evidence of this status acceptable to the General
Partner has been presented with respect to the General Partner document; (iv)
the name signed purports to be that of a pledgee, beneficial owner or
attorney-in-fact of the Limited Partner and, if the General Partner requests,
evidence acceptable to the General Partner of the signatory's authority to sign
for the Limited Partner has been presented with respect to such Limited Partner
document; or (v) two or more persons are the Limited Partner as co-owners or
fiduciaries and the name signed purports to be the name of at least one of the
co-owners and the person signing appears to be acting on behalf of all of the
co-owners or at least one of the co-owners or fiduciaries. The General Partner
is entitled to reject a Limited Partner document if the General Partner, acting
in good faith, has a reasonable basis for doubt about the validity of


                                       47
<PAGE>   48

the signature on such Limited Partner document or about the signatory's
authority to sign for the Limited Partner.
    
         (j) Ownership of Interests Assigned by a Limited Partner. In the event
a vote of the Limited Partners shall be taken pursuant to this Agreement, a
Limited Partner shall, solely for the purpose of determining the Percentage
Interests held by him in weighing his vote, be deemed the holder of any
Percentage Interests assigned by him, so long as the assignee of such Percentage
Interests has not become a substituted Limited Partner. Whenever the Limited
Partners shall be entitled to vote pursuant to this Agreement, such vote may be
cast in person at a meeting duly called for such purpose or by validly executed
proxy.

         (k) Action Without Meeting. Action required or permitted by this 
Agreement or the Act to be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be
taken without a meeting. If all Limited Partners entitled to vote on the action
consent to taking such action without a meeting, the affirmative vote of the
number of Limited Partners that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at the meeting is the act of the Limited Partners. The action must be
evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, at least
one of which is signed by each Limited Partner entitled to vote on the action in
one or more counterparts, indicating such signing Limited Partner's vote or
abstention on the action and deliver to the Partnership for inclusion in the
minutes or for filing with the Partnership records.



                                       48
<PAGE>   49
  
     7.6 Tax Matters Partner.

         (a) Designation of Tax Matters Partner. The General Partner shall be
the "Tax Matters Partner" (as defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code) for all
administrative and judicial proceedings or the assessment and collection of tax
deficiencies for the refund of tax overpayments arising out of a Partner's
distributive share of Partnership items allocated to the Partners affecting any
of the Partners' tax liability. The General Partner shall have all power and
authority necessary for it to carry out its duties as a Tax Matters Partner
under the Code. Each Partner, by the execution of this Agreement, consents to
the appointment of the General Partner as the Tax Matters Partner and agrees to
execute, certify, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file and record at the
appropriate public offices such documents as may be necessary or appropriate to
evidence such consent.

         (b) Indemnification and Reimbursement. The Partnership shall indemnify
and reimburse the Tax Matters Partner for all expenses, including legal and
accounting fees, claims, liabilities, losses and damages incurred in connection
with any administrative or judicial proceeding with respect to the tax liability
of the Partners and against any and all loss, liability, cost or expense,
including judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and attorneys fees and
expenses, incurred by the Tax Matters Partner in any civil, criminal or
investigative proceeding in which the Tax Matters Partner is involved or
threatened to be involved solely by virtue of being Tax Matters Partner, so long
as the Tax Matters Partner (i) acted in good faith and with the care an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar
circumstances and (ii) reasonably believed his actions to be in the best
interest of the Partnership (or if such actions were not taken in the Tax
Matters Partner's official capacity with the Partnership, the Tax Matters


                                       49
<PAGE>   50

Partner reasonably believed such actions to be not opposed to the best interests
of the Partnership). Neither the General Partner, nor any Affiliate, nor any
other person shall have any obligation to provide funds for such purpose. The
taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the Tax Matters Partner
and the provisions on limitations of liability of the General Partner and
indemnification set forth in this Agreement shall be fully applicable to the Tax
Matters Partner in its capacity as such.

                       VIII. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

     8.1 In General. The Partnership may acquire property or services from, and
have other transactions with, the General Partner and its Affiliates, subject
only to the following limitations:

         (a) Such transaction shall have been approved by a majority of the
members of the Limited Partners Committee or shall be one of the transactions
enumerated in Section 8.2 hereof;
 
         (b) The funds of the Partnership shall be kept separate and will not be
commingled with any other funds; and

         (c) All such transactions shall be evidenced in writing and provide for
compensation at a rate commensurate with that which would be obtained in the
case of a similar transaction with independent persons.

     8.2 Authorized Transactions. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall
prohibit or limit those transactions with Partners and their Affiliates
contemplated or referred to in this


                                       50
<PAGE>   51

Section 8.2, and each of the Limited Partners hereby expressly approves and
consents to the following transactions:

         (a) The engagement of the services of such bookkeepers, auditors,
accountants, attorneys, consultants, and other professionals on behalf and at
the reasonable expense of the Partnership, including Affiliates of the General
Partner, whether or not any of the same shall have been or then be otherwise
engaged by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, all as the General
Partner may deem proper or desirable for the proper operation or protection of
the Partnership;

         (b) The reimbursement of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates
by the Partnership for any and all reasonable costs and expenses, including,
without limitation, legal, accounting, auditing, and other fees and expenses of
other agents or advisors, cost of insurance, and the bookkeeping and clerical
work necessary in maintaining the books and records of the Partnership,
including the cost of printing and mailing checks, statements, and reports, and
all other costs and expenses which are, as determined by the General Partner,
properly allocable to the operations of the Partnership incurred by it in
connection with its duties to the Partnership;

         (c) The admission of and service by the General Partner as general
partner in partnerships controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Partnership
and the receipt of benefits by the General Partner in connection with its
ownership interest therein;

         (d) The acquisition of Partnership Interests or other interests in the
Partnership by persons who are Affiliates of the General Partner and who receive
their Partnership Interests in exchange for shares of ARC or interests in the
Affiliated Partnerships on the same terms as other persons holding like
interests; and


                                       51
<PAGE>   52

         (e) The payment of fees and expenses with respect to such other matters
and transactions as are contemplated or set forth elsewhere in this Agreement.

             IX. INDEMNIFICATION AND EXCULPATION OF GENERAL PARTNER
                       AND THE LIMITED PARTNERS COMMITTEE
                                AND OTHER MATTERS

     9.1 Indemnification. The General Partner and its Affiliates and the members
of the Limited Partners Committee and their respective members, managers,
governors, officers, directors, partners, agents and employees, shall be
indemnified and held harmless, to the full extent of Partnership assets, by the
Partnership from any loss, liability or damages incurred or suffered by them
(including fees and expenses of attorneys and other experts) as a result of any
and all acts or omissions in connection with the business of the Partnership, if
(i) such actions were in good faith and (except in the case of member of the
Limited Partners Committee) taken with the care an ordinarily prudent person in
a like position would exercise under similar circumstances and (ii) such Person
reasonably believed such actions to be in the best interests of the Partnership
(or if such actions were not taken in such Person's official capacity with the
Partnership, such Person reasonably believed such actions to be not opposed to
the best interests of the Partnership).

         9.2 Exculpation. The members of the Limited Partners Committee, the
General Partner and its Affiliates and their respective members, managers,
governors, officers, directors, partners, agents and employees shall not be
liable, in damages or otherwise, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for
any acts in connection with the business of the Partnership, if (a) such actions
were in good faith and (except in the case of members of the Limited Partners
Committee) taken 


                                       52
<PAGE>   53

with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise
under similar circumstances and (b) such Person reasonably believed such actions
to be in the best interests of the Partnership (or if such actions were not
taken in such Person's official capacity with the Partnership, such Person
reasonably believed such actions to be not opposed to the best interests of the
Partnership).

     9.3 No Personal Liability of Limited Partners. Any amounts payable to the
General Partner or its Affiliates or the members of the Limited Partners
Committee or any other Person pursuant to this Article IX are recoverable only
out of the assets of the Partnership and not from the Limited Partners.

     9.4 Periodic Advancement of Expenses. The Partnership shall from time to
time make advances to the General Partner and its Affiliates and the members of
the Limited Partners Committee and their respective members, managers,
governors, officers, directors, partners, agents and employees for expenses in
connection with any claim made against them of the type contemplated in Section
9.1, provided the following conditions are met: (a) the claim relates to the
business of the Partnership; and (b) the Person to whom expenses are advanced
(i) undertakes to repay the advanced funds to the Partnership in cases in which
such Person would not be entitled to indemnification and (ii) furnishes the
Partnership with a written affirmation of such party that such Person has met
the applicable standard of conduct specified in Section 9.1 hereof for
entitlement to indemnification.

     9.5 Returns of Capital Contributions. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, the General Partner shall not be individually liable
for the return of the capital contributions of the Limited Partners, or any
portion thereof, it being expressly understood that


                                       53
<PAGE>   54

any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets; provided, however,
that the General Partner must comply with Section 4.10 hereof.

                   X. TRANSFER OF INTERESTS IN THE PARTNERSHIP

     10.1 In General. With the General Partner's consent, which consent may be
granted or denied in the sole discretion of the General Partner, a Limited
Partner may sell, transfer, assign or subject to a security interest any or all
of his limited partnership interest; provided, however, that:

          (a) Such Limited Partner and his purchaser, transferee or assignee
     execute, shall acknowledge and deliver to the General Partner such
     instruments of transfer and assignment with respect to such transaction as
     are in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner;

          (b) Upon request of the General Partner, such Limited Partner shall
     pay the Partnership a transfer fee which is sufficient to pay all
     reasonable expenses of the Partnership in connection with such transaction;
     and

          (c) Upon the request of the General Partner, the Limited Partner or
     his purchaser, transferee or assignee shall deliver to the Partnership and
     the General Partner an opinion of counsel, in form and substance
     satisfactory to the General Partner, to the effect that such sale,
     transfer, assignment or subjection to a security interest does not violate
     the securities laws of the United States or any applicable state securities
     laws.

No such purchaser, transferee, assignee, or holder of such security interest (or
any Person who purchases such limited partnership interest upon foreclosure of
such security interest) shall become


                                       54
<PAGE>   55

a Limited Partner within the meaning of Section 61- 2-301 of the Act unless the
General Partner consents in writing to such Person becoming a substituted
Limited Partner. Neither the Partnership nor the General Partner shall recognize
or be bound by any assignment of a limited partnership interest, unless the
General Partner consents to such assignment in writing. Notwithstanding the
foregoing to the contrary, the General Partner's prior consent shall not be
required for the assignment of the right to share in profits by a Limited
Partner to an immediate member of the assignor Limited Partner's immediate
family, but such transferee shall not become a substituted Limited Partner
except with the consent of the General Partner and the fulfillment of the other
conditions set forth in Section 10.2 hereof.

     10.2 Substituted Limited Partners. If the General Partner consents to the
admission of a person as a substituted Limited Partner within the meaning of
Sections 61-2-301 and 61-2-704 of the Act, and such person:

         (a) Elects to become a substituted Limited Partner by delivering a 
written notice of such election to the General Partner;

         (b) Executes and acknowledges such other instruments as the General 
Partner may deem necessary or advisable to effect the admission of such person
as a substituted Limited Partner, including, without limitation, the written
acceptance and adoption by such person of the provisions of this Agreement; and

         (c) Upon request of the General Partner, pays a transfer fee to the
Partnership which is sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses connected with
the admission of such person as a substituted Limited Partner within the meaning
of Section 61-2-301 of the Act, including, without limitation, the cost of
preparing, printing and filing for record an amendment to this


                                       55
<PAGE>   56


Agreement and, if required by the Act or deemed appropriate by the General
Partner, the Certificate, and obtaining any opinions of counsel the Partnership
deems necessary or advisable.

Upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses (a), (b) and (c)
above, then the General Partner shall amend this Agreement and, if necessary or
desired, the Certificate in accordance with the provisions of the Act and shall
take all other steps which, in the opinion of the General Partner, are
reasonably necessary to admit such person as a substituted Limited Partner under
Section 61-2-301 of the Act. The General Partner shall file an amendment to this
Agreement and the Certificate, if required by the Act or if the General Partner
considers it appropriate to do so. Such person shall become a substituted
Limited Partner on the date of such amendment to this Agreement and his
predecessor will cease to be a Limited Partner on such date.

     10.3 Purchase of Limited Partner Interests by the General Partner. The
General Partner may acquire limited partnership interests in the Partnership,
and, if with respect to such interest the General Partner becomes a Limited
Partner within the meaning of the Act, the General Partner shall, with respect
to such interest, enjoy all rights and be subject to all of the obligations and
duties of the Limited Partners.

     10.4 Transfer Upon Death of Limited Partner. Upon the death of a Limited
Partner, his executor, administrator, or other personal representative shall
have all of the rights of the deceased Limited Partner for the purpose of
settling his estate; may assign or transfer the limited partnership interest in
the Partnership of the deceased Limited Partner to such persons and in such
manner as the deceased Limited Partner could have during his lifetime; and may
constitute his



                                       56
<PAGE>   57

transferee or assignee a substituted Limited Partner to the extent that the
deceased Limited Partner could have done so, but only upon compliance with the
provisions of this Agreement.

                 XI. TRANSFER OF THE GENERAL PARTNER'S INTEREST

     11.1 Resignation and Withdrawal of the General Partner. The General Partner
hereby covenants and agrees not to resign or withdraw as General Partner unless
removed by a vote of the Limited Partners as provided in Section 7.4(a)(v)
hereof or replaced by ARC as provided in Section 11.2 hereof.

     11.2 Removal of the General Partner; Substitution of ARC. The General
Partner may be removed at any time upon a vote of Limited Partners holding
two-thirds (66-2/3%) or more of the outstanding Percentage Interests as provided
in Section 7.4(a)(v) hereof. In addition, if ARC is not a Subsidiary of the
Partnership by October 31, 1995, ARC shall have the right, exercisable until
December 31, 1995, to be admitted as a general partner of the Partnership by
executing a copy of this Agreement and agreeing to assume the responsibilities
and obligations of the General Partner under this Agreement. Upon such
admission, ARC will become the General Partner of the Partnership and ARCLLC
will have the right, at its option, to withdraw from the Partnership and have
returned to it the amount of any capital contribution made by it or to continue
its interest in the Partnership as a special limited partner pursuant to Section
11.5 hereof. The admission of ARC as a general partner in the Partnership, the
substitution of ARC for ARCLLC as the General Partner under this Agreement and
the withdrawal of ARCLLC from the Partnership will not require the consent or
approval of the Limited Partners and will not cause the existence of the
Partnership to be terminated.



                                       57
<PAGE>   58

     11.3 Notice of Transfer. Written notice of the transfer of the General
Partner's interest pursuant to Section 11.7 shall be given by the General
Partner to the Limited Partners. Such notice shall set forth the day upon which
the resignation or transfer is to become effective.

     11.4 Liability of the General Partner after Removal. If the General Partner
is removed as general partner in the Partnership in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, its liability as a general partner shall cease as
to future obligations of the Partnership, and the Partnership shall promptly
take all steps reasonably necessary under the Act to cause such cessation of
liability.

     11.5 Continuing Interest of the General Partner after Removal. Upon
removal, the General Partner that has been removed may transfer its interest to
any substituted General Partner or withdraw with the consent of the Limited
Partners as provided in Section 7.4(a)(v) hereof. If the General Partner does
not withdraw or transfer its interest to a successor General Partner, the
interest of the General Partner that has been removed will be converted into a
special limited partnership interest having no right to participate in
distributions of Net Cash Flow from Operations or proceeds from Capital
Transactions pursuant to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 except as Partner with the
Percentage Interest, if any, held by such General Partner prior to removal, but
having a right to participate in a percentage of the General Partner's
Subordinated Interest on liquidation pursuant to Section 12.2 hereof. The
percentage participation in the General Partner's Subordinated Interest shall be
determined in accordance with a formula to be established by the Limited
Partners Committee at the time of removal in a manner designed to reflect the
length of time that the General Partner that is being removed has served as a
general partner of the


                                       58
<PAGE>   59

Partnership and the contribution of such General Partner to the formation of the
Partnership and to the Roll Up.

     11.6 Election of Successor General Partner. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 11.2 hereof, if the General Partner withdraws or resigns, or is removed
as general partner of the Partnership, all the Limited Partners may elect a
successor General Partner as provided in Section 7.4 hereof; provided, however,
if after such resignation the Partnership has no remaining General Partner, the
business of the Partnership may be continued, and a dissolution and liquidation
of the Partnership pursuant to Article XII hereof may be avoided, only if,
within 90 days after the withdrawal, resignation or removal of the General
Partner, the Limited Partners elect to continue the business of the Partnership
and elect one or more successor general partners pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof.
The Person so elected as a successor General Partner shall not become the
General Partner until the withdrawal, resignation or removal of the former
general partner is effective and the successor has executed a copy of this
Agreement.

     11.7 Transfer to Successor General Partner. The General Partner shall not
have the right to assign the whole or any portion of its partnership interest or
transfer a majority interest in its equity to any person or persons other than
employees of the General Partner or its Affiliates without the written consent
of Limited Partners owning a majority of the Percentage Interests of all Limited
Partners; provided, however, that notwithstanding Section 11.6 hereof, the
General Partner may at any time transfer its interest in the Partnership or its
equity to an entity that is an Affiliate of the General Partner without the
consent of the Limited Partners, and such Affiliate receiving the partnership
interest shall after the effective date set forth in notice thereof to Limited
Partners assume all the rights and duties of the General Partner hereunder.



                                       59
<PAGE>   60

               XII. DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP OF THE PARTNERSHIP

     12.1 Dissolution of the Partnership. The following events (each, a
"Termination Event") shall cause a dissolution of the Partnership: (a) the
withdrawal, resignation, removal or Bankruptcy of the General Partner unless,
within 90 days after such withdrawal, resignation, removal or Bankruptcy, a
successor General Partner shall be elected pursuant to Sections 7.4 and 11.6 of
this Agreement to continue the business of the Partnership, in a reconstituted
form if necessary, and subject to all the terms of this Agreement; (b) the vote
of Limited Partners owning three-quarters (75%) of the Percentage Interests of
the Limited Partners, (c) the disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Partnership and the receipt of the final cash payment of the sale
price of such assets; or (d) the expiration of the term of the Partnership
pursuant to Article III hereof. In no event shall the Bankruptcy, death,
withdrawal, expulsion, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or legal
incapacity of any Limited Partner result in dissolution of the Partnership. In
the event of the death of any Limited Partner, the personal representative of
the deceased Limited Partner shall succeed to the interest of the deceased
Limited Partner in the Partnership, subject to the rights of any assignees of
the deceased Limited Partner in and to such interest, and subject to the
provisions of this Agreement.

     12.2 Winding Up of the Partnership. Upon the dissolution of the Partnership
following the occurrence of a Termination Event, the General Partner shall make
any contribution required pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof (determined after the
final Capital Account balances are determined on a tentative basis following
hypothetical distributions in accordance with this Section 12.2 as if this
contribution by the General Partner were not made), and the General Partner or
other Person or Persons empowered to act on behalf of the Partnership pursuant
to Section 61-2-


                                       60
<PAGE>   61

803 of the Act shall take full account of the Partnership's assets and
liabilities and the assets shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with
obtaining the fair value thereof. The proceeds from the liquidation of the
Partnership's assets and any contribution by the General Partner pursuant to
Section 4.10 hereof, to the extent sufficient therefor, shall be applied and
distributed as provided in Section 61-2-804 of the Act; provided, however, that
after payment of all Partnership debts, obligations and liabilities there shall
be distributed to each Partner the remaining assets of the Partnership in the
following order of priority:

     (a) First, to the LEAAF Partners (if any), to the extent of the difference
between the cumulative LEAAF Return to the time of the final distribution and
the aggregate amounts they have previously received on account thereof, on a
cumulative basis, pursuant to Sections 6.1(a) and 6.2(a) hereof;

     (b) Second, to the LEAAF Partners (if any), to the extent of the then
outstanding balance of their LEAAF Contribution Accounts;

     (c) Third, to each Partner (other than LEAAF Partners in respect of their
LEAAF Partnership Interests), an amount sufficient to produce an internal rate
of return equal to fourteen percent (14%) per annum, compound interest, computed
as a return on all contributions by such Partner to the Partnership and taking
into account in the calculation all distributions to such Partner (except for
distributions of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest), including the
distribution pursuant to this Section 12.2(c); provided, however, if the amount
to be distributed pursuant to this Section 12.2(c) is not sufficient to produce
an internal rate of return of 14% per annum to all such Partners, the amount
distributed to each such Partner shall be computed to produce an internal rate
of return after all distributions (including the distribution


                                       61
<PAGE>   62

pursuant to this Section 12.2(c) but excluding distributions of the General
Partner's Subordinated Interest) that is the same internal rate of return for
each Partner receiving such a distribution; and

     (d) Fourth, any remaining amount 20% to the General Partner (and any former
General Partner to the extent provided in Section 11.5 hereof) in respect of the
General Partner's Subordinated Interest and 80% to the Partners (other than
LEAAF Partners in respect of their LEAAF Partnership Interests, which will no
longer be outstanding), in an amount apportioned among the Partners computed to
produce an internal rate of return after all distributions (including all
distributions pursuant to this Section 12.2, but excluding (i) distributions to
LEAAF Partners of their LEAAF Return or amounts credited to their LEAAF
Contribution Accounts and (ii) distributions of the General Partner's
Subordinated Interest) that is the same internal rate of return for each Partner
receiving such a distribution.

                  XIII. BOOKS OF ACCOUNT, ACCOUNTING, REPORTS,
                      FISCAL YEAR, BANKING AND TAX ELECTION

         13.1 Books of Account. The Partnership's books and records (including a
current list of the names and addresses of and percentage of ownership of all
Limited Partners) and an executed copy of this Agreement, as currently in
effect, shall be maintained at the principal office of the General Partner in
Tennessee, and each Partner shall have access thereto upon notice at a
reasonable time for any proper purpose. The books and records shall be kept by
the General Partner using an appropriate method of accounting consistently
applied and shall reflect all Partnership transactions and be appropriate and
adequate for the Partnership's business. The 



                                       62
<PAGE>   63

General Partner shall also keep adequate federal income tax records using an
appropriate method of accounting applied on a consistent basis.

     13.2 Financial Reports. As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of
each fiscal year, but not later than April 30 of the next succeeding year, each
Partner shall be furnished with a copy of a balance sheet of the Partnership as
of the last day of such fiscal year and statements of income or loss and cash
flow of the Partnership for such year. Such annual financial statements shall be
audited by a reputable independent certified public accounting firm. The
Partnership shall also furnish to each Partner not later than March 31 of each
year an unaudited statement showing the amounts allocated to or allocated
against such Partner pursuant to this Agreement during or in respect of such
year, and any items of income, deduction, credit or loss allocated to such
Partner for purposes of the Code.

     13.3 Annual Reports. The annual financial statements provided for in
Section 13.2 of this Agreement shall be accompanied by a report in reasonable
detail, containing a description of the activities of the Partnership during
such year. Such report shall set forth the distributions to the Limited Partners
during such year.

     13.4 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be the calendar
year.

     13.5 Banking. All funds of the Partnership shall be initially deposited in
one or more separate account or accounts of banks or other insured financial
institutions as shall be determined by the General Partner, but such funds may
be invested as provided in Section 7.1(h) of this Agreement.

     13.6 Tax Election to Adjust Basis of Property. Upon the transfer of an
interest in the Partnership or in the event of a distribution of the
Partnership's property, the Partnership may,


                                       63
<PAGE>   64

but is not required to, elect pursuant to Section 754 of the Code, to adjust the
basis of the Partnership's property as allowed by Section 734(b) and 743(b)
thereof.

     13.7 Other Tax Elections. All elections required or permitted to be made by
the Partnership under any applicable tax laws shall be made by the General
Partner in such manner as the General Partner may determine. In making such
elections, the General Partner may rely upon the advice of the Partnership's
regularly retained accountant.

     13.8 Tax Returns. The General Partner shall utilize its best efforts, for
each fiscal year, to file on behalf of the Partnership with the Internal Revenue
Service a Partnership Return within the time prescribed by law (including any
extensions) for such filing. The General Partner shall also utilize reasonable
efforts to file on behalf of the Partnership such state and/or local income tax
returns as may be required by law.

                             XIV. POWER OF ATTORNEY

     14.1 Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact. Each Limited Partner hereby makes,
constitutes and appoints the General Partner with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, his agent and attorney-in-fact (a) to file for record this
Agreement if required by the Act, (b) if the General Partner deems it
appropriate to do so, to sign, execute, certify, acknowledge, and file for
record any other instruments which may be required of the Partnership or of the
Limited Partners by law, including, but not limited to, amendments to or
cancellations of this Agreement and the Certificate, (c) sign, execute, certify,
acknowledge, and file for record any instruments required to effectuate or
evidence the transfer of a partnership interest as permitted by this Agreement,
and (d) upon compliance with the appropriate provisions of this Agreement, to
amend this Agreement


                                       64
<PAGE>   65

and the Certificate. Each Limited Partner authorizes each such attorney-in-fact
to take any further action which such attorney-in-fact shall consider necessary
or advisable in connection with the foregoing, hereby giving such
attorney-in-fact full power and authority to act to the same extent as if such
Limited Partner were himself personally present, and hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.

     14.2 Effect of Power. The power of attorney granted pursuant to Section
14.1 of this Agreement:

         (a) Is a special power of attorney coupled with an interest, is
irrevocable, and shall survive the death, insanity, or incapacity of the
granting Limited Partner; and

         (b) May be exercised by any such attorney-in-fact for each Limited 
Partner by listing all of the Limited Partners executing any agreement,
certificate, instrument or document with the single signature of such
attorney-in-fact as attorney-in-fact for all of them; and

         (c) Shall survive the effectiveness of an assignment by a Limited 
Partner of his entire interest in the Partnership, except that where the
purchaser, transferee or assignee thereof is admitted as a substituted Limited
Partner, the power of attorney shall survive such assignment as to the assignor
for the sole purpose of enabling such attorney-in-fact to execute, acknowledge
and file any such agreement, certificate, instrument, or document necessary to
effect such substitution.


                                       65
<PAGE>   66

                                XV. MISCELLANEOUS

     15.1 Notices. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any notice,
payment, demand or communication required or permitted to be given by any
provision of this Agreement shall be duly given if delivered in writing
personally to the person to whom it is authorized to be given, or if sent by
mail or overnight delivery service, telecopy, telex or telegraph, as follows: if
to the General Partner, at the address set forth in Section 2.4 of this
Agreement, or to such other addresses as the General Partner may from time to
time specify by written notice to the Limited Partners; and if to a Limited
Partner, at such Limited Partner's address set forth in the first paragraph of
this Agreement or in Exhibit A hereto, or to such other address as such Limited
Partner may from time to time specify, by written notice to the General Partner.
Any such notice shall be deemed to be given as of the date so delivered, if
delivered personally, by telecopy, telex or telegraph, or as of the date on
which the same was deposited in the United States mail or overnight delivery
service, charges prepaid, addressed and sent as aforesaid.

     15.2 Section Captions. Section and other captions contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and are in no way intended to
describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this
Agreement or any provision hereof.

     15.3 Severability. Every provision of this Agreement is intended to be
severable. If any term or provision of this Agreement is illegal or invalid for
any reason whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the
validity of the remainder of this Agreement.

     15.4 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended from time to time (a) with
the consent of the General Partner and the Limited Partners Committee if the
consent of the Limited Partners is not required pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof,
and (b) with the consent of the General



                                       66
<PAGE>   67

Partner, the Limited Partners Committee and the Requisite Percentage of the
Limited Partners is required pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof. In addition, if the
Roll Up is not consummated on or before October 31, 1995, the Limited Partners
Committee shall have the right, exercisable until December 31, 1995, to cause
this Agreement to be amended to reduce the General Partner's Subordinated
Interest below 20% of the total distributions specified in Sections 6.1(c),
6.2(e) and 12.2(d) and to increase amounts distributed to Limited Partners in
respect of their Partnership Interests under Sections 6.1(c), 6.2(e) and 12.2(d)
as a result of such reduction (with a corresponding change in the percentage of
allocations to the General Partner and the Limited Partners under Sections
5.1(a) and 5.3(d)).

     15.5 Waiver of Action for Partition. Each Partner irrevocably waives during
the term of the Partnership and during the period of its liquidation following
any dissolution, any right to maintain any action for partition with respect to
any of the assets of the Partnership.

     15.6 Counterpart Execution. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

     15.7 Parties in Interest. Except as provided in Article X of this
Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
successors, heirs, devisees, assigns, legal representatives, executors and
administrators.

     15.8 Integrated Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding and agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof, and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions,
representations or warranties among the parties other than those set forth
herein or herein provided for.



                                       67
<PAGE>   68

     15.9 Number and Gender. References herein to the plural shall include the
singular, where applicable, and references to the singular shall include the
plural, where applicable. References herein to any gender shall include any
other gender, where applicable.

     15.10 Tennessee Law. Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement or any
counterpart hereof may be executed by any of the parties hereto, the parties
expressly agree that all the terms and provisions hereof shall be construed
under the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to the principles of
conflicts of law thereof, and that the Act as now adopted or as may be hereafter
amended shall govern the partnership aspects of this Agreement.


                                       68
<PAGE>   69
 


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the
date first above written. GENERAL PARTNER:

                                    AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, LLC
                                    By: H. Todd Kaestner
                                        ------------------------------------
                                            Its:
                                                ----------------------------


                                    LIMITED PARTNERS:

                                    [                        ]
                                    By: /s/
                                        -----------------------------------
                                            Title:
                                                  -------------------------

         Each of the other limited partners have executed a separate limited
partner signature page which is attached hereto.



























                                       69
<PAGE>   70



STATE OF TENNESSEE        )
                          )
COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON      )

     Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State and County
aforesaid, personally appeared __________________ with whom I am personally
acquainted (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence), and who,
upon oath acknowledged that he executed the within instrument for the purposes
therein contained, and who further acknowledged that he is the ______ of
American Retirement Communities, LLC, the within named bargainer, and that he is
authorized by such entity to execute this instrument on behalf of such entity.

     WITNESS my hand and seal, this ____ day of _____________, 1993.



                                   -------------------------------------------
                                    Notary Public

My Commission Expires:


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







                                       70
<PAGE>   71
                             FIRST AMENDEMENT TO
                        LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
                    AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.


        This First Amendment, dated as of April 1, 1995, is made by American
Retirement Communities, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company (the
"General Partner"), as the general partner of American Retirement Communities,
L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership (the "Partnership").


                             W I T N E S S E T H:

        WHEREAS, the Limited Partners Committee of the partnership wishes to
cause the amendment of the Limited Partnership Agreement, dated as of February
7, 1995 (the "Agreement"), by and among the General Partner and the limited
partners of the Partnership (the "Limited Partners") as provided herein and the
General Partner agrees to cause such amendment;

        WHEREAS, the consent of the Limited Partners is not required under
Sections 7.4 and 15.4 of the Agreement; 

        NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

        1.  General Partner's Subordinated Interest.  Section 1.17 of the
Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows in its entirety:

                "1.17  The term "General Partner's Subordinated Interest" shall
        mean those distributions to the General Partner constituting 
        (i) fifteen and eight-tenths percent (15.8%) of the total distributions
        specified in Section 6.1(c), and (ii) twenty percent (20%) of the total
        distributions specified in Section 6.2(e), and Section 12.2(d), which
        represent, in each case, distributions unrelated to any capital
        contributions by the General Partner."


<PAGE>   72
        2.     Distribution of Net Cash Flow from Operations.  Section 6.1(c) of
the Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows in its entirety:

                
               "(c) Third, any remaining amount 15.8% to the General Partner in
        respect of the General Partner's Subordinated Interest and 84.2% to the
        Partners (other than LEAAF Partners in respect of their LEAAF
        Partnership Interests), apportioned among the Partners in
        accordance with their respective Percentage Interests at the time of
        the distribution."

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned General Partner of the Partnership
has caused this First Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first above
written.

                                       AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, LLC



                                       By: /s/ W. E. Sheriff
                                           --------------------------------
                                           W. E. Sheriff,
                                           Chief Manager



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2

                       ARTICLES OF SHARE EXCHANGE BETWEEN

                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.,
                         A TENNESSEE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                       AND

                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION,
                             A TENNESSEE CORPORATION


     Pursuant to the provisions of Section 48-21-107 of the Tennessee Business
Corporation Act, the undersigned domestic corporation and domestic limited
partnership adopt the following Articles of Share Exchange for the purpose of
exchanging shares of the Common Stock of American Retirement Corporation ("ARC")
for limited partnership interests in American Retirement Communities, L.P (the
"Partnership"):

     1. The Plan and Agreement of Share Exchange is attached hereto as Exhibit
A.

     2. The Plan and Agreement of Share Exchange and the performance of the
terms thereof were duly approved by the Board of Directors of ARC and duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of ARC Common Stock
entitled to vote at a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on March 24, 1995.

     3. The Plan and Agreement of Share Exchange and the performance of the
terms thereof, were duly authorized by all action of the Partnership required by
Tennessee law, by its Certificate of Limited Partnership and by its Limited
Partnership Agreement.

     4. The Share Exchange is to be effective on the filing of these Articles of
Share Exchange.

Date:  March 31, 1995


                                   AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


                                   By:   /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                         -------------------------------------
                                   Title:     EVP
                                         -------------------------------------


                                   AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                                   By:    American Retirement Communities, LLC,
                                           its General Partner

                                          By:   /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                               --------------------------------
                                          Title:     EVP
                                               -------------------------------- 







<PAGE>   2
                      PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF SHARE EXCHANGE


     THIS PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF SHARE EXCHANGE (the "Plan") is made and entered
into as of March ___, 1995, by and between American Retirement Communities,
L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership (the "Partnership"), and American
Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation ("ARC").

     WHEREAS, the Partnership has authorized the issuance of limited partnership
interests ("Interests") in the Partnership pursuant to a "share exchange" as
defined in Section 48-21-103 of the Tennessee Business Corporation Act (the
"Act") whereby outstanding shares of ARC common stock, $1.00 par value per share
(the "ARC Common Stock"), will be exchanged for Interests or cash and ARC will
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership (the "ARC Share Exchange");

     WHEREAS, the authorized capital stock of ARC consists of 5,000,000 shares
of ARC Common Stock, of which 2,109,736 shares are issued and outstanding (the
"Shares");

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of ARC deems it in the best interests of
ARC to effect the ARC Share Exchange and, by action duly taken, has approved
this Plan and directed that it be submitted to the shareholders of ARC for their
approval at a Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on March 24, 1995 (the
"Special Meeting"); and

     WHEREAS, the General Partner and the Limited Partners' Committee of the
Partnership deems it in the best interests of the Partnership to effect the ARC
Share Exchange and have approved this Plan in accordance with the terms of the
Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership (the "Partnership Agreement")
and Tennessee law.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained, and for the purposes of stating the method, terms
and conditions of the ARC Share Exchange provided for herein, the mode of
putting the same into effect, the manner and basis of exchanging the Shares as
herein provided, and such other provisions relating to the ARC Share Exchange as
the parties deem necessary or desirable, the parties hereto have agreed and do
hereby agree, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as
follows:


                             PLAN OF SHARE EXCHANGE

I.   Parties; Effect of ARC Share Exchange

     The parties to the ARC Share Exchange are ARC and the Partnership. Pursuant
to the provisions of Section 48-21-103 of the Act and other applicable
provisions of Tennessee law, the Shares shall be exchanged for Interests in the
Partnership or cash as set forth in Section II below. Following the ARC Share
Exchange, ARC will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership. Except
as herein specifically set forth to the contrary, the name, identity, existence,
certificate of authority, purposes, powers, objects, franchises, privileges,
rights and immunities of ARC shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the ARC
Share Exchange.


II.  Terms, Manner and Basis of Exchanging Shares of ARC Common Stock

     The manner and basis of exchanging the Shares shall be as follows:

     A. ARC shareholders who hold 3,000 or more Shares will receive Interests in
the Partnership with an initial Contribution Account (as defined in the
Partnership Agreement) in the amount of $9.72 per share of ARC Common Stock (the
"ARC Share Exchange Rate").



<PAGE>   3



     B. ARC shareholders who hold less than 3,000 Shares will not be eligible to
exchange ARC Common Stock for Interests, but instead will receive a cash amount
equal to $9.72 per share of ARC Common Stock in exchange for their Shares (the
"ARC Cash Exchange Rate").

III. Conditions of the ARC Share Exchange

     The consummation of the ARC Share Exchange is subject to the following
conditions:

     A. The approval by the holders of at least a majority (50.1%) of the issued
and outstanding Shares entitled to vote on this Plan.

     B. The holders of no more than 8% of the outstanding Shares indicate their
intent to exercise dissenters' rights with respect to the ARC Share Exchange and
demand payment to receive fair value for their Shares pursuant to Section
48-23-101 et seq of the Act.

     C. The Holders of at least the Requisite Percentage of partnership
interests in the Affiliated Partnerships and at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding
principal amount of the LEAAF Notes and 66-2/3% of the Profit Participation
shall have tendered these interests to the Partnership on or before March 28,
1995 and such tenders shall not have been revoked on or before March 28, 1995.
The term "Requisite Percentage" means that percentage of the partnership
interests in each Affiliated Partnership which, when added to the partnership
interests held by ARC or its subsidiaries, equals 66-2/3 of the partnership in
such Affiliated Partnership. The term "Affiliated Partnerships" means Trinity
Towers Limited Partnership and Frist-Maddox Investors. The term "LEAAF Notes"
means those certain non-negotiable subordinated promissory notes due December
31, 2001 in the aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000, issued by Fort Austin
Limited Partnership. The term "Profit Participation" means the rights under that
certain Profits Participation Agreement (After Termination of GECC Agreement),
dated May 31, 1993, between Fort Austin Limited Partnership and Thomas F. 
Frist, Sr.

     D. No action or proceeding shall have been instituted before a court or
other governmental body by any governmental agency or public authority to
restrain or prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Plan or to obtain an
amount of damages or other material relief in connection with the consummation
of this Plan, and no governmental agency shall have given notice to the effect
that consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Plan would constitute
a violation of any law or that it intends to commence proceedings to restrain
consummation of this Plan.

     The General Partner of the Partnership, and the Board of Directors of ARC
may, in their sole discretion, waive any of the foregoing conditions other than
(A) above; however, neither the Partnership nor ARC shall be under any
obligation to effect the ARC Share Exchange unless all of the conditions set
forth above have been satisfied.


IV.  Effective Time of the ARC Share Exchange

     Subject to the terms hereof and upon satisfaction of all requirements of
law and the conditions specified in this Plan, the ARC Share Exchange shall
become effective upon the filing of the Articles of Share Exchange with the
Secretary of State of Tennessee (the "Effective Time.")


V.   Exchange of Shares

     After the Effective Time, each holder of a certificate or certificates
theretofore representing Shares shall be required to surrender such certificates
to the Partnership, together with a properly completed and signed letter of
transmittal, and receive in exchange therefor Interests in the Partnership or
cash based on the ARC Cash Exchange Rate, as the case may be, as provided in
Section II of this Plan. Certificates so surrendered will be canceled.



                                        2

<PAGE>   4


     Unless and until surrendered as provided herein, or unless otherwise
required by law, after the Effective Time, each certificate theretofore
representing Shares shall be entitled only to the right to receive Interests in
the Partnership with an initial Contribution Account in the amount of $9.72 per
share of ARC Common Stock, or the right to receive cash based on the ARC Cash
Exchange Rate, as the case may be, as provided in Section II of this Plan.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Plan and Agreement of
Share Exchange to be executed by their duly authorized representatives, all as
of the day and year first above written.

                                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                                     By:  American Retirement Communities, LLC,
                                           its General Partner


                                     By:  /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Title:     EVP


                                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


                                     By:   /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Title:     EVP





 
                                      3

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1


                                    CHARTER
                                       OF
                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


         The undersigned, acting as the incorporator of a corporation under the
Tennessee Business Corporation Act, adopts the following charter for such
corporation:

         1.      The name of the corporation is American Retirement
                 Corporation.

         2.      The corporation is for profit.

         3.      The duration of the corporation is perpetual.

         4.      The street address and zip code of the corporation's principal
                 office in Tennessee will be:

                                  111 Westwood Place, Suite 402
                                  Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
                                  County of Williamson

 5.      (a)  The name of the corporation's registered agent is W. E. Sheriff.

                 (b)  The street address, zip code, and county of the
corporation's registered office and registered agent in Tennessee shall be:

                                  111 Westwood Place, Suite 402
                                  Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
                                  County of Williamson

         6.      The name and address of the incorporator is:

                                  W. E. Sheriff
                                  111 Westwood Place, Suite 402
                                  Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

         7.      The corporation is organized to do any and all things and to
exercise any and all powers, rights, and privileges that a corporation may now
or hereafter be organized to do or to exercise under the Tennessee Business
Corporation Act, as amended from time to time.

         8.      The maximum number of shares of stock the corporation is
                 authorized to issue is:

                 a.       Fifty million (50,000,000) shares of common stock,
par value $.01 per share, which shall be entitled to one vote per share and,
upon dissolution of the corporation, shall be entitled to receive the net
assets of the corporation.
<PAGE>   2


                 b.       Five million (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock
without par value.  Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time
in one or more classes or series, each such class or series to be so designated
as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other classes and
series.  The Board of Directors is hereby vested with the authority to divide
preferred stock into classes or series and to fix and determine the relative
rights, preferences, qualifications, and limitations of the shares of any class
or series so established.

         9.      The shareholders of the corporation shall not have preemptive
                 rights.

         10.     All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the
authority of, and the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed
under the direction of, a Board of Directors consisting of not less than three
nor more than fifteen directors, the exact number of directors to be determined
in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the corporation.  The directors shall
be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III.
Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the
total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors.  At the
1998 annual meeting of shareholders, Class I directors shall be elected; at the
1999 annual meeting of shareholders, Class II directors shall be elected; and
at the 2000 annual meeting of shareholders, Class III directors shall be
elected. At each succeeding annual meeting of shareholders beginning with the
annual meeting in 1998, successors to the class of directors whose term expires
at that annual meeting shall be elected for three-year terms.  If the number of
directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the
classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal
as possible, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten
the term of any incumbent director.  A director shall hold office until the
annual meeting of shareholders for the year in which his or her term expires
and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject,
however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal
from office.  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, including a vacancy that
results from an increase in the number of directors or a vacancy that results
from the removal of a director with cause, may be filled only by the Board of
Directors.

         Any director may be removed from office but only for cause and only by
(a) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of
the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, considered for this
purpose as one class, unless a vote of a special voting group is otherwise
required by law, or (b) the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board
of Directors then in office.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more
classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the corporation shall have the
right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or
special meeting of shareholders, the election, term of office, filling of
vacancies, and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the
terms of this Charter applicable thereto.

         11.     To the fullest extent permitted by the Tennessee Business
Corporation Act as in effect on the date hereof, and as hereafter amended from
time to time, a director of the corporation shall not be liable to the
corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for
<PAGE>   3

breach of fiduciary duty as a director.  If the Tennessee Business Corporation
Act or any successor statute is amended after adoption of this provision to
authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal
liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation
shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Tennessee
Business Corporation Act, as so amended from time to time, or such successor
statute.  Any repeal or modification of this Article 11 by the shareholders of
the corporation shall not affect adversely any right or protection of a
director of the corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification
or with respect to events occurring prior to such time.

         12.     The corporation shall indemnify every person who is or was a
party or is or was threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee,
agent, or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, including service on a
committee formed for any purpose (and, in each case, his or her heirs,
executors, and administrators), against all expense, liability, and loss
(including counsel fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, penalties, and
amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered in
connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, as in effect on the date hereof and as hereafter
amended.  Such indemnification may include advancement of expenses in advance
of final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding, subject to the
provision of any applicable statute.

         The indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of this
Article 12 shall not be exclusive of any other right that any person (and his
or her heirs, executors, and administrators) may have or hereafter acquire
under any statute, this Charter, the corporation's Bylaws, resolution adopted
by the shareholders, resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, agreement,
or insurance, purchased by the corporation or otherwise, both as to action in
his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity.  The
corporation is hereby authorized to provide for indemnification and advancement
of expenses through its Bylaws, resolution of shareholders, resolution of the
Board of Directors, or agreement, in addition to that provided by this Charter.

         13.     The Bylaws of this corporation may be amended, altered,
modified, or repealed by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, subject
to any provisions of law then applicable.

         14.     The corporation shall hold a special meeting of shareholders
only in the event (a) of a call of the Board of Directors of the corporation or
the officers authorized to do so by the Bylaws of the corporation, or (b) the
holders of at least twenty-five percent of all the votes entitled to be cast on
any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special meeting sign, date,
and deliver to the corporation's secretary one or more written demands for the
meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
<PAGE>   4

         15.     The affirmative vote of the holders of at least three-quarters
(3/4) of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote at an election of
directors shall be required to amend, alter, modify, or to repeal the
provisions of Articles 10 and 14, and this Article 15, of this Charter.


Date:  January 12, 1997

                                        /s/ W. E. Sheriff
                                        W. E. Sheriff, Incorporator

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.2


                                     BYLAWS
                                       OF
                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
                              (THE "CORPORATION")


                                   ARTICLE I.
                                    OFFICES

         The Corporation may have such offices, either within or without the
State of Tennessee, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business
of the Corporation may require from time to time.
                                  ARTICLE II.
                                  SHAREHOLDERS

         2.1     ANNUAL MEETING.

         An annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held
on such date as may be determined by the Board of Directors; provided, that,
the first annual meeting of shareholders shall not be held until 1998.  The
business to be transacted at such meeting shall be the election of directors
and such other business as shall be properly brought before the meeting.

         2.2     SPECIAL MEETINGS.

         Unless otherwise required by law or the Corporation's Charter (the
"Charter"), as amended from time to time, a special meeting of shareholders
shall be held only on the call of the Board of Directors or if the holders of
at least twenty-five percent (25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on any
issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special meeting sign, date, and
deliver to the Corporation's Secretary one or more written demands for the
meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which such special meeting is to
be held, including all statements necessary to make any statement of such
purpose not incomplete, false, or misleading, and include any other information
specified in Schedule 14A, Rule 14a-3, Rule 14a-8, or Rule 14a-11 (or such
successor schedules or rules) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission.  Only business within the purpose or purposes
described in the meeting notice may be conducted at a special shareholders'
meeting.

         2.3  PLACE OF MEETINGS.

         The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or
without the State of Tennessee, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting
or for any special meeting.  If no place is fixed by the Board of Directors,
the meeting shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation.

         2.4     NOTICE OF MEETINGS; WAIVER.
<PAGE>   2

                 (A)  NOTICE.  Notice of the date, time, and place of each
annual and special shareholders' meeting and, in the case of a special meeting,
a description of the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall
be given no fewer than ten days nor more than two months before the date of the
meeting.  Such notice shall comply with the requirements of Article XI of these
Bylaws.

                 (B)  WAIVER.  A shareholder may waive any notice required by
law, the Charter, or these Bylaws before or after the date and time stated in
such notice.  Except as provided in the next sentence, the waiver must be in
writing, be signed by the shareholder entitled to the notice and be delivered
to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate
records.  A shareholder's attendance at a meeting: (i) waives objection to lack
of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the shareholder at the
beginning of the meeting (or promptly upon his arrival) objects to holding the
meeting or transacting business at the meeting; and (ii) waives objection to
consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the
purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the shareholder
objects to considering the matter when it is presented.

         2.5  RECORD DATE.

         The Board of Directors shall fix as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of a shareholders' meeting, to
demand a special meeting, to vote, or to take any other action, a date not more
than seventy days before the meeting or action requiring a determination of
shareholders.  A record date fixed for a shareholders' meeting is effective for
any adjournment of such meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new
record date, which it must do if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than
four months after the date fixed for the original meeting.

         2.6  SHAREHOLDERS' LIST.

         After the record date for a meeting has been fixed, the Corporation
shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of all shareholders who are
entitled to notice of a shareholders' meeting.  Such list will show the address
of and number of shares held by each shareholder.  The shareholders' list will
be available for inspection by any shareholder, beginning two business days
after notice of the meeting is given for which the list was prepared and
continuing through the meeting, at the Corporation's principal office or at a
place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be
held.  A shareholder or his agent or attorney is entitled on written demand to
inspect and, subject to the requirements of the Tennessee Business Corporation
Act (the "Act"), to copy the list, during regular business hours and at his
expense, during the period it is available for inspection.

         2.7     VOTING OF SHARES.


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

         Unless otherwise provided by the Act or the Charter, each outstanding
share is entitled to one vote on each matter voted on at a shareholders'
meeting.  Only shares are entitled to vote.  Unless otherwise provided in the
Charter, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares
entitled to vote in the election at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

         2.8  PROXIES.

         A shareholder may vote his or her shares in person or by proxy.  A
shareholder may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for him or her by
signing an appointment either personally or through an attorney-in-fact.  An
appointment of a proxy is effective when received by the Secretary or other
officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes.  An appointment is valid for
eleven months unless another period is expressly provided in the appointment
form.  An appointment of a proxy is revocable by the shareholder unless the
appointment form conspicuously states that it is irrevocable and the
appointment is coupled with an interest.

         2.9  ACCEPTANCE OF SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS.

         If the name signed on a shareholder document (a vote, consent, waiver,
or proxy appointment) corresponds to the name of a shareholder, the
Corporation, if acting in good faith, is entitled to accept such shareholder
document and give it effect as the act of the shareholder.  If the name signed
on such shareholder document does not correspond to the name of a shareholder,
the Corporation, if acting in good faith, is nevertheless entitled to accept
such shareholder document and to give it effect as the act of the shareholder
if:

                 (A)  the shareholder is an entity and the name signed purports
         to be that of an officer or agent of the entity;

                 (B)  the name signed purports to be that of a fiduciary
         representing the shareholder and, if the Corporation requests,
         evidence of fiduciary status acceptable to the Corporation has been
         presented with respect to such shareholder document;

                 (C)  the name signed purports to be that of a receiver or
         trustee in bankruptcy of the shareholder and, if the Corporation
         requests, evidence of this status acceptable to the Corporation has
         been presented with respect to the shareholder document;

                 (D)  the name signed purports to be that of a pledgee,
         beneficial owner, or attorney-in-fact of the shareholder and, if the
         Corporation requests, evidence acceptable to the Corporation of the
         signatory's authority to sign for the shareholder has been presented
         with respect to such shareholder document; or

                 (E)  two or more persons are the shareholder as co-tenants or
         fiduciaries and the name signed purports to be the name of at least
         one of the co-owners and the person signing appears to be acting on
         behalf of all the co-owners.



                                       3
<PAGE>   4


         The Corporation is entitled to reject a shareholder document if the
Secretary or other officer or agent authorized to tabulate votes, acting in
good faith, has a reasonable basis for doubt about the validity of the
signature on such shareholder document or about the signatory's authority to
sign for the shareholder.

         2.10 ACTION WITHOUT MEETING.
              
         No action required or permitted by the Act to be taken at a
shareholders' meeting may be taken without a meeting, unless the total number
of shareholders is less than ten.  If there are fewer than ten shareholders and
all such shareholders consent to taking such action without a meeting, the
affirmative vote of the number of shares that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting is the act of the shareholders.

         The action must be evidenced by one or more written consents
describing the action taken, at least one of which is signed by each
shareholder entitled to vote on the action in one or more counterparts,
indicating such signing shareholder's vote or abstention on the action and
delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or for filing with
the corporate records.

         If the Act or the Charter requires that notice of a proposed action be
given to nonvoting shareholders and the action is to be taken by consent of the
voting shareholders, then the Corporation shall give its nonvoting shareholders
written notice of the proposed action at least ten days before such action is
taken.  Such notice shall contain or be accompanied by the same material that
would have been required to be sent to nonvoting shareholders in a notice of a
meeting at which the proposed action would have been submitted to the
shareholders for action.

         2.11 PRESIDING OFFICER AND SECRETARY.

         Meetings of the shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman,
or if the Chairman is not present or if the Corporation shall not have a
Chairman, by the President or Chief Executive Officer, or if neither the
Chairman nor the President or Chief Executive Officer is present, by a chairman
chosen by a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting.  The
Secretary or, in the Secretary's absence, an Assistant Secretary shall act as
secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant
Secretary is present, a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote at such
meeting shall choose any person present to act as secretary of the meeting.

         2.12 NOTICE OF NOMINATIONS.

         Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of
Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors authorized to make
such nominations or by any shareholder entitled to vote in the election of
directors generally.  Any such shareholder nomination may be made, however,
only if written notice of such nomination has been given, either by personal
delivery or the United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the
Corporation not later than (a) with respect to an election to be held at an
annual meeting of



                                       4
<PAGE>   5

shareholders, one hundred twenty days in advance of the anniversary date of the
proxy statement for the previous year's annual meeting, and (b) with respect to
an election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders for the election of
directors called other than by written request of a shareholder, the close of
business on the tenth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is
first given to shareholders, and (c) in the case of a special meeting of
shareholders duly called upon the written request of a shareholder to fill a
vacancy or vacancies (then existing or proposed to be created by removal at
such meeting), within ten business days of such written request.  In the case
of any nomination by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the
Board of Directors authorized to make such nominations, compliance with the
proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall constitute
compliance with the notice provisions of the preceding sentence.

         In the case of any nomination by a shareholder, each such notice shall
set forth:  (a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for
election or re-election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address, and
residence address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment
of such person, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by such person, and (iv) any other information relating
to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies
with respect to nominees for election as directors, pursuant to Regulation 14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including without
limitation such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement
as a nominee and to serving as a director, if elected); and (b) as to the
shareholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the
Corporation's books, of such shareholder, and (ii) the class and number of
shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such shareholder; and
(c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder
and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or
persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the
shareholder.  The presiding officer of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge
the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing
procedure.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6

         2.13    NOTICE OF NEW BUSINESS.

         At an annual meeting of the shareholders only such new business shall
be conducted, and only such proposals shall be acted upon, as have been
properly brought before the meeting.  To be properly brought before the annual
meeting such new business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or
any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors,
(b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a
shareholder.  For a proposal to be properly brought before an annual meeting by
a shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing
to the Secretary of the Corporation and the proposal and the shareholder must
comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  To be
timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at
the principal executive offices of the Corporation within the time limits
specified by Rule 14a-8.

         A shareholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each
matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief
description of the proposal desired to be brought before the annual meeting and
the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name
and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of the shareholder
proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the Corporation
which are beneficially owned by the shareholder, and (d) any financial interest
of the shareholder in such proposal.

         Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business
shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 2.13.  The presiding officer of the
meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that
new business or any shareholder proposal was not properly brought before the
meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.13, and if he or
she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such
business or proposal not properly brought before the meeting shall not be acted
upon at the meeting.  This provision shall not prevent the consideration and
approval or disapproval at the annual meeting of reports of officers, directors
and committees, but in connection with such reports no new business shall be
acted upon at such annual meeting unless stated and filed as herein provided.

         2.14    CONDUCT OF MEETINGS.

         Meetings of the shareholders generally shall follow accepted rules of
parliamentary procedure subject to the following:

         (a)     The presiding officer of the meeting shall have absolute
authority over the matters of procedure, and there shall be no appeal from the
ruling of the presiding officer.  If, in his or her absolute discretion, the
presiding officer deems it advisable to dispense with the rules of
parliamentary procedure as to any meeting of shareholders or part thereof, he
or she shall so state and shall state the rules under which the meeting or
appropriate part thereof shall be conducted.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7


         (b)     If disorder should arise which prevents the continuation of
the legitimate business of the meeting, the presiding officer may quit the
chair and announce the adjournment of the meeting, and upon so doing, the
meeting will immediately be adjourned.

         (c)     The presiding officer may ask or require that anyone not a
bona fide shareholder or proxy leave the meeting.

         (d)     The resolution or motion shall be considered for vote only if
proposed by a shareholder or a duly authorized proxy and seconded by a
shareholder or duly authorized proxy other than the individual who proposed the
resolution or motion.

         (e)     Except as the President, Chief Executive Officer, or chairman
may permit, no matter shall be presented to the meeting which has not been
submitted for inclusion in the agenda at least thirty (30) days prior to the
meeting.


                                  ARTICLE III.
                                   DIRECTORS

         3.1     POWERS AND DUTIES.

         All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of
and the business and affairs of the Corporation managed under the direction of
the Board of Directors.

         3.2     NUMBER AND TERM.

                 (A)  NUMBER.  The Board of Directors shall consist of no fewer
than three or more than fifteen members.  The exact number of directors, within
the minimum and maximum, or the range for the size of the Board, or whether the
size of the Board shall be fixed or variable-range, may be fixed, changed, or
determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

                 (B)  TERM.  The directors shall be divided into three classes,
designated Class I, Class II and Class III.  Each class shall consist, as
nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors
constituting the entire Board of Directors.  At the 1998 annual meeting of
shareholders, Class I directors shall be elected; at the 1999 annual meeting of
shareholders, Class II directors shall be elected; and at the 2000 annual
meeting of shareholders, Class III directors shall be elected.  At each
succeeding annual meeting of shareholders beginning with the annual meeting in
1998, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual
meeting shall be elected for three year terms.  If the number of directors is
changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as
to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible,
but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of
any incumbent director.  A director shall hold office until the annual meeting
of shareholders for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or
her successor shall





                                       7
<PAGE>   8

be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification, or removal from office.

         3.3  MEETINGS; NOTICE.

         The Board of Directors may hold regular and special meetings either
within or without the State of Tennessee.  The Board of Directors may permit
any or all directors to participate in a regular or special meeting by, or
conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all
directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting.
A director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in
person at the meeting.

                 (A)  REGULAR MEETINGS.  Unless the Charter otherwise provides,
regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice of the
date, time, place, or purpose of the meeting.

                 (B)  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of
Directors may be called by the Chairman, the President, or a majority of the
directors.  Unless the Charter otherwise provides, special meetings must be
preceded by at least twenty-four (24) hours' notice of the date, time, and
place of the meeting but need not describe the purpose of such meeting.  Such
notice shall comply with the requirements of Article XI of these Bylaws.

                 (C)      ADJOURNED MEETINGS.  Notice of an adjourned meeting
need not be given if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are
fixed at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, and if the period of
adjournment does not exceed one month in any one adjournment.

                 (D)      WAIVER OF NOTICE.  A director may waive any required
notice before or after the date and time stated in the notice.  Except as
provided in the next sentence, the waiver must be in writing, signed by the
director, and filed with the minutes or corporate records.  A director's
attendance at or participation in a meeting waives any required notice to him
or her of such meeting unless the director at the beginning of the meeting (or
promptly upon his arrival) objects to holding the meeting or transacting
business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action
taken at the meeting.



                                       8
<PAGE>   9

         3.4  QUORUM.

         Unless the Charter requires a greater number, a quorum of the Board of
Directors consists of a majority of the fixed number of directors if the
Corporation has a fixed board size or a majority of the number of directors
prescribed, or if no number is prescribed, the number in office immediately
before the meeting begins, if the Corporation has a variable range board.

         3.5  VOTING.

         If a quorum is present when a vote is taken, the affirmative vote of a
majority of directors present is the act of the Board of Directors, unless the
Charter or these Bylaws require the vote of a greater number of directors.  A
director who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors when corporate
action is taken is deemed to have assented to such action unless:

                 (A)      he or she objects at the beginning of the meeting (or
         promptly upon his or her arrival) to holding the meeting or
         transacting business at the meeting;

                 (B)      his or her dissent or abstention from the action
         taken is entered in the minutes of the meeting; or

                 (C)      he or she delivers written notice of his or her
         dissent or abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before
         its adjournment or to the Corporation immediately after adjournment of
         the meeting.  The right of dissent or abstention is not available to a
         director who votes in favor of the action taken.

         3.6  ACTION WITHOUT MEETING.

         Unless the Charter otherwise provides, any action required or
permitted by the Act to be taken at a Board of Directors meeting may be taken
without a meeting.  If all directors consent to taking such action without a
meeting, the affirmative vote of the number of directors that would be
necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting is the act of the Board
of Directors.  Such action must be evidenced by one or more written consents
describing the action taken, at least one of which is signed by each director,
indicating the director's vote or abstention on the action, which consents
shall be included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records reflecting
the action taken.  Action taken by consent is effective when the last director
signs the consent, unless the consent specifies a different effective date.

         3.7  COMPENSATION.

         Directors and members of any committee created by the Board of
Directors shall be entitled to such reasonable compensation for their services
as directors and members of such committee as shall be fixed from time to time
by the Board or a committee thereof, and shall also be entitled to
reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the



                                       9
<PAGE>   10

Board or of any such committee meetings.  Any director receiving such
compensation shall not be barred from serving the Corporation in any other
capacity and receiving reasonable compensation for such other services.

         3.8     RESIGNATION.

         A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the
Board of Directors or to the Chairman or President.  A resignation is effective
when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective
date.

         3.9     VACANCIES.

         Unless the Charter otherwise provides, if a vacancy occurs on the
Board of Directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the
number of directors or a vacancy resulting from the removal of a director with
or without cause, either the shareholders or the Board of Directors may fill
such vacancy.  If the vacancy is filled by the shareholders, it shall be filled
by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present.  If
the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board
of Directors, they may fill such vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority
of all the directors remaining in office.

         3.10    REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.              

                 (A)  BY SHAREHOLDERS.  The shareholders may remove one (1) or
more directors with or without cause unless the Charter provides that directors
may be removed only for cause. If cumulative voting is authorized, a director
may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under
cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.  If cumulative voting is
not authorized, a director may be removed only if the number of votes cast to
remove him exceeds the number of votes cast not to remove him or her.

                 (B)  BY DIRECTORS.  If so provided by the Charter, any of the
directors may be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
entire Board of Directors.

                 (C)  GENERAL.  A director may be removed by the shareholders
or directors only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing him or her,
and the meeting notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of
the meeting is removal of directors.





                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                                  ARTICLE IV.
                                   COMMITTEES

         Unless the Charter otherwise provides, the Board of Directors may
create one or more committees, each consisting of one or more members.  All
members of committees of the Board of Directors which exercise powers of the
Board of Directors must be members of the Board of Directors and serve at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors.

         The creation of a committee and appointment of a member or members to
it must be approved by the greater of (i) a majority of all directors in office
when the action is taken or (ii) the number of directors required by the
Charter or these Bylaws to take action.

         Unless otherwise provided in the Act, to the extent specified by the
Board of Directors or in the Charter, each committee may exercise the authority
of the Board of Directors.  All such committees and their members shall be
governed by the same statutory requirements regarding meetings, action without
meetings, notice and waiver of notice, quorum, and voting requirements as are
applicable to the Board of Directors and its members.

                                   ARTICLE V.
                                    OFFICERS

         5.1  NUMBER.

         The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman, a President, a
Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other
officers as may be from time to time appointed by the Board of Directors or by
the Chairman with the Board of Directors' approval.  One person may
simultaneously hold more than one office, except the President may not
simultaneously hold the office of Secretary.

         5.2  APPOINTMENT.

         The principal officers shall be appointed annually by the Board of
Directors at the first meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of the
shareholders, or as soon thereafter as is conveniently possible.  Each officer
shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until his or her
successor shall have been appointed, or until his or her death, resignation, or
removal.

         5.3     RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL.

         An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the
Corporation.  Such resignation is effective when such notice is delivered
unless such notice specifies a later effective date.  An officer's resignation
does not affect the Corporation's contract rights, if any, with the



                                       11
<PAGE>   12

officer.  The Board of Directors may remove any officer at any time with or
without cause, but such removal shall not prejudice the contract rights, if
any, of the person so removed.

         5.4  VACANCIES.

         Any vacancy in an office for any reason may be filled for the
unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors.

         5.5  DUTIES.

                 (A)  CHAIRMAN.  The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of
the shareholders and the Board of Directors and shall see that all orders and
resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect.

                 (B)      CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.  The Chief Executive Officer
of the Corporation shall have general supervision over the active management of
the business of the Corporation.

                 (C)  PRESIDENT.  The President shall have the general powers
and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of the
President of a corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board of
Directors may from time to time prescribe.

                 (D)  VICE PRESIDENT.  The Vice President or Vice Presidents
(if any) shall assist the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer in
the active management of the business, and shall perform such other duties as
the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

                 (E) CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.  The Chief Financial Officer
shall have the custody of the Corporation's funds and securities, shall keep or
cause to be kept full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in
books belonging to the Corporation, and shall deposit or cause to be deposited
all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the
Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of
Directors.  The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse or cause to be disbursed
the funds of the Corporation as required in the ordinary course of business or
as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements,
and shall render to the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer,
and directors at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may
require it, an account of all of his or her transactions as Chief Financial
Officer and the financial condition of the Corporation.  He or she shall
perform such other duties as may be incident to the office or as prescribed
from time to time by the Board of Directors.

                 (F)      SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY .  The Secretary or
Assistant Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all
meetings of the shareholders and shall prepare and record all votes and all
minutes of all such meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose.  He or she
shall also perform like duties for any committee when required.  The Secretary
or Assistant Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings
of the


                                       12
<PAGE>   13

shareholders and of the Board of Directors when required, and unless directed
otherwise by the Board of Directors, shall keep a stock record containing the
names of all persons who are shareholders of the Corporation, showing their
place of residence and the number of shares held by each of them.  The
Secretary or Assistant Secretary shall have the responsibility of
authenticating records of the Corporation.  The Secretary or Assistant
Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to
time by the Board of Directors.

                 (G)  OTHER OFFICERS.  Other officers appointed by the Board of
Directors shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be
delegated to them.

                 (H)  DELEGATION OF DUTIES.  In case of the absence or
disability of any officer of the Corporation or of any person authorized to act
in his or her place, the Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the
powers and duties of such officer to any officer, or any director, or any other
person whom it may select, during such period of absence or disability.

         5.6     INDEMNIFICATION, ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES, AND INSURANCE.

                 (A)      INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES.  The
Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to each director and officer
of the Corporation, or any person who may have served at the request of the
Corporation's Board of Directors or its President or Chief Executive Officer as
a director or officer of another corporation (and, in either case, such
person's heirs, executors, and administrators), to the full extent allowed by
the laws of the State of Tennessee, both as now in effect and as hereafter
adopted.  The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to any employee or
agent of the Corporation who is not a director or officer (and such person's
heirs, executors, and administrators) to the same extent as to a director or
officer, if the Board of Directors determines that doing so is in the best
interests of the Corporation.

                 (B)      NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.  The indemnification and
expense advancement provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 5.6 shall not
be exclusive of any other right which any person (and such person's heirs,
executors and administrators) may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
provision of the Charter, provision of these Bylaws, resolution adopted by the
shareholders, resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, agreement, or
insurance (purchased by the Corporation or otherwise), both as to action in
such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity.

                 (C)      INSURANCE.  The Corporation may maintain insurance,
at its expense, to protect itself and any individual who is or was a director,
officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or who, while a director,
officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation's Board of Directors or its Chief Executive Officer
as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other
enterprise against any expense, liability, or loss,


                                       13
<PAGE>   14

whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person
against such expense, liability, or loss under this Article or the Act.

                                  ARTICLE VI.
                                SHARES OF STOCK

         6.1     SHARES WITH OR WITHOUT CERTIFICATES.

         The Board of Directors may authorize that some or all of the shares of
any or all of the Corporation's classes or series of stock be evidenced by a
certificate or certificates of stock.  The Board of Directors may also
authorize the issue of some or all of the shares of any or all of the
Corporation's classes or series of stock without certificates.  The rights and
obligations of shareholders with the same class and/or series of stock shall be
identical whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

                 (A)      SHARES WITH CERTIFICATES.  If the Board of Directors
chooses to issue shares of stock evidenced by a certificate or certificates,
each individual certificate shall include the following on its face: (i) the
Corporation's name, (ii) the fact that the Corporation is organized under the
laws of the State of Tennessee, (iii) the name of the person to whom the
certificate is issued, (iv) the number of shares represented thereby, (v) the
class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, which the
certificate represents, and (vi) such other information as applicable law may
require or as may be lawful.

                 If the Corporation is authorized to issue different classes of
shares or different series within a class, the designations, relative rights,
preferences, and limitations determined for each series (and the authority of
the Board of Directors to determine variations for future series) shall be
summarized on the front or back of each certificate.  Alternatively, each
certificate shall state on its front or back that the Corporation will furnish
the shareholder this information in writing, without charge, upon request.

                 Each certificate of stock issued by the Corporation shall be
signed (either manually or in facsimile) by any two officers of the
Corporation.  If the person who signed a certificate no longer holds office
when the certificate is issued, the certificate is nonetheless valid.

                 (B)      SHARES WITHOUT CERTIFICATES.  If the Board of
Directors chooses to issue shares of stock without certificates, the
Corporation, if required by the Act, shall, within a reasonable time after the
issue or transfer of shares without certificates, send the shareholder a
written statement of the information required on certificates by Section 6.1(a)
of these Bylaws and any other information required by the Act.

         6.2     SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR SHARES.


                                       14
<PAGE>   15

         Subscriptions for shares of the Corporation shall be valid only if
they are in writing.  Unless the subscription agreement provides otherwise,
subscriptions for shares, regardless of the time when they are made, shall be
paid in full at such time, or in such installments and at such periods, as
shall be determined by the Board of Directors.  All calls for payment on
subscriptions shall be uniform as to all shares of the same class or of the
same series, unless the subscription agreement specifies otherwise.

         6.3     TRANSFERS.

         Transfers of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be
made only on the books of the Corporation by (i) the holder of record thereof,
(ii) his or her legal representative, who, upon request of the Corporation,
shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or (iii) his or her
attorney, authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the
Secretary of the Corporation or a duly appointed transfer agent.  Such
transfers shall be made only upon surrender, if applicable, of the certificate
or certificates for such shares properly endorsed and with all taxes thereon
paid.

         6.4     LOST, DESTROYED, OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES.

         No certificate for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be issued
in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed, or stolen
except on production of evidence, satisfactory to the Board of Directors, of
such loss, destruction, or theft, and, if the Board of Directors so requires,
upon the furnishing of an indemnity bond in such amount and with such terms and
such surety as the Board of Directors may in its discretion require.

                                  ARTICLE VII.
                               CORPORATE ACTIONS

         7.1  CONTRACTS.

         Unless otherwise required by the Board of Directors, the Chairman, the
President, the Chief Executive Officer, or any Vice President shall execute
contracts or other instruments on behalf of and in the name of the Corporation.
The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize any other officer,
assistant officer, or agent to enter into any contract or execute any
instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation as it may deem
appropriate, and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances.


                                       15
<PAGE>   16


         7.2  LOANS.

         No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no
evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by the
Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board of
Directors.  Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

         7.3  CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.

         Unless otherwise required by the Board of Directors, all checks,
drafts, bills of exchange, and other negotiable instruments of the Corporation
shall be signed by either the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive
Officer, a Vice President or such other officer, assistant officer, or agent of
the Corporation as may be authorized so to do by the Board of Directors.  Such
authority may be general or confined to specific business, and, if so directed
by the Board, the signatures of two or more such officers may be required.

         7.4  DEPOSITS.

         All funds of the Company not otherwise employed shall be deposited
from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or other
depositories as the Board of Directors may authorize.

         7.5  VOTING SECURITIES HELD BY THE CORPORATION.

         Unless otherwise required by the Board of Directors, the Chairman,
President, or Chief Executive officer shall have full power and authority on
behalf of the Corporation to attend any meeting of security holders, or to take
action on written consent as a security holder, of other corporations in which
the Corporation may hold securities.  In connection therewith the Chairman, the
President, or the Chief Executive Officer shall possess and may exercise any
and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities which
the Corporation possesses.  The Board of Directors may, from time to time,
confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

         7.6  DIVIDENDS.

         The Board of Directors may, from time to time, declare, and the
Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares of capital stock in
the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by applicable law.  The
record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive the
payment of any dividend shall be determined by the Board of Directors, which in
no event will be less than ten days prior to the date of such payment.



                                       16
<PAGE>   17

                                 ARTICLE VIII.
                                  FISCAL YEAR

         The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of
Directors, and in the absence of such determination, shall be the calendar
year.

                                  ARTICLE IX.
                                 CORPORATE SEAL

         The Corporation shall not have a corporate seal.

                                   ARTICLE X.
                              AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

         These Bylaws may be altered, amended, repealed, or restated, and new
Bylaws may be adopted, at any meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to
vote for the election of directors, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors who are present at any regular or special
meeting.

                                  ARTICLE XI.
                                     NOTICE

         Unless otherwise provided for in these Bylaws, any notice required
shall be in writing except that oral notice is effective if it is reasonable
under the circumstances and not prohibited by the Charter or these Bylaws.
Notice may be communicated in person, by telephone, telegraph, teletype or
other form of wire or wireless communication, or by mail or private carrier.
If these forms of personal notice are impracticable, notice may be communicated
by a newspaper of general circulation in the area where published, or by radio,
television, or other form of public broadcast communication.  Written notice to
a domestic or foreign corporation authorized to transact business in Tennessee
may be addressed to its registered agent at its registered office or to the
corporation or its secretary at its principal office as shown in its most
recent annual report or, in the case of a foreign corporation that has not yet
delivered an annual report, in its application for a certificate of authority.

         Written notice to shareholders, if in a comprehensible form, is
effective when mailed, if mailed postpaid and correctly addressed to the
shareholder's address shown in the Corporation's current record of
shareholders.  Except as provided above, written notice, if in a comprehensible
form, is effective at the earliest of the following:  (a) when received; (b)
five days after its deposit in the United States mail, if mailed correctly
addressed and with first class postage affixed thereon; (c) on the date shown
on the return receipt, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, and the receipt is signed by or on behalf of the addressee; or (d)
twenty days after its deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the
postmark if mailed correctly



                                       17
<PAGE>   18

addressed, and with other than first class, registered, or certified postage
affixed.  Oral notice is effective when communicated if communicated in a
comprehensible manner.





                                       18

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION

                           1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN


SECTION 1.  PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

         The purpose of the American Retirement Corporation 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to enable American Retirement Corporation (the
"Corporation") to attract, retain and reward key employees of and consultants
to the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, and directors who are
not also employees of the Corporation, and to strengthen the mutuality of
interests between such key employees, consultants, and directors by awarding
such key employees, consultants, and directors performance-based stock
incentives and/or other equity interests or equity-based incentives in the
Corporation, as well as performance-based incentives payable in cash.  The
creation of the Plan shall not diminish or prejudice other compensation
programs approved from time to time by the Board.

         For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set
forth below:

         A.      "Affiliate" means any entity other than the Corporation and
its Subsidiaries that is designated by the Board as a participating employer
under the Plan, provided that the Corporation directly or indirectly owns at
least 20% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of such entity
or at least 20% of the ownership interests in such entity.

         B.      "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

         C.      "Cause" has the meaning provided in Section 5(j) of the Plan.

         D.      "Change in Control" has the meaning provided in Section 10(b)
of the Plan.

         E.      "Change in Control Price" has the meaning provided in Section
10(d) of the Plan.

         F.      "Common Stock" means the Corporation's Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share.

         G.      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, and any successor thereto.

         H.      "Committee" means the Committee referred to in Section 2 of
the Plan.

         I.      "Corporation" means American Retirement Corporation, a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Tennessee or any successor
corporation.
<PAGE>   2


         J.      "Disability" means disability as determined under the
Corporation's Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan.

         K.      "Early Retirement" means retirement, for purposes of this Plan
with the express consent of the Corporation at or before the time of such
retirement, from active employment with the Corporation and any Subsidiary or
Affiliate prior to age 65, in accordance with any applicable early retirement
policy of the Corporation then in effect or as may be approved by the
Committee.

         L.      "Effective Date" has the meaning provided in Section 14 of the
Plan.

         M.      "Equity Issuance" means an issuance of Common Stock by the
Corporation following the Effective Date of this Plan in connection with a
public or private offering, including in connection with an acquisition, merger
or similar transaction, but excluding issuances of Common Stock under this Plan
or in any other compensatory transaction with an officer or employee of, or
consultant to, the Corporation or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

         N.      "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

         O.      "Fair Market Value" means with respect to the Common Stock, as
of any given date or dates, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in
good faith, the reported closing price of a share of Common Stock on the NYSE
or such other market or exchange as is the principal trading market for the
Common Stock, or, if no such sale of a share of Common Stock is reported on the
NYSE or other exchange or principal trading market on such date, the fair
market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by the Committee in good
faith.

         P.      "Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option intended to be
and designated as an "Incentive Stock Option" within the meaning of Section 422
of the Code.

         Q.      "Immediate Family" means any child, stepchild, grandchild,
parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law,
son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and shall
include adoptive relationships.

         R.      "Non-Employee Director" means a member of the Board who is a
Non-Employee Director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated under
the Exchange Act and an outside director within the meaning of  Treasury
Regulation Sec. 162-27(e)(3) promulgated under the Code.

         S.      "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is
not an Incentive Stock Option.


                                      2
<PAGE>   3

         T.      "NYSE" means The New York Stock Exchange.

         U.      "Normal Retirement" means retirement from active employment
with the Corporation and any Subsidiary or Affiliate on or after age 65.

         V.      "Other Stock-Based Award" means an award under Section 8 below
that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is otherwise based on,
the Common Stock.

         W.      "Outside Director" means a member of the Board who is not an
officer or employee of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Corporation.

         X.      "Outside Director Option" means an award to an Outside
Director under Section 9 below.

         Y.      "Plan" means this American Retirement Corporation 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

         Z.      "Restricted Stock" means an award of shares of Common Stock
that is subject to restrictions under Section 7 of the Plan.

         AA.     "Restriction Period" has the meaning provided in Section 7 of
the Plan.

         BB.     "Retirement" means Normal or Early Retirement.

         CC.     "Section 162(m) Maximum" has the meaning provided in Section
3(a) hereof.

         DD.     "Stock Appreciation Right" means the right pursuant to an
award granted under Section 6 below to surrender to the Corporation all (or a
portion) of a Stock Option in exchange for an amount equal to the difference
between (i) the Fair Market Value, as of the date such Stock Option (or such
portion thereof) is surrendered, of the shares of Common Stock covered by such
Stock Option (or such portion thereof), subject, where applicable, to the
pricing provisions in Section 6(b)(ii), and (ii) the aggregate exercise price
of such Stock Option (or such portion thereof).

         EE.     "Stock Option" or "Option" means any option to purchase shares
of Common Stock (including Restricted Stock, if the Committee so determines)
granted pursuant to Section 5 below.

         FF.     "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Corporation if each of the corporations (other than the last corporation in the
unbroken chain) owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.



                                      3
<PAGE>   4


SECTION 2.  ADMINISTRATION.

         The Plan shall be administered by a Committee of not less than two
Non-Employee Directors, who shall be appointed by the Board and who shall serve
at the pleasure of the Board.  The functions of the Committee specified in the
Plan may be exercised by an existing Committee of the Board composed
exclusively of Non-Employee Directors.  The initial Committee shall be the
Compensation Committee of the Board.  In the event there are not at least two
Non- Employee Directors on the Board, the Plan shall be administered by the
Board and all references herein to the Committee shall refer to the Board.

         The Committee shall have authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of
the Plan, to officers, other key employees and consultants eligible under
Section 4:  (i) Stock Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted
Stock, and/or (iv) Other Stock-Based Awards.

         In particular, the Committee, or the Board, as the case may be, shall
have the authority, consistent with the terms of the Plan:

                 (a)  to select the officers, key employees of and consultants
         to the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to whom Stock
         Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, and/or Other
         Stock-Based Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;

                 (b)  to determine whether and to what extent Incentive Stock
         Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
         Restricted Stock, and/or Other Stock-Based Awards, or any combination
         thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more eligible persons;

                 (c)  to determine the number of shares to be covered by each
         such award granted hereunder;

                 (d)  to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
         with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder (including,
         but not limited to, the share price and any restriction or limitation,
         or any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions
         regarding any Stock Option or other award and/or the shares of Common
         Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the
         Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion); and to amend or
         waive any such terms and conditions to the extent permitted by Section
         11  hereof;

                 (e)  to determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock
         Option may be settled in cash or Restricted Stock under Section 5(m)
         or (n), as applicable, instead of Common Stock;


                                      4
<PAGE>   5

                 (f)  to determine whether, to what extent, and under what
         circumstances Option grants and/or other awards under the Plan are to
         be made, and operate, on a tandem basis vis-a-vis other awards under
         the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan;

                 (g)  to determine whether, to what extent, and under what
         circumstances shares of Common Stock and other amounts payable with
         respect to an award under this Plan shall be deferred either
         automatically or at the election of the participant (including
         providing for and determining the amount (if any) of any deemed
         earnings on any deferred amount during any deferral period);

                 (h)  to determine whether to require payment of tax
         withholding requirements in shares of Common Stock subject to the
         award; and

                 (i)  to impose any holding period required to satisfy Section
         16 under the Exchange  Act.

         The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter, and repeal
such rules, guidelines, and practices governing the Plan as it shall, from time
to time, deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and
any award issued under the Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to
otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan; provided, however, that, to
the extent that this Plan otherwise requires the approval of the Board or the
shareholders of the Corporation, all decisions of the Committee shall be
subject to such Board or shareholder approval Subject to the foregoing, all
decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be
made in the Committee's sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all
persons, including the Corporation and Plan participants.


SECTION 3.  SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.

         (a)     As of the Effective Date, the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be 1,093,750 shares.  Such
number shall, upon the consummation of any Equity Issuance, increase
automatically by ten percent (10%) of the number of shares of Common Stock
issued in such Equity Issuance; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options
may not be issued after 1,093,750 shares of Common Stock have been issued under
the Plan.   The shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan may consist, in
whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.  No
officer of the Corporation or other person whose compensation may be subject to
the limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be
eligible to receive awards pursuant to this Plan relating to in excess of
200,000 shares of Common Stock in any fiscal year (the "Section 162(m)
Maximum").

         (b)     If any shares of Common Stock that have been optioned cease to
be subject to a Stock Option, or if any shares of Common Stock that are subject
to any Restricted Stock or Other



                                      5
<PAGE>   6

Stock-Based Award granted hereunder are forfeited prior to the payment of any
dividends, if applicable, with respect to such shares of Common Stock, or any
such award otherwise terminates without a payment being made to the participant
in the form of Common Stock, such shares shall again be available for
distribution in connection with future awards under the Plan.

         (c)     In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
recapitalization, extraordinary cash dividend, stock dividend, stock split or
other change in corporate structure affecting the Common Stock, an appropriate
substitution or adjustment shall be made in the maximum number of shares that
may be awarded under the Plan, in the number and option price of shares
subject to outstanding Options granted under the Plan, in the number of shares
underlying Outside Director Options to be granted under Section 9 hereof, the
Section 162(m) Maximum and in the number of shares subject to other outstanding
awards granted under the Plan as may be determined to be appropriate by the
Committee, in its sole discretion, provided that the number of shares subject
to any award shall always be a whole number.  An adjusted option price shall
also be used to determine the amount payable by the Corporation upon the
exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right associated with any Stock Option.


SECTION 4.  ELIGIBILITY.

         Officers, other key employees and Outside Directors of and consultants
to the Corporation and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates who are responsible for
or contribute to the management, growth and/or profitability of the business of
the Corporation and/or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates are eligible to be
granted awards under the Plan.  Outside Directors are eligible to receive
awards pursuant to Section 9 and not pursuant to any other provisions of the
Plan.


SECTION 5.  STOCK OPTIONS.

         Stock Options may be granted alone, in addition to, or in tandem with
other awards granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the
Plan.  Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the
Committee may from time to time approve.

         Stock Options granted under the Plan may be of two types:  (i)
Incentive Stock Options and (ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options.  Incentive Stock
Options may be granted only to individuals who are employees of the Corporation
or any Subsidiary of the Corporation.

         The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any optionee
Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock
Options (in each case with or without Stock Appreciation Rights).



                                      6
<PAGE>   7

         Options granted to officers, key employees, Outside Directors and
consultants under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable.

                 (a)          Option Price.  The option price per share of
         Common Stock purchasable under a Stock Option shall be determined by
         the Committee at the time of grant but shall be not less than 100%
         (or, in the case of any employee who owns stock possessing more than
         10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
         Corporation or of any of its Subsidiaries, not less than 110%) of the
         Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at grant, in the case of
         Incentive Stock Options, and not less than 50% of the Fair Market
         Value of the Common Stock at grant, in the case of Non-Qualified Stock
         Options.

                 (b)          Option Term.  The term of each Stock Option shall
         be fixed by the Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be
         exercisable more than ten years (or, in the case of an employee who
         owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power
         of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries
         or parent corporations, more than five years) after the date the
         Option is granted.

                 (c)          Exercisability.  Stock Options shall be
         exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and
         conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at or after grant;
         provided, however, that except as provided in Section 5(g) and (h) and
         Section 10, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after
         grant, no Stock Option shall be exercisable prior to the first
         anniversary date of the granting of the Option.  The Committee may
         provide that a Stock Option shall vest over a period of future service
         at a rate specified at the time of grant, or that the Stock Option is
         exercisable only in installments.  If the Committee provides, in its
         sole discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable only in
         installments, the Committee may waive such installment exercise
         provisions at any time at or after grant, in whole or in part, based
         on such factors as the Committee shall determine in its sole
         discretion.

                 (d)          Method of Exercise.  Subject to whatever
         installment exercise restrictions apply under Section 5(c),Stock 
         Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the 
         option period, by giving written notice of exercise to the Corporation 
         specifying the number of shares to be purchased.  Such notice shall be 
         accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price, either by check, 
         note, or such other instrument as the Committee may accept.  As 
         determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at or (except in 
         the case of an Incentive Stock Option) after grant, payment in full or 
         in part may also be made in the form of shares of Common Stock already 
         owned by the optionee or, in the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, 
         shares of Restricted Stock or shares subject to such Option or another 
         award hereunder (in each case valued at the Fair Market Value of the 
         Common Stock on the date the Option is exercised).  If payment of the 
         exercise price is made in part or in full with Common Stock, the 
         Committee may



                                      7
<PAGE>   8

         award to the employee a new Stock Option to replace the Common Stock
         which was surrendered.  If payment of the option exercise price of a
         Non-Qualified Stock Option is made in whole or in part in the form of
         Restricted Stock, such Restricted Stock (and any replacement shares
         relating thereto) shall remain (or be) restricted in accordance with
         the original terms of the Restricted Stock award in question, and any
         additional Common Stock received upon the exercise shall be subject to
         the same forfeiture restrictions, unless otherwise determined by the
         Committee, in its sole discretion, at or after grant.  No shares of
         Common Stock shall be issued until full payment therefor has been
         made.  An optionee shall generally have the rights to dividends or
         other rights of a shareholder with respect to shares subject to the
         Option when the optionee has given written notice of exercise, has
         paid in full for such shares, and, if requested, has given the
         representation described in Section 13(a).

                 (e)          Transferability of Options.  No Non-Qualified
         Stock Option shall be transferable by the optionee without the prior
         written consent of the Committee other than (i) transfers by the
         Optionee to a member of his or her Immediate Family or a trust for the
         benefit of the optionee or a member of his or her Immediate Family, or
         (ii) transfers by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  No
         Incentive Stock Option shall be transferable by the optionee otherwise
         than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and all
         Incentive Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee's
         lifetime, only by the optionee.

                 (f)          Bonus for Taxes.  In the case of a Non-Qualified
         Stock Option or an optionee who elects to make a disqualifying
         disposition (as defined in Section 422(a)(1) of the Code) of Common
         Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option,
         the Committee in its discretion may award at the time of grant or
         thereafter the right to receive upon exercise of such Stock Option a
         cash bonus calculated to pay part or all of the federal and state, if
         any, income tax incurred by the optionee upon such exercise.

                 (g)          Termination by Death.  Subject to Section 5(k),
         if an optionee's employment by the Corporation and any Subsidiary or
         (except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option) Affiliate terminates
         by reason of death, any Stock Option held by such optionee may
         thereafter be exercised, to the extent such option was exercisable at
         the time of death or (except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option)
         on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after
         grant (or except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, as may be
         determined in accordance with procedures established by the Committee)
         by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the
         optionee under the will of the optionee, for a period of one year (or
         such other period as the Committee may specify at or after grant) from
         the date of such death or until the expiration of the stated term of
         such Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter.



                                      8
<PAGE>   9

                 (h)          Termination by Reason of Disability.  Subject to
         Section 5(k), if an optionee's employment by the Corporation and any
         Subsidiary or (except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option)
         Affiliate terminates by reason of Disability, any Stock Option held by
         such optionee may thereafter be exercised by the optionee, to the
         extent it was exercisable at the time of termination or (except in the
         case of an Incentive Stock Option) on such accelerated basis as the
         Committee may determine at or after grant (or, except in the case of
         an Incentive Stock Option, as may be determined in accordance with
         procedures established by the Committee), for a period of (i) three
         years (or such other period as the Committee may specify at or after
         grant) from the date of such termination of employment or until the
         expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period
         is the shorter, in the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option and (ii)
         one year from the date of termination of employment or until the
         expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option, whichever period
         is shorter, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option; provided
         however, that, if the optionee dies within the period specified in (i)
         above (or other such period as the committee shall specify at or after
         grant), any unexercised Non-Qualified Stock Option held by such
         optionee shall thereafter be exercisable to the extent to which it was
         exercisable at the time of death for a period of twelve months from
         the date of such death or until the expiration of the stated term of
         such Stock Option, whichever period is shorter.  In the event of
         termination of employment by reason of Disability, if an Incentive
         Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise period
         applicable to Incentive Stock Options, but before the expiration of
         any period that would apply if such Stock Option were a Non-Qualified
         Stock Option, such Stock Option will thereafter be treated as a
         Non-Qualified Stock Option.

                 (i)          Termination by Reason of Retirement.  Subject to
         Section 5(k), if an optionee's employment by the Corporation and any
         Subsidiary or (except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option)
         Affiliate terminates by reason of Normal or Early Retirement, any
         Stock Option held by such optionee may thereafter be exercised by the
         optionee, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such
         Retirement or (except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option) on
         such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after
         grant (or, except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, as may be
         determined in accordance with procedures established by the
         Committee), for a period of (i) three years (or such other period as
         the Committee may specify at or after grant) from the date of such
         termination of employment or the expiration of the stated term of such
         Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter, in the case of a
         Non-Qualified Stock Option and (ii) three months from the date of such
         termination of employment or the expiration of the stated term of such
         Stock Option, whichever period is the shorter, in the event of an
         Incentive Stock Option; provided however, that, if the optionee dies
         within the period specified in (i) above (or other such period as the
         Committee shall specify at or after grant), any unexercised
         Non-Qualified Stock Option held by such optionee shall thereafter be
         exercisable to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of
         death for a period of twelve months from the date of such death or
         until the expiration of the stated term of such




                                      9
<PAGE>   10

         Stock Option, whichever period is shorter. In the event of termination
         of employment by reason of Retirement, if an Incentive Stock Option is
         exercised after the expiration of the exercise period applicable to
         Incentive Stock Options, but before the expiration of the period that
         would apply if such Stock Option were a Non-Qualified Stock Option,
         the option will thereafter be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

                 (j)          Other Termination.  Subject to Section 5(k),
         unless otherwise determined by the Committee (or pursuant to
         procedures established by the Committee) at or (except in the case of
         an Incentive Stock Option) after grant, if an optionee's employment by
         the Corporation and any Subsidiary or (except in the case of an
         Incentive Stock Option) Affiliate is involuntarily terminated for any
         reason other than death, Disability or Normal or Early Retirement, the
         Stock Option shall thereupon terminate, except that such Stock Option
         may be exercised, to the extent otherwise then exercisable, for the
         lesser of three months or the balance of such Stock Option's term if
         the involuntary termination is without Cause.  For purposes of this
         Plan, "Cause" means (i) a felony conviction of a participant or the
         failure of a participant to contest prosecution for a felony, or (ii)
         a participant's willful misconduct or dishonesty, which is directly
         and materially harmful to the business or reputation of the
         Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.  If an optionee
         voluntarily terminates employment with the Corporation and any
         Subsidiary or (except in the case of an Incentive Stock Option)
         Affiliate (except for Disability, Normal or Early Retirement), the
         Stock Option shall thereupon terminate; provided, however, that the
         Committee at grant or (except in the case of an Incentive Stock
         Option) thereafter may extend the exercise period in this situation
         for the lesser of three months or the balance of such Stock Option's
         term.

                 (k)          Incentive Stock Options.  Anything in the Plan to
         the contrary notwithstanding, no term of this Plan relating to
         Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended, or altered, nor
         shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be so
         exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code,
         or, without the consent of the optionee(s) affected, to disqualify any
         Incentive Stock Option under such Section 422.  No Incentive Stock
         Option shall be granted to any participant under the Plan if such
         grant would cause the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the
         Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the Common Stock with respect to
         which all Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time
         by such participant during any calendar year (under all such plans of
         the Company and any Subsidiary) to exceed $100,000.  To the extent
         permitted under Section 422 of the Code or the applicable regulations
         thereunder or any applicable Internal Revenue Service pronouncement:

                              (i) if (x) a participant's employment is
                 terminated by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement and
                 (y) the portion of any Incentive Stock Option that is
                 otherwise exercisable during the post-termination period
                 specified under Section 5(g), (h) or (i), applied without
                 regard to the $100,000 limitation contained




                                     10
<PAGE>   11

                 in Section 422(d) of the Code, is greater than the portion of
                 such Option that is immediately exercisable as an "Incentive
                 Stock Option" during such post-termination period under
                 Section 422, such excess shall be treated as a Non-Qualified
                 Stock Option; and

                              (ii)    if the exercise of an Incentive Stock
                 Option is accelerated by reason of a Change in Control, any
                 portion of such Option that is not exercisable as an Incentive
                 Stock Option by reason of the $100,000 limitation contained in
                 Section 422(d) of the Code shall be treated as a Non-Qualified
                 Stock Option.

                 (l)          Buyout Provisions.  The Committee may at any time
         offer to buy out for a payment in cash, Common Stock, or Restricted
         Stock an Option previously granted, based on such terms and conditions
         as the Committee shall establish and communicate to the optionee at
         the time that such offer is made.

                 (m)          Settlement Provisions.  If the option agreement
         so provides at grant or (except in the case of an Incentive Stock
         Option) is amended after grant and prior to exercise to so provide
         (with the optionee's consent), the Committee may require that all or
         part of the shares to be issued with respect to the spread value of an
         exercised Option take the form of Restricted Stock, which shall be
         valued on the date of exercise on the basis of the Fair Market Value
         (as determined by the Committee) of such Restricted Stock determined
         without regards to the forfeiture restrictions involved.

                 (n)          Performance and Other Conditions.  The Committee
         may condition the exercise of any Option upon the attainment of
         specified performance goals or other factors as the Committee may
         determine, in its sole discretion.  Unless specifically provided in
         the option agreement, any such conditional Option shall vest six
         months prior to its expiration if the conditions to exercise have not
         theretofore been satisfied.

SECTION 6.  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

                 (a)          Grant and Exercise.  Stock Appreciation Rights
         may be granted in conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option
         granted under the Plan.  In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option,
         such rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of
         such Stock Option.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such
         rights may be granted only at the time of the grant of such Stock
         Option.  A Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof
         granted with respect to a given Stock Option shall terminate and no
         longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related
         Stock Option, subject to such provisions as the Committee may specify
         at grant where a Stock Appreciation Right is granted with respect to
         less than the full number of shares covered by a related Stock Option.
         A Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by an optionee, subject to
         Section 6(b), in accordance with the procedures established by the
         Committee



                                     11
<PAGE>   12

         for such purpose.  Upon such exercise, the optionee shall be entitled
         to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in Section
         6(b).  Stock Options relating to exercised Stock Appreciation Rights
         shall no longer be exercisable to the extent that the related Stock
         Appreciation Rights have been exercised.

                 (b)          Terms and Conditions.  Stock Appreciation Rights
         shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
         the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time
         by the Committee, including the following:

                          (i)     Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
                 exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that
                 the Stock Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in
                 accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and this Section 6
                 of the Plan.

                          (ii)    Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation
                 Right, an optionee shall be entitled to receive an amount in
                 cash and/or shares of Common Stock equal in value to the
                 excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock
                 over the option price per share specified in the related Stock
                 Option multiplied by the number of shares in respect of which
                 the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with
                 the Committee having the right to determine the form of
                 payment.  When payment is to be made in shares, the number of
                 shares to be paid shall be calculated on the basis of the Fair
                 Market Value of the shares on the date of exercise.  When
                 payment is to be made in cash, such amount shall be calculated
                 on the basis of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on
                 the date of exercise.

                          (iii)   Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
                 transferable only when and to the extent that the underlying
                 Stock Option would be transferable under Section 5(e) of the
                 Plan.

                          (iv)    Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation
                 Right, the Stock Option or part thereof to which such Stock
                 Appreciation Right is related shall be deemed to have been
                 exercised for the purpose of the limitation set forth in
                 Section 3 of the Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock
                 to be issued under the Plan.

                          (v) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may also
                 provide that, in the event of a Change in Control and/or a
                 Potential Change in Control, the amount to be paid upon the
                 exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be based on the
                 Change in Control Price, subject to such terms and conditions
                 as the Committee may specify at grant.


                                     12
<PAGE>   13

                          (vi)    The Committee may condition the exercise of
                 any Stock Appreciation Right upon the attainment of specified
                 performance goals or other factors as the Committee may
                 determine, in its sole discretion.

SECTION 7.  RESTRICTED STOCK.

                 (a)      Administration.  Shares of Restricted Stock may be
         issued either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards
         granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside the Plan.  The
         Committee shall determine the eligible persons to whom, and the time
         or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock will be made, the number
         of shares of Restricted Stock to be awarded to any person, the price
         (if any) to be paid by the recipient of Restricted Stock (subject to
         Section 7(b)), the time or times within which such awards may be
         subject to forfeiture, and the other terms, restrictions and
         conditions of the awards in addition to those set forth in Section
         7(c).  The Committee may condition the grant of Restricted Stock upon
         the attainment of specified performance goals or such other factors as
         the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.  The provisions
         of Restricted Stock awards need not be the same with respect to each
         recipient.

                 (b)      Awards and Certificates.  The prospective recipient
         of a Restricted Stock award shall not have any rights with respect to
         such award, unless and until such recipient has executed an agreement
         evidencing the award and has delivered a fully executed copy thereof
         to the Corporation, and has otherwise complied with the applicable
         terms and conditions of such award.

                          (i)     The purchase price for shares of Restricted
                 Stock shall be established by the Committee and may be zero.

                          (ii)    Awards of Restricted Stock must be accepted
                 within a period of 60 days (or such shorter period as the
                 Committee may specify at grant) after the award date, by
                 executing a Restricted Stock Award Agreement and paying
                 whatever price (if any) is required under Section 7(b)(i).

                          (iii)   Each participant receiving a Restricted Stock
                 award shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such
                 shares of Restricted Stock.  Such certificate shall be
                 registered in the name of such participant (or a transferee
                 permitted by Section 13(h) hereof), and shall bear an
                 appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and
                 restrictions applicable to such award.




                                     13
<PAGE>   14

                          (iv)    The Committee shall require that the stock
                 certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the
                 Corporation until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed,
                 and that, as a condition of any Restricted Stock award, the
                 participant shall have delivered a stock power, endorsed in
                 blank, relating to the shares of Common Stock covered by such
                 award.

                 (c)      Restrictions and Conditions.  The shares of
         Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to this Section 7 shall be subject
         to the following restrictions and conditions:

                          (i)     In accordance with the provisions of this
                 Plan and the award agreement, during a period set by the
                 Committee commencing with the date of such award (the
                 "Restriction Period"), the participant shall not be permitted
                 to sell, transfer, pledge, assign, or otherwise encumber
                 shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan.  Within
                 these limits, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may
                 provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments and
                 may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in whole or in
                 part, based on service, performance, such other factors or
                 criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole
                 discretion.

                          (ii)    Except as provided in this paragraph (ii) and
                 Section 7(c)(i), the participant shall have, with respect to
                 the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a
                 shareholder of the Corporation, including the right to vote
                 the shares, and the right to receive any cash dividends.  The
                 Committee, in its sole discretion, as determined at the time
                 of award, may permit or require the payment of cash dividends
                 to be deferred and, if the Committee so determines,
                 reinvested, subject to Section 14(e), in additional Restricted
                 Stock to the extent shares are available under Section 3, or
                 otherwise reinvested.  Pursuant to Section 3 above, stock
                 dividends issued with respect to Restricted Stock shall be
                 treated as additional shares of Restricted Stock that are
                 subject to the same restrictions and other terms and
                 conditions that apply to the shares with respect to which such
                 dividends are issued. If the Committee so determines, the
                 award agreement may also impose restrictions on the right to
                 vote and the right to receive dividends.

                          (iii)   Subject to the applicable provisions of the
                 award agreement and this Section 7, upon termination of a
                 participant's employment with the Corporation and any
                 Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason during the Restriction
                 Period, all shares still subject to restriction will vest, or
                 be forfeited, in accordance with the terms and conditions
                 established by the Committee at or after grant.

                          (iv)    If and when the Restriction Period expires
                 without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock subject to
                 such Restriction Period, certificates for an appropriate
                 number of unrestricted shares shall be delivered to the
                 participant  (or a transferee permitted by Section 13(h)
                 hereof) promptly.




                                     14
<PAGE>   15


                 (d)      Minimum Value Provisions.  In order to better ensure
         that award payments actually reflect the performance of the
         Corporation and service of the participant, the Committee may provide,
         in its sole discretion, for a tandem performance-based or other award
         designed to guarantee a minimum value, payable in cash or Common Stock
         to the recipient of a restricted stock award, subject to such
         performance, future service, deferral, and other terms and conditions
         as may be specified by the Committee.


SECTION 8.  OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

                 (a)      Administration.  Other Stock-Based Awards, including,
         without limitation, performance shares, convertible preferred stock,
         convertible debentures, exchangeable securities and Common Stock
         awards or options valued by reference to earnings per share or
         Subsidiary performance, may be granted either alone, in addition to,
         or in tandem with Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or
         Restricted Stock granted under the Plan and cash awards made outside
         of the Plan; provided that no such Other Stock-Based Awards may be
         granted in tandem with Incentive Stock Options if that would cause
         such Stock Options not to qualify as Incentive Stock Options pursuant
         to Section 422 of the Code.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan,
         the Committee shall have authority to determine the persons to whom
         and the time or times at which such awards shall be made, the number
         of shares of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to such awards, and
         all other conditions of the awards.  The Committee may also provide
         for the grant of Common Stock upon the completion of a specified
         performance period.  The provisions of Other Stock-Based Awards need
         not be the same with respect to each recipient.

                 (b)      Terms and Conditions.  Other Stock-Based Awards made
         pursuant to this Section 8 shall be subject to the following terms and
         conditions:

                          (i)     Shares subject to awards under this Section 8
                 and the award agreement referred to in Section 8(b)(v) below,
                 may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise
                 encumbered prior to the date on which the shares are issued,
                 or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction,
                 performance, or deferral period lapses.

                          (ii)    Subject to the provisions of this Plan and
                 the award agreement and unless otherwise determined by the
                 Committee at grant, the recipient of an award under this
                 Section 8 shall be entitled to receive, currently or on a
                 deferred basis, interest or dividends or interest or dividend
                 equivalents with respect to the number of shares covered by
                 the award, as determined at the time of the award by the
                 Committee, in its sole discretion, and the Committee may
                 provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have
                 been reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock or
                 otherwise reinvested.




                                     15
<PAGE>   16


                          (iii)   Any award under Section 8 and any shares of
                 Common Stock covered by any such award shall vest or be
                 forfeited to the extent so provided in the award agreement, as
                 determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

                          (iv)    In the event of the participant's Retirement,
                 Disability, or death, or in cases of special circumstances,
                 the Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive in whole or
                 in part any or all of the remaining limitations imposed
                 hereunder (if any) with respect to any or all of an award
                 under this Section 8.

                          (v) Each award under this Section 8 shall be
                 confirmed by, and subject to the terms of, an agreement or
                 other instrument by the Corporation and the participant.

                          (vi)    Common Stock (including securities
                 convertible into Common Stock) issued on a bonus basis under
                 this Section 8 may be issued for no cash consideration.
                 Common Stock (including securities convertible into Common
                 Stock) purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under
                 this Section 8 shall be priced at least 85% of the Fair Market
                 Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.


SECTION 9.  AWARDS TO OUTSIDE DIRECTORS.

                 (a)      The provisions of this Section 9 shall apply only to
         awards to Outside Directors in accordance with this Section 9.  The
         Committee shall have no authority to determine the timing of or the
         terms or conditions of any award under this Section 9.

                 (b)      At the date of the Corporation's initial public
         offering, each person serving as an Outside Director on such date will
         receive a non-qualified stock option to purchase 9,000 shares of
         Common Stock at a per share exercise price equal to the initial public
         offering price.  Such option shall vest and become exercisable with
         respect to the following numbers of shares on the following Annual
         Meeting dates, if the grantee has been a member of the Board until
         such date (whether or not the grantee will remain a director following
         such meeting): (i) 5,000 shares on the date of the Annual Meeting of
         Shareholders in 1998, (ii) 2,000 shares on the date of the Annual
         Meeting of Shareholders in 1999 and (iii) 2,000 shares on the date of
         the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2000.

                 (c)      If any person who was not previously a member of the
         Board is elected or appointed an Outside Director following the
         initial public offering but prior to the date of the Annual Meeting of
         Shareholders of the Corporation in the year 2000, such Outside
         Director will receive a non-qualified stock option to purchase 7,000
         shares of Common Stock if such Outside Director's service begins prior
         to the second anniversary of the




                                     16
<PAGE>   17

         initial public offering and 5,000 shares of Common Stock if such
         Outside Director's service begins after the second anniversary of the
         initial public offering but prior to the date of the Annual Meeting of
         Shareholders in the year 2000.  It is intended that such grant may be
         increased or decreased to extent deemed appropriate by the Board, in
         its sole discretion, to reflect the extent to which director's
         expected service prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2000
         may exceed two years or may be less than one full year.  The exercise
         price per share of each option granted pursuant to this Section 9(c)
         shall equal the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the
         date of grant. Options granted under this Section 9(c) shall vest and
         become exercisable with respect to the following numbers of shares on
         the following Annual Meeting dates, if the grantee has been a member
         of the Board until such date (whether or not such grantee will remain
         a director following such meeting): (i) 5,000 shares (or any smaller
         number constituting the entire grant) on the date of the first Annual
         Meeting of Shareholders following the date of grant, (ii) 2,000 shares
         (or any smaller remaining number of shares) on the date of the second
         Annual Meeting of Shareholders following the date of grant and (iii)
         any remaining shares on the date of the third Annual Meeting of
         Shareholders following the date of grant.

                 (d)      On the date of each Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
         the Corporation beginning with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in
         2000, unless this Plan has been previously terminated, each Outside
         Director who will continue as a director following such meeting will
         receive a non-qualified stock option to purchase 3,000 shares of
         Common Stock.  The exercise price per share of each option granted
         pursuant to this Section 9(d) shall equal the Fair Market Value per
         share of Common Stock on the date of grant.  Such option shall vest
         and become exercisable with respect to all 3,000 shares on the date of
         the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation if the
         grantee has been a member of the Board until such date (whether or not
         such grantee will remain a director following such meeting).

                 (e)      No Outside Director Option shall be exercisable prior
         to vesting. Each Outside Director Option shall expire, if unexercised,
         on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.  The exercise price may
         be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, including shares of
         Common Stock subject to the Outside Director Option.

                 (f)      Outside Director Options shall not be transferable
         without the prior written consent of the Board other than (i)
         transfers by the optionee to a member of his or her Immediate Family
         or a trust for the benefit of optionee or a member of his or her
         Immediate Family, or (ii) transfers by will or by the laws of descent
         and distribution.

                 (g)      Grantees of Outside Director Options shall enter into
         a stock option agreement with the Corporation setting forth the
         exercise price and other terms as provided herein.




                                     17
<PAGE>   18

                 (h)      Upon termination of an Outside Director's service as
         a director of the Corporation, (i) all Outside Director Options
         theretofore exercisable and held by such Outside Director will remain
         vested and exercisable through the expiration date and (ii) all
         remaining Outside Director Options held by such Outside Director will
         become exercisable and vested and remain so through the expiration
         date to the extent of any shares that would have become exercisable
         and vested within a period of less than twelve months following the
         date of termination of service.  Any unvested Outside Director Options
         held by the Outside Director on the date of termination of service
         will be forfeited to the extent of any shares that would not have
         become vested and exercisable until at least twelve months from the
         date of termination of service.  The Board may, in its sole
         discretion, elect to accelerate the vesting of any Outside Director
         Options in connection with the termination of service of any
         individual Outside Director.

                 (i)      Outside Director Options shall be subject to Section
         10.  The number of shares and the exercise price per share of each
         Outside Director Option theretofore awarded shall be adjusted
         automatically in the same manner as the number of shares and the
         exercise price for Stock Options under Section 3(c) hereof at any time
         that Stock Options are adjusted as provided in Section 3(c).  The
         number of shares underlying Outside Director Options to be awarded in
         the future shall be adjusted automatically in the same manner as the
         number of shares underlying outstanding Stock Options are adjusted
         under Section 3(c) hereof at any time that Stock Options are adjusted
         under Section 3(c) hereof.

                 (j)      The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine to
         reduce the size of any Outside Director Option prior to grant or to
         postpone the vesting and exercisability of any Outside Director Option
         prior to grant.


SECTION 10.  CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS.

                 (a)      Impact of Event.  In the event of:

                          (1) a "Change in Control" as defined in Section
                              10(b); or

                          (2) a "Potential Change in Control" as defined in
                 Section 10(c), but only if and to the extent so determined by
                 the Committee or the Board at or after grant (subject to any
                 right of approval expressly reserved by the Committee or the
                 Board at the time of such determination),

                          (i)     Subject to the limitations set forth below in
                 this Section 10(a), the following acceleration provisions
                 shall apply:




                                     18
<PAGE>   19

                              (a)  Any Stock Appreciation Rights, any Stock
                          Option or Outside Director Option awarded under the
                          Plan not previously exercisable and vested shall
                          become fully exercisable and vested.

                              (b)  The restrictions applicable to any
                          Restricted Stock and Other Stock-Based Awards, in
                          each case to the extent not already vested under the
                          Plan, shall lapse and such shares and awards shall be
                          deemed fully vested.

                          (ii)    Subject to the limitations set forth below in
                 this Section 10(a), the value of all outstanding Stock
                 Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Outside
                 Director Options and Other Stock-Based Awards, in each case to
                 the extent vested, shall, unless otherwise determined Board or
                 by the Committee in its sole discretion prior to any Change in
                 Control, be cashed out on the basis of the "Change in Control
                 Price" as defined in Section 10(d) as of the date such Change
                 in Control or such Potential Change in Control is determined
                 to have occurred or such other date as the Board or Committee
                 may determine prior to the Change in Control.

                          (iii)   The Board or the Committee may  impose
                 additional conditions on the acceleration or valuation of any
                 award in the award agreement.

                 (b)      Definition of Change in Control.  For purposes of
         Section 10(a), a "Change in Control" means the happening of any of the
         following:

                          (i)     any person or entity, including a "group" as
                 defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than
                 the Corporation or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof or any
                 employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any of its
                 Subsidiaries, becomes the beneficial owner of the
                 Corporation's securities having 35% or more of the combined
                 voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
                 Corporation that may be cast for the election of directors of
                 the Corporation (other than as a result of an issuance of
                 securities initiated by the Corporation in the ordinary course
                 of business); or

                          (ii)    as the result of, or in connection with, any
                 cash tender or exchange offer, merger or other business
                 combination, sales of assets or contested election, or any
                 combination of the foregoing transactions, less than a
                 majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
                 securities of the Corporation or any successor corporation or
                 entity entitled to vote generally in the election of the
                 directors of the Corporation or such other corporation or
                 entity after such transaction are held in the aggregate by the
                 holders of the Corporation's securities entitled to vote
                 generally in the election of directors of the Corporation
                 immediately prior to such transaction; or




                                     19
<PAGE>   20


                          (iii)   during any period of two consecutive years,
                 individuals who at the beginning of any such period constitute
                 the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a
                 majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for
                 election by the Corporation's shareholders, of each director
                 of the Corporation first elected during such period was
                 approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors of
                 the Corporation then still in office who were directors of the
                 Corporation at the beginning of any such period.

                 (c)      Definition of Potential Change in Control.  For
         purposes of Section 10(a), a "Potential Change in Control" means the
         happening of any one of the following:

                          (i)     The approval by shareholders of an agreement
                 by the Corporation, the consummation of which would result in
                 a Change in Control of the Corporation as defined in Section
                 10(b); or

                          (ii)     The acquisition of beneficial ownership,
                 directly or indirectly, by any entity, person or group (other
                 than the Corporation or a Subsidiary or any Corporation
                 employee benefit plan (including any trustee of such plan
                 acting as such trustee)) of securities of the Corporation
                 representing 5% or more of the combined voting power of the
                 Corporation's outstanding securities and the adoption by the
                 Committee of a resolution to the effect that a Potential
                 Change in Control of the Corporation has occurred for purposes
                 of this Plan.

                 (d)      Change in Control Price.  For purposes of this
         Section 10, "Change in Control Price" means the highest price per
         share paid in any transaction reported on the NYSE or such other
         exchange or market as is the principal trading market for the Common
         Stock, or paid or offered in any bona fide transaction related to a
         Potential or actual Change in Control of the Corporation at any time
         during the 60 day period immediately preceding the occurrence of the
         Change in Control (or, where applicable, the occurrence of the
         Potential Change in Control event), in each case as determined by the
         Committee except that, in the case of Incentive Stock Options and
         Stock Appreciation Rights relating to Incentive Stock Options, such
         price shall be based only on transactions reported for the date on
         which the optionee exercises such Stock Appreciation Rights or, where
         applicable, the date on which a cash out occurs under Section
         10(a)(ii).


SECTION 11.  AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.

         The Board may at any time amend, alter or discontinue the Plan;
provided, however, that, without the approval of the Corporation's
shareholders, no amendment or alteration may be made which would (a) except as
a result of the provisions of Section 3(c) of the Plan, increase the maximum
number of shares that may be issued under the Plan or increase the Section
162(m)




                                     20
<PAGE>   21

Maximum, (b) change the provisions governing Incentive Stock Options except as
required or permitted under the provisions governing incentive stock options
under the Code, (c) amend Section 9 hereof so as to increase the size of any
award (other than as contemplated by Section 3(c) and Section 9(i) hereof) or
otherwise materially increase the benefits to Outside Directors under Section 9
hereof, or (d) make any change for which applicable law or regulatory authority
(including the regulatory authority of the NYSE or any other market or exchange
on which the Common Stock is traded) would require shareholder approval or for
which shareholder approval would be required to secure full deductibility of
compensation received under the Plan under Section 162(m) of the Code.  No
amendment, alteration, or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the
rights of an optionee or participant under a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation
Right, Restricted Stock, Other Stock-Based Award or Outside Director Option
theretofore granted, without the participant's consent.

         The Committee may amend the terms of any Stock Option or other award
theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Section 3
above, no such amendment shall impair the rights of any holder without the
holder's consent.  The Committee may also substitute new Stock Options for
previously granted Stock Options (on a one for one or other basis), including
previously granted Stock Options having higher option exercise prices.  Solely
for purposes of computing the Section 162(m) Maximum, if any Stock Options or
other awards previously granted to a participant are canceled and new Stock
Options or other awards having a lower exercise price or other more favorable
terms for the participant are substituted in their place, both the initial
Stock Options or other awards and the replacement Stock Options or other awards
will be deemed to be outstanding (although the canceled Stock Options or other
awards will not be exercisable or deemed outstanding for any other purposes).

SECTION 12. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN.

         The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive
and deferred compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a
participant or optionee by the Corporation, nothing contained herein shall give
any such participant or optionee any rights that are greater than those of a
general creditor of the Corporation.  In its sole discretion, the Committee may
authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations
created under the Plan to deliver Common Stock or payments in lieu of or with
respect to awards hereunder; provided, however, that, unless the Committee
otherwise determines with the consent of the affected participant, the
existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the
"unfunded" status of the Plan.


SECTION 13. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

                 (a)      The Committee may require each person purchasing
         shares pursuant to a Stock Option or other award under the Plan to
         represent to and agree with the Corporation



                                     21
<PAGE>   22

         in writing that the optionee or participant is acquiring the shares
         without a view to distribution thereof.  The certificates for such
         shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to
         reflect any restrictions on transfer.  All certificates for shares of
         Common Stock or other securities delivered under the Plan shall be
         subject to such stock-transfer orders and other restrictions as the
         Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other
         requirements of the Commission, any stock exchange upon which the
         Common Stock is then listed, and any applicable Federal or state
         securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be
         put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such
         restrictions.

                 (b)      Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the
         Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements,
         subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required; and such
         arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in
         specific cases.

                 (c)      The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any
         employee of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate any right
         to continued employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary or
         Affiliate, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with
         the right of the Corporation or a Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate
         the employment of any of its employees at any time.

                 (d)      No later than the date as of which an amount first
         becomes includible in the gross income of the participant for Federal
         income tax purposes with respect to any award under the Plan, the
         participant shall pay to the Corporation, or make arrangements
         satisfactory to the Committee regarding the payment of, any Federal,
         state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with
         respect to such amount.  The Committee may require withholding
         obligations to be settled with Common Stock, including Common Stock
         that is part of the award that gives rise to the withholding
         requirement.  The obligations of the Corporation under the Plan shall
         be conditional on such payment or arrangements and the Corporation and
         its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law,
         have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind
         otherwise due to the participant.

                 (e)      The actual or deemed reinvestment of dividends or
         dividend equivalents in additional Restricted Stock (or other types of
         Plan awards) at the time of any dividend payment shall only be
         permissible if sufficient shares of Common Stock are available under
         Section 3 for such reinvestment (taking into account then outstanding
         Stock Options and other Plan awards).

                 (f)      The Plan and all awards made and actions taken
         thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
         laws of the State of Tennessee.




                                     22
<PAGE>   23

                 (g)      The members of the Committee and the Board shall not
         be liable to any employee or other person with respect to any
         determination made hereunder in a manner that is not inconsistent with
         their legal obligations as members of the Board.  In addition to such
         other rights of indemnification as they may have as directors or as
         members of the Committee, the members of the Committee shall be
         indemnified by the Corporation against the reasonable expenses,
         including attorneys' fees actually and necessarily incurred in
         connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in
         connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may
         be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in
         connection with the Plan or any option granted thereunder, and against
         all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such
         settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the
         Corporation) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such
         action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which
         it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such
         Committee member is liable for negligence or misconduct in the
         performance of his duties; provided that within 60 days after
         institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, the Committee
         member shall in writing offer the Corporation the opportunity, at its
         own expense, to handle and defend the same.

                 (h)      In addition to any other restrictions on transfer
         that may be applicable under the terms of this Plan or the applicable
         award agreement, no Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted
         Stock award, or Other Stock-Based Award or other right issued under
         this Plan is transferable by the participant without the prior written
         consent of the Committee, or, in the case of an Outside Director, the
         Board, other than (i) transfers by an optionee to a member of his or
         her Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the optionee or a
         member of his or her Immediate Family or (ii) transfers by will or by
         the laws of descent and distribution.  The designation of a
         beneficiary will not constitute a transfer.

                 (i)      The Committee may, at or after grant, condition the
         receipt of any payment in respect of any award or the transfer of any 
         shares subject to an award on the satisfaction of a six-month holding 
         period, if such holding period is required for compliance with Section 
         16 under the Exchange Act.

SECTION 14. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

         The Plan shall be effective upon the date of the closing of the
Corporation's initial public offering (the "Effective Date"), provided that it
has been approved by the Board of the Corporation and by a majority of the
votes cast by the holders of the Corporation's Common Stock.


SECTION 15. TERM OF PLAN.




                                     23
<PAGE>   24

         No Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock award,
Other Stock-Based Award or Outside Director Option award shall be granted
pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date of
the Plan, but awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may be extended
beyond that date.





                                     24

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                      ARC
                          EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN


                                   ARTICLE I

                                  INTRODUCTION

         1.1     ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN.

         American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation ("ARC") with
principal offices located in Nashville, Tennessee, adopts the following
employee stock purchase plan for its eligible employees, effective on July 1,
1997.  This Plan shall be known as the ARC Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

         1.2     PURPOSE.

         The purpose of this Plan is to provide an opportunity for eligible
employees of the Employer to become shareholders in ARC.  It is believed that
broad-based employee participation in the ownership of the business will help
to achieve the unity of purpose conducive to the continued growth of the
Employer and to the mutual benefit of its employees and shareholders.

         1.3     QUALIFICATION.

         This Plan is intended to be an employee stock purchase plan which
qualifies for favorable Federal income tax treatment under Section 423 of the
Code.

         1.4     RULE 16B-3 COMPLIANCE.

         This Plan is intended to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, and should be interpreted in accordance therewith.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                  DEFINITIONS

         As used herein, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings specified below:

         2.1     Board of Directors:  The Board of Directors of ARC.

         2.2     Closing Market Price:  The last sale price of the Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or any other exchange or quotation
system, if applicable) on the date specified; or if no sales occurred on such
day, at the last sale price reported for the Stock; but if
<PAGE>   2

there should be any material alteration in the present system of reporting
sales prices of such Stock, or if such Stock should no longer be listed on the
New York Stock Exchange (or other exchange or quotation system), or if the last
sale price reported shall be on a date more than 30 days from the date in
question, the market value of the Stock as of a particular date shall be
determined in such a method as shall be specified by the Plan Administrator.

         2.3     Code:  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time.

         2.4     Commencement Date:  The first day of each Option Period
(January 1 and July 1).  The first Commencement Date shall be July 1, 1997.

         2.5     Contribution Account:  The account established on behalf of a
Participant to which shall be credited the amount of the Participant's
contribution, pursuant to Article V.

         2.6     Effective Date:  July 1, 1997.

         2.7     Employee:  Each employee of an Employer except:

                 (a)      any employee whose customary employment is twenty
                          (20) hours per week or less, or

                 (b)      any employee whose customary employment is for not
                          more than five months in any calendar year.

         2.8     Employer: ARC and any corporation which is a Subsidiary of ARC
(except for a Subsidiary which by resolutions of the Board of Directors is
expressly not authorized to become a participating Employer).  The term
"Employer" shall include any corporation into which an Employer may be merged
or consolidated or to which all or substantially all of its assets may be
transferred, provided such corporation does not affirmatively disavow this
Plan.

         2.9     Exercise Date:  The last trading date of each Option Period on
the New York Stock Exchange.

         2.10    Exercise Price:  The price per share of the Stock to be
charged to Participants at the Exercise Date, as determined in Section 6.3.

         2.11    Five-Percent Shareholder:  An Employee who owns five percent
(5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of
stock of ARC or any Subsidiary thereof.  In determining this five percent test,
shares of stock which the Employee may purchase under outstanding options,
warrants or other convertible securities, as well as stock attributed to the
Employee from members of such Employee's family or otherwise under Section
424(d) of the Code, shall be treated as stock owned by the Employee in the
numerator, but shares of stock




                                       2
<PAGE>   3

which may be issued under options, warrants or other convertible
securities shall not be counted in the total of outstanding shares in the
denominator.

         2.12    Grant Date:  The first trading date of each Option Period on
the New York Stock Exchange.

         2.13    Option Period:  Successive periods of six (6) months (i)
commencing on July 1 and ending on December 31; and (ii) commencing on January
1 and ending on June 30.

         2.14    Participant:  Any Employee of an Employer who has met the
conditions for eligibility as provided in Article IV and who has elected to
participate in the Plan.

         2.15    Plan: ARC Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

         2.16    Plan Administrator:  The committee composed of one or more
individuals to whom authority is delegated by the Board of Directors to
administer the Plan.  The initial committee shall be the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors.

         2.17    Stock:  Those shares of common stock of ARC which are reserved
pursuant to Section 6.1 for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under
this Plan.

         2.18    Subsidiary:  Any corporation in an unbroken chain of
corporations beginning with ARC each of which (other than the last corporation
in the chain) owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined
voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such
chain.


                                  ARTICLE III

                              SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

         3.1     SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIRED.

         This plan must be approved by the shareholders of ARC within the
period beginning twelve (12) months before and ending twelve (12) months after
its adoption by the Board of Directors.

         3.2     SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN AMENDMENTS.

         Without the approval of the shareholders of ARC, no amendment to this
Plan shall increase the number of shares reserved under the Plan, other than as
provided in Section 10.3.  Approval by shareholders must comply with applicable
provisions of the corporate charter and bylaws of





                                       3
<PAGE>   4

ARC and with Tennessee law prescribing the method and degree of shareholder
approval required for issuance of corporate stock or options.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                         ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

         4.1     CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY.

         Each Employee shall become eligible to become a Participant for each
Option Period on its Commencement Date if such Employee has been employed by
the Employer for a continuous period of at least one (1) year prior to the
Commencement Date.  No Employee who is a Five-Percent Shareholder shall be
eligible to participate in the Plan.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, no individual who is not an Employee shall be granted an
option to purchase Stock under the Plan.  For the purpose of satisfying the
service requirement for eligibility, all employees of ARC shall be granted
credit for service prior to the initial public offering with American
Retirement Corporation or with any partnership or other entity affiliated with
American Retirement Corporation.

         4.2     APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION.

         Each Employee who becomes eligible to participate shall be furnished a
summary of the Plan and an enrollment form.  If such Employee elects to
participate hereunder, he shall complete such form and file it with his
Employer no later than ten (10) days prior to the Commencement Date for the
Option Period for which the Employee is enrolling.  The completed enrollment
form shall indicate the amount of Employee contribution authorized by the
Employee.  If no new enrollment form is filed by a Participant at least ten
(10) days in advance of any subsequent Option Period, that Participant shall be
deemed to have elected to continue to participate with the same contribution
level previously elected (subject to the limit of 15% of base pay).  If any
Employee does not elect to participate for any given Option Period, he may
elect to participate on any future Commencement Date so long as he continues to
meet the eligibility requirements.

         4.3     DATE OF PARTICIPATION.

         All Employees who elect to participate shall be enrolled in the Plan
commencing with the first pay date after the Commencement Date following their
submission of the enrollment form.  Upon becoming a Participant, the
Participant shall be bound by the terms of this Plan, including any amendments
whenever made.





                                       4
<PAGE>   5


         4.4     ACQUISITION OR CREATION OF SUBSIDIARY.

         If the stock of a corporation is acquired by ARC or another Employer
so that the acquired corporation becomes a Subsidiary, or if a Subsidiary is
created, the Subsidiary in either case shall automatically become an Employer
and its Employees shall become eligible to participate in the Plan on the first
Commencement Date after the acquisition or creation of the Subsidiary, as the
case may be.  In the case of an acquisition, credit shall be given to Employees
of the acquired Subsidiary for service with such corporation prior to the
acquisition for purposes of satisfying the requirement of Section 4.1 of one
(1) year continuous employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of
Directors may by appropriate resolutions (i) provide that the acquired or newly
created Subsidiary shall not be a participating Employer, (ii) specify that the
acquired or newly created Subsidiary will become a participating Employer on a
date other than the first Commencement Date after the acquisition or creation,
or (iii) attach any conditions whatsoever (including denial of credit for prior
service) to eligibility of the employees of the acquired or newly created
Subsidiary.


                                   ARTICLE V

                              CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT

         5.1     EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS.

         The enrollment form signed by each Participant shall authorize the
Employer to deduct from the Participant's compensation an after-tax amount in
an exact number of dollars during each payroll period not less than five
dollars ($5.00) per bi-weekly payroll period (or $5.00 per semi-monthly payroll
period), nor more than an amount which is fifteen (15%) of the Participant's
base pay on the Commencement Date.  The dollar amount deducted each payday
shall be credited to the Participant's Contribution Account.  Participant
contributions will not be permitted to commence at any time during the Option
Period other than on a Commencement Date.  No interest will accrue on any
contributions or on the balance in a Participant's Contribution Account.

         5.2     MODIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTION RATE.

         No change shall be permitted in a Participant's amount of withholding
except upon a Commencement Date, and then only if the Participant files a new
enrollment form with the Employer designating the new withholding rate at least
ten (10) days in advance of the Commencement Date for each Option Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may notify the Employer at any
time at least thirty (30) days prior to the last day of the Option Period that
he wishes to discontinue his contributions.  This notice shall be in writing
and on such forms as provided by the Employer and shall become effective as of
a date provided on the form not more than thirty (30) days following its
receipt by the Employer.  The Participant shall become eligible to recommence
contributions on the next Commencement Date.





                                       5
<PAGE>   6


         5.3     WITHDRAWAL OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

         A Participant may elect to withdraw the balance of his Contribution
Account at any time during the Option Period at least thirty (30) days prior to
the last day of the Option Period.  The option granted to a Participant shall
be canceled upon his withdrawal of the balance in his Contribution Account.
This election to withdraw must be in writing on such forms as may be provided
by the Employer.  If contributions are withdrawn in this manner, further
contributions during that Option Period will be discontinued in the same manner
as provided in Section 5.2, and the Participant shall become eligible to
recommence contributions on the next Commencement Date.

         5.4     LUMP SUM CONTRIBUTIONS.

         Subject to the limitations described in Section 5.5 and Section 6.6, a
Participant who has not discontinued his contributions pursuant to Section 5.2
or elected to withdraw his contributions pursuant to Section 5.3 may make no
more than one lump sum contribution during each Option Period (except during
the last thirty (30) days of the Option Period).  A lump sum contribution shall
be paid by check by the Participant delivered at least thirty (30) days prior
to the last day of the Option Period and shall be credited to Participant's
Contribution Account.

         5.5     LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS.

         During each Option Period the total contributions by a Participant to
his Contribution Account (including both contributions by payroll deduction
pursuant to Section 5.1 and lump sum contributions pursuant to Section 5.5)
shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Participant's base pay on the
Commencement Date (expressed as base pay for the applicable payroll period)
multiplied by the number of payroll periods during that Option Period.  If a
Participant's total contributions should exceed this limit, the excess shall be
returned to the Participant after the end of the Option Period, without
interest.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                        ISSUANCE AND EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

         6.1     RESERVED SHARES OF STOCK.

         ARC shall reserve two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) shares of Stock
for issuance upon exercise of the options granted under this Plan.





                                       6
<PAGE>   7


         6.2     ISSUANCE OF OPTIONS.

         On the Grant Date each Participant shall be deemed to receive an
option to purchase Stock with the number of shares and Exercise Price
determined as provided in this Article VI, subject to the maximum limit
specified in Section 6.6(a).  All such options shall be automatically exercised
on the following Exercise Date, except for options which are canceled when a
Participant withdraws the balance of his Contribution Account or which are
otherwise terminated under the provisions of this Plan.

         6.3     DETERMINATION OF EXERCISE PRICE.

         The Exercise Price of the options granted under this Plan for any
Option Period shall be the lesser of

                 (a)      eighty-five percent (85%) of the Closing Market Price
                          of the Stock on the Exercise Date, or

                 (b)      eighty-five percent (85%) of the Closing Market Price
                          of the Stock on the Grant Date.

         6.4     PURCHASE OF STOCK.

         On an Exercise Date, all options shall be automatically exercised,
except that the options of a Participant who has terminated employment pursuant
to Section 7.1 or who has withdrawn all his contribution shall expire.  The
Contribution Account of each Participant shall be used to purchase the maximum
number of whole shares of Stock determined by dividing the Exercise Price into
the balance of the Participant's Contribution Account.  Any money remaining in
a Participant's Contribution Account representing a fractional share shall
remain in his Contribution Account to be used in the next Option Period along
with new contributions in the next Option Period; provided, however, that if
the Participant does not enroll for the next Option Period, the balance
remaining shall be returned to such Participant in cash.

         6.5     TERMS OF OPTIONS.

         Options granted under this Plan shall be subject to such amendment or
modification as the Employer shall deem necessary to comply with any applicable
law or regulation, including but not limited to Section 423 of the Code, and
shall contain such other provisions as the Employer shall from time to time
approve and deem necessary.





                                       7
<PAGE>   8


         6.6     LIMITATIONS ON OPTIONS.

    The options granted hereunder are subject to the following limitations:

                 (a)      The maximum number of shares of Stock which may be
                          purchased by any Participant on an Exercise Date
                          shall be seven hundred (700) shares.  This maximum
                          number of shares shall be adjusted upon the
                          occurrence of an event described in Section 10.3.

                 (b)      No Participant shall be permitted to purchase during
                          any calendar year Stock under this Plan (and any
                          other plan of the Employer or Subsidiary which is
                          qualified under Section 423 of the Code) having a
                          market value in excess of $25,000 (as determined on
                          the Grant Date for the Option Period during which
                          each such share of Stock is purchased).

                 (c)      No option may be granted to a Participant if the
                          Participant immediately after the option is granted
                          would be a Five-Percent Shareholder.

                 (d)      No Participant may assign, transfer or otherwise
                          alienate any options granted to him under this Plan,
                          otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
                          distribution, and such options must be exercised
                          during the Participant's lifetime only by such
                          Participant.

         6.7     PRO-RATA REDUCTION OF OPTIONED STOCK.

         If the total number of shares of Stock to be purchased under option by
all Participants on an Exercise Date exceeds the number of shares of Stock
remaining authorized for issuance under Section 6.1, a pro-rata allocation of
the shares of Stock available for issuance will be made among Participants in
proportion to their respective Contribution Account balances on the Exercise
Date, and any money remaining in the Contribution Accounts shall be returned to
the Participants.

         6.8     STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company
shall not be obligated to issue shares of Stock to any Participant if to do so
would violate any State securities law applicable to the sale of Stock to such
Participant.  In the event that the Company refrains from issuing shares of
Stock to any Participant in reliance on this Section, the Company shall return
to such Participant the amount in such Participant's Contribution Account that
would otherwise have been applied to the purchase of Stock.





                                       8
<PAGE>   9



                                  ARTICLE VII

                          TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION

         7.1     TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

         Any Employee whose employment with the Employer is terminated during
the Option Period prior to the Exercise Date for any reason except death,
disability or retirement at or after age 65 shall cease being a Participant
immediately.  The balance of that Participant's Contribution Account shall be
paid to such Participant as soon as practical after his termination.  The
option granted to such Participant shall be null and void from and after his
termination of employment.

         7.2     DEATH.

         If a Participant should die while employed by the Employer, no further
contributions on behalf of the deceased Participant shall be made.  The legal
representative of the deceased Participant may elect to withdraw the balance in
said Participant's Contribution Account by notifying the Employer in writing at
least thirty (30) days prior to the last day of the Option Period during which
the Participant died.  In the event no election to withdraw is made in a timely
manner, the balance accumulated in the deceased Participant's Contribution
Account shall be used to purchase shares of Stock in accordance with Section
6.4.  Any money remaining which is insufficient to purchase a whole share shall
be paid to the legal representative.

         7.3     RETIREMENT.

         If a Participant should retire from the employment of the Employer at
or after attaining age 65, no further contributions on behalf of the retired
Participant shall be made.  The Participant may elect to withdraw the balance
in his Contribution Account by notifying the Employer in writing at least
thirty (30) days prior to the last day of the Option Period during which the
Participant retired.  In the event no election to withdraw is made in a timely
manner, the balance accumulated in the retired Participant's Contribution
Account shall be used to purchase shares of Stock in accordance with Section
6.4, and any money remaining which is insufficient to purchase a whole share
shall be paid to the retired Participant.

         7.4     DISABILITY.

         If a Participant should terminate employment with the Employer on
account of disability, as determined by reference to the definition of "total
disability" in the Company's then current long-term disability plan (which as
of the Effective Date is insured by Guarantee Mutual Life Company, Group Policy
No. 01-001-0646), no further contributions on behalf of the disabled
Participant shall be made.  The Participant may elect to withdraw the balance
in his Contribution Account by notifying the Employer in writing at least
thirty (30) days prior to the last day of the Option Period during which the
Participant became disabled.  In the event no election to withdraw





                                       9
<PAGE>   10

is made in a timely manner, the balance accumulated in the disabled
Participant's Contribution Account shall be used to purchase shares of Stock in
accordance with Section 6.4, and any money remaining which is insufficient to
purchase a whole share shall be paid to the disabled Participant.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               OWNERSHIP OF STOCK

         8.1     STOCK CERTIFICATES.

         Certificates for Stock purchased through exercise of the options
granted hereunder shall be issued as soon as practical after the Exercise Date.
Certificates may be issued, at the request of the Participant, in the name of
the Participant, jointly in the name of the Participant and a member of the
Participant's family, or to the Participant as custodian for the Participant's
child under the Gift to Minors Act.

         8.2     PREMATURE SALE OF STOCK.

         If a Participant (or former Participant) sells or otherwise disposes
of any shares of Stock obtained under this Plan

                 (a)      prior to two (2) years after the Grant Date of the
                          option under which such shares were obtained, or

                 (b)      prior to one (1) year after the Exercise Date on
                          which such shares were obtained,

that Participant (or former Participant) must notify the Employer immediately
in writing concerning such disposition.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                          ADMINISTRATION AND AMENDMENT

         9.1     ADMINISTRATION.

         The Plan Administrator shall (i) administer the Plan and keep records
of the Contribution Account balance of each Participant, (ii) interpret the
Plan, and (iii) determine all questions arising as to eligibility to
participate, amount of contributions permitted, determination of the Exercise
Price, and all other matters of administration.  The Plan Administrator shall
have such duties, powers and discretionary authority as may be necessary to
discharge the foregoing duties, and





                                       10
<PAGE>   11

may delegate any or all of the foregoing duties to any individual or
individuals (including officers or other Employees who are Participants).  The
Board of Directors shall have the right at any time and without notice to
remove or replace any individual or committee of individuals serving as Plan
Administrator.  All determinations by the Plan Administrator shall be
conclusive and binding on all persons.  Any rules, regulations, or procedures
that may be necessary for the proper administration or functioning of this Plan
that are not covered in this Plan document shall be promulgated and adopted by
the Plan Administrator.

         9.2     AMENDMENT.

         The Board of Directors of ARC may at any time amend the Plan in any
respect, including termination of the Plan, without notice to Participants.  If
the Plan is terminated, all options outstanding at the time of termination
shall become null and void and the balance in each Participant's Contribution
Account shall be paid to that Participant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
amendment of the Plan as described in Section 3.2 shall become effective until
and unless such amendment is approved by the shareholders of ARC.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         10.1    EXPENSES.

         The Employer will pay all expenses of administering this Plan that may
arise in connection with the Plan.

         10.2    NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.

         Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to constitute a contract of
employment between an Employer and any Employee or to be an inducement for the
employment of any Employee.  Nothing contained in this Plan shall be deemed to
give any Employee the right to be retained in the service of an Employer or to
interfere with the right of an Employer to discharge any Employee at any time,
with or without cause, regardless of the effect which such discharge may have
upon him as a Participant of the Plan.

         10.3    ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.

         The aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved for purchase under
the Plan as provided in Section 6.1, and the calculation of the Exercise Price
as provided in Section 6.3, shall be adjusted by the Plan Administrator
(subject to direction by the Board of Directors) in an equitable manner to
reflect changes in the capitalization of ARC, including, but not limited to,
such changes as result from merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, stock dividend, dividend





                                       11
<PAGE>   12

in property other than cash, stock split, combination of shares, exchange of
shares and change in corporate structure.  If any adjustment under this Section
10.3 would create a fractional share of Stock or a right to acquire a
fractional share of Stock, such fractional share shall be disregarded and the
number of shares available under the Plan and the number of shares covered
under any options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be the next lower number
of shares, rounding all fractions downward.

         10.4    EMPLOYER'S RIGHTS.

         The rights and powers of any Employer shall not be affected in any way
by its participation in this Plan, including but not limited to the right or
power of any Employer to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations
or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge or to consolidate
or to dissolve, liquidate or sell, or transfer all or any part of its business
or assets.

         10.5    LIMIT ON LIABILITY.

         No liability whatever shall attach to or be incurred by any past,
present or future shareholders, officers or directors, as such, of ARC or any
Employer, under or by reason of any of the terms, conditions or agreements
contained in this Plan or implied therefrom, and any and all liabilities of any
and all rights and claims against ARC, an Employer, or any shareholder, officer
or director as such, whether arising at common law or in equity or created by
statute or constitution or otherwise, pertaining to this Plan, are hereby
expressly waived and released by every Participant as a part of the
consideration for any benefits under this Plan; provided, however, no waiver
shall occur, solely by reason of this Section 10.5, of any right which is not
susceptible to advance waiver under applicable law.

         10.6    GENDER AND NUMBER.

         For the purposes of the Plan, unless the contrary is clearly
indicated, the use of the masculine gender shall include the feminine, and the
singular number shall include the plural and vice versa.

         10.7    GOVERNING LAW.

         The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect
of this Plan, and any rules or regulations promulgated hereunder, including all
rights or privileges of any Participants hereunder, shall be governed
exclusively by and in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee,
except that the Plan shall be construed to the maximum extent possible to
comply with Section 423 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated
thereunder.





                                       12
<PAGE>   13


         10.8    HEADINGS.

         Any headings or subheadings in this Plan are inserted for convenience
of reference only and are to be ignored in the construction of any provisions
hereof.

         10.9    SEVERABILITY.

         If any provision of this Plan is held by a court to be unenforceable
or is deemed invalid for any reason, then such provision shall be deemed
inapplicable and omitted, but all other provisions of this Plan shall be deemed
valid and enforceable to the full extent possible under applicable law.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has adopted this Plan effective July
1, 1997, subject to approval by the shareholders of ARC on or before the
expiration of the time period specified in Section 3.1.


Date: __________, 1997                           AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


                                                 By:___________________________

                                                 Title:________________________


Attest:

______________________________________________



                                       13

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3





                      PROTOTYPE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
                          AND TRUST/CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT


                                  SPONSORED BY


                        THIRD NATIONAL BANK IN NASHVILLE


                              BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT





                                                                       JULY 1994




COPYRIGHT 1994

<PAGE>   2


This document is copyrighted under the laws of the United States.  Its use,
duplication or reproduction, including the use of electronic means, is
prohibited by law without the express consent of the author.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

PARAGRAPH                                                                  PAGE
- ---------                                                                  ----
                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

<TABLE>
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C>
   1.1        Actual Deferral Percentage [For The ADP                        
                Or 401(k) Test]                                            1 
   1.2        Adoption Agreement                                           1 
   1.3        Aggregate Limit                                              2 
   1.4        Annual Additions                                             2 
   1.5        Annuity Starting Date                                        2 
   1.6        Applicable Calendar Year                                     2 
   1.7        Applicable Life Expectancy                                   3 
   1.8        Average Contribution Percentage [The ACP                       
                For The 401(m) Test]                                       3 
   1.9        Average Deferral Percentage [The ADP                           
                For The 401(k) Test]                                       3 
   1.10       Break In Service                                             3 
   1.11       Code                                                         3 
   1.12       Compensation                                                 3 
   1.13       Contribution Percentage [For The ACP                           
                Or 401(m) Test]                                            5 
   1.14       Custodian                                                    6 
   1.15       Defined Benefit Plan                                         6 
   1.16       Defined Benefit (Plan) Fraction                              6 
   1.17       Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation                       6 
   1.18       Defined Contribution Plan                                    7 
   1.19       Defined Contribution (Plan) Fraction                         7 
   1.20       Designated Beneficiary                                       7 
   1.21       Direct Rollover                                              7 
   1.22       Direct Rollover Of Benefits                                  7 
   1.23       Disability                                                   8 
   1.24       Distribution Calendar Year                                   8 
   1.25       Early Retirement Age                                         8 
   1.26       Earned Income                                                8 
   1.27       Effective Date                                               8 
   1.28       Election Period                                              8 
   1.29       Elective Deferral                                            8 
   1.30       Eligible Participant                                         9 
   1.31       Eligible Retirement Plan                                     9 
   1.32       Eligible Rollover Distribution                               9  
   1.33       Employee                                                     9 
   1.34       Employer                                                     9 
   1.35       Entry Date                                                  10 
   1.36       Excess Aggregate Contributions [ACP Or                         
                401(m) Test]                                              10 
   1.37       Excess Amount (415 Limits) Or                                  
                Excess Annual Additions                                   11 
   1.38       Excess Contribution [ADP Or 401(k) Test]                    11  
</TABLE>                                                                     
                                                                             
<PAGE>   3
                                                                             
                                                                             
<TABLE>                                                                      
   <S>        <C>                                                            
   1.39       Excess Elective Deferrals ($7,000 as Indexed)               11  
   1.40       Family Member                                               11 
   1.41       First Distribution Calendar Year                            11 
   1.42       Fund                                                        11 
   1.43       Hardship                                                    11 
   1.44       Highest Average Compensation                                11 
   1.45       Highly Compensated Employee                                 11 
   1.46       Hour Of Service                                             12 
   1.47       Key Employee                                                14 
   1.48       Leased Employee                                             14 
   1.49       Limitation Year                                             14 
   1.50       Master Or Prototype Plan                                    14 
   1.51       Matching Contribution                                       14 
   1.52       Maximum Permissible Amount                                  14 
   1.53       Net Profit                                                  15 
   1.54       Normal Retirement Age                                       15 
   1.55       Owner-Employee                                              15 
   1.56       Paired Plans                                                15 
   1.57       Participant                                                 15 
   1.58       Participant's Benefit                                       15 
   1.59       Permissive Aggregation Group                                15 
   1.60       Plan                                                        15 
   1.61       Plan Administrator                                          15 
   1.62       Plan Year                                                   15 
   1.63       Present Value                                               16 
   1.64       Projected Annual Benefit                                    16 
   1.65       Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan                        16 
   1.66       Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)                   16 
   1.67       Qualified Early Retirement Age                              16 
   1.68       Qualified Joint And Survivor Annuity                        16 
   1.69       Qualified Matching Contribution                             16 
   1.70       Qualified Non-Elective Contributions                        17 
   1.71       Qualified Voluntary Contribution                            17 
   1.72       Required Aggregation Group                                  17 
   1.73       Required Beginning Date                                     17 
   1.74       Rollover Contribution                                       17 
   1.75       Salary Savings Agreement                                    17 
   1.76       Self-Employed Individual                                    17 
   1.77       Service                                                     17 
   1.78       Shareholder Employee                                        17 
   1.79       Simplified Employee Pension Plan                            17 
   1.80       Sponsor                                                     17 
   1.81       Spouse (Surviving Spouse)                                   18 
   1.82       Super Top-Heavy Plan                                        18 
   1.83       Taxable Wage Base                                           18 
   1.84       Top-Heavy Determination Date                                18 
   1.85       Top-Heavy Plan                                              18 
   1.86       Top-Heavy Ratio                                             18 
   1.87       Top-Paid Group                                              19 
   1.88       Transfer Contribution                                       20 
   1.89       Trustee                                                     20 
   1.90       Valuation Date                                              20 
   1.91       Valuation Period                                            20 
   1.92       Vested Account Balance                                      20 
   1.93       Voluntary Contribution                                      20 
   1.94       Welfare Benefit Fund                                        21 
   1.95       Year Of Service                                             21 
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
<PAGE>   4
                                                                              
                                   ARTICLE II                                 
                            ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS                          
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   2.1        Participation                                               22  
   2.2        Change In Classification Of Employment                      22  
   2.3        Computation Period                                          22  
   2.4        Employment Rights                                           23  
   2.5        Service With Controlled Groups                              23  
   2.6        Owner-Employees                                             23  
   2.7        Leased Employees                                            23  
   2.8        Thrift Plans                                                24  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                  ARTICLE III                                 
                             EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS                           
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   3.1        Amount                                                      25  
   3.2        Expenses And Fees                                           25  
   3.3        Responsibility For Contributions                            25  
   3.4        Return Of Contributions                                     25  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                   ARTICLE IV                                 
                             EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS                           
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   4.1        Voluntary Contributions                                     26  
   4.2        Qualified Voluntary Contributions                           26  
   4.3        Rollover Contribution                                       26  
   4.4        Transfer Contribution                                       27  
   4.5        Employer Approval Of                                            
                Transfer Contributions                                    27  
   4.6        Salary Savings Contributions                                    
                (Elective Deferrals)                                      28  
   4.7        Required Voluntary Contributions                            28 
   4.8        Direct Rollover Of Benefits                                 29  
   4.9        Special Rules For Direct Rollovers                          29  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                   ARTICLE V                                  
                              PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS                            
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   5.1        Separate Accounts                                           31  
   5.2        Adjustments To Participant Accounts                         31  
   5.3        Allocating Employer Contributions                           32  
   5.4        Allocating Investment Earnings And Losses                   32  
   5.5        Participant Statements                                      33  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                   ARTICLE VI                                 
                     RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS                    
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   6.1        Normal Retirement Benefits                                  34  
   6.2        Early Retirement Benefits                                   34  
   6.3        Benefits On Termination Of Employment                       34  
   6.4        Restrictions On Immediate Distributions                     36  
   6.5        Normal Form Of Payment                                      37  
   6.6        Commencement Of Benefits                                    37  
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   6.7        Claims Procedures                                           38  
   6.8        In-Service Withdrawals                                      38  
   6.9        Hardship Withdrawals                                        40  
   6.10       Previous Distribution Options                               41  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                  ARTICLE VII                                 
                           DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS                          
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   7.1        Joint And Survivor Annuity Requirements                     42  
   7.2        Minimum Distribution Requirements                           42  
   7.3        Limits On Distribution Periods                              42  
   7.4        Required Distributions On Or After The                          
                Required Beginning Date                                   42  
   7.5        Required Beginning Date                                     43 
   7.6        Transitional Rule                                           44  
   7.7        Designation Of Beneficiary For Death Benefit                46 
   7.8        Nonexistence Of Beneficiary                                 46  
   7.9        Distribution Beginning Before Death                         46  
   7.10       Distribution Beginning After Death                          46  
   7.11       Distribution Of Excess Elective Deferrals                   47 
   7.12       Distributions Of Excess Contributions                           
                (ADP Amounts)                                             48  
   7.13       Distribution Of Excess Aggregate Contributions                  
                (ACP Amounts)                                             48  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                  ARTICLE VIII                                
                    JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY REQUIREMENTS                   
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   8.1        Applicability Of Provisions                                 50   
   8.2        Payment Of Qualified Joint And Survivor                         
                Annuity                                                   50  
   8.3        Payment of Qualified Pre-Retirement                             
                Survivor Annuity                                          50   
   8.4        Qualified Election                                          50  
   8.5        Notice Requirements For Qualified Joint                         
                And Survivor Annuity                                      51   
   8.6        Notice Requirements For Qualified Pre-                          
                Retirement Survivor Annuity                               51   
   8.7        Special Safe-Harbor Exception For                               
                Certain Profit-Sharing Plans                              52   
   8.8        Transitional Joint And Survivor                                 
                Annuity Rules                                             53   
   8.9        Automatic Joint And Survivor Annuity                            
                And Early Survivor Annuity                                53   
   8.10       Annuity Contracts                                           54  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                   ARTICLE IX                                 
                                    VESTING                                   
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   9.1        Employee Contributions                                      55  
   9.2        Employer Contributions                                      55  
   9.3        Computation Period                                          55  
   9.4        Requalification Prior To Five Consecutive                       
                One-Year Breaks In Service                                55  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
<PAGE>   6
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   9.5        Requalification After Five Consecutive                          
                One-Year Breaks In Service                                55  
   9.6        Calculating Vested Interest                                 56  
   9.7        Forfeitures                                                 56  
   9.8        Amendment Of Vesting Schedule                               56  
   9.9        Service With Controlled Groups                              57  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                   ARTICLE X                                  
                         LIMITATIONS ON ALLOCATIONS AND                       
                           ANTIDISCRIMINATION TESTING                         
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   10.1       Participation Only In This Plan                             58   
   10.2       Disposition Of Excess Annual Additions                      58   
   10.3       Participation In This Plan And Another                          
                Prototype Defined Contribution Plan                           
                Welfare Benefit Fund Or Individual Medical                    
                Account Maintained By The Employer                        59   
   10.4       Disposition Of Excess Annual Additions                          
                Under Two Plans                                           60  
   10.5       Participation In This Plan And Another                          
                Defined Contribution Plan Which Is Not                        
                A Master Or Prototype Plan                                60  
   10.6       Participation In This Plan And A Defined                        
                Benefit Plan                                              60  
   10.7       Average Deferral Percentage                                     
                [ADP Or 401(k)] Test                                      60  
   10.8       Special Rules Relating To Application                           
                Of ADP Test                                               61  
   10.9       Recharacterization                                          62  
   10.10      Average Contribution Percentage [ACP or                         
                401(m) Test                                               62  
   10.11      Special Rules Relating To Application                           
                Of ACP Test                                               63  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                   ARTICLE XI                                 
                                 ADMINISTRATION                               
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   11.1       Plan Administrator                                          65   
   11.2       Trustee/Custodian                                           65  
   11.3       Administrative Fees And Expenses                            66           
   11.4       Division Of Duties And Indemnification                      66           
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                  ARTICLE XII                                 
                          TRUST FUND/CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT                        
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   12.1       The Fund                                                    69  
   12.2       Control Of Plan Assets                                      69  
   12.3       Exclusive Benefit Rules                                     69  
   12.4       Assignment And Alienation Of Benefits                       69          
   12.5       Determination Of Qualified Domestic                             
                Relations Order (QDRO)                                    69  
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   7

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                  INVESTMENTS

<TABLE>
   <S>        <C>                                                         <C> 
   13.1       Fiduciary Standards                                         71  
   13.2       Funding Arrangement                                         71  
   13.3       Investment Alternatives Of The Trustee                      71  
   13.4       Investment Alternatives Of The Custodian                    73  
   13.5       Participant Loans                                           73  
   13.6       Insurance Policies                                          75  
   13.7       Employer Investment Direction                               77  
   13.8       Employee Investment Direction                               77  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ARTICLE XIV                                       
                        TOP-HEAVY PROVISIONS                                  
                                                                              
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>              <C>                                                   <C> 
   14.1             Applicability Of Rules                                79  
   14.2             Minimum Contribution                                  79  
   14.3             Minimum Vesting                                       80  
   14.4             Limitations On Allocations                            80  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                             ARTICLE XV                                       
                     AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
<TABLE>                                                                       
   <S>              <C>                                                   <C> 
   15.1             Amendment By Sponsor                                  81  
   15.2             Amendment By Employer                                 81  
   15.3             Termination                                           81  
   15.4             Qualification Of Employer's Plan                      82  
   15.5             Mergers And Consolidations                            82  
   15.6             Resignation And Removal                               82  
   15.7             Qualification Of Prototype                            83  
</TABLE>                                                                      
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ARTICLE XVI                                       
                           GOVERNING LAW                                  84  





<PAGE>   8


                   PROTOTYPE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN AND
                           TRUST/CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT
                                 SPONSORED BY

                       THIRD NATIONAL BANK IN NASHVILLE

The Sponsor hereby establishes the following Prototype Retirement Plan and
Trust/Custodial Account for use by those of its customers who qualify and wish
to adopt a qualified retirement program.  Any Plan and Trust/Custodial Account
established hereunder shall be administered for the exclusive benefit of
Participants and their beneficiaries under the following terms and conditions:

                                  ARTICLE I

                                 DEFINITIONS


1.1      ACTUAL DEFERRAL PERCENTAGE [FOR THE ADP OR 401(K) TEST]  The ratio
(expressed as a percentage and calculated separately for each Participant) of:

         (a)     the amount of Employer contributions [as defined at (c) and 
                 (d)] actually paid over to the Fund on behalf of such 
                 Participant for the Plan Year to

         (b)     the Participant's Compensation which includes amounts for the 
                 period during which the Employee was eligible to participate 
                 or if otherwise selected by the Employer in the Adoption 
                 Agreement, Compensation may include Compensation for the 
                 entire Plan Year (whether or not the Employee was a 
                 Participant for the entire Plan Year).

Employer contributions on behalf of any Participant shall include:

         (c)     any Elective Deferrals made pursuant to the Participant's 
                 deferral election, including Excess Elective Deferrals, but 
                 excluding Elective Deferrals that are taken into account in
                 the Contribution Percentage test (provided the ADP test is
                 satisfied both with and without exclusion of these Elective
                 Deferrals) or are returned as excess Annual Additions; and

         (d)     at the election of the Employer, Qualified Non-Elective 
                 Contributions and Qualified Matching Contributions.

For purposes of computing Actual Deferral Percentages, an Employee who would be
a Participant but for the failure to make Elective Deferrals shall be treated
as a Participant on whose behalf no Elective Deferrals are made.

1.2      ADOPTION AGREEMENT  The document attached to this Plan by which an
Employer elects to establish a qualified retirement plan and trust/custodial
account under the terms of this Prototype Plan and Trust/Custodial Account.





                                       1
<PAGE>   9

1.3      AGGREGATE LIMIT  The sum of:

         (a)     125 percent of the greater of the ADP of the non-Highly 
                 Compensated Employees for the Plan Year or the ACP of
                 non-Highly Compensated Employees under the Plan subject to Code
                 Section 401(m) for the Plan Year beginning with or within the
                 Plan Year of the cash or deferred arrangement as described in
                 Code Section 401(k) or Code Section 402(h)(1)(B), and

         (b)     the lesser of 200% or two percent plus the lesser of such ADP 
                 or ACP.

Alternatively, the aggregate limit can be determined by substituting "the
lesser of 200% or 2 percent plus" for "125% of" in (a) above, and substituting
"125% of" for "the lesser of 200% or 2 percent plus" in (b) above.

1.4      ANNUAL ADDITIONS  The sum of the following amounts credited to a
Participant's account for the Limitation Year:

         (a)     Employer Contributions,

         (b)     Employee Contributions (under Article IV),

         (c)     forfeitures,

         (d)     amounts allocated after March 31, 1984 to an individual medical
                 account, as defined in Code Section 415(l)(2), which is
                 part of a pension or annuity plan maintained by the Employer
                 (these amounts are treated as Annual Additions to a Defined
                 Contribution Plan though they arise under a Defined Benefit
                 Plan), and

         (e)     amounts derived from contributions paid or accrued after 1985,
                 in taxable years ending after 1985, which are either
                 attributable to post-retirement medical benefits allocated to
                 the account of a Key Employee under a Welfare Benefit Fund
                 maintained by the Employer are also treated as Annual Additions
                 to a Defined Contribution Plan.  For purposes of this
                 paragraph, an Employee is a Key Employee if he or she meets the
                 requirements of paragraph 1.43 at any time during the Plan Year
                 or any preceding Plan Year. Welfare Benefit Fund is defined at
                 paragraph 1.89.

Excess amounts applied in a Limitation Year to reduce Employer contributions
will be considered Annual Additions for such Limitation Year, pursuant to the
provisions of Article X.

1.5      ANNUITY STARTING DATE  The first day of the first period for which an
amount is paid as an annuity or in any other form.

1.6      APPLICABLE CALENDAR YEAR  The First Distribution Calendar Year, and in
the event of the recalculation of life expectancy, such succeeding calendar
year.  If payments commence in accordance with paragraph 7.4(e) before the
Required Beginning Date, the Applicable Calendar Year is the year such payments
commence.  If distribution is in the form of an immediate annuity purchased
after the Participant's death with the Participant's remaining interest, the
Applicable Calendar Year is the year of purchase.





                                       2
<PAGE>   10

1.7      APPLICABLE LIFE EXPECTANCY  Used in determining the required minimum
distribution.  The life expectancy (or joint and last survivor expectancy)
calculated using the attained age of the Participant (or Designated
Beneficiary) as of the Participant's (or Designated Beneficiary's) birthday in
the Applicable Calendar Year reduced by one for each calendar year which has
elapsed since the date life expectancy was first calculated.  If life
expectancy is being recalculated, the Applicable Life Expectancy shall be the
life expectancy as so recalculated.  The life expectancy of a non-Spouse
Beneficiary may not be recalculated.

1.8      AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE [THE ACP FOR THE 401(M) TEST]  The
average of the Contribution Percentages for each Highly Compensated Employee
and for each non-Highly Compensated Employee.

1.9      AVERAGE DEFERRAL PERCENTAGE [THE ADP FOR THE 401(K) TEST]  The average
of the Actual Deferral Percentages for each Highly Compensated Employee and for
each non-Highly Compensated Employee.

1.10     BREAK IN SERVICE  A 12-consecutive month period during which an
Employee fails to complete more than 500 Hours of Service.

1.11     CODE  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any amendments
thereto.

1.12     COMPENSATION  The Employer may select one of the following three
safe-harbor definitions of compensation in the adoption agreement.
Compensation shall only include amounts earned while a Participant if Plan Year
is chosen as the applicable computation period.

         (a)     CODE SECTION 3401(A) WAGES.  Compensation is defined as wages 
                 within the meaning of Code Section 3401(a) for the
                 purposes of Federal income tax withholding at the source but
                 determined without regard to any rules that limit the
                 remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location
                 of the employment or the services performed [such as the
                 exception for agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)].

         (b)     CODE SECTION 6041 AND 6051 WAGES.  Compensation is defined as 
                 wages as defined in Code Section 3401(a) and all other
                 payments of compensation to an Employee by the Employer (in the
                 course of the Employer's trade or business) for which the
                 Employer is required to furnish the employee a written
                 statement under Code Section 6041(d) and 6051(a)(3). 
                 Compensation must be determined without regard to any rules
                 under Code Section 3401(a) that limit the remuneration included
                 in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or
                 the services performed [such as the exception for agricultural
                 labor in  Code Section 3401(a)(2)].

         (c)     CODE SECTION 415 COMPENSATION.  For purposes of applying the
                 limitations of Article X and Top-Heavy Minimums, the 
                 definition of Compensation shall be Code Section 415
                 Compensation as follows:  a Participant's Earned Income, wages,
                 salaries, and fees for professional services and other amounts
                 received (without regard to whether or not an amount is paid in
                 cash) for personal services actually rendered in the course of
                 employment with the Employer maintaining the Plan to the extent
                 that the amounts are includible in gross income [including, but
                 not limited to, commissions paid salesmen,





                                       3
<PAGE>   11


                 compensation for services on the basis of a percentage
                 of profits, commissions on insurance premiums, tips, bonuses,
                 fringe benefits and reimbursements or other expense allowances
                 under a nonaccountable plan (as described in Regulation
                 1.62-2(c)], and excluding the following:

                 1.       Employer contributions to a plan of deferred 
                          compensation which are not includible in the
                          Employee's gross income for the taxable year in which
                          contributed, or Employer contributions under a
                          Simplified Employee Pension Plan or any distributions
                          from a plan of deferred compensation,

                 2.       Amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified
                          stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) 
                          held by the Employee either becomes freely 
                          transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial
                          risk of forfeiture,

                 3.       Amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other 
                          disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock 
                          option; and

                 4.       other amounts which received special tax benefits, or
                          contributions made by the Employer (whether or not 
                          under a salary reduction agreement) towards the
                          purchase of an annuity contract described in Code
                          Section 403(b) (whether or not the contributions are
                          actually excludible from the gross income of the
                          Employee).

For purposes of applying the limitations of Article X and Top-Heavy minimums,
the definition of Compensation shall be Code Section 415 Compensation described
in this paragraph 1.12(c).  Also, for purposes of applying the limitations of
Article X, Compensation for a Limitation Year is the Compensation actually paid
or made available during such Limitation Year.  Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, Compensation for a Participant in a defined contribution plan who is
permanently and totally disabled [as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3)] is the
Compensation such Participant would have received for the Limitation Year if
the Participant had been paid at the rate of Compensation paid immediately
before becoming permanently and totally disabled.  Such imputed Compensation
for the disabled Participant may be taken into account only if the participant
is not a Highly Compensated Employee [as defined in Code Section 414(q)] and
contributions made on behalf of such Participant are nonforfeitable when made.

If the Employer fails to pick the determination period in the Adoption
Agreement, the Plan Year shall be used.  Unless otherwise specified by the
Employer in the adoption agreement, Compensation shall be determined as
provided in 1.12(c).  In Nonstandardized Adoption Agreements 003, 004 and 008,
the Employer may choose to eliminate or exclude categories of Compensation
which do not violate the provisions of Code Sections 401(a)(4), 414(s),
regulations thereunder and Revenue Procedure 89-65.

Beginning with 1989 Plan Years, the annual Compensation of each Participant
which may be taken into account for determining all benefits provided under the
Plan (including benefits under Article XIV) for any year shall not exceed
$200,000, as adjusted under Code Section 415(d).





                                       4

<PAGE>   12

For Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1994, the annual Compensation
of each Participant taken into account for determining all benefits provided
under the Plan for any Plan Year shall not exceed $150,000, as adjusted for
increases in the cost-of-living in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17).
The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to any
determination period beginning in such year.  In determining the Compensation
of a Participant for purposes of this limitation, the rules of Code Section
414(q)(6) shall apply, except in applying such rules, the term "family" shall
include only the spouse of the Participant and any lineal descendants of the
Participant who have not attained age 19 before the end of the Plan year.  If,
as a result of the application of such rules the adjusted annual Compensation
limitation is exceeded, then (except for purposes of determining the portion of
Compensation up to the integration level if this Plan provides for permitted
disparity),  the limitation shall be prorated among the affected individuals in
proportion to each such individual's Compensation as determined under this
section prior to the application of this limitation.  In the event that "family
aggregation" is repealed by Congress, such provisions contained herein shall be
null and void.  In that event, the Plan shall use each Participant's total
Compensation, as provided in the Adoption Agreement, up to the maximum allowed
under law for any Plan Year.

If a Plan has a Plan Year that contains fewer than 12 Calendar Months, then the
annual compensation limit for that period is an amount equal to the annual
Compensation as adjusted for the calendar year in which the compensation period
begins, multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of full
months in the Short determination period and the denominator of which is 12.
If Compensation for any prior Plan Year is taken into account in determining an
employee's contributions or benefits for the current year, the Compensation for
such prior year is subject to the applicable annual compensation limit in
effect for that prior year.  For this purpose, for years beginning before
January 1, 1990, the applicable annual compensation limit is $200,000.

Compensation shall not include deferred compensation other than contributions
through a salary reduction agreement to a cash or deferred plan under Code
Section 401(k), a Simplified Employee Pension Plan under Code Section
402(h)(1)(B), a cafeteria plan under Code Section 125 or a tax-deferred annuity
under Code Section 403(b).  Unless elected otherwise by the Employer in the
Adoption Agreement, these deferred amounts will be considered as Compensation
for Plan purposes.  These deferred amounts are not counted as Compensation for
purposes of Articles X and XIV.  When applicable to a Self-Employed Individual,
Compensation shall mean Earned Income.

1.13     CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE [FOR THE ACP OR 401(M) TEST]  The ratio
(expressed as a percentage and calculated separately for each Participant) of:

         (a)     the Participant's Contribution Percentage Amounts [as defined 
                 at (c) through (f)] actually paid over to the Fund on behalf 
                 of such Participant for the Plan Year to

         (b)     the Participant's Compensation which includes amounts for the 
                 period during which the Employee was eligible to participate 
                 or if otherwise selected by the Employer in the Adoption 
                 Agreement, Compensation may include Compensation for the 
                 entire Plan Year (whether or not the Employee was a 
                 Participant for the entire Plan Year).





                                       5
<PAGE>   13

The "Contribution Percentage Amount" on behalf of any Participant shall
include:

         (c)     the amount of Employee Voluntary Contributions, Matching 
                 Contributions and Qualified Matching Contributions (to the 
                 extent not taken into account for purposes of the ADP test)
                 made under the Plan on behalf of the Participant for the Plan
                 Year.

         (d)     forfeitures of Excess Aggregate Contributions or Matching
                 Contributions allocated to the Participant's matching
                 account which shall be taken into account in the year in which
                 such forfeiture is allocated,

         (e)     at the election of the Employer, Qualified Non-Elective 
                 Contributions in the Contribution Percentage Amount, and

         (f)     the Employer may also elect to use Elective Deferrals in the
                 Contribution Percentage Amount so long as the ADP test is met 
                 before the Elective Deferrals are used in the ACP test and 
                 continues to be met following the exclusion of those Elective 
                 Deferrals that are used to meet the ACP test.

         (g)     the amount of Elective Deferrals recharacterized as voluntary
                 contributions under paragraph 10.9

Contribution Percentage amounts shall not include Matching Contributions,
whether or not qualified, that are forfeited either to correct Excess Aggregate
Contributions, or because the contributions to which they relate are Excess
Deferrals, Excess Contributions or Excess Aggregate Contributions.

1.14     CUSTODIAN  The individual or institution appointed by the Employer to
have custody of all or part of the Fund.

1.15     DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN  A Plan under which a Participant's benefit is
determined by a formula contained in the Plan and no individual accounts are
maintained for Participants.

1.16     DEFINED BENEFIT (PLAN) FRACTION  A fraction, the numerator of which is
the sum of the Participant's Projected Annual Benefits under all the Defined
Benefit Plans (whether or not terminated) maintained by the Employer, and the
denominator of which is the lesser of 125 percent of the dollar limitation
determined for the Limitation Year under Code Sections 415(b) and (d) or 140
percent of the Highest Average Compensation, including any adjustments under
Code Section 415(b).

Notwithstanding the above, if the Participant was a Participant as of the first
day of the first Limitation Year beginning after 1986, in one or more Defined
Benefit Plans maintained by the Employer which were in existence on May 6,
1986, the denominator of this fraction will not be less than 125 percent of the
sum of the annual benefits under such plans which the Participant had accrued
as of the close of the last Limitation Year beginning before 1987, disregarding
any changes in the terms and conditions of the plan after May 5, 1986.  The
preceding sentence applies only if the Defined Benefit Plans individually and
in the aggregate satisfied the requirements of Section 415 for all Limitation
Years beginning before 1987.

1.17     DEFINED CONTRIBUTION DOLLAR LIMITATION  Thirty thousand dollars
($30,000) or if greater, one-fourth of the defined benefit dollar limitation
set forth in Code Section 415(b)(1) as in effect for the Limitation Year.





                                       6
<PAGE>   14

1.18     DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN  A Plan under which individual accounts are
maintained for each Participant to which all contributions, forfeitures,
investment income and gains or losses, and expenses are credited or deducted.
A Participant's benefit under such Plan is based solely on the fair market
value of his or her account balance.

1.19     DEFINED CONTRIBUTION (PLAN) FRACTION  A Fraction, the numerator of
which is the sum of the Annual Additions to the Participant's account under all
the Defined Contribution Plans (whether or not terminated) maintained by the
Employer for the current and all prior Limitation Years (including the Annual
Additions attributable to the Participant's nondeductible Employee
contributions to all Defined Benefit Plans, whether or not terminated,
maintained by the Employer, and the Annual Additions attributable to all
Welfare Benefit Funds, as defined in paragraph 1.89 and individual medical
accounts, as defined in Code Section 415(1)(2), maintained by the Employer),
and the denominator of which is the sum of the maximum aggregate amounts for
the current and all prior Limitation Years of service with the Employer
(regardless of whether a Defined Contribution Plan was maintained by the
Employer).  The maximum aggregate amount in the Limitation Year is the lesser
of 125 percent of the dollar limitation determined under Code Sections 415(b)
and (d) in effect under Code Section 415(c)(1)(A) or 35 percent of the
Participant's Compensation for such year.

If the Employee was a Participant as of the end of the first day of the first
Limitation Year beginning after 1986, in one or more Defined Contribution Plans
maintained by the Employer which were in existence on May 6, 1986, the
numerator of this fraction will be adjusted if the sum of this fraction and the
Defined Benefit Fraction would otherwise exceed 1.0 under the terms of this
Plan.  Under the adjustment, an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess
of the sum of the fractions over 1.0 times (2) the denominator of this fraction
will be permanently subtracted from the numerator of this fraction.  The
adjustment is calculated using the fractions as they would be computed as of
the end of the last Limitation Year beginning before 1987, and disregarding any
changes in the terms and conditions of the Plan made after May 5, 1986, but
using the Section 415 limitation applicable to the first Limitation Year
beginning on or after January 1, 1987.  The Annual Addition for any Limitation
Year beginning before 1987, shall not be re-computed to treat all Employee
Contributions as Annual Additions.

1.20     DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY  The individual who is designated as the
beneficiary under the Plan in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(9) and the
regulations thereunder.

1.21     DIRECT ROLLOVER  A payment by the plan to the Eligible Retirement Plan
specified by the Participant.

1.22     DIRECT ROLLOVER OF BENEFITS  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan
to the contrary that would otherwise limit a Participant's election under this
paragraph, for distributions made on or after January 1, 1993, a Participant
may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator,
to have any portion of an Eligible Rollover Distribution paid directly to an
Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Participant in a Direct Rollover.
Any portion of a distribution which is not paid directly to an Eligible
Retirement Plan shall be distributed to the Participant.  For purposes of this
paragraph, a Surviving Spouse or a Spouse or former Spouse who is an alternate
payee under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order as defined in Code Section
414(p), will be permitted to elect to have any Eligible Rollover Distribution
paid directly to an individual retirement account (IRA) or an individual
retirement annuity (IRA).





                                       7

<PAGE>   15

The plan provisions otherwise applicable to distributions continue to apply to
Rollover and Transfer Contributions.

1.23     DISABILITY  An illness or injury of a potentially permanent nature,
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, certified
by a physician selected by or satisfactory to the Employer which prevents the
Employee from engaging in any occupation for wage or profit for which the
Employee is reasonably fitted by training, education or experience.

1.24     DISTRIBUTION CALENDAR YEAR  A calendar year for which a minimum
distribution is required.

1.25     EARLY RETIREMENT AGE  The age set by the Employer in the Adoption
Agreement (but not less than 55), which is the earliest age at which a
Participant may retire and receive his or her benefits under the Plan.

1.26     EARNED INCOME  Net earnings from self-employment in the trade or
business with respect to which the Plan is established, determined without
regard to items not included in gross income and the deductions allocable to
such items, provided that personal services of the individual are a material
income-producing factor.  Earned income shall be reduced by contributions made
by an Employer to a qualified plan to the extent deductible under Code Section
404.  For tax years beginning after 1989, net earnings shall be determined
taking into account the deduction for one-half of self-employment taxes
allowed to the Employer under Code Section 164(f) to the extent deductible.

1.27     EFFECTIVE DATE  The date on which the Employer's retirement plan or
amendments to such plan become effective.  For amendment changes taking place
after the Tax Reform Act of 1986 Effective Date, the Effective Date and
effective periods of such plan amendments or plan changes for any restated Plan
shall be the dates and periods specified in the Adoption Agreement Appendix A.

1.28     ELECTION PERIOD  The period which begins on the first day of the Plan
Year in which the Participant attains age 35 and ends on the date of the
Participant's death.  If a Participant separates from service prior to the
first day of the Plan Year in which age 35 is attained, the Election Period
shall begin on the date of separation, with respect to the account balance as
of the date of separation.

1.29     ELECTIVE DEFERRAL  Employer contributions made to the Plan at the
election of the Participant, in lieu of cash Compensation.  Elective Deferrals
shall also include contributions made pursuant to a Salary Savings Agreement or
other deferral mechanism.  With respect to any taxable year, a Participant's
Elective Deferral is the sum of all Employer contributions made on behalf of
such Participant pursuant to an election to defer under any qualified cash or
deferred arrangement as described in Code Section 401(k), any simplified
employee pension cash or deferred arrangement as described in Code Section
402(h)(1)(B), any eligible deferred compensation plan under Code Section 457,
any plan as described under Code Section 501(c)(18), and any Employer
contributions made on the behalf of a Participant for the purchase of an
annuity contract under Code Section 403(b) pursuant to a Salary Savings
Agreement.

Elective Deferrals which cause a Participant to have an excess Annual Addition
shall not be deemed Annual Additions in that Limitation Year if such Elective
Deferrals (whether voluntary or mandatory) are distributed. These amounts shall
be disregarded for purposes of Code Section 402(g), the ADP test under Code
Section 401(k)(3) and the ACP test under Code Section 401(m)(2).  These
distributions shall be in accordance with IRS Regulations Section 1.415-6(b)(6).
Elective Deferrals shall not include any deferrals properly distributed as
Excess Annual Additions.





                                       8
<PAGE>   16

1.30     ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT  Any Employee who is eligible to make a Voluntary
Contribution, or an Elective Deferral (if the Employer takes such contributions
into account in the  calculation of the Contribution Percentage), or to receive
a Matching Contribution (including forfeitures) or a Qualified Matching
Contribution.  If a Voluntary Contribution or Elective Deferral is required as
a condition of participation in the Plan, any Employee who would be a
Participant in the Plan if such Employee made such a contribution shall be
treated as an Eligible Participant even though no Voluntary Contributions or
Elective Deferrals are made.

1.31     ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLAN  An individual retirement account (IRA) as
described in Code Section 408(a), an individual retirement annuity (IRA) as
described in Code Section 408(b), an annuity plan as described in Code Section
403(a), or a qualified trust as described in Code Section 401(a), which accepts
Eligible Rollover Distributions.  However, in the case of an Eligible Rollover
Distribution to a Surviving Spouse, an Eligible Retirement Plan is an
individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity.

1.32     ELIGIBLE ROLLOVER DISTRIBUTION  Any distribution of all or any portion
of the balances to the credit of the Participant except that an Eligible
Rollover Distribution does not include:

         (a)     any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal
                 periodic payments (not less frequently than annually)
                 made for the life (or life expectancy) of the Participant or
                 the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Participant
                 and the Participant's Designated Beneficiary, or for a
                 specified period of ten years or more;

         (b)     any distribution to the extent such distribution is required 
                 under Code Section 401(a)(9); and

         (c)     the portion of any distribution that is not includible in 
                 gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion
                 for net unrealized appreciation with respect to Employer
                 Securities).

1.33     EMPLOYEE  Any person employed by the Employer (including Self-Employed
Individuals and partners), all Employees of a member of an affiliated service
group [as defined in Code Section 414(m)], Employees of a controlled group of
corporations [as defined in Code Section 414(b)], all Employees of any
incorporated or unincorporated trade or business which is under common control
[as defined in Code Section 414(c)], leased Employees [as defined in Code
Section 414(n)] and any Employee required to be aggregated by Code Section
414(o).  All such Employees shall be treated as employed by a single Employer.

1.34     EMPLOYER  The Self-Employed Individual, partnership, corporation or
other organization which adopts this Plan including any firm that succeeds the
Employer and adopts this Plan.  For purposes of Article X, Limitations on
Allocations, Employer shall mean the Employer that adopts this Plan, and all
members of a controlled group of corporations [as defined in Code Section
414(b) as modified by Code Section 415(h)], all commonly controlled trades or
businesses [as defined in Code Section 414(c) as modified by Code Section
415(h)] or affiliated service groups [as defined in Code Section 414(m)] of
which the adopting Employer is a part, and any other entity required to be
aggregated with the Employer pursuant to regulations under Code Section 414(o).





                                       9
<PAGE>   17

If this Plan provides contributions or benefits for one or more Owner-Employees
who control both the business for which this Plan is established and one or
more other trades or businesses, this Plan and the plan established for other
trades or businesses must, when looked at as a single plan, satisfy Code
Sections 401(a) and (d) for the employees of this and all other trades or
businesses.  If the Plan provides contributions or benefits for one or more
Owner-Employees who control one or more other trades or businesses, the
Employees of the other trades or businesses must be included in a plan which
satisfies Code Sections 401(a) and (d) and which provides contributions and
benefits not less favorable than provided for Owner-Employees under this Plan.
If an individual is covered as an Owner-Employee under the plans of two or more
trades or businesses which are not controlled and the individual controls a
trade or business, then the contributions or benefits of the employees under
the plan of the trades or businesses which are controlled must be as favorable
as those provided for him under the most favorable plan of the trade or
business which is not controlled.

For purposes of the preceding paragraph, an Owner-Employee, or two or more
owner-employees, will be considered to control a trade or business if the
Owner-Employee, or two or more Owner-Employees together:

         (a)     own the entire interest in an unincorporated trade or 
                 business, or

         (b)     in the case of a partnership, own more than 50 percent of 
                 either the capital interest or the profits interest in the 
                 partnership.

An Owner-Employee, or two or more Owner-Employees shall be treated as owning
any interest in a partnership which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a
partnership in which such Owner-Employee, or such two or more Owner-Employees,
are considered to control within the meaning of the preceding paragraph.

1.35     ENTRY DATE  The date on which an Employee commences participation in
the Plan as determined by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  Unless the
Employer specifies otherwise in the Adoption Agreement, the Entry Date shall be
the first day of the Plan Year or the first day of the seventh month of the
Plan Year coinciding with or following the date on which an Employee meets the
eligibility requirements.

1.36     EXCESS AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTIONS [ACP OR 401(M) TEST]  The excess, with
respect to any Plan Year, of:

         (a)     The aggregate Contribution Percentage Amounts taken into 
                 account in computing the numerator of the Contribution
                 Percentage actually made on behalf of Highly Compensated
                 Employees for such Plan Year, over

         (b)     The maximum Contribution Percentage Amounts permitted by the 
                 ACP test (determined by reducing contributions made on
                 behalf of Highly Compensated Employees in order of their
                 Contribution Percentages beginning with the highest of such
                 percentages).

Such determination shall be made after first determining Excess Elective
Deferrals pursuant to paragraph 1.35 and determining Excess Contributions
pursuant to paragraph 1.34.





                                       10

<PAGE>   18

1.37     EXCESS AMOUNT (415 LIMITS) OR EXCESS ANNUAL ADDITIONS  The excess of
the Participant's Annual Additions for the Limitation Year over the Maximum
Permissible Amount.

1.38     EXCESS CONTRIBUTION [ADP OR 401(K) TEST]  With respect to any Plan
Year, the excess of:
 
         (a)     The aggregate amount of Employer contributions actually taken 
                 into account in computing the ADP of Highly Compensated
                 Employees for such Plan Year, over

         (b)     The maximum amount of such contributions permitted by the ADP 
                 test (determined by reducing contributions made on behalf of 
                 Highly Compensated Employees in order of the ADPs, beginning 
                 with the highest of such percentages).

1.39     EXCESS ELECTIVE DEFERRALS ($7,000 AS INDEXED)  Those Elective
Deferrals that are includible in a Participant's gross income under Code
Section 402(g) to the extent such Participant's Elective Deferrals for a
taxable year exceed the dollar limitation under such Code Section.  Excess
Elective Deferrals shall be treated as Annual Additions under the Plan, unless
such amounts are distributed no later than the first April 15th following the
close of the Participants' taxable year.

1.40     FAMILY MEMBER  The Employee's Spouse, any lineal descendants and
ascendants and the Spouse of such lineal descendants and ascendants.

1.41     FIRST DISTRIBUTION CALENDAR YEAR  For distributions beginning before
the Participant's death, the First Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar
year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the Participant's
Required Beginning Date.  For distributions beginning after the Participant's
death, the First Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year in which
distributions are required to begin pursuant to paragraph 7.10.

1.42     FUND  All contributions received by the Trustee/Custodian under this
Plan and Trust/Custodial Account, investments thereof and earnings and
appreciation thereon.

1.43     HARDSHIP  An immediate and heavy financial need of the Employee where
such Employee lacks other available resources.

1.44     HIGHEST AVERAGE COMPENSATION  The average Compensation for the three
consecutive Years of Service with the Employer that produces the highest
average.  A Year of Service with the Employer is the 12-consecutive month
period defined in the Adoption Agreement.

1.45     HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEE  Any Employee who performs service for the
Employer during the determination year and who, during the immediate prior
year: 

         (a)     received Compensation from the Employer in excess of $75,000 
                 [as adjusted pursuant to Code Section 415(d)]; or

         (b)     received Compensation from the Employer in excess of $50,000 
                 [as adjusted pursuant to Code Section 415(d)] and was a member
                 of the Top-Paid Group for such year; or





                                       11
<PAGE>   19

         (c)     was an officer of the Employer and received Compensation 
                 during such year that is greater than 50 percent of the
                 dollar limitation in effect under Code Section 415(b)(1)(A).

Notwithstanding (a), (b) and (c), an Employee who was not Highly Compensated
during the preceding Plan Year shall not be treated as a Highly Compensated
Employee with respect to the current Plan Year unless such Employee is a member
of the 100 Employees paid the greatest Compensation during the year for which
such determination is being made.

         (d)     Employees who are five percent (5%) Owners at any time during 
                 the immediate prior year or determination year.

If no officer has satisfied the Compensation requirement of subsection (c)
above during either a determination year or the prior year, the highest paid
officer for such year shall be treated as a Highly Compensated Employee.

For purposes of this paragraph 1.41, the determination year shall be the Plan
Year.  The prior year shall be the twelve-month period immediately preceding
the determination year.

Highly Compensated Employee includes Highly Compensated active Employees and
Highly Compensated former Employees.  A Highly Compensated former Employee
includes any employee who separated from service (or was deemed to have
separated) prior to the determination year, performs no service for the
employer during the determination year, and was an active Highly Compensated
Employee for either the separation year or any determination year ending on or
after the Employee's 55th birthday.

If an Employee is, during a determination year or the prior year, a family
member of either a 5 percent owner who is an active or former employee or a
Highly Compensated Employee who is one of the 10 most highly compensated
employees ranked on the basis of Compensation paid by the Employer during such
year, then the family member and the 5 percent (5%) Owner or top-ten Highly
Compensated Employee shall be aggregated.  In such case, the family member and
5 percent (5%) Owner or top-ten Highly Compensated Employee shall be treated as
a single Employee receiving Compensation and Plan contributions or benefits
equal to the sum of such Compensation and contributions or benefits of the
family member and 5 percent (5%) Owner or top-ten Highly Compensated Employee.
For purposes of this section, family member includes the spouse, lineal
ascendants and descendants of the employee or former employee and the spouses
of such lineal ascendants and descendants.

The determination of who is a Highly Compensated Employee, including the
determinations of the number and identity of employees in the top-paid group,
the top 100 employees, the number of employees treated as officers and the
Compensation that is considered, will be made in accordance with Code Section
414(q) and the regulations thereunder.

1.46     HOUR OF SERVICE

         (a)     Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to 
                 payment, for the performance of duties for the Employer. These 
                 hours shall be credited to the Employee for the computation 
                 period in which the duties are performed; and





                                       12
<PAGE>   20

         (b)     Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to 
                 payment, by the Employer on account of a period of time
                 during which no duties are performed (irrespective of whether
                 the employment relationship has terminated) due to vacation,
                 holiday, illness, incapacity (including disability), layoff,
                 jury duty, military duty or leave of absence.  No more than 501
                 Hours of Service shall be credited under this paragraph for any
                 single continuous period (whether or not such period occurs in
                 a single computation period).  Hours under this paragraph shall
                 be calculated and credited pursuant to Section 2530.200b-2 of
                 the Department of Labor Regulations which are incorporated
                 herein by this reference; and

         (c)     Each hour for which back pay, irrespective of mitigation of 
                 damages, is either awarded or agreed to by the Employer. 
                 The same Hours of Service shall not be credited both under
                 paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), as the case may be, and under
                 this paragraph (c).  These hours shall be credited to the
                 Employee for the computation period or periods to which the
                 award or agreement pertains rather than the computation period
                 in which the award, agreement or payment is made.

         (d)     Hours of Service shall be credited for employment with the 
                 Employer and with other members of an affiliated service
                 group [as defined in Code Section 414(m)], a controlled group
                 of corporations [as defined in Code Section 414(b)], or a group
                 of trades or businesses under common control [as defined in
                 Code Section 414(c)] of which the adopting Employer is a
                 member, and  any other entity required to be aggregated with
                 the Employer pursuant to Code Section 414(o) and the
                 regulations thereunder.  Hours of Service shall also be
                 credited for any individual considered an Employee for purposes
                 of this Plan under Code Section 414(n) or Code Section 414(o)
                 and the regulations thereunder.

         (e)     Solely for purposes of determining whether a Break in Service,
                 as defined in paragraph 1.10, for participation and
                 vesting purposes has occurred in a computation period, an
                 individual who is absent from work for maternity or paternity
                 reasons shall receive credit for the Hours of Service which
                 would otherwise have been credited to such individual but for
                 such absence, or in any case in which such hours cannot be
                 determined, 8 Hours of Service per day of such absence.  For
                 purposes of this paragraph, an absence from work for maternity
                 or paternity reasons means an absence by reason of the
                 pregnancy of the individual, by reason of a birth of a child of
                 the individual, by reason of the placement of a child with the
                 individual in connection with the adoption of such child by
                 such individual, or for purposes of caring for such child for a
                 period beginning immediately following such birth or placement.
                 The Hours of Service credited under this paragraph shall be
                 credited in the computation period in which the absence begins
                 if the crediting is necessary to prevent a Break in Service in
                 that period, or in all other cases, in the following
                 computation period.  No more than 501 hours will be credited
                 under this paragraph.





                                       13
<PAGE>   21

         (f)     Hours of Service shall be determined on the basis of the method
                 selected in the Adoption Agreement.

1.47     KEY EMPLOYEE  Any Employee or former Employee (and the beneficiaries
of such employee), who at any time during the determination period was an
officer of the Employer if such individual's annual compensation exceeds 50% of
the dollar limitation under Code Section 415(b)(1)(A) (the defined benefit
maximum annual benefit), an owner (or considered an owner under Code Section
318) of one of the ten largest interests in the employer if such individual's
compensation exceeds 100% of the dollar limitation under Code Section
415(c)(1)(A), a 5% owner of the Employer, or a 1% owner of the Employer who has
an annual compensation of more than $150,000.  For purposes of determining who
is a Key Employee, annual compensation shall  mean Compensation as defined for
Article X, but including amounts deferred through a salary reduction agreement
to a cash or deferred plan under Code Section 401(k), a Simplified Employee
Pension Plan under Code Section 408(k), a cafeteria plan under Code Section 125
or a tax-deferred annuity under Code Section 403(b).  The determination period
is the Plan Year containing the Determination Date and the four preceding Plan
Years.  The determination of who is a Key Employee will be made in accordance
with Code Section 416(i)(1) and the regulations thereunder.

1.48     LEASED EMPLOYEE  Any person (other than an Employee of the recipient)
who pursuant to an agreement between the recipient and any other person
("leasing organization"), has performed services for the recipient [or for the
recipient and related persons determined in accordance with Code Section
414(n)(6)] on a substantially full-time basis for a period of at least one
year, and such services are of a type historically performed by Employees in
the business field of the recipient Employer.

1.49     LIMITATION YEAR  The calendar year or such other 12-consecutive month
period designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement for purposes of
determining the maximum Annual Addition to a Participant's account.  All
qualified plans maintained by the Employer must use the same Limitation Year.
If the Limitation Year is amended to a different 12-consecutive month period,
the new Limitation Year must begin on a date within the Limitation Year in
which the amendment is made.

1.50     MASTER OR PROTOTYPE PLAN  A plan, the form of which is the subject of
a favorable opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service.

1.51     MATCHING CONTRIBUTION  An Employer contribution made to this or any
other defined contribution plan on behalf of a Participant on account of an
Employee Voluntary or Mandatory Contribution made by such Participant, or on
account of a Participant's Elective Deferral, under a Plan maintained by the
Employer.

1.52     MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT    The maximum Annual Addition that may be
contributed or allocated to a Participant's account under the plan for any
Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of:

         (a)     the Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation, or

         (b)     25% of the Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year.





                                       14
<PAGE>   22

The compensation limitation referred to in (b) shall not apply to any
contribution for medical benefits [within the meaning of Code Section 401(h) or
Code Section 419A(f)(2)] which is otherwise treated as an Annual Addition under
Code Section 415(l)(1) or 419A(d)(2).  If a short Limitation Year is created
because of an amendment changing the Limitation Year to a different
12-consecutive month period, the Maximum Permissible Amount will not exceed the
Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation multiplied by the following fraction:
Number of months in the short Limitation Year divided by 12.

1.53     NET PROFIT  The current and accumulated operating earnings of the
Employer before Federal and State income taxes, excluding nonrecurring or
unusual items of income, and before contributions to this and any other
qualified plan of the Employer.  Alternatively, the Employer may fix another
definition in the Adoption Agreement.

1.54     NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE  The age, set by the Employer in the Adoption
Agreement, at which a Participant may retire and receive his or her benefits
under the Plan.

1.55     OWNER-EMPLOYEE  A sole proprietor, or a partner owning more than 10%
of either the capital or profits interest of the partnership.

1.56     PAIRED PLANS  Two or more Plans maintained by the Sponsor designed so
that a single or any combination of Plans adopted by an Employer will meet the
antidiscrimination rules, the contribution and benefit limitations, and the
Top-Heavy provisions of the Code.

1.57     PARTICIPANT  Any Employee who has met the eligibility requirements and
is participating in the Plan.

1.58     PARTICIPANT'S BENEFIT  The account balance as of the last Valuation
Date in the calendar year immediately preceding the Distribution Calendar Year
(valuation calendar year) increased by the amount of any contributions or
forfeitures allocated to the account balance as of the dates in the valuation
calendar year after the Valuation Date and decreased by distributions made in
the valuation calendar year after the Valuation Date.  A special exception
exists for the second distribution Calendar Year.  For purposes of this
paragraph, if any portion of the minimum distribution for the First
Distribution Calendar Year is made in the second Distribution Calendar Year on
or before the Required Beginning Date, the amount of the minimum distribution
made in the second distribution calendar year shall be treated as if it had
been made in the immediately preceding Distribution Calendar Year.

1.59     PERMISSIVE AGGREGATION GROUP  Used for Top-Heavy testing purposes, it
is the Required Aggregation Group of plans plus any other plan or plans of the
Employer which, when considered as a group with the Required Aggregation Group,
would continue to satisfy the requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4) and 410.

1.60     PLAN  The Employer's retirement plan as embodied herein and in the
Adoption Agreement.

1.61     PLAN ADMINISTRATOR  The Employer.

1.62     PLAN YEAR  The 12-consecutive month period designated by the Employer
in the Adoption Agreement.





                                       15
<PAGE>   23

1.63     PRESENT VALUE  When determining the Present Value of accrued benefits,
with respect to any Defined Benefit Plan maintained by the Employer, interest
and mortality rates shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
the respective plan.  If applicable, interest and mortality assumptions will be
specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

1.64     PROJECTED ANNUAL BENEFIT  Used to test the maximum benefit which may
be obtained from a combination of retirement plans, it is the annual retirement
benefit (adjusted to an actuarial equivalent straight life annuity if such
benefit is expressed in a form other than a straight life annuity or Qualified
Joint and Survivor Annuity) to which the Participant would be entitled under
the terms of a Defined Benefit Plan or plans assuming:

         (a)     the Participant will continue employment until Normal 
                 Retirement Age under the plan (or current age, if later), and

         (b)     the Participant's Compensation for the current Limitation Year
                 and all other relevant factors used to determine benefits 
                 under the plan will remain constant for all future Limitation 
                 Years.

1.65     QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN  Any pension, profit-sharing,
stock bonus, or other plan which meets the requirements of Code Section 401 and
includes a trust exempt from tax under Code Section 501(a) or any annuity plan
described in Code Section 403(a).

1.66     QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER (QDRO)  A Qualified Domestic
Relations Order or QDRO is a signed domestic relations order issued by a State
Court which creates, recognizes or assigns to an alternate payee(s) the right
to receive all or part of a Participant's Plan benefit.  An alternate payee is
a Spouse, former Spouse, child, or other dependent who is treated as a
beneficiary under the Plan as a result of the QDRO.  Determination of a QDRO
shall be made in accordance with paragraph 12.5.

1.67     QUALIFIED EARLY RETIREMENT AGE  For purposes of paragraph 8.9,
Qualified Early Retirement Age is the latest of:

         (a)     the earliest date, under the Plan, on which the Participant 
                 may elect to receive retirement benefits,

         (b)     the first day of the 120th month beginning before the 
                 Participant reaches Normal Retirement Age, or

         (c)     the date the Participant begins participation.

1.68     QUALIFIED JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY  An immediate annuity for the
life of the Participant with a survivor annuity for the life of the
Participant's Spouse which is at least 50% of but not more than the amount of
the annuity payable during the joint lives of the Participant and the
Participant's Spouse.  The exact amount of the Survivor Annuity is to be
specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  If not designated by the
Employer, the Survivor Annuity will be 50% of the amount paid to the
Participant during his or her lifetime.  The Qualified Joint and Survivor
Annuity will be the amount of benefit which can be provided by the
Participant's Vested Account Balance.

1.69     QUALIFIED MATCHING CONTRIBUTION  Matching Contributions which when
made are subject to the distribution and nonforfeitability requirements under
Code Section 401(k).





                                       16
<PAGE>   24

1.70     QUALIFIED NON-ELECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS  Contributions (other than
Matching Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions) made by the
Employer and allocated to Participants' accounts that the Participants may not
elect to receive in cash until distributed from the Plan; that are
nonforfeitable when made; and that are distributable only in accordance with
the distribution provisions that are applicable to Elective Deferrals and
Qualified Matching Contributions.

1.71     QUALIFIED VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION  A tax-deductible voluntary Employee
contribution.  These contributions may no longer be made to the Plan.

1.72     REQUIRED AGGREGATION GROUP  Used for Top-Heavy testing purposes, it
consists of:

         (a)     each qualified plan of the Employer in which at least one Key 
                 Employee participates or participated at any time during
                 the determination period (regardless of whether the plan has
                 terminated), and

         (b)     any other qualified plan of the Employer which enables a plan
                 described in (a) to meet the requirements of Code Sections 
                 401(a)(4) or 410.

1.73     REQUIRED BEGINNING DATE  The date on which a Participant is required
to take his or her first minimum distribution under the Plan.  The rules are
set forth at paragraph 7.5.

1.74     ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION  A contribution made by a Participant of an
amount distributed to such Participant from another Qualified Deferred
Compensation Plan in accordance with Code Sections 402(a)(5), (6), and (7).

1.75     SALARY SAVINGS AGREEMENT  An agreement between the Employer and a
participating Employee where the Employee authorizes the Employer to withhold a
specified percentage of his or her Compensation for deposit to the Plan on
behalf of such Employee.

1.76     SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUAL  An individual who has Earned Income for the
taxable year from the trade or business for which the Plan is established
including an individual who would have had Earned Income but for the fact that
the trade or business had no Net Profit for the taxable year.

1.77     SERVICE  The period of current or prior employment with the Employer.
If the Employer maintains a plan of a predecessor employer, Service for such
predecessor shall be treated as Service for the Employer.

1.78     SHAREHOLDER EMPLOYEE  An Employee or Officer who owns [or is consid-
ered as owning within the meaning of Code Section 318(a)(1)], on any day during
the taxable year of an electing small business corporation (S Corporation),
more than 5% of such corporation's outstanding stock.

1.79     SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLAN  An individual retirement account
which meets the requirements of Code Section 408(k), and to which the Employer
makes contributions pursuant to a written formula.  These plans are considered
for contribution limitation and Top-Heavy testing purposes.

1.80     SPONSOR Third National Bank in Nashville, or any successor(s) or
assign(s).





                                       17
<PAGE>   25

1.81     SPOUSE (SURVIVING SPOUSE)  The Spouse or Surviving Spouse of the
Participant, provided that a former Spouse will be treated as the Spouse or
Surviving Spouse and a current Spouse will not be treated as the Spouse or
Surviving Spouse to the extent provided under a Qualified Domestic Relations
Order as prescribed in Code Section 414(p).

1.82     SUPER TOP-HEAVY PLAN  A Plan described at paragraph 1.81 under which
the Top-Heavy Ratio [as defined at paragraph 1.82] exceeds 90%.

1.83     TAXABLE WAGE BASE  For plans with an allocation formula which takes
into account the Employer's contribution under the Federal Insurance
Contributions Act (FICA), the maximum amount of earnings which may be
considered wages for such Plan Year under the Social Security Act [Code Section
3121(a)(1)].  The Employer may, in the Adoption Agreement, specify an amount
less than the Taxable Wage Base for the allocation formula.

1.84     TOP-HEAVY DETERMINATION DATE  For any Plan Year subsequent to the
first Plan Year, the last day of the preceding Plan Year.  For the first Plan
Year of the Plan, the last day of that year.

1.85     TOP-HEAVY PLAN  For any Plan Year beginning after 1983, the Employer's
Plan is top-heavy if any of the following conditions exists:
 
         (a)     If the Top-Heavy Ratio for the Employer's Plan exceeds 60% and 
                 this Plan is not part of any Required Aggregation Group or 
                 Permissive Aggregation Group of Plans.

         (b)     If the Employer's plan is a part of a Required Aggregation 
                 Group of plans but not part of a Permissive Aggregation
                 Group and the Top-Heavy Ratio for the group of plans exceeds
                 60%.

         (c)     If the Employer's plan is a part of a Required Aggregation 
                 Group and part of a Permissive Aggregation Group of plans and 
                 the Top-Heavy Ratio for the Permissive Aggregation Group 
                 exceeds 60%.

1.86     TOP-HEAVY RATIO

         (a)     If the Employer maintains one or more Defined Contribution 
                 plans (including any Simplified Employee Pension Plan)
                 and the Employer has not maintained any Defined Benefit Plan
                 which during the 5-year period ending on the Determination
                 Date(s) has or has had accrued benefits, the Top-Heavy Ratio
                 for this Plan alone, or for the Required or Permissive
                 Aggregation Group as appropriate, is a fraction, the numerator
                 of which is the sum of the account balances of all Key
                 Employees as of the Determination Date(s) [including any part
                 of any account balance distributed in the 5-year period ending
                 on the Determination Date(s)], and the denominator of which is
                 the sum of all account balances [including any part of any
                 account balance distributed in the 5-year period ending on the
                 Determination Date(s)], both computed in accordance with Code
                 Section 416 and the regulations thereunder.  Both the numerator
                 and denominator of the Top-Heavy Ratio are increased to reflect
                 any contribution not actually made as of the Determination
                 Date, but which is required to be taken into account on that
                 date under Code Section 416 and the regulations thereunder.





                                       18
<PAGE>   26

         (b)     If the Employer maintains one or more Defined Contribution 
                 Plans (including any Simplified Employee Pension Plan)
                 and the Employer maintains or has maintained one or more
                 Defined Benefit Plans which during the 5-year period ending on
                 the Determination Date(s) has or has had any accrued benefits,
                 the Top-Heavy Ratio for any Required or Permissive Aggregation
                 Group as appropriate is a fraction, the numerator of which is
                 the sum of account balances under the aggregated Defined
                 Contribution Plan or Plans for all Key Employees, determined in
                 accordance with (a) above, and the Present Value of accrued
                 benefits under the aggregated Defined Benefit Plan or Plans for
                 all Key Employees as of the Determination Date(s), and the
                 denominator of which is the sum of the account balances under
                 the aggregated Defined Contribution Plan or Plans for all
                 Participants, determined in accordance with (a) above, and the
                 Present Value of accrued benefits under the Defined Benefit
                 Plan or Plans for all Participants as of the Determination
                 Date(s), all determined in accordance with Code Section 416 and
                 the regulations thereunder.  The accrued benefits under a
                 Defined Benefit Plan in both the numerator and denominator of
                 the Top-Heavy Ratio are increased for any distribution of an
                 accrued benefit made in the 5-year period ending on the
                 Determination Date.

         (c)     For purposes of (a) and (b) above, the value of account 
                 balances and the Present Value of accrued benefits will
                 be determined as of the most recent Valuation Date that falls
                 within or ends with the 12-month period ending on the
                 Determination Date, except as provided in Code Section 416 and
                 the regulations thereunder for the first and second plan years
                 of a Defined Benefit Plan.  The account balances and accrued
                 benefits of a participant (1) who is not a Key Employee but who
                 was a Key Employee in a prior year, or (2) who has not been
                 credited with at least one hour of service with any Employer
                 maintaining the Plan at any time during the 5-year period
                 ending on the Determination Date will be disregarded.  The
                 calculation of the Top-Heavy Ratio, and the extent to which
                 distributions, rollovers, and transfers are taken into account
                 will be made in accordance with Code Section 416 and the
                 regulations thereunder. Qualified Voluntary Employee
                 Contributions  will not be taken into account for purposes of
                 computing the Top-Heavy Ratio.  When aggregating plans the
                 value of account balances and accrued benefits will be
                 calculated with reference to the Determination Dates that fall
                 within the same calendar year.  The accrued benefit of a
                 Participant other than a Key Employee shall be determined under
                 (1) the method, if any, that uniformly applies for accrual
                 purposes under all Defined Benefit Plans maintained by the
                 Employer, or (2) if there is no such method, as if such benefit
                 accrued not more rapidly than the slowest accrual rate
                 permitted under the fractional rule of Code Section
                 411(b)(1)(C).

1.87     TOP-PAID GROUP  The group consisting of the top 20% of Employees when
ranked on the basis of Compensation paid during such year.  For purposes of
determining the number of Employees in the group (but not who is in it), the
following Employees shall be excluded:

         (a)     Employees who have not completed 6 months of Service.





                                       19
<PAGE>   27

         (b)     Employees who normally work less than 17-1/2 hours per week.

         (c)     Employees who normally do not work more than 6 months during 
                 any year.

         (d)     Employees who have not attained age 21.

         (e)     Employees included in a collective bargaining unit, covered 
                 by an agreement between employee representatives and the
                 Employer, where retirement benefits were the subject of good
                 faith bargaining and provided that 90% or more of the
                 Employer's Employees are covered by the agreement.

         (f)     Employees who are nonresident aliens and who receive no earned
                 income which constitutes income from sources within the United
                 States.

1.88     TRANSFER CONTRIBUTION  A non-taxable transfer of a Participant's
benefit directly from a Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan to this Plan.

1.89     TRUSTEE  The Sponsor of this Prototype Plan or the individual(s)
appointed by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

1.90     VALUATION DATE  The date all Participants' or former Participants'
accounts are valued in accordance with Article V, as designated in the Adoption
Agreement.

1.91     VALUATION PERIOD   The time period set forth in the Adoption Agreement
for issuing regularly scheduled Employer administrative reports, procedures and
Participant statements.

1.92     VESTED ACCOUNT BALANCE  The aggregate value of the Participant's
Vested Account Balances derived from Employer and Employee contributions
(including Rollovers), whether vested before or upon death, including the
proceeds of insurance contracts, if any, on the Participant's life.  The
provisions of Article VIII shall apply to a Participant who is vested in
amounts attributable to Employer contributions, Employee contributions (or
both) at the time of death or distribution.

For purposes of paragraph 8.7, Vested Account Balance shall mean, in the case
of a money purchase pension plan, the Participant's separate account balance
attributable solely to Qualified Voluntary Contributions.  For profit-sharing
plans the above definition shall apply.

1.93     VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION  An Employee contribution made to the Plan by
or on behalf of a Participant that is included in the Participant's gross
income in the year in which made and that is maintained under a separate
account to which earnings and losses are allocated.  For Plan Years beginning
after 1986, Voluntary Contributions may be made only under Adoption Agreements
#007, #008 and #009 Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plans.





                                       20
<PAGE>   28

1.94     WELFARE BENEFIT FUND  Any fund that is part of a plan of the Employer,
or has the effect of a plan, through which the Employer provides welfare
benefits to Employees or their beneficiaries.  For these purposes, Welfare
Benefits means any benefit other than those with respect to which Code Section
83(h) (relating to transfers of property in connection with the performance of
services), Code Section 404 (relating to deductions for contributions to an
Employee's trust or annuity and Compensation under a deferred payment plan),
Code Section 404(A) (relating to certain foreign deferred compensation plans),
and the election under Code Section 463 (relating to the accrual of vacation
pay) apply.  For purposes of this paragraph, a "Fund" is any social club,
voluntary employee benefit association, supplemental unemployment benefit trust
or qualified group legal service organization described in Code Sections
501(c)(7), (9), (17) or (20); any trust, corporation, or other organization not
exempt from income tax, or to the extent provided in regulations, any account
held for an Employer by any person.

1.95     YEAR OF SERVICE  A 12-consecutive month period during which an
Employee is credited with not less than 1,000 (or such lesser number as
specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement) Hours of Service.





                                       21
<PAGE>   29

                                  ARTICLE II

                           ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS


2.1      PARTICIPATION  Employees who meet the eligibility requirements in the
Adoption Agreement on the Effective Date of the Plan shall become Participants
as of the Effective Date of the Plan.  If so elected in the Adoption Agreement,
all Employees employed on the Effective Date of the Plan may participate, even
if they have not satisfied the Plan's specified eligibility requirements.
Other Employees shall become Participants on the Entry Date specified in the
Adoption Agreement.  Depending on the Plan's eligibility requirements, the
entry date may actually be earlier than the date on which the Employee
satisfies the eligibility requirements.  The Employee must satisfy the
eligibility requirements specified in the Adoption Agreement and be employed on
the Entry Date to become a Participant in the Plan.  Once an Employee has met
the eligibility requirements, he or she will participate in the Plan no later
than the earlier of:

         (a)     the first day of the Plan Year beginning after the date on 
                 which the Employee has met the minimum age and service 
                 requirements, or

         (b)     six months after the date the requirements have been met.

In the event an Employee who is not a member of the eligible class of Employees
becomes a member of the eligible class, such Employee shall participate
immediately if such Employee has satisfied the minimum age and service
requirements and would have previously become a Participant had he or she been
in the eligible class.  All Years of Service with the Employer will count
towards eligibility except if an Employee has a one-year Break in Service
before satisfying the Plan's eligibility requirements.  Service prior to such
Break in Service will not be taken into account.  If an Employee's Years of
Service are disregarded pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Employee will
be treated as a newly hired Employee for eligibility purposes.  A former
Participant shall again become a Participant upon returning to the employ of
the Employer as of the next Entry Date or if earlier, the next Valuation Date.
For this purpose, the Participant's Compensation and Service shall be
considered from the date of rehire.

2.2      CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT  In the event a Participant
becomes ineligible to participate because he or she is no longer a member of an
eligible class of Employees, such Employee shall participate immediately upon
his or her return to an eligible class of Employees.

2.3      COMPUTATION PERIOD  For purposes of determining Years of Service and
Breaks in Service for purposes of eligibility, the 12-consecutive month period
shall commence on the date on which an Employee first performs an Hour of
Service for the Employer and each anniversary thereof, such that the succeeding
12-consecutive month period commences with the employee's first anniversary of
employment and so on.  If, however, the period so specified is one year or
less, the succeeding 12-consecutive month period shall commence on the first
day of the Plan Year prior to the anniversary of the date the Employee first
performed an Hour of Service regardless of whether the Employee is entitled to
be credited with 1,000 Hours of Service (or such lesser number as specified by
the Employer in the Adoption Agreement) during the Employee's first employment
year.





                                       22
<PAGE>   30

2.4      EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS  Participation in the Plan shall not confer upon a
Participant any employment rights, nor shall it interfere with the Employer's
right to terminate the employment of any Employee at any time.

2.5      SERVICE WITH CONTROLLED GROUPS  All Years of Service with other
members of a controlled group of corporations [as defined in Code Section
414(b)], trades or businesses under common control [as defined in Code Section
414(c)], or members of an affiliated service group [as defined in Code Section
414(m)] shall be credited for purposes of determining an Employee's eligibility
to participate.

2.6      OWNER-EMPLOYEES  If this Plan provides contributions or benefits for
one or more Owner-Employees who control both the business for which this Plan
is established and one or more other trades or businesses, this Plan and the
Plan established for other trades or businesses must, when looked at as a
single Plan, satisfy Code Sections 401(a) and (d) for the Employees of this and
all other trades or businesses.

If the Plan provides contributions or benefits for one or more Owner-Employees
who control one or more other trades or businesses, the Employees of the other
trades or businesses must be included in a Plan which satisfies Code Sections
401(a) and (d) and which provides contributions and benefits not less favorable
than provided for Owner-Employees under this Plan.

If an individual is covered as an Owner-Employee under the plans of two or more
trades or businesses which are not controlled, and the individual controls a
trade or business, then the contributions or benefits of the Employees under
the plan of the trades or businesses which are controlled must be as favorable
as those provided for him or her under the most favorable plan of the trade or
business which is not controlled.

For purposes of the preceding sentences, an Owner-Employee, or two or more
Owner-Employees, will be considered to control a trade or business if the
Owner-Employee, or two or more Owner-Employees together:

         (a)     own the entire interest in an unincorporated trade or 
                 business, or

         (b)     in the case of a partnership, own more than 50% of either the
                 capital interest or the profits interest in the partnership.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, an Owner-Employee, or two or more
Owner-Employees shall be treated as owning any interest in a partnership which
is owned, directly or indirectly, by a partnership which such Owner-Employee,
or such two or more Owner-Employees, are considered to control within the
meaning of the preceding sentence.

2.7      LEASED EMPLOYEES  Any leased Employee shall be treated as an Employee
of the recipient Employer; however, contributions or benefits provided by the
leasing organization which are attributable to services performed for the
recipient Employer shall be treated as provided by the recipient Employer.  A
leased Employee shall not be considered an Employee of the recipient if such
Employee is covered by a money purchase pension plan providing:





                                       23
<PAGE>   31

         (a)     a non-integrated Employer contribution rate of at least 10% of
                 Compensation, [as defined in Code Section 415(c)(3) but
                 including  amounts contributed by the Employer pursuant to a
                 salary reduction  agreement, which are excludable from the
                 Employee's gross income under a cafeteria plan covered by Code
                 Section 125, a cash or deferred  profit-sharing plan under
                 Section 401(k) of the Code, a Simplified  Employee Pension Plan
                 under Code Section 402(h)(1)(B) and a tax-sheltered annuity
                 under Code Section 403(b)],

         (b)     immediate participation, and

         (c)     full and immediate vesting.

This exclusion is only available if Leased Employees do not constitute more
than twenty percent (20%) of the recipient's non-highly compensated work force.

2.8      THRIFT PLANS  If the Employer makes an election in the Adoption
Agreement to require Voluntary Contributions to participate in this Plan, the
Employer shall notify each eligible Employee in writing of his or her
eligibility for participation within a reasonable period of time prior to the
appropriate Entry Date.  The Employee shall indicate his or her intention to
join the Plan by authorizing the Employer to withhold a percentage of his or
her Compensation as provided in the Plan.  Such authorization shall be returned
to the Employer at least 10 days prior to the Employee's Entry Date.  The
Employee may decline participation by so indicating on the enrollment form or
by failure to return the enrollment form to the Employer prior to the
Employee's Entry Date.  If the Employee declines to participate, such Employee
shall be given the opportunity to join the Plan on the next Entry Date.  The
taking of a Hardship withdrawal under the provisions of paragraph 6.9 will
impact the Participant's ability to make these contributions.





                                       24
<PAGE>   32

                                 ARTICLE III

                            EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS


3.1      AMOUNT  The Employer intends to make periodic contributions to the
Plan in accordance with the formula or formulas selected in the Adoption
Agreement. However, the Employer's contribution for any Plan Year shall be
subject to the limitations on allocations contained in Article X.

3.2      EXPENSES AND FEES  The Employer shall also be authorized to reimburse
the Fund for all expenses and fees incurred in the administration of the Plan
or Trust/Custodial Account and paid out of the assets of the Fund.  Such
expenses shall include, but shall not be limited to, fees for professional
services, printing and postage.  Brokerage commissions may not be reimbursed.

3.3      RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTRIBUTIONS  Neither the Trustee/Custodian nor
the Sponsor shall be required to determine if the Employer has made a
contribution or if the amount contributed is in accordance with the Adoption
Agreement or the Code.  The Employer shall have sole responsibility in this
regard.  The Trustee/Custodian shall be accountable solely for contributions
actually received by it within the limits of Article XI.

3.4      RETURN OF CONTRIBUTIONS  Contributions made to the Fund by the
Employer shall be irrevocable except as provided below:

         (a)     any contribution forwarded to the Trustee/Custodian because 
                 of a mistake of fact, provided that the contribution is
                 returned to the Employer within one year of the contribution. 
                 The nondeductibility of the Employer's contribution does not in
                 and of itself constitute a mistake of fact which may cause the
                 return of contributions.

         (b)     In the event that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue 
                 determines that the Plan is not initially qualified under the 
                 Internal Revenue Code, any contribution made incident to that
                 initial qualification by the Employer must be returned to the
                 Employer within one year after the date the initial
                 qualification is denied, but only if the application for the
                 qualification is made by the time prescribed by law for filing
                 the Employer's return for the taxable year in which the Plan is
                 adopted, or such later date as the Secretary of the Treasury
                 may prescribe.

         (c)     Contributions forwarded to the Trustee/Custodian are presumed
                 to be deductible and are conditioned on their
                 deductibility.  Contributions which are determined to be not
                 deductible will be returned to the Employer within one year of
                 the disallowance of the deduction.





                                       25
<PAGE>   33

                                  ARTICLE IV

                     EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ROLLOVERS


4.1      VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS  An Employee may make Voluntary Contributions
to the Plan established hereunder if so authorized by the Employer in the
Adoption Agreement under a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner.  Such
contributions are subject to the limitations on Annual Additions and together
with Employer matching contributions as defined in Code Section 401(m) are
subject to antidiscrimination testing as set forth in Code Section 401(m).  For
Plan Years beginning after 1986, Voluntary Contributions may be made only under
Adoption Agreements #007, #008 and #009 Cash or Deferred Profit-Sharing Plans.

4.2      QUALIFIED VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS  A Participant may no longer make
Qualified Voluntary Contributions to the Plan.  Amounts already contributed may
remain in the Trust Fund/Custodial Account until distributed to the
Participant.  Such amounts will be maintained in a separate account which will
be nonforfeitable at all times.  The account will share in the gains and losses
of the Trust in the same manner as described at paragraph 5.4 of the Plan.  No
part of the Qualified Voluntary Contribution account will be used to purchase
life insurance.  Subject to Article VIII, Joint and Survivor Annuity
Requirements (if applicable), the Participant may withdraw any part of the
Qualified Voluntary Contribution account by making a written application to the
Plan Administrator.

4.3      ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION  Unless otherwise provided in the Adoption
Agreement, a Participant may make a Rollover Contribution to any Defined
Contribution Plan established hereunder of all or any part of an amount
distributed or distributable to him or her from a Qualified Deferred
Compensation Plan provided:

         (a)     the amount distributed to the Participant is deposited to the
                 Plan no later than the sixtieth day after such distribution 
                 was received by the Participant,

         (b)     the amount distributed is not one of a series of substantially
                 equal periodic payments made for the life (or life
                 expectancy) of the Participant or the joint lives (or joint
                 life expectancies) of the Participant and the Participant's
                 Designated Beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years
                 or more;

         (c)     the amount distributed is not required under Code Section 
                 401(a)(9);
                                                                             
         (d)     if the amount distributed includes property, such property is
                 rolled over only upon the Trustee/Custodian's approval, or if
                 sold the proceeds of such property may be rolled over,

         (e)     the amount distributed is not includible in gross income 
                 (determined without regard to the exclusion for net
                 unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities).

         (f)     the amount rolled over does not include any amounts 
                 contributed on an after-tax basis by the Participant to the 
                 Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.





                                       26
<PAGE>   34

In addition, if the Adoption Agreement allows Rollover Contributions, the Plan
will also accept any Eligible Rollover Distribution directly to the Plan.

Rollover Contributions which relate to distributions prior to January 1, 1993,
must be made in accordance with paragraphs (a) through (f) and additionally
meet the requirements of paragraph (g):

         (g)     the distribution from the Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
                 constituted the Participant's entire interest in such Plan and
                 was distributed within one taxable year to the Participant:

                 (1)     on account of separation from Service, a Plan 
                         termination, or in the case of a profit-sharing
                         or stock bonus plan, a complete discontinuance of
                         contributions under such plan within the meaning of
                         Code Section 402(a)(6)(A), or

                 (2)     in one or more distributions which constitute a 
                         qualified lump sum distribution within the meaning of 
                         Code Section 402(e)(4)(A), determined without 
                         reference to subparagraphs (B) and (H),

Such Rollover Contribution may also be made through an Individual Retirement
Account qualified under Code Section 408 where the IRA was used as a conduit
from the Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, the Rollover Contribution is
made in accordance with the rules provided under paragraph (a) through (c) and
the Rollover Contribution does not include any regular IRA contributions, or
earnings thereon, which the Participant may have made to the IRA.  Rollover
Contributions which relate to distributions prior to January 1, 1993, may be
through an IRA in accordance with paragraphs (a) through (f) and additional
requirements as provided in the previous sentence.  The Trustee/Custodian shall
not be held responsible for determining the tax-free status of any Rollover
Contribution made under this Plan.

4.4      TRANSFER CONTRIBUTION  Unless provided otherwise in the Adoption
Agreement, a Participant may, subject to the provisions of paragraph 4.5, also
arrange for the direct transfer of his or her benefit from a Qualified Deferred
Compensation Plan to this Plan provided that the transfer is made in accordance
with paragraphs 4.3(b), 4.3(c) and 4.3(d) hereof.  For accounting and record
keeping purposes, Transfer Contributions shall be identical to Rollover
Contributions.

In the event the Employer accepts a Transfer Contribution from a Plan in which
the Employee was directing the investments of his or her account, the Employer
may continue to permit the Employee to direct his or her investments in
accordance with paragraph 13.8 with respect only to such Transfer Contribution.
Notwithstanding the above, the Employer may refuse to accept such Transfer
Contributions.

4.5      EMPLOYER APPROVAL OF TRANSFER CONTRIBUTIONS  The Employer maintaining
a safe-harbor Profit-Sharing Plan in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph 8.7, acting in a nondiscriminatory manner, may in its sole discretion
refuse to allow Transfer Contributions to its profit-sharing plan, if such
contributions are directly or indirectly being transferred from a defined
benefit plan, a money purchase pension plan (including a target benefit plan),
a stock bonus plan, or another profit-sharing plan which would otherwise
provide for a life annuity form of payment to the Participant.





                                       27
<PAGE>   35

4.6      SALARY SAVINGS CONTRIBUTIONS (ELECTIVE DEFERRALS)  A Participant may
enter into a Salary Savings Agreement with the Employer authorizing the
Employer to withhold a portion of such Participant's Compensation not to exceed
$7,000 per calendar year as adjusted under Code Section 415(d) or, if lesser,
the percentage of Compensation specified in the Adoption Agreement and to
deposit such amount to the Plan.  No Participant shall be permitted to have
Elective Deferrals made under this Plan or any other qualified plan maintained
by the Employer, during any taxable year, in excess of the dollar limitation
contained in Code Section 402(g) in effect at the beginning of such taxable
year.  Thus, the $7,000 limit may be reduced if a Participant contributes
pre-tax contributions to qualified plans of this or other Employers.  Any such
contribution shall be credited to the Employee's Salary Savings Account.
Unless otherwise specified in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may amend
his or her Salary Savings Agreement to increase, decrease or terminate the
percentage upon 30 days written notice to the Employer.  In the event a
Participant does not enter into a Salary Savings Agreement at the beginning of
a Plan Year, he or she may enter into a Salary Savings Agreement with the
Employer upon 30 days notice or as otherwise specified in the Adoption
Agreement for purposes of this and the preceding sentence.  If a Participant
terminates his or her agreement, such Participant shall not be permitted to put
a new Salary Savings Agreement into effect until the first pay period in the
next Plan Year, unless otherwise stated in the Adoption Agreement.  The
Employer may also amend or terminate said agreement on written notice to the
Participant.  If a Participant has not authorized the Employer to withhold at
the maximum rate and desires to increase the total withheld for a Plan Year,
such Participant may authorize the Employer upon 30 days notice to withhold a
supplemental amount up to 100% of his or her Compensation for one or more pay
periods up to the total annual percentage permitted by the Employer in the
Adoption Agreement for the applicable period until the end of the Plan Year.
In no event may the sum of the amounts withheld under the Salary Savings
Agreement plus the supplemental withholding exceed 25% of a Participant's
Compensation for a Plan Year.  The Employer may also recharacterize as
after-tax Voluntary Contributions all or any portion of amounts previously
withheld under any Salary Savings Agreement within the Plan Year as provided
for at paragraph 10.9.  This may be done to insure that the Plan will meet one
of the antidiscrimination tests  under Code Section 401(k).  Elective Deferrals
shall be deposited in the Trust within 30 days after being withheld from the
Participant's pay.

4.7      REQUIRED VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS  If the Employer makes a thrift
election in the Adoption Agreement, each eligible Participant shall be required
to make Voluntary Contributions to the Plan for credit to his or her account as
provided  in the Adoption Agreement.  This election is only available in 401(k)
Adoption Agreements.  Such Voluntary Contributions shall be withheld from the
Employee's Compensation and shall be transmitted by the Employer to the
Trustee/Custodian as agreed between the Employer and Trustee/Custodian.  A
Participant may discontinue participation or change his or her Voluntary
Contribution percentage by so advising the Employer at least 30 days prior to
the date on which such discontinuance or change is to be effective.  If a
Participant discontinues his or her Voluntary Contributions, such Participant
may not again authorize Voluntary Contributions for a period of six months from
the date of discontinuance.  A Participant may voluntarily change his or her
Voluntary Contribution percentage once during any Plan Year and may also agree
to have a reduction in his or her contribution, if required to satisfy the
requirements of the ACP test.





                                       28
<PAGE>   36

4.8      DIRECT ROLLOVER OF BENEFITS  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan
to the contrary that would otherwise limit a Participant's election under this
paragraph, for distributions made on or after January 1, 1993, a Participant
may elect, at the time in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to
have any portion of an Eligible Rollover Distribution paid directly to an
Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Participant in a Direct Rollover.
Any portion of a distribution which is not paid directly to an Eligible
Retirement Plan shall be distributed to the Participant.  For purposes of this
paragraph, a Surviving Spouse or a Spouse or Former Spouse who is an alternate
payee under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order as defined in Code Section
414(p), will be permitted to elect to have any Eligible Rollover Distribution
paid directly to an individual retirement account (IRA) or an individual
retirement annuity (IRA).

The plan provisions otherwise applicable to distributions continue to add to
Rollover and Transfer Contributions.

4.9      SPECIAL RULES FOR DIRECT ROLLOVERS  The following special rules apply
to all Direct Rollovers:

         (a)     MINIMUM DIRECT ROLLOVER  No Direct Rollover is allowable 
                 hereunder with respect to any Eligible Rollover
                 Distribution during a taxable year of the Distributee unless
                 the sum of all Eligible Rollover Distributions to that
                 Distributee during that taxable year are reasonably expected to
                 equal or exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).

         (b)     LIMIT ON NUMBER OF DIRECT ROLLOVERS  A Distributee may not 
                 designate more than one Eligible Retirement Plan into
                 which all or any portion of an Eligible Rollover Distribution
                 is to be transferred by the Trustee.  A Distributee may
                 designate only one Eligible Retirement Plan as the recipient of
                 a Direct Rollover with respect to any Eligible Rollover
                 Distribution.

        (c)      DISTRIBUTION AND DIRECT ROLLOVER  A Distributee may direct the
                 Trustee to make a payment of only a portion of an
                 Eligible Rollover Distribution to an Eligible Retirement Plan
                 and distribute the remainder to the Distributee in cash,
                 provided that the total amount of the Eligible Rollover
                 Distribution exceeds Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and the
                 amount to be paid to the Eligible Retirement Plan as a Direct
                 Rollover equals at least Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

        (d)      DEEMED DISTRIBUTION IF NO DIRECT ROLLOVER  In the event that 
                 the Distributee fails to make an election under Section
                 B regarding all or any portion of an Eligible Rollover
                 Distribution within the time period provided under the Plan (or
                 rules and regulations promulgated by the Plan Administrator
                 pursuant to its authority under the Plan), the Distributee
                 shall be deemed to have elected not to make a Direct Rollover
                 with respect to such Eligible Rollover Distribution or such
                 portion thereof, whichever the case may be.





                                       29
<PAGE>   37

        (e)      WAIVER OF 30 DAYS  The Plan Administrator shall provide 
                 written notice in accordance with Code Section 402(f) to
                 the Distributee of the Distributee's right to make a Direct
                 Rollover of an Eligible Rollover Distribution and the Plan
                 Administrator shall advise the Distributee in writing that the
                 Distributee has the right to elect whether or not to make a
                 Direct Rollover within a prescribed time period determined by
                 the Plan Administrator, which time period shall be no less than
                 thirty (30) days nor no more than ninety (90) days after the
                 date of such notice provided under Section 402(f); provided,
                 however, that if the Distributee either affirmatively elects to
                 make a Direct Rollover with respect to an Eligible Rollover
                 Distribution or portion thereof or affirmatively elects not to
                 make a Direct Rollover with respect to an Eligible Rollover
                 Distribution or portion thereof, the Trustee shall distribute
                 the amount subject to such election in accordance with the
                 Distributee's election and as otherwise provided under the
                 terms of the Plan, without regard to whether such distribution
                 is made less than thirty (30) days after the date the notice
                 described under Code Section 402(f) is provided to the
                 Distributee.

        (f)      DIRECT ROLLOVER OF LOANS NOT ALLOWED  In the case of an 
                 adopting Employer that elects to allow Participant loans
                 under the Plan, a Distributee may not elect a Direct Rollover
                 with respect to any portion of an Eligible Rollover
                 Distribution that is offset against such Participant loan.

        (g)      RULES AND PROCEDURES  The Plan Administrator may promulgate 
                 procedures and rules for the purpose of implementing the
                 provisions of the Unemployment Compensation Act of 1992
                 affecting the Plan.  The Plan Administrator may also adopt
                 rules, regulations or procedures that incorporate any
                 alternative provisions, alternative means of compliance or
                 administrative practices otherwise allowable under the
                 Unemployment Compensation Act of 1992, treasury regulations or
                 official pronouncement of the Internal Revenue Service
                 pertaining to the Unemployment Compensation Act of 1992, to the
                 extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.  Any rule,
                 regulation or procedure adopted hereunder shall be given full
                 force and effect and shall not be overturned or invalidated
                 unless arbitrary and capricious.





                                       30
<PAGE>   38


                                  ARTICLE V

                             PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS


5.1      SEPARATE ACCOUNTS  The Employer shall establish a separate bookkeeping
account for each Participant showing the total value of his or her interest in
the Fund.  Each Participant's account shall be separated for bookkeeping
purposes into the following sub-accounts:

         (a)     Employer contributions.

                 (1)     Matching Contributions.
                 
                 (2)     Qualified Matching Contributions.
                 
                 (3)     Qualified Non-Elective Contributions.
                 
                 (4)     Discretionary Contributions.
                 
                 (5)     Elective Deferrals.
                 
         (b)     Voluntary Contributions (and additional amounts including 
                 required contributions and, if applicable, either repayments 
                 of loans previously defaulted on and treated as "deemed 
                 distributions" on which a tax report has been issued, and 
                 amounts paid out upon a separation from service which have
                 been included in income and which are repaid after being
                 re-hired by the Employer).

         (c)     Qualified Voluntary Contributions (if the Plan previously 
                 accepted these).

         (d)     Rollover Contributions and Transfer Contributions.

5.2      ADJUSTMENTS TO PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS  As of each Valuation Date of the
Plan, the Employer shall add to each account:

         (a)     the Participant's share of the Employer's contribution and for
                 forfeitures as determined in the Adoption Agreement,

         (b)     any Elective Deferrals, Voluntary, Rollover or Transfer 
                 Contributions made by the Participant,

         (c)     any repayment of amounts previously paid out to a Participant
                 upon a separation from Service and repaid by the Participant 
                 since the last Valuation Date, and

         (d)     the Participant's proportionate share of any investment 
                 earnings and increase in the fair market value of the Fund 
                 since the last Valuation Date, as determined at paragraph 5.4.

The Employer shall deduct from each account:

         (e)     any withdrawals or payments made from the Participant's 
                 account since the last Valuation Date, and





                                       31
<PAGE>   39

         (f)     the Participant's proportionate share of any decrease in the 
                 fair market value of the Fund since the last Valuation Date, 
                 as determined at paragraph 5.4.

5.3      ALLOCATING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS  The Employer's contribution shall
be allocated to Participants in accordance with the allocation formula selected
by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, and the minimum contribution and
allocation requirements for Top-Heavy Plans.  Beginning with the 1990 Plan Year
and thereafter, for plans on Standardized Adoption Agreements 001, 002, 005,
006, 007 and #009, Participants who are credited with more than 500 Hours of
Service or are employed on the last day of the Plan Year must receive a full
allocation of Employer contributions.  In Nonstandardized Adoption Agreements
003, 004 and 008, Employer contributions shall be allocated to the accounts of
Participants employed by the Employer on the last day of the Plan Year unless
indicated otherwise in the Adoption Agreement.  In the case of a non-Top-Heavy,
Nonstandardized Plan, Participants must also have completed a Year of Service
unless otherwise specified in the Adoption Agreement.  For Nonstandardized
Adoption Agreements 003, 004 and 008, the Employer may only apply the last day
of the Plan Year and Year of Service requirements if the Plan satisfies the
requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(26) and 410(b) and the regulations
thereunder including the exception for 401(k) plans.  If, when applying the
last day and Year of Service requirements, the Plan fails to satisfy the
aforementioned requirements, additional Participants will be eligible to
receive an allocation of Employer Contributions until the requirements are
satisfied.  Participants who are credited with a Year of Service, but not
employed at Plan Year end, are the first category of additional Participants
eligible to receive an allocation.  If the requirements are still not
satisfied, Participants credited with more than 500 Hours of Service and
employed at Plan Year end are the next category of Participants eligible to
receive an allocation.  Finally, if necessary to satisfy the said requirements,
any Participant credited with more than 500 Hours of Service will be eligible
for an allocation of Employer Contributions.  The Service requirement is not
applicable with respect to any Plan Year during which the Employer's Plan is
Top-Heavy.  In the case of a non-Top-Heavy Plan, Participants must also have
completed a Year of Service as defined in the Adoption Agreement.  The Service
requirement is not applicable with respect to any Plan Year during which the
Employer's Plan is Top-Heavy.

5.4      ALLOCATING INVESTMENT EARNINGS AND LOSSES  A Participant's share of
investment earnings and any increase or decrease in the fair market value of
the Fund shall be based on the proportionate value of all active accounts
(other than accounts with segregated investments) as of the last Valuation Date
less withdrawals since the last Valuation Date.  If Employer contributions are
made monthly, quarterly, or on some other systematic basis, the adjusted value
of such accounts for allocation of investment income and gains or losses shall
include one-half the Employer contributions for such period.  If Employer
and/or Employee contributions are not made on a systematic basis, it is assumed
that they are made at the end of the valuation period and therefore will not
receive an allocation of investment earnings and gains or losses for such
period.  Account balances not yet forfeited shall receive an allocation of
earnings and/or losses.  Accounts with segregated investments shall receive
only the income or loss on such segregated investments.





                                      32
<PAGE>   40

Alternatively, at the Plan Administrator's option, all Employer contributions
will be credited with an allocation of the actual investment earnings and gains
and losses from the actual date of deposit of each such contribution until the
end of the period.  Accounts with segregated investments shall receive only the
income or loss on such segregated investments.  In no event shall the selection
of a method of allocating gains and losses be used to discriminate in favor of
the Highly Compensated Employees.

5.5      PARTICIPANT STATEMENTS  Upon completing the allocations described
above for the Valuation Date coinciding with the end of the Plan Year, the
Employer shall prepare a statement for each Participant showing the additions
to and subtractions from his or her account since the last such statement and
the fair market value of his or her account as of the current Valuation Date.
Employers so choosing may prepare Participant statements for each Valuation
Date.





                                       33
<PAGE>   41

                                  ARTICLE VI

                    RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


6.1      NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS  A Participant shall be entitled to receive
the balance held in his or her account from Employer contributions upon
attaining Normal Retirement Age or at such earlier dates as the provisions of
this Article VI may allow.  If the Participant elects to continue working past
his or her Normal Retirement Age, he or she will continue as an active Plan
Participant and no distribution shall be made to such Participant until his or
her actual retirement date unless the employer elects otherwise in the Adoption
Agreement, or a minimum distribution is required by law.  Settlement shall be
made in the normal form, or if elected, in one of the optional forms of payment
provided below.

6.2      EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFITS  If the Employer so provides in the Adoption
Agreement, an early retirement benefit will be available to individuals who
meet the age and Service requirements.  An individual who meets the Early
Retirement Age requirements and separates from Service, will become fully
vested, regardless of any vesting schedule which otherwise might apply.  If a
Participant separates from Service before satisfying the age requirements, but
after having satisfied the Service requirement, he or she will be entitled to
elect an Early Retirement Benefit upon satisfaction of the age requirement.

6.3      BENEFITS ON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         (a)     If a Participant terminates employment prior to Normal 
                 Retirement Age, such Participant shall be entitled to
                 receive the vested balance held in his or her account payable
                 at Normal Retirement Age in the normal form, or if elected, in
                 one of the optional forms of payment provided hereunder.  If
                 applicable, the Early Retirement Benefit provisions may be
                 elected.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a former
                 Participant may, if allowed in the Adoption Agreement, make
                 application to the Employer requesting early payment of any
                 deferred vested and nonforfeitable benefit due.


         (b)     If a Participant terminates employment, and the value of that
                 Participant's Vested Account Balance derived from Employer and
                 Employee Contributions is not greater than $3,500, the
                 Participant may receive a lump sum distribution of the value of
                 the entire vested portion of such account balance and the
                 nonvested portion will be treated as a forfeiture.  The
                 Employer shall continue to follow their consistent policy as
                 may be established, regarding immediate cash-outs of Vested
                 Account Balances of $3,500 or less.  For purposes of this
                 Article, if the value of a Participant's Vested Account Balance
                 is zero, the Participant shall be deemed to have received a
                 distribution of such Vested Account Balance immediately
                 following termination. Likewise, if the Participant is
                 reemployed prior to incurring 5 consecutive 1-year Breaks in
                 Service they will be deemed to have immediately repaid such
                 distribution.  For Plan Years beginning





                                       34
<PAGE>   42

                 prior to 1989, a Participant's Vested Account Balance shall 
                 not include Qualified Voluntary Contributions.  
                 Notwithstanding the above, if the Employer maintains or has
                 maintained a policy of not distributing any amounts until the
                 Participant's Normal Retirement Age, the Employer can continue
                 to uniformly apply such policy.

         (c)     If a Participant terminates Employment with a Vested Account
                 Balance derived from Employer and Employee contributions
                 in excess of $3,500, and elects (with his or her Spouse's
                 consent) to receive 100% of the value of his or her Vested
                 Account Balance in a lump sum, the non-vested portion will be
                 treated as a forfeiture.  Except as provided in paragraph
                 6.4(c), the Participant (and his or her Spouse) must consent to
                 any distribution, when the Vested Account Balance described
                 above exceeds $3,500 or if at the time of any prior
                 distribution it exceeded $3,500.  For Plan Years beginning
                 prior to 1989, a Participant's Vested Account Balance shall not
                 include Qualified Voluntary Contributions.

        (d)      Distribution of less than 100% of the Participant's Vested 
                 Account Balance shall only be permitted if the Participant is
                 fully vested upon termination of employment.

        (e)      BUY BACK RULE  If a Participant who is not 100% vested 
                 receives or is deemed to receive a distribution pursuant
                 to subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this paragraph, and such
                 Participant's non-vested benefit is forfeited hereunder, and if
                 such Participant resumes employment covered under this Plan,
                 the Participant shall have the right to repay to the Plan the
                 full amount of the distribution attributable to Employer
                 contributions on or before the earlier of the date that the
                 Participant incurs 5 consecutive 1-year Breaks in Service
                 following the date of distribution or five years after the
                 first date on which the Participant is subsequently 
                 reemployed. In such event, the Participant's forfeiture shall
                 be restored to his or her account as of the Valuation
                 Date at the end of the Plan Year following the date on which
                 repayment of the distribution is received.  Unless otherwise
                 specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement,
                 restoration of forfeitures will obtain from current year's
                 forfeitures first, additional Employer contribution second and
                 lastly from income or gain to the Plan for that Plan Year.

         (f)     A Participant shall also have the option, to postpone payment
                 of his or her Plan benefits until the first day of April
                 following the calendar year in which he or she attains age
                 70-1/2. Any balance of a Participant's account resulting from
                 his or her Employee contributions not previously withdrawn, if
                 any, may be withdrawn by the Participant immediately following
                 separation from Service.

         (g)     If a Participant ceases to be an active Employee as a result 
                 of a Disability as defined at paragraph 1.21, such Participant
                 shall be able to make an application for a disability 
                 retirement benefit payment.  The Participant's account balance
                 will be deemed  "immediately distributable" as set forth in 
                 paragraph 6.4, and will be fully vested pursuant to paragraph 
                 9.2.





                                       35

<PAGE>   43
6.4      RESTRICTIONS ON IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTIONS

         (a)     An account balance is immediately distributable if any part of
                 the account balance could be distributed to the Participant (or
                 Surviving Spouse) before the Participant attains (or would have
                 attained if not deceased) the later of the Normal Retirement
                 Age or age 62.

         (b)     If the value of a Participant's Vested Account Balance derived
                 from Employer and Employee Contributions exceeds (or at the
                 time of any prior distribution exceeded) $3,500, and the
                 account balance is immediately distributable, the Participant
                 and his or her Spouse (or where either the Participant or the
                 Spouse has died, the survivor) must consent to any distribution
                 of such account balance.  The consent of the Participant and
                 the Spouse shall be obtained in writing within the 90-day
                 period ending on the annuity starting date, which is the first
                 day of the first period for which an amount is paid as an
                 annuity or any other form.  The Plan Administrator shall notify
                 the Participant and the Participant's Spouse of the right to
                 defer any distribution until the later of the date on which the
                 Participant attains (or would have attained if not decreased)
                 the Normal Retirement Age or age 62. Such notification shall
                 include a general description of the material features, and an
                 explanation of the relative values of, the optional forms of
                 benefit available under the Plan in a manner that would satisfy
                 the notice requirements of Code Section 417(a)(3), and shall be
                 provided no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days prior to
                 the Annuity Starting Date.

         (c)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, only the Participant need
                 consent to the commencement of a distribution in the form of a
                 qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity while the account balance
                 is immediately distributable. Furthermore, if payment in the
                 form of a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity is not required
                 with respect to the Participant pursuant to paragraph 8.7 of
                 the Plan, only the Participant need consent to the
                 distribution of an account balance that is immediately
                 distributable.  Neither the consent of the Participant nor the
                 Participant's Spouse shall be required to the extent that a
                 distribution is required to satisfy Code Section 401(a)(9) or
                 Code Section 415. In addition, upon termination of this Plan
                 if the Plan does not offer an annuity option (purchased from a
                 commercial provider), and if the Employer does not maintain
                 another Defined Contribution Plan [other than an employee
                 stock ownership plan as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)],
                 the Participant's account balance will, without the
                 Participant's consent, be distributed to the Participant.
                 However, if any entity within the same controlled group as the
                 Employer maintains another Defined Contribution Plan [other
                 than an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Code
                 Section 4975(e)(7)], then the Participant's account balance
                 will be transferred without the Participant's consent, to the
                 other Plan if the Participant does not consent to an immediate
                 distribution.





                                       36
<PAGE>   44

         (d)     For purposes of determining the applicability of the foregoing
                 consent requirements to distributions made before the first day
                 of the first Plan Year beginning after 1988, the Participant's
                 Vested Account Balance shall not include amounts attributable
                 to Qualified Voluntary Contributions.

         (e)     In a profit-sharing plan in which distributions under Code
                 Sections 401(a)(11) and 417 do not apply, such distributions
                 may commence less than 30 days after the notice required under
                 Regulations Section 1.411(a)-11(c) is given, provided that:

                 (1)     the Plan Administrator clearly informs the Participant
                         that the Participant has a right to a period of at
                         least 30 days after receiving the notice to consider
                         the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution
                         (and, if applicable, a particular distribution option),
                         and

                 (2)     the Participant, after receiving the notice,
                         affirmatively elects a distribution.

6.5      NORMAL FORM OF PAYMENT The normal form of payment for a profit-sharing
plan satisfying the requirements of paragraph 8.7 hereof shall be a lump sum
with no option for annuity payments. For all other plans, the normal form of
payment hereunder shall be a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity as provided
under Article VIII. However, a Participant whose Vested Account Balance derived
from Employer and Employee contributions exceeds $3,500, or if at the time of
any prior distribution it exceeds $3,500, shall (with the consent of his or her
Spouse) have the right to receive his or her benefit in a lump sum or in
monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments from the Fund over any period
not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Participant and his or her
Beneficiary. For Plan Years beginning prior to 1989, a Participant's Vested
Account Balance shall not include Qualified Voluntary Contributions. The normal
form of payment shall be automatic, unless the Participant files a written
request with the Employer prior to the date on which the benefit is
automatically payable, electing a lump sum or installment payment option. No
amendment to the Plan may eliminate one of the optional distribution forms
listed above.

6.6      COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS

         (a)     Unless the Participant elects otherwise, distribution of
                 benefits will begin no later than the 60th day after the close
                 of the Plan Year in which the latest of the following events
                 occur:

                 (1)     the Participant attains age 65 (or normal retirement
                         age if earlier),

                 (2)     the 10th anniversary of the year in which the
                         Participant commenced participation in the Plan, or

                 (3)     the Participant terminates Service with the Employer.





                                       37
<PAGE>   45

         (b)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of a Participant and
                 Spouse (if necessary) to consent to a distribution while a
                 benefit is immediately distributable, within the meaning of
                 paragraph 6.4 hereof, shall be deemed an election to defer
                 commencement of payment of any benefit sufficient to satisfy
                 this paragraph.

         (c)     Unless the Employer provides for an earlier commencement date
                 in the Adoption Agreement, distributions of benefits will be
                 made no later than 60 days following the close of the Plan Year
                 during which a distribution is requested or otherwise becomes
                 payable.

6.7      CLAIMS PROCEDURES Upon retirement, death, or other severance of 
employment, the Participant or his or her representative of such Participant may
make application to the Employer requesting payment of benefits due and the
manner of payment. If no application for benefits is made, the Employer shall
automatically pay any vested benefit due hereunder in the normal form at the
time prescribed at paragraph 6.5. If an application for benefits is made, the
Employer shall accept, reject, or modify such request and shall notify the
Participant in writing setting forth the response of the Employer and in the
case of a denial or modification the Employer shall:

         (a)     state the specific reason or reasons for the denial,

         (b)     provide specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on
                 which the denial is based,

         (c)     provide a description of any additional material or information
                 necessary for the Participant or his representative to
                 perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or
                 information is necessary, and

         (d)     explain the Plan's claim review procedure as contained in this
                 Plan.

In the event the request is rejected or modified, the Participant or his
representative may within 60 days following receipt by the Participant or
representative of such rejection or modification, submit a written request for
review by the Employer of its initial decision. Within 60 days following such
request for review, the Employer shall render its final decision in writing to
the Participant or representative stating specific reasons for such decision. If
the Participant or representative is not satisfied with the Employer's final
decision, the Participant or representative can institute an action in a federal
court of competent jurisdiction; for this purpose, process would be served on
the Employer.

6.8      IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS An Employee may withdraw all or any part of the 
fair market value of his or her Mandatory Contributions, Voluntary
Contributions, Qualified Voluntary Contributions or Rollover Contributions, upon
written request to the Employer. Transfer Contributions, which originate from a
Plan meeting the safe-harbor provisions of paragraph 8.7, may also be withdrawn
by an Employee upon written request to the Employer. Transfer Contributions not
meeting the safe-harbor provisions may only be withdrawn upon retirement, death,
Disability, termination or termination of the Plan, and will be subject to
Spousal consent requirements contained in Code Sections 411(a)(11) and 417. No
such withdrawals are permitted from a money purchase plan until the participant
attains Normal Retirement Age. Such request shall include the Participant's
address, social security number, birthdate, and amount of the withdrawal. If at
the time a distribution of





                                       38
<PAGE>   46

Qualified Voluntary Contributions is received the Participant has not attained
age 59-1/2 and is not disabled, as defined at Code Section 22(e)(3), the
Participant will be subject to a federal income tax penalty, unless the
distribution is rolled over to a qualified plan or individual retirement plan
within 60 days of the date of distribution. A Participant may withdraw all or
any part of the fair market value of his or her pre-1987 Voluntary Contributions
with or without withdrawing the earnings attributable thereto. Post-1986
Voluntary Contributions may only be withdrawn along with a portion of the
earnings thereon. The amount of the earnings to be withdrawn is determined by
using the formula: DA[1-(V / V + E)], where DA is the distribution amount, V is
the amount of Voluntary Contributions and V + E is the amount of Voluntary
Contributions plus the earnings attributable thereto. A Participant withdrawing
his or her other contributions prior to attaining age 59-1/2, will be subject to
a federal tax penalty to the extent that the withdrawn amounts are includible in
income. Unless the Employer provides otherwise in the Adoption Agreement, any
Participant in a profit-sharing plan who is 100% fully vested in his or her
Employer contributions may withdraw all or any part of the fair market value of
any of such contributions, plus the investment earnings thereon, after attaining
age 59-1/2 without separation from Service. In a profit-sharing plan where the
Employer has so elected, the attainment of age 59-1/2 shall be deemed a
distributable event. Such distributions shall not be eligible for redeposit to
the Fund. A withdrawal under this paragraph shall not prohibit such Participant
from sharing in any future Employer Contribution he or she would otherwise be
eligible to share in. A request to withdraw amounts pursuant to this paragraph
must if applicable, be consented to by the Participant's Spouse. The consent
shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 6.4 relating to immediate
distributions.

Elective Deferrals, Qualified Non-elective Contributions, and Qualified Matching
Contributions, and income allocable to each are not distributable to a
Participant or his or her Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, in accordance with such
Participant's or Beneficiary's or Beneficiaries' election, earlier than upon
separation from Service, death, or Disability. Such amounts may also be
distributed upon:

         (a)     Termination of the Plan without the establishment of another
                 Defined Contribution Plan.

         (b)     The disposition by a corporation to an unrelated corporation of
                 substantially all of the assets [within the meaning of Code
                 Section 409(d)(2)] used in a trade or business of such
                 corporation if such corporation continues to maintain this Plan
                 after the disposition, but only with respect to Employees who
                 continue employment with the corporation acquiring such assets.

         (c)     The disposition by a corporation to an unrelated entity of such
                 corporation's interest in a subsidiary [within the meaning of
                 Code Section 409(d)(3)] if such corporation continues to
                 maintain this plan, but only with respect to Employees who
                 continue employment with such subsidiary.

         (d)     The attainment of age 59-1/2.

         (e)     The Hardship of the Participant as described in paragraph 6.9.

All distributions that may be made pursuant to one or more of the foregoing
distributable events are subject to the Spousal and Participant consent
requirements, if applicable, contained in Code Sections 401(a)(11) and 417.





                                       39
<PAGE>   47

6.9      HARDSHIP WITHDRAWALS If permitted by the Trustee/Custodian and the 
Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may request a Hardship
withdrawal. If the Participant has not attained age 59-1/2, the Participant may
be subject to a federal income tax penalty. Such request shall be in writing to
the Employer who shall have sole authority to authorize a hardship withdrawal,
pursuant to the rules below.

Hardship withdrawals may include Elective Deferrals regardless of when
contributed and any earnings accrued and credited thereon as of the last day of
the Plan Year ending before July 1, 1989 and Employer related contributions,
including but not limited to Employer Matching Contributions, plus the
investment earnings thereon to the extent vested. Qualified Matching
Contributions, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions and Elective Deferrals
reclassified as Voluntary Contributions plus the investment earnings thereon are
only available for Hardship withdrawal prior to age 59-1/2 to the extent that
they were credited to the Participant's Account as of the last day of the Plan
Year ending prior to July 1, 1989. The Plan Administrator may limit withdrawals
to Elective Deferrals and the earnings thereon as stipulated above. For purposes
of this section, a hardship is defined as an immediate and heavy financial need
of the Participant where the Participant lacks other available resources to meet
the need. Hardship withdrawals are subject to the Spousal consent requirements
contained in Code Section 401(a)(11) and 417.

Only the following reasons are valid to obtain hardship withdrawal:

         (a)     medical expenses [within the meaning of Code Section 213(d)]
                 of the Participant, his or her Spouse, children and other
                 dependents,

         (b)     the purchase (excluding mortgage payments) of a principal
                 residence for the Participant,

         (c)     payment of tuition and related educational fees for the next
                 twelve (12) months of post-secondary education for the
                 Participant, his or her Spouse, children or other dependents,
                 or

         (d)     the need to prevent eviction of the Employee from or a
                 foreclosure on the mortgage of, the Employee's principal
                 residence.

Furthermore, conditions (e), (f) and (h) below must be met in a cash or deferred
profit-sharing plan in order for a withdrawal to be authorized, while condition
(g) applies to all profit-sharing plans including cash or deferred plans.

         (e)     The Participant has obtained all distributions, other than
                 hardship distributions, and all nontaxable loans under all
                 plans maintained by the Employer.

         (f)     All plans maintained by the Employer (other than flexible
                 benefit plans under Code Section 125 providing for current
                 benefits) shall provide that the Employee's Elective Deferrals
                 and Voluntary Contributions will be suspended for twelve months
                 after the receipt of the Hardship distribution.

         (g)     The distribution is not in excess of the amount of the
                 immediate and heavy financial need [(a) through (d)] above.
                 Heavy financial need includes amounts necessary to pay any
                 Federal, State or local income taxes or penalties reasonably
                 anticipated to result from the distribution.





                                       40
<PAGE>   48

         (h)     All plans maintained by the Employer provide that an Employee
                 may not make Elective Deferrals for the Employee's taxable year
                 immediately following the taxable year of the hardship
                 distribution in excess of the applicable limit under Code
                 Section 402(g) for such taxable year, less the amount of such
                 Employee's pre-tax contributions for the taxable year of the
                 hardship distribution.

         (i)     If a distribution is made at a time when a Participant has a
                 nonforfeitable right to less than 100% of the account balance
                 derived from Employer contributions and the Participant may
                 increase the nonforfeitable percentage in the account:

                        (1)      A separate sub-account will be established
                                 for the Participant's interest in the Plan as
                                 of the time of the distribution, and

                        (2)      At any relevant time the Participant's
                                 nonforfeitable portion of the separate account
                                 will be equal to an amount ("X") determined by
                                 the formula:

                                        X = P (AB + D) - D

                 For purposes of applying the formula: "P" is the nonforfeitable
                 percentage at the relevant time, "AB" is the account balance at
                 the relevant time, and "D" is the amount of the distribution.

6.10     PREVIOUS DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS Notwithstanding any restrictions 
required by law, any payment or distribution option previously offered by the
Adopting Employer in a predecessor plan to this Plan shall continue to be
offered to eligible Participants under this Plan. Such payment or distribution
options shall be specifically set forth in the Adoption Agreement in the
Distribution Options section.





                                       41
<PAGE>   49

                                   ARTICLE VII

                            DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS


7.1      JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY REQUIREMENTS All distributions made under 
the terms of this Plan must comply with the provisions of Article VIII
including, if applicable, the safe harbor provisions thereunder.

7.2      MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS All distributions required under this
Article shall be determined and made in accordance with the minimum distribution
requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9) and the regulations thereunder, including
the minimum distribution incidental benefit rules found at Regulations Section
1.401(a)(9)-2. The entire interest of a Participant must be distributed or begin
to be distributed no later than the Participant's Required Beginning Date. Life
expectancy and joint and last survivor life expectancy are computed by using the
expected return multiples found in Tables V and VI of Regulations Section
1.72-9. Life expectancies of the Participant, Spouse (or Surviving Spouse) or
non-Spouse beneficiary shall be calculated as specified in the adoption
agreement. The life expectancy of a non-Spouse beneficiary however, may not be
recalculated annually.

7.3      LIMITS ON DISTRIBUTION PERIODS As of the First Distribution Calendar 
Year, distributions if not made in a single-sum, may only be made over one of
the following periods (or a combination thereof):

         (a)     the life of the Participant,

         (b)     the life of the Participant and a Designated Beneficiary,

         (c)     a period certain not extending beyond the life expectancy of
                 the Participant, or

         (d)     a period certain not extending beyond the joint and last
                 survivor expectancy of the Participant and a designated
                 beneficiary.

7.4      REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS ON OR AFTER THE REQUIRED BEGINNING DATE

         (a)     If a participant's benefit is to be distributed over (1) a
                 period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the
                 Participant or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of
                 the Participant and the Participant's Designated Beneficiary
                 or (2) a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of
                 the Designated Beneficiary, the amount required to be
                 distributed for each calendar year, beginning with
                 distributions for the First Distribution Calendar Year, must
                 at least equal the quotient obtained by dividing the
                 Participant's benefit by the Applicable Life Expectancy.

         (b)     For calendar years beginning before 1989, if the Participant's
                 Spouse is not the Designated Beneficiary, the method of
                 distribution selected must have assured that at least 50% of
                 the Present Value of the amount available for distribution was
                 to be paid within the life expectancy of the Participant.





                                     42
<PAGE>   50

         (c)     For calendar years beginning after 1988, the amount to be
                 distributed each year, beginning with distributions for
                 the First Distribution Calendar Year shall not be less than
                 the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's benefit by
                 the lesser of (1) the Applicable Life Expectancy or (2) if the
                 Participant's Spouse is not the Designated Beneficiary, the
                 applicable divisor determined from the table set forth in
                 Q&A-4 of Regulations Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.  Distributions
                 after the death of the Participant shall be distributed using
                 the Applicable Life Expectancy as the relevant divisor without
                 regard to Regulations Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.

         (d)     The minimum distribution required for the Participant's First
                 Distribution Calendar Year must be made on or before the
                 Participant's Required Beginning Date. The minimum distribution
                 for other calendar years, including the minimum distribution
                 for the Distribution Calendar Year in which the Participant's
                 Required Beginning Date occurs, must be made on or before
                 December 31 of that Distribution Calendar Year.

         (e)     If the Participant's benefit is distributed in the form of an
                 annuity purchased from an insurance company, distributions
                 thereunder shall be made in accordance with the requirements of
                 Code Section 401(a)(9) and the Regulations thereunder.

         (f)     For purposes of determining the amount of the required
                 distribution for the First Distribution Calendar Year, the
                 account balance to be used is the account balance determined
                 as of the last valuation preceding the First Distribution
                 Calendar Year.  This balance will be increased by the amount
                 of any contributions or forfeitures allocated to the account
                 balance after the valuation date but before the last day of
                 such preceding calendar year.  Such balance will also be
                 decreased by distributions made after the Valuation Date but
                 before the last day of such preceding Calendar Year.  For all
                 other years, the account balance to be used is the last
                 valuation preceding such Distribution Calendar Year.

         (g)     For purposes of subparagraph 7.4(f), if any portion of the
                 minimum distribution for the First Distribution Calendar Year
                 is made in the second Distribution Calendar Year on or before
                 the Required Beginning Date, the amount of the minimum
                 distribution made in the second Distribution Calendar Year
                 shall be treated as if it had been made in the immediately
                 preceding Distribution Calendar Year.

7.5      REQUIRED BEGINNING DATE

         (a)     General Rule.  The Required Beginning Date of a Participant is
                 the first day of April of the calendar year following the
                 calendar year in which the Participant attains age 70-1/2.





                                     43
<PAGE>   51

         (b)      Transitional Rules. The Required Beginning Date of a
                  Participant who attains age 70-1/2 before 1988, shall be
                  determined in accordance with (1) or (2) below:

                  (1)      Non-5-percent owners. The Required Beginning Date of
                           a Participant who is not a 5-percent owner is the
                           first day of April of the calendar year following the
                           calendar year in which the later of retirement or
                           attainment of age 70- 1/2 occurs. In the case of a
                           Participant who is not a 5-percent owner who attains
                           age 70-1/2 during 1988 and who has not retired as of
                           January 1, 1989, the Required Beginning Date is April
                           1 1990.

                  (2)      5-percent owners. The Required Beginning Date of a
                           Participant who is a 5-percent owner during any year
                           beginning after 1979, is the first day of April
                           following the later of:

                           (i)      the calendar year in which the Participant
                                    attains age 70-1/2, or

                           (ii)     the earlier of the calendar year with or
                                    within which ends the plan year in which the
                                    Participant becomes a 5- percent owner, or
                                    the calendar year in which the Participant
                                    retires.

         (c)      A Participant is treated as a 5-percent owner for purposes of
                  this Paragraph if such Participant is a 5-percent owner as
                  defined in Code Section 416(i) (determined in accordance with
                  Code Section 416 but without regard to whether the Plan is
                  Top-Heavy) at any time during the Plan Year ending with or
                  within the calendar year in which such Owner attains age
                  66-1/2 or any subsequent Plan Year.

         (d)      Once distributions have begun to a 5-percent owner under this
                  paragraph, they must continue to be distributed, even if the
                  Participant ceases to be a 5-percent owner in a subsequent
                  year.

7.6      TRANSITIONAL RULE

         (a)      Notwithstanding the other requirements of this Article and
                  subject to the requirements of Article VIII, Joint and
                  Survivor Annuity Requirements, distribution on behalf of any
                  Employee, including a 5-percent owner, may be made in
                  accordance with all of the following requirements (regardless
                  of when such distribution commences):

                  (1)      The distribution by the Trust is one which would not
                           have disqualified such Trust under Code Section
                           401(a)(9) as in effect prior to amendment by the
                           Deficit Reduction Act of 1984.





                                       44
<PAGE>   52

                  (2)      The distribution is in accordance with a method of
                           distribution designated by the Employee whose
                           interest in the Trust is being distributed or, if the
                           Employee is deceased, by a beneficiary of such
                           Employee.

                  (3)      Such designation was in writing, was signed by the
                           Employee or the beneficiary, and was made before
                           1984.

                  (4)      The Employee had accrued a benefit under the Plan as
                           of December 31, 1983.

                  (5)      The method of distribution designated by the Employee
                           or the beneficiary specifies the time at which
                           distribution will commence, the period over which
                           distributions will be made, and in the case of any
                           distribution upon the Employee's death, the
                           beneficiaries of the Employee listed in order of
                           priority.

         (b)      A distribution upon death will not be covered by this
                  transitional rule unless the information in the designation
                  contains the required information described above with respect
                  to the distributions to be made upon the death of the 
                  Employee.

         (c)      For any distribution which commences before 1984, but
                  continues after 1983, the Employee or the beneficiary, to whom
                  such distribution is being made, will be presumed to have
                  designated the method of distribution under which the
                  distribution is being made if the method of distribution was
                  specified in writing and the distribution satisfies the
                  requirements in subparagraphs (a)(1) and (a)(5) above.

         (d)      If a designation is revoked, any subsequent distribution must
                  satisfy the requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9) and the
                  regulations thereunder. If a designation is revoked subsequent
                  to the date distributions are required to begin, the Trust
                  must distribute by the end of the calendar year following the
                  calendar year in which the revocation occurs the total amount
                  not yet distributed which would have been required to have
                  been distributed to satisfy Code Section 401(a)(9) and the
                  regulations thereunder, but for the section 242(b)(2) election
                  of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982. For
                  calendar years beginning after 1988, such distributions must
                  meet the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirements
                  in Regulations Section 1.401(a)(9)-2. Any changes in the
                  designation will be considered to be a revocation of the
                  designation. However, the mere substitution or addition of
                  another beneficiary (one not named in the designation) under
                  the designation will not be considered to be a revocation of
                  the designation, so long as such substitution or addition does
                  not alter the period over which distributions are to be made
                  under the designation, directly or indirectly (for example, by
                  altering the relevant measuring life). In the case in which an
                  amount is transferred or rolled over from one plan to another
                  plan, the rules in Q&A J-2 and Q&A J-3 of the regulations
                  shall apply.





                                       45
<PAGE>   53

7.7      DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY FOR DEATH BENEFIT Each Participant shall 
file a written designation of beneficiary with the Employer upon qualifying for
participation in this Plan. Such designation shall remain in force until revoked
by the Participant by filing a new beneficiary form with the Employer. If
provided for in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may elect to have a
portion of his or her account balance invested in an insurance contract. If an
insurance contract is purchased under the Plan, the Trustee must be named as
Beneficiary under the terms of the contract. However, the Participant shall
designate a Beneficiary to receive the proceeds of the contract after settlement
is received by the Trustee. Under a profit-sharing plan satisfying the
requirements of paragraph 8.7 hereof, the Designated Beneficiary shall be the
Participant's Surviving Spouse, if any, unless such Spouse properly consents
otherwise.

7.8      NONEXISTENCE OF BENEFICIARY Any portion of the amount payable hereunder
which is not disposed of because of the Participant's or former Participant's
failure to designate a beneficiary, or because all of the Designated
Beneficiaries predeceased the Participant, shall be paid to his or her Spouse.
If the Participant has no Spouse at the time of death, payment shall be made to
the personal representative of his or her estate in a lump sum.

7.9      DISTRIBUTION BEGINNING BEFORE DEATH If the Participant dies after
distribution of his or her interest has begun, the remaining portion of such
interest will continue to be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method
of distribution being used prior to the Participant's death.

7.10     DISTRIBUTION BEGINNING AFTER DEATH If the Participant dies before
distribution of his or her interest begins, distribution of the Participant's
entire interest shall be completed by December 31 of the calendar year
containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant's death except to the extent
that an election is made to receive distributions in accordance with (a) or (b)
below:

         (a)      If any portion of the Participant's interest is payable to a
                  Designated Beneficiary, distributions may be made over the
                  life or over a period certain not greater than the life
                  expectancy of the Designated Beneficiary commencing on or
                  before December 31 of the calendar year immediately following
                  the calendar year in which the Participant died;

         (b)      If the Designated Beneficiary is the Participant's surviving
                  Spouse, the date distributions are required to begin in
                  accordance with (a) above shall not be earlier than the later
                  of (1) December 31 of the calendar year immediately following
                  the calendar year in which the participant died or (2)
                  December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant
                  would have attained age 70-1/2.

If the Participant has not made an election pursuant to this paragraph 7.10 by
the time of his or her death, the Participant's Designated Beneficiary must
elect the method of distribution no later than the earlier of (1) December 31 of
the calendar year in which distributions would be required to begin under this
section, or (2) December 31 of the calendar year which contains the fifth
anniversary of the date of death of the participant. If the Participant has no
Designated Beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not elect a method
of distribution, then distribution of the Participant's entire interest must be
completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary
of the Participant's death.





                                       46
<PAGE>   54

For purposes of this paragraph if the Surviving Spouse dies after the
Participant, but before payments to such Spouse begin, the provisions of this
paragraph with the exception of paragraph (b) herein, shall be applied as if the
Surviving Spouse were the Participant.

For purposes of paragraph 7.9 and this paragraph, any amount paid to a child of
the Participant will be treated as if it had been paid to the Surviving Spouse
if the amount becomes payable to the Surviving Spouse when the child attains the
age of majority.

Distribution of a Participant's interest in the Plan is considered to begin on
the Participant's Required Beginning Date (or if applicable, the date
distribution is required to begin to the Surviving Spouse who takes instead of
the Participant). If distribution in the form of an annuity irrevocably
commences to the Participant before the Required Beginning Date, the date
distribution is considered to begin is the date distribution actually commences.

7.11     DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS ELECTIVE DEFERRALS

         (a)      Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, Elective
                  Deferrals plus any income and minus any loss allocable
                  thereto, shall be distributed no later than April 15, 1988,
                  and each April 15 thereafter, to Participants to whose
                  accounts Excess Elective Deferrals were allocated for the
                  preceding taxable year, and who claim Excess Elective
                  Deferrals for such taxable year. Excess Elective Deferrals
                  shall be treated as Annual Additions under the Plan, unless
                  such amounts are distributed no later than the first April
                  15th following the close of the Participant's taxable year. A
                  Participant is deemed to notify the Plan Administrator of any
                  Excess Elective Deferrals that arise by taking into account
                  only those Elective Deferrals made to this Plan and any other
                  plans of this Employer.

         (b)      The Participant's claim shall be in writing; shall be
                  submitted to the Plan Administrator not later than March 1 of
                  each year; shall specify the amount of the Participant's
                  Excess Elective Deferrals for the preceding taxable year; and
                  shall be accompanied by the Participant's written statement
                  that if such amounts are not distributed, such Excess Elective
                  Deferrals, when added to amounts deferred under other plans or
                  arrangements described in Code Sections 401(k), 408(k)
                  [Simplified Employee Pensions], or 403(b) [annuity programs
                  for public schools and charitable organizations] will exceed
                  the $7,000 limit as adjusted under Code Section 415(d) imposed
                  on the Participant by Code Section 402(g) for the year in
                  which the deferral occurred.

         (c)      ADJUSTED BALANCE METHOD Excess Elective Deferrals shall be
                  adjusted for any income or loss up to the end of the taxable
                  year, during which such excess was deferred. Income or loss
                  will be calculated under any reasonable method, provided it
                  does not violate the general nondiscrimination requirements of
                  Code Section 401(a)(4), the regulations under Code Section
                  401(k), and is consistently used for all Participants for
                  their corrective distributions and is used by the Plan for
                  income allocations to Participants' accounts.





                                       47
<PAGE>   55

         (d)      If the Participant receives a return of his or her Elective
                  Deferrals, the amount of such contributions which are returned
                  must be brought into the Employee's taxable income.

7.12     DISTRIBUTIONS OF EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS (ADP AMOUNTS)

         (a)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, Excess
                  Contributions, plus any income and minus any loss allocable
                  thereto, shall be distributed no later than the last day of
                  each Plan Year to Participants to whose accounts such Excess
                  Contributions were allocated for the preceding Plan Year. If
                  such excess amounts are distributed more than 2-1/2 months
                  after the last day of the Plan Year in which such excess
                  amounts arose, a ten (10) percent excise tax will be imposed
                  on the Employer maintaining the Plan with respect to such
                  amounts. Such distributions shall be made to Highly
                  Compensated Employees on the basis of the respective portions
                  of the Excess Contributions attributable to each of such
                  Employees. Excess Contributions shall be allocated to
                  Participants who are subject to the Family Member aggregation
                  rules of Code Section 414(q)(6) in the manner prescribed by
                  the regulations.

         (b)      Excess Contributions (including the amounts recharacterized)
                  shall be treated as Annual Additions under the Plan.

         (c)      Excess Contributions shall be adjusted for any income or loss
                  up to the end of the Plan Year. Income or loss will be
                  calculated under any reasonable method, provided it does not
                  violate the general nondiscrimination requirements of Code
                  Section 401(a)(4), the regulations under Code Section 401(k),
                  and is consistently used for all Participants for their
                  corrective distributions and is used by the Plan for income
                  allocations to Participants' accounts.

         (d)      PROPORTIONATE DISTRIBUTION Excess Contributions shall be
                  distributed from the Participant's Elective Deferral account
                  and Qualified Matching Contribution account (if applicable) in
                  proportion to the Participant's Elective Deferrals and
                  Qualified Matching Contributions (to the extent used in the
                  ADP test) for the Plan Year. Excess Contributions shall be
                  distributed from the Participant's Qualified Non-Elective
                  Contribution account only to the extent that such Excess
                  Contributions exceed the balance in the Participant's Elective
                  Deferral account and Qualified Matching Contribution account.

7.13     DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTIONS (ACP AMOUNTS)

         (a)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, Excess
                  Aggregate Contributions, plus any income and minus any loss
                  allocable thereto, shall be forfeited, if the employer so
                  elects in the Adoption Agreement, or if not forfeitable,
                  distributed no later than the last day of each Plan Year to
                  Participants to whose accounts such Excess Aggregate
                  Contributions were allocated for the preceding Plan Year.
                  Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be allocated to
                  Participants who are subject to the Family Member aggregation
                  rules of Code Section 414(q)(6) in the manner





                                       48
<PAGE>   56

                  prescribed by the regulations. If such Excess Aggregate
                  Contributions are distributed more than 2-1/2 months after the
                  last day of the Plan Year in which such excess amounts arose,
                  a ten (10) percent excise tax will be imposed on the Employer
                  maintaining the Plan with respect to those amounts. Excess
                  Aggregate Contributions shall be treated as Annual Additions
                  under the plan.

         (b)      Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be adjusted for any
                  income or loss up to the end of the Plan Year. The income or
                  loss allocable to Excess Aggregate Contributions is the sum of
                  income or loss for the Plan Year allocable to the
                  Participant's Voluntary Contribution account, Matching
                  Contribution account (if any, and if all amounts therein are
                  not used in the ADP test) and, if applicable, Qualified
                  Non-Elective Contribution account and Elective Deferral
                  account. Income or loss will be calculated under the method
                  used to calculate investment earnings and losses elsewhere in
                  the Plan.

         (c)      Forfeitures of Excess Aggregate Contributions may either be
                  reallocated to the accounts of non-Highly Compensated
                  Employees or applied to reduce Employer contributions, as
                  elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

         (d)      Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be forfeited if such
                  amount is not vested. If vested, such excess shall be
                  distributed on a pro-rata basis from the Participant's
                  Voluntary Contribution account (and, if applicable, the
                  Participant's Qualified Non-Elective Contribution account or
                  Elective Deferral account, or both).





                                       49
<PAGE>   57

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                    JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY REQUIREMENTS


8.1      APPLICABILITY OF PROVISIONS The provisions of this Article shall apply 
to any Participant who is credited with at least one Hour of Service with the
Employer on or after August 23, 1984 and such other Participants as provided in
paragraph 8.8.

8.2      PAYMENT OF QUALIFIED JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY Unless an optional 
form of benefit is selected pursuant to a Qualified Election within the 90-day
period ending on the Annuity Starting Date, a married Participant's Vested
Account Balance will be paid in the form of a Qualified Joint and Survivor
Annuity and an unmarried Participant's Vested Account Balance will be paid in
the form of a life annuity. The Participant may elect to have such annuity
distributed upon attainment of the Early Retirement Age under the Plan.

8.3      PAYMENT OF QUALIFIED PRE-RETIREMENT SURVIVOR ANNUITY Unless an 
optional form of benefit has been selected within the Election Period pursuant
to a Qualified Election, if a Participant dies before the Annuity Starting Date
then the Participant's Vested Account Balance shall be applied towards the
purchase of an annuity for the life of the Surviving Spouse. The Surviving
Spouse may elect to have such annuity distributed within a reasonable period
after the Participant's death.

A Participant who does not meet the age 35 requirement set forth in the Election
Period as of the end of any current Plan Year may make a special qualified
election to waive the qualified Pre-retirement Survivor annuity for the period
beginning the date of such election and ending on the first day of the Plan Year
in which the Participant will attain age 35. Such election shall not be valid
unless the Participant receives a written explanation of the Qualified Pre-
retirement Survivor Annuity in such terms as are comparable to the explanation
required under paragraph 8.5. Qualified Pre-retirement Survivor Annuity coverage
will be automatically reinstated as of the first day of the Plan Year in which
the Participant attains age 35. Any new waiver on or after such date shall be
subject to the full requirements of this Article.

8.4      QUALIFIED ELECTION A Qualified Election is an election to either waive
a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity or a qualified pre-retirement survivor
annuity. Any such election shall not be effective unless:

         (a)      the Participant's Spouse consents in writing to the election;

         (b)      the election designates a specific beneficiary, including any
                  class of beneficiaries or any contingent beneficiaries, which
                  may not be changed without spousal consent (or the Spouse
                  expressly permits designations by the Participant without any
                  further spousal consent);

         (c)      the Spouse's consent acknowledges the effect of the election;
                  and

         (d)      the Spouse's consent is witnessed by a Plan representative or
                  notary public.





                                       50
<PAGE>   58

Additionally, a Participant's waiver of the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity
shall not be effective unless the election designates a form of benefit payment
which may not be changed without spousal consent (or the Spouse expressly
permits designations by the Participant without any further spousal consent). If
it is established to the satisfaction of the Plan Administrator that there is no
Spouse or that the Spouse cannot be located, a waiver will be deemed a Qualified
Election. Any consent by a Spouse obtained under this provision (or
establishment that the consent of a Spouse may not be obtained) shall be
effective only with respect to such Spouse. A consent that permits designations
by the Participant without any requirement of further consent by such Spouse
must acknowledge that the Spouse has the right to limit consent to a specific
beneficiary, and a specific form of benefit where applicable, and that the
Spouse voluntarily elects to relinquish either or both of such rights. A
revocation of a prior waiver may be made by a Participant without the consent of
the Spouse at any time before the commencement of benefits. The number of
revocations shall not be limited. No consent obtained under this provision shall
be valid unless the Participant has received notice as provided in paragraphs
8.5 and 8.6 below.

8.5      NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIED JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY The Plan
Administrator shall provide each Participant a written explanation of:

         (a)      the terms and conditions of a Qualified Joint and Survivor
                  Annuity;

         (b)      the Participant's right to make and the effect of an election
                  to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity form of
                  benefit;

         (c)      the rights of a Participant's Spouse; and

         (d)      the right to make, and the effect of, a revocation of a
                  previous election to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor
                  Annuity.

Such notice shall be provided not less than 30 days and no more than 90 days
prior to the Annuity Starting Date.

8.6      NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIED PRE-RETIREMENT SURVIVOR ANNUITY The 
Plan Administrator shall provide each Participant a written explanation of the
qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity in such terms and in such manner as
would be comparable to the explanation provided for meeting the requirements of
paragraph 8.5 applicable to a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity. Such
explanation shall be provided within whichever of the following periods ends
last:

         (a)      the period beginning with the first day of the Plan Year in
                  which the Participant attains age 32 and ending with the close
                  of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year in which the
                  Participant attains age 35;

         (b)      a reasonable period ending after the individual becomes a
                  Participant;

         (c)      a reasonable period ending after this Article first applies to
                  the Participant.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice must be provided within a reasonable
period ending after separation from Service in the case of a Participant who
separates from Service before attaining age 35.





                                       51
<PAGE>   59

For purposes of applying the preceding paragraph, a reasonable period ending
after the enumerated events described in (b) and (c) is the end of the two-year
period beginning one-year prior to the date the applicable event occurs, and
ending one-year after that date. In the case of a Participant who separates from
Service before the Plan Year in which age 35 is attained, notice shall be
provided within the two-year period beginning one year prior to separation and
ending one year after separation. If such a Participant subsequently returns to
employment with the Employer, the applicable period for such Participant shall
be redetermined.

8.7      SPECIAL SAFE-HARBOR EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN PROFIT-SHARING PLANS

         (a)      This paragraph shall apply to a Participant in a
                  profit-sharing plan, and to any distribution, made on or after
                  the first day of the first plan year beginning after 1988,
                  from or under a separate account attributable solely to
                  Qualified Voluntary contributions, as maintained on behalf of
                  a Participant in a money purchase pension plan, (including a
                  target benefit plan) if the following conditions are
                  satisfied:

                  (1)      the Participant does not or cannot elect payments in
                           the form of a life annuity; and

                  (2)      on the death of a Participant, the Participant's
                           Vested Account Balance will be paid to the
                           Participant's Surviving Spouse, but if there is no
                           Surviving Spouse, or if the Surviving Spouse has
                           consented in a manner conforming to a Qualified
                           Election, then to the Participant's Designated
                           Beneficiary.

                  The Surviving Spouse may elect to have distribution of the
                  Vested Account Balance commence within the 90-day period
                  following the date of the Participant's death. The account
                  balance shall be adjusted for gains or losses occurring after
                  the Participant's death in accordance with the provisions of
                  the Plan governing the adjustment of account balances for
                  other types of distributions. These safe-harbor rules shall
                  not be operative with respect to a Participant in a
                  profit-sharing plan if that plan is a direct or indirect
                  transferee of a Defined Benefit Plan, money purchase plan, a
                  target benefit plan, stock bonus plan, or profit-sharing plan
                  which is subject to the survivor annuity requirements of Code
                  Section 401(a)(11) and Code Section 417, and would therefore
                  have a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity as its normal form
                  of benefit.

         (b)      The Participant may waive the spousal death benefit described 
                  in this paragraph at any time provided that no such waiver 
                  shall be effective unless it satisfies the conditions 
                  described in paragraph 8.4 (other than the notification 
                  requirement referred to therein) that would apply to the 
                  Participant's waiver of the Qualified Pre- Retirement 
                  Survivor Annuity.

         (c)      If this paragraph 8.7 is operative, then all other provisions 
                  of this Article other than paragraph 8.8 are inoperative.





                                       52
<PAGE>   60

8.8      TRANSITIONAL JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY RULES Special transition rules
apply to Participants who were not receiving benefits on August 23, 1984.

         (a)      Any living Participant not receiving benefits on August 23,
                  1984, who would otherwise not receive the benefits prescribed
                  by the previous paragraphs of this Article, must be given the
                  opportunity to elect to have the prior paragraphs of this
                  Article apply if such Participant is credited with at least
                  one Hour of Service under this Plan or a predecessor Plan in a
                  Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1976 and such
                  Participant had at least 10 Years of Service for vesting
                  purposes when he or she separated from Service.

         (b)      Any living Participant not receiving benefits on August 23,
                  1984, who was credited with at least one Hour of Service under
                  this Plan or a predecessor Plan on or after September 2, 1974,
                  and who is not otherwise credited with any Service in a Plan
                  Year beginning on or after January 1, 1976, must be given the
                  opportunity to have his or her benefits paid in accordance
                  with paragraph 8.9.

         (c)      The respective opportunities to elect [as described in (a) and
                  (b) above] must be afforded to the appropriate Participants
                  during the period commencing on August 23, 1984 and ending on
                  the date benefits would otherwise commence to said
                  Participants.

8.9      AUTOMATIC JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY AND EARLY SURVIVOR ANNUITY Any
Participant who has elected pursuant to paragraph 8.8(b) and any Participant who
does not elect under paragraph 8.8(a) or who meets the requirements of paragraph
8.8(a), except that such Participant does not have at least 10 years of vesting
Service when he or she separates from Service, shall have his or her benefits
distributed in accordance with all of the following requirements if benefits
would have been payable in the form of a life annuity.

         (a)      Automatic Joint and Survivor Annuity. If benefits in the form
                  of a life annuity become payable to a married Participant who:

                  (1)      begins to receive payments under the Plan on or after
                           Normal Retirement Age, or

                  (2)      dies on or after Normal Retirement Age while still
                           working for the Employer, or

                  (3)      begins to receive payments on or after the Qualified
                           Early Retirement Age, or

                  (4)      separates from Service on or after attaining Normal
                           Retirement (or the Qualified Early Retirement Age)
                           and after satisfying the eligibility requirements for
                           the payment of benefits under the Plan and thereafter
                           dies before beginning to receive such benefits,





                                       53
<PAGE>   61

                  then such benefits will be received under this Plan in the
                  form of a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity, unless the
                  Participant has elected otherwise during the Election Period.
                  The Election Period must begin at least 6 months before the
                  Participant attains Qualified Early Retirement Age and end not
                  more than 90 days before the commencement of benefits. Any
                  such election will be in writing and may be changed by the
                  Participant at any time.

      (b)         Election of Early Survivor Annuity. A Participant who is 
                  employed after attaining the Qualified Early Retirement Age 
                  will be given the opportunity to elect, during the Election 
                  Period, to have a survivor annuity payable on death. If the 
                  Participant elects the survivor annuity, payments under such 
                  annuity must not be less than the payments which would have
                  been made to the Spouse under the Qualified Joint and 
                  Survivor Annuity if the Participant had retired on the day 
                  before his or her death. Any election under this provision 
                  will be in writing and may be changed by the Participant at 
                  any time. The Election Period begins on the later of:

                  (1)      the 90th day before the Participant attains the 
                           Qualified Early Retirement Age, or

                  (2)      the date on which participation begins,

                           and ends on the date the Participant terminates 
                           employment.

8.10     ANNUITY CONTRACTS Any annuity contract distributed under this Plan 
must be nontransferable. The terms of any annuity contract purchased and
distributed by the Plan to a Participant or Spouse shall comply with the
requirements of this Plan.





                                       54
<PAGE>   62

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    VESTING


9.1      EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS A Participant shall always have a 100% vested
and nonforfeitable interest in his or her Elective Deferrals, Voluntary
Contributions, Qualified Voluntary Contributions, Rollover Contributions, and
Transfer Contributions plus the earnings thereon. No forfeiture of Employer
related contributions (including any minimum contributions made under paragraph
14.2 hereof) will occur solely as a result of an Employee's withdrawal of any
Employee contributions.

9.2      EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS A Participant shall acquire a vested and
nonforfeitable interest in his or her account attributable to Employer
contributions in accordance with the table selected in the Adoption Agreement,
provided that if a Participant is not already fully vested, he or she shall
become so upon attaining Normal Retirement Age, Early Retirement Age, on death
prior to normal retirement, on retirement due to Disability, or on termination
of the Plan.

9.3      COMPUTATION PERIOD The computation period for purposes of determining
Years of Service and Breaks in Service for purposes of computing a Participant's
nonforfeitable right to his or her account balance derived from Employer
contributions shall be determined by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. If
the Employer provides for other than full and immediate vesting and does not
designate otherwise, the Computation Period shall be the Plan Year. In the event
a former Participant with no vested interest in his or her Employer contribution
account requalifies for participation in the Plan after incurring a Break in
Service, such Participant shall be credited for vesting with all pre-break and
post-break Service.

9.4      REQUALIFICATION PRIOR TO FIVE CONSECUTIVE ONE-YEAR BREAKS IN SERVICE 
The account balance of such Participant shall consist of any undistributed
amount in his or her account as of the date of re-employment plus any future
contributions added to such account plus the investment earnings on the account.
The Vested Account Balance of such Participant shall be determined by
multiplying the Participant's account balance (adjusted to include any
distribution or redeposit made under paragraph 6.3) by such Participant's vested
percentage. All Service of the Participant, both prior to and following the
break, shall be counted when computing the Participant's vested percentage.

9.5      REQUALIFICATION AFTER FIVE CONSECUTIVE ONE-YEAR BREAKS IN SERVICE If 
such Participant is not fully vested upon re-employment, a new account shall be
established for such Participant to separate his or her deferred vested and
nonforfeitable account, if any, from the account to which new allocations will
be made. The Participant's deferred account to the extent remaining shall be
fully vested and shall continue to share in earnings and losses of the Fund.
When computing the Participant's vested portion of the new account, all
pre-break and post-break Service shall be counted. However, notwithstanding this
provision, no such former Participant who has had five consecutive one-year
Breaks in Service shall acquire a larger vested and nonforfeitable interest in
his or her prior account balance as a result of requalification hereunder.





                                       55
<PAGE>   63

9.6      CALCULATING VESTED INTEREST A Participant's vested and nonforfeitable
interest shall be calculated by multiplying the fair market value of his or her
account attributable to Employer contributions on the Valuation Date preceding
distribution by the decimal equivalent of the vested percentage as of his or her
termination date. The amount attributable to Employer contributions for purposes
of the calculation includes amounts previously paid out pursuant to paragraph
6.3 and not repaid. The Participant's vested and nonforfeitable interest, once
calculated above, shall be reduced to reflect those amounts previously paid out
to the Participant and not repaid by the Participant. The Participant's vested
and nonforfeitable interest so determined shall continue to share in the
investment earnings and any increase or decrease in the fair market value of the
Fund up to the Valuation Date preceding or coinciding payment.

9.7      FORFEITURES Any balance in the account of a Participant who has 
separated from Service to which he or she is not entitled under the foregoing
provisions, shall be forfeited and applied as provided in the Adoption
Agreement. If not specified otherwise in the Adoption Agreement, forfeitures
will be allocated to Participants in the same manner as the Employer's
contribution. A forfeiture may only occur if the Participant has received a
distribution under paragraphs 6.3(a) and (b) from the Plan or if the Participant
has incurred five consecutive 1-year Breaks in Service. Forfeitures shall inure
only to the accounts of Participants of the adopting Employer's plan. No
forfeiture will occur solely as a result of a Participant's withdrawal of his or
her Employee contributions. If not specified otherwise in the Adoption
Agreement, forfeitures shall occur and be allocated at the end of the Plan Year
during which the former Participant incurs five consecutive one-year Breaks in
Service. Reallocation of forfeitures shall be made no later than one year after
a cash out or the occurrence of the Participant's fifth consecutive one year
Break in Service. If a Participant's Vested Account Balance is forfeited because
the Participant or Designated Beneficiary cannot be found, such benefit will be
reinstated if a claim is made by the Participant or Designated Beneficiary.
Furthermore, a Highly Compensated Employee's Matching Contributions may be
forfeited, even if vested, if the contributions to which they relate are Excess
Deferrals, Excess Contributions, or Excess Aggregate Contributions.

9.8      AMENDMENT OF VESTING SCHEDULE No amendment to the Plan shall have the 
effect of decreasing a Participant's vested interest determined without regard
to such amendment as of the later of the date such amendment is adopted or the
date it becomes effective. Further, if the vesting schedule of the Plan is
amended, or the Plan is amended in any way that directly or indirectly affects
the computation of any Participant's nonforfeitable percentage or if the Plan is
deemed amended by an automatic change to or from a Top-Heavy vesting schedule,
each Participant with at least three Years of Service with the Employer may
elect, within a reasonable period after the adoption of the amendment or change,
to have his or her nonforfeitable percentage computed under the Plan without
regard to such amendment or change. For Participant's who do not have at least
one Hour of Service in any Plan Year beginning after 1988, the preceding
sentence shall be applied by substituting "Five Years of Service" for "Three
Years of Service" where such language appears. The period during which the
election may be made shall commence with the date the amendment is adopted or
deemed to be made and shall end on the later of:

         (a)      60 days after the amendment is adopted;

         (b)      60 days after the amendment becomes effective; or





                                       56
<PAGE>   64

         (c)      60 days after the Participant is issued written notice of the
                  amendment by the Employer or the Trustee/Custodian. If the
                  Trustee/Custodian is asked to so notify, the Fund will be
                  charged for the costs thereof.

No amendment to the Plan shall be effective to the extent that it has the effect
of decreasing a Participant's accrued benefit. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, a Participant's account balance may be reduced to the extent permitted
under section 412(c)(8) of the Code (relating to financial hardships). For
purposes of this paragraph, a Plan amendment which has the effect of decreasing
a Participant's account balance or eliminating an optional form of benefit, with
respect to benefits attributable to service before the amendment, shall be
treated as reducing an accrued benefit.

9.9      SERVICE WITH CONTROLLED GROUPS All Years of Service with other members
of a controlled group of corporations [as defined in Code Section 414(b)],
trades or businesses under common control [as defined in Code Section 414(c)],
or members of an affiliated service group [as defined in Code Section 414(m)]
shall be considered for purposes of determining a Participant's nonforfeitable
percentage.





                                       57
<PAGE>   65

                                   ARTICLE X

                           LIMITATIONS ON ALLOCATIONS
                         AND ANTIDISCRIMINATION TESTING


10.1     PARTICIPATION ONLY IN THIS PLAN If the Participant does not 
participate in and has never participated in another qualified plan, a Welfare
Benefit Fund (as defined in paragraph 1.89) or an individual medical account, as
defined in Code Section 415(l)(2), maintained by the adopting Employer, which
provides an Annual Addition as defined in paragraph 1.4, the amount of Annual
Additions which may be credited to the Participant's account for any Limitation
Year will not exceed the lesser of the Maximum Permissible Amount or any other
limitation contained in this Plan. If the Employer contribution that would
otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant's account would cause
the Annual Additions for the Limitation Year to exceed the Maximum Permissible
Amount, the amount contributed or allocated will be reduced so that the Annual
Additions for the Limitation Year will equal the Maximum Permissible Amount.
Prior to determining the Participant's actual Compensation for the Limitation
Year, the Employer may determine the Maximum Permissible Amount for a
Participant on the basis of a reasonable estimate of the Participant's
Compensation for the Limitation Year, uniformly determined for all Participants
similarly situated. As soon as is administratively feasible after the end of the
Limitation Year, the Maximum Permissible Amount for the Limitation Year will be
determined on the basis of the Participant's actual Compensation for the
Limitation Year.

10.2     DISPOSITION OF EXCESS ANNUAL ADDITIONS If pursuant to paragraph 10.1 
or as a result of the allocation of forfeitures, there is an Excess Amount, the
excess will be disposed of under one of the following methods as determined in
the Adoption Agreement. If no election is made in the Adoption Agreement then
method "(a)" below shall apply.

         (a)      Suspense Account Method

                  (1)      Any Elective Deferrals, nondeductible Employee
                           Voluntary Contributions or required Voluntary
                           Contributions to the extent they reduce the Excess
                           Amount, will be returned to the Participant;

                  (2)      If after the application of paragraph (1) an Excess
                           Amount still exists, and the Participant is covered
                           by the Plan at the end of the Limitation Year, the
                           Excess Amount in the Participant's account will be
                           used to reduce Employer contributions (including any
                           allocation of forfeitures) for such Participant in
                           the next Limitation Year, and each succeeding
                           Limitation Year if necessary;

                  (3)      If after the application of paragraph (1) an Excess
                           Amount still exists, and the Participant is not
                           covered by the Plan at the end of the Limitation
                           Year, the Excess Amount will be held unallocated in a
                           suspense account. The suspense account will be
                           applied to reduce future Employer contributions
                           (including allocation of any forfeitures) for all
                           remaining Participants in the next Limitation Year,
                           and each succeeding Limitation Year if necessary;





                                       58
<PAGE>   66

                  (4)      If a suspense account is in existence at any time
                           during the Limitation Year pursuant to this
                           paragraph, it will not participate in the allocation
                           of investment gains and losses. If a suspense account
                           is in existence at any time during a particular
                           Limitation Year, all amounts in the suspense account
                           must be allocated and reallocated to Participants'
                           accounts before any Employer contributions or any
                           Employee or Voluntary Contributions may be made to
                           the Plan for that Limitation Year. Excess amounts
                           other than excess Elective Deferrals which may be
                           returned to Participants under Paragraph 1.35 may not
                           be distributed to Participants or former
                           Participants.

         (b)      Spillover Method

                  (1)      Any Elective Deferrals, nondeductible Employee
                           Voluntary or required Voluntary Contributions, to the
                           extent they reduce the Excess Amount, will be
                           returned to the Participant.

                  (2)      Any Excess Amount which would be allocated to the
                           account of an individual Participant under the Plan's
                           allocation formula will be reallocated to other
                           Participants in the same manner as other Employer
                           contributions. No such reallocation shall be made to
                           the extent that it will result in an Excess Amount
                           being created in such Participant's own account.

                  (3)      To the extent that amounts cannot be reallocated
                           under (1) above, the suspense account provisions of
                           (a) above will apply.

10.3     PARTICIPATION IN THIS PLAN AND ANOTHER PROTOTYPE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION 
PLAN, WELFARE BENEFIT FUND OR INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE
EMPLOYER The Annual Additions which may be credited to a Participant's account
under this Plan for any Limitation Year will not exceed the Maximum Permissible
Amount reduced by the Annual Additions credited to a Participant's account under
the other plans and Welfare Benefit Funds and individual medical accounts as
defined in Code Section 415(l)(2), maintained by the Employer which provides an
Annual Addition as defined in paragraph 1.4 for the same Limitation Year. If the
Annual Additions, with respect to the Participant under other Defined
Contribution Plans and Welfare Benefit Funds maintained by the Employer, are
less than the Maximum Permissible Amount and the Employer contribution that
would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant's account under
this Plan would cause the Annual Additions for the Limitation Year to exceed
this limitation, the amount contributed or allocated will be reduced so that the
Annual Additions under all such plans and funds for the Limitation Year will
equal the Maximum Permissible Amount. If the Annual Additions with respect to
the Participant under such other Defined Contribution Plans and Welfare Benefit
Funds in the aggregate are equal to or greater than the Maximum Permissible
Amount, no amount will be contributed or allocated to the Participant's account
under this Plan for the Limitation Year. Prior to determining the Participant's
actual Compensation





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<PAGE>   67

for the Limitation Year, the Employer may determine the Maximum Permissible
Amount for a Participant in the manner described in paragraph 10.1. As soon as
administratively feasible after the end of the Limitation Year, the Maximum
Permissible Amount for the Limitation Year will be determined on the basis of
the Participant's actual Compensation for the Limitation Year.

10.4     DISPOSITION OF EXCESS ANNUAL ADDITIONS UNDER TWO PLANS If, pursuant to
paragraph 10.3 or as a result of forfeitures, a Participant's Annual Additions
under this Plan and such other plans would result in an Excess Amount for a
Limitation Year, the Excess Amount will be deemed to consist of the Annual
Additions last allocated except that Annual Additions attributable to a Welfare
Benefit Fund or individual medical account as defined in Code Section 415(l)(2)
will be deemed to have been allocated first regardless of the actual allocation
date. If an Excess Amount was allocated to a Participant on an allocation date
of this Plan which coincides with an allocation date of another plan, the Excess
Amount attributed to this Plan will be the product of:

         (a)      the total Excess Amount allocated as of such date, times

         (b)      the ratio of:

                  (1)      the Annual Additions allocated to the Participant for
                           the Limitation Year as of such date under the Plan,
                           to

                  (2)      the total Annual Additions allocated to the
                           Participant for the Limitation Year as of such date
                           under this and all the other qualified Master or
                           Prototype Defined Contribution Plans.

Any Excess Amount attributed to this Plan will be disposed of in the manner
described in paragraph 10.2.

10.5     PARTICIPATION IN THIS PLAN AND ANOTHER DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN WHICH
IS NOT A MASTER OR PROTOTYPE PLAN If the Participant is covered under another
qualified Defined Contribution Plan maintained by the Employer which is not a
Master or Prototype Plan, Annual Additions which may be credited to the
Participant's account under this Plan for any Limitation Year will be limited in
accordance with paragraphs 10.3 and 10.4 as though the other plan were a Master
or Prototype Plan, unless the Employer provides other limitations in the
Adoption Agreement.

10.6     PARTICIPATION IN THIS PLAN AND A DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN If the Employer
maintains, or at any time maintained, a qualified Defined Benefit Plan covering
any Participant in this Plan, the sum of the Participant's Defined Benefit Plan
Fraction and Defined Contribution Plan Fraction will not exceed 1.0 in any
Limitation Year. For any Plan Year during which the Plan is Top-Heavy, the
Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plan Fractions shall be calculated in
accordance with Code Section 416(h). The Annual Additions which may be credited
to the Participant's account under this Plan for any Limitation Year will be
limited in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Adoption Agreement.

10.7     AVERAGE DEFERRAL PERCENTAGE [ADP OR 401(K)] TEST With respect to any 
Plan Year, the Average Deferral Percentage for Participants who are Highly
Compensated Employees and the Average Deferral Percentage for Participants who
are non-Highly Compensated Employees must satisfy one of the following tests:





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         (a)      BASIC TEST The Average Deferral Percentage for Participants
                  who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year is not
                  more than 1.25 times the Average Deferral Percentage for
                  Participants who are non-Highly Compensated Employees for the
                  same Plan Year, or

         (b)      ALTERNATIVE TEST The Average Deferral Percentage for
                  Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan
                  Years does not exceed the Average Deferral Percentage for
                  Participants who are non-Highly Compensated Employees for the
                  same Plan Year by more than 2 percentage points provided that
                  the Average Deferral Percentage for Participants who are
                  Highly Compensated Employees is not more than 2.0 times the
                  Average Deferral Percentage for Participants who are
                  non-Highly Compensated Employees.

10.8     SPECIAL RULES RELATING TO APPLICATION OF ADP TEST

         (a)      ADDITIONAL EMPLOYER 401(K) PLANS The Actual Deferral
                  Percentage for any Participant who is a Highly Compensated
                  Employee for the Plan Year and who is eligible to have
                  Elective Deferrals (and Qualified Non-Elective Contributions
                  or Qualified Matching Contributions, or both, if treated as
                  Elective Deferrals for purposes of the ADP test) allocated to
                  his or her accounts under two or more arrangements described
                  in Code Section 401(k), that are maintained by the Employer,
                  shall be determined as if such Elective Deferrals (and, if
                  applicable, such Qualified Non-Elective Contributions or
                  Qualified Matching Contributions, or both) were made under a
                  single arrangement. If a Highly Compensated Employee
                  participates in two or more cash or deferred arrangements that
                  have different Plan Years, all cash or deferred arrangements
                  ending with or within the same calendar year shall be treated
                  as a single arrangement.

         (b)      PLAN AGGREGATION In the event that this Plan satisfies the
                  requirements of Code Sections 401(k), 401(a)(4), or 410(b),
                  only if aggregated with one or more other plans, or if one or
                  more other plans satisfy the requirements of such Code
                  Sections only if aggregated with this Plan, then this Section
                  shall be applied by determining the Actual Deferral Percentage
                  of Employees as if all such plans were a single plan. For Plan
                  Years beginning after 1989, plans may be aggregated in order
                  to satisfy Code Section 401(k) only if they have the same Plan
                  Year.

         (c)      FAMILY MEMBER AGGREGATION For purposes of determining the
                  Actual Deferral Percentage of a Participant who is a 5-percent
                  owner or one of the ten most highly-paid Highly Compensated
                  Employees, the Elective Deferrals (and Qualified Non-Elective
                  Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions, or both, if
                  treated as Elective Deferrals for purposes of the ADP test)
                  and Compensation of such Participants shall include the
                  Elective Deferrals (and, if applicable, Qualified Non-Elective





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                  Contributions and Qualified Matching Contributions, or both)
                  for the Plan Year of Family Members as defined in paragraph
                  1.36 of this Plan. Family Members, with respect to such Highly
                  Compensated Employees, shall be disregarded as separate
                  Employees in determining the ADP both for Participants who are
                  non-Highly Compensated Employees and for Participants who are
                  Highly Compensated Employees.

         (d)      TIMING OF CONTRIBUTIONS For purposes of determining the ADP
                  test, Elective Deferrals, Qualified Non-Elective Contributions
                  and Qualified Matching Contributions must be made before the
                  last day of the twelve-month period immediately following the
                  Plan Year to which contributions relate. In the event of
                  repeal of the family aggregation rules under Code Section
                  414(q)(6), all applications of those rules under this Plan
                  shall cease as of the effective date of such repeal.

         (e)      DOCUMENTATION The Employer shall maintain records sufficient
                  to demonstrate satisfaction of the ADP test and the amount of
                  Qualified Non-Elective Contributions or Qualified Matching
                  Contributions, or both, used in such test.

         (f)      ADDITIONAL IRS REQUIREMENTS The determination and treatment of
                  the Actual Deferral Percentage amounts of any Participant
                  shall satisfy such other requirements as may be prescribed by
                  the Secretary of the Treasury.

10.9     RECHARACTERIZATION If the Employer allows for Voluntary Contributions
in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may treat his or her Excess
Contributions as an amount distributed to the Participant and then contributed
by the Participant to the Plan. Recharacterized amounts will remain
nonforfeitable and subject to the same distribution requirements as Elective
Deferrals. Amounts may not be recharacterized by a Highly Compensated Employee
to the extent that such amount in combination with other Employee Contributions
made by that Employee would exceed any stated limit under the Plan on Voluntary
Contributions. Recharacterization must occur no later than two and one-half
months after the last day of the Plan Year in which such Excess Contributions
arose and is deemed to occur no earlier than the date the last Highly
Compensated Employee is informed in writing of the amount recharacterized and
the consequences thereof. Recharacterized amounts will be taxable to the
Participant for the Participant's tax year in which the Participant would have
received them in cash.

10.10    AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE [ACP OR 401(M)] TEST If the Employer 
makes Matching Contributions or if the Plan allows Employees to make Voluntary
Contributions the Plan must meet additional nondiscrimination requirements
provided under Code Section 401(m). If Employee Contributions (including any
Salary Savings Contributions recharacterized as Voluntary Contributions) are
made pursuant to this Plan, then in addition to the ADP test referenced in
paragraph 10.7, the Average Contribution Percentage test is also applicable. The
Average Contribution Percentage for Participants who are Highly Compensated
Employees for each Plan Year and the Average Contribution Percentage for
Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the same Plan Year
must satisfy one of the following tests:





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<PAGE>   70

         (a)      BASIC TEST The Average Contribution Percentage for
                  Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan
                  Year shall not exceed the Average Contribution Percentage for
                  Participants who are non-Highly Compensated Employees for the
                  same Plan Year multiplied by 1.25; or

         (b)      ALTERNATIVE TEST The ACP for Participants who are Highly
                  Compensated Employees for the Plan Year shall not exceed the
                  Average Contribution Percentage for Participants who are
                  non-Highly Compensated Employees for the same Plan Year
                  multiplied by two (2), provided that the Average Contribution
                  Percentage for Participants who are Highly Compensated
                  Employees does not exceed the Average Contribution Percentage
                  for Participants who are non-Highly Compensated Employees by
                  more than two (2) percentage points.

10.11    SPECIAL RULES RELATING TO APPLICATION OF ACP TEST

         (a)      AGGREGATE LIMIT If one or more Highly Compensated Employees
                  participate in both a cash or deferred arrangement and a plan
                  subject to the ACP test maintained by the Employer and the sum
                  of the ADP and ACP of those Highly Compensated Employees
                  subject to either or both tests exceeds the Aggregate Limit,
                  then the ADP or ACP of those Highly Compensated Employees who
                  also participate in a cash or deferred arrangement will be
                  reduced (beginning with such Highly Compensated Employee whose
                  ADP or ACP is the highest) as set forth in the Adoption
                  Agreement so that the limit is not exceeded. The amount by
                  which each Highly Compensated Employee's Contribution
                  Percentage Amounts is reduced shall be treated as an Excess
                  Aggregate Contribution. The ADP and ACP of the Highly
                  Compensated Employees are determined after any corrections
                  required to meet the ADP and ACP tests. Multiple use does not
                  occur if either the ADP or the ACP of the Highly Compensated
                  Employees does not exceed 1.25 multiplied by the ADP and ACP
                  of the non-Highly Compensated Employees.

         (b)      INDIVIDUAL AGGREGATION For purposes of this Article, the
                  Contribution Percentage for any Participant who is a Highly
                  Compensated Employee and who is eligible to have Contribution
                  Percentage Amounts allocated to his or her account under two
                  or more plans described in Code Section 401(a), or
                  arrangements described in Code Section 401(k) that are
                  maintained by the Employer, shall be determined as if the
                  total of such Contribution Percentage Amounts was made under
                  each Plan. If a Highly Compensated Employee participates in
                  two or more cash or deferred arrangements that have different
                  plan years, all cash or deferred arrangements ending with or
                  within the same calendar year shall be treated as a single
                  arrangement.





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<PAGE>   71

         (c)      PLAN AGGREGATION In the event that this Plan satisfies the
                  requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4), 401(m), or 410(b)
                  only if aggregated with one or more other plans, or if one or
                  more other plans satisfy the requirements of the above listed
                  Code Sections only if aggregated with this Plan, then this
                  Section shall be applied by determining the Contribution
                  Percentage of Employees as if all such plans were a single
                  plan. For plan years beginning after 1989, plans may be
                  aggregated in order to satisfy Code Section 401(m) only if the
                  aggregated plans have the same Plan Year.

         (d)      FAMILY MEMBER AGGREGATION For purposes of determining the
                  Contribution percentage of a Participant who is a five-percent
                  owner or one of the ten most highly-paid, Highly Compensated
                  Employees, the Contribution Percentage Amounts and
                  Compensation of such Participant shall include the
                  Contribution Percentage Amounts and Compensation for the Plan
                  Year of Family Members as defined in Paragraph 1.37 of this
                  Plan. Family Members, with respect to Highly Compensated
                  Employees, shall be disregarded as separate Employees in
                  determining the Contribution Percentage both for Participants
                  who are non-Highly Compensated Employees and for Participants
                  who are Highly Compensated Employees. In the event of repeal
                  of the family aggregation rules under Code Section 414(q)(6),
                  all applications of those rules under this Plan shall cease as
                  of the effective date of such repeal.

         (e)      TIMING OF CONTRIBUTIONS For purposes of determining the
                  Contribution Percentage test, Employee Contributions are
                  considered to have been made in the Plan Year in which
                  contributed to the trust. Matching Contributions and Qualified
                  Non-Elective Contributions will be considered made for a Plan
                  Year if made no later than the end of the twelve-month period
                  beginning on the day after the close of the Plan Year.

         (f)      DOCUMENTATION The Employer shall maintain records sufficient
                  to demonstrate satisfaction of the ACP test and the amount of
                  Qualified Non-Elective Contributions or Qualified Matching
                  Contributions, or both, used in such test.

         (g)      ADDITIONAL IRS REQUIREMENTS The determination and treatment of
                  the Contribution Percentage of any Participant shall satisfy
                  such other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary
                  of the Treasury.

         (h)      CONTRIBUTION USE LIMITATIONS Qualified Matching Contributions
                  and Qualified Non-Elective Contributions used to satisfy the
                  ADP test may not be used to satisfy the ACP test.





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                                   ARTICLE XI

                                 ADMINISTRATION


11.1     PLAN ADMINISTRATOR  The Employer shall be the named fiduciary and Plan
Administrator. These duties shall include:

         (a)      appointing the Plan's attorney, accountant, actuary, or any
                  other party needed to administer the Plan,

         (b)      directing the Trustee/Custodian with respect to payments from
                  the Fund,

         (c)      communicating with Employees regarding their participation and
                  benefits under the Plan, including the administration of all
                  claims procedures,

         (d)      filing any returns and reports with the Internal Revenue
                  Service, Department of Labor, or any other governmental
                  agency,

         (e)      reviewing and approving any financial reports, investment
                  reviews, or other reports prepared by any party appointed by
                  the Employer under paragraph (a),

         (f)      establishing a funding policy and investment objectives
                  consistent with the purposes of the Plan and the Employee
                  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and

         (g)      construing and resolving any question of Plan interpretation.
                  The Plan Administrator's interpretation of Plan provisions
                  including eligibility and benefits under the Plan is final,
                  and unless it can be shown to be arbitrary and capricious will
                  not be subject to "de novo" review.

11.2     TRUSTEE/CUSTODIAN  The Trustee/Custodian shall be responsible for the
administration of investments held in the Fund.  These duties shall include:

         (a)      receiving contributions under the terms of the Plan,

         (b)      making distributions from the Fund in accordance with written
                  instructions received from an authorized representative of the
                  Employer, and

         (c)      keeping accurate records reflecting its administration of the
                  Fund and making such records available to the Employer for
                  review and audit. Within 90 days after each Plan Year, and
                  within 90 days after its removal or resignation, the
                  Trustee/Custodian shall file with the Employer an accounting
                  of its administration of the Fund during such year or from the
                  end of the preceding Plan Year to the date of removal or
                  resignation. Such accounting shall include a statement of cash
                  receipts and disbursements since the date of its last
                  accounting and shall contain an asset list showing the fair
                  market value of investments held in the Fund as of the end of
                  the Plan Year. The value of marketable investments





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<PAGE>   73

                  shall be determined using the most recent price quoted on a
                  national securities exchange or over the counter market. The
                  value of non-marketable investments shall be determined in the
                  sole judgement of the Trustee/Custodian which determination
                  shall be binding and conclusive. The value of investments in
                  securities or obligations of the Employer in which there is no
                  market shall be determined in the sole judgement of the
                  Employer and the Trustee/Custodian shall have no
                  responsibility with respect to the valuation of such assets.
                  The Employer shall review the Trustee/Custodian's accounting
                  and notify the Trustee/Custodian in the event of its
                  disapproval of the report within 90 days, providing the
                  Trustee/Custodian with a written description of the items in
                  question. The Trustee/Custodian shall have 60 days to provide
                  the Employer with a written explanation of the items in
                  question. If the Employer again disapproves, the
                  Trustee/Custodian shall file its accounting in a court of
                  competent jurisdiction for audit and adjudication.

         (d)      employing such agents attorneys or other professionals as the
                  Trustee may deem necessary or advisable in the performance of
                  its duties.

The Trustee's/Custodian's duties shall be limited to those described above. The
Employer shall be responsible for any other administrative duties required under
the Plan or by applicable law.

11.3     ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND EXPENSES All reasonable costs, charges and 
expenses incurred by the Trustee/Custodian in connection with the administration
of the Fund and all reasonable costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Plan
Administrator in connection with the administration of the Plan (including fees
for legal services rendered to the Trustee/Custodian or Plan Administrator) may
be paid by the Employer, but if not paid by the Employer when due, shall be paid
from the Fund. Such reasonable compensation to the Trustee/Custodian as may be
agreed upon from time to time between the Employer and the Trustee/Custodian and
such reasonable compensation to the Plan Administrator as may be agreed upon
from time to time between the Employer and Plan Administrator may be paid by the
Employer, but if not paid by the Employer when due shall be paid by the Fund.
The Trustee shall have the right in accordance with the Adopting Employer's
administrative procedure to liquidate trust assets to cover its fees.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no compensation other than reimbursement for
expenses shall be paid to a Plan Administrator who is the Employer or a full-
time Employee of the Employer. In the event any part of the Trust/Custodial
Account becomes subject to tax, all taxes incurred will be paid from the Fund
unless the Plan Administrator advises the Trustee/Custodian not to pay such tax.

11.4     DIVISION OF DUTIES AND INDEMNIFICATION

         (a)      The Trustee/Custodian shall have the authority and discretion
                  to manage and govern the Fund to the extent provided in this
                  instrument, but does not guarantee the Fund in any manner
                  against investment loss or depreciation in asset value, or
                  guarantee the adequacy of the Fund to meet and discharge all
                  or any liabilities of the Plan.





                                       66
<PAGE>   74

         (b)      The Trustee/Custodian shall not be liable for the making,
                  retention or sale of any investment or reinvestment made by
                  it, as herein provided, or for any loss to, or diminution of
                  the Fund, or for any other loss or damage which may result
                  from the discharge of its duties hereunder except to the
                  extent it is judicially determined that the Trustee/Custodian
                  has failed to exercise the care, skill, prudence and diligence
                  under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person
                  acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would
                  use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character with
                  like aims.

         (c)      The Employer warrants that all directions issued to the
                  Trustee/Custodian by it or the Plan Administrator will be in
                  accordance with the terms of the Plan and not contrary to the
                  provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
                  1974 and regulations issued thereunder.

         (d)      The Trustee/Custodian shall not be answerable for any action
                  taken pursuant to any direction, consent, certificate, or
                  other paper or document on the belief that the same is genuine
                  and signed by the proper person. All directions by the
                  Employer, Participant or the Plan Administrator shall be in
                  writing. The Employer shall deliver to the Trustee/Custodian
                  certificates evidencing the individual or individuals
                  authorized to act as set forth in the Adoption Agreement or as
                  the Employer may subsequently inform the Trustee/Custodian in
                  writing and shall deliver to the Trustee/Custodian specimens
                  of their signatures.

         (e)      The duties and obligations of the Trustee/Custodian shall be
                  limited to those expressly imposed upon it by this instrument
                  or subsequently agreed upon by the parties. Responsibility for
                  administrative duties required under the Plan or applicable
                  law not expressly imposed upon or agreed to by the
                  Trustee/Custodian, shall rest solely with the Employer.

         (f)      The Trustee shall be indemnified and saved harmless by the
                  Employer from and against any and all liability to which the
                  Trustee/Custodian may be subjected, including all expenses
                  reasonably incurred in its defense, for any action or failure
                  to act resulting from compliance with the instructions of the
                  Employer, the employees or agents of the Employer, the Plan
                  Administrator, or any other fiduciary to the Plan, and for any
                  liability arising from the actions or non-actions of any
                  predecessor Trustee/Custodian or fiduciary or other
                  fiduciaries of the Plan.

         (g)      The Trustee/Custodian shall not be responsible in any way for
                  the application of any payments it is directed to make or for
                  the adequacy of the Fund to meet and discharge any and all
                  liabilities under the Plan.





                                       67
<PAGE>   75

         (h)      The Trustee/Custodian shall not be responsible in any way for
                  any actions taken, or failure to act by a prior
                  Trustee/Custodian under a prior document. The Employer shall
                  indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee/Custodian for such
                  prior Trustee/Custodian acts or inaction for any periods
                  applicable, including periods for which the Trustee/Custodian
                  must restate the Plan retroactively to comply with any tax law
                  or regulations thereunder.





                                       68
<PAGE>   76

                                  ARTICLE XII

                          TRUST FUND/CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT


12.1     THE FUND The Fund shall consist of all contributions made under 
Article III and Article IV of the Plan and the investment thereof and earnings
thereon. All contributions and the earnings thereon less payments made under the
terms of the Plan, shall constitute the Fund. The Fund shall be administered as
provided in this document.

12.2     CONTROL OF PLAN ASSETS The assets of the Fund or evidence of ownership
shall be held by the Trustee/Custodian under the terms of the Plan and
Trust/Custodial Account. If the assets represent amounts transferred from
another trustee/custodian under a former plan, the Trustee/Custodian named
hereunder shall not be responsible for any actions of the prior fiduciary
including the review of the propriety of any investment under the former plan.
Such review shall be the responsibility of the Employer.

12.3     EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT RULES No part of the Fund shall be used for, or 
diverted to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of Participants,
former Participants with a vested interest, and the beneficiary or beneficiaries
of deceased Participants having a vested interest in the Fund at death.

12.4     ASSIGNMENT AND ALIENATION OF BENEFITS No right or claim to, or 
interest in, any part of the Fund, or any payment from the Fund, shall be
assignable, transferable, or subject to sale, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,
commutation, anticipation, garnishment, attachment, execution, or levy of any
kind. The Trustee/Custodian shall not recognize any attempt to assign, transfer,
sell, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, commute, or anticipate the same, except to
the extent required by law. The preceding sentences shall also apply to the
creation, assignment, or recognition of a right to any benefit payable with
respect to a Participant pursuant to a domestic relations order, unless such
order is determined to be a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined in
Code Section 414(p), or any domestic relations order entered before January 1,
1985 which the Plan attorney and Plan Administrator deem to be qualified.

12.5     DETERMINATION OF QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER (QDRO) A domestic
relations order shall specifically state all of the following in order to be
deemed a Qualified Domestic Relations Order ("QDRO"):

         (a)      The name and last known mailing address (if any) of the
                  Participant and of each alternate payee covered by the QDRO.
                  However, if the QDRO does not specify the current mailing
                  address of the alternate payee, but the Plan Administrator has
                  independent knowledge of that address, the QDRO will still be
                  valid.

         (b)      The dollar amount or percentage of the Participant's benefit
                  to be paid by the Plan to each alternate payee, or the manner
                  in which the amount or percentage will be determined.

         (c)      The number of payments or period for which the order applies.

         (d)      The specific plan (by name) to which the domestic relations
                  order applies.





                                       69
<PAGE>   77

The domestic relations order shall not be deemed a QDRO if it requires the Plan
to provide:

         (e)      any type or form of benefit, or any option not already
                  provided for in the Plan;

         (f)      increased benefits, or benefits in excess of the Participant's
                  vested rights;

         (g)      payment of a benefit earlier than allowed by the Plan's
                  earliest retirement provisions or in the case of a
                  profit-sharing plan, prior to the allowability of in-service
                  withdrawals, or

         (h)      payment of benefits to an alternate payee which are required
                  to be paid to another alternate payee under another QDRO.

Promptly, upon receipt of a domestic relations order ("Order") which may or may
not be "Qualified", the Plan Administrator shall notify the Participant and any
alternate payee(s) named in the Order of such receipt, and include a copy of
this paragraph 12.5. The Plan Administrator shall then forward the Order to the
Plan's legal counsel for an opinion as to whether or not the Order is in fact
"Qualified" as defined in Code Section 414(p). Within a reasonable time after
receipt of the Order, not to exceed 60 days, the Plan's legal counsel shall make
a determination as to its "Qualified" status and the Participant and any
alternate payee(s) shall be promptly notified in writing of the determination.

If the "Qualified" status of the Order is in question, there will be a delay in
any payout to any payee including the Participant, until the status is resolved.
In such event, the Plan Administrator shall segregate the amount that would have
been payable to the alternate payee(s) if the Order had been deemed a QDRO. If
the Order is not Qualified, or the status is not resolved (for example, it has
been sent back to the Court for clarification or modification) within 18 months
beginning with the date the first payment would have to be made under the Order,
the Plan Administrator shall pay the segregated amounts plus interest to the
person(s) who would have been entitled to the benefits had there been no Order.
If a determination as to the Qualified status of the Order is made after the
18-month period described above, then the Order shall only be applied on a
prospective basis. If the Order is determined to be a QDRO, the Participant and
alternate payee(s) shall again be notified promptly after such determination.
Once an Order is deemed a QDRO, the Plan Administrator shall pay to the
alternate payee(s) all the amounts due under the QDRO, including segregated
amounts plus interest which may have accrued during a dispute as to the Order's
qualification.

Unless specified otherwise in the Adoption Agreement, the earliest retirement
age with regard to the Participant against whom the QDRO is entered shall be the
date the Order is deemed Qualified. This will only allow distributions to
alternate payee(s) and not to the Participant.





                                       70
<PAGE>   78

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                  INVESTMENTS


13.1     FIDUCIARY STANDARDS The Trustee/Custodian shall invest and reinvest
principal and income in the same Fund in accordance with the investment
objectives established by the Employer, provided that:

         (a)      such investments are prudent under the Employee Retirement
                  Income Security Act of 1974 and the regulations thereunder,

         (b)      such investments are sufficiently diversified or otherwise
                  insured or guaranteed to minimize the risk of large losses,
                  and

         (c)      such investments are similar to those which would be purchased
                  by another professional money manager for a like plan with
                  similar investment objectives.

13.2     FUNDING ARRANGEMENT The Employer shall, in the Adoption Agreement, 
appoint the Sponsor to serve as either Trustee or Custodian of the Fund. If the
Sponsor is appointed Trustee, the Fund shall be invested in any of the
alternatives available to the Trustee under paragraph 13.3 herein. If the
Sponsor is appointed Custodian, the Fund shall be invested only in the
alternatives available to the Custodian under paragraph 13.4 herein.

13.3     INVESTMENT ALTERNATIVES OF THE TRUSTEE The Trustee shall implement an
investment program based on the Employer's investment objectives and the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In addition to powers given by
law, the Trustee may:

         (a)      invest the Fund in any form of property, including common and
                  preferred stocks, exchange traded put and call options, bonds,
                  money market instruments, mutual funds (including funds for
                  which the Sponsor, Trustee or its affiliates serve as
                  investment advisor or any other such capacity), savings
                  accounts, certificates of deposit, Treasury bills, insurance
                  policies and contracts, or in any other property, real or
                  personal, having a ready market including securities issued by
                  the Trustee and/or affiliates of the Trustee. The Trustee may
                  invest in its own deposits and, if applicable, those of
                  affiliates, which bear a reasonable interest rate. No portion
                  of any Qualified Voluntary Contribution, or the earnings
                  thereon, may be invested in life insurance contracts or, as
                  with any Participant-directed investment, in tangible personal
                  property characterized by the IRS as a collectible,

         (b)      transfer any assets of the Fund to a group or collective trust
                  established to permit the pooling of funds of separate pension
                  and profit-sharing trusts, provided the Internal Revenue
                  Service has ruled such group or collective trust to be
                  qualified under Code Section 401(a) and exempt under Code
                  Section 501(a) (or the applicable corresponding provision of
                  any other Revenue Act) or to any other common, collective, or
                  commingled trust fund which has been or may hereafter be
                  established and maintained by the





                                       71
<PAGE>   79

                  Trustee and/or affiliates of the Trustee. Such commingling of
                  assets of the Fund with assets of other qualified trusts is
                  specifically authorized, and to the extent of the investment
                  of the Fund in such a group or collective trust, the terms of
                  the instrument establishing the group or collective trust
                  shall be a part hereof as though set forth herein,

         (c)      invest up to 100% of the Fund in the common stock, debt
                  obligations, or any other security issued by the Employer or
                  by an affiliate of the Employer within the limitations
                  provided under Sections 406, 407, and 408 of the Employee
                  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and further provided
                  that such investment does not constitute a prohibited
                  transaction under Code Section 4975. Any such investment in
                  Employer securities shall only be made upon written direction
                  by the Employer who shall be solely responsible for propriety
                  of such investment,

                  Voting and Tendering of Stock The shares of Employer stock
                  which have been allocated to Participants' accounts shall be
                  voted or tendered, as applicable, by the Trustee in accordance
                  with the written directions provided by the Plan Administrator
                  which are given pursuant to the Participants' written
                  instructions. The Trustee shall vote or tender, as applicable,
                  any unallocated Employer stock, and allocated but unvoted
                  Employer stock, in accordance with the written direction
                  received from the Plan Administrator. Whenever such voting or
                  tendering rights are to be exercised, the Plan Administrator
                  shall be responsible for ensuring that all Participants are
                  provided with adequate opportunity to deliver their
                  instructions to the Plan Administrator regarding the voting or
                  tendering of Employer stock allocated to their Accounts. The
                  Participants' instructions with respect to the voting or
                  tendering of allocated shares hereunder shall be confidential.

         (d)      hold cash uninvested and deposit same with any banking or
                  savings institution, including its own banking department, or
                  the banking department of an affiliate,

         (e)      join in or oppose the reorganization, recapitalization,
                  consolidation, sale or merger of corporations or properties,
                  including those in which it is interested as Trustee, upon
                  such terms as it deems wise,

         (f)      hold investments in nominee or bearer form,

         (g)      vote proxies and if appropriate pass them on to any investment
                  manager which may have directed the investment in the equity
                  giving rise to the proxy,

         (h)      exercise all ownership rights with respect to assets held in
                  the Fund.





                                       72
<PAGE>   80

13.4     INVESTMENT ALTERNATIVES OF THE CUSTODIAN The Custodian shall be 
depository of all or part of the Fund and shall, at the direction of the Trustee
hold any assets received from the Trustee or its agents. The Custodian shall
receive and deliver assets as instructed by the Trustee or its agents. To the
extent that the Custodian holds title to Plan assets and such ownership requires
action on the part of the registered owner, such action will be taken by the
Custodian only upon receipt of specific instructions from the Trustee or its
agents. Proxies shall be voted by or pursuant to the express direction of the
Trustee or authorized agent of the Trustee. As Custodian, the Sponsor shall not
give any investment advice, including any opinion on the prudence of directed
investments. The Employer and Trustee and the agents thereof assume all
responsibility for adherence to fiduciary standards under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and all amendments thereof, and
regulations thereunder.

13.5     PARTICIPANT LOANS If agreed upon by the Trustee and permitted by the
Employer in the Adoption Agreement, Participant Loans will be permitted in the
Employer's Plan. A Plan Participant may make application only to the Employer to
request a loan from the Fund. The Employer shall have the sole right to approve
or disapprove a Participant's application provided that loans shall be made
available to all Participants and beneficiaries on a reasonably equivalent
basis. Loans shall not be made available to highly compensated employees [as
defined in Code Section 414(q)] in an amount greater than the amount made
available to other Employees. Any loan granted under the Plan shall be made
subject to the following rules:

         (a)      LIMITATIONS No loan, when aggregated with any outstanding
                  Participant loans under the Employer's Plan(s), shall exceed
                  the lesser of (i) $50,000 reduced by the excess, if any, of
                  the highest outstanding balance of loans during the one year
                  period ending on the day before the loan is made, over the
                  outstanding balance of loans from the Plan on the date the
                  loan is made or (ii) one-half of the fair market value of a
                  Participant's Vested Account Balance built up from Employer
                  Contributions, Voluntary Contributions, and Rollover
                  Contributions. If the Participant's Vested Account Balance is
                  $20,000 or less, the maximum loan shall not exceed the lesser
                  of $10,000 or 100% of the Participant's Vested Account
                  Balance. For the purpose of the above limitation, all loans
                  from all plans of the Employer and other members of a group of
                  employers described in Code Sections 414(b), 414(c), 414(m),
                  and 414(o) are aggregated. An assignment or pledge of any
                  portion of the Participant's interest in the Plan and a loan,
                  pledge, or assignment with respect to any insurance contract
                  purchased under the Plan, will be treated as a loan under this
                  paragraph.

         (b)      APPLICATION All applications must be made on forms provided by
                  the Employer and must be signed by the Participant.

         (c)      INTEREST Any loan under this Plan shall bear interest at a
                  rate reasonable at the time of application, considering the
                  purpose of the loan and the rate being charged by
                  representative commercial banks in the local area for a
                  similar loan unless the Employer sets forth a different method
                  for determining loan interest rates in its loan procedures,
                  such as using the prime rate or some other rate based on the
                  prime rate. The loan agreement shall also provide that the
                  payment of principal and interest be amortized in level
                  payments not less frequently than quarterly.





                                       73
<PAGE>   81

         (d)      TERM The term of such loan shall not exceed five years except
                  in the case of a loan for the purpose of acquiring any house,
                  apartment, condominium, or mobile home (not used on a
                  transient basis) which is used or is to be used within a
                  reasonable time as the principal residence of the Participant.
                  The term of such loan shall be determined by the Employer
                  considering the maturity dates quoted by representative
                  commercial banks in the local area for a similar loan.

         (e)      ACCOUNTING The principal and interest paid by a Participant on
                  his or her loan shall be credited to the Fund in the same
                  manner as for any other Plan investment. If elected in the
                  Adoption Agreement, loans may be treated as segregated
                  investments of the individual Participants. This provision is
                  not available if its election will result in discrimination in
                  operation of the Plan.

         (f)      SPOUSAL CONSENT If a Participant's loan application is
                  approved by the Employer, such Participant shall be required
                  to sign a note, loan agreement, and assignment of one-half of
                  his or her interest in the Fund as collateral for the loan. In
                  all plans except safe-harbor profit-sharing plans under
                  paragraph 8.7, the Participant must obtain the consent of his
                  or her Spouse, if any, within the 90 day period before the
                  time his or her account balance is used as security for the
                  loan. A new consent is required if the account balance is used
                  for any renegotiation, extension, renewal or other revision of
                  the loan, including an increase in the amount thereof. The
                  consent must be written, must acknowledge the effect of the
                  loan, and must be witnessed by a plan representative or notary
                  public. Such consent shall subsequently be binding with
                  respect to the consenting Spouse or any subsequent Spouse.

         (g)      SECURITY If a valid Spousal consent has been obtained, then,
                  notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the portion
                  of the Participant's Vested Account Balance used as a security
                  interest held by the Plan by reason of a loan outstanding to
                  the Participant shall be taken into account for purposes of
                  determining the amount of the account balance payable at the
                  time of death or distribution, but only if the reduction is
                  used as repayment of the loan. If less than 100% of the
                  Participant's vested account balance (determined without
                  regard to the preceding sentence) is payable to the Surviving
                  Spouse, then the account balance shall be adjusted by first
                  reducing the Vested Account Balance by the amount of the
                  security used as repayment of the loan, and then determining
                  the benefit payable to the Surviving Spouse.

         (h)      ADDITIONAL SECURITY The Employer may also require additional
                  collateral in order to adequately secure the loan.





                                       74
<PAGE>   82

         (i)      ACCELERATION OF MATURITY A Participant's loan shall
                  immediately become due and payable if such Participant
                  terminates employment for any reason or fails to make a
                  principal and/or interest payment as provided in the loan
                  agreement. If such Participant terminates employment, the
                  Employer shall immediately request payment of principal and
                  interest on the loan. If the Participant refuses payment
                  following termination, the Employer shall reduce the
                  Participant's Vested Account Balance by the remaining
                  principal and interest on his or her loan. If the
                  Participant's Vested Account Balance is less than the amount
                  due, the Employer shall take whatever steps are necessary to
                  collect the balance due directly from the Participant.
                  However, no distribution of the Participant's note or
                  attachment of the Participant's account balance will occur
                  until a distributable event occurs in the Plan.

         (j)      RESTRICTIONS No loans will be made to Owner-Employees (as
                  defined in paragraph 1.51) or Shareholder-Employees (as
                  defined in paragraph 1.74), unless the Employer obtains a
                  prohibited transaction exemption from the Department of Labor.

13.6     INSURANCE POLICIES If agreed upon by the Trustee and approved by the
Employer in the Adoption Agreement, Employees may elect the purchase of life
insurance policies under the Plan. If elected, the maximum annual premium for a
whole life policy shall not exceed 50% of the aggregate Employer contributions
allocated to the account of a Participant. For profit-sharing plans the 50% test
need only be applied against Employer contributions which are not Elective
Deferrals, Qualified Matching Contributions or Qualified Non-Elective
Contributions allocated in the last two years. Whole life policies are policies
with both nondecreasing death benefits and nonincreasing premiums. The maximum
annual premium for term contracts or universal life policies and all other
policies which are not whole life shall not exceed 25% of aggregate Employer
contributions allocated to the account of a Participant. The two year rule for
profit-sharing plans again applies. The maximum annual premiums for a
Participant with both a whole life and a term contract or universal life
policies shall be limited to one-half of the whole life premium plus the term
premium but shall not exceed 25% of the aggregate Employer contributions
allocated to the account of a Participant, subject to the two year rule for
profit-sharing plans. Any policies purchased under this Plan shall be held
subject to the following rules:

         (a)      OWNER The Trustee shall be applicant and owner of any policies
                  issued hereunder.

         (b)      NONTRANSFERABLE CONTRACTS All policies or contracts purchased,
                  shall be endorsed as nontransferable, and must provide that
                  proceeds will be payable to the Trustee; however, the Trustee
                  shall be required to pay over all proceeds of the contracts to
                  the Participant's Designated Beneficiary in accordance with
                  the distribution provisions of this Plan. Under no
                  circumstances shall the Trust retain any part of the proceeds.





                                       75
<PAGE>   83

         (c)      BENEFICIARY Each Participant shall be entitled to designate a
                  beneficiary under the terms of any contract issued; however,
                  such designation will be given to the Trustee which must be
                  the named beneficiary on any policy. Such designation shall
                  remain in force, until revoked by the Participant, by filing a
                  new beneficiary form with the Trustee. A Participant's Spouse
                  will be the Designated Beneficiary of the proceeds in all
                  circumstances unless a Qualified Election has been made in
                  accordance with paragraph 8.4. The beneficiary of a deceased
                  Participant shall receive, in addition to the proceeds of the
                  Participant's policy or policies, the amount credited to such
                  Participant's investment account.

         (d)      UNINSURABLE PARTICIPANT A Participant who is uninsurable or
                  insurable at substandard rates, may elect to receive a reduced
                  amount of insurance, if available, or may waive the purchase
                  of any insurance.

         (e)      DIVIDENDS Any dividends, credits earned or other returns
                  received on any policy or contract purchased, shall be applied
                  to reduce the next premium due on such Participant's insurance
                  contract or policy, or if no further premium is due, such
                  amount shall be credited to the Fund as part of the account of
                  the Participant for whom the policy or contract is held.

         (f)      PREMIUMS If Employer contributions are inadequate to pay all
                  premiums on all insurance policies, the Trustee may, at the
                  option of the Employer, utilize other amounts remaining in
                  each Participant's account to pay the premiums on his or her
                  respective policy or policies, allow the policies to lapse,
                  reduce the policies to a level at which they may be
                  maintained, or borrow against the policies on a prorated
                  basis, provided that the borrowing does not discriminate in
                  favor of the policies on the lives of Officers, Shareholders,
                  and highly compensated Employees.

         (g)      TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT On retirement or termination of
                  employment of a Participant, the Employer shall direct the
                  Trustee to cash surrender the Participant's policy and credit
                  the proceeds to his or her account for distribution under the
                  terms of the Plan. However, before so doing, the Employer
                  shall direct the Trustee to first offer to transfer ownership
                  of the policy to the Participant in exchange for payment by
                  the Participant of the cash value of the policy at the time of
                  transfer. Such payment shall be credited to the Participant's
                  account for distribution under the terms of the Plan. All
                  distributions resulting from the application of this paragraph
                  shall be subject to the Joint and Survivor Annuity Rules of
                  Article VIII, if applicable.

         (h)      ADMINISTRATION The Employer shall be solely responsible to see
                  that these insurance provisions are administered properly and
                  that if there is any conflict between the provisions of this
                  Plan and any insurance contracts issued that the terms of this
                  Plan will control.





                                       76
<PAGE>   84

13.7     EMPLOYER INVESTMENT DIRECTION If agreed upon by the Trustee and 
approved by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the Employer shall have the
right to direct the Trustee with respect to investments of the Fund, may appoint
an investment manager (registered as an investment advisor under the Investment
Advisors Act of 1940) to direct investments, or may give the Trustee sole
investment management responsibility. The Employer may purchase and sell
interests in a registered investment company (i.e., mutual funds) for which the
Sponsor, its parent, affiliates, or successors, may serve as investment advisor
and receive compensation from the registered investment company for its services
as investment advisor. The Employer shall advise the Trustee in writing
regarding the retention of investment powers, the appointment of an investment
manager, or the delegation of investment powers to the Trustee. Any investment
directive under this Plan shall be made in writing by the Employer or investment
manager, as the case may be. In the absence of such written directive, the
Trustee shall automatically invest the available cash in its discretion in an
appropriate interim investment until specific investment directions are
received. Such instructions regarding the delegation of investment
responsibility shall remain in force until revoked or amended in writing. The
Trustee shall not be responsible for the propriety of any directed investment
made and shall not be required to consult with or advise the Employer regarding
the investment quality of any directed investment held hereunder. If the
Employer fails to designate an investment manager, the Trustee shall have full
investment authority. If the Employer does not issue investment directions, the
Trustee shall have authority to invest the Fund in its sole discretion. While
the Employer may direct the Trustee with respect to Plan investments, the
Employer may not:

         (a)      borrow from the Fund or pledge any of the assets of the Fund
                  as security for a loan,

         (b)      buy property or assets from or sell property or assets to the
                  Fund,

         (c)      charge any fee for services rendered to the Fund, or

         (d)      receive any services from the Fund on a preferential basis.

13.8     EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT DIRECTION If agreed to by the Trustee and 
approved by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, Participants shall be given
the option to direct the investment of their personal contributions and their
share of the Employer's contribution among alternative investment funds
established as part of the overall Fund. The Employee may have the Trustee
purchase and sell for his or her account, shares of registered investment
companies (i.e. mutual funds) for which the Sponsor, its parent, affiliates, or
successors, may serve as investment advisor and receive compensation from the
registered investment company for its services as investment advisor. Unless
otherwise specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant's
directions shall be limited to the following investments (or such other
investments as the Trustee may expressly approve): (1) registered securities
obtainable through any brokerage house mutually designated by the Participant
and the Trustee, either "over-the-counter" or on a registered national exchange;
(2) any insurance or endowment policy issued by a corporation subject to the
supervision of the insurance commissioner, bank commissioner, or any agency or
officer performing like functions, of any state or territory of the United
States or the District of Columbia; (3) savings accounts or deposits with the
Sponsor, or its affiliates, or, with the Trustee's approval, with a similar
financial institution supervised by the United States or a state--all such
deposits to bear a reasonable rate of interest; (4) shares of investment
companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; or
any combination of the above. The Participant may direct the Trustee to leave
earnings on any securities so obtained with the designated brokerage house for
reinvestment in accordance with the 



                                       77
<PAGE>   85


instructions of the Participant, or the Participant may direct that earnings on
such securities be invested in a savings account under option (3) above. If a
Participant fails to direct the Trustee as to the investment of any portion of
his account that is held by the Trustee and which is subject to direction of
investment by the Participant, that portion of his account shall be held in a
money market, a savings account or such other investment alternative which
primary objective is the preservation of principal by the Trustee until such
time as the Trustee receives an effective investment direction for such portion.
The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire into or to invest that portion of the
Participant's account that may be held with a broker or any person other than
the Trustee. The right to direct investments under this Section shall be the
sole and exclusive power granted to Participants. If investments outside the
Trustee's control are allowed, Participants may not direct that investments be
made in collectibles, other than U.S. Government or State issued gold and silver
coins. The exercise of investment directions by a Participant shall not cause
such a Participant to be a fiduciary solely by reason of such exercise, and
neither the Trustee nor any other fiduciary of this Plan shall be liable for any
loss, or by reason of any breach, which results from such Participant's exercise
of investment directions. In its discretion, in the case of Plan assets that are
subject to investment direction by Participants, the Trustee is hereby
authorized to enter into a custodial and investment direction arrangement with a
brokerage firm, under which arrangement: a Participant may transmit an
investment instruction directly to such broker; the Trustee is notified of such
transaction by wire and receives a broker's advice upon consummation of the
trade; a portion of the assets of the Participant's account may be kept on
deposit in the brokerage account maintained for such Participant, and is not
reflected on the records of the Trustee; the Trustee and Participant receive a
monthly statement of assets and transactions from the broker. Under said
arrangement, the brokerage firm is hereby designated as the person charged with
the responsibility of holding the assets of the Participant's account that is in
the custody of the brokerage firm. All investment direction arrangements with
brokerage firms that are outstanding under the Sponsor's Prototype Plan and
Trust shall continue to apply hereunder until modified or rescinded. The
following rules shall apply to the administration of such funds:

         (a)      At the time an Employee becomes eligible for the Plan, he or
                  she shall complete an investment designation form stating the
                  percentage of his or her contributions to be invested in the
                  available funds.

         (b)      A Participant may change his or her election with respect to
                  future contributions by filing a new investment designation
                  form with the Employer in accordance with the procedures
                  established by the Plan Administrator.

         (c)      A Participant may elect to transfer all or part of his or her
                  balance from one investment fund to another by filing an
                  investment designation form with the Employer in accordance
                  with the procedures established by the Plan Administrator.

         (d)      The Employer shall be responsible when transmitting Employee
                  and Employer contributions to show the dollar amount to be
                  credited to each investment fund for each Employee.

         (e)      Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, neither the Trustee,
                  nor the Employer, nor any fiduciary of the Plan shall be
                  liable to the Participant or any of his or her beneficiaries
                  for any loss resulting from action taken at the direction of
                  the Participant.





                                       78
<PAGE>   86

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                              TOP-HEAVY PROVISIONS


14.1     APPLICABILITY OF RULES If the Plan is or becomes Top-Heavy in any Plan
Year beginning after 1983, the provisions of this Article will supersede any
conflicting provisions in the Plan or Adoption Agreement.

14.2     MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION Notwithstanding any other provision in the 
Employer's Plan, for any Plan Year in which the Plan is Top-Heavy or Super
Top-Heavy, the aggregate Employer contributions and forfeitures allocated on
behalf of any Participant other than a Key Employee (without regard to any
Social Security contribution) under this Plan and any other Defined Contribution
Plan of the Employer shall be the lesser of 3% of such Participant's
Compensation or (if the Employer has no Defined Benefit Plan which designates
this Plan to satisfy Code Section 401) the largest percentage of Employer
contributions and forfeitures, as a percentage of the first $200,000 as adjusted
under Code Section 415(d) of the Key Employee's Compensation, allocated on
behalf of any Key Employee for that year. For Plan Years beginning on or after
January 1, 1994, the Compensation amount shall be revised to $150,000 as
adjusted under Code Section 415(d).

Each Participant who is employed by the Employer on the last day of the Plan
Year shall be entitled to receive an allocation of the Employer's minimum
contribution for such Plan Year. The minimum allocation applies even though
under other Plan provisions the Participant would not otherwise be entitled to
receive an allocation, or would have received a lesser allocation for the year
because the Participant fails to make Voluntary Contributions or Elective
Deferrals to the Plan, or the Participant receives no Employer contribution
because of the Participant's failure to make any Employee contributions, the
Participant's Compensation is less than a stated amount, or the Participant
fails to complete 1,000 Hours of Service (or such lesser number designated by
the Employer in the Adoption Agreement) during the Plan Year. A Paired
profit-sharing plan designated to provide the minimum Top-Heavy contribution
must do so regardless of profits. An Employer may make the minimum Top-Heavy
contribution available to all Participants or just non-Key Employees. Unless the
Employer specifies otherwise in the Adoption Agreement, the minimum Top-Heavy
contribution will be allocated to the accounts of all eligible Participants even
if they are Key Employees.

For purposes of computing the minimum allocation, Compensation shall mean
Compensation under Code Section 1.12(c) of the Plan.

The Top-Heavy minimum contribution does not apply to any Participant to the
extent the Participant is covered under any other plan(s) of the Employer and
the Employer has provided in the Adoption Agreement that the minimum allocation
or benefit requirements applicable to Top-Heavy Plans will be met in the other
plan(s).

If a Key Employee makes an Elective Deferral or has an allocation of Matching
contributions made to his or her account, a Top-Heavy minimum will be required
for all non-Key Employees who are Participants. However, neither Elective
Deferrals by nor Matching Contributions to non-Key Employees may be taken into
account for purposes of satisfying the Top-Heavy minimum contribution
requirement.





                                       79
<PAGE>   87

14.3     MINIMUM VESTING For any Plan Year in which this Plan is Top-Heavy, the
minimum vesting schedule elected by, or deemed elected by, the Employer in the
Adoption Agreement will automatically apply to the Plan. If the vesting schedule
selected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement is less liberal than the
allowable schedule, the schedule will automatically be modified. If the vesting
schedule under the Employer's Plan shifts in or out of the Top-Heavy schedule
for any Plan Year, such shift is an amendment to the vesting schedule and the
election in paragraph 9.8 of the Plan applies. The minimum vesting schedule
applies to all accrued benefits within the meaning of Code Section 411(a)(7)
except those attributable to Employee contributions, including benefits accrued
before the effective date of Code Section 416 and benefits accrued before the
Plan became Top-Heavy. Further, no reduction in vested benefits may occur in the
event the Plan's status as Top-Heavy changes for any Plan Year. However, this
paragraph does not apply to the account balances of any Employee who does not
have an Hour of Service after the Plan initially becomes Top-Heavy and such
Employee's account balance attributable to Employer contributions and
forfeitures will be determined without regard to this paragraph.

14.4     LIMITATIONS ON ALLOCATIONS In any Plan Year in which the plan is 
Top-Heavy, the denominators of the Defined Benefit Fraction (as defined in
paragraph 1.16) and Defined Contribution Fraction (as defined in paragraph 1.19)
shall be computed using 100% of the dollar limitation instead of 125%. For
Paired Plans, each of the plans must benefit the same Participants (or the same
Participants must be eligible to make Elective Deferrals in the event one plan
is a Code Section 401(k) Cash or Deferred Savings Plan) in order to insure that
only one plan need provide the Top-Heavy minimum contribution. In the event
eligibility and participation of Employees differs, minimums will be required
under both of the Paired Plans.





                                       80
<PAGE>   88

                                   ARTICLE XV

                           AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION


15.1     AMENDMENT BY SPONSOR The Sponsor may amend any or all provisions of 
this Plan and Trust/Custodial Account at any time without obtaining the approval
or consent of any Employer which has adopted this Plan and Trust/Custodial
Account provided that no amendment shall authorize or permit any part of the
corpus or income of the Fund to be used for or diverted to purposes other than
for the exclusive benefit of Participants and their beneficiaries, or eliminate
an optional form of distribution. For purposes of Plan Sponsor amendments, the
mass-submitter shall be recognized as the agent of the Plan Sponsor. If the Plan
Sponsor does not adopt the amendments made by the mass-submitter, the Plan will
no longer be identical to or a minor modifier of the mass-submitter plan.

15.2     AMENDMENT BY EMPLOYER  The Employer may amend any option in the
Adoption Agreement, and may include language as permitted in the Adoption
Agreement,

         (a)      to satisfy Code Section 415, or

         (b)      to avoid duplication of minimums under Code Section 416

because of the required aggregation of multiple plans.

The Employer may add certain model amendments published by the Internal Revenue
Service which specifically provide that their adoption will not cause the Plan
to be treated as individually designed plan for which the Employer must obtain a
separate determination letter. No amendment to the Plan shall change or modify
the Trustee/Custodian's duties unless either approved by the Trustee/Custodian
or required by law.

If the Employer amends the Plan and Trust/Custodial Account other than as
provided above, including providing for a waiver of minimum funding under Code
Section 412(d), the Employer's Plan shall no longer participate in this
Prototype Plan and will be considered an individually designed plan for which
the Employer must obtain a separate determination letter. In such event, all
references to the institution as Plan Sponsor shall be deemed null and void
since the Employer will become the Plan Sponsor of the Plan as it shall be
deemed individually drafted.

15.3     TERMINATION Employers shall have the right to terminate their Plans 
upon 60 days notice in writing to the Trustee/Custodian. If the Plan is
terminated, partially terminated, or if there is a complete discontinuance of
contributions under a profit-sharing plan maintained by the Employer, all
amounts credited to the accounts of Participants shall vest and become
nonforfeitable. In the event of a partial termination, only those Participants
who are affected by such partial termination shall become fully vested. In the
event of termination, the Employer shall direct the





                                       81
<PAGE>   89

Trustee/Custodian with respect to the distribution of accounts to or for the
exclusive benefit of Participants or their beneficiaries. The Trustee/Custodian
shall dispose of the Fund in accordance with the written directions of the Plan
Administrator, provided that no liquidation of assets and payment of benefits,
(or provision therefor), shall actually be made by the Trustee/Custodian until
after it is established by the Employer in a manner satisfactory to the
Trustee/Custodian, that the applicable requirements, if any, of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code governing
the termination of employee benefit plans, have been or are being, complied
with, or that appropriate authorizations, waivers, exemptions, or variances have
been, or are being obtained.

15.4     QUALIFICATION OF EMPLOYER'S PLAN If the adopting Employer fails to 
attain or retain Internal Revenue Service qualification, such Employer's Plan
shall no longer participate in this Prototype Plan and will be considered an
individually designed plan.

15.5     MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS

         (a)      In the case of any merger or consolidation of the Employer's
                  Plan with, or transfer of assets or liabilities of the
                  Employer's Plan to, any other plan, Participants in the
                  Employer's Plan shall be entitled to receive benefits
                  immediately after the merger, consolidation, or transfer which
                  are equal to or greater than the benefits they would have been
                  entitled to receive immediately before the merger,
                  consolidation, or transfer if the Plan had then terminated.

         (b)      Any corporation into which the Trustee/Custodian or any
                  successor trustee/custodian may be merged or with which it may
                  be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger
                  or consolidation to which the Trustee/Custodian or any
                  successor trustee/custodian may be a party, or any corporation
                  to which all or substantially all the trust business of the
                  Trustee/Custodian or any successor trustee/custodian may be
                  transferred, shall be the successor of such Trustee/Custodian
                  without the filing of any instrument or performance of any
                  further act, before any court.

15.6     RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL The Trustee/Custodian may resign by written 
notice to the Employer which shall be effective 60 days after delivery. The
Employer may discontinue its participation in this Prototype Plan and
Trust/Custodial Account effective upon 60 days written notice to the Sponsor. In
such event the Employer shall, prior to the effective date thereof, amend the
Plan to eliminate any reference to this Prototype Plan and Trust/Custodial
Account and appoint a successor trustee or custodian or arrange for another
funding agent. The Trustee/Custodian shall deliver the Fund to its successor on
the effective date of the resignation or removal, or as soon thereafter as
practicable, provided that this shall not waive any lien the Trustee/Custodian
may have upon the Fund for its compensation or expenses. If the Employer fails
to amend the Plan and appoint a successor trustee, custodian, or other funding
agent within the said 60 days, or such longer period as the Trustee/Custodian
may specify in writing, the Plan shall be deemed individually designed and the
Employer shall be deemed the successor trustee/custodian. The Employer must then
obtain its own determination letter.





                                       82
<PAGE>   90

15.7     QUALIFICATION OF PROTOTYPE The Sponsor intends that this Prototype Plan
will meet the requirements of the Code as a qualified Prototype Retirement Plan
and Trust/Custodial Account. Should the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or any
delegate of the Commissioner at any time determine that the Plan and
Trust/Custodial Account fails to meet the requirements of the Code, the Sponsor
will amend the Plan and Trust/Custodial Account to maintain its qualified
status.





                                       83
<PAGE>   91

                                  ARTICLE XVI

                                 GOVERNING LAW


Construction, validity and administration of the Prototype Plan and
Trust/Custodial Account, and any Employer Plan and Trust/Custodial Account as
embodied in the Prototype document and accompanying Adoption Agreement, shall be
governed by Federal law to the extent applicable and to the extent not
applicable by the laws of the State/Commonwealth in which the principal office
of the Sponsor is located.





                                       84


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4


                         AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION

                      OFFICERS' INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

                                 JANUARY 1, 1997



================================================================================


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning indicated
unless otherwise defined or required by the context:


ADMINISTRATOR OR PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean, with respect to the Plan,
American Retirement Corporation ( the "Employer"), actions of which will be
undertaken by the Chairman and the Compensation Committee of the Employer's
Board of Directors.

BENEFICIARY shall mean the designated recipient or recipients who shall receive
any benefits payable under the Plan upon the death of a Participant. If a
beneficiary has not been designated, the Administrator shall, upon the death of
the Participant, pay any benefit payable under the Plan to the Participant's
estate.

BREAK IN EMPLOYMENT shall mean an interruption in continuous employment which
shall be defined as a Plan Year during which an Employee has not been credited
with at least ninety (90) days of employment.

BASE COMPENSATION shall mean the salary from the Employer, exclusive of any
other form of compensation and salary deferral (but unreduced by any Employee
contribution to any pension plan sponsored by the Employer), of the Participant
which is attributable to the period of his/her participation in the Plan for
each Plan Year.

EARNINGS PER SHARE shall mean the reported earnings before extraordinary items
relative to each share of common stock as reported in the Company's audited
financial statements.

EFFECTIVE DATE shall mean the effective date of the Plan which shall be January
1, 1997.


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Officer Incentive Compensation Plan      1                              03/04/97




<PAGE>   2

EMPLOYER Shall mean American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation
with its principal place of business in Brentwood, Tennessee, its successors and
assigns, and any subsidiary authorized by the Board of Directors of American
Retirement Corporation to participate in this Plan with respect to its
employees.

EMPLOYMENT shall mean the employment relationship as an Employee of the
Employer.

OFFICER shall mean an individual employed by the Employer and elected to an
Officer position by the Board of Directors.

PARTICIPANT shall mean any Officer who becomes a Participant hereunder as
provided in Article II.

PLAN shall mean the American Retirement Corporation Officer's Incentive 
Compensation Plan.

PLAN YEAR shall mean the twelve month period ending on December 31st; the
initial Plan Year shall commence on January 1, 1997. The Employer may change the
consecutive twelve month period which comprises the Plan Year at its discretion
prior to the beginning of any Plan Year.



                                   ARTICLE II

                          ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION


SECTION 2.01 - ELIGIBILITY. Officers eligible to participate in the Plan shall
include the following officers of the Employer: (i) Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, (ii) President and Chief Operating Officer, (iii) any Executive Vice
President, (iv) any Senior Vice President and, (v) any Vice President provided
that any Employee otherwise eligible must also be approved to participate by the
Plan Administrator (the "Eligible Employees").

SECTION 2.02 - ENTRY AND PARTICIPATION. An Officer shall become a Participant
upon the later of either of his/her Officer election or the Effective Date.

SECTION 2.03 - NOT A CONTRACT. The Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a
contract between the Employer and an Employee; neither shall it be a
consideration nor an inducement for the Employment of any Employee. No
provisions of the Plan shall be deemed to abridge or limit any managerial right
of the employer, give any Employee the right to be retained in Employment, or to
interfere with the right of the Employer to discharge any Employee at any time
regardless of the effect which such discharge may 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officer Incentive Compensation Plan      2                             03/04/97


<PAGE>   3

have upon him/her as a Participant. By his/her act of participation in the Plan,
each Participant on behalf of him/herself, his/her heirs assigns and Beneficiary
shall be deemed conclusively to have agreed to and accepted the terms and
conditions of the Plan.

SECTION 2.04 - TERMINATION. A Participant shall cease to be a Participant in the
Plan as of the effective date of the Participant's termination of Employment. In
the event that a Participant's date of termination is after the last day of a
Plan Year and before the date of the Incentive Compensation Payment, the
Participant shall not be eligible for an Incentive Compensation Payment for the
Plan Year preceding his/her date of termination.

SECTION 2.05 - EMPLOYER'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE PLAN. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, the Employer retains the right to terminate or
suspend the Plan at any time, in accordance with the direction of the Employer's
Board of Directors, at which time the Employer shall have no liability to
Participants for payment of Incentive Compensation Payments which would have
otherwise accrued during a Plan Year during which the Plan was terminated or
suspended by the Employer.




                                   ARTICLE III

                         DETERMINATION OF BONUS PAYMENTS

SECTION 3.01 - INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PAYMENT. Incentive Compensation Payments,
if any, shall be determined for each Participant for each Plan Year. The Plan
shall be divided into two (2) parts, Part A and Part B. Part A and Part B
Incentive Compensation shall add to a total maximum potential of 100% of Base
Salary. The Officers shall have a maximum percentage of Base Salary per the
table below:

                                             Maximum Bonus as a %
                                             Of Base Compensation

           (1) Chairman and CEO                       100
           (2) President and COO                      100
           (3) Executive Officers                     100
           (4) Senior Officers                        100
           (5) Officers                               100






The Incentive Compensation calculations will be subject to the following
parameters:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officer Incentive Compensation Plan      3                             03/04/97



<PAGE>   4

          (1)  Earnings per Share that fall below 90% of targeted EPS, as
               approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors,
               will result in no Incentive Compensation payment to any of the
               Participants.

          (2)  OFFICER  INCENTIVE  COMPENSATION  PART A --  Earnings  per Share 
               which are  between 90% and 100% of targeted EPS will result in
               the following:

                    (a)  Part A Incentive Compensation shall equal up to 60% of
                         Base Salary if EPS equals or exceeds 100% of targeted
                         EPS. Part A Incentive Compensation potential shall
                         equal 20% of Base Salary at 90% of EPS target. Between
                         90% and 100% of targeted EPS, Part A Incentive
                         Compensation potential shall be prorated between 20%
                         and 60% of Base Salary. (i.e. EPS at 95% of target
                         results in a Incentive Compensation potential of 40% of
                         Base Salary). 

                    (b)  Each Participant's realization of Incentive
                         Compensation potential shall be determined by
                         measurement of individual performance against approved
                         objectives.

          (2)  OFFICER INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PART B -- Earnings per Share which
               exceed the EPS Part A target shall result in the following:

                    (c)  Part B Incentive Compensation potential equals 40% of
                         Base Salary

                    (d)  A Part B EPS target will be established and approved by
                         the Compensation Committee.
                               
                    (e)  Part B Incentive Compensation will be prorated for EPS
                         between the Part A target and the Part B target with
                         full potential being realized when EPS meets or exceeds
                         the Part B target.
                               
                    (f)  Part B Incentive Compensation is not subject to
                         individual performance against objectives.

          (4)  Incentive Compensation payments shall be disbursed to the
               Officers within ten (10) days after the audited financial
               statements have been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee
               of the Board of Directors and performance measurements and
               incentive calculations have been reviewed and approved by the
               Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.02 - UNANTICIPATED CIRCUMSTANCES. Notwithstanding anything contained
herein to the contrary, the Compensation Committee, subject to Board of
Directors Approval, retains the right to change the method of determination of
Incentive Compensation to account for circumstances which were not anticipated
at the time of the Plan design or establishment of annual targets and
objectives.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officer Incentive Compensation Plan      4                             03/04/97


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5


                           REGISTRATION RIGHTS POLICY


         REGISTRATION RIGHTS POLICY (the "Policy"), dated as of ______, 1997,
by American Retirement Corporation (the "Company") on behalf of each of the
holders, as of the date hereof, of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
of the Company (the "Common Stock Holders").

         WHEREAS, as of the date of this Policy, the Common Stock Holders own
7,812,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock;

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No.
333-__________) (the "Registration Statement") covering the underwritten
initial public offering (the "IPO") by the Company of up to 3,125,000 shares of
Common Stock (excluding 468,750 shares of Common Stock subject to an
underwriters' overallotment option granted by the Company), and has authorized
the officers of the Company to prepare and execute this Policy in the name and
on behalf of the Company in connection with the IPO; and

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has authorized the officers of the
Company to offer certain registration rights to the Common Stock Holders,
pursuant to this Policy, the acceptance of which shall be evidenced by the
performance of such Common Stock Holders of the covenants and agreements herein
contained;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the Company hereby established this policy and offers
to the Common Stock Holders the registration rights contained herein, subject
to the terms and conditions hereof.

         1.      Definitions - As used in this Policy, the following terms 
shall have the following meanings:

                 "Holder" means each Common Stock Holder that owns Registrable
Securities, including their respective permitted successors and assigns who
acquire Registrable Securities, directly or indirectly, from a Common Stock
Holder; provided however, that a successor or assign will become a Holder only
if such successor or assign is a family member of a Holder, a trust for the
benefit of a family member of a Holder, or a transferee who receives such
Registrable Securities upon a distribution by a Holder that is not a natural
person.  For purposes of this Policy, the Company may deem and treat the
registered holder of a Registrable Security as the Holder and absolute owner
thereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

                 "IPO Date" means the effective date, as declared by order of
the SEC, of the Registration Statement.

                 "Registrable Securities" means (a) the Common Stock owned of
record by the Common Stock Holders as of the IPO Date (the "IPO Common Stock")
and (b) any securities issued or issuable in respect of the IPO Common Stock by
way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of
shares, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, or consolidation,
<PAGE>   2

and any other securities issued pursuant to any pro rata distribution with
respect to such IPO Common Stock.  For purposes of this Policy, a Registrable
Security ceases to be a Registrable Security when (x) its offer and sale has
been effectively registered under the Securities Act and has been sold or
distributed in accordance with such effective registration statement, or (y) it
has been or may be sold or distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or
any successor or similar provision) under the Securities Act.

                 "Required Holders" means the Holders of at least 25% of the
Registrable Securities.

                 "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                 "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
from time to time.

         2.      Demand Registration.

         (a)     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
beginning one year after the IPO Date, if the Required Holders shall request
the Company in writing to register under the Securities Act up to 20% of the
Registrable Securities held by such Holders (a "Demand Registration"), within
15 business days of receipt of such request the Company shall give written
notice of such registration request to all Holders and the Company will include
in such registration all Registrable Securities of such Holders with respect to
which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 15
days after receipt by the Holders of such notice.  The Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause to be filed and declared effective as soon as
reasonably practicable a registration statement, on such appropriate form as
the Company in its discretion shall determine, providing for the sale of up to
20% of the Registrable Securities held by each of such Holders; provided,
however, that such requests shall express the present intention of the Holders
to offer or cause the offering of such Registrable Securities for distribution
and shall state the intended method of distribution thereof.  Each registration
statement filed pursuant to this Section 2(a) is hereinafter referred to as a
"Demand Registration Statement."

         The Company's obligation to use all reasonable efforts to cause
Registrable Securities to be registered in accordance with this Section 2(a) is
subject to each of the following limitations, conditions, and qualifications:

                 (i)      If the Company shall have previously given notice of
         a proposed registration to the Holders pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
         then the Company shall not be required to effect any registration
         requested pursuant to this Section 2(a) for a period of 180 days from
         the date of such notice; provided, however, that if the registration
         statement filed in connection therewith becomes effective within such
         180-day period, such 180-day period shall be extended for such period
         as may be required pursuant to the terms and conditions of any
         underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such proposed
         registration.

                                      2
<PAGE>   3

                 (ii)     The Company may postpone for a period of 90 days the
         filing or the effectiveness of a registration requested pursuant to
         this Section 2(a) if (A) such registration is demanded within 90 days
         following the effective date of a registration statement filed by the
         Company or (B) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in
         good faith that such registration might have an adverse effect on any
         plan or proposal by the Company or any of its subsidiaries with
         respect to any financing, acquisition, recapitalization,
         reorganization, or other material transaction or that the Company is
         in possession of material non-public information and disclosure of
         such information is not in the best interests of the Company or any of
         its subsidiaries; provided, however, that as soon as the conditions
         permitting such delay no longer obtain, the Company shall give notice
         of that fact to the Required Holders, and shall proceed with the
         registration unless the Required Holders shall have elected, at any
         time prior to the close of business on the tenth business day after
         the Company has so notified the Required Holders, to withdraw their
         request for registration, and such withdrawn request shall not
         constitute a request hereunder.

                 (iii)    The Company shall not be required to effect any
         registration pursuant to this Section 2(a) unless such registration
         relates to Registrable Securities representing at least 25% of the
         then outstanding shares of such Registrable Securities.

                 (iv)     In no event will any Holder participating in any
         Demand Registration be permitted to sell in excess of 20% of such
         Holder's Registrable Securities.

                 (v)      The obligation of the Company to register the offer
         and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2(a) shall
         expire after two Demand Registration Statements filed by reason of a
         request pursuant to Section 2(a) shall have become effective and
         remained effective for the period specified in Section 4(a)(ii)
         hereof.

         (b)     The Company agrees that, except as otherwise permitted by
Section 2(d) hereof, it will not effect any public sale or distribution (or any
registration with respect thereto) of any of its Common Stock during a period
beginning on the fifteenth day prior to, and ending on the earlier of the
forty-fifth day after, the date such Demand Registration Statement is declared
effective or the date when attempts to effect such registration are abandoned
by or at the request of the Required Holders (the "Hold-Back Period").

         (c)     The Company may, at its option and in its sole discretion,
require that all shares proposed to be sold in a Demand Registration be sold in
a firm-commitment underwriting.  The Company shall have the right to select any
nationally recognized investment banking firm(s) to underwrite the offering.

         (d)     The Company and, at the Company's election, any other holders
of Common Stock with registration rights, may include in any registration
requested pursuant to Section 2(a) any shares of Common Stock which it or they
shall determine so to include (the "Additional Registrable Securities") and the
consent of the Holders shall not be required with respect thereto; provided,





                                       3
<PAGE>   4

however, that, if, in the opinion of the managing underwriter(s) of such
offering, the inclusion in such registration statement of all Additional
Registrable Securities would materially interfere with the successful marketing
of the Holders' Registrable Securities, then the number of the Additional
Registrable Securities shall be reduced to such number, if any, that, in the
opinion of such managing underwriter(s), can be included in such underwriting
without such interference with the successful marketing of the Holders'
Registrable Securities.

         3.      Incidental Registration.  Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, if prior to the second anniversary of the IPO Date the
Company proposes to register the offer and sale of shares of Common Stock for
its own account (the "Initially Proposed Shares") for cash under the Securities
Act, the Company will promptly give written notice to the Holders of its
intention to effect such registration (such notice to specify, to the extent
known, the proposed offering price, the number of shares of Common Stock
proposed to be registered, and the distribution arrangements, including
indemnification of underwriters), and the Holders shall be entitled to include
in such registration statement, as a part of such underwritten offering, such
number of shares (the "Holder Shares") to be sold for the account of the
Holders (on the same terms and conditions as the Initially Proposed Shares) as
shall be specified in a request in writing delivered to the Company within 15
days after the date upon which the Company gave the aforementioned notice.

         The Company's obligations to include Holder Shares in a registration
statement pursuant to this Section 3 is subject to each of the following
limitations, conditions, and qualifications:

         (a)     In no event will a Holder have the right pursuant to this
Section 3 to include his or her Registrable Securities in a registration on
Form S-8 or any successor form relating to the securities to be issued pursuant
to a Company employee benefit plan or a registration on Form S-4 or any
successor form relating to a merger or other transaction described in Rule 145
of the Securities Act.

         (b)     If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention
to effect a registration of any of its shares of Common Stock prior to the
effective date of any registration statement filed in connection with such
registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register the
offer and sale of such shares, the Company may, at its election, give written
notice of such determination to the Holders of Holder Shares and thereupon it
shall be relieved of its obligation to use any efforts to register any Holder
Shares in connection with such aborted registration.

         (c)     If, in the opinion of the managing underwriter(s) of such
offering, the distribution of all or a specified portion of the Holder Shares
would materially interfere with the registration and sale, in accordance with
the intended method thereof, of the Initially Proposed Shares, then the number
of Holder Shares and shares of Common Stock to be registered on behalf of any
person (other than the Company) entitled to exercise incidental registration
rights with respect to such registration ("Other Holders") to be included in
such registration statement shall be reduced (pro rata among the Holders and
Other Holders on the basis of the number of shares that each such Holder and
Other Holder requested be included unless such Other Holder's rights are
expressly superior to the rights of the Holders pursuant to this Policy, in
which case such Other Holder's number of shares





                                       4
<PAGE>   5

shall not be reduced pursuant to this Section 3(c)) to such number, if any,
that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter(s), can be included without
such interference.  If, as a result of the cutback provisions of the preceding
sentence, any Holder is not entitled to include all of the Holder Shares in
such registration, such Holder may elect to withdraw its request to include
Holder Shares in such registration (a "Withdrawal Election"); provided,
however, that a Withdrawal Election shall be irrevocable and such Holder shall
no longer have any right to include any Holder Shares in the registration as to
which such Withdrawal Election was made.

         (d)     As a condition to each Holder's right to include Holder Shares
in a registration pursuant to this Section 3, such Holder shall, if requested
by the Company or the managing underwriter(s) in connection with such
registration and distribution, (A) agree to sell the Holder Shares on the basis
provided in any underwriting arrangements entered into in connection therewith
and (B) complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney,
indemnities, underwriting agreements, and other documents that are customary in
similar transactions and required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.

         4.      Registration Procedures.

         (a)     Whenever the Company is required to use all reasonable efforts
to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities
Act pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 2(a) regarding Demand
Registrations, the Company will use all reasonable efforts to effect the
registration and sale of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the
intended method of disposition thereof.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Company will as soon as practicable:

                 (i)      prepare and file with the SEC a registration
         statement on any appropriate form under the Securities Act with
         respect to the Registrable Securities and use all reasonable efforts
         to cause such registration statement to become effective;

                 (ii)     prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
         supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in
         connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration
         statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the
         Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all the Registrable
         Securities and other securities covered by such registration statement
         until the earlier of (A) the expiration of 60 days after such
         registration statement becomes effective and (B) until the Company has
         received written notice from all of the participating Holders that
         they do not intend to sell additional securities; provided, that, if
         the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration
         statement is terminated or suspended by any stop order, injunction, or
         other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency
         or court, the foregoing time period shall be extended by the number of
         days during the period from and including the date such stop order,
         injunction, or other order or requirement becomes effective to and
         including the date when such termination or suspension no longer
         exists;





                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                 (iii)    furnish the Holders of the Registrable Securities
         covered by such registration statement, without charge, such number of
         conformed copies of such registration statement and of each such
         amendment and supplement thereto (in each case without exhibits unless
         specifically requested), such number of copies of the prospectus
         included in such registration statement (including each preliminary
         prospectus), such documents incorporated by reference in such
         registration statement or prospectus, and such other documents, as
         such Holders may reasonably request;

                 (iv)     use all reasonable efforts to register, qualify, or
         exempt the Registrable Securities covered by such registration
         statement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions
         as the managing underwriter(s) shall reasonably recommend, and do any
         and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or
         advisable to enable the Holders to consummate the disposition in such
         jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by such
         registration statement, except that the Company shall not for any such
         purpose be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a
         foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so
         qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction
         wherein it is not so subject, or (C) consent to general service of
         process in any such jurisdiction or otherwise take any action that
         would subject it to the general jurisdiction of the courts of any
         jurisdiction in which it is not so subject;

                 (v)      otherwise use all reasonable efforts to comply with
         all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC;

                 (vi)     furnish, at the Company's expense, unlegended
         certificates representing ownership of the securities being sold in
         such denominations as shall be requested and instruct the transfer
         agent to release any stop transfer orders with respect to the
         Registrable Securities being sold;

                 (vii)    notify each Holder at any time when a prospectus
         relating to the Registrable Securities is required to be delivered
         under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of
         which the prospectus included in such Registration Statement contains
         any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
         fact necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the
         prospectus or any preliminary prospectus, in light of the
         circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and the
         Company will, as promptly as practicable thereafter, prepare and file
         with the SEC and furnish a supplement or amendment to such prospectus
         so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Registrable
         Securities such prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a
         material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

                 (viii)   enter into customary agreements (including an
         underwriting agreement in customary form in the case of an
         underwritten offering); make such representations and warranties to
         the Holders and underwriter(s) (in the case of underwritten offerings)
         in form,





                                       6
<PAGE>   7

         substance, and scope as are customarily made by issuers to sellers or
         underwriter(s) in similar offerings;

                 (ix)     make available for inspection by the Holders, any
         underwriter or agent participating in any disposition pursuant to such
         Registration Statement, and any attorney, accountant, or other similar
         professional advisor retained by any such Holders, underwriter(s) or
         agents (collectively, the "Inspectors"), all pertinent financial and
         other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the
         Company (collectively, the "Records"), as shall be reasonably
         necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence
         responsibility, and cause the Company's officers, directors, and
         employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such
         Inspectors in connection with such Registration Statement.  The
         Holders agree that the Records and other information which the Company
         determines to be confidential and of which determination the
         Inspectors are so notified shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors
         unless (A) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a
         subpoena, court order, or regulatory or agency request, or (B) the
         information in such Records has been generally disseminated to the
         public.  Each Holder agrees that it will, upon learning that
         disclosure of such Record is sought in a court of competent
         jurisdiction or by a governmental agency, give notice to the Company
         and allow the Company, at the Company's expense, to undertake
         appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed
         confidential;

                 (x)      obtain for delivery to the Company, the
         underwriter(s) or agent, with copies to the Holders, a "comfort"
         letter from the Company's independent public accountants in customary
         form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by
         "comfort" letters as the Holders or the managing underwriter(s)
         reasonably request;

                 (xi)     obtain for delivery to the Holders and the
         underwriter(s) or agent an opinion or opinions from counsel for the
         Company in customary form and reasonably satisfactory to the Holders,
         underwriter(s) or agents and their counsel;

                 (xii)    make available to its security holders earnings
         statements, which need not be audited, satisfying the provisions of
         Section 11(a) of the Securities Act no later than 90 days after the
         end of the 12-month period beginning with the first month of the
         Company's first quarter commencing after the effective date of the
         Registration Statement, which earnings statements shall cover said 12
         month period;

                 (xiii)   make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance
         of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration
         statement or of any order preventing or suspending the effectiveness
         of such registration statement at the earliest possible moment;

                 (xiv)    cause the Registrable Securities to be registered
         with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities
         within the United States as may be reasonably necessary to enable the
         sellers or the underwriter(s) to consummate the disposition of such
         securities;





                                       7
<PAGE>   8


                 (xv)     cooperate with the Holders and the managing
         underwriter(s), or any other interested party (including any
         interested broker-dealer) in making any filings or submission
         reasonably required to be made, and the furnishing of all appropriate
         information in connection therewith, with the National Association of
         Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");

                 (xvi)    effect the listing of the Registrable Securities on
         the New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange
         or quotation system, on which shares of the Company's Common Stock
         shall then be listed or authorized for quotation; and

                 (xvii)   take all other reasonable steps necessary to effect
         the registration of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

         (b)     The Holders shall provide (in writing and signed by the
Holders and stated to be specifically for use in the related registration
statement, preliminary prospectus, prospectus, or other document incident
thereto) all such information and materials, including without limitation, the
intended plan of distribution, and take all such action as may be required in
order to permit the Company to comply with all applicable requirements of the
SEC and any applicable state securities laws and to obtain any desired
acceleration of the effective date of any registration statement prepared and
filed by the Company pursuant to this Policy.

         (c)     If a registration pursuant to Section 2 involves an
underwritten offering, and in connection with any registration by the Company
of any class of equity securities of the Company for sale for its own account,
including pursuant to Section 3 hereof, each Holder agrees, whether or not any
of such Holder's Registrable Securities are included in such registration, not
to effect any sale or distribution, including any sale pursuant to Section 144
of the Securities Act, of any securities of the Company which are similar to
the securities included in such registration (other than as part of such
underwritten offering), without the consent of the managing underwriter(s), for
a period of 180 days after the date a request for registration is made pursuant
to Section 2(a) hereof or the date the Company notifies the Holders of its
intent to register such equity securities for its own account, including
pursuant to Section 3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that if
the registration statement filed in connection therewith becomes effective
within such 180-day period, such 180-day period shall be extended for such
period as may be required pursuant to the terms and conditions of any
underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such proposed
registration.

         (d)     The Holders shall, if requested by the Company or the managing
underwriter(s) in connection with any proposed registration and distribution
pursuant to this Policy, (i) agree to sell the Registrable Securities on the
basis provided in any underwriting arrangements entered into in connection
therewith and (ii) complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney,
indemnities, underwriting agreements, and other documents customary in similar
offerings.

         (e)     Upon receipt of any notice from the Company that the Company
has become aware that the prospectus (including any preliminary prospectus)
included in any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) or
Section 3 hereof, as then in effect, contains any untrue statement of a





                                       8
<PAGE>   9

material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, the Holders shall
immediately discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities pursuant to
the registration statement covering the same until the Holders' receipt of
copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus and, if so directed by the
Company, deliver to the Company all copies other than permanent file copies
then in the Holder's possession, of the prospectus covering the Registrable
Securities that was in effect prior to such amendment or supplement.

         (f)     The Company shall pay all expenses incurred in connection with
any Demand Registration Statements filed pursuant to Section 2(a) and any
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 of this Policy, including,
without limitation, all SEC and blue sky registration and filing fees
(including NASD fees), printing expenses, transfer agents and registrars' fees,
fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel and accountants, and fees and
disbursements of experts used by the Company in connection with such
registration statement, except that each Holder shall pay all underwriting
discounts, commissions, and expenses attributable to his or her Registrable
Securities sold pursuant to any such registration statement and any fees and
expenses of his or her own counsel.

         5.      Indemnification; Contribution.

         (a)     The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the
extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers
and directors, and each person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, and expenses arising out of any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in any registration statement under which
Registrable Securities owned by such Holder were registered under the
Securities Act, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus, or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein (in the case of a prospectus or preliminary prospectus, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading except insofar as
the same are caused by or contained in any information or affidavit with
respect to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder
expressly for use therein or by such Holder's failure to furnish the Company
upon request with the information with respect to such Holder or such Holder's
plan of distribution that is the subject of the untrue statement or omission or
by such Holder's failure to deliver a copy of the applicable registration
statement or prospectus (exclusive of the documents, if any, from which
information is incorporated by reference) after the Company has furnished such
Holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same.  In connection with an
underwritten offering, the Company will also indemnify the underwriters
thereof, their officers and directors, and each person who controls (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) such underwriters to the same extent as provided
above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders of Registrable
Securities.

         (b)     In connection with any registration statement in which a
Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such Holder agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the Company, the
directors and officers of the Company, and each person, if any,





                                       9
<PAGE>   10

who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act) the Company against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses arising out of any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration
statement under which Registrable Securities owned by such Holder were
registered under the Securities Act, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus, or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, or
preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made) not misleading, to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is
contained in any information or affidavit with respect to such Holder furnished
in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or such
untrue statement or omission relates to such Holder or such Holder's plan of
distribution and such Holder failed to furnish such information to the Company
upon request, or arising out of the Holder's failure to deliver a copy of the
applicable registration statement or prospectus (exclusive of the documents, if
any, from which information is incorporated by reference) after the Company has
furnished such Holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(b), the indemnification
required from any Holder shall be limited to the amount of the proceeds
received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities.  The
Company and, to the extent customary in underwriting agreements at the time,
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) the Company, shall be entitled to receive
indemnities from underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers, and similar
securities industry professionals participating in the distribution to the same
extent as provided above with respect to information so furnished in writing by
such persons specifically for inclusion in any prospectus or registration
statement, or the failure by such underwriters, selling brokers, dealer
managers, and similar securities industry professionals to deliver a copy of
the applicable registration statement or prospectus (exclusive of the
documents, if any, from which information is incorporated by reference) after
the Company has furnished such persons with a sufficient number of copies of
the same.

         (c)     Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder agrees to
give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party after the receipt by such
person of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which such
person will claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Policy and
permit the indemnifying party to participate therein and, to the extent that it
shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly situated, to
assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
indemnified party.  If the indemnifying party elects to assume the defense of a
claim, it shall not be liable to such indemnified party for legal expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.  If the indemnifying
party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it
will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel
with respect to such claim.  The indemnifying party will not be subject to any
liability for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld.  If the failure of any person to give prompt notice
to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks
indemnification prejudices such indemnifying party, such indemnifying party
shall be relieved of its obligation to indemnify such person to the extent that
such indemnifying party has been prejudiced.  No indemnifying party will





                                       10
<PAGE>   11

consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement agreement which
does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or
plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect
of such claim or litigation.

         (d)     If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 from the
indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect
of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses referred to therein,
then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party,
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received
by the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the
other but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified
party as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative
fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any
untrue or alleged untrue statements of a material fact or omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or relates to information
supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct
or prevent such action.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall
be deemed to include, subject to the limitation set forth in Section 5(c), any
legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection
with any investigation or proceeding.

         The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Paragraph 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution
from any person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         6.      Conditions Precedent to Registration.  The Company's
obligations under this Policy to effect the registration of any Registrable
Securities are subject to the agreement to and the performance by the Holders
of such Registrable Securities of the obligations of such Holders contained in
this Policy, including, without limitation, the agreement by such Holders to
pay certain expenses incurred in connection with the sale of the Registrable
Securities pursuant to Section 4(f) hereof and the agreement by such Holders to
indemnify the Company pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof.  Unless a Holder shall,
if requested by the Company, complete, execute and deliver all agreements,
questionnaires, indemnities, and other documents customary in a proposed
registration or deemed necessary by the Company to evidence such Holder's
agreements and obligation under this Policy, the Company will have no
obligation to register such Holder's Registrable Securities.

         7.      Notices.  Any notice or other communication required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a)
upon hand delivery or delivery by telecopy or facsimile at the address or
number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business
hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following
such delivery





                                       11
<PAGE>   12

(if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where
such notice is to be received) or (b) on the third business day following the
date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such
address, or upon actual service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or
upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur.  The
addresses for such communications shall be:

                 If to the Company:

                 American Retirement Corporation
                 111 Westwood Place, Suite 402
                 Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
                 Telecopy (615) 221-2269
                 Attention: President

                 with a copy to:

                 Bass, Berry and Sims PLC
                 2700 First American Center
                 Nashville, Tennessee 37238
                 Telecopy (615) 742-6298
                 Attention:  J. Gentry Barden

                 If to a Holder,
                 to the address of such Holder shown on the
                 stock ledger books of the Company.

         The Company may from time to time change its address for notices under
this Section 7 by giving at least 10 days' written notice of such changed
address to each of the Holders.  Each Holder may from time to time change its
address for notices under this Section 7 by giving at least 10 days' written
notice of such changed address to the Company.

         8.      Additional Registration Rights.  Nothing in this Policy shall
limit the Company's right to authorize or grant demand or incidental
registration rights to other persons who own or have the right to acquire
securities of the Company (including Common Stock), regardless whether such
registration rights are senior, pari parsu, or subordinate to the rights of the
Holders hereunder.

         9.      Headings.  The headings herein are for convenience only, do
not constitute a part of this Policy and shall not be deemed to limit or affect
any of the provisions hereof.

         10.     Successors and Assigns; Amendments.  This Policy shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Holders and their
respective successors and assigns, including each subsequent Holder of any
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the Company may





                                       12
<PAGE>   13

amend, modify, supplement, or revoke this Policy at any time with the consent 
of the Holders of at least 50% of the Registrable Securities.

         11.     No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Policy is intended for the
benefit of the Company and the Holders and their respective permitted
successors and assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision
hereof be enforced by, any other person thereof.

         12.     Governing Law.  Upon acceptance by the Holders, this Policy
shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of Tennessee without regard to the principles of conflicts of
laws thereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Policy to be duly
executed by its authorized officer as of the date hereof.

                                          AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


                                          By:
                                             ----------------------------------

                                          Name:
                                               --------------------------------

                                          Title:
                                                -------------------------------




                                       13

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6


                          Lease and Security Agreement

                                 by and between

                       Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.,
                             a Maryland corporation,

                                  as "Landlord"



                                       and



                     American Retirement Communities, L.P.,
                         a Tennessee limited partnership

                                   as "Tenant"



                              Dated January 2, 1997





<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS                         
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
<S>      <C>                                                                <C> 
1.       Term...............................................................  2
         1.1             Term...............................................  2
         1.2             Renewal Terms......................................  2

2.       Rent...............................................................  3
         2.1             Initial Term Minimum Rent..........................  3
         2.2             Renewal Term Minimum Rent..........................  3
         2.3             Initial Term Additional Rent.......................  6
         2.4             Renewal Term Additional Rent.......................  7
         2.5             Total Rent.........................................  7
         2.6             Proration for Partial Periods......................  9
         2.7             Absolute Net Lease.................................  9

3.       Taxes, Assessments and Other Charges............................... 10
         3.1             Tenant's Obligations............................... 10
         3.2             Proration.......................................... 10
         3.3             Right to Protest................................... 10
         3.4             Tax Bills.......................................... 10
         3.5             Other Charges...................................... 11

4.       Insurance.......................................................... 11
         4.1             General Insurance Requirements..................... 11
         4.2             Fire and Other Casualty............................ 12
         4.3             Public Liability................................... 13
         4.4             Professional Liability Insurance................... 13
         4.5             Workers Compensation............................... 14
         4.6             Boiler Insurance................................... 14
         4.7             Business Interruption Insurance.................... 14
         4.8             Deductible Amounts................................. 14

5.       Use, Maintenance and Alteration of the Premises.................... 14
         5.1             Tenant's Maintenance Obligations................... 14
         5.2             Regulatory Compliance.............................. 16
         5.3             Permitted Use...................................... 18
         5.4             Tenant Repurchase Obligation....................... 18
         5.5             No Liens; Permitted Contests....................... 19
         5.6             Alterations by Tenant.............................. 20
         5.7             Capital Improvements Funded by Landlord............ 21
         5.8             Compliance With IRS Guidelines..................... 21
</TABLE>




                                        i

<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                <C> 
6.       Condition And Title Of Premises; Right of First Offer.............. 22
         6.1             Condition and Title of Premises.................... 22
         6.2             Right of First Offer to Purchase Premises.......... 22

7.       Landlord and Tenant Personal Property.............................. 27
         7.1             Tenant Personal Property........................... 27
         7.2             Landlord's Security Interest....................... 28
         7.3             Financing Statements............................... 29
         7.4             Intangible Property................................ 29

8.       Representations And Warranties..................................... 30
         8.1             Due Authorization And Execution.................... 30
         8.2             Due Organization................................... 30
         8.3             No Breach of Other Agreements...................... 31

9.       Financial, Management and Regulatory Reports....................... 31
         9.1             Monthly Facility Reports........................... 31
         9.2             Quarterly Financial Statements..................... 31
         9.3             Annual Financial Statement......................... 31
         9.4             Accounting Principles.............................. 32
         9.5             Regulatory Reports................................. 32

10.      Events of Default and Landlord's Remedies.......................... 33
         10.1            Events of Default.................................. 33
         10.2            Remedies........................................... 36
         10.3            Receivership....................................... 41
         10.4            Late Charges....................................... 42
         10.5            Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver..................... 43
         10.6            Performance of Tenant's Obligations by Landlord.... 43

11.      Security Deposit................................................... 44

12.      Damage by Fire or Other Casualty................................... 44
         12.1            Reconstruction Using Insurance..................... 44
         12.2            Surplus Proceeds................................... 44
         12.3            No Rent Abatement.................................. 45
         12.4            End of Term........................................ 45

13.      Condemnation....................................................... 45
         13.1            Complete Taking.................................... 45
         13.2            Partial Taking..................................... 46
         13.3            Lease Remains in Effect............................ 46

14.      Provisions on Termination of Term.................................. 46
</TABLE>


                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                <C> 
         14.1            Surrender of Possession............................ 46
         14.2            Removal of Personal Property....................... 47
         14.3            Title to Personal Property Not Removed............. 47
         14.4            Management of Premises............................. 47
         14.5            Correction of Deficiencies......................... 48

15.      Notices and Demands................................................ 48

16.      Right of Entry; Examination of Records............................. 49

17.      Landlord May Grant Liens........................................... 50

18.      Quiet Enjoyment.................................................... 50

19.      Applicable Law..................................................... 51

20.      Preservation of Gross Revenues..................................... 51

21.      Hazardous Materials................................................ 52
         21.1            Hazardous Material Covenants....................... 52
         21.2            Tenant Notices to Landlord......................... 53
         21.3            Extension of Term.................................. 53
         21.4            Participation in Hazardous Materials Claims........ 54
         21.5            Environmental Activities........................... 54
         21.6            Hazardous Materials................................ 54
         21.7            Hazardous Materials Claims......................... 55
         21.8            Hazardous Materials Laws........................... 55

22.      Assignment and Subletting.......................................... 56

23.      Indemnification.................................................... 58

24.      Holding Over....................................................... 58

25.      Estoppel Certificates.............................................. 59

26.      Conveyance by Landlord............................................. 59

27.      Waiver of Jury Trial............................................... 59

28.      Attorneys' Fees.................................................... 60

29.      Severability....................................................... 60
</TABLE>


                                      iii


<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                <C> 
30.      Counterparts....................................................... 60

31.      Binding Effect..................................................... 60

32.      Waiver and Subrogation............................................. 60

33.      Memorandum of Lease................................................ 60

34.      Incorporation of Recitals and Attachments.......................... 61

35.      Titles and Headings................................................ 61

36.      Nature of Relationship; Usury Savings Clause....................... 61

37.      Joint and Several.................................................. 61

38.      Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.............. 62

39.      Interpretation..................................................... 62
</TABLE>



EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A - LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES 
EXHIBIT B - LANDLORD PERSONAL PROPERTY
EXHIBIT C - APPRAISAL PROCESS 
EXHIBIT D - PERMITTED EXCEPTIONS 
EXHIBIT E - INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT



                                       iv

<PAGE>   6
                          LEASE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

     THIS LEASE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT ("LEASE") is made and entered into as of
the 2nd day of January, 1997 by and between Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.,
a Maryland corporation ("LANDLORD") and American Retirement Communities, L.P., a
Tennessee limited partnership ("TENANT").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Landlord is the owner of that certain real property, all
improvements thereon and all appurtenances thereto, presently permitted for one
hundred eighty (180) living units (currently operated as seventeen (17) assisted
living facility beds and one hundred sixty-one (161) independent living facility
beds), known as "Holley Court Terrace", located at 1111 Ontario Street, Oak
Park, Illinois 60302, and more specifically described in Exhibit "A" attached
hereto, together with certain of the furniture, machinery, equipment,
appliances, fixtures, supplies and other personal property used in connection
therewith as more specifically described on Exhibit "B" attached hereto
("LANDLORD PERSONAL PROPERTY"). The foregoing real and personal property owned
by Landlord as described in this Recital shall be collectively referred to in
this Lease as the "PREMISES"); and

     WHEREAS, any reference in this Lease to the "RETIREMENT CARE FACILITIES"
shall mean the care facilities on the Premises as described above; and



                                        1

<PAGE>   7



     WHEREAS, Landlord desires to lease the Premises to Tenant, and Tenant
desires to lease the Premises from Landlord.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, conditions and
agreements set forth herein, Landlord hereby leases and lets unto Tenant the
Premises for the term and upon the conditions and provisions hereinafter set
forth.

     1. TERM.

     1.1 TERM. The term of this Lease shall commence on January 2, 1997 and
shall end on December 31, 2006 (the "INITIAL TERM") unless extended pursuant to
Section 1.2 or earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof. The
Initial Term and all Renewal Terms are referred to collectively as the "TERM".

     1.2 RENEWAL TERMS. The Term may be extended for three (3) separate renewal
terms (each a "RENEWAL TERM") of ten (10) years each, upon the satisfaction of
all of the following terms and conditions:

          1.2.1 Not more than ten (10) business days before or after the date
     which is fifteen (15) months prior to the end of the then current Term,
     Tenant shall give Landlord written notice that Tenant desires to exercise
     its right to extend the then current Term for one (1) Renewal Term.

          1.2.2 There shall be no Event of Default (as defined in Section 10
     below) under this Lease, either on the date of Tenant's notice to Landlord
     pursuant to Section 1.2.1 above, or on the last day of the then current
     Term.

          1.2.3 Trinity Towers Limited Partnership, a Tennessee limited
     partnership ("NH TENANT"), concurrently exercises its right to extend the
     then


                                        2

<PAGE>   8



     current term of that certain Lease and Security Agreement of even date
     herewith, by and between NH Texas Properties Limited Partnership, a Texas
     limited partnership ("NH TEXAS PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP"), and NH
     Tenant (the "NH AGREEMENT") and the terms and conditions of renewal of the
     NH Agreement are fully satisfied.

          1.2.4 The amount of the letter of credit posted by Tenant pursuant to
     Section 11 of this Lease shall be increased for the remainder of the Term
     to Five Hundred Nine Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Nine and 26/100 Dollars
     ($509,259.26) concurrently with the commencement of the first Renewal Term.

          1.2.5 All other provisions of this Lease shall remain in full force
     and effect and shall continuously apply throughout the Renewal Term(s).

     2. RENT. During the Initial Term and all Renewal Terms, minimum rent
("MINIMUM RENT") and additional rent ("ADDITIONAL RENT") shall accrue and/or be
paid by Tenant to Landlord as follows:

     2.1 INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT. During the Initial Term, the Minimum Rent
shall be paid to Landlord by Tenant monthly in advance. Tenant shall pay to
Landlord Minimum Rent according to the schedule on Exhibit "E" attached hereto,
payable in advance on the first business day of each calendar month. Such
monthly amount is referred to herein as the "INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT."

     2.2 RENEWAL TERM MINIMUM RENT. The Minimum Rent for each Renewal Term shall
be expressed as an annual amount but shall be payable in advance in equal
monthly 




                                       3

<PAGE>   9

installments on the first business day of each calendar month. Such
annual Minimum Rent shall be equal to the product of:

          2.2.1 the lesser of (i) the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises
     (as such term is defined in Section 2.2.4 below) on the date of Tenant's
     notice of exercise pursuant to Section 1.2.1 or (ii) Landlord's Adjusted
     Investment in the Premises (as defined in Section 2.2.5 below); and

          2.2.2 a percentage equal to three hundred (300) basis points over the
     twenty (20) day average 10 year United States Treasury rate in effect on
     the date of Tenant's notice of exercise pursuant to Section 1.2.1.

          2.2.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Minimum
     Rent for the first Renewal Term exceed one hundred twenty-eight and
     one-eighth percent (128.125%) of the Total Rent (as such term is defined in
     Section 2.3.1 below) payable during calendar year 2005, and in no event
     shall the Minimum Rent for any Renewal Term other than the first Renewal
     Term exceed one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the Total Rent in
     effect for the Lease Year immediately preceding the first Lease Year of
     such Renewal Term. Furthermore, in no event shall the Minimum Rent for the
     first Lease Year of the first Renewal Term be less than one hundred two and
     one-half percent (102.5%) of the Total Rent payable during calendar year
     2005.

          2.2.4 As used herein, the "ADJUSTED FAIR MARKET VALUE" of the Premises
     shall mean fair market value as determined under this Lease with the
     following adjustments: (i) excluding the enterprise value of any home
     health 


                                       4

<PAGE>   10

     agency operated by Tenant out of space in the Premises but including the
     fair rental value of such space; and (ii) minus the value of any capital
     improvements to the Premises paid for by Tenant and not funded by Landlord
     under Section 5.7 below.

          2.2.5 As used herein, "LANDLORD'S ADJUSTED INVESTMENT" in the Premises
     shall mean Landlord's Original Investment (as hereinafter defined in this
     Section 2.2.5) multiplied at the end of each Lease Year by a percentage
     equal to one hundred percent (100%) plus one-half (1/2) of the CPI Increase
     (as defined in Section 2.2.6 below) for such Lease Year. As used herein,
     "LANDLORD'S ORIGINAL INVESTMENT" shall mean (A) Eleven Million Dollars
     ($11,000,000), as increased by (B) any amount paid by Landlord pursuant to
     Section 5.7 below, and as decreased by (C) any net award paid to Landlord
     pursuant to Section 13.2 below, all as applicable.

          2.2.6 As used herein, "CPI" shall be defined as the Consumer Price
     Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, United States
     Average, Subgroup "All Items" (1982-1984=100), as published by the United
     States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The "CPI INCREASE"
     shall be calculated annually by comparing the CPI in effect on the first
     calendar day of the immediately preceding Lease Year to the first calendar
     day of the then current Lease Year.

If within ten (10) days of the date of Tenant's notice of exercise pursuant to
Section 1.2.1, Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree on the Adjusted Fair
Market Value of the Premises 



                                       5

<PAGE>   11

for purposes of this calculation, such Adjusted Fair Market Value shall be
established by the appraisal process described on Exhibit "C" attached hereto.
The Minimum Rent for the applicable Renewal Term must be finally determined by
such appraisal process on or before a date ninety (90) days after Tenant's
notice of exercise pursuant to Section 1.2.1 or Tenant shall lose its right to
extend the Term. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that this Section is
designed to establish a fair market Minimum Rent for the Premises during the
applicable Renewal Terms.

     2.3 INITIAL TERM ADDITIONAL RENT.

          2.3.1 Commencing with the second Lease Year of the Initial Term and
     continuing thereafter during the Initial Term, Tenant agrees to pay
     Additional Rent to Landlord on a monthly basis in arrears on the first
     business day of each calendar month. Such Additional Rent shall be equal to
     (a) twenty percent (20%) of the amount by which the Gross Revenues for the
     Lease Year through the applicable month exceed the prorated Gross Revenues
     for the applicable portion of the Base Year, minus (b) all Additional Rent
     theretofore paid by Tenant during such Lease Year.

          2.3.2 "GROSS REVENUES" shall be calculated according to GAAP and shall
     be defined as all revenues generated by the operation, sublease and/or use
     of the Premises in any way, excluding (i) contractual allowances during the
     Term for billings not paid by or received from the appropriate governmental
     agencies or third party providers; (ii) all proper patient billing credits
     and adjustments according to GAAP relating to health care accounting; and



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<PAGE>   12

     (iii) federal, state or local sales or excise taxes and any tax based upon
     or measured by said revenues which is added to or made a part of the amount
     billed to the patient or other recipient of such services or goods, whether
     included in the billing or stated separately.

          2.3.3 "LEASE YEAR" shall be defined as the twelve (12) month periods
     commencing on January 1 of each year of the Term.

          2.3.4 The "BASE YEAR" during the Initial Term shall mean the year
     ending on December 31, 1997.

     2.4 RENEWAL TERM ADDITIONAL RENT. Except during the first Lease Year of any
Renewal Term, Tenant shall pay to Landlord Additional Rent in each Renewal Term
on a monthly basis in arrears no more than 30 days after the end of each month
during the applicable Lease Year. The Additional Rent for each Renewal Term
shall be calculated as provided in Section 2.3 except that the Base Year for the
purpose of determining such Additional Rent shall be the first Lease Year of the
applicable Renewal Term.

     2.5 TOTAL RENT.

          2.5.1 For all purposes of calculating and paying Minimum Rent and
     Additional Rent under this Lease, the total of the Minimum Rent and
     Additional Rent ("TOTAL RENT") payable by Tenant in any Lease Year will not
     be less than the Total Rent paid by Tenant for the previous Lease Year.

          2.5.2 Notwithstanding any of the other terms of this Section 2 but
     subject to Section 2.5.3 below, the Total Rent due during each Lease Year
     shall not increase from one Lease Year to the next by an amount in excess
     of (i) two 



                                       7

<PAGE>   13

     and one-half percent (2.5%), multiplied by (ii) the Total Rent due during
     the immediately preceding Lease Year.

          2.5.3 The terms of Section 2.5.2 above shall have no applicability in
     determining the calculation of the Minimum Rent due during the first Lease
     Year of any Renewal Term.

          2.5.4 Within sixty (60) days of the end of each Lease Year, Tenant
     shall deliver to Landlord a report in a form mutually agreed upon by
     Landlord and Tenant, certified by an officer or general partner of Tenant,
     as applicable, setting forth the calculations required by the application
     of this Section 2.5. If said report provides that Tenant owes Landlord any
     sum of money, Tenant shall accompany such report delivered to Landlord with
     such funds. If said report provides that Landlord owes Tenant any sum of
     money, such sum shall be applied as a credit against future installments of
     Minimum Rent and Additional Rent due from Tenant to Landlord; provided,
     however, if such sum is owed by Landlord to Tenant with respect to the last
     Lease Year of the Term, Landlord shall pay such sum to Tenant within thirty
     (30) days of Landlord's receipt of the report in question.

          2.5.5 For the purpose of comparing the Total Rent from Lease Year to
     Lease Year pursuant to this Section 2.5, the increase in Minimum Rent by
     reason of any disbursement by Landlord pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Lease
     shall be treated as follows: (i) for the purpose of comparing the Total
     Rent in the Lease Year in which such disbursement is made against the Total
     Rent in 


                                       8

<PAGE>   14

     the preceding Lease Year, such increase in Minimum Rent shall be ignored,
     and (ii) for the purpose of comparing the Total Rent in the Lease Year in
     which such disbursement is made to the Total Rent in the following Lease
     Year, such increase in Minimum Rent shall be deemed effective on the first
     day of the Lease Year in which the disbursement is made.

     2.6 PRORATION FOR PARTIAL PERIODS. The rent for any month during the Term
which begins or ends on other than the first or last calendar day of a calendar
month shall be prorated based on actual days elapsed.

     2.7 ABSOLUTE NET LEASE. All rent payments shall be absolutely net to the
Landlord free of taxes (other than federal or state income taxes calculated on
the net income of Landlord), assessments, utility charges, operating expenses,
refurnishings, insurance premiums or any other charge or expense in connection
with the Premises. All expenses and charges, whether for upkeep, maintenance,
repair, refurnishing, refurbishing, restoration, replacement, insurance
premiums, real estate or other property taxes, utilities, and other operating or
other charges of a like nature or otherwise, shall be paid by Tenant. This
provision is not in derogation of the specific provisions of this Lease, but in
expansion thereof and as an indication of the general intention of the parties
hereto. Tenant shall continue to perform its obligations under this Lease even
if Tenant claims that Tenant has been damaged by any act or omission of
Landlord. Therefore, Tenant shall at all times remain obligated under this Lease
without any right of set-off, counterclaim, abatement, deduction, reduction or
defense of any kind. Tenant's sole right to recover damages against Landlord by
reason of a 



                                       9

<PAGE>   15

breach or alleged breach of Landlord's obligations under this Lease shall be to
prove such damages in a separate action against Landlord.

     3. TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER CHARGES:

     3.1 TENANT'S OBLIGATIONS. Tenant agrees to pay and discharge (including the
filing of all required returns) any and all taxes (including but not limited to
real estate and personal property taxes, business and occupational license
taxes, ad valorem sales, use, single business, gross receipts, transaction
privilege, franchise rent or other excise taxes, but excluding federal or state
income taxes calculated on the net income of Landlord, and other assessments
levied, assessed, or payable against the Premises or any interest therein during
the Term, prior to delinquency or imposition of any fine, penalty, interest or
other cost.

     3.2 PRORATION. At the end of the Term, all such taxes and assessments under
Section 3.1 shall be prorated.

     3.3 RIGHT TO PROTEST. Landlord and/or Tenant shall have the right, but not
the obligation, to protest the amount or payment of any real or personal
property taxes or assessments levied against the Premises; provided that in the
event of any protest by Tenant, Landlord shall not incur any expense because of
any such protest, Tenant shall diligently and continuously prosecute any such
protest and notwithstanding such protest Tenant shall pay any tax, assessment or
other charge before the imposition of any penalty or interest.

     3.4 TAX BILLS. Landlord shall promptly forward to Tenant copies of all tax
bills and payment receipts relating to the Premises received by Landlord.

     3.5 OTHER CHARGES. Tenant agrees to pay and discharge, punctually as and
when the same shall become due and payable without penalty, all electricity,
gas, garbage 



                                       10

<PAGE>   16

collection, cable television, telephone, water, sewer, and other utilities costs
and all other charges, obligations or deposits assessed against the Premises
during the Term.

     4. INSURANCE.

     4.1 GENERAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. All insurance provided for in this
Lease shall be maintained under valid and enforceable policies issued by
insurers of recognized responsibility, licensed and approved to do business in
the State of Illinois, having a general policyholders rating of not less than
"A-" and a financial rating of not less than "VIII" in the then most current
Best's Insurance Report. Any and all policies of insurance required under this
Lease shall name the Landlord as an additional insured and shall be on an
"occurrence" basis; provided, however, the proceeds of any business interruption
policy shall be payable to Tenant without relieving Tenant in any way of its
obligation to pay rent under this Lease. In addition, Landlord shall be shown as
the loss payable beneficiary under the casualty insurance policy maintained by
Tenant pursuant to Section 4.2. All policies of insurance required herein may be
in the form of "blanket" or "umbrella" type policies which shall name the
Landlord and Tenant as their interests may appear and allocate to the Premises
the full amount of insurance required hereunder. Original policies or
satisfactory certificates from the insurer evidencing the existence of all
policies of insurance required by this Lease and showing the interest of the
Landlord shall be filed with the Landlord prior to the commencement of the Term
and shall provide that the subject policy may not be canceled except upon not
less than ten (10) days prior written notice to Landlord. If Landlord is
provided with a certificate, upon Landlord's request Tenant shall provide
Landlord with a complete copy of the insurance policy evidenced by such
certificate within 30 days of the 



                                       11

<PAGE>   17

commencement of the Term. Originals of the renewal policies or certificates
therefor from the insurer evidencing the existence thereof shall be deposited
with Landlord upon renewal of the applicable policies. If Landlord is provided
with a certificate for a renewal policy, upon Landlord's request Tenant shall
deliver a copy of the complete renewal policy to Landlord within 30 days of the
expiration of the replaced policy. Any claims under any policies of insurance
described in this Lease shall be adjudicated by and at the expense of the Tenant
or of its insurance carrier, but shall be subject to joint control of Tenant and
Landlord. The provisions of this Section 4.1 also apply to any insurance
coverage required under the Development Addendum.

     4.2 FIRE AND OTHER CASUALTY. Tenant shall keep the Premises insured against
loss or damage from all causes under standard "all risk" property insurance
coverage, without exclusion for fire, lightning, windstorm, explosion, smoke
damage, vehicle damage, sprinkler leakage, flood, vandalism, earthquake,
malicious mischief or any other risk as is normally covered under an extended
coverage endorsement, in the amounts that are not less than the full insurable
value of the Premises including all equipment and personal property (whether or
not Landlord Personal Property) used in the operation of the Premises, but in no
event less than Nine Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($9,900,000);
provided, however, that the amount of such insurance in respect of the required
flood and earthquake coverage may be limited, at Tenant's option, to Five
Million Dollars ($5,000,000). The term "FULL INSURABLE VALUE" as used in this
Lease shall mean the actual replacement value of the Premises (including all
improvements) and every portion thereof, including the cost of compliance with
changes in zoning and building codes and other laws and regulations, 


                                       12

<PAGE>   18

demolition and debris removal and increased cost of construction. In addition,
the casualty insurance required under this Section 4.2 will include an agreed
amount endorsement such that the insurance carrier has accepted the amount of
coverage and has agreed that there will be no co-insurance penalty.

     4.3 PUBLIC LIABILITY. Tenant shall maintain comprehensive general public
liability insurance coverage (including products liability coverage) against
claims for bodily injury, death or property damage occurring on, in or about the
Premises and the adjoining sidewalks and passageways, such insurance to include
a broad form endorsement and to afford protection to Landlord and Tenant of not
less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) with respect to bodily injury or
death to any one person, not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) with
respect to any one accident, and not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)
with respect to property damage; provided, that Landlord shall have the right at
any time hereafter to require such higher limits as may be reasonable and
customary for transactions and properties that are similar to the Premises and
that are located in the area of Chicago, Illinois.

     4.4 PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE. Guarantor or Tenant shall maintain
insurance against liability imposed by law upon Guarantor and its Affiliates
(including Tenant) for damages on account of professional services rendered or
which should have been rendered by Guarantor and Tenant or any person for which
acts Guarantor or Tenant is legally liable on account of injury, sickness or
disease, including death at any time resulting therefrom, and including damages
allowed for loss of service, in a minimum amount of One Million Dollars
($1,000,000) for each claim and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in the
aggregate.



                                       13

<PAGE>   19

     4.5 WORKERS COMPENSATION. Tenant shall comply with all legal requirements
regarding worker's compensation, including any requirement to maintain worker's
compensation insurance against claims for injuries sustained by Tenant's
employees in the course of their employment.

     4.6 BOILER INSURANCE. Tenant shall maintain boiler and pressure vessel
insurance, including an endorsement for boiler business interruption insurance,
on any fixtures or equipment which are capable of bursting or exploding, in an
amount not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) for damage to property,
bodily injury or death resulting from such perils.

     4.7 BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE. Tenant shall maintain, at its expense,
business interruption and extra expense insurance insuring a period of not less
than six (6) months.

     4.8 DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNTS. The policies of insurance which Tenant is required
to provide under this Lease will not have deductibles or self-insured retentions
in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000); provided, however, the
worker's compensation coverage may have a deductible of up to Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($250,000).

     5. USE, MAINTENANCE AND ALTERATION OF THE PREMISES.

          5.1 TENANT'S MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS.

               5.1.1 Tenant will keep and maintain the Premises in good
          appearance, repair and condition and maintain proper housekeeping.
          Tenant shall promptly make or cause to be made all repairs, interior
          and exterior, structural and 



                                       14

<PAGE>   20

          nonstructural, ordinary and extraordinary, foreseen and unforeseen,
          necessary to keep the Premises in good and lawful order and condition
          and in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements for the
          licensing of the Retirement Care Facilities in the State of Illinois
          and certification for participation in Medicare and Medicaid (or any
          successor programs) as currently exist or as are obtained by Tenant at
          a later date or as otherwise required under all applicable local,
          state and federal laws.

               5.1.2 As part of Tenant's obligations under this Section 5.1,
          Tenant shall be responsible to maintain, repair and replace all
          Landlord Personal Property and all Tenant Personal Property (as
          defined in Section 7.1 below) in good condition, ordinary wear and
          tear excepted, consistent with prudent industry practice as applicable
          to the Retirement Care Facilities.

               5.1.3 Without limiting Tenant's obligations to maintain the
          Premises under this Lease, within thirty (30) days of the end of each
          Lease Year starting with the end of the sixth (6th) Lease Year, Tenant
          shall provide Landlord with evidence satisfactory to Landlord in the
          reasonable exercise of Landlord's discretion that Tenant has in such
          Lease Year and the two (2) immediately preceding Lease Years spent on
          Repair Expenditures for the Premises an annual average amount of at
          least Two Hundred Dollars ($200) per unit per year as such amount is
          adjusted annually at the end of each Lease Year for increases in the
          CPI from the date hereof). The term "REPAIR EXPENDITURES" is defined
          to mean repairs or modifications to the Premises which have the effect
          of 



                                       15

<PAGE>   21

          maintaining the competitive position of the Premises in its
          marketplace. Non-exclusive examples of Repair Expenditures are
          replacement wallpaper, tiles, window coverings, lighting fixtures,
          painting, landscaping, carpeting, architectural adornments, common
          area amenities and the like. It is expressly understood that capital
          improvements or repairs (such as but not limited to repairs or
          replacements to the structural elements, equipment, fixtures,
          appliances, parking area, or the roof or to the electrical, plumbing,
          HVAC or other mechanical or structural systems in the Premises) shall
          not be considered to be Repair Expenditures. If Tenant fails to make
          at least the above amount of Repair Expenditures, Tenant shall
          promptly on demand from Landlord (but in no event more than five days)
          pay to Landlord the applicable shortfall in Repair Expenditures. Such
          funds shall be the sole property of Landlord and Landlord may in its
          sole discretion provide such funds to Tenant to correct the shortfall
          in Repair Expenditures or may simply retain such funds as supplemental
          rent hereunder.

          5.2 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.

               5.2.1 Tenant and the Premises shall comply in all material
          respects with all federal, state and local licensing and other laws
          and regulations applicable to the Retirement Care Facilities as well
          as with the certification requirements of Medicare and Medicaid (or
          any successor program) as currently exist or as are obtained by Tenant
          at a later date. Further, Tenant shall ensure that the Premises
          continue to be licensed and operated as Retirement Care 


                                       16

<PAGE>   22

          Facilities with a licensed and operating capacity as set forth in the
          Recitals to this Lease, fully certified for participation in Medicare
          and Medicaid (or any successor program) as currently exist or as are
          obtained by Tenant at a later date throughout the Term and at the time
          the Premises are returned to Landlord at the termination thereof, all
          without any suspension, revocation, decertification, material penalty
          or material limitation. Further, Tenant shall not commit any act or
          omission that would in any way violate any certificate of occupancy
          affecting the Premises.

               5.2.2 During the Term, all inspection fees, costs and charges
          associated with a change of any licensure or certification shall be
          borne solely by Tenant. Tenant shall at its sole cost make any
          additions or alterations to the Premises necessitated by, or imposed
          in connection with, a change of ownership inspection survey for the
          transfer of operation of the Premises from Tenant or Tenant's assignee
          or subtenant to Landlord or Landlord's designee at the expiration or
          earlier termination of the Term in accordance herewith.

               5.2.3 Landlord acknowledges that the Premises are not now
          certified to participate in Medicare or Medicaid. If Tenant elects to
          participate in such programs (or any successor program) in the future,
          Tenant shall comply in all material respects with the requirements to
          participate in such programs. However, it shall not be a default under
          this Lease if Tenant voluntarily for its own business reasons elects
          to discontinue its participation in such programs so long as at the
          time of such discontinuance there is no ongoing proceeding by the


                                       17

<PAGE>   23

          applicable regulatory authority to decertify Tenant and so long as
          Tenant at the time of such discontinuance is not in material default
          of any material requirement of any such program.

               5.2.4 The permit for one hundred eighty (180) living units is
          currently held by Holley Court Terrace, L.P., a Tennessee limited
          partnership, which is an Affiliate of Tenant. Tenant represents and
          warrants that applicable law does not require a transfer of such
          permit to Tenant in order for Tenant to operate the Premises for its
          intended use in compliance with all applicable regulations. However,
          Tenant agrees to accomplish a transfer of the permit into its name
          within one hundred eighty (180) days after the commencement of the
          Term.

     5.3 PERMITTED USE. Tenant shall continuously use and occupy the Premises
during the Term solely as Retirement Care Facilities licensed and operated as
set forth in the Recitals to this Lease.

     5.4 TENANT REPURCHASE OBLIGATION. In the event of an Event of Default
arising from Tenant's failure to comply with Section 5.3 and during the pendency
thereof, or if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing because the license
of the Premises is revoked, suspended or materially limited for any of the uses
included in the definition of Retirement Care Facilities, then in addition to
Landlord's other rights and remedies under this Lease, Landlord shall have the
right to put the Premises to Tenant. If Landlord exercises such right, Tenant
shall purchase the Premises from Landlord for a cash price equal to the greater
of the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises or Landlord's Original
Investment on the date of Landlord's notice of exercise. Such Adjusted Fair
Market Value shall be as agreed between 


                                       18

<PAGE>   24

Landlord and Tenant. However, failing such agreement within ten (10) days of
Landlord's notice of exercise under this Section, such Adjusted Fair Market
Value shall be determined by the appraisal process set forth in Exhibit "C"
attached hereto. Within ninety (90) days of Landlord's exercise of its put under
this Section 5.4, such purchase shall be consummated utilizing an escrow at a
national title company selected by Landlord. Such escrow shall be documented on
such title company's standard sale escrow instructions without representations
or warranties and without any due diligence or other contingencies in favor of
the buyer. Tenant shall pay all costs of such sale transaction. At the close of
such sale, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant title to the Premises subject only
to those title exceptions shown on Exhibit "D" attached hereto.

     5.5 NO LIENS; PERMITTED CONTESTS. Tenant shall not cause or permit any
liens, levies or attachments to be placed or assessed against the Premises or
the operation thereof for any reason. However, Tenant shall be permitted in good
faith and at its expense to contest the existence, amount or validity of any
lien upon the Premises by appropriate proceedings sufficient to prevent the
collection or other realization of the lien or claim so contested, as well as
the sale, forfeiture or loss of any of the Premises or any rent to satisfy the
same. Tenant shall provide Landlord with security satisfactory to Landlord in
Landlord's reasonable judgment to assure the foregoing. Each contest permitted
by this Section 5.5 shall be promptly and diligently prosecuted to a final
conclusion by Tenant.

     5.6 ALTERATIONS BY TENANT. Subject to Section 5.8, Tenant shall have the
right of altering, improving, replacing, modifying or expanding the facilities,
equipment or appliances in the Premises from time to time as it may determine is
desirable for the 


                                       19

<PAGE>   25

continuing and proper use and maintenance of the Premises under this Lease;
provided, however, that any alterations, improvements, replacements, expansions
or modifications to the Premises in excess of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars
($600,000) in any rolling twelve (12) month period shall require the prior
written consent of the Landlord; provided, further, that the aggregate cost of
tenant-funded improvements cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of Landlord's
Original Investment for the Premises without securing the prior written consent
of Landlord; provided, further, that the aggregate cost of tenant-funded
improvements cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of Landlord's Original Investment
without securing the prior written consent of the Landlord. Any amounts funded
by Tenant as necessitated by damage to the Premises by casualty or condemnation
shall not count towards the foregoing calculation. The cost of all alterations,
improvements, replacements, modifications, expansions or other purchases,
covered by this Section 5.6, whether undertaken as an on-going licensing,
Medicare or Medicaid (or any successor program) requirement (if applicable) or
other regulatory requirement or otherwise shall be borne solely and exclusively
by Tenant (unless funded by Landlord under Section 5.7) and shall immediately
become a part of the Premises and the property of the Landlord subject to the
terms and conditions of this Lease. All work done in connection therewith shall
be done in a good and workmanlike manner and in compliance with all existing
codes and regulations pertaining to the Premises and shall comply with the
requirements of insurance policies required under this Lease. In the event any
items of the Premises have become inadequate, obsolete or worn out or require
replacement (by direction of any regulatory body or otherwise), Tenant shall
remove such items and exchange 


                                       20

<PAGE>   26

or replace the same at Tenant's sole cost and the same shall become part of the
Premises and property of the Landlord.

     5.7 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUNDED BY LANDLORD. In the event Tenant desires to
make a capital improvement or a related series of capital improvements to the
Premises and if Tenant desires that Landlord fund the same, Landlord shall, in
its discretion and without obligation, within thirty (30) days of Tenants'
written request therefor, consider Tenant's request to fund such capital
improvements. Each and every capital improvement funded by Landlord under this
Section shall immediately become a part of the Premises and shall belong to
Landlord subject to the terms and conditions of this Lease. If Landlord funds
any capital improvements, Landlord's Original Investment shall be increased for
all purposes under this Lease by the amount of the funds provided by Landlord
for capital improvements.

     5.8 COMPLIANCE WITH IRS GUIDELINES. Any improvement or modification to the
Premises shall satisfy the requirements set forth in Sections 4(4).02 and .03 of
Revenue Procedure 75-21, 1975-1 C.B. 715, as modified by Revenue Procedure
79-48, 1979-2 C.B. 529. Landlord reserves the right to refuse to consent to any
improvement or modification to the Premises if, in its judgment, such
improvement or modification does not meet the foregoing requirements.

     6. CONDITION AND TITLE OF PREMISES; RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER.

     6.1 CONDITION AND TITLE OF PREMISES. Tenant acknowledges that it is
presently engaged in the operation of facilities in the State of Illinois
similar to the uses included in the definition of Retirement Care Facilities in
the Recitals to this Lease and has expertise in senior housing, independent
living and assisted living. Tenant has thoroughly 



                                       21

<PAGE>   27

investigated the Premises, has selected the Premises to its own specifications,
and has concluded that no improvements or modifications to the Premises are
required in order to operate the Premises for its intended use. Tenant accepts
the Premises for use as Retirement Care Facilities under this Lease on an "AS
IS" basis and will assume all responsibility and cost for the correction of any
observed or unobserved deficiencies or violations. In making its decision to
enter into this Lease, Tenant has not relied on any representations or
warranties, express or implied, of any kind from Landlord. Tenant has examined
the condition of title to the Premises prior to the execution and delivery of
this Lease and has found the same to be satisfactory.

     6.2 RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER TO PURCHASE PREMISES.

          6.2.1 Tenant shall have the right of first offer to purchase the
     Premises upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6.2;
     provided, however, Tenant shall not have the right to exercise its rights
     under this Section 6.2 if any Event of Default (as defined in Section 10
     below) has occurred and is continuing as of any of the following dates: (i)
     the date on which Landlord delivers an Offering Notice to Tenant pursuant
     to Section 6.2.2(i), or (ii) the date of Tenant's delivery of an Exercise
     Notice pursuant to Section 6.2.2(ii), or (iii) or at the closing date
     established to consummate the purchase of the Premises pursuant to Section
     6.2.2(iii). Additionally, if Landlord and NH Texas Properties Limited
     Partnership have received a bona fide offer to purchase both the Premises
     and the leased premises under the NH Agreement, Tenant acknowledges that
     Landlord may include in the Offering Notice the condition that Tenant may
     only purchase the Premises so long as NH Tenant concurrently purchases


                                       22


<PAGE>   28

     Premises that certain Premises as defined in the NH Agreement. If the
     Offering Notice contains such a requirement, Tenant's rights under this
     Section 6.2 are exercisable only so long as NH Tenant also exercises its
     rights under Section 6.2 of the NH Agreement.

          6.2.2 If during the Term Landlord receives a bona fide offer to
     purchase the Premises, or any portion thereof (the "OFFERED PROPERTY"),
     from any person or entity other than an Affiliate of Landlord (as such term
     is defined in Section 10.1.3 below), Landlord and Tenant shall take the
     following steps if Landlord has determined to accept such offer:

               (i) Landlord shall give written notice to Tenant of its intention
          to accept such offer, which notice shall set forth the price, terms
          and conditions contained in the offer to purchase the Offered Property
          which Landlord intends to accept ("OFFERING NOTICE");

               (ii) Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of an Offering
          Notice, Tenant shall either (A) deliver to Landlord written notice
          that Tenant does not desire to purchase the Offered Property on the
          terms set forth in the Offering Notice, or (B) deliver to Landlord
          written notice of Tenant's desire to exercise its right to purchase
          the Offered Property on the terms set forth in the Offering Notice
          pursuant to this Section 6.2 ("EXERCISE NOTICE");

               (iii) If Tenant delivers an Exercise Notice within such fifteen
          (15) day period, Landlord as seller and Tenant as buyer shall
          immediately open an escrow to consummate such purchase at a national
          title company selected by Landlord in its reasonable discretion on the
          following terms: (A) the form of 


                                       23

<PAGE>   29

          such instructions to be then signed by Landlord and Tenant shall be
          such title company's standard sale escrow instructions and,
          notwithstanding anything set forth in the Offering Notice to the
          contrary, shall not provide for any representations or warranties by
          Landlord as seller or for any due diligence or other contingencies in
          favor of Tenant as buyer, (B) the purchase price shall be payable in
          cash by Tenant or on such other terms as are set forth in the Offering
          Notice with escrow to close on or before the date set forth in the
          Offering Notice, (C) transaction costs shall be paid as set forth in
          the Offering Notice, (D) at close, Landlord shall deliver title to the
          Offered Property subject only to those title exceptions shown on
          Exhibit "D" attached hereto, (E) the sale escrow instructions shall
          provide for an earnest money deposit in the amount set forth in the
          Offering Notice and shall provide that such deposit may be retained by
          Landlord as liquidated damages in the event of any breach by Tenant of
          the terms of the escrow instructions (provided, however, such
          liquidated damages shall relate only to Landlord's damages by reason
          of a breach of the escrow instructions and shall in no way liquidate
          or limit Landlord's damages by reason of a breach of this Lease), and
          (F) the escrow instructions shall otherwise be in form and substance
          reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. If Tenant fails to close the
          escrow for any reason other than a breach by Landlord, then Landlord
          shall have the right in its option (to be exercised in Landlord's sole
          discretion) to either declare such breach to be a default under this
          Lease (as to which the cure period shall, notwithstanding anything
          else in this Lease, be ten (10) calendar 


                                       24

<PAGE>   30

          days after notice by Landlord, after which an Event of Default shall
          exist), or Landlord may elect to pursue all remedies available to
          Landlord against Tenant under the escrow instructions or under
          applicable law.

               (iv) If within the fifteen (15) day period following Landlord's
          delivery of an Offering Notice, Tenant either delivers to Landlord the
          notice set forth in Section 6.2.2 (ii)(A) or fails to deliver either
          of the notices set forth in Section 6.2.2(ii), then for a period of
          nine (9) months following the expiration of such fifteen (15) day
          period Landlord shall be free to sell the Offered Property on the
          terms set forth in the Offering Notice or on any other revised terms
          deemed appropriate by Landlord in its sole discretion; provided,
          however, if such other revised terms include a price that is more than
          ten percent (10%) below the price set forth in the Offering Notice,
          then prior to completing any sale on such revised terms Landlord shall
          notify Tenant of such revised offering terms. During the five (5)
          business day period after receipt by Tenant of such notice, Tenant
          shall have the right (to be exercised if at all by Tenant's execution
          of escrow instructions and deposit of earnest money under Section
          6.2.2 (iii) within such five (5) business day period) to require that
          Landlord sell the Offered Property to Tenant on such revised offering
          terms. If Tenant fails to timely exercise its right as required by the
          preceding proviso, Landlord shall be free to sell the Offered Property
          to a third party on the revised offering terms.


                                       25



<PAGE>   31

               (v) If at the end of the nine (9) month period described in
          Section 6.2.1(iv), Landlord has not sold the Offered Property, then
          Landlord shall again be required to comply with the provisions of this
          Section 6.2 if Landlord desires to accept a third party offer to
          purchase the Offered Property. 

               (vi) If an escrow is opened pursuant to Section 6.2.2(iii) and
          such escrow fails to close by reason of Tenant's default, in addition
          to all of the other rights and remedies of Landlord with respect to
          such breach, Landlord shall thereafter be free to sell the Premises or
          any portion thereof to any Person on any terms whatsoever without
          being required to comply with this Section 6.2.

               (vii) If Landlord has hypothecated its interest in the Premises,
          this Section 6.2 shall not apply to any judicial or non-judicial sale
          of the Premises in connection with any foreclosure action or
          proceeding by the lender, or to any deed in lieu of such foreclosure.


     7. LANDLORD AND TENANT PERSONAL PROPERTY.

     7.1 TENANT PERSONAL PROPERTY. Tenant shall install, affix or assemble or
place on the Premises all items of furniture, fixtures, equipment and supplies
not included as Landlord Personal Property as Tenant reasonably considers to be
appropriate for Tenant's use of the Premises as contemplated by this Lease (the
"TENANT PERSONAL PROPERTY"). Tenant shall provide and maintain during the entire
Term all Tenant Personal Property as shall be necessary in order to operate the
Premises in compliance with all requirements set forth in this Lease. All Tenant
Personal Property shall be and shall remain the property of Tenant and may 



                                       26

<PAGE>   32

be removed by Tenant upon the expiration of the Term. However, if there is any
Event of Default which is continuing, Tenant will not remove the Tenant Personal
Property from the Premises and will on demand from Landlord, convey (subject to
any existing security interest thereon) the Tenant Personal Property to Landlord
by executing a bill of sale in a form reasonably required by Landlord. Upon any
such conveyance of Tenant Personal Property to Landlord, the amount owing by
Tenant to Landlord by reason of the applicable Event of Default shall be reduced
by the fair market value of such Tenant Personal Property, net of any associated
debt assumed by Landlord. Such fair market value shall be established by
agreement of the parties, but failing such agreement, within ten (10) days of
request by any party, such fair market value shall be established by the
appraisal process set forth in Exhibit C. In any event, Tenant will repair all
damage to the Premises caused by any removal of the Tenant Personal Property.

     7.2 LANDLORD'S SECURITY INTEREST.

          7.2.1 The parties intend that if Tenant defaults under this Lease,
     Landlord will control the Tenant Personal Property and the Intangible
     Property (as defined in Section 7.4 below) so that Landlord or its designee
     can operate or re-let the Premises intact for use as Retirement Care
     Facilities .

          7.2.2 Therefore, to implement the intention of the parties, and for
     the purpose of securing the payment and performance of Tenant's obligations
     under this Lease, Tenant, as debtor, hereby grants to Landlord, as secured
     party, a security interest in and an express contractual lien upon, all of
     Tenant's right, title and interest in and to the Tenant Personal Property
     and in and to the 


                                       27

<PAGE>   33

     Intangible Property and any and all products and proceeds thereof, in which
     Tenant now owns or hereafter acquires an interest or right, including any
     leased Tenant Personal Property. This Lease constitutes a security
     agreement covering all such Tenant Personal Property and the Intangible
     Property. The security interest granted to Landlord in this Section 7.2.2.
     is intended by Landlord and Tenant to be subordinate to any security
     interest granted in connection with the financing or leasing of all or any
     portion of the Tenant Personal Property so long as the lessor or financier
     of such Tenant Personal Property agrees to give Landlord written notice of
     any default by Tenant under the terms of such lease or financing
     arrangement, to give Landlord a reasonable time following such notice to
     cure any such default and to consent to Landlord's written assumption of
     such lease or financing arrangement upon Landlord's curing of any defaults
     thereunder. This security agreement and the security interest created
     herein shall survive the termination of this Lease if such termination
     results from the occurrence of an Event of Default.

          7.2.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will Landlord's
     security interest extend to any of Tenant's motor vehicles, proprietary
     software or systems or operating manuals.

     7.3 FINANCING STATEMENTS. If required by Landlord at any time during the
Term, Tenant will execute and deliver to Landlord, in form reasonably
satisfactory to Landlord, additional security agreements, financing statements,
fixture filings and such other documents as Landlord may reasonably require to
perfect or continue the perfection of 


                                       28

<PAGE>   34

Landlord's security interest in the Tenant Personal Property and the Intangible
Property and any and all products and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter
acquired by Tenant. Tenant shall pay all fees and costs that Landlord may incur
in filing such documents in public offices and in obtaining such record searches
as Landlord may reasonably require. In the event Tenant fails to execute any
financing statements or other documents for the perfection or continuation of
Landlord's security interest, Tenant hereby appoints Landlord as its true and
lawful attorney-in-fact to execute any such documents on its behalf, which power
of attorney shall be irrevocable and is deemed to be coupled with an interest.

     7.4 INTANGIBLE PROPERTY. The term "INTANGIBLE PROPERTY" means documents,
chattel paper, contract rights, residency agreements, management agreements,
medical records, patient files, confidential patient materials, general
intangibles, choses in action, now owned or hereafter acquired by Tenant
(including any right to any refund of any taxes or other charges heretofore or
hereafter paid to any governmental authority) arising from or in connection with
Tenant's operation or use of the Premises; all licenses and permits now owned or
hereinafter acquired by Tenant, necessary or desirable for Tenant's use of the
Premises under this Lease, including without limitation, if applicable, any
certificate of need or other similar certificate; and the right to use any trade
or other name now or hereafter associated with the operation of the Premises by
Tenant, including, without limitation, the name "Holley Court Terrace," but
excluding any corporate names or logos used by Tenant or Guarantor. For purposes
of this Lease, the term "INTANGIBLE PROPERTY" shall not include accounts
receivable, negotiable instruments, rights to payment from third parties,
security 




                                       29

<PAGE>   35

deposits, utility deposits, proprietary software, training manuals, or general
corporate trademarks, service marks, logos, insignia, books or records of Seller
or Guarantor.

     8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Landlord and Tenant do hereby each for
itself represent and warrant to each other as follows:

     8.1 DUE AUTHORIZATION AND EXECUTION. This Lease and all agreements,
instruments and documents executed or to be executed in connection herewith by
either Landlord or Tenant were duly authorized and shall be binding upon the
party that executed and delivered the same.

     8.2 DUE ORGANIZATION. Landlord and Tenant are duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of their respective
formations and are duly authorized and qualified to do all things required of
the applicable party under this Lease within the State of Illinois.

     8.3 NO BREACH OF OTHER AGREEMENTS. Neither this Lease nor any agreement,
document or instrument executed or to be executed in connection herewith,
violates the terms of any other agreement to which either Landlord or Tenant is
a party where such violation would have a material adverse effect.

     9. FINANCIAL, MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY REPORTS.

     9.1 MONTHLY FACILITY REPORTS. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each
calendar month during the Term, Tenant shall prepare and deliver monthly
financial reports to Landlord consisting of a balance sheet and income statement
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied ("GAAP"), and a summary of significant operating statistics
concerning the business conducted at the Premises. These 



                                       30


<PAGE>   36

reports will be accompanied by a statement signed by the President, Chief
Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Controller, Executive Vice
President for Corporate Development, Executive Vice President for Development
Services or other officer of Tenant as approved by Landlord in writing in its
sole discretion, affirming that said reports are true and correct in all
material respects and do not fail to disclose any material adverse information,
all after due inquiry ("OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE").

     9.2 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within forty-five (45) days of the end
of each of the first three quarters of the fiscal year of Tenant, Tenant shall
deliver to Landlord the unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements of
Tenant prepared in accordance with GAAP accompanied by an Officer's Certificate.

     9.3 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Within ninety (90) days of the fiscal year
end of Tenant, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord the annual consolidated
financial statement of Tenant prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited by a
certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Landlord.
Notwithstanding any of the other terms of this Section 9.3, if Tenant becomes
subject to any reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") during the Term, Tenant shall concurrently deliver to Landlord such
reports as are delivered to the SEC pursuant to applicable security laws.

     9.4 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES. All of the reports and statements required
hereby shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

     9.5 REGULATORY REPORTS. In addition, Tenant shall within five (5) business
days of receipt thereof deliver to Landlord all federal, state and local
licensing and reimbursement certification surveys, inspection and other reports
received by Tenant as to the 



                                       31

<PAGE>   37

Premises or any portion thereof and the operation of business thereon,
including, without limitation, state department of health licensing surveys,
Medicare and Medicaid (and successor programs) certification surveys (if
applicable) and life safety code reports. Within five (5) business days of
receipt thereof, Tenant shall give Landlord written notice of any violation of
any federal, state or local licensing or reimbursement certification statute or
regulation including without limitation Medicare and Medicaid or successor
programs (if applicable to the Premises or any portion thereof), any suspension,
termination or restriction placed upon Tenant or the Premises or any portion
thereof, the operation of business thereon or the ability to admit residents, or
any violation of any other permit, approval or certification in connection with
the Premises or any portion thereof or its business, by any federal, state or
local authority including without limitation Medicare and Medicaid or successor
programs if applicable to the Premises or any portion thereof.

     10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND LANDLORD'S REMEDIES.

     10.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following shall
constitute an event of default on the part of Tenant hereunder ("EVENT OF
DEFAULT"):

          10.1.1 The failure to pay within ten (10) calendar days of (i) the
     date when due any Minimum Rent or Additional Rent, or (ii) the date when
     delinquent of any taxes or assessments required of Tenant under this Lease;

          10.1.2 A material breach by the seller thereunder of any of the
     material representations, warranties or covenants in favor of Landlord as
     set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement of even date herewith;



                                       32

<PAGE>   38

          10.1.3 Any Event of Default, as defined in Section 10 of the NH
     Agreement, shall be an Event of Default under this Lease without any
     further notice to Tenant and without the expiration of any cure period
     except as set forth in the NH Agreement;

          10.1.4 A material default by Tenant (or any Affiliate thereof)
     ("AFFILIATE" being defined to mean, with respect to any person or entity,
     any other person or entity which controls, is controlled by or is under
     common control with the first person or entity) under any other material
     obligation other than this Lease owed by Tenant (or any Affiliate thereof)
     to Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord (including without limitation any
     financing agreement or any other lease or the Letter of Credit Agreement of
     even date herewith pursuant to which the letter of credit referenced in
     Section 11 below is maintained), which default is not cured within any
     applicable cure period provided in the documentation for such obligation.
     It is expressly understood that Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. and NH
     Texas Properties Limited Partnership are Affiliates of each other;

          10.1.5 A material default by Tenant with respect to any material
     obligation under any other lease or financing agreement with any other
     party, which default is not cured within any applicable cure period
     provided in the documentation for such obligation;


                                       33

<PAGE>   39

          10.1.6 Any material misstatement or omission of any material fact in
     any written report, notice or communication from senior management of
     Tenant to Landlord with respect to Tenant or the Premises or any portion
     thereof;

          10.1.7 Any change (voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or
     otherwise) in the person, persons, entity or entities which ultimately
     exert effective control over the management of the affairs of Tenant as of
     the date hereof except as permitted in Section 22.2 below;

          10.1.8 An assignment by Tenant of all or substantially all of its
     property for the benefit of creditors;

          10.1.9 The appointment of a receiver, trustee, or liquidator for
     Tenant, or any of the property of Tenant, if within three (3) business days
     of such appointment Tenant does not inform Landlord in writing that Tenant
     intends to cause such appointment to be discharged or Tenant does not
     thereafter diligently prosecute such discharge to completion within sixty
     (60) days after the date of such appointment;

          10.1.10 The filing by Tenant of a voluntary petition under any federal
     bankruptcy law or under the law of any state to be adjudicated as bankrupt
     or for any arrangement or other debtor's relief, or in the alternative, if
     any such petition is involuntarily filed against Tenant by any other party
     and Tenant does not within three (3) business days of any such filing
     inform Landlord in writing of the intent by Tenant to cause such petition
     to be dismissed, if Tenant does not


                                       34

<PAGE>   40

     thereafter diligently prosecute such dismissal, or if such filing is not
     dismissed within ninety (90) days after filing thereof;

          10.1.11 The failure to make any monetary payment required by Tenant
     under this Lease not covered in Section 10.1.1 or the failure to perform or
     comply in any material respect with any other term or provision of this
     Lease (other than those provisions set forth in Section 10.1.12 below) not
     requiring the payment of money, including, without limitation, the failure
     to comply with the provisions hereof pertaining to the use, operation and
     maintenance of the Premises (or any portion thereof) or the breach of any
     representation or warranty of Tenant in this Lease; provided, however, the
     default described in this Section 10.1.11 is curable and shall be deemed
     cured, if: (i) within five (5) business days of Tenant's receipt of a
     notice of default from Landlord, Tenant gives Landlord notice of its intent
     to cure such default; and (ii) Tenant cures such default within thirty (30)
     days after such notice from Landlord, unless such default cannot with due
     diligence be cured within a period of thirty (30) days because of the
     nature of the default or delays beyond the control of Tenant, and cure
     after such thirty (30) day period will not have a material and adverse
     effect upon the Premises, in which case such default shall not constitute
     an Event of Default if Tenant uses its best efforts to cure such default by
     promptly commencing and diligently pursuing such cure to the completion
     thereof, provided, however, no such default shall continue for more than
     one hundred twenty (120) days from Tenant's receipt of a notice of default
     from Landlord;


                                       35

<PAGE>   41

          10.1.12 There shall be no cure period in the event of the breach by
     Tenant of (i) the obligation to provide replacement policies of insurance
     as required in Section 4.1 above, (ii) the provisions of Section 20 below,
     or (iii) the provisions of Section 22 below with respect to assignments and
     other related matters; and

          10.1.13 All notice and cure periods provided herein shall run
     concurrently with any notice or cure periods provided by applicable law.

     10.2 REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the
pendency thereof, Landlord may exercise all rights and remedies under this Lease
and the laws of the State of Illinois available to a lessor of real and personal
property in the event of a default by its lessee, and as to the Tenant Personal
Property and Intangible Property all remedies granted under the laws of such
State to a secured party under its Uniform Commercial Code. Without limiting the
foregoing, Landlord shall have the right to do any of the following:

          10.2.1 If Landlord elects to terminate Tenant's right to possession
     only, without terminating the Lease, Landlord may, at Landlord's option,
     enter into the Premises, remove Tenant's sign and all other evidences of
     tenancy, and take and hold possession thereof, without such entry and
     possession terminating the Lease or releasing Tenant, in whole or in part,
     from Tenant's obligation to pay rent hereunder for the full Term. In the
     case of a default under Section 10.1.8 or 10.1.9, or in the event of a
     bankruptcy proceeding as described in Section 10.1.10 below, Tenant shall
     pay forthwith to Landlord, if Landlord so elects, a 


                                       36

<PAGE>   42

     sum equal to the entire amount of rent then known or subject to calculation
     for the remainder of the Term plus any other sums then due hereunder, and
     all amounts not then due and payable shall be discounted to the
     then-present value of such amount using a discount factor of five percent
     (5.0%); and in any case, unless such amount is paid to Landlord, Tenant
     shall remain liable for the Monthly Deficiency, as defined in this Section
     10.2.1 below. Upon and after entry into possession without termination of
     the Lease, Landlord shall, if and to the extent required by law, take
     reasonable measures to mitigate the damages recoverable against Tenant by
     attempting to relet the Premises or any part thereof for the account of
     Tenant to any person, firm or corporation other than Tenant for such rent,
     for such term and upon such conditions (which term may extend beyond the
     lease term hereunder and which conditions include concessions and free rent
     periods), as Landlord in Landlord's sole discretion shall determine;
     provided, however, that Landlord shall not be required to accept any tenant
     offered by Tenant or to observe any instructions given by Tenant about such
     reletting. In any such case, Landlord may make repairs, alterations and
     additions in or to the Premises and redecorate the same to the extent
     deemed by Landlord necessary or desirable, and Tenant shall, upon demand,
     pay all costs thereof, plus all of Landlord's other expenses of the
     reletting, including all repossession costs, brokerage commissions, legal
     expenses, attorney's fees and disbursements (collectively called
     "LANDLORD'S MITIGATION EXPENSES"). If the consideration collected by
     Landlord upon any 


                                       37



<PAGE>   43

     such reletting for Tenant's account is not sufficient to pay monthly the
     full amount of rent reserved in this Lease, including all adjustments and
     escalations, together with the cost of repairs, alterations, additions,
     redecorating and Landlord's Mitigation Expenses, Tenant shall pay to
     Landlord the amount of each monthly deficiency ("MONTHLY DEFICIENCY") upon
     demand. In addition, Tenant shall provide to any resident under a "life
     care contract" as defined in the Life Care Facilities Act ("LIFE CARE
     CONTRACT") a refund of all fees paid pursuant to such contract if permitted
     by the terms of such contract. Tenant or any successor thereto shall be
     solely responsible for all costs, expenses, liabilities and obligations
     related to Life Care Contracts. Furthermore, the indemnity set forth in
     Section 23 herein shall cover all liability, expense, loss, costs,
     deficiency, fine, penalty or damage related to any Life Care Contract,
     including any ramifications resulting from the Premises being permitted to
     issue Life Care Contracts.

          10.2.2 If Landlord elects to terminate this Lease and Tenant's right
     to possession of the Premises, Landlord may recover all damages to which
     Landlord is entitled under law, and in such event Landlord shall, if and to
     the extent required by law, take reasonable measures to mitigate damages
     recoverable against Tenant by attempting to relet the Premises or any part
     thereof for the account of Tenant, for such rent, for such term and upon
     such conditions (which term may extend beyond the lease term hereunder and
     which conditions may include concessions and free rent periods), as
     Landlord in 



                                       38

<PAGE>   44

     Landlord's sole discretion shall determine; provided, however, that
     Landlord shall not be required to accept any tenant offered by Tenant or to
     observe any instructions given by Tenant about such reletting. Landlord's
     damages shall specifically include (a) all of Landlord's expenses of
     reletting (including repairs, alterations, improvements, additions,
     decorations, and Landlord's Mitigation Expenses, plus (b) the amount of all
     rent owing under this Lease for the balance of the Term discounted at the
     rate of five percent (5%) per year, which amount shall be automatically
     considered accelerated and immediately due and payable in full by Tenant to
     Landlord upon Landlord's election to terminate this Lease. Landlord's right
     to terminate this Lease may also be exercised at any time after an election
     by Landlord under Section 10.2.1 to terminate Tenant's right to possession
     on the Premises. In addition, Tenant shall provide to any resident under a
     Life Care Contract a refund of all fees paid pursuant to such contract if
     permitted by the terms of such contract. Tenant or any successor thereto
     shall be solely responsible for all costs, expenses, liabilities and
     obligations related to Life Care Contracts. Furthermore, the indemnity set
     forth in Section 23 herein shall cover all liability, expense, loss, costs,
     deficiency, fine, penalty or damage related to any Life Care Contract,
     including any ramifications resulting from the Premises being permitted to
     issue Life Care Contracts.

          10.2.3 If any involuntary action or proceeding under any section or
     sections of any bankruptcy act in any court or tribunal shall adjudge or
     declare Tenant insolvent or unable to pay Tenant's debts, or if any
     voluntary petition or 


                                       39

<PAGE>   45

     similar proceeding under any section or sections of any bankruptcy act
     shall be filed by Tenant in any court or tribunal to declare Tenant
     insolvent or unable to pay Tenant's debts, and if such action or proceeding
     shall not have been dismissed within ninety (90) days of the institution of
     such proceeding, then and in any such event Landlord may, to the extent
     permitted by law, if Landlord so elects but not otherwise, and with or
     without notice of such election, and with or without entry or other action
     by Landlord, forthwith terminate this Lease, and notwithstanding any other
     provision of this Lease, Landlord shall forthwith upon such termination be
     entitled to recover damages in any amount equal to the then present value
     of rent for the remainder of the Term, less the then present value of the
     fair rental value of the Premises for the remainder of the Term.

          10.2.4 Tenant hereby grants to Landlord a first lien upon the interest
     of Tenant under this Lease subject to any lien now or hereafter granted by
     Tenant to secure financing for working capital or other general purposes in
     favor of Tenant's principal bank or other institutional lenders.

          10.2.5 Sell the Tenant Personal Property in a non-judicial foreclosure
     sale.

          10.2.6 For the purpose of calculating rent loss damages payable to
     Landlord, Additional Rent for all periods after an Event of Default shall
     be calculated based on a two and one half percent (2.5%) annual increase.

          10.2.7 In the event that any remedy set forth in this Section 10.2
     shall be declared unenforceable under any particular circumstances pursuant
     to any bankruptcy, 


                                       40

<PAGE>   46

     insolvency, or other applicable law, the unenforceability of such remedy
     shall not affect any other remedy available to Landlord in the same or any
     other circumstance.

     10.3 RECEIVERSHIP. Tenant acknowledges that one of the rights and remedies
available to Landlord under applicable law is to secure a court-appointed
receiver to take possession of the Premises or any portion thereof, to collect
the rents, issues, profits and income of the Premises or any portion thereof,
and to manage the operation of the Premises or any portion thereof. Tenant
further acknowledges that the revocation, suspension or material limitation of
the certification of the Premises or any portion thereof for provider status
under Medicare or Medicaid (or successor programs) as currently exist or as are
obtained by Tenant at a later date and/or the revocation, suspension or material
limitation of the license of the Premises or any portion thereof as Retirement
Care Facilities for the number of beds and units shown in the Recitals to this
Lease under the laws of the State of Illinois will materially and irreparably
impair the value of Landlord's investment in the Premises. Therefore, in the
event of any such revocation, suspension or material limitation, and in addition
to any other right or remedy of Landlord under this Lease, Tenant hereby
consents to the appointment of such a receiver to enter upon and take possession
of the Premises or any portion thereof, to manage the operation of the Premises
or any portion thereof, to collect and disburse all rents, issues, profits and
income generated thereby and to preserve or replace to the extent possible the
licenses and provider certifications of the Premises required for the operation
of the Retirement Care Facilities or to otherwise substitute the licensee or
provider thereof. The receiver shall be entitled to a reasonable fee for its
services as a receiver. All such fees 


                                       41

<PAGE>   47

and other expenses of the receivership estate shall be added to the monthly rent
due to Landlord under this Lease. Tenant hereby irrevocably stipulates to the
appointment of a receiver under such circumstances and for such purposes and
agrees not to contest such appointment.

     10.4 LATE CHARGES. Tenant acknowledges that the late payment of any Minimum
Rent or Additional Rent will cause Landlord to lose the use of such money and
incur costs and expenses not contemplated under this Lease, including, without
limitation, administrative and collection costs and processing and accounting
expenses, the exact amount of which is extremely difficult to ascertain.
Therefore, if any installment of Minimum Rent or Additional Rent is not paid
within five (5) calendar days after the due date for such rent payment, then
Tenant shall thereafter pay to Landlord on demand a late charge equal to five
percent (5%) of the amount of any installment of Minimum Rent or Additional Rent
not paid on the due date. Landlord and Tenant agree that this late charge
represents a reasonable estimate of such costs and expenses and is fair
compensation to Landlord for the loss suffered from such nonpayment by Tenant.

     10.5 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; NO WAIVER. No right or remedy herein conferred
upon or reserved to Landlord is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and each and every right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition
to any other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law
or in equity. No failure of Landlord to insist at any time upon the strict
performance of any provision of this Lease or to exercise any option, right,
power or remedy contained in this Lease shall be construed as a waiver,
modification or relinquishment thereof as to any similar or different breach
(future or otherwise) by Tenant. A receipt by Landlord of any rent or other sum
due hereunder 


                                       42

<PAGE>   48

(including any late charge) with knowledge of the breach of any provision
contained in this Lease shall not be deemed a waiver of such breach, and no
waiver by Landlord of any provision of this Lease shall be deemed to have been
made unless expressed in a writing signed by Landlord.

     10.6 PERFORMANCE OF TENANT'S OBLIGATIONS BY LANDLORD. If Tenant at any time
shall fail to make any payment or perform any act on its part required to be
made or performed under this Lease, then Landlord may, without waiving or
releasing Tenant from any obligations or default of Tenant hereunder, make any
such payment or perform any such act for the account and at the expense of
Tenant, and may enter upon the Premises for the purpose of taking all such
action thereon as may be reasonably necessary therefor. No such entry shall be
deemed an eviction of Tenant. All reasonable sums so paid by Landlord and all
necessary and incidental costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the
performance of any such act by Landlord, together with interest at the rate of
the Prime Rate as reported daily by the Wall Street Journal plus 5% (or if said
interest rate is violative of any applicable statute or law, then the maximum
interest rate allowable) from the date of the making of such payment or the
incurring of such costs and expenses by Landlord, shall be payable by Tenant to
Landlord on demand.

     11. SECURITY DEPOSIT. Pursuant to a Letter of Credit Agreement of even date
herewith, Tenant has posted with the Landlord a letter of credit in the sum of
Two Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Twenty-Nine and 63/100 Dollars
($254,629.63) 



                                       43

<PAGE>   49

representing a security deposit against the faithful performance of the terms
and conditions contained in this Lease.

     12. DAMAGE BY FIRE OR OTHER CASUALTY.

     12.1 RECONSTRUCTION USING INSURANCE. In the event of the damage or
destruction of the Premises, Tenant shall forthwith notify Landlord and
diligently repair or reconstruct the same to a like or better condition than
existed prior to such damage or destruction. Any net insurance proceeds payable
with respect to the casualty shall be used for the repair or reconstruction of
the Premises pursuant to reasonable disbursement controls in favor of Landlord.
If such proceeds are insufficient for such purposes, Tenant shall provide the
required additional funds.

     12.2 SURPLUS PROCEEDS. If there remains any surplus of insurance proceeds
after the completion of the repair or reconstruction of the Premises, such
surplus shall belong to and be paid to Tenant.

     12.3 NO RENT ABATEMENT. The rent payable under this Lease shall not abate
by reason of any damage or destruction of the Premises by reason of an insured
or uninsured casualty. Tenant hereby waives all rights under applicable law to
abate, reduce or offset rent by reason of such damage or destruction.

     12.4 END OF TERM. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 12,
if the Premises are more than 50% destroyed (measured by square footage) by
casualty during the last six (6) months of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term,
Tenant may terminate this Lease by written notice to Landlord delivered within
thirty (30) days after the date of such casualty, in which event Landlord shall
retain all insurance proceeds.



                                       44


<PAGE>   50

     13. CONDEMNATION.

     13.1 COMPLETE TAKING. If during the Term all or substantially all of the
Premises is taken or condemned by any competent public or quasi-public
authority, then Tenant may, at Tenant's election, made within thirty (30) days
of such taking by condemnation, terminate this Lease, and the current Minimum
Rent and Additional Rent shall be prorated as of the date of such termination.
The award payable upon such taking shall be allocated between Landlord and
Tenant as so allocated by the taking authority. In the absence of such
allocation by the taking authority, the award shall be allocated as agreed by
Landlord and Tenant. Failing such agreement within thirty (30) days after the
effective date of such taking, the award shall be allocated between Landlord and
Tenant pursuant to the appraisal procedure described on Exhibit "C" attached
hereto.

     13.2 PARTIAL TAKING. In the event such condemnation proceeding or right of
eminent domain results in a taking of less than all or substantially all of the
Premises, the Minimum Rent and Additional Rental thereto shall be abated to the
same extent as the diminution in the fair market value of the Premises by reason
of the condemnation. Such diminution in the fair market value shall be as agreed
between Landlord and Tenant, but failing such agreement within thirty (30) days
of the effective date of the condemnation the same will be determined by
appraisal pursuant to Exhibit "C" attached hereto. Landlord shall be entitled to
receive and retain any and all awards for the partial taking and damage and
Tenant shall not be entitled to receive or retain any such award for any reason.
Landlord's Original Investment will be reduced for all purposes under this Lease
by reason of any award paid to Landlord under this Section 13.2.


                                       45

<PAGE>   51

     13.3 LEASE REMAINS IN EFFECT. Except as provided above, this Lease shall
not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect in the event of a taking
or condemnation of the Premises, or any portion thereof, and Tenant hereby
waives all rights under applicable law to abate, reduce or offset rent by reason
of such taking.

     14. PROVISIONS ON TERMINATION OF TERM.

     14.1 SURRENDER OF POSSESSION. Tenant shall, on or before the last day of
the Term, or upon earlier termination of this Lease (unless Tenant has purchased
the Premises pursuant to Section 6.2), surrender to Landlord the Premises
(including all resident charts and records along with appropriate resident
consents) in good condition and repair, excepting only (i) ordinary wear and
tear, (ii) any damage caused by condemnation pursuant to Section 13.1 above, or
(iii) any damage caused by fire or other casualty resulting in the termination
of the Lease per Section 12.4 above.

     14.2 REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. If Tenant is not then in default
hereunder Tenant shall have the right in connection with the surrender of the
Premises to remove from the Premises all Tenant Personal Property but not the
Landlord Personal Property (including the Landlord Personal Property replaced by
Tenant or required by the State of Illinois or any other governmental entity to
operate the Premises for the purpose set forth in Section 5.3 above). Any such
removal shall be done in a workmanlike manner leaving the Premises in good and
presentable condition and appearance, including repair of any damage caused by
such removal. At the end of the Term or upon the earlier termination of this
Lease, (unless Tenant has purchased the Premises pursuant to Section 6.2),
Tenant shall return the Premises to Landlord with the Landlord Personal Property
(or replacements thereof) 



                                       46

<PAGE>   52

in the same condition and utility as was delivered to Tenant at the commencement
of the Term, normal wear and tear excepted.

     14.3 TITLE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY NOT REMOVED. Title to any of Tenant
Personal Property which is not removed by Tenant upon the expiration of the Term
shall, at Landlord's election, vest in Landlord; provided, however, that
Landlord may remove and dispose at Tenant's expense of any or all of such Tenant
Personal Property which is not so removed by Tenant without obligation or
accounting to the Tenant.

     14.4 MANAGEMENT OF PREMISES. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of
the Term (unless Tenant has purchased the Premises pursuant to Section 6.2),
Landlord or its designee, upon written notice to Tenant, may elect to assume the
responsibilities and obligations for the management and operation of the
Premises and Tenant agrees to cooperate fully with Landlord or its designee to
accomplish the transfer of such management and operation without interrupting
the operation of the Premises. Tenant shall not commit any act or be remiss in
the undertaking of any act that would jeopardize any licensure or certification
of the facility, and Tenant shall comply with all requests for an orderly
transfer of the Retirement Care Facilities license, Medicare and Medicaid (or
any successor program) certifications and possession at the time of any such
surrender. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, Tenant shall
promptly deliver copies of all of Tenant's books and records relating to the
Premises and its operations to Landlord.

     14.5 CORRECTION OF DEFICIENCIES. Upon termination or cancellation of this
Lease, Tenant shall indemnify Landlord for any loss, damage, cost or expense
incurred by Landlord to correct all deficiencies of a physical nature identified
by the Illinois Department of 


                                       47

<PAGE>   53

Public Health and/or the United State Department of Health and Human Services,
or if Tenant chooses to become certified to participate in Medicare or Medicaid,
the Illinois Department of Public Aid and/or the United States Department of
Health and Human Services, Health Care Financing Administration, or any other
government agency or Medicare or Medicaid (or any successor program) providers
in the course of the change of ownership inspection and audit.

     15. NOTICES AND DEMANDS. All notices and demands, certificates, requests,
consents, approvals, and other similar instruments under this Lease shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given upon actual receipt
thereof or within two (2) business days of being placed in the United States
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid (a) if
to Tenant, addressed to American Retirement Communities, L.P., 111 Westwood
Place, Suite 402, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027, Attn: President and General
Counsel Fax No. (615) 221-2269 with a copy to Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, 2700 First
American Center, 25th Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37238, Attn: T. Andrew Smith,
Esq., Fax No. (615) 742-2766 or at such other address as Tenant from time to
time may have designated by written notice to Landlord, (b) if to Landlord,
addressed to Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., 4675 MacArthur Court, Suite
1170, Newport Beach, California 92660, Attn: President and General Counsel; Fax
No. (714) 251-9644 with a copy to O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 610 Newport Center
Drive, Suite 1700, Newport Beach, California 92660, Attn: Real Estate Department
Chairman, Fax No. (714) 669-6994, or at such address as Landlord may from time
to time have designated by written notice to Tenant. Refusal to accept delivery
shall be deemed delivery. If Tenant is not an individual, notice may be made to
any senior officer, 


                                       48

<PAGE>   54

general partner or principal thereof. Notice to any one co-Tenant shall be
deemed notice to all co-Tenants.

     16. RIGHT OF ENTRY; EXAMINATION OF RECORDS. Landlord and its representative
may enter the Premises at any reasonable time after reasonable notice to Tenant
for the purpose of inspecting the Premises for any reason including, without
limitation, Tenant's default under this Lease, or to exhibit the Premises for
sale, lease or mortgage financing, or posting notices of default, or
non-responsibility under any mechanic's or materialman's lien law or to
otherwise inspect the Premises for compliance with the terms of this Lease. Any
such entry shall not unreasonably interfere with residents, resident care, or
any other of Tenant's operations. During normal business hours, Tenant will
permit Landlord and Landlord's representatives, inspectors and consultants to
examine all contracts, books and records relating to Tenant's operations at the
Premises, whether kept at the Premises or at some other location, including,
without limitation, Tenant's financial records.

     17. LANDLORD MAY GRANT LIENS. Without the consent of Tenant, Landlord may,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth below in this Section 17, from
time to time, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist any
lien, encumbrance or title retention agreement ("ENCUMBRANCE") upon the
Premises, or any portion thereof or interest therein (including this Lease),
whether to secure any borrowing or other means of financing or refinancing or
otherwise. Any such Encumbrance shall provide that it is subject to the rights
of Tenant under this Lease, and shall further provide that so long as no Event
of Default shall have occurred under this Lease, Tenant's occupancy hereunder,
including but without limitation Tenant's right of quiet enjoyment provided in
Section 18, shall not be disturbed in 



                                       49

<PAGE>   55

the event any such lienholder or any other person takes possession of the
Premises through foreclosure proceeding or otherwise. Upon the request of
Landlord, Tenant shall subordinate this Lease to the lien of a new Encumbrance
on the Premises, on the condition that the proposed lender agrees not to disturb
Tenant's rights under this Lease so long as Tenant is not in default hereunder.

     18. QUIET ENJOYMENT. So long as there is no Event of Default which is
existing and continuing by Tenant, Landlord covenants and agrees that Tenant
shall peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Premises for the Term, free
of any claim or other action not caused or created by Tenant (excepting,
however, intrusion of Tenant's quiet enjoyment occasioned by condemnation or
destruction of the property as referred to in Section 12 and 13 hereof).

     19. APPLICABLE LAW. This Lease shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Illinois without regard to the
conflict of laws rules of such State.

     20. PRESERVATION OF GROSS REVENUES.

     20.1 Tenant acknowledges that a fair return to Landlord on its investment
in the Premises is dependent, in part, on the concentration on the Premises
during the Term of the Retirement Care Facilities business of Tenant and its
Affiliates in the geographical area of the Premises. Tenant further acknowledges
that the diversion of resident care activities from the Premises to other
facilities owned or operated by Tenant or its Affiliates will have a material
adverse impact on the value and utility of the Premises.


                                       50



<PAGE>   56

          20.1.1 Therefore, Tenant agrees that during the Term, and for a period
     of one (1) year thereafter (unless Tenant purchases the Premises), neither
     Tenant nor any of its Affiliates shall, without the prior written consent
     of Landlord, operate, own, participate in or otherwise receive revenues
     from any other facility or institution providing services or similar goods
     to those provided on or in connection with the Premises and the permitted
     use (including each use included in the definition of Retirement Care
     Facilities) thereof as contemplated under this Lease, within a three (3)
     mile radius of the Premises.

          20.1.2 In addition, Tenant hereby covenants and agrees that for a
     period of one year following the expiration or earlier termination of this
     Lease (unless Tenant purchases the Premises), neither Tenant nor any of its
     Affiliates shall, without prior written consent of Landlord, hire, engage
     or otherwise employ any management or supervisory personnel working on or
     in connection with the Premises. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
     Section 20.1.2 does not apply to any corporate manager or multi-facility
     employee to the extent such manager or employee is employed at other
     facilities operated by Tenant or its Affiliates.

     20.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord acknowledges that Tenant
operates home health agencies out of the offices located on the Premises.
Section 20.1 does not apply to such home health activities operated by Tenant or
its Affiliates out of the Premises.



                                       51

<PAGE>   57

     20.3 Except as required for medically appropriate reasons, prior to and
after Lease termination, neither Tenant nor any of its Affiliates will recommend
or solicit the removal or transfer of any resident from the Premises to any
other facility.

     21. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

     21.1 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL COVENANTS. Tenant's use of the Premises shall
comply in all material respects with all Hazardous Materials Laws. In the event
any Environmental Activities occur or are suspected to have occurred in
violation in any material respect of any Hazardous Materials Laws or if Tenant
has received any Hazardous Materials Claim against the Premises, Tenant shall
promptly obtain all permits and approvals necessary to remedy any such actual or
suspected problem through the removal of Hazardous Materials or otherwise, and
upon Landlord's approval of the remediation plan, remedy any such problem to the
satisfaction of Landlord, in accordance with all Hazardous Materials Laws and
good business practices.

     21.2 TENANT NOTICES TO LANDLORD. Tenant shall immediately advise Landlord
in writing of:

          21.2.1 any Environmental Activities in violation of any Hazardous
     Materials Laws,

          21.2.2 any Hazardous Materials Claims against Tenant or the Premises,

          21.2.3 any remedial action taken by Tenant in response to any
     Hazardous Materials Claims or any Hazardous Materials on, under or about
     the Premises in violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws,



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<PAGE>   58

          21.2.4 Tenant's discovery of any occurrence or condition on or in the
     vicinity of the Premises that materially increase the risk that the
     Premises will be exposed to Hazardous Materials,

          21.2.5 all communications to or from Tenant, any governmental
     authority or any other person relating to Hazardous Materials Laws or
     Hazardous Materials Claims with respect to the Premises, including copies
     thereof.

     21.3 EXTENSION OF TERM. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease,
in the event any Hazardous Materials are discovered on, under or about the
Premises in violation of any Hazardous Materials Law, the Term shall be
automatically extended and this Lease shall remain in full force and effect
until the earlier to occur of the completion of all remedial action or
monitoring, as approved by Landlord in its reasonable discretion, in accordance
in all material respects with all Hazardous Materials Laws, or the date
specified in a written notice from Landlord to Tenant terminating this Lease
(which date may be subsequent to the date upon which the Term was to have
expired).

     21.4 PARTICIPATION IN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CLAIMS. Landlord shall have the
right, at Tenant's sole cost and expense and with counsel chosen by Landlord, to
join and participate in, as a party if it so elects, any legal proceedings or
actions initiated in connection with any Hazardous Materials Claims.

     21.5 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES shall mean the use, generation,
transportation, handling, discharge, production, treatment, storage, release or
disposal of any Hazardous Materials at any time to or from the Premises or
located on or present on or under the 



                                       53

<PAGE>   59

Premises. Nothing contained in the foregoing or elsewhere in this Section 21 is
intended to, nor shall it, limit the liability of Tenant, if any, to Landlord
with respect to any representation or warranty given by Tenant to Landlord with
respect to Hazardous Materials or environmental matters generally as set forth
in that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement between Holley Court Terrace, L.P.,
a Tennessee limited partnership, an Affiliate of Tenant, and Landlord.

     21.6 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS shall mean (i) any petroleum products and/or
by-products (including any fraction thereof), flammable substances, explosives,
radioactive materials, hazardous or toxic wastes, substances or materials, known
carcinogens or any other materials, contaminants or pollutants which pose a
hazard to the Premises or to persons on or about the Premises or cause the
Premises to be in violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws; (ii) asbestos in
any form which is friable; (iii) urea formaldehyde in foam insulation or any
other form; (iv) transformers or other equipment which contain dielectric fluid
containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty (50) parts per
million or any other more restrictive standard then prevailing; (v) medical
wastes and biohazards; (vi) radon gas; and (vii) any other chemical, material or
substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any
governmental authority or may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of
the occupants of the Premises or the owners and/or occupants of property
adjacent to or surrounding the Premises.

     21.7 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CLAIMS shall mean any and all enforcement,
clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory actions or orders
threatened, instituted or completed pursuant to any Hazardous Material Laws,
together with all claims made or 



                                       54

<PAGE>   60

threatened by any third party against the Premises, Landlord or Tenant relating
to damage, contribution, cost recovery compensation, loss or injury resulting
from any Hazardous Materials.

     21.8 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS LAWS shall mean any and all federal, state, and
municipal laws, ordinances, regulations, rules, orders, guidelines or policies
relating to the environment, health and safety, Environmental Activities,
Hazardous Materials, air and water quality, waste, including medical and
biohazardous waste, and any other environmental matters, as they exist now or as
they are hereinafter enacted, promulgated, or amended. Hazardous Materials Laws
include, but are not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the
Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Illinois Environmental Protection Act,
and the Illinois Responsible Property Transfer Act.

     22. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING. Tenant shall not voluntarily or
involuntarily assign or hypothecate this Lease or any interest herein or sublet
the Premises or any part thereof. For the purposes of this Lease, a management
or similar agreement shall be considered to be an assignment of this Lease by
Tenant. Any of the foregoing acts shall be void but shall, at the option of
Landlord in its sole discretion, constitute an Event of Default giving rise to
Landlord's right, among other things, to terminate this Lease. Without limiting
the foregoing, this Lease shall not, nor shall any interest of Tenant herein, be
assigned or encumbered by operation of law. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Tenant may assign this Lease or sublet the Premises or any portion thereof to a
Successor (as such term is defined below), to a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Tenant provided that such Successor or subsidiary 



                                       55

<PAGE>   61

fully assumes the obligations of Tenant under this Lease, Tenant remains fully
liable under this Lease the use of the Premises remains unchanged, and no such
assignment or sublease shall be valid and no such subsidiary or Successor shall
take possession of the Premises until an executed counterpart of such assignment
or sublease has been delivered to Landlord. Anything contained in this Lease to
the contrary notwithstanding, Tenant shall not sublet the Premises on any basis
such that the rental to be paid by the sublessee thereunder would be based, in
whole or in part, on either the income or profits derived by the business
activities of the sublessee, or any other formula, such that any portion of the
sublease rental received by Landlord would fail to qualify as "rents from real
property" within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the U.S. Internal Revenue
Code, or any similar or successor provision thereto.

          22.1 For the purpose of this Lease, the transfer, assignment, sale,
     hypothecation or other disposition of any partnership, stock or other
     ownership interest in Tenant which results in a change in the Person (as
     hereinafter defined) which ultimately exerts effective Control (as
     hereinafter defined) over the management of the affairs of Tenant as of the
     date hereof, shall be deemed to be an assignment of the Lease. For purposes
     herein, "CONTROL" shall mean, as applied to any individual, partnership,
     association, corporation or other entity (collectively, "PERSON"), the
     possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management
     and policies of that Person, whether through ownership, voting control, by
     contract or otherwise.

          22.2 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section
     22.1, none of the following shall be deemed to be an assignment of the
     Lease (i) 



                                       56

<PAGE>   62

     an initial public offering ("IPO") of Tenant or any Successor thereto, or
     (ii) any secondary public offering(s) of Tenant or any Successor thereto,
     or (iii) subsequent to an IPO by Tenant or any Successor thereto, and so
     long as Tenant or its Successor is a publicly-traded entity on a national
     exchange, a change in the Person or Persons exercising Control of Tenant or
     its Successor, or (iv) a lease of a unit or bed to a resident of the
     Premises in the ordinary course of Tenant's business.

          22.3 As used herein, a "SUCCESSOR" is any entity which succeeds to
     materially all of the assets, operations and business of Tenant by merger
     or reorganization and which is Controlled by the same Person or Persons as
     Control Tenant prior to such merger or reorganization.

     23. INDEMNIFICATION. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tenant agrees
to protect, indemnify, defend and save harmless Landlord, its directors,
officers, shareholders, agents and employees from and against any and all
foreseeable or unforeseeable liability, expense loss, costs, deficiency, fine,
penalty, or damage (including without limitation punitive or consequential
damages) of any kind or nature, including reasonable attorneys' fees, from any
suits, claims or demands, on account of any matter or thing, action or failure
to act arising out of or in connection with this Lease (including, without
limitation, the breach by Tenant of any of its obligations hereunder), the
Premises, or the operations of Tenant on the Premises, including without
limitation all Environmental Activities on the Premises, all Hazardous Materials
Claims or any violation by Tenant of a Hazardous Materials Law with respect to
the Premises. Upon receiving knowledge of any suit, claim or demand asserted by
a third party 



                                       57

<PAGE>   63

that Landlord believes is covered by this indemnity, Landlord shall give Tenant
notice of the matter. Tenant shall defend Landlord against such matter at
Tenant's sole cost and expense with legal counsel satisfactory to Landlord.
Landlord may elect to defend the matter with its own counsel at Tenant's
expense.

     24. HOLDING OVER. If Tenant shall for any reason remain in possession of
the Premises after the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, such
possession shall be a month-to-month tenancy during which time Tenant shall pay
as rental each month, 1 1/2 times the aggregate of the monthly Minimum Rent
payable with respect to the last Lease Year plus Additional Rent allocable to
the month, all additional charges accruing during the month and all other sums,
if any, payable by Tenant pursuant to the provisions of this Lease with respect
to the Premises. Nothing contained herein shall constitute the consent, express
or implied, of Landlord to the holding over of Tenant after the expiration or
earlier termination of this Lease, nor shall anything contained herein be deemed
to limit Landlord's remedies pursuant to this Lease or otherwise available to
Landlord at law or in equity.

     25. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES. Tenant shall, at any time upon not less than
five (5) days prior written request by Landlord, execute, acknowledge and
deliver to Landlord or its designee a statement in writing, executed by an
officer or general partner of Tenant, certifying that this Lease is unmodified
and in full force and effect (or, if there have been any modifications, that
this Lease is in full force and effect as modified, and setting forth such
modifications), the dates to which Minimum Rent, Additional Rent and additional
charges hereunder have been paid, certifying that no default by either Landlord
or Tenant exists 



                                       58

<PAGE>   64

hereunder or specifying each such default and as to other matters as Landlord
may reasonably request.

     26. CONVEYANCE BY LANDLORD. If Landlord or any successor owner of the
Premises shall convey the Premises in accordance with the terms hereof, Landlord
or such successor owner shall thereupon be released from all future liabilities
and obligations of Landlord under this Lease arising or accruing from and after
the date of such conveyance or other transfer as to the Premises and all such
future liabilities and obligations shall thereupon be binding upon the new
owner.

     27. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Landlord and Tenant hereby waive any rights to
trial by jury in any action, proceedings or counterclaim brought by either of
the parties against the other in connection with any matter whatsoever arising
out of or in any way connected with this Lease, including, without limitation,
the relationship of Landlord and Tenant, Tenant's use and occupancy of the
Premises, or any claim of injury or damage relating to the foregoing or the
enforcement of any remedy hereunder.

     28. ATTORNEYS' FEES. If Landlord or Tenant brings any action to interpret
or enforce this Lease, or for damages for any alleged breach hereof, the
prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs as awarded by the court in addition to all other recovery,
damages and costs.

     29. SEVERABILITY. In the event any part or provision of the Lease shall be
determined to be invalid or enforceable, the remaining portion of this Lease
shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect.


                                       59

<PAGE>   65

     30. COUNTERPARTS. This Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement.

     31. BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the provisions of Section 22 above, this
Lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Landlord and Tenant and
their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors in interest and
assigns.

     32. WAIVER AND SUBROGATION. Landlord and Tenant hereby waive to each other
all rights of subrogation which any insurance carrier, or either of them, may
have as to the Landlord or Tenant by reason of any provision in any policy of
insurance issued to Landlord or Tenant, provided such waiver does not thereby
invalidate the policy of insurance.

     33. MEMORANDUM OF LEASE. Landlord and Tenant shall, promptly upon the
request of either, enter into a short form memorandum of the Lease, in form
suitable for recording under the laws of the State of Illinois in which
reference to this Lease shall be made. The party requesting such recordation
shall pay all costs and expenses of preparing and recording such memorandum of
this Lease.

     34. INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND ATTACHMENTS. The recitals and exhibits,
schedules, addenda and other attachments to this Lease are hereby incorporated
into this Lease and made a part hereof.

     35. TITLES AND HEADINGS. The titles and headings of sections of this Lease
are intended for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Lease.


                                       60

<PAGE>   66

     36. NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP; USURY SAVINGS CLAUSE. The parties intend that
their relationship shall be that of lessor and lessee only. Nothing contained in
this Lease shall be deemed or construed to constitute an extension of credit by
Landlord to Tenant, nor shall this Lease be deemed to be a partnership or
venture agreement between Landlord and Tenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event any payment made to Landlord hereunder is deemed to violate any
applicable laws regarding usury, the portion of any payment deemed to be
usurious shall be held by Landlord to pay the future obligations of Tenant as
such obligations arise and, in the event Tenant discharges and performs all
obligations hereunder, such funds will be reimbursed to Tenant upon the
expiration of the Term. No interest shall be paid on any such funds held by
Landlord.

     37. JOINT AND SEVERAL. If more than one person or entity is the Tenant
hereunder, the liability and obligations of such persons or entities under this
Lease shall be joint and several.

     38. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. All of the
obligations, representations, warranties and covenants of Tenant under this
Lease shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Term.

     39. INTERPRETATION. Both Landlord and Tenant have been represented by
counsel and this Lease has been freely and fairly negotiated. Consequently, all
provisions of this Lease shall be interpreted according to their fair meaning
and shall not be strictly construed against any party.



                            [SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE]




                                       61


<PAGE>   67



     Executed as of the date indicated above.

                             TENANT:


                             AMERICAN RETIREMENT
                             COMMUNITIES, L.P.,
                             a Tennessee limited partnership


                             By:      AMERICAN RETIREMENT
                                      COMMUNITIES, LLC,
                                      a Tennessee limited
                                      liability company


                             By:      ___________________________
                                      H. Todd Kaestner,
                                      Executive Vice President - Corporate
                                      Development


                             LANDLORD:


                             NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES, INC.,
                             a Maryland corporation


                             By:      ___________________________
                                      T. Andrew Stokes,
                                      Senior Vice President, Development




                                       S-1

<PAGE>   68



                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                          Legal Description of Premises


         THE LAND REFERRED TO IN THIS POLICY IS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY
         OF COOK AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

         THAT PART OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PARCELS (ALL TAKEN AS ONE TRACT)
         EXCEPT THE WEST 299.00 FEET OF SAID TRACT:

         (A) THE NORTH 92 FEET OF LOTS 7 AND 8 LYING NORTH OF THE NORTH LINE OF
         HOLLEY COURT (FORMERLY CEDAR STREET) IN SKINNER'S SUBDIVISION OF 30
         ACRES IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 7,
         TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN
         COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS;

         (B) THE NORTH 92 FEET OF LOTS 1 AND 2 IN HENRY MOHLE'S SUBDIVISION OF
         LOT 9 IN SAMUEL P. SKINNER'S SUBDIVISION OF 30 ACRES IN THE SOUTHWEST
         CORNER OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13
         EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS;

         (C) THE NORTH 98 FEET OF LOTS 1 THROUGH 4 AND THE NORTH 92 FEET OF LOTS
         5 THROUGH 7 IN HOLLEY'S SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 2 TO 12 IN BLOCK 2 OF
         WHAPLE'S SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4
         OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL
         MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS;

         (D) LOTS 1 THROUGH 4 IN BOLLE'S SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 7 AND 8 IN BLOCK 8
         IN KETTLESTRING'S ADDITION TO HARLEM, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE
         NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE
         THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS;

         (E) LOT 6 IN BLOCK 8 IN KETTLESTRING'S ADDITION TO HARLEM, BEING A
         SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE NORTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39
         NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY,
         ILLINOIS;

         (F) ALL OF THE VACATED EAST AND WEST ALLEY (VACATED BY ORDINANCE
         RECORDED AUGUST 17, 1953 AS DOCUMENT 15696610) LYING NORTH OF AND
         ADJOINING LOTS 1, 2, AND 3 AFORESAID, SOUTH OF AND ADJOINING LOTS 1, 2,
         3 AND PART OF LOT 4, AFORESAID EAST OF THE 


                                      A-1


<PAGE>   69

         WEST LINE OF LOT 1, PRODUCED NORTH, AND WEST OF THE EAST LINE OF LOT
         3, PRODUCED NORTH, SAID ALLEY BEING THAT PART OF THE SOUTH 12 FEET OF
         LOT 7 IN BLOCK 8 IN KETTLESTRING'S ADDITION TO HARLEM, AFORESAID LYING
         WEST OF THE EAST LINE OF LOT 3, PRODUCED NORTH, ALL IN COOK COUNTY,
         ILLINOIS;

         (G) ALL OF THE EAST-WEST 12 FOOT PUBLIC ALLEY (VACATED BY ORDINANCE
         RECORDED AUGUST 6, 1964 AS DOCUMENT 19207080) LYING SOUTH OF AND
         ADJOINING LOT 4 IN BOLLE'S SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 7 AND 8 OF BLOCK 8 IN
         KETTLESTRING'S ADDITION TO HARLEM, AND NORTH OF AND ADJOINING LOT 4 IN
         HOLLEY'S SUBDIVISION AFORESAID IN SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE
         13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

         (H) ALL OF HARLEM COURT (VACATED BY ORDINANCE RECORDED AUGUST 6, 1964
         AS DOCUMENT 19207080) LYING WEST OF AND ADJACENT TO LOT 6 IN BLOCK 8 IN
         KETTLESTRING'S ADDITION TO HARLEM IN SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH,
         RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY,
         ILLINOIS.




                                      A-2
<PAGE>   70



                                   EXHIBIT "B"

                           Landlord Personal Property

     All furniture, furnishings, equipment, tools, machinery, fixtures,
appliances and all other intangible and tangible personal property, other than
the Fixtures (as defined in the Lease), conveyed to Landlord pursuant to that
certain Purchase and Sale Agreement between Holley Court Terrace, L.P., a
Tennessee limited partnership, an Affiliate of Tenant, and Landlord.







                                      B-1

<PAGE>   71



                                   EXHIBIT "C"

                                Appraisal Process


     If Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree upon the Adjusted Fair Market
Value of the Premises within any relevant period provided in this Lease, each
shall within ten (10) days after written demand by the other select one MAI
Appraiser to participate in the determination of Adjusted Fair Market Value. For
all purposes under this Lease, the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises
shall be based on the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises unencumbered by
this Lease. Within ten (10) days of such selection, the MAI Appraisers so
selected by Landlord and Tenant shall select a third MAI Appraiser. The three
(3) selected MAI Appraisers shall each determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value
of the Premises within thirty (30) days of the selection of the third appraiser.
To the extent consistent with sound appraisal practices as then existing at the
time of any such appraisal, and if requested by Landlord, such appraisal, shall
be made on a basis consistent with the basis on which the Premises was appraised
at the time of its acquisition by Landlord. Each of Tenant and Landlord shall
pay the fees and expenses of any MAI Appraiser which such party appoints
pursuant to this Exhibit plus 50% of the cost of the third appraiser.

     In the event either Landlord or Tenant fails to select a MAI Appraiser
within the time period set forth in the foregoing paragraph, the MAI Appraiser
selected by the other party shall alone determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value
of the Premises in accordance with the provisions of this Exhibit and the
Adjusted Fair Market Value so determined shall be binding upon Landlord and
Tenant.

     In the event the MAI Appraisers selected by Landlord and Tenant are unable
to agree upon a third MAI Appraiser within the time period set forth in the
first paragraph of this Exhibit, either Landlord or Tenant shall have the right
to apply at their mutual expense to the presiding judge of the court of original
trial jurisdiction in the county in which the Premises is located to name the
third MAI Appraiser.

     Within five (5) days after completion of the third MAI Appraiser's
appraisal, all three MAI Appraisers shall meet and a majority of the MAI
Appraisers shall attempt to determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the
Premises. If a majority are unable to determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value
at such meeting, the three appraisals shall be added together and their total
divided by three. The resulting quotient shall be the Adjusted Fair Market Value
of the Premises. If, however, either or both of the low appraisal or the high
appraisal are more than ten percent (10%) lower or higher than the middle
appraisal, any such lower or higher appraisal shall be disregarded. If only one
appraisal is disregarded, the remaining two appraisals shall be added together
and their total divided by two, and the resulting quotient shall be such
Adjusted Fair Market Value. If both the lower appraisal and higher appraisal are
disregarded as provided herein, the middle appraisal shall be such Adjusted Fair
Market Value. In any event, the result of the foregoing appraisal process shall
be final and binding.


                                      C-1
<PAGE>   72



     Landlord, Tenant and any Guarantor will exercise their respective best
efforts to expedite the appraisal process and will cooperate fully and with all
deliberate speed with each other and with all appraisers in order to allow the
determination of Adjusted Fair Market Value to be finally completed.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Exhibit, if any appraiser appointed
hereunder fails to complete his or her report within 60 days of his or her
appointment, the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises will be determined
by reference to the other report or reports completed within such period.

     "MAI APPRAISER" shall mean an appraiser licensed or otherwise qualified to
do business in the State and who has substantial experience in performing
appraisals of facilities similar to the Premises and is certified as a member of
the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or certified as a SRPA by the
Society of Real Estate Appraisers, or, if such organizations no longer exist or
certify appraisers, such successor organization or such other organization as is
approved by Landlord.






                                      C-2
<PAGE>   73



                                   EXHIBIT "D"

                              Permitted Exceptions

     1. The standard printed exceptions, conditions and exclusions from coverage
contained in the standard coverage owner's title policy then prevailing in use
at the title company which consummates the sale transaction.

     2. Any matters which an accurate survey of the Premises may show.

     3. Exception Nos. 7 (modified to provide that no taxes are due and
payable), 10 and 12 through 15 on the preliminary title report issued by
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company dated November 7, 1996 under Order
Number 96-11331.

     4. Such other matters burdening the Premises which were created with the
consent or knowledge of Tenant or arising out of Tenant's acts or omissions.




                                      D-1
<PAGE>   74



                                   EXHIBIT "E"

                            Initial Term Minimum Rent

                                   [attached]




                                      E-1



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

                          Lease and Security Agreement

                                 by and between

                    NH Texas Properties Limited Partnership,
                           a Texas limited partnership

                                  as "Landlord"



                                       and



                       Trinity Towers Limited Partnership,
                         a Tennessee limited partnership

                                   as "Tenant"



                              Dated January 2, 1997




<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS                      
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        Page
<S>      <C>                                                             <C>
1.       Term............................................................  3
         1.1      Term...................................................  3
         1.2      Renewal Terms..........................................  3

2.       Rent............................................................  4
         2.1      Initial Term Minimum Rent..............................  4
         2.2      Renewal Term Minimum Rent..............................  8
         2.3      Initial Term Additional Rent........................... 11
         2.4      Renewal Term Additional Rent........................... 12
         2.5      Total Rent............................................. 12
         2.6      Proration for Partial Periods.......................... 14
         2.7      Absolute Net Lease..................................... 14

3.       Taxes, Assessments and Other Charges............................ 16
         3.1      Tenant's Obligations................................... 16
         3.2      Proration.............................................. 17
         3.3      Right to Protest....................................... 17
         3.4      Tax Bills.............................................. 17
         3.5      Other Charges.......................................... 17

4.       Insurance....................................................... 17
         4.1      General Insurance Requirements......................... 17
         4.2      Fire and Other Casualty................................ 19
         4.3      Public Liability....................................... 20
         4.4      Professional Liability Insurance....................... 20
         4.5      Workers Compensation................................... 20
         4.6      Boiler Insurance....................................... 21
         4.7      Business Interruption Insurance........................ 21
         4.8      Course of Construction Insurance....................... 21
         4.9      Deductible Amounts..................................... 21

5.       Use, Maintenance and Alteration of the Premises................. 21
         5.1      Tenant's Maintenance Obligations....................... 21
         5.2      Regulatory Compliance.................................. 23
         5.3      Permitted Use.......................................... 25
         5.4      Tenant Repurchase Obligation........................... 25
         5.5      No Liens; Permitted Contests........................... 26
         5.6      Alterations by Tenant.................................. 27
         5.7      Capital Improvements Funded by Landlord................ 28
         5.8      Compliance With IRS Guidelines......................... 28
         5.9      Skyway Improvements; Re-plotting....................... 29

</TABLE>


                                       i

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                              <C>
6.       Condition And Title Of Premises; Right of First Offer........... 32
         6.1      Condition and Title of Premises........................ 32
         6.2      Right of First Offer to Purchase Premises.............. 34

7.       Landlord and Tenant Personal Property........................... 38
         7.1      Tenant Personal Property............................... 38
         7.2      Landlord's Security Interest........................... 39
         7.3      Financing Statements................................... 41
         7.4      Intangible Property.................................... 41

8.       Representations And Warranties.................................. 42
         8.1      Due Authorization And Execution........................ 42
         8.2      Due Organization....................................... 42
         8.3      No Breach of Other Agreements.......................... 42

9.       Financial, Management and Regulatory Reports.................... 42
         9.1      Monthly Facility Reports............................... 42
         9.2      Quarterly Financial Statements......................... 43
         9.3      Annual Financial Statement............................. 43
         9.4      Accounting Principles.................................. 44
         9.5      Regulatory Reports..................................... 44

10.      Events of Default and Landlord's Remedies....................... 44
         10.1     Events of Default...................................... 44
         10.2     Remedies............................................... 48
         10.3     Receivership........................................... 50
         10.4     Late Charges........................................... 51
         10.5     Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver......................... 52
         10.6     Performance of Tenant's Obligations by Landlord........ 52

11.      Security Deposit................................................ 53

12.      Damage by Fire or Other Casualty................................ 53
         12.1     Reconstruction Using Insurance......................... 53
         12.2     Surplus Proceeds....................................... 53
         12.3     No Rent Abatement...................................... 53
         12.4     End of Term............................................ 54

13.      Condemnation.................................................... 54
         13.1     Complete Taking........................................ 54
         13.2     Partial Taking......................................... 54
         13.3     Lease Remains in Effect................................ 55

14.      Provisions on Termination of Term............................... 55
</TABLE>


                                       ii

<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                              <C>
         14.1     Surrender of Possession................................ 55
         14.2     Removal of Personal Property........................... 55
         14.3     Title to Personal Property Not Removed................. 56
         14.4     Management of Premises................................. 56
         14.5     Correction of Deficiencies............................. 57

15.      Notices and Demands............................................. 57

16.      Right of Entry; Examination of Records.......................... 58

17.      Landlord May Grant Liens........................................ 58

18.      Quiet Enjoyment................................................. 59

19.      Applicable Law.................................................. 59

20.      Preservation of Gross Revenues.................................. 59

21.      Hazardous Materials............................................. 62
         21.1     Hazardous Material Covenants........................... 62
         21.2     Tenant Notices to Landlord............................. 62
         21.3     Extension of Term...................................... 63
         21.4     Participation in Hazardous Materials Claims............ 63
         21.5     Environmental Activities............................... 63
         21.6     Hazardous Materials.................................... 64
         21.7     Hazardous Materials Claims............................. 64
         21.8     Hazardous Materials Laws............................... 65
         21.9     Existing Hazardous Materials........................... 65

23.      Indemnification................................................. 67

24.      Holding Over.................................................... 68

25.      Estoppel Certificates........................................... 69

26.      Conveyance by Landlord.......................................... 69

27.      Waiver of Jury Trial............................................ 69

28.      Attorneys' Fees................................................. 70

29.      Severability.................................................... 70
</TABLE>

                                     iii
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                              <C>
30.      Counterparts.................................................... 70

31.      Binding Effect.................................................. 70

32.      Waiver and Subrogation.......................................... 70

33.      Memorandum of Lease............................................. 70

34.      Incorporation of Recitals and Attachments....................... 71

35.      Titles and Headings............................................. 71

36.      Nature of Relationship; Usury Savings Clause.................... 71

37.      Joint and Several............................................... 71

38.      Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants........... 71

39.      Interpretation.................................................. 72
</TABLE>



EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A-1 - LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PREMISES
EXHIBIT A-2 - LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF EXPANSION PARCEL
EXHIBIT B - LANDLORD PERSONAL PROPERTY
EXHIBIT C - APPRAISAL PROCESS
EXHIBIT D - PERMITTED EXCEPTIONS
EXHIBIT E - EXEMPTED PROPERTIES
EXHIBIT F - BASIC INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT




                                       iv

<PAGE>   6
                          LEASE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

     THIS LEASE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT ("LEASE") is made and entered into as of
the 2nd day of January, 1997 by and between NH Texas Properties Limited
Partnership, a Texas limited partnership ("LANDLORD"), and Trinity Towers
Limited Partnership, a Tennessee limited partnership ("TENANT").

                               W I T N E S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Landlord is the owner of that certain real property, all
improvements thereon and all appurtenances thereto, presently used as a
continuing care retirement community known as "Trinity Towers" licensed for
sixty (60) Nursing Facility beds and thirty-nine (39) Personal Care Facility
Unit (Type A Large) beds and also containing one hundred sixty-nine (169)
independent living facility units, located at 101 North Upper Broadway, Corpus
Christi, Texas 78401 and more specifically described in Exhibit "A-1" attached
hereto, together with certain of the furniture, machinery, equipment,
appliances, fixtures, supplies and other personal property used in connection
therewith as more specifically described on Exhibit "B" attached hereto
("LANDLORD PERSONAL PROPERTY"). The foregoing real and personal property owned
by Landlord as described in this Recital shall be collectively referred to in
this Lease as the "PREMISES";

         WHEREAS, an approximately two (2) acre portion of the Premises has been
designated as the "EXPANSION PARCEL", as more specifically described in Exhibit
"A-2" attached hereto. 



                                       1
<PAGE>   7

Landlord has agreed to provide funds for the renovation of the Premises and the
construction of an approximately one hundred four thousand (104,000) square foot
five (5) story building on the Expansion Parcel, all as more particularly
described in the "DEVELOPMENT ADDENDUM" attached hereto. The Expansion Parcel
shall be deemed part of the Premises for all purposes of this Lease, and upon
the funding of any furniture, machinery, equipment, appliances, fixtures,
supplies and other personal property used in connection with the facility to be
constructed on the Expansion Parcel, such personal property shall be deemed part
of the Landlord Personal Property for all purposes of this Lease; and

     WHEREAS, after the completion of the expansion and renovation described in
the Development Addendum, the Premises will consist of and be licensed for
eighty-four (84) Personal Care Facility Unit (Type A Large) beds and seventy-six
(76) Nursing Facility beds in the new building constructed on the Expansion
Parcel, while the existing building will be reconfigured to be operated and
licensed as one hundred ninety-six (196) independent living facility units and
fifteen (15) dementia care units. As used in this Lease, the term "RETIREMENT
CARE FACILITIES" shall mean the continuing care retirement community on the
Premises as configured and licensed as described in these Recitals, both before
and after its expansion pursuant to the Development Addendum; and

     WHEREAS, American Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership ("GUARANTOR") has agreed to guarantee Tenant's obligations under
this Lease; and

     WHEREAS, Landlord desires to lease the Premises to Tenant, and Tenant
desires to lease the Premises from Landlord.



                                        2

<PAGE>   8



     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, conditions and
agreements set forth herein, Landlord hereby leases and lets unto Tenant the
Premises for the term and upon the conditions and provisions hereinafter set
forth. 

     1. TERM.

     1.1 TERM. The term of this Lease shall commence on January 2, 1997 and
shall end on December 31, 2006 (the "INITIAL TERM") unless extended pursuant to
Section 1.2 or earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof. The
Initial Term and all Renewal Terms are referred to collectively as the "TERM".

     1.2 RENEWAL TERMS. The Term may be extended for three (3) separate renewal
terms (each a "RENEWAL TERM") of ten (10) years each, upon the satisfaction of
all of the following terms and conditions:

          1.2.1 Not more than ten (10) business days before or after the date
     which is fifteen (15) months prior to the end of the then current Term,
     Tenant shall give Landlord written notice that Tenant desires to exercise
     its right to extend the then current Term for one (1) Renewal Term.

          1.2.2 There shall be no Event of Default (as defined in Section 10
     below) under this Lease, either on the date of Tenant's notice to Landlord
     pursuant to Section 1.2.1 above, or on the last day of the then current
     Term.

          1.2.3 Guarantor concurrently exercises its right to extend the then
     current term of that certain Lease and Security Agreement of even date
     herewith by and between Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., a Maryland
     corporation


                                        3

<PAGE>   9



     ("NHP"), and Guarantor (the "NHP AGREEMENT") and the terms and conditions
     of renewal of the NHP Agreement are fully satisfied.

          1.2.4 The amount of the letter of credit posted by Tenant pursuant to
     Section 11 of this Lease shall be increased for the remainder of the Term
     to Seven Hundred Forty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty and 74/100 Dollars
     ($740,740.74) concurrently with the commencement of the first Renewal Term.

          1.2.5 All other provisions of this Lease shall remain in full force
     and effect and shall continuously apply throughout the Renewal Term(s).

     2. RENT. During the Initial Term and all Renewal Terms, minimum rent
("MINIMUM RENT") and additional rent ("ADDITIONAL RENT") shall accrue and/or be
paid by Tenant to Landlord as follows:

     2.1 INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT. During the Initial Term, the Minimum Rent
shall accrue or be paid to Landlord by Tenant monthly in advance and shall be
calculated as follows:

          2.1.1 BASIC INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT. Tenant shall pay to Landlord
     basic Minimum Rent according to the schedule on Exhibit "F" attached
     hereto, payable in advance on the first business day of each calendar
     month. Such monthly amount is referred to herein as the "BASIC INITIAL TERM
     MINIMUM RENT."

          2.1.2 RENOVATION INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT. The monthly Minimum Rent
     payable by Tenant during the Initial Term shall increase with each advance
     for Renovation Work under the Development Addendum by an 



                                        4

<PAGE>   10



     amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the product of (i) the amount of the
     applicable advance for Renovation Work, times (ii) a percentage equal to
     three hundred twenty-five (325) basis points over the twenty (20) day
     average 10 year United States Treasury rate in effect on the date such
     advance is made by Landlord (the "RENOVATION INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT").
     Within ten (10) days after the end of each calendar month in which an
     advance for Renovation Work is made under the Development Addendum,
     Landlord shall notify Tenant of the Renovation Initial Term Minimum Rent.
     Renovation Initial Term Minimum Rent resulting from an advance made during
     the then current month shall be prorated (based on a thirty (30) day month
     and actual days elapsed) from the date of such advance to the last day of
     said month, and, together with Renovation Initial Term Minimum Rent
     resulting from advances made in prior months, shall be payable on the first
     business day of each calendar month thereafter along with the Basic Initial
     Term Minimum Rent.

          2.1.3 EXPANSION INITIAL TERM MINIMUM RENT. During the Initial Term,
     Minimum Rent shall be calculated with respect to advances under the
     Development Addendum with respect to Expansion Work as follows:

          (i) Landlord shall determine the London Interbank Offering Rate for 30
     day advances (the "LIBOR RATE") in effect on the first business day of each
     calendar month before Substantial Completion occurs as to the Expansion
     Work (as "Substantial Completion" is defined in the Development Addendum);



                                        5

<PAGE>   11



          (ii) During each calendar month in the Initial Term until Substantial
     Completion occurs for the Expansion Work, Minimum Rent (referred to herein
     as the "CONSTRUCTION PERIOD EXPANSION RENT") shall accrue but shall not be
     paid:

               (A) on the total of (x) all advances made under the Development
          Addendum with respect to Expansion Work plus (y) all previously
          accrued but unpaid Construction Period Expansion Rent;

               (B) at a rate equal to one twelfth (1/12) of the sum of (x) the
          LIBOR Rate in affect for the applicable month, plus (y) one hundred
          fifty (150) basis points;


          (iii) The accrual of Construction Period Expansion Rent calculated
     under this Section 2.1.3 with respect to advances made other than on the
     first day of a calendar month shall be prorated in the month in which
     advances are made on the basis of a thirty (30) day month and actual days
     elapsed; 

          (iv) On the day on which Substantial Completion occurs as to the
     Expansion Work (the "RESET DATE"), the monthly Minimum Rent with respect to
     the total of (A) all advances under the Development Addendum for Expansion
     Work plus (B) all accrued but unpaid Construction Period Expansion Rent
     shall be reset at an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the product of
     (I) the total of such advances made for Expansion Work plus accrued but
     unpaid 


                                        6



<PAGE>   12



     Construction Period Expansion Rent, times (II) three hundred twenty-five
     (325) basis points over the twenty (20) day average 10 year United States
     Treasury rate in effect on the Reset Date (the "EXPANSION INITIAL TERM
     MINIMUM RENT");

          (v) The Expansion Initial Term Minimum Rent shall accrue but not be
     paid until ninety (90) days after the Reset Date. The total amount which
     accrues during such ninety (90) day period is referred to herein as the
     "DEFERRED RENT AMOUNT" and such ninety (90) day period is referred to as
     the "DEFERRAL PERIOD";

          (vi) Commencing with the Reset Payment Commencement Date (as such term
     is defined in the next sentence) and on the first business day of each
     calendar month thereafter during the Initial Term, the Minimum Rent payable
     during the Initial Term shall include the Expansion Initial Term Minimum
     Rent. As used herein, the "RESET PAYMENT COMMENCEMENT DATE" shall mean the
     first business day of the calendar month immediately following the
     expiration of the Deferral Period. If the Reset Date falls on other than
     the first business day of a calendar month, on the Reset Payment
     Commencement Date, Tenant shall also pay a prorated amount of Expansion
     Initial Term Minimum Rent for the period from the end of the Deferral
     Period to the Reset Payment Commencement Date, based on a thirty (30) day
     month and actual days elapsed;


                                       7

 

<PAGE>   13

          (vii) Commencing on the Reset Payment Commencement Date and monthly
     thereafter during the Initial Term, the Minimum Rent payable by Tenant
     shall also include an amount (the "AMORTIZING PAYMENT") equal to (A) the
     Deferred Rent Amount, divided by (B) the number of calendar months
     remaining after the end of the Deferral Period through the end of the
     Initial Term;
                                    
          (viii) Therefore, during the Initial Term but before the end of the
     Deferral Period, monthly Minimum Rent payable by Tenant consists of the
     Basic Initial Term Minimum Rent plus the Renovation Initial Term Minimum
     Rent; and
                                    
          (ix) After the end of the Deferral Period and continuing for the
     remainder of the Initial Term, monthly Minimum Rent payable by Tenant
     consists of (A) the Basic Initial Term Minimum Rent, plus (B) the
     Renovation Initial Term Minimum Rent, plus (C) the Expansion Initial Term
     Minimum Rent, plus (D) the Amortizing Payment.
                  

     2.2 RENEWAL TERM MINIMUM RENT. The Minimum Rent for each Renewal Term shall
be expressed as an annual amount but shall be payable in advance in equal
monthly installments on the first business day of each calendar month. Such
annual Minimum Rent shall be equal to the product of: 

          2.2.1 the lesser of (i) the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises
     (as such term is defined in Section 2.2.4 below) on the date of Tenant's
     notice 


                                       8
<PAGE>   14

     of exercise pursuant to Section 1.2.1 or (ii) Landlord's Adjusted
     Investment in the Premises (as defined in Section 2.2.5 below); and

          2.2.2 a percentage equal to three hundred (300) basis points over the
     twenty (20) day average 10 year United States Treasury rate in effect on
     the date of Tenant's notice of exercise pursuant to Section 1.2.1.

          2.2.3 notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Minimum
     Rent for the first Renewal Term exceed one hundred twenty-eight and
     one-eighth percent (128.125%) of the Total Rent (as such term is defined in
     Section 2.3.1 below) payable during calendar year 2005, and in no event
     shall the Minimum Rent for any Renewal Term other than the first Renewal
     Term exceed one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the Total Rent in
     effect for the Lease Year immediately preceding the first Lease Year of
     such Renewal Term. Furthermore, in no event shall the Minimum Rent for the
     first Lease Year of the first Renewal Term be less than one hundred two and
     one-half percent (102.5%) of the Total Rent payable during calendar year
     2005.

          2.2.4 As used herein, the "ADJUSTED FAIR MARKET VALUE" of the Premises
     shall mean fair market value as determined under this Lease with the
     following adjustments: (i) excluding the enterprise value of any home
     health agency operated by Tenant out of space in the Premises but including
     the fair rental value of such space; and (ii) minus the value of any
     capital improvements to the Premises paid for by Tenant and not funded by
     Landlord under Section 5.7 below.


                                       9

<PAGE>   15

          2.2.5 As used herein, "LANDLORD'S ADJUSTED INVESTMENT" in the Premises
     shall mean Landlord's Original Investment (as hereinafter defined in this
     Section 2.2.5) multiplied at the end of each Lease Year by a percentage
     equal to one hundred percent (100%) plus one-half (1/2) of the CPI Increase
     (as defined in Section 2.2.6 below) for such Lease Year. As used herein,
     "LANDLORD'S ORIGINAL INVESTMENT" shall mean Sixteen Million Five Hundred
     Eighty Thousand Dollars ($16,580,000) as increased by (B) any amount paid
     by Landlord pursuant to Section 5.7 below or pursuant to the Development
     Addendum, plus (C) the total of accrued Construction Period Expansion Rent,
     and as decreased by (D) any net award paid to Landlord pursuant to Section
     13.2 below, all as applicable.

          2.2.6 As used herein, "CPI" shall be defined as the Consumer Price
     Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, United States
     Average, Subgroup "All Items" (1982-1984=100), as published by the United
     States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The "CPI INCREASE"
     shall be calculated annually by comparing the CPI in effect on the first
     calendar day of the immediately preceding Lease Year to the first calendar
     day of the then current Lease Year.

If within ten (10) days of the date of Tenant's notice of exercise pursuant to
Section 1.2.1, Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree on the Adjusted Fair
Market Value of the Premises for purposes of this calculation, such Adjusted
Fair Market Value shall be established by the appraisal process described on
Exhibit "C" attached hereto. The Minimum Rent for the 


                                       10



<PAGE>   16

applicable Renewal Term must be finally determined by such appraisal process on
or before a date ninety (90) days after Tenant's notice of exercise pursuant to
Section 1.2.1 or Tenant shall lose its right to extend the Term. Landlord and
Tenant acknowledge and agree that this Section is designed to establish a fair
market Minimum Rent for the Premises during the applicable Renewal Terms.

     2.3 INITIAL TERM ADDITIONAL RENT.

          2.3.1 Commencing with the second Lease Year of the Initial Term and
     continuing thereafter during the Initial Term, Tenant agrees to pay
     Additional Rent to Landlord on a monthly basis in arrears on the first
     business day of each calendar month. Such Additional Rent shall be equal to
     (a) twenty percent (20%) of the amount by which the Gross Revenues for the
     Lease Year through the applicable month exceed the prorated Gross Revenues
     for the applicable portion of the Base Year, minus (b) all Additional Rent
     theretofore paid by Tenant during such Lease Year.

          2.3.2 "GROSS REVENUES" shall be calculated according to GAAP and shall
     be defined as all revenues generated by the operation, sublease and/or use
     of the Premises in any way, excluding (i) contractual allowances during the
     Term for billings not paid by or received from the appropriate governmental
     agencies or third party providers; (ii) all proper patient billing credits
     and adjustments according to GAAP relating to health care accounting; and
     (iii) federal, state or local sales or excise taxes and any tax based upon
     or measured by said revenues which is added to or made a part of the amount


                                       11
<PAGE>   17

     billed to the patient or other recipient of such services or goods, whether
     included in the billing or stated separately.

          2.3.3 "LEASE YEAR" shall be defined as the twelve (12) month periods
     commencing on January 1 of each year of the Term.

          2.3.4 The "BASE YEAR" during the Initial Term shall mean the year
     ending on December 31, 1997.

     2.4 RENEWAL TERM ADDITIONAL RENT. Except during the first Lease Year of any
Renewal Term, Tenant shall pay to Landlord Additional Rent in each Renewal Term
on a monthly basis in arrears no more than 30 days after the end of each month
during the applicable Lease Year. The Additional Rent for each Renewal Term
shall be calculated as provided in Section 2.3 except that the Base Year for the
purpose of determining such Additional Rent shall be the first Lease Year of the
applicable Renewal Term.

     2.5 TOTAL RENT.

          2.5.1 For all purposes of calculating and paying Minimum Rent and
     Additional Rent under this Lease, the total of the Minimum Rent and
     Additional Rent ("TOTAL RENT") payable by Tenant in any Lease Year will not
     be less than the Total Rent paid by Tenant for the previous Lease Year.

          2.5.2 Notwithstanding any of the other terms of this Section 2 but
     subject to Section 2.5.3 below, the Total Rent due during each Lease Year
     shall not increase from one Lease Year to the next by an amount in excess
     of (i) two and one-half percent (2.5%), multiplied by (ii) the Total Rent
     due during the immediately preceding Lease Year. 


                                       12

<PAGE>   18

          2.5.3 The terms of Section 2.5.2 above shall have no applicability in
     determining the calculation of the Minimum Rent due during the first Lease
     Year of any Renewal Term.

          2.5.4 Within sixty (60) days of the end of each Lease Year, Tenant
     shall deliver to Landlord a report in a form mutually agreed upon by
     Landlord and Tenant, certified by an officer or general partner of Tenant,
     as applicable, setting forth the calculations required by the application
     of this Section 2.5. If said report provides that Tenant owes Landlord any
     sum of money, Tenant shall accompany such report delivered to Landlord with
     such funds. If said report provides that Landlord owes Tenant any sum of
     money, such sum shall be applied as a credit against future installments of
     Minimum Rent and Additional Rent due from Tenant to Landlord; provided,
     however, if such sum is owed by Landlord to Tenant with respect to the last
     Lease Year of the Term, Landlord shall pay such sum to Tenant within thirty
     (30) days of Landlord's receipt of the report in question.

          2.5.5 For the purpose of comparing the Total Rent from Lease Year to
     Lease Year pursuant to this Section 2.5, the increase in Minimum Rent by
     reason of any disbursement by Landlord pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Lease
     or pursuant to the Development Addendum shall be treated as follows: (i)
     for the purpose of comparing the Total Rent in the Lease Year in which such
     disbursement is made against the Total Rent in the preceding Lease Year,
     such increase in Minimum Rent shall be ignored, and (ii) for the purpose of


                                       13
<PAGE>   19

     comparing the Total Rent in the Lease Year in which such disbursement is
     made to the Total Rent in the following Lease Year, such increase in
     Minimum Rent shall be deemed effective on the first day of the Lease Year
     in which the disbursement is made.

     2.6 PRORATION FOR PARTIAL PERIODS. The rent for any month during the Term
which begins or ends on other than the first or last calendar day of a calendar
month shall be prorated based on actual days elapsed.

     2.7 ABSOLUTE NET LEASE.

          2.7.1 GENERALLY. All rent payments shall be absolutely net to the
     Landlord free of taxes (other than federal or state income taxes calculated
     on the net income of Landlord), assessments, utility charges, operating
     expenses, refurnishings, insurance premiums or any other charge or expense
     in connection with the Premises. All expenses and charges, whether for
     upkeep, maintenance, repair, refurnishing, refurbishing, restoration,
     replacement, insurance premiums, real estate or other property taxes,
     utilities, and other operating or other charges of a like nature or
     otherwise, shall be paid by Tenant. This provision is not in derogation of
     the specific provisions of this Lease, but in expansion thereof and as an
     indication of the general intention of the parties hereto. Tenant shall
     continue to perform its obligations under this Lease even if Tenant claims
     that Tenant has been damaged by any act or omission of Landlord. Therefore,
     Tenant shall at all times remain obligated under this Lease without any
     right of set-off, counterclaim, abatement,


                                       14

<PAGE>   20

     deduction, reduction or defense of any kind. Tenant's sole right to recover
     damages against Landlord by reason of a breach or alleged breach of
     Landlord's obligations under this Lease shall be to prove such damages in a
     separate action against Landlord.

          2.7.2 SALES TAX. Tenant hereby agrees to pay any and all sales or use
     taxes (and any interest or penalties related thereto) at any time assessed
     by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts against (i) Landlord, with
     respect to the Landlord's purchase of the Premises from Tenant under that
     certain Purchase and Sale Agreement of even date herewith (the "PURCHASE
     AGREEMENT"), or (ii) Tenant, with respect to Tenant's operation of such
     facility, including, without limitation, any lease of personal property at
     any time entered into by and between Landlord and Tenant. Tenant further
     agrees to indemnify Landlord against and/or reimburse Landlord for the
     amount of any such taxes actually paid by or assessed against Landlord
     regardless of the reason for any such payment or assessment. Any failure to
     make such reimbursement shall constitute an Event of Default under this
     Lease.

          2.7.3 CCF PROVISIONS. Tenant hereby acknowledges that prior to
     Tenant's acquisition of the Premises, (i) the prior operator of such
     facility operated it as a Continuing Care Facility and sold Continuing Care
     Contracts (within the meaning of Chapter 246 of the Texas Health and Safety
     Code, (ii) such facility and prior operator had been the subject of
     bankruptcy proceedings, and certain individuals who had signed Continuing
     Care Contracts and paid 


                                       15


<PAGE>   21

     nonrefundable entrance fees were among the creditors of such prior operator
     in such bankruptcy proceedings, (iii) under the terms of the settlement of
     such bankruptcy proceedings, some or all of such individuals received an
     ongoing right to receive discounts off of certain services and/or room or
     unit rates, including, without limitation, nursing facility rates, and (iv)
     some of such individuals are or continue to be residents of such facility
     (referred to by Tenant and hereinafter designated "TIER ONE RESIDENTS").
     Tenant hereby agrees to continue to abide by and respect any and all legal
     or monetary obligations it may have to or with the Tier One Residents and,
     upon request of Landlord, to provide a detailed alphabetical list of all
     then current residents of Premises who are Tier One Residents and any
     discounts or special rates for services or rent to which each such
     individual Tier One Resident is then entitled. Tenant and Tenant alone
     shall be responsible for such discounts, special services, rates or rent
     and for all other costs and expenses with respect to Continuing Care
     Contracts sold at the Premises and shall hold Landlord harmless therefrom
     (both before and after expiration of the Term). Furthermore, the indemnity
     set forth in Section 23 herein shall cover all liability, expense, loss,
     costs, deficiency, fine, penalty or damage relating to any Continuing Care
     Contract, including any ramifications resulting from the Premises being
     operated as a Continuing Care Facility.


     3. TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER CHARGES:


                                       16


<PAGE>   22

     3.1 TENANT'S OBLIGATIONS. Tenant agrees to pay and discharge (including the
filing of all required returns) any and all taxes (including but not limited to
real estate and personal property taxes, business and occupational license
taxes, ad valorem sales, use, single business, gross receipts, transaction
privilege, franchise, rent or other excise taxes, but excluding federal or state
income taxes calculated on the net income of Landlord, and other assessments
levied or assessed against the Premises or any interest therein during the Term,
prior to delinquency or imposition of any fine, penalty, interest or other cost.

     3.2 PRORATION. At the end of the Term, all such taxes and assessments under
Section 3.1 shall be prorated.

     3.3 RIGHT TO PROTEST. Landlord and/or Tenant shall have the right, but not
the obligation, to protest the amount or payment of any real or personal
property taxes or assessments levied against the Premises; provided that in the
event of any protest by Tenant, Landlord shall not incur any expense because of
any such protest, Tenant shall diligently and continuously prosecute any such
protest and notwithstanding such protest Tenant shall pay any tax, assessment or
other charge before the imposition of any penalty or interest.

     3.4 TAX BILLS. Landlord shall promptly forward to Tenant copies of all tax
bills and payment receipts relating to the Premises received by Landlord.

     3.5 OTHER CHARGES. Tenant agrees to pay and discharge, punctually as and
when the same shall become due and payable without penalty, all electricity,
gas, garbage collection, cable television, telephone, water, sewer, and other
utilities costs and all other charges, obligations or deposits assessed against
the Premises during the Term.

     4. INSURANCE.


                                       17

<PAGE>   23

     4.1 GENERAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. All insurance provided for in this
Lease shall be maintained under valid and enforceable policies issued by
insurers of recognized responsibility, approved to do business in the State of
Texas having a general policyholders rating of not less than "A-" and a
financial rating of not less than "VIII" in he then most current Best's
Insurance Report. Any and all policies of insurance required under this Lease
shall name the Landlord as an additional insured and shall be on an "occurrence"
basis; provided, however, the proceeds of any business interruption policy shall
be payable to Tenant without relieving Tenant in any way of its obligation to
pay rent under this Lease. In addition, Landlord shall be shown as the loss
payable beneficiary under the casualty insurance policy maintained by Tenant
pursuant to Section 4.2. All policies of insurance required herein may be in the
form of "blanket" or "umbrella" type policies which shall name the Landlord and
Tenant as their interests may appear and allocate to the Premises the full
amount of insurance required hereunder. Original policies or satisfactory
certificates from the insurers evidencing the existence of all policies of
insurance required by this Lease and showing the interest of the Landlord shall
be filed with the Landlord prior to the commencement of the Term and shall
provide that the subject policy may not be canceled except upon not less than
ten (10) days prior written notice to Landlord. If Landlord is provided with a
certificate, upon Landlord's request Tenant shall provide Landlord with a
complete copy of the insurance policy evidenced by such certificate within 30
days of the commencement of the Term. Originals of the renewal policies or
certificates therefor from the insurers evidencing the existence thereof shall
be deposited with Landlord upon renewal of the applicable policies. If Landlord
is provided with a certificate for a renewal policy, upon Landlord's request
Tenant shall deliver a 


                                       18

<PAGE>   24

copy of the complete renewal policy to Landlord within 30 days of the expiration
of the replaced policy. Any claims under any policies of insurance described in
this Lease shall be adjudicated by and at the expense of the Tenant or of its
insurance carrier, but shall be subject to joint control of Tenant and Landlord.
The provisions of this Section 4.1 also apply to any insurance coverage required
under the Development Addendum.

     4.2 FIRE AND OTHER CASUALTY. Tenant shall keep the Premises insured against
loss or damage from all causes under standard "all risk" property insurance
coverage, without exclusion for fire, lightning, windstorm (including hurricane
coverage), explosion, smoke damage, vehicle damage, sprinkler leakage, flood,
vandalism, earthquake, malicious mischief or any other risk as is normally
covered under an extended coverage endorsement, in the amounts that are not less
than the full insurable value of the Premises including all equipment and
personal property (whether or not Landlord Personal Property) used in the
operation of the Premises, but in no event less than Fourteen Million Four
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($14,400,000) before completion of the renovation and
expansion of the Premises under the Development Addendum and Twenty-Seven
Million Dollars ($27,000,000) thereafter; provided, however, that the amount of
such insurance in respect of the required flood and earthquake coverage may be
limited, at Tenant's option, to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000). The term
"FULL INSURABLE VALUE" as used in this Lease shall mean the actual replacement
value of the Premises (including all improvements) and every portion thereof,
including the cost of compliance with changes in zoning and building codes and
other laws and regulations, demolition and debris removal and increased cost of
construction. In addition, the casualty insurance required under this Section
4.2 will include an agreed amount endorsement


                                       19

<PAGE>   25

such that the insurance carrier has accepted the amount of coverage and has
agreed that there will be no co-insurance penalty.

     4.3 PUBLIC LIABILITY. Tenant shall maintain comprehensive general public
liability insurance coverage (including products liability coverage) against
claims for bodily injury, death or property damage occurring on, in or about the
Premises and the adjoining sidewalks and passageways, such insurance to include
a broad form endorsement and to afford protection to Landlord and Tenant of not
less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) with respect to bodily injury or
death to any one person, not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) with
respect to any one accident, and not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)
with respect to property damage; provided, that Landlord shall have the right at
any time hereafter to require such higher limits as may be reasonable and
customary for transactions and properties that are similar to the Premises and
that are located in the area of Corpus Christi, Texas.

     4.4 PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE. Guarantor or Tenant shall maintain
insurance against liability imposed by law upon Guarantor and its Affiliates
(including Tenant) for damages on account of professional services rendered or
which should have been rendered by Guarantor and Tenant or any person for which
acts Guarantor or Tenant is legally liable on account of injury, sickness or
disease, including death at any time resulting therefrom, and including damages
allowed for loss of service, in a minimum amount of One Million Dollars
($1,000,000) for each claim and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in the
aggregate.

     4.5 WORKERS COMPENSATION. Tenant shall comply with all legal requirements
regarding worker's compensation, including any requirement to maintain 

                                       20



<PAGE>   26

worker's compensation insurance against claims for injuries sustained by
Tenant's employees in the course of their employment.

     4.6 BOILER INSURANCE. Tenant shall maintain boiler and pressure vessel
insurance, including an endorsement for boiler business interruption insurance,
on any fixtures or equipment which are capable of bursting or exploding, in an
amount not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) for damage to property,
bodily injury or death resulting from such perils.

     4.7 BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE. Tenant shall maintain, at its expense,
business interruption and extra expense insurance insuring a period of not less
than six (6) months.

     4.8 COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION INSURANCE. The requirement under the Development
Addendum to carry course of construction or other insurance is in addition to
the requirements of this Article 4. Upon Substantial Completion, all
improvements on the Premises shall be insured under Section 4.2.

     4.9 DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNTS. The policies of insurance which Tenant is required
to provide under this Lease (including without limitation the Development
Addendum) will not have deductibles or self-insured retentions in excess of One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000); provided, however, the deductible for
windstorm coverage may be equal to one percent (1%) of insurable value subject
to a One Hundred Thousand Dollar ($100,000) minimum and the worker's
compensation coverage may have a deductible of up to Two Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($250,000).

     5. USE, MAINTENANCE AND ALTERATION OF THE PREMISES.


                                       21



<PAGE>   27

     5.1 TENANT'S MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS.

          5.1.1 Tenant will keep and maintain the Premises in good appearance,
     repair and condition and maintain proper housekeeping. Tenant shall
     promptly make or cause to be made all repairs, interior and exterior,
     structural and nonstructural, ordinary and extraordinary, foreseen and
     unforeseen, necessary to keep the Premises in good and lawful order and
     condition and in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements
     for the licensing of the Retirement Care Facilities in the State of Texas
     and certification for participation in Medicare and Medicaid (or any
     successor programs) as currently exist or as are obtained by Tenant at a
     later date or as otherwise required under all applicable local, state and
     federal laws.

          5.1.2 As part of Tenant's obligations under this Section 5.1, Tenant
     shall be responsible to maintain, repair and replace all Landlord Personal
     Property and all Tenant Personal Property (as defined in Section 7.1 below)
     in good condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, consistent with prudent
     industry practice as applicable to the Retirement Care Facilities.

          5.1.3 Without limiting Tenant's obligations to maintain the Premises
     under this Lease, within thirty (30) days of the end of each Lease Year
     starting with the end of the sixth (6th) Lease Year, Tenant shall provide
     Landlord with evidence satisfactory to Landlord in the reasonable exercise
     of Landlord's discretion that Tenant has in such Lease Year and the two (2)
     immediately preceding Lease Years spent on Repair Expenditures for the
     Premises an annual 


                                       22
<PAGE>   28

     average amount of at least Two Hundred Dollars ($200) per unit per year
     other than skilled nursing facility beds as such amount is adjusted
     annually at the end of each Lease Year for increases in the CPI from the
     date hereof). The term "REPAIR EXPENDITURES" is defined to mean repairs or
     modifications to the Premises which have the effect of maintaining the
     competitive position of the Premises in its marketplace. Non-exclusive
     examples of Repair Expenditures are replacement wallpaper, tiles, window
     coverings, lighting fixtures, painting, landscaping, carpeting,
     architectural adornments, common area amenities and the like. It is
     expressly understood that capital improvements or repairs (such as but not
     limited to repairs or replacements to the structural elements, equipment,
     fixtures, appliances, parking area, or the roof or to the electrical,
     plumbing, HVAC or other mechanical or structural systems in the Premises)
     and any advances under the Development Addendum shall not be considered to
     be Repair Expenditures. If Tenant fails to make at least the above amount
     of Repair Expenditures, Tenant shall promptly on demand from Landlord (but
     in no event more than five days) pay to Landlord the applicable shortfall
     in Repair Expenditures. Such funds shall be the sole property of Landlord
     and Landlord may in its sole discretion provide such funds to Tenant to
     correct the shortfall in Repair Expenditures or may simply retain such
     funds as supplemental rent hereunder.

     5.2 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.



                                       23
  


<PAGE>   29

          5.2.1 Tenant and the Premises shall comply in all material respects
     with all federal, state and local licensing and other laws and regulations
     applicable to the Retirement Care Facilities as well as with the
     certification requirements of Medicare and Medicaid (or any successor
     program) as currently exist or as are obtained by Tenant at a later date.
     Further, Tenant shall ensure that the Premises continue to be licensed and
     operated as Retirement Care Facilities with a licensed and operating
     capacity as set forth in the Recitals to this Lease (both before and after
     the renovation and expansion of the Premises pursuant to the Development
     Addendum), fully certified for participation in Medicare and Medicaid (or
     any successor program) as currently exist or as are obtained by Tenant at a
     later date throughout the Term and at the time the Premises are returned to
     Landlord at the termination thereof, all without any suspension,
     revocation, decertification, material penalty or material limitation.
     Further, Tenant shall not commit any act or omission that would in any way
     violate any certificate of occupancy affecting the Premises. Without
     limiting the generality of the foregoing, Tenant shall be responsible to
     obtain any modifications to existing licenses or certificates of occupancy
     and/or to obtain new licenses or certificates of occupancy for the Premises
     upon completion of the renovation of the expansion contemplated by the
     Development Addendum in order to operate the Premises for its intended use
     in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.


                                       24

 

<PAGE>   30

          5.2.2 During the Term, all inspection fees, costs and charges
     associated with a change of any licensure or certification shall be borne
     solely by Tenant. Tenant shall at its sole cost make any additions or
     alterations to the Premises necessitated by, or imposed in connection with,
     a change of ownership inspection survey for the transfer of operation of
     the Premises from Tenant or Tenant's assignee or subtenant to Landlord or
     Landlord's designee at the expiration or earlier termination of the Term in
     accordance herewith.

          5.2.3 Landlord acknowledges that the Premises are not now certified to
     participate in Medicare or Medicaid. If Tenant elects to participate in
     such programs (or any successor program) in the future, Tenant shall comply
     in all material respects with the requirements to participate in such
     programs. However, it shall not be a default under this Lease if Tenant
     voluntarily for its own business reasons elects to discontinue its
     participation in such programs so long as at the time of such
     discontinuance there is no ongoing proceeding by the applicable regulatory
     authority to decertify Tenant and so long as Tenant at the time of such
     discontinuance is not in material default of any material requirement of
     any such program.

     5.3 PERMITTED USE. Tenant shall continuously use and occupy the Premises
during the Term solely as Retirement Care Facilities licensed and operated as
set forth in the Recitals to this Lease (both before and after the renovation
and expansion of the Premises pursuant to the Development Addendum).



                                       25


<PAGE>   31

     5.4 TENANT REPURCHASE OBLIGATION. In the event of an Event of Default
arising from Tenant's failure to comply with Section 5.3 and during the pendency
thereof, or if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing because the license
of the Premises is revoked, suspended or materially limited for any of the uses
included in the definition of Retirement Care Facilities, then in addition to
Landlord's other rights and remedies under this Lease, Landlord shall have the
right to put the Premises to Tenant. If Landlord exercises such right, Tenant
shall purchase the Premises from Landlord for a cash price equal to the greater
of the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises or Landlord's Original
Investment on the date of Landlord's notice of exercise. Such Adjusted Fair
Market Value shall be as agreed between Landlord and Tenant. However, failing
such agreement within ten (10) days of Landlord's notice of exercise under this
Section, such Adjusted Fair Market Value shall be determined by the appraisal
process set forth in Exhibit "C" attached hereto. Within ninety (90) days of
Landlord's exercise of its put under this Section 5.4, such purchase shall be
consummated utilizing an escrow at a national title company selected by
Landlord. Such escrow shall be documented on such title company's standard sale
escrow instructions without representations or warranties and without any due
diligence or other contingencies in favor of the buyer. Tenant shall pay all
costs of such sale transaction. At the close of such sale, Landlord shall
deliver to Tenant title to the Premises subject only to those title exceptions
shown on Exhibit "D" attached hereto.

     5.5 NO LIENS; PERMITTED CONTESTS. Tenant shall not cause or permit any
liens, levies or attachments to be placed or assessed against the Premises or
the operation thereof for any reason. However, Tenant shall be permitted in good
faith and at its expense to 


                                       26



<PAGE>   32

contest the existence, amount or validity of any lien upon the Premises by
appropriate proceedings sufficient to prevent the collection or other
realization of the lien or claim so contested, as well as the sale, forfeiture
or loss of any of the Premises or any rent to satisfy the same. Tenant shall
provide Landlord with security satisfactory to Landlord in Landlord's reasonable
judgment to assure the foregoing. Each contest permitted by this Section 5.5
shall be promptly and diligently prosecuted to a final conclusion by Tenant.

     5.6 ALTERATIONS BY TENANT. Subject to Section 5.8, Tenant shall have the
right of altering, improving, replacing, modifying or expanding the facilities,
equipment or appliances in the Premises from time to time as it may determine is
desirable for the continuing and proper use and maintenance of the Premises
under this Lease; provided, however, that any alterations, improvements,
replacements, expansions or modifications to the Premises in excess of One
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in any rolling twelve (12)
month period shall require the prior written consent of the Landlord; provided,
further, that the aggregate cost of tenant-funded improvements cannot exceed ten
percent (10%) of Landlord's Original Investment for the Premises without
securing the prior written consent of Landlord. Any amounts funded under the
Development Addendum or by Tenant as necessitated by damage to the Premises by
casualty or condemnation shall not count towards the foregoing calculation. The
cost of all alterations, improvements, replacements, modifications, expansions
or other purchases, covered by this Section 5.6, whether undertaken as an
on-going licensing, Medicare or Medicaid (or any successor program) requirement
(if applicable) or other regulatory requirement or otherwise shall be borne
solely and exclusively by Tenant (unless funded by Landlord under Section 5.7)
and shall immediately become a part 


                                       27

<PAGE>   33

of the Premises and the property of the Landlord subject to the terms and
conditions of this Lease. All work done in connection therewith shall be done in
a good and workmanlike manner and in compliance with all existing codes and
regulations pertaining to the Premises and shall comply with the requirements of
insurance policies required under this Lease. In the event any items of the
Premises have become inadequate, obsolete or worn out or require replacement (by
direction of any regulatory body or otherwise), Tenant shall remove such items
and exchange or replace the same at Tenant's sole cost and the same shall become
part of the Premises and property of the Landlord.

     5.7 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FUNDED BY LANDLORD. In the event Tenant desires
to make a capital improvement or a related series of capital improvements to
the Premises not covered by the Development Addendum and if Tenant desires that
Landlord fund the same, Landlord shall, in its discretion and without
obligation, within thirty (30) days of Tenants' written request therefor,
consider Tenant's request to fund such capital improvements. Each and every
capital improvement funded by Landlord under this Section shall immediately
become a part of the Premises and shall belong to Landlord subject to the terms
and conditions of this Lease. If Landlord funds any capital improvements,
Landlord's Original Investment shall be increased for all purposes under this
Lease by the amount of the funds provided by Landlord for capital improvements.

     5.8 COMPLIANCE WITH IRS GUIDELINES. Any improvement or modification to the
Premises shall satisfy the requirements set forth in Sections 4(4).02 and .03 of
Revenue Procedure 75-21, 1975-1 C.B. 715, as modified by Revenue Procedure
79-48, 1979-2 C.B. 529. Landlord reserves the right to refuse to consent to any
improvement or modification to


                                       28

<PAGE>   34

the Premises if, in its judgment, such improvement or modification does not meet
the foregoing requirements.

     5.9 SKYWAY IMPROVEMENTS; RE-PLOTTING.

          5.9.1 The existing facility on the Premises is separated from the
     Expansion Parcel by Carancahua Street, a public street. In order to
     construct the new facility on the Expansion Parcel under the Development
     Addendum, Tenant plans to connect the existing and new buildings with an
     aerial walkway extending over Carancahua Street between such buildings. In
     addition, in order to construct the new building on the Expansion Parcel,
     Tenant must obtain from the City of Corpus Christi (the "CITY") certain
     leasehold rights to encroach on certain property of the City. The aerial
     walkway described in the foregoing shall be referred to herein as the
     "SKYWAY LEASE IMPROVEMENTS." The encroaching improvements described in the
     foregoing shall be referred to herein as the "ENCROACHING IMPROVEMENTS."

          5.9.2 In order to obtain the necessary leasehold rights for the Skyway
     Lease Improvements and the Encroaching Improvements, Tenant will first
     obtain a lease from the City with a term of one year (the "ONE YEAR
     LEASE"). Tenant will use its best efforts to obtain the One Year Lease in
     substantially the same form as previously delivered by Tenant to Landlord.
     Tenant will not be in default hereunder if the City fails to enter into the
     One Year Lease, but if the One Year Lease is executed by the City, then
     Tenant will assign the One Year Lease to Landlord and Landlord will
     sublease the leasehold estate thereunder 


                                       29


<PAGE>   35

     back to Tenant. In any event, Tenant and Tenant alone will be entirely
     responsible for discharging all obligations of the lessee under a One Year
     Lease, including without limitation the payment of any rent to the City
     thereunder and the providing of any required insurance coverage.

          5.9.3 Should the City approve a One Year Lease, Tenant shall use its
     best efforts to cause the City to approve a lease of the necessary rights
     for the Skyway Lease Improvements and the Encroaching Improvements from the
     City to Landlord (or to Tenant with the right to assign to Landlord) for a
     term of fifty-nine (59) years on substantially the same terms (other than
     the rent amount and lease term) as the One Year Lease (the "59 YEAR
     LEASE"). Tenant will not be in default hereunder, however, if the City
     fails to enter into the 59 Year Lease, but if the 59 Year Lease is executed
     Landlord will sub-lease the leasehold estate thereunder to Tenant for the
     Term of this Lease. In any event, Tenant and Tenant alone will be entirely
     responsible for discharging all obligations of the lessee under the 59 Year
     Lease, including without limitation the payment of any rent to the City
     thereunder and the providing of any required insurance coverage, all to the
     extent such obligations accrue during the term of this Lease. Upon
     execution of a 59 Year Lease, Tenant shall at its expense provide to
     Landlord a leasehold owner's policy of title insurance insuring Landlord as
     the owner of the leasehold estate under the 59 Year Lease in form and
     substance satisfactory to Landlord.


                                       30

<PAGE>   36

          5.9.4 Tenant hereby represents, warrants and covenants to Landlord
     that (i) the Skyway Lease Improvements are not necessary or essential to
     the effective and profitable operation of either the existing facility on
     the Premises or the building to be constructed on the Expansion Parcel
     pursuant to the Development Addendum; (ii) the inability to build the
     Skyway Lease Improvements or the removal thereof after construction will
     not have a material adverse impact on the operation or profitability of the
     existing or future facilities on the Premises; and (iii) if the One Year
     Lease or 59 Year Lease terminates or expires during the term of this Lease
     without renewal or replacement, Tenant will, at its sole cost and expense,
     remove the Skyway Lease Improvements and the Encroaching Improvements and
     repair and restore all facilities on the Premises (including the existing
     facility and the new facilities to be built under the Development Addendum)
     to a complete and attractive condition as if the Skyway Improvements and
     the Encroaching Improvements were never constructed, including without
     limitation the improvement of the Premises at Tenant's expense as needed to
     continue the effective operation thereof without the Skyway Lease
     Improvements and the Encroaching Improvements.

          5.9.5 As part of the development of the Expansion Parcel under the
     Development Addendum, Tenant has applied to the City for a re-platting of
     the Expansion Parcel. As used herein, "RE-PLATTING" shall mean the Plat of
     Pope's Broadway Addition, Block 2, Lot 23, File No. 1196137-NP 64 as
     applied for 


                                       31

<PAGE>   37

     by Tenant with the City. Tenant shall use its best efforts to obtain the
     Re-platting in a timely manner to permit the construction of the new
     facility on the Expansion Parcel pursuant to the Development Addendum.
     Landlord agrees to cooperate as reasonably requested by Tenant to obtain
     the Re-platting, including without limitation the execution of applications
     and other instruments as required therefor, provided that Landlord shall be
     at no expense in providing any such assistance.

          5.9.6 The indemnification obligation of Tenant under Section 23 below
     shall extend to any claim or damage suffered by Landlord (including without
     limitation any decrease in the value of the Premises) by reason of (i) the
     terms and conditions of or performance under the One Year Lease or the 59
     Year Lease; (ii) the construction, maintenance, removal or operation of the
     Skyway Lease Improvements or the Encroaching Improvements; (iii) the
     failure of the City to approve either the One Year Lease, the 59 Year Lease
     or the Re-platting, or (iv) the breach of any of Tenant's representations,
     warranties or covenants as set forth in Section 5.9.4.

          5.9.7 All insurance policies maintained by Tenant pursuant to the One
     Year Lease or 59 Year Lease shall name Landlord as an additional insured
     and shall not be subject to cancellation without notice to Landlord.

     6. CONDITION AND TITLE OF PREMISES; RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER.

        6.1 CONDITION AND TITLE OF PREMISES. Tenant acknowledges that it is
presently engaged in the operation of facilities in the State of Texas similar
to the uses 


                                       32



<PAGE>   38

included in the definition of Retirement Care Facilities in the Recitals to this
Lease and has expertise in senior housing, independent living, assisted living,
skilled and intermediate nursing, subacute care and dementia care. Tenant has
thoroughly investigated the Premises, has selected the Premises to its own
specifications, and has concluded that no improvements or modifications to the
Premises are required in order to operate the Premises for its intended use.
Tenant accepts the Premises for use as Retirement Care Facilities under this
Lease on an "AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS" basis and will assume all
responsibility and cost for the correction of any observed or unobserved
deficiencies or violations. In making its decision to enter into this Lease,
Tenant has not relied on any representations or warranties, express or implied,
of any kind from Landlord. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease to
the contrary, Tenant accepts the Premises in their present condition, AS IS,
WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS, and without any representations or warranties
whatsoever, express or implied, including, without limitation, any express or
implied representations or warranties as to the fitness, use, suitability, or
condition of the Premises. Tenant hereby represents and warrants to Landlord
that Tenant is thoroughly familiar with the Premises and the condition thereof,
that Tenant is relying on Tenant's own personal knowledge of the condition of
the Premises, that neither Landlord nor any person or entity acting or allegedly
acting for or on behalf of Landlord or any other person or entity having or
claiming any interest in the Premises has made any representations, warranties,
agreements, statements, or expressions of opinions in any way or manner
whatsoever related to, connected with, or concerning the Premises, the condition
of the Premises, or any other fact or circumstance whatsoever on which Tenant is
relying, and, to the maximum extent not prohibited by applicable law, Tenant


                                       33



<PAGE>   39

hereby releases and discharges Landlord and all other persons and entities
having or claiming any interest in the Premises from all liability, damages,
costs, and expenses of every kind and nature whatsoever in any way or manner
arising out of, connected with, related to, or emanating from the condition of
the Premises at any time during the Term of this Lease. Tenant has examined the
condition of title to the Premises prior to the execution and delivery of this
Lease and has found the same to be satisfactory.

     6.2 RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER TO PURCHASE PREMISES.

          6.2.1 Tenant shall have the right of first offer to purchase the
     Premises upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6.2;
     provided, however, Tenant shall not have the right to exercise its rights
     under this Section 6.2 if any Event of Default has occurred and is
     continuing as of any of the following dates: (i) the date on which Landlord
     delivers an Offering Notice to Tenant pursuant to Section 6.2.2(i), or (ii)
     the date of Tenant's delivery of an Exercise Notice pursuant to Section
     6.2.2(ii), or (iii) or at the closing date established to consummate the
     purchase of the Premises pursuant to Section 6.2.2(iii). Additionally, if
     Landlord and NHP have received a bona fide offer to purchase both the
     Premises and the leased premises under the NHP Agreement, Tenant
     acknowledges that Landlord may include in the Offering Notice the condition
     that Tenant may only purchase both the Premises and that so long as ARC
     concurrently purchases that certain Premises as defined in the NHP
     Agreement. If the Offering Notice contains such a requirement, Tenant's
     rights under this 

                                       34


<PAGE>   40

     Section 6.2 are exercisable only so long as ARC also exercises its rights
     under Section 6.2 of the NHP Agreement.

          6.2.2 If during the Term Landlord receives a bona fide offer to
     purchase the Premises, or any portion thereof, (the "OFFERED PROPERTY"),
     from any person or entity other than an Affiliate of Landlord (as such term
     is defined in Section 10.1.3 below), Landlord and Tenant shall take the
     following steps if Landlord has determined to accept such offer:

          (i) Landlord shall give written notice to Tenant of its intention to
     accept such offer, which notice shall set forth the price, terms and
     conditions contained in the offer to purchase the Offered Property which
     Landlord intends to accept ("OFFERING NOTICE");

          (ii) Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of an Offering Notice,
     Tenant shall either (A) deliver to Landlord written notice that Tenant does
     not desire to purchase the Offered Property on the terms set forth in the
     Offering Notice, or (B) deliver to Landlord written notice of Tenant's
     desire to exercise its right to purchase the Offered Property on the terms
     set forth in the Offering Notice pursuant to this Section 6.2 ("EXERCISE
     NOTICE");

          (iii) If Tenant delivers an Exercise Notice within such fifteen (15)
     day period, Landlord as seller and Tenant as buyer shall immediately open
     an escrow to consummate such purchase at a national title company selected
     by Landlord in its reasonable discretion on the following terms: (A) the
     form of such instructions to be then signed by Landlord and Tenant shall be
     such title 


                                       35

<PAGE>   41

     company's standard sale escrow instructions and, notwithstanding anything
     set forth in the Offering Notice to the contrary, shall not provide for any
     representations or warranties by Landlord as seller or for any due
     diligence or other contingencies in favor of Tenant as buyer, (B) the
     purchase price shall be payable in cash by Tenant or on such other terms as
     are set forth in the Offering Notice with escrow to close on or before the
     date set forth in the Offering Notice, (C) transaction costs shall be paid
     as set forth in the Offering Notice, (D) at close, Landlord shall deliver
     title to the Offered Property subject only to those title exceptions shown
     on Exhibit "D" attached hereto, (E) the sale escrow instructions shall
     provide for an earnest money deposit in the amount set forth in the
     Offering Notice and shall provide that such deposit may be retained by
     Landlord as liquidated damages in the event of any breach by Tenant of the
     terms of the escrow instructions (provided, however, such liquidated
     damages shall relate only to Landlord's damages by reason of a breach of
     the escrow instructions and shall in no way liquidate or limit Landlord's
     damages by reason of a breach of this Lease), (F) the obligations of Tenant
     under the escrow instructions shall be included in the obligations
     guaranteed by Guarantor under the Guaranty, and (G) the escrow instructions
     shall otherwise be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
     Landlord. If Tenant fails to close the escrow for any reason other than a
     breach by Landlord, then Landlord shall have the right in its option (to be
     exercised in Landlord's sole discretion) to either declare such breach to
     be a default under this Lease (as to which the cure 

                                       36



<PAGE>   42

     period shall, notwithstanding anything else in this Lease, be ten (10)
     calendar days after notice by Landlord, after which an Event of Default
     shall exist), or Landlord may elect to pursue all remedies available to
     Landlord against Tenant and Guarantor under the escrow instructions or
     under applicable law.

          (iv) If within the fifteen (15) day period following Landlord's
     delivery of an Offering Notice, Tenant either delivers to Landlord the
     notice set forth in Section 6.2.2 (ii)(A) or fails to deliver either of the
     notices set forth in Section 6.2.2(ii), then for a period of nine (9)
     months following the expiration of such fifteen (15) day period Landlord
     shall be free to sell the Offered Property on the terms set forth in the
     Offering Notice or on any other revised terms deemed appropriate by
     Landlord in its sole discretion; provided, however, if such other revised
     terms include a price that is more than ten percent (10%) below the price
     set forth in the Offering Notice, then prior to completing any sale on such
     revised terms Landlord shall notify Tenant of such revised offering terms.
     During the five (5) business day period after receipt by Tenant of such
     notice, Tenant shall have the right (to be exercised if at all by Tenant's
     execution of escrow instructions and deposit of earnest money under Section
     6.2.2 (iii) within such five (5) business day period) to require that
     Landlord sell the Offered Property to Tenant on such revised offering
     terms. If Tenant fails to timely exercise its right as required by the
     preceding proviso, Landlord shall be free to sell the Offered Property to a
     third party on the revised offering terms.

                                       37



<PAGE>   43

          (v) If at the end of the nine (9) month period described in Section
     6.2.1(iv), Landlord has not sold the Offered Property, then Landlord shall
     again be required to comply with the provisions of this Section 6.2 if
     Landlord desires to accept a third party offer to purchase the Offered
     Property.

          (vi) If an escrow is opened pursuant to Section 6.2.2(iii) and such
     escrow fails to close by reason of Tenant's default, in addition to all of
     the other rights and remedies of Landlord with respect to such breach,
     Landlord shall thereafter be free to sell the Premises or any portion
     thereof to any Person on any terms whatsoever without being required to
     comply with this Section 6.2.

          (vii) If Landlord has hypothecated its interest in the Premises, this
     Section 6.2 shall not apply to any judicial or non-judicial sale of the
     Premises in connection with any foreclosure action or proceeding by the
     lender, or to any deed in lieu of such foreclosure.

     7. LANDLORD AND TENANT PERSONAL PROPERTY.

     7.1 TENANT PERSONAL PROPERTY. Tenant shall install, affix or assemble or
place on the Premises all items of furniture, fixtures, equipment and supplies
not included as Landlord Personal Property as Tenant reasonably considers to be
appropriate for Tenant's use of the Premises as contemplated by this Lease (the
"TENANT PERSONAL PROPERTY"). Tenant shall provide and maintain during the entire
Term all Tenant Personal Property as shall be necessary in order to operate the
Premises in compliance with all requirements set forth in this Lease. All Tenant
Personal Property shall be and shall remain the property of Tenant and may 

                                       38



<PAGE>   44

be removed by Tenant upon the expiration of the Term. However, if there is any
Event of Default which is continuing, Tenant will not remove the Tenant Personal
Property from the Premises and will on demand from Landlord, convey (subject to
any existing security interest thereon) the Tenant Personal Property to Landlord
by executing a bill of sale in a form reasonably required by Landlord. Upon any
such conveyance of Tenant Personal Property to Landlord, the amount owing by
Tenant to Landlord by reason of the applicable Event of Default shall be reduced
by the fair market value of such Tenant Personal Property, net of any associated
debt assumed by Landlord. Such fair market value shall be established by
agreement of the parties, but failing such agreement, within ten (10) days of
request by any party, such fair market value shall be established by the
appraisal process set forth in Exhibit C. In any event, Tenant will repair all
damage to the Premises caused by any removal of the Tenant Personal Property.

     7.2 LANDLORD'S SECURITY INTEREST.

          7.2.1 The parties intend that if Tenant defaults under this Lease,
     Landlord will control the Tenant Personal Property and the Intangible
     Property (as defined in Section 7.4 below) so that Landlord or its designee
     can operate or re-let the Premises intact for use as Retirement Care
     Facilities .

          7.2.2 Therefore, to implement the intention of the parties, and for
     the purpose of securing the payment and performance of Tenant's obligations
     under this Lease, Tenant, as debtor, hereby grants to Landlord, as secured
     party, a security interest in and an express contractual lien upon, all of
     Tenant's right, title and interest in and to the Tenant Personal Property
     and in and to the 


                                       39



<PAGE>   45

     Intangible Property and any and all products and proceeds thereof, in which
     Tenant now owns or hereafter acquires an interest or right, including any
     leased Tenant Personal Property. This Lease constitutes a security
     agreement covering all such Tenant Personal Property and the Intangible
     Property. The security interest granted to Landlord in this Section 7.2.2.
     is intended by Landlord and Tenant to be subordinate to any security
     interest granted in connection with the financing or leasing of all or any
     portion of the Tenant Personal Property so long as the lessor or financier
     of such Tenant Personal Property agrees to give Landlord written notice of
     any default by Tenant under the terms of such lease or financing
     arrangement, to give Landlord a reasonable time following such notice to
     cure any such default and to consent to Landlord's written assumption of
     such lease or financing arrangement upon Landlord's curing of any defaults
     thereunder. This security agreement and the security interest created
     herein shall survive the termination of this Lease if such termination
     results from the occurrence of an Event of Default.

          7.2.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will Landlord's
     security interest extend to any of Tenant's motor vehicles, proprietary
     software or systems or operating manuals.

     7.3 FINANCING STATEMENTS. If required by Landlord at any time during the
Term, Tenant will execute and deliver to Landlord, in form reasonably
satisfactory to Landlord, additional security agreements, financing statements,
fixture filings and such other documents as Landlord may reasonably require to
perfect or continue the perfection of


                                       40



<PAGE>   46

Landlord's security interest in the Tenant Personal Property and the Intangible
Property and any and all products and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter
acquired by Tenant. Tenant shall pay all fees and costs that Landlord may incur
in filing such documents in public offices and in obtaining such record searches
as Landlord may reasonably require. In the event Tenant fails to execute any
financing statements or other documents for the perfection or continuation of
Landlord's security interest, Tenant hereby appoints Landlord as its true and
lawful attorney-in-fact to execute any such documents on its behalf, which power
of attorney shall be irrevocable and is deemed to be coupled with an interest.

     7.4 INTANGIBLE PROPERTY. The term "INTANGIBLE PROPERTY" means documents,
chattel paper, contract rights, residency agreements, management agreements,
medical records, patient files, confidential patient materials, general
intangibles, choses in action, now owned or hereafter acquired by Tenant
(including any right to any refund of any taxes or other charges heretofore or
hereafter paid to any governmental authority) arising from or in connection with
Tenant's operation or use of the Premises; all licenses and permits now owned or
hereinafter acquired by Tenant, necessary or desirable for Tenant's use of the
Premises under this Lease, including without limitation, if applicable, any
certificate of need or other similar certificate; and the right to use any trade
or other name now or hereafter associated with the operation of the Premises by
Tenant, including, without limitation, the name "Trinity Towers," but excluding
any corporate names or logos used by Tenant or Guarantor. For purposes of this
Lease, the term "Intangible Property" shall not include accounts receivable,
negotiable instruments, rights to payment from third parties, security 


                                       41

<PAGE>   47

deposits, utility deposits, proprietary software, training manuals, or general
corporate trademarks, service marks, logos, insignia, books of records of Seller
or Guarantor.

     8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Landlord and Tenant do hereby each for
itself represent and warrant to each other as follows:

     8.1 DUE AUTHORIZATION AND EXECUTION. This Lease and all agreements,
instruments and documents executed or to be executed in connection herewith by
either Landlord or Tenant were duly authorized and shall be binding upon the
party that executed and delivered the same.

     8.2 DUE ORGANIZATION. Landlord and Tenant are duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of their respective
formations and are duly authorized and qualified to do all things required of
the applicable party under this Lease within the State of Texas.

     8.3 NO BREACH OF OTHER AGREEMENTS. Neither this Lease nor any agreement,
document or instrument executed or to be executed in connection herewith,
violates the terms of any other agreement to which either Landlord or Tenant is
a party where such violation would have a material adverse effect.

     9. FINANCIAL, MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY REPORTS.

     9.1 MONTHLY FACILITY REPORTS. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each
calendar month during the Term, Tenant shall prepare and deliver monthly
financial reports to Landlord consisting of a balance sheet and income statement
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied ("GAAP"), and a summary of significant operating statistics
concerning the business conducted at the Premises. These 


                                       42



<PAGE>   48

reports will be accompanied by a statement signed by the President, Chief
Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Controller, Executive Vice
President for Corporate Development, Executive Vice President for Development
Services, or other officer of Guarantor as approved by Landlord in writing in
its sole discretion, affirming that said reports are true and correct in all
material respects and do not fail to disclose any material adverse information,
all after due inquiry ("OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE").

     9.2 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Within forty-five (45) days of the end
of each of the first three quarters of the fiscal year of Guarantor, Tenant
shall deliver to Landlord the unaudited quarterly consolidated financial
statements of Guarantor prepared in accordance with GAAP accompanied by an
Officer's Certificate.

     9.3 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Within ninety (90) days of the fiscal year
end of Guarantor, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord the annual consolidated
financial statement of Guarantor prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited by
a certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Landlord.
Notwithstanding any of the other terms of this Section 9.3, if Guarantor becomes
subject to any reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") during the Term, Tenant shall concurrently deliver to Landlord such
reports as are delivered to the SEC pursuant to applicable security laws.

     9.4 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES. All of the reports and statements required
hereby shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

     9.5 REGULATORY REPORTS. In addition, Tenant shall within five (5) business
days of receipt thereof deliver to Landlord all federal, state and local
licensing and reimbursement certification surveys, inspection and other reports
received by Tenant as to the 


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<PAGE>   49

Premises or any portion thereof and the operation of business thereon,
including, without limitation, state department of health licensing surveys,
Medicare and Medicaid (and successor programs) certification surveys (if
applicable) and life safety code reports. Within five (5) business days of
receipt thereof, Tenant shall give Landlord written notice of any violation of
any federal, state or local licensing or reimbursement certification statute or
regulation including without limitation Medicare and Medicaid or successor
programs (if applicable to the Premises or any portion thereof), any suspension,
termination or restriction placed upon Tenant or the Premises or any portion
thereof, the operation of business thereon or the ability to admit residents, or
any violation of any other permit, approval or certification in connection with
the Premises or any portion thereof or its business, by any federal, state or
local authority including without limitation Medicare and Medicaid or successor
programs if applicable to the Premises or any portion thereof.

     10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND LANDLORD'S REMEDIES.

     10.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following shall
constitute an event of default on the part of Tenant hereunder ("EVENT OF
DEFAULT"):

          10.1.1 The failure to pay within ten (10) calendar days of (i) the
     date when due any Minimum Rent or Additional Rent, or (ii) the date when
     delinquent of any taxes or assessments required of Tenant under this Lease;

          10.1.2 A material breach by the seller thereunder of any of the
     material representations, warranties or covenants in favor of Landlord as
     set forth in the Purchase Agreement;


                                       44

<PAGE>   50

          10.1.3 Any Event of Default, as defined in Section 10 of the NHP
     Agreement, shall be an Event of Default under this Lease without any
     further notice to Tenant and without the expiration of any cure period
     except as set forth in the NHP Agreement;

          10.1.4 A material default by Tenant or any Guarantor (or any Affiliate
     of either) ("AFFILIATE" being defined to mean, with respect to any person
     or entity, any other person or entity which controls, is controlled by or
     is under common control with the first person or entity) under any other
     material obligation other than this Lease owed by Tenant or any Guarantor
     (or any Affiliate of either) to Landlord or any Affiliate of Landlord
     (including without limitation any financing agreement or any other lease or
     the Letter of Credit Agreement of even date herewith pursuant to which the
     letter of credit referenced in Section 11 below is maintained), which
     default is not cured within any applicable cure period provided in the
     documentation for such obligation. It is expressly understood that
     Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. and NH Texas Properties Limited
     Partnership are Affiliates of each other;

          10.1.5 A material default by Tenant or any Guarantor with respect to
     any material obligation under any other lease or financing agreement with
     any other party, which default is not cured within any applicable cure
     period provided in the documentation for such obligation;

          10.1.6 Any material misstatement or omission of any material fact in
     any written report, notice or communication from senior management of


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<PAGE>   51

     Guarantor to Landlord with respect to Tenant, any Guarantor or the Premises
     or any portion thereof;

          10.1.7 Any change (voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or
     otherwise) in the person, persons, entity or entities which ultimately
     exert effective control over the management of the affairs of Tenant and/or
     any Guarantor as of the date hereof except as permitted in Section 22.2
     below;

          10.1.8 An assignment by Tenant or any Guarantor of all or
     substantially all of its property for the benefit of creditors;

          10.1.9 The appointment of a receiver, trustee, or liquidator for
     Tenant or any Guarantor, or any of the property of Tenant or any Guarantor,
     if within three (3) business days of such appointment Tenant does not
     inform Landlord in writing that Tenant or Guarantor intends to cause such
     appointment to be discharged or Tenant or Guarantor does not thereafter
     diligently prosecute such discharge to completion within sixty (60) days
     after the date of such appointment;

          10.1.10 The filing by Tenant or any Guarantor of a voluntary petition
     under any federal bankruptcy law or under the law of any state to be
     adjudicated as bankrupt or for any arrangement or other debtor's relief, or
     in the alternative, if any such petition is involuntarily filed against
     Tenant or any Guarantor by any other party and Tenant does not within three
     (3) business days of any such filing inform Landlord in writing of the
     intent by Tenant or Guarantor to cause such petition to be dismissed, if
     Tenant or Guarantor does 


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<PAGE>   52

     not thereafter diligently prosecute such dismissal, or if such filing is
     not dismissed within ninety (90) days after filing thereof;

          10.1.11 The failure to make any monetary payment required by Tenant
     under this Lease (including without limitation the Development Addendum)
     not covered in Section 10.1.1 or the failure to perform or comply in any
     material respect with any other term or provision of this Lease including
     without limitation the Development Addendum (other than those provisions
     set forth in Section 10.1.12 below) not requiring the payment of money,
     including, without limitation, the failure to comply with the provisions
     hereof pertaining to the use, operation and maintenance of the Premises (or
     any portion thereof) or the breach of any representation or warranty of
     Tenant in this Lease; provided, however, the default described in this
     Section 10.1.11 is curable and shall be deemed cured, if: (i) within five
     (5) business days of Tenant's receipt of a notice of default from Landlord,
     Tenant gives Landlord notice of its intent to cure such default; and (ii)
     Tenant cures such default within thirty (30) days after such notice from
     Landlord, unless such default cannot with due diligence be cured within a
     period of thirty (30) days because of the nature of the default or delays
     beyond the control of Tenant, and cure after such thirty (30) day period
     will not have a material and adverse effect upon the Premises, in which
     case such default shall not constitute an Event of Default if Tenant uses
     its best efforts to cure such default by promptly commencing and diligently
     pursuing such cure to the completion thereof, provided, however, no such
     default shall 


                                       47


<PAGE>   53

     continue for more than one hundred twenty (120) days from Tenant's receipt
     of a notice of default from Landlord;

          10.1.12 There shall be no cure period in the event of the breach by
     Tenant of (i) the obligation to provide replacement policies of insurance
     as required in Section 4.1 above, (ii) the provisions of Section 20 below,
     or (iii) the provisions of Section 22 below with respect to assignments and
     other related matters; and

          10.1.13 All notice and cure periods provided herein shall run
     concurrently with any notice or cure periods provided by applicable law.

     10.2 REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the
pendency thereof, Landlord may exercise all rights and remedies under this Lease
and the laws of the State of Texas available to a lessor of real and personal
property in the event of a default by its lessee, and as to the Tenant Personal
Property and Intangible Property all remedies granted under the laws of such
State to a secured party under its Uniform Commercial Code. Without limiting the
foregoing, Landlord shall have the right to do any of the following:

          10.2.1 Sue for the specific performance of any covenant of Tenant
     under this Lease as to which Tenant is in breach;

          10.2.2 Upon compliance with the requirements of applicable law and to
     the extent allowed thereunder, Landlord may do any of the following: enter
     upon the Premises, terminate this Lease, dispossess Tenant from the
     Premises and/or collect money damages by reason of Tenant's breach,
     including without 



                                       48



<PAGE>   54

     limitation all rent which would have accrued after such termination and all
     obligations and liabilities of Tenant under this Lease which survive the
     termination of the Term;

          10.2.3 Elect to leave this Lease in place and sue for rent and/or
     other money damages as the same come due;

          10.2.4 Before or after repossession of the Premises pursuant to
     Section 10.2.2, and whether or not this Lease has been terminated, Landlord
     shall have the right (but shall be under no obligation except to the extent
     required by applicable law) to relet any portion of the Premises to such
     tenant or tenants, for such term or terms (which may be greater or less
     than the remaining balance of the Term), for such rent, or such conditions
     (which may include concessions or free rent) and for such uses, as
     Landlord, in its absolute discretion, may determine, and Landlord may
     collect and receive any rents payable by reason of such reletting. Landlord
     shall have no duty to mitigate damages unless required by applicable law
     and shall not be responsible or liable for any failure to relet any of the
     Premises or for any failure to collect any rent due upon any such
     reletting. Tenant agrees to pay Landlord, immediately upon demand, all
     expenses incurred by Landlord in obtaining possession and in reletting any
     of the Premises, including fees, commissions and costs of attorneys,
     architects, agents and brokers;

          10.2.5 Sell the Tenant Personal Property in a non-judicial foreclosure
     sale.



                                       49
 

<PAGE>   55

          10.2.6 For the purpose of calculating rent loss damages payable to
     Landlord, Additional Rent for all periods after an Event of Default shall
     be calculated based on a two and one half percent (2.5%) annual increase.

     10.3 RECEIVERSHIP. Tenant acknowledges that one of the rights and remedies
available to Landlord under applicable law is to secure a court-appointed
receiver to take possession of the Premises or any portion thereof, to collect
the rents, issues, profits and income of the Premises or any portion thereof,
and to manage the operation of the Premises or any portion thereof. Tenant
further acknowledges that the revocation, suspension or material limitation of
the certification of the Premises or any portion thereof for provider status
under Medicare or Medicaid (or successor programs) as currently exist or as are
obtained by Tenant at a later date and/or the revocation, suspension or material
limitation of the license of the Premises or any portion thereof as Retirement
Care Facilities for the number of beds and units shown in the Recitals to this
Lease under the laws of the State of Texas will materially and irreparably
impair the value of Landlord's investment in the Premises. Therefore, in the
event of any such revocation, suspension or material limitation, and in addition
to any other right or remedy of Landlord under this Lease, Tenant hereby
consents to the appointment of such a receiver to enter upon and take possession
of the Premises or any portion thereof, to manage the operation of the Premises
or any portion thereof, to collect and disburse all rents, issues, profits and
income generated thereby and to preserve or replace to the extent possible the
licenses and provider certifications of the Premises required for the operation
of the Retirement Care Facilities or to otherwise substitute the licensee or
provider thereof. The receiver shall be entitled to a reasonable fee for its
services as a receiver. All such fees and 


                                       50



<PAGE>   56

other expenses of the receivership estate shall be added to the monthly rent due
to Landlord under this Lease. Tenant hereby irrevocably stipulates to the
appointment of a receiver under such circumstances and for such purposes and
agrees not to contest such appointment.

     10.4 LATE CHARGES. Tenant acknowledges that the late payment of any Minimum
Rent or Additional Rent will cause Landlord to lose the use of such money and
incur costs and expenses not contemplated under this Lease, including, without
limitation, administrative and collection costs and processing and accounting
expenses, the exact amount of which is extremely difficult to ascertain.
Therefore, if any installment of Minimum Rent or Additional Rent is not paid
within five (5) calendar days after the due date for such rent payment, then
Tenant shall thereafter pay to Landlord on demand a late charge equal to five
percent (5%) of the amount of any installment of Minimum Rent or Additional Rent
not paid on the due date. Landlord and Tenant agree that this late charge
represents a reasonable estimate of such costs and expenses and is fair
compensation to Landlord for the loss suffered from such nonpayment by Tenant.

     10.5 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; NO WAIVER. No right or remedy herein conferred
upon or reserved to Landlord is intended to be exclusive of any other right or
remedy, and each and every right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition
to any other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law
or in equity. No failure of Landlord to insist at any time upon the strict
performance of any provision of this Lease or to exercise any option, right,
power or remedy contained in this Lease shall be construed as a waiver,
modification or relinquishment thereof as to any similar or different breach
(future or otherwise) by Tenant. A receipt by Landlord of any rent or other sum
due hereunder 


                                       51



<PAGE>   57

(including any late charge) with knowledge of the breach of any provision
contained in this Lease shall not be deemed a waiver of such breach, and no
waiver by Landlord of any provision of this Lease shall be deemed to have been
made unless expressed in a writing signed by Landlord.

     10.6 PERFORMANCE OF TENANT'S OBLIGATIONS BY LANDLORD. If Tenant at any time
shall fail to make any payment or perform any act on its part required to be
made or performed under this Lease, then Landlord may, without waiving or
releasing Tenant from any obligations or default of Tenant hereunder, make any
such payment or perform any such act for the account and at the expense of
Tenant, and may enter upon the Premises for the purpose of taking all such
action thereon as may be reasonably necessary therefor. No such entry shall be
deemed an eviction of Tenant. All reasonable sums so paid by Landlord and all
necessary and incidental costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the
performance of any such act by Landlord, together with interest at the rate of
the Prime Rate as reported daily by the Wall Street Journal plus 5% (or if said
interest rate is violative of any applicable statute or law, then the maximum
interest rate allowable) from the date of the making of such payment or the
incurring of such costs and expenses by Landlord, shall be payable by Tenant to
Landlord on demand.

     11. SECURITY DEPOSIT. Pursuant to a Letter of Credit Agreement of even date
herewith, Tenant has posted with the Landlord or caused Guarantor to post with
Landlord a letter of credit in the sum of Three Hundred Seventy Thousand Three
Hundred Seventy and 


                                       52


<PAGE>   58

37/100 Dollars ($370,370.37) representing a security deposit against the
faithful performance of the terms and conditions contained in this Lease.

     12. DAMAGE BY FIRE OR OTHER CASUALTY.

     12.1 RECONSTRUCTION USING INSURANCE. In the event of the damage or
destruction of the Premises, Tenant shall forthwith notify Landlord and
diligently repair or reconstruct the same to a like or better condition than
existed prior to such damage or destruction. Any net insurance proceeds payable
with respect to the casualty shall be used for the repair or reconstruction of
the Premises pursuant to reasonable disbursement controls in favor of Landlord.
If such proceeds are insufficient for such purposes, Tenant shall provide the
required additional funds.

     12.2 SURPLUS PROCEEDS. If there remains any surplus of insurance proceeds
after the completion of the repair or reconstruction of the Premises, such
surplus shall belong to and be paid to Tenant.

     12.3 NO RENT ABATEMENT. The rent payable under this Lease shall not abate
by reason of any damage or destruction of the Premises by reason of an insured
or uninsured casualty. Tenant hereby waives all rights under applicable law to
abate, reduce or offset rent by reason of such damage or destruction.

     12.4 END OF TERM. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 12,
if the Premises are more than 50% destroyed (measured by square footage) by
casualty during the last six (6) months of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term,
Tenant may terminate this Lease by written notice to Landlord delivered within
thirty (30) days after the date of such casualty, in which event Landlord shall
retain all insurance proceeds.



                                       53



<PAGE>   59

     13. CONDEMNATION.

     13.1 COMPLETE TAKING. If during the Term all or substantially all of the
Premises is taken or condemned by any competent public or quasi-public
authority, then Tenant may, at Tenant's election, made within thirty (30) days
of such taking by condemnation, terminate this Lease, and the current Minimum
Rent and Additional Rent shall be prorated as of the date of such termination.
The award payable upon such taking shall be allocated between Landlord and
Tenant as so allocated by the taking authority. In the absence of such
allocation by the taking authority, the award shall be allocated as agreed by
Landlord and Tenant. Failing such agreement within thirty (30) days after the
effective date of such taking, the award shall be allocated between Landlord and
Tenant pursuant to the appraisal procedure described on Exhibit "C" attached
hereto.

     13.2 PARTIAL TAKING. In the event such condemnation proceeding or right of
eminent domain results in a taking of less than all or substantially all of the
Premises, the Minimum Rent and Additional Rental thereto shall be abated to the
same extent as the diminution in the fair market value of the Premises by reason
of the condemnation. Such diminution in the fair market value shall be as agreed
between Landlord and Tenant, but failing such agreement within thirty (30) days
of the effective date of the condemnation the same will be determined by
appraisal pursuant to Exhibit "C" attached hereto. Landlord shall be entitled to
receive and retain any and all awards for the partial taking and damage and
Tenant shall not be entitled to receive or retain any such award for any reason.
Landlord's Original Investment will be reduced for all purposes under this Lease
by reason of any award paid to Landlord under this Section 13.2.


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<PAGE>   60

     13.3 LEASE REMAINS IN EFFECT. Except as provided above, this Lease shall
not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect in the event of a taking
or condemnation of the Premises, or any portion thereof, and Tenant hereby
waives all rights under applicable law to abate, reduce or offset rent by reason
of such taking.

     14. PROVISIONS ON TERMINATION OF TERM.

     14.1 SURRENDER OF POSSESSION. Tenant shall, on or before the last day of
the Term, or upon earlier termination of this Lease (unless Tenant has purchased
the Premises pursuant to Section 6.2), surrender to Landlord the Premises
(including all resident charts and records along with appropriate resident
consents) in good condition and repair, excepting only (i) ordinary wear and
tear, (ii) any damage caused by condemnation pursuant to Section 13.1 above, or
(iii) any damage caused by fire or other casualty resulting in the termination
of the Lease pursuant to Section 12.4 above.

     14.2 REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. If Tenant is not then in default
hereunder Tenant shall have the right in connection with the surrender of the
Premises to remove from the Premises all Tenant Personal Property but not the
Landlord Personal Property (including the Landlord Personal Property replaced by
Tenant or required by the State of Texas or any other governmental entity to
operate the Premises for the purpose set forth in Section 5.3 above). Any such
removal shall be done in a workmanlike manner leaving the Premises in good and
presentable condition and appearance, including repair of any damage caused by
such removal. At the end of the Term or upon the earlier termination of this
Lease, (unless Tenant has purchased the Premises pursuant to Section 6.2),
Tenant shall return the Premises to Landlord with the Landlord Personal Property
(or replacements thereof)


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<PAGE>   61

in the same condition and utility as was delivered to Tenant at the commencement
of the Term, normal wear and tear excepted.

     14.3 TITLE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY NOT REMOVED. Title to any of Tenant
Personal Property which is not removed by Tenant upon the expiration of the Term
shall, at Landlord's election, vest in Landlord; provided, however, that
Landlord may remove and dispose at Tenant's expense of any or all of such Tenant
Personal Property which is not so removed by Tenant without obligation or
accounting to the Tenant.

     14.4 MANAGEMENT OF PREMISES. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of
the Term (unless Tenant has purchased the Premises pursuant to Section 6.2),
Landlord or its designee, upon written notice to Tenant, may elect to assume the
responsibilities and obligations for the management and operation of the
Premises and Tenant agrees to cooperate fully with Landlord or its designee to
accomplish the transfer of such management and operation without interrupting
the operation of the Premises. Tenant shall not commit any act or be remiss in
the undertaking of any act that would jeopardize any licensure or certification
of the facility, and Tenant shall comply with all requests for an orderly
transfer of the Retirement Care Facilities license, Medicare and Medicaid (or
any successor program) certifications and possession at the time of any such
surrender. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term, Tenant shall
promptly deliver copies of all of Tenant's books and records relating to the
Premises and its operations to Landlord.

     14.5 CORRECTION OF DEFICIENCIES. Upon termination or cancellation of this
Lease, Tenant shall indemnify Landlord for any loss, damage, cost or expense
incurred by Landlord to correct all deficiencies of a physical nature identified
by the Texas Department of 


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<PAGE>   62

Human Services, local health, fire and safety agencies or any other government
agency or Medicare or Medicaid (or any successor program) providers in the
course of the change of ownership inspection and audit.

     15. NOTICES AND DEMANDS. All notices and demands, certificates, requests,
consents, approvals, and other similar instruments under this Lease shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given upon actual receipt
thereof or within two (2) business days of being placed in the United States
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid (a) if
to Tenant, addressed to American Retirement Communities, L.P., 111 Westwood
Place, Suite 402, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027, Attn: President and General
Counsel Fax No. (615) 221-2269 with a copy to Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, 2700 First
American Center, 25th Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37238, Attn: T. Andrew Smith,
Esq., Fax No. (615) 742-2766 or at such other address as Tenant from time to
time may have designated by written notice to Landlord, (b) if to Landlord,
addressed to NH Texas Properties Limited Partnership, 1280 Bison, Suite B9-203,
Newport Beach, California 92660, Attn: Co-Trustees and General Counsel; Fax No.
(714) 644-7757 with a copy to O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 610 Newport Center Drive,
Suite 1700, Newport Beach, California 92660, Attn: Real Estate Department
Chairman, Fax No. (714) 669-6994, or at such address as Landlord may from time
to time have designated by written notice to Tenant. Refusal to accept delivery
shall be deemed delivery. If Tenant is not an individual, notice may be made to
any senior officer, general partner or principal thereof. Notice to any one
co-Tenant shall be deemed notice to all co-Tenants.



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<PAGE>   63

     16. RIGHT OF ENTRY; EXAMINATION OF RECORDS. Landlord and its representative
may enter the Premises at any reasonable time after reasonable notice to Tenant
for the purpose of inspecting the Premises for any reason including, without
limitation, Tenant's default under this Lease, or to exhibit the Premises for
sale, lease or mortgage financing, or posting notices of default, or
non-responsibility under any mechanic's or materialman's lien law or to
otherwise inspect the Premises for compliance with the terms of this Lease. Any
such entry shall not unreasonably interfere with residents, resident care, or
any other of Tenant's operations. During normal business hours, Tenant will
permit Landlord and Landlord's representatives, inspectors and consultants to
examine all contracts, books and records relating to Tenant's operations at the
Premises, whether kept at the Premises or at some other location, including,
without limitation, Tenant's financial records.

     17. LANDLORD MAY GRANT LIENS. Without the consent of Tenant, Landlord may,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth below in this Section 17, from
time to time, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist any
lien, encumbrance or title retention agreement ("ENCUMBRANCE") upon the
Premises, or any portion thereof or interest therein (including this Lease),
whether to secure any borrowing or other means of financing or refinancing or
otherwise. Any such Encumbrance shall provide that it is subject to the rights
of Tenant under this Lease, and shall further provide that so long as no Event
of Default shall have occurred under this Lease, Tenant's occupancy hereunder,
including but without limitation Tenant's right of quiet enjoyment provided in
Section 18, shall not be disturbed in the event any such lienholder or any other
person takes possession of the Premises through foreclosure proceeding or
otherwise. Upon the request of Landlord, Tenant shall subordinate 


                                       58



<PAGE>   64

this Lease to the lien of a new Encumbrance on the Premises, on the condition
that the proposed lender agrees not to disturb Tenant's rights under this Lease
so long as Tenant is not in default hereunder.

     18. QUIET ENJOYMENT. So long as there is no Event of Default which is
existing and continuing by Tenant, Landlord covenants and agrees that Tenant
shall peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Premises for the Term, free
of any claim or other action not caused or created by Tenant (excepting,
however, intrusion of Tenant's quiet enjoyment occasioned by condemnation or
destruction of the property as referred to in Section 12 and 13 hereof).

     19. APPLICABLE LAW. This Lease shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Texas without regard to the
conflict of laws rules of such State.

     20. PRESERVATION OF GROSS REVENUES.

         20.1 Tenant acknowledges that a fair return to Landlord on its 
investment in the Premises is dependent, in part, on the concentration on the
Premises during the Term of the Retirement Care Facilities business of Tenant
and its Affiliates in the geographical area of the Premises. Tenant further
acknowledges that the diversion of resident care activities from the Premises
to other facilities owned or operated by Tenant or its Affiliates will have a
material adverse impact on the value and utility of the Premises.

          20.1.1 Therefore, Tenant agrees that during the Term, and for a period
     of one (1) year thereafter (unless Tenant purchases the Premises), neither
     Tenant nor any of its Affiliates shall, without the prior written consent
     of 


                                       59



<PAGE>   65

     Landlord, operate, own, participate in or otherwise receive revenues from
     any other facility or institution providing services or similar goods to
     those provided on or in connection with the Premises and the permitted use
     (including each use included in the definition of Retirement Care
     Facilities) thereof as contemplated under this Lease, within a four (4)
     mile radius of the Premises; provided, however the facilities listed on
     Exhibit E attached hereto which are either in existence or under
     development as of the date hereof are exempted from the operation of this
     Section 20.1.1.

          20.1.2 In addition, Tenant hereby covenants and agrees that for a
     period of one year following the expiration or earlier termination of this
     Lease (unless Tenant purchases the Premises), neither Tenant nor any of its
     Affiliates shall, without prior written consent of Landlord, hire, engage
     or otherwise employ any management or supervisory personnel working on or
     in connection with the Premises, except at facilities exempted from the
     operation of Section 20.1.1. This Section 20.1.2 does not apply to
     corporate managers and multi-facility employees to the extent such managers
     and employees are employed at other facilities operated by Tenant,
     Guarantor or an Affiliate of either.

     20.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord acknowledges that Tenant
operates certain home health agencies out of its offices on the Premises.
Section 20.1.1 does not apply to such home health activities operated by the
Tenant, Guarantor or an Affiliate of either out of the Premises.


                                       60
<PAGE>   66

     20.3 Except as required for medically appropriate reasons, prior to and
after Lease termination, neither Tenant nor any of its Affiliates will recommend
or solicit the removal or transfer of any resident from the Premises to any
other facility. Tenant hereby specifically acknowledges and agrees that the
temporal, geographical and other restrictions contained in this Section 20 are
reasonable and necessary to protect the business and prospects of Landlord, and
that the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 20 will not work an undue
hardship on Tenant. Tenant further agrees that in the event either the length of
time, geographical or any other restrictions, or portion thereof, set forth in
this Section 20 is overly restrictive and unenforceable in any court proceeding,
the court may reduce or modify such restrictions, but only to the extent
necessary, to those which it deems reasonable and enforceable under the
circumstances, and the parties agree that the restrictions of this Section 20
will remain in full force and effect as reduced or modified. Tenant further
agrees and acknowledges that Landlord does not have an adequate remedy at law
for the breach or threatened breach by Tenant of the covenants contained in this
Section 20, and Tenant therefore specifically agrees that Landlord may, in
addition to other remedies which may be available to Landlord hereunder, file a
suit in equity to enjoin Tenant from such breach or threatened breach, without
the necessity of posting any bond. Tenant further agrees, in the event that any
provision of this Section 20 is held to be invalid or against public policy, the
remaining provisions of this Section 20 and the remainder of this Lease shall
not be affected thereby.


                                       61


<PAGE>   67

     21. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

     21.1 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL COVENANTS. Tenant's use of the Premises shall
comply in all material respects with all Hazardous Materials Laws. In the event
any Environmental Activities occur or are suspected to have occurred in
violation in any material respect of any Hazardous Materials Laws or if Tenant
has received any Hazardous Materials Claim against the Premises, Tenant shall
promptly obtain all permits and approvals necessary to remedy any such actual or
suspected problem through the removal of Hazardous Materials or otherwise, and
upon Landlord's approval of the remediation plan, remedy any such problem to the
satisfaction of Landlord, in accordance with all Hazardous Materials Laws and
good business practices.

     21.2 TENANT NOTICES TO LANDLORD. Tenant shall immediately advise Landlord
in writing of:

          21.2.1 any Environmental Activities in violation of any Hazardous
     Materials Laws,

          21.2.2 any Hazardous Materials Claims against Tenant or the Premises,

          21.2.3 any remedial action taken by Tenant in response to any
     Hazardous Materials Claims or any Hazardous Materials on, under or about
     the Premises in violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws,

          21.2.4 Tenant's discovery of any occurrence or condition on or in the
     vicinity of the Premises that materially increase the risk that the
     Premises will be exposed to Hazardous Materials,


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<PAGE>   68

          21.2.5 all communications to or from Tenant, any governmental
     authority or any other person relating to Hazardous Materials Laws or
     Hazardous Materials Claims with respect to the Premises, including copies
     thereof.

     21.3 EXTENSION OF TERM. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease,
in the event any Hazardous Materials are discovered on, under or about the
Premises in violation of any Hazardous Materials Law, the Term shall be
automatically extended and this Lease shall remain in full force and effect
until the earlier to occur of the completion of all remedial action or
monitoring, as approved by Landlord in its reasonable discretion, in accordance
in all material respects with all Hazardous Materials Laws, or the date
specified in a written notice from Landlord to Tenant terminating this Lease
(which date may be subsequent to the date upon which the Term was to have
expired).

     21.4 PARTICIPATION IN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CLAIMS. Landlord shall have the
right, at Tenant's sole cost and expense and with counsel chosen by Landlord, to
join and participate in, as a party if it so elects, any legal proceedings or
actions initiated in connection with any Hazardous Materials Claims.

     21.5 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES shall mean the use, generation,
transportation, handling, discharge, production, treatment, storage, release or
disposal of any Hazardous Materials at any time to or from the Premises or
located on or present on or under the Premises. Nothing contained in the
foregoing or elsewhere in this Section 21 is intended to, nor shall it, limit
the liability of Tenant, if any, to Landlord with respect to any representation



                                       63


<PAGE>   69

or warranty given by Tenant to Landlord with respect to Hazardous Materials or
environmental matters generally as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

     21.6 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS shall mean (i) any petroleum products and/or
by-products (including any fraction thereof), flammable substances, explosives,
radioactive materials, hazardous or toxic wastes, substances or materials, known
carcinogens or any other materials, contaminants or pollutants which pose a
hazard to the Premises or to persons on or about the Premises or cause the
Premises to be in violation of any Hazardous Materials Laws; (ii) asbestos in
any form which is friable; (iii) urea formaldehyde in foam insulation or any
other form; (iv) transformers or other equipment which contain dielectric fluid
containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty (50) parts per
million or any other more restrictive standard then prevailing; (v) medical
wastes and biohazards; (vi) radon gas; and (vii) any other chemical, material or
substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any
governmental authority or may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of
the occupants of the Premises or the owners and/or occupants of property
adjacent to or surrounding the Premises.

     21.7 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CLAIMS shall mean any and all enforcement,
clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory actions or orders
threatened, instituted or completed pursuant to any Hazardous Material Laws,
together with all claims made or threatened by any third party against the
Premises, Landlord or Tenant relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery 
compensation, loss or injury resulting from any Hazardous Materials.


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<PAGE>   70

     21.8 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS LAWS shall mean any laws, ordinances, regulations,
rules, orders, guidelines or policies relating to the environment, health and
safety, Environmental Activities, Hazardous Materials, air and water quality,
waste disposal and other environmental matters, if the failure to comply with
the same does or would have a material adverse effect on the Premises or the
operation thereof.

     21.9 EXISTING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Landlord acknowledges that it has been
provided with a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment dated March 14, 1996, a
Report of Phase I Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment dated October 5,
1995, an Underground Storage Tank Closure Report dated September, 1994, and a
Phase II Soil Assessment Report dated December 15, 1996 (the "EXISTING
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS"). The Existing Environmental Reports disclose the
presence on the Premises of certain Hazardous Materials (the "EXISTING
CONTAMINANTS"). Tenant will take all steps necessary to remediate to Landlord's
satisfaction all Existing Contaminants by July 2, 1997, including obtaining any
permits, closure letters or other letters or documentation required by
applicable governmental authorities. Tenant's indemnity as set forth in Section
23 shall extend to any Claims arising from the presence of Existing Contaminants
on the Premises or the act of remediating such Existing Contaminants as provided
in this Section 21.9.

     22. ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING. Tenant shall not, without the prior written
consent of Landlord, which may be withheld at Landlord's sole discretion,
voluntarily or involuntarily assign or hypothecate this Lease or any interest
herein or sublet the Premises or any part thereof. For the purposes of this
Lease, a management or similar agreement shall be considered to be an assignment
of this Lease by Tenant. Any of the foregoing acts without


                                       65



<PAGE>   71

such consent shall be void but shall, at the option of Landlord in its sole
discretion, constitute an Event of Default giving rise to Landlord's right,
among other things, to terminate this Lease. Without limiting the foregoing,
this Lease shall not, nor shall any interest of Tenant herein, be assigned or
encumbered by operation of law without the prior written consent of Landlord
which may be withheld at Landlord's sole discretion. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Tenant may without Landlord's consent assign this Lease or sublet the
Premises or any portion thereof to a Successor (as such term is defined below),
to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenant or any Guarantor, provided that such
Successor, subsidiary or Guarantor fully assumes the obligations of Tenant under
this Lease, Tenant remains fully liable under this Lease, any Guarantor remains
fully liable with respect to its guaranty of this Lease, the use of the Premises
remains unchanged, and no such assignment or sublease shall be valid and no such
subsidiary, Successor or Guarantor shall take possession of the Premises until
an executed counterpart of such assignment or sublease has been delivered to
Landlord. Anything contained in this Lease to the contrary notwithstanding,
Tenant shall not sublet the Premises on any basis such that the rental to be
paid by the sublessee thereunder would be based, in whole or in part, on either
the income or profits derived by the business activities of the sublessee, or
any other formula, such that any portion of the sublease rental received by
Landlord would fail to qualify as "rents from real property" within the meaning
of Section 856(d) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, or any similar or successor
provision thereto.

     22.1 For the purpose of this Lease, the transfer, assignment, sale,
hypothecation or other disposition of any partnership, stock or other ownership
interest in Tenant or in any Guarantor which results in a change in the Person
(as hereinafter defined) 


                                       66

<PAGE>   72

which ultimately exerts effective Control (as hereinafter defined) over the
management of the affairs of Tenant as of the date hereof, shall be deemed to be
an assignment of the Lease. For purposes herein, "CONTROL" shall mean, as
applied to any individual, partnership, association, corporation or other entity
(collectively, "PERSON"), the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power
to direct the management and policies of that Person, whether through ownership,
voting control, by contract or otherwise.

     22.2 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 22.1,
none of the following shall be deemed to be an assignment of the Lease (i) an
initial public offering ("IPO") of Guarantor or any Successor thereto, or (ii)
any secondary public offering(s) of Guarantor or any Successor thereto, or (iii)
subsequent to an IPO by Guarantor or any Successor thereto, and so long as
Guarantor or its Successor is a publicly-traded entity on a national exchange, a
change in the Person or Persons exercising Control of Guarantor or its
Successor, or (iv) a lease of a unit or bed to a resident of the Premises in the
ordinary course of Tenant's business.

     22.3 As used herein, a "SUCCESSOR" is any entity which succeeds to
materially all of the assets, operations and business of Guarantor by merger or
reorganization and which is Controlled by the same Person or Persons as Control
Guarantor prior to such merger or reorganization.

     23. INDEMNIFICATION. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tenant agrees
to protect, indemnify, defend and save harmless Landlord, its directors,
officers, shareholders, agents and employees from and against any and all
foreseeable or unforeseeable liability, expense loss, costs, deficiency, fine,
penalty, or damage (including without limitation punitive 



                                       67


<PAGE>   73

or consequential damages) of any kind or nature, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, from any suits, claims or demands, on account of any matter or thing,
action or failure to act arising out of or in connection with this Lease
(including, without limitation, the breach by Tenant of any of its obligations
hereunder), the Premises, or the operations of Tenant on the Premises, including
without limitation all Environmental Activities on the Premises, all Hazardous
Materials Claims or any violation by Tenant of a Hazardous Materials Law with
respect to the Premises. Upon receiving knowledge of any suit, claim or demand
asserted by a third party that Landlord believes is covered by this indemnity,
Landlord shall give Tenant notice of the matter. Tenant shall defend Landlord
against such matter at Tenant's sole cost and expense with legal counsel
satisfactory to Landlord. Landlord may elect to defend the matter with its own
counsel at Tenant's expense.

     24. HOLDING OVER. If Tenant shall for any reason remain in possession of
the Premises after the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, such
possession shall be a month-to-month tenancy during which time Tenant shall pay
as rental each month, 1 1/2 times the aggregate of the monthly Minimum Rent
payable with respect to the last Lease Year plus Additional Rent allocable to
the month, all additional charges accruing during the month and all other sums,
if any, payable by Tenant pursuant to the provisions of this Lease with respect
to the Premises. Nothing contained herein shall constitute the consent, express
or implied, of Landlord to the holding over of Tenant after the expiration or
earlier termination of this Lease, nor shall anything contained herein be deemed
to limit Landlord's remedies pursuant to this Lease or otherwise available to
Landlord at law or in equity.


                                       68


<PAGE>   74

     25. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES. Tenant shall, at any time upon not less than
five (5) days prior written request by Landlord, execute, acknowledge and
deliver to Landlord or its designee a statement in writing, executed by an
officer or general partner of Tenant, certifying that this Lease is unmodified
and in full force and effect (or, if there have been any modifications, that
this Lease is in full force and effect as modified, and setting forth such
modifications), the dates to which Minimum Rent, Additional Rent and additional
charges hereunder have been paid, certifying that no default by either Landlord
or Tenant exists hereunder or specifying each such default and as to other
matters as Landlord may reasonably request.

     26. CONVEYANCE BY LANDLORD. If Landlord or any successor owner of the
Premises shall convey the Premises in accordance with the terms hereof, Landlord
or such successor owner shall thereupon be released from all future liabilities
and obligations of Landlord under this Lease arising or accruing from and after
the date of such conveyance or other transfer as to the Premises and all such
future liabilities and obligations shall thereupon be binding upon the new
owner.

     27. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Landlord and Tenant hereby waive any rights to
trial by jury in any action, proceedings or counterclaim brought by either of
the parties against the other in connection with any matter whatsoever arising
out of or in any way connected with this Lease, including, without limitation,
the relationship of Landlord and Tenant, Tenant's use and occupancy of the
Premises, or any claim of injury or damage relating to the foregoing or the
enforcement of any remedy hereunder.


                                       69


<PAGE>   75

     28. ATTORNEYS' FEES. If Landlord or Tenant brings any action to interpret
or enforce this Lease, or for damages for any alleged breach hereof, the
prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys'
fees and costs as awarded by the court in addition to all other recovery,
damages and costs.

     29. SEVERABILITY. In the event any part or provision of the Lease shall be
determined to be invalid or enforceable, the remaining portion of this Lease
shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect.

     30. COUNTERPARTS. This Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement.

     31. BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the provisions of Section 22 above, this
Lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Landlord and Tenant and
their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors in interest and
assigns.

     32. WAIVER AND SUBROGATION. Landlord and Tenant hereby waive to each other
all rights of subrogation which any insurance carrier, or either of them, may
have as to the Landlord or Tenant by reason of any provision in any policy of
insurance issued to Landlord or Tenant, provided such waiver does not thereby
invalidate the policy of insurance.

     33. MEMORANDUM OF LEASE. Landlord and Tenant shall, promptly upon the
request of either, enter into a short form memorandum of the Lease, in form
suitable for recording under the laws of the State of Texas in which reference
to this Lease shall be made. The party requesting such recordation shall pay all
costs and expenses of preparing and recording such memorandum of this Lease.


                                       70


<PAGE>   76

     34. INCORPORATION OF RECITALS AND ATTACHMENTS. The recitals and exhibits,
schedules, addenda and other attachments to this Lease are hereby incorporated
into this Lease and made a part hereof.

     35. TITLES AND HEADINGS. The titles and headings of sections of this Lease
are intended for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Lease.

     36. NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP; USURY SAVINGS CLAUSE. The parties intend that
their relationship shall be that of lessor and lessee only. Nothing contained in
this Lease shall be deemed or construed to constitute an extension of credit by
Landlord to Tenant, nor shall this Lease be deemed to be a partnership or
venture agreement between Landlord and Tenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event any payment made to Landlord hereunder is deemed to violate any
applicable laws regarding usury, the portion of any payment deemed to be
usurious shall be held by Landlord to pay the future obligations of Tenant as
such obligations arise and, in the event Tenant discharges and performs all
obligations hereunder, such funds will be reimbursed to Tenant upon the
expiration of the Term. No interest shall be paid on any such funds held by
Landlord.

     37. JOINT AND SEVERAL. If more than one person or entity is the Tenant
hereunder, the liability and obligations of such persons or entities under this
Lease shall be joint and several.

     38. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. All of the
obligations, representations, warranties and covenants of Tenant under this
Lease shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Term.



                                       71
 
<PAGE>   77

     39. INTERPRETATION. Both Landlord and Tenant have been represented by
counsel and this Lease has been freely and fairly negotiated. Consequently, all
provisions of this Lease shall be interpreted according to their fair meaning
and shall not be strictly construed against any party.


                            [SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE]






                                       72

<PAGE>   78



         Executed as of the date indicated above.

                                   TENANT:


                                   TRINITY TOWERS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                   a Tennessee limited partnership


                                   By:  ARC Corpus Christi, Inc.,
                                        a Tennessee corporation,
                                        its general partner


                                         By:
                                         ____________________________________
                                           H. Todd Kaestner,
                                           Executive Vice President - Corporate

                                         Development


                                   LANDLORD:

                                   NH TEXAS PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                   a Texas limited partnership


                                   By:  MLD Texas Corporation,
                                        a Texas corporation,
                                        its general partner

                                        By:
                                        _______________________________________
                                           T. Andrew Stokes,
                                           Vice President




                                       S-1

<PAGE>   79



                                  EXHIBIT "A-1"

                          Legal Description of Premises

TRACT I:

Field Notes for a 2.02 acre tract of land, comprising all of Lots 1 through 22,
Block 2, W.E. POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION, a map of which is recorded in Volume 1,
Page 56 of the Map Records of Nueces County, Texas, SAVE AND EXCEPT that portion
of Lot 22, Block 2 conveyed to the City of Corpus Christi by Deed recorded in
Volume 263, Page 605 of the Deed Records of Nueces County, Texas, and also
comprising all of Block 6 of the BLUFF PORTION OF THE CENTRAL WHARF AND
WAREHOUSE COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION as shown by a map recorded in Volume A, Page 15
of the Nueces County Map Records, and being a portion of the other land lying
North of said Block 6, CENTRAL WHARF AND WAREHOUSE SUBDIVISION and being shown
as Cooper's Alley on the map of said BROADWAY ADDITION; said 2.02 acre tract
being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:

BEGINNING at a 1" iron pipe found in concrete at the intersection of the
northerly Right-Of-Way line of present Cooper's Alley (formerly Telco Street,
formerly Kenedy Street), and the westerly line of Carancahua Street for the most
southeasterly corner of Block 6, CENTRAL WHARF AND WAREHOUSE SUBDIVISION; said
1" iron pipe also being the most southeasterly corner of this tract;

THENCE South 88 degrees 50 minutes 15 seconds West, along and with said
southerly line of Block 6, being the said northerly line of Cooper's Alley, a
distance of 250.16 feet to a 5/8" iron pipe found for the most southwesterly
corner of said Lot 6, Block 1, same being a southwesterly exterior corner of
this tract;

THENCE North 00 degrees 42 minutes 29 seconds West, a distance of 43.82 feet to
drill hole set for a point in the southerly line of said Lot 22, Block 2, W.E.
POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION; said drill hole also being an interior corner of this
tract;

THENCE South 59 degrees 42 minutes 29 seconds West, along and with the southerly
line of said Lot 22, Block 2, W.E. POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION, a distance of 13.28
feet to a 5/8" iron rod found for the most southeasterly corner of said portion
of Lot 22, Block 2, conveyed to the City of Corpus Christi and also being in the
most easterly Right-Of-Way line of present Tancahua Street for an exterior
corner of this tract;

THENCE North 04 degrees 19 minutes 38 seconds West, along and with said easterly
line of Tancahua Street, a distance of 109.70 feet to a 5/8" iron rod found for
an angle point of this tract;




                                     A-1-1
<PAGE>   80



THENCE North 02 degrees 51 minutes 52 seconds West, continuing along and with
said easterly line of Tancahua Street a distance of 30.06' to 5/8" iron rod
found for the most northwesterly corner of said Lot 22, Block 2, BROADWAY
ADDITION, also being the most southwesterly corner of said Lot 1, Block 2,
BROADWAY ADDITION, also being an angle point of this tract;

THENCE North 01 degrees 00 minutes 30 seconds East, continuing along and with
said easterly line of Tancahua Street, a distance of 107.29 feet to 5/8" iron
rod found at the intersection of said easterly line of Tancahua Street and the
southerly line of Blucher Street, (formerly Chatham Street) for the most
northwesterly corner of said Lot 1, Block 2, Broadway Addition, also being the
most northwesterly corner of this tract;

THENCE North 75 degrees 24 minutes 20 seconds East, along and with the southerly
line of said Blucher Street, also being the North line of Block 2, W.E. POPE'S
BROADWAY ADDITION, a distance of 298.31 feet to a drill hole found in concrete
at the intersection of the said southerly line of Blucher Street and the
westerly line of said Carancahua Street for the most northeasterly corner of
this tract;

THENCE southerly, along and with the said westerly line of Carancahua Street, 
the following courses;

South 01 degrees 00 minutes 30 seconds West, a distance of 107.29 feet to a
drill hole found in concrete for the southwesterly corner of Lot 11, Block 2,
W.E. POPE'S ADDITION for an angle point of this tract;

South 00 degrees 05 minutes 32 seconds West, a distance of 105.14 feet to a
drill hole found in concrete for an angle point of this tract;

South 86 degrees 47 minutes 35 seconds West, a distance of 7.98 feet to a drill
hole found in concrete for an angle point of this tract;

South 14 degrees 49 minutes 41 seconds West, a distance of 41.75 feet to a 1"
iron rod found for an angle point of this tract;

Thence South 01 degrees 08 minutes 51 seconds East, continuing along and with
said westerly line of Carancahua Street, a distance of 100.71 feet to the POINT
OF BEGINNING and containing 2.02 acres of land more or less.

TRACT II:

Description of 2.3638 acres of land out of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Block 1, of W.E. POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION, Corpus Christi,
Nueces County, Texas, as shown by map recorded in Volume 1, Page 56 


                                     A-1-2



<PAGE>   81

of the Nueces County Map Records; a portion of the WILLIAM HOFFMAN ARROYO TRACT,
as shown in Volume 1, Page 56 of the Nueces County Map Records; and a portion of
Block 1, of the BLUFF PORTION OF THE CENTRAL WHARF AND WAREHOUSE COMPANY'S
SUBDIVISION, as shown by map or plat of record in Volume A, Page 15, of the
Nueces County Map Records; said 2.3638 acre tract being more particularly
described by metes and bound as follows:

BEGINNING at a 5/8 inch iron rod found for the northwest corner of Lot 1, Block
1, of the W.E. POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas,
as shown by map recorded in Volume 1, Page 56 of the Nueces County Map Records,
said point being the intersection of the east line of Carancahua Street
(variable width R.O.W.) and the south line of Blucher (formerly Chatham Street)
(60 foot R.O.W.);

THENCE N 75 degrees 36 minutes 04 seconds E, with the said south line of Blucher
Street, along the north line of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 said Block 1, a
distance of 314.44 feet to a 5/8 inch iron rod found for the northeast corner of
said Lot 7, Block 1 for the northeast corner of this tract;

THENCE S 01 degrees 46 minutes 04 seconds W, with the west line of Upper North
Broadway Street (variable width R.O.W.), a distance of 176.77 feet to a 5/8 inch
iron rod found at the point of curvature of a circular curve to the right, the
west line of said Broadway Street being shown on Exhibit A of a deed from Whole
Life, Inc. to the City of Corpus Christi and recorded in Volume 1868, Page 763,
of the Nueces County Deed Records;

THENCE continuing along the west line of said Broadway Street and along the arc
of a circular curve to the right having a central angle of 32 degrees 00 minutes
00 seconds and a radius of 84.84 feet, a distance of 47.38 feet to a 5/8 inch
iron rod found for the point of tangency;

THENCE S 33 degrees 46 minutes 04 seconds W, continuing along the west line of
said Broadway Street, a distance of 54.57 feet to a P.K. nail set in asphalt for
the point of curvature of a circular curve to the left;

THENCE continuing along the west line of said Broadway Street and along the arc
of a circular curve to the left with a central angle of 34 degrees 34 minutes 20
seconds and a radius of 51.50 feet, a distance of 31.08 feet to a 5/8 inch iron
rod set for the point of tangency;

THENCE S 00 degrees 48 minutes 16 seconds E, continuing along the west line of
said Broadway Street, a distance of 47.96 feet to a 5/8 inch iron rod found at
the intersection of the west line of said Broadway Street and the north line of
Cooper's Alley (variable width R.O.W.) as described in a deed recorded in Volume
1570, Page 956 of the Nueces County Deed Records;

THENCE S 46 degrees 28 minutes 22 seconds W, along the north line of said
Cooper's Alley, a distance of 36.00 feet to a point for a corner from which a
5/8 inch iron rod found bears S 


                                     A-1-3




<PAGE>   82

81 degrees 45 minutes 43 seconds E, a distance of 0.37 feet, said point being
the point of curvature of a circular curve to the right;

THENCE continuing along the north line of said Cooper's Alley with the arc of a
circular curve to the right having a central angle of 42 degrees 43 minutes 22
seconds and a radius of 230.00 feet, a distance of 171.50 feet to a 5/8 inch
iron rod found for the point of tangency;

THENCE S 89 degrees 11 minutes 44 second W, continuing along the north line of
said Cooper's Alley, a distance of 10.54 feet to a 5/8 inch iron rod found for a
point of curvature of a circular curve to the right;

THENCE continuing along the north line of said Cooper's Alley with the arc of a
circular curve to the right having a central angle of 92 degrees 00 minutes 30
seconds and a radius of 60.00 feet, a distance of 96.35 feet to a 5/8 inch iron
rod set in the east line of Carancahua Street.

THENCE N 01 degrees 12 minutes 14 seconds E, with the east line of Carancahua
Street, a distance of 292.67 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing
2.3638 acres of land, more or less.


                                     A-1-4



<PAGE>   83

                                  EXHIBIT "A-2"

                      Legal Description of Expansion Parcel

TRACT I:

Field Notes for a 2.02 acre tract of land, comprising all of Lots 1 through 22,
Block 2, W.E. POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION, a map of which is recorded in Volume 1,
Page 56 of the Map Records of Nueces County, Texas, SAVE AND EXCEPT that portion
of Lot 22, Block 2 conveyed to the City of Corpus Christi by Deed recorded in
Volume 263, Page 605 of the Deed Records of Nueces County, Texas, and also
comprising all of Block 6 of the BLUFF PORTION OF THE CENTRAL WHARF AND
WAREHOUSE COMPANY'S SUBDIVISION as shown by a map recorded in Volume A, Page 15
of the Nueces County Map Records, and being a portion of the other land lying
North of said Block 6, CENTRAL WHARF AND WAREHOUSE SUBDIVISION and being shown
as Cooper's Alley on the map of said BROADWAY ADDITION; said 2.02 acre tract
being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:

BEGINNING at a 1" iron pipe found in concrete at the intersection of the
northerly Right-Of-Way line of present Cooper's Alley (formerly Telco Street,
formerly Kenedy Street), and the westerly line of Carancahua Street for the most
southeasterly corner of Block 6, CENTRAL WHARF AND WAREHOUSE SUBDIVISION; said
1" iron pipe also being the most southeasterly corner of this tract;

THENCE South 88 degrees 50 minutes 15 seconds West, along and with said
southerly line of Block 6, being the said northerly line of Cooper's Alley, a
distance of 250.16 feet to a 5/8" iron pipe found for the most southwesterly
corner of said Lot 6, Block 1, same being a southwesterly exterior corner of
this tract;

THENCE North 00 degrees 42 minutes 29 seconds West, a distance of 43.82 feet to
drill hole set for a point in the southerly line of said Lot 22, Block 2, W.E.
POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION; said drill hole also being an interior corner of this
tract;

THENCE South 59 degrees 42 minutes 29 seconds West, along and with the southerly
line of said Lot 22, Block 2, W.E. POPE'S BROADWAY ADDITION, a distance of 13.28
feet to a 5/8" iron rod found for the most southeasterly corner of said portion
of Lot 22, Block 2, conveyed to the City of Corpus Christi and also being in the
most easterly Right-Of-Way line of present Tancahua Street for an exterior
corner of this tract;

THENCE North 04 degrees 19 minutes 38 seconds West, along and with said easterly
line of Tancahua Street, a distance of 109.70 feet to a 5/8" iron rod found for
an angle point of this tract;




                                     A-2-1
<PAGE>   84



THENCE North 02 degrees 51 minutes 52 seconds West, continuing along and with
said easterly line of Tancahua Street a distance of 30.06' to 5/8" iron rod
found for the most northwesterly corner of said Lot 22, Block 2, BROADWAY
ADDITION, also being the most southwesterly corner of said Lot 1, Block 2,
BROADWAY ADDITION, also being an angle point of this tract;

THENCE North 01 degrees 00 minutes 30 seconds East, continuing along and with
said easterly line of Tancahua Street, a distance of 107.29 feet to 5/8" iron
rod found at the intersection of said easterly line of Tancahua Street and the
southerly line of Blucher Street, (formerly Chatham Street) for the most
northwesterly corner of said Lot 1, Block 2, Broadway Addition, also being the
most northwesterly corner of this tract;

THENCE North 75 degrees 24 minutes 20 seconds East, along and with the southerly
line of said Blucher Street, also being the North line of Block 2, W.E. POPE'S
BROADWAY ADDITION, a distance of 298.31 feet to a drill hole found in concrete
at the intersection of the said southerly line of Blucher Street and the
westerly line of said Carancahua Street for the most northeasterly corner of
this tract;

THENCE southerly, along and with the said westerly line of Carancahua Street, 
the following courses;

South 01 degrees 00 minutes 30 seconds West, a distance of 107.29 feet to a
drill hole found in concrete for the southwesterly corner of Lot 11, Block 2,
W.E. POPE'S ADDITION for an angle point of this tract;

South 00 degrees 05 minutes 32 seconds West, a distance of 105.14 feet to a
drill hole found in concrete for an angle point of this tract;

South 86 degrees 47 minutes 35 seconds West, a distance of 7.98 feet to a drill
hole found in concrete for an angle point of this tract;

South 14 degrees 49 minutes 41 seconds West, a distance of 41.75 feet to a 1"
iron rod found for an angle point of this tract;

Thence South 01 degrees 08 minutes 51 seconds East, continuing along and with
said westerly line of Carancahua Street, a distance of 100.71 feet to the POINT
OF BEGINNING and containing 2.02 acres of land more or less.




                                     A-2-2
<PAGE>   85



                                   EXHIBIT "B"

                           Landlord Personal Property

     All furniture, furnishings, equipment, tools, machinery, fixtures,
appliances and all other intangible and tangible personal property, other than
the Fixtures (as defined in the Lease), conveyed to Landlord pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement.



                                      B-1



<PAGE>   86



                                   EXHIBIT "C"

                                Appraisal Process


     If Landlord and Tenant are unable to agree upon the Adjusted Fair Market
Value of the Premises within any relevant period provided in this Lease, each
shall within ten (10) days after written demand by the other select one MAI
Appraiser to participate in the determination of Adjusted Fair Market Value. For
all purposes under this Lease, the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises
shall be based on the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises unencumbered by
this Lease. Within ten (10) days of such selection, the MAI Appraisers so
selected by Landlord and Tenant shall select a third MAI Appraiser. The three
(3) selected MAI Appraisers shall each determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value
of the Premises within thirty (30) days of the selection of the third appraiser.
To the extent consistent with sound appraisal practices as then existing at the
time of any such appraisal, and if requested by Landlord, such appraisal, shall
be made on a basis consistent with the basis on which the Premises was appraised
at the time of its acquisition by Landlord. Each of Tenant and Landlord shall
pay the fees and expenses of any MAI Appraiser which such party appoints
pursuant to this Exhibit plus 50% of the cost of the third appraiser.

     In the event either Landlord or Tenant fails to select a MAI Appraiser
within the time period set forth in the foregoing paragraph, the MAI Appraiser
selected by the other party shall alone determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value
of the Premises in accordance with the provisions of this Exhibit and the
Adjusted Fair Market Value so determined shall be binding upon Landlord and
Tenant.

     In the event the MAI Appraisers selected by Landlord and Tenant are unable
to agree upon a third MAI Appraiser within the time period set forth in the
first paragraph of this Exhibit, either Landlord or Tenant shall have the right
to apply at their mutual expense to the presiding judge of the court of original
trial jurisdiction in the county in which the Premises is located to name the
third MAI Appraiser.

     Within five (5) days after completion of the third MAI Appraiser's
appraisal, all three MAI Appraisers shall meet and a majority of the MAI
Appraisers shall attempt to determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the
Premises. If a majority are unable to determine the Adjusted Fair Market Value
at such meeting, the three appraisals shall be added together and their total
divided by three. The resulting quotient shall be the Adjusted Fair Market Value
of the Premises. If, however, either or both of the low appraisal or the high
appraisal are more than ten percent (10%) lower or higher than the middle
appraisal, any such lower or higher appraisal shall be disregarded. If only one
appraisal is disregarded, the remaining two appraisals shall be added together
and their total divided by two, and the resulting quotient shall be such
Adjusted Fair Market Value. If both the lower appraisal and higher appraisal are
disregarded as provided herein, the middle appraisal shall be such Adjusted Fair
Market Value. In any event, the result of the foregoing appraisal process shall
be final and binding.


                                      C-1
<PAGE>   87



     Landlord, Tenant and any Guarantor will exercise their respective best
efforts to expedite the appraisal process and will cooperate fully and with all
deliberate speed with each other and with all appraisers in order to allow the
determination of Adjusted Fair Market Value to be finally completed.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Exhibit, if any appraiser appointed
hereunder fails to complete his or her report within 60 days of his or her
appointment, the Adjusted Fair Market Value of the Premises will be determined
by reference to the other report or reports completed within such period.

     "MAI APPRAISER" shall mean an appraiser licensed or otherwise qualified to
do business in the State and who has substantial experience in performing
appraisals of facilities similar to the Premises and is certified as a member of
the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or certified as a SRPA by the
Society of Real Estate Appraisers, or, if such organizations no longer exist or
certify appraisers, such successor organization or such other organization as is
approved by Landlord.


                                      C-2
<PAGE>   88



                                   EXHIBIT "D"

                              Permitted Exceptions

     1. The standard printed exceptions, conditions and exclusions from coverage
contained in the standard coverage owner's title policy then prevailing in use
at the title company which consummates the sale transaction.

     2. Any matters which an accurate survey of the Premises may show.

     3. Exception Nos. 1, 2 (modified to state "Any discrepancies in area."), 3,
4, 5 (with the year "1996" replaced by "1997"), 9 through 11, 12, 14, 16 through
25 on the preliminary title report issued by Fidelity National Title Insurance
Company dated November 11, 1996 under Order Number 96-001054.

     4. Such other matters burdening the Premises which were created with the
consent or knowledge of Tenant or arising out of Tenant's acts or omissions.


                                      D-1


<PAGE>   89



                                    EXHIBIT E

                           List of Exempted Facilities

      Existing Facilities

      1.  Alameda Oaks Nursing Center
          1101 S. Alameda St.

      2.  Avante Villa at Corpus Christi
          5607 Everhart Rd.

      3.  Del Mar Health Care Center
          4130 Santa Elena

      4.  Harbor View Care Center
          1314 3rd St.

      5.  Heartland of Corpus Christi
          202 Dr. Fortune

      6.  Human Development Center
          3031 Mc Ardle Rd.

      7.  Lyhaven Nursing Center
          3030 Fig St.

      8.  Retama Manor - Corpus Christi
          2322 Morgan Avenue

      9.  South Park Manor
          3115 McArdle

    10.   Sunnybrook Health Care Center
          3050 Sunnybrook

    11.   Westwood Manor Nursing Home
          801 Cantwell

    12.   Wooldridge Place Nursing Center
          7352 Wooldridge Rd.

    13.   Casa de Oro
          3401 S. Alamdea


    14.   Coastal Haven Apartments
          4710 Middlecroft Rd.

    15.   Mt. Carmel Home for the Aged
          4130 S. Alameda

    16.   Sea Gulf Villa
          416 N. Chaparral

    17.   Villa Residential Care Homes
          2822 Robby



                                      E-1

<PAGE>   90

      Facilities in Development or
      Currently Planned

      1.  Esplanade Gardens
          5813 Esplanade Drive

      2.  Grand Court
          2709 Cimarron Blvd.

      3.  The Villa
          4934 Yorktown

      4.  Remington Retirement
          Community
          6410 Meadow Vista Drive




                                      E-2
<PAGE>   91



                                    EXHIBIT F

                         Basic Initial Term Minimum Rent

                                   [attached]


                                      F-1


<PAGE>   1


                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.8



                      AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT



         THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is executed
effective as of the 21st day of December, 1994, by and between CARRIAGE CLUB OF
DENVER, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Borrower"), and GENERAL ELECTRIC
CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("Lender").


                                    RECITALS

         A. Borrower is the owner of that certain real property located in the
City and County of Denver, Colorado, more particularly described in Exhibit A
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, together with all
buildings, other improvements, fixtures and personal property now or hereafter
located thereon (together, the "Project").

         B. Borrower and Lender entered into a loan agreement dated as of
October 30, 1990, pursuant to which Borrower is the borrower and Lender is the
lender under a loan in the principal amount of $11,640,000.00 (the "1990 Loan
Agreement").

         C. Borrower and Lender have agreed to amend and restate the 1990 Loan
Agreement.


                                   AGREEMENT

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein contained and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, Borrower and Lender hereby agree as follows:

        SECTION 1. INCORPORATION OF RECITALS. The Recitals set forth above are
hereby incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement.

        SECTION 2. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. Reference is made to Section of this
Agreement for definitions of certain of the terms used herein.

        SECTION 3. COMMITMENT TO LEND. Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Lender agrees to advance to Borrower up to
$15,500,000.00 (the "Loan") as hereinafter provided. Lender has previously
disbursed $11,640,000.00 of the proceeds of the Loan to Borrower, pursuant to
the terms of the 1990 Loan Agreement. The balance of the proceeds of the Loan,
$3,860,000.00, shall be disbursed by Lender to Borrower contemporaneously with
the execution of this Agreement.

        SECTION 4. TERMS OF PAYMENT. The Loan and the interest thereon shall be
evidenced by, and be payable in accordance with, the Note and the Deed of Trust
(the Loan and 




<PAGE>   2

the interest thereon, together with any other sums payable by Borrower under
the Loan Papers, are herein collectively called the "Obligation").

        SECTION 5. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF BORROWER. In addition to those
covenants set forth in the Deed of Trust, Borrower hereby covenants and agrees
as follows:

               5.1 Noncompliance. Borrower will promptly notify Lender of any
noncompliance, or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
result in noncompliance, with any statute, law, ordinance, order, judgment,
decree, regulation, direction or requirement concerning Borrower, its
operations, or the Project, of which Borrower is aware, or in connection with
which Borrower has received any notice, correspondence or other communication
of a material nature to or from any federal, state or local governmental
official, body, board, department or regulatory authority. If any such notice
or communication is received by Borrower, Borrower shall engage an independent
consultant as described in Section below and shall provide Lender with a
statement of Borrower setting forth Borrower's proposed action or response to
the noncompliance situation. Borrower will promptly notify Lender of any
proposed local, state or federal law that, if enacted, would materially and
adversely affect Borrower's current operation of the Project.

               5.2 Consultant. If (a) Borrower fails to maintain at all times a
Debt Service Coverage of at least 1.05 to 1.00, calculated by taking the ratio
of Net Revenues Available for Debt Service to Debt Service, or (b) the
occupancy level of the Project is less than 85% for three (3) consecutive
months, or (c) Borrower receives any notice, correspondence or other
communication of a material nature from any federal, state or local
governmental official, body, board, department or regulatory authority citing
violations of or lack of compliance with any statute, ordinance and/or
regulation concerning Borrower, its operations or the Project, then Borrower
will, at its expense, retain an independent consultant selected from a list of
independent consultants designated by Lender from time to time, which
independent consultant is to make recommendations to increase the Debt Service
Coverage to at least 1.20 to 1.00, increase the occupancy level to at least
90%, or make recommendations to address the violation and/or noncompliance, as
the case may be. With regard to a notice of violation or noncompliance received
by Borrower as described in (c) above, if such violation or noncompliance can
be cured by Borrower within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the
notice or other communication relating thereto, then the independent
consultant's engagement may be limited to a review of Borrower's proposed plan
to cure such noncompliance. Such independent consultant will provide a copy of
its report to Borrower and to Lender. Borrower further agrees that its
compliance with this covenant and/or with the independent consultant's
recommendation will not limit any of Lender's rights and remedies upon
Borrower's Default or excuse Borrower from any Default whether by reason of its
failure to maintain the above-specified Debt Service Coverage or occupancy
level, the receipt of a notice of noncompliance, or for any other reason.

               5.3 Annual Budget. Within sixty (60) days prior to the
commencement of each fiscal year during the term of the Loan, Borrower will
provide to Lender its proposed annual budget for such fiscal year (the "Annual
Budget") for review and approval by Lender. Such Annual Budget shall detail the
proposed Replacement Disbursements (as hereinafter defined) for capital
improvements. Borrower shall not be permitted to make any change, amendment, or
supplement 




                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3


to such Annual Budget or schedule of capital improvements without the prior
consent of Lender, which consent may be withheld in Lender's sole and absolute
discretion; provided, however, Lender agrees to promptly notify Borrower of its
approval or disapproval of any change, amendment or supplement to the Annual
Budget or the schedule of capital improvements. As a part of its budget
process, Borrower will also prepare and provide to Lender a pro forma
calculation of the effect the proposed budget will have on the Debt Service
Coverage for such fiscal year. Within thirty (30) days following the end of
each calendar month, Borrower will provide to Lender a monthly statement
setting forth any variance from the Annual Budget.

         SECTION 6.        CERTAIN RIGHTS OF LENDER.

               6.1 Remedies Upon Default. Subject to the provisions in the Loan
Papers pertaining to the limitation on the liability of Borrower, should a
Default occur and be continuing, Lender shall have all the rights and remedies
provided in the Loan Papers, together with such additional remedies as may be
available at law or in equity. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Lender shall have all rights of a Secured Party under Article 9 of
the Uniform Commercial Code of Colorado with respect to any and all monies and
accounts in which it is granted a security interest herein, including, without
limitation, the Holdback, the Replacement Reserve Account, and the Operating
Reserve.

               6.2 Indemnification of Lender. Subject to the provisions in the
Loan Papers pertaining to the limitation on the liability of Borrower, Borrower
hereby indemnifies Lender, holds Lender harmless and defends Lender from and
against any and all liabilities (including, without limitation, any and all
taxes and special assessments levied against the Project, or personal property
located thereon), obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, claims, costs, expenses, and disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against Lender, in
any way relating to, or arising (i) out of, the Loan Papers or any of the
transactions contemplated therein, including, but not limited to, any brokerage
commissions or finder's fees claimed by any broker or other party in connection
with the loan commitment from Lender to Borrower or the Loan, or (ii) with
respect to the Project.

               6.3 Management of Project. In the event Borrower desires to
enter into, modify, amend or terminate any management agreement, leasing
agreement or any other agreement relating to management, leasing or operation
of the Project, Borrower will submit such proposed modification or change to
Lender in writing for Lender's prior approval, which approval shall be given or
withheld in Lender's sole discretion. Lender shall respond to such requests for
approval within a reasonable period of time. Lender shall approve all existing
managers and management contracts as well. Lender and Borrower agree that
A.R.C. Management Corporation shall serve as manager of the Project. Such
manager shall be entitled to receive a management fee of four and one-half
percent (4.50%) of Revenues, up to a maximum amount of $20,000.00 per month,
pursuant to a management contract approved by Lender, in Lender's sole and
absolute discretion. Borrower may replace the manager, provided that such
replacement is experienced in the operation and management of comparable
projects and subject to Lender's approval of such replacement, management fee
and management contract. Any change in the ownership or control of the manager
shall entitle Lender to exercise its approval right over the manager and the



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

management contract. Each manager shall hold and maintain all licenses,
certifications and permits required by law. Each manager shall execute a
non-competition agreement under which such manager agrees not to acquire,
construct, operate or manage an independent or assisted living facility within
five (5) miles of the Project for so long as any Indebtedness is outstanding
under the Loan; provided, however, that activities of a manager related to the
facility known as "Parkplace" and located at 111 Emerson Street, Denver,
Colorado, shall not be deemed a violation of this Section . Any payments
payable under a management contract shall be subordinate to, and shall be paid
following, the payment in full of Debt Service payments on the Loan in each
fiscal year. Borrower shall, and shall cause its on-site administrator to meet
with Lender at least quarterly to discuss the financial and physical condition
of the Project and the management of the Project, including personnel, resident
satisfaction, marketing and other issues pertinent to the success of the
Project and, at Lender's reasonable request, provide Lender with reports
relating to such information. Any management or leasing contract shall provide
that:

                  a. If Lender acquires ownership of the Project, Lender may,
         without cost or liability to Lender, within ninety (90) days of
         Lender's notice to such management or leasing agents, terminate the
         management and leasing agreement, and terminate the on-site
         administrator and director of leasing.

                  b. If, at any time after three (3) months following the date
         of execution of this Agreement, there are fewer than 198 units (85%)
         leased for a period of three (3) consecutive months, Lender may
         require that Borrower terminate the leasing and management agents for
         the Property.

         SECTION 7. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY. Reference is hereby made to the
provisions of the Note that limit the personal liability of Borrower.

         SECTION 8. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following terms
have the meanings indicated:

         "Cash" means cash, negotiable instruments due on demand, readily
marketable securities, demand deposit accounts, or other cash equivalents or
assets similar to any of the foregoing.

         "Debt Service" means, for any period, the sum of regular payments of
interest and principal under the Note for such period, together with any other
payments of Borrower on the Loan and on all other outstanding permitted
indebtedness, if any, relating to the Project for such period.

         "Debt Service Coverage" means, for any period, the ratio, as
determined by Lender, of Net Revenues Available For Debt Service for such
period to Debt Service for such period.

         "Deed of Trust" means the Amended and Restated First Deed of Trust and
Security Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, of even date
herewith, executed by Borrower and encumbering the Project for the benefit of
Lender.




                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

         "Default" means any event of default (however defined), arising under
any of the Loan Papers or in any other document or instrument evidencing,
securing, guaranteeing or otherwise pertaining to the Loan and the passage of
any applicable grace or cure period provided therein, if any.

         "Loan Papers" means: (a) this Agreement; (b) the Note; (c) the Deed of
Trust; (d) that certain Amended and Restated Assignment of Rents and Leases of
even date herewith, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, executed by
Borrower for the benefit of Lender; (e) certain UCC-1 financing statements; (f)
the Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement dated of even date herewith from
Borrower in favor of Lender; (g) the Subordination of Management Agreement
dated of even date herewith, executed by Lender, Borrower and Manager; (h) any
Letters of Credit; and (i) any and all other documents evidencing or securing
the Obligation or executed in connection with the Loan.

         "Net Revenues Available For Debt Service" means, for any period, the
Revenues less the Total Expenses.

         "Note" means that certain Amended and Restated Promissory Note, in
form and substance satisfactory to Lender, dated of even date herewith, in the
maximum principal sum of $15,500,000.00, executed by Borrower and payable to
the order of Lender.

         "Revenues" means, for any period, all Cash receipts of Borrower from
the operation or ownership of the Project after the date hereof which are
properly allocable to the Project, including, without limitation, gross
resident service revenues, less contractual allowances and provisions for
uncollectible accounts, free care and discounted care, if any; other operating
revenues; non-operating revenues; entrance fees actually paid, if any, less any
refunds made; receipts from leases and parking agreements; concession fees and
charges and other miscellaneous operating sources from the Property; proceeds
from rental or business interruption insurance; and net proceeds of or
recoveries from litigation in which Assignor is involved relating to the
operation or ownership of the Property; but excluding security deposits and
earnest money deposits until and unless such are forfeited by the depositor;
any gain or loss resulting from the early extinguishment of indebtedness or
from the sale, exchange, refinancing or other disposition of property not in
the ordinary course of business; any proceeds from any condemnation or
insurance coverage (other than business interruption), or recovery for damage
to the Property; and any gifts, grants, bequests or donations. Revenues shall
be determined in accordance with cash basis accounting principles consistently
applied.

         "Total Expenses" means all Cash expenses of operating the Project
which arise after the date hereof and which are paid by Borrower after the date
hereof and which are directly associated with and fairly allocable to ownership
or operation of the Project, including (without limitation but without
duplication) insurance premiums and ad valorem real estate taxes and
assessments (to the extent the same are not paid out of the Escrows as
hereinafter defined), amounts deposited in escrows required under the Loan
Papers for ad valorem real estate taxes and assessments (the "Escrows"),
amounts deposited in the Replacement Reserve Account or the Operating Reserve
(both as hereinafter defined), maintenance costs, management fees and costs not
to exceed those 



                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

set forth in the Management Agreement for the Project approved by Assignee,
interest on the Note (to the extent actually paid), accounting, legal, and
other professional fees, fees relating to environmental or financial audits,
utility costs, amounts deposited into reserves established under the Operating
Budgets, wages, salaries, personnel expenses, but excluding any capital
expenditure not properly allocable to the calendar year in question, any
payments of interest, principal, or fees (including fees to extend the term
thereof) on any loans other than the Loan obtained by Borrower, any payment or
expense to which Borrower was or is to be reimbursed from proceeds of the Loan,
insurance or any other third party, and any non-cash expense item such as
depreciation or amortization, as such terms are used for accounting or federal
income tax purposes. Total Expenses shall be determined on an actual or pro
forma basis and on a consolidated or combined basis, as determined by Lender in
its sole discretion to be appropriate. For purposes of any calculation of
Revenues or Total Expenses, any deduction from gross resident service revenues
otherwise required by the definition of Revenues in this Section shall not be
made if and to the extent that the amount of such deduction is included in
Total Expenses.

         SECTION 9.        LETTERS OF CREDIT; HOLDBACK.

               9.1 Security. As additional security for the Loan, Borrower
shall deposit $240,000.00 ("Deposit") in the form of one or more unconditional,
irrevocable letters of credit, issued in favor of Lender by an issuer
satisfactory to Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, and
having an expiration date satisfactory to Lender ("Letters of Credit"), or a
combination of cash and Letters of Credit. Borrower has previously delivered to
Lender a Letter of Credit issued by ABN-AMRO Bank, N.V., in the amount of
$177,450.00, of which Lender shall retain possession following the date hereof.
The balance of the Deposit, $62,550.00 (the "Holdback"), shall be delivered to
Lender in cash (or by wire transfer) simultaneously with execution of this
Agreement. Such Holdback shall be disbursed to Borrower when Borrower either
(a) replaces the $177,450.00 Letter of Credit with a Letter of Credit in the
amount of $240,000.00, or (b) delivers to Lender an additional Letter of Credit
in the amount of $62,550.00. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a security
interest in the Holdback as additional collateral for the Loan.

               9.2 Full Force and Effect. Except as hereinafter provided, any
Letters of Credit and any renewals or replacements thereof shall remain in full
force and effect until the Loan is paid in full and all obligations of Borrower
under the Loan Papers have been fully performed. Additionally, this Agreement
shall not in any manner be construed as amending or modifying the terms of any
Letters of Credit.

               9.3 Renewal of Letters of Credit. In connection therewith, it is
hereby understood and agreed that no less than thirty (30) days prior to the
expiration date of any Letter of Credit and each renewal or extension thereof
(until such time as such Letter of Credit has been released by Lender),
Borrower shall deliver to Lender a renewal or extension of such Letter of
Credit for a term of not less than one (1) year, in form, content and issued by
a bank acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion. If requested by Lender,
each Letter of Credit (and each renewal or extension thereof) shall, at
Borrower's sole cost and expense, be accompanied by an opinion of 



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

counsel regarding its due authorization, execution and enforceability (which
opinion shall be in form, content and from counsel acceptable to Lender in its
sole discretion).

               9.4 Presentment. Lender shall be entitled to draw upon any
Letter of Credit upon the occurrence of any Default (including, without
limitation, Borrower's failure to deliver a renewal or extension of any Letter
of Credit in the time and manner required hereinabove) or if Lender believes,
in its sole judgment, that its rights to draw on any Letter of Credit could be
in jeopardy. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Lender shall
also be entitled to draw upon any Letter of Credit if the credit rating or
financial condition of the issuing bank is no longer acceptable to Lender in
its sole discretion. No draw by Lender on any Letter of Credit shall cure or be
deemed to cure any default or limit in any respect any of Lender's remedies
under the Loan Papers. Borrower shall replace or restore (to its original
principal amount) any Letter of Credit immediately following any full or
partial draw thereon by Lender.

               9.5 Application of Proceeds of Letters of Credit. Proceeds of
any draw upon any Letter of Credit (after reimbursement of any costs and
expenses, including but not limited to attorneys' fees and disbursements,
incurred by Lender in connection with such draw) may be applied by the Lender
to the payment of the Deed of Trust, or the Note or any other indebtedness
secured thereby, in such manner as the Lender, in its sole discretion, deems
appropriate.

               9.6 Application of Holdback. Lender shall be entitled to apply
any Holdback to the satisfaction of any of Borrower's obligations hereunder
upon the occurrence of any Default (including, without limitation, Borrower's
failure to deliver a renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit in the time
and manner required hereinabove) or if Lender believes, in its sole judgment,
that its rights to draw on any Letter of Credit could be in jeopardy. No use or
application of any Holdback by Lender shall cure or be deemed to cure any
default or limit in any respect any of Lender's remedies under the Loan Papers.
Borrower shall replace or restore (to its original amount) any Holdback
immediately following any full or partial application of the Holdback by
Lender. Any Holdback (after reimbursement of any costs and expenses, including
but not limited to attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by Lender in
connection with such Holdback) may be applied by the Lender to the payment of
the Deed of Trust, or the Note or any other indebtedness secured thereby, in
such manner as the Lender, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

               9.7 Release of Letters of Credit and Holdback; No Waiver. In the
event of a transfer of the Project and assumption of the Obligation by American
Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation ("ARC"), pursuant to Section
1.17(l) of the Deed of Trust, Lender shall return to Borrower any Letters of
Credit received from Borrower, and shall disburse the Holdback to Borrower,
upon receipt of a Letter or Letters of Credit or a combination of cash and
Letters of Credit from ARC. Such cash and/or Letters of Credit received from
ARC shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Section just as
if they constituted the original Deposit. After the payment in full of all sums
due under the Deed of Trust, the Note secured thereby and all of the other Loan
Papers, provided there is no Default or any event or condition which, with
notice or the passage of time, or both, could constitute a Default, Lender
shall, upon request, release its rights in any Letters of Credit and any
Holdback, surrender such Letters of Credit to 




                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

the issuing banks, and disburse the Holdback to Borrower. No delay or omission
of Lender in exercising any right to draw on any Letter of Credit or any
Holdback shall impair any such right, or shall be construed as a waiver of, or
acquiescence in, any Default under this Agreement. Lender's rights and remedies
hereunder shall be cumulative.

         SECTION 10.       REPLACEMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT.

               10.1 Deposits to Replacement Reserve Account. Borrower shall be
required, on an annual basis, to spend, on property capital improvements or
replacements, and/or pay into a non-interest bearing reserve account held by
Lender (a "Replacement Reserve Account"), an amount equal to three percent (3%)
of the Revenues of the Project. The actual amount required to be spent and/or
paid on an annual basis will be determined by Lender upon completion of an
engineering review. Any costs incurred by Lender in connection with any such
review shall be paid by Borrower to Lender within five (5) days after written
notice from Lender.

               10.2 Use of Replacement Reserve Account. The Replacement Reserve
Account shall be held by Lender for payment of costs relating to capital
improvements or replacements at the Project requested by Borrower in writing
and approved by Lender in writing. In order to qualify for a disbursement from
the Replacement Reserve Account (a "Replacement Disbursement"), Borrower must
satisfy the conditions precedent to Replacement Disbursements contained in
Section below and Lender shall have approved the proposed repairs and
replacements. Borrower hereby grants to Lender a security interest in the
Replacement Reserve Account as additional collateral for the Loan. Upon the
occurrence of a Default, in addition to any other rights and remedies that
Lender shall be entitled to as a Secured Party under the Colorado Uniform
Commercial Code, Lender, at Lender's sole option, may (but shall not be
obligated to) disburse all or any portion of the balance of the Replacement
Reserve Account to satisfy all or any part of Borrower's obligations under the
Loan Papers, including, but not limited to, the obligation to pay principal
and/or interest on the Loan, the payment of taxes or insurance for the Project,
or the payment of the reasonable fees and expenses of Lender's counsel.

               10.3 Disbursements from the Replacement Reserve Account.
Replacement Disbursements shall be subject to satisfaction of the following
terms and conditions:

                  a. The amount of a Replacement Disbursement may not exceed
         the amount by which, during the loan year, actual expenditures for
         capital improvements or replacements pre-approved by Lender exceeded
         $25,000.00.

                  b. There shall exist no Default or any event or condition
         which, with notice or the passage of time, or both, could constitute a
         Default.

                  c. There shall have been no change in the financial condition
         of Borrower or of the Project which materially and adversely affects
         Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under the Note or the
         other Loan Papers.



                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9




                  d. No condemnation or adverse zoning or usage change
         proceedings shall have been commenced or threatened against the
         Project, the Project shall not have suffered any significant damage by
         fire or other casualty, and no law, regulation, ordinance, moratorium,
         injunctive proceeding, restriction, litigation, action, citation or
         similar proceeding or matter shall be pending or threatened against
         Borrower or the Project, which would have the effect, in Lender's
         reasonable judgment, of materially and adversely affecting the
         financial condition of Borrower, or the Project, its operation or the
         anticipated benefits to be derived by Borrower therefrom or by Lender
         in connection with its assisting Borrower in financing the Project for
         any reason, whether because of Borrower's being prohibited or delayed
         in converting the Project to usage other than its present usage or
         otherwise.

                  e. The representations and warranties made in the Loan Papers
         will be true and correct in all material respects on the date of each
         such request for a Replacement Disbursement and Borrower shall have
         performed all acts required by the Loan Papers to have been previously
         performed by Borrower.

                  f. Replacement Disbursements shall be made only for
         reimbursement of Borrower for the cost of completed capital
         expenditures at the Project, and only where Lender has approved the
         capital improvements and any related plans and specifications.
         Replacement Disbursements shall be made not more frequently than once
         per calendar month. Borrower shall not request Replacement
         Disbursements for any other purpose nor shall Borrower use any
         Replacement Disbursements for payment of any other cost or expense
         except as specifically set forth in a request for Replacement
         Disbursement approved by Lender in writing. Lender shall have no duty
         or obligation to fund Replacement Disbursements except in accordance
         with this Agreement and only for expenses incurred in arrears. The
         expenses incurred in connection with the capital improvements that are
         funded from the Replacement Reserve Account shall not be considered
         Total Expenses of the Project.

                  g. Requests for Replacement Disbursements shall specify the
         amount requested, shall be in minimum increments of $25,000.00, and
         shall be accompanied by appropriate invoices, bills paid affidavits,
         partial lien waivers, title endorsements and other documents required
         by Lender. Furthermore, all proceeds of all previous Replacement
         Disbursements will have been spent only in strict accordance with the
         purposes specified in the previous requests for Replacement
         Disbursements. Additionally, Lender shall have no duty to fund
         Replacement Disbursements if the sum of (i) the amounts advanced by
         Lender hereunder plus (ii) all other funds of Borrower available
         therefor and set aside in a manner which Lender has indicated in
         writing is satisfactory to it, will not enable Borrower to complete
         the capital improvements. Within ten (10) business days after the
         satisfaction of such requirements, Lender, or an engineer or architect
         selected by Lender, may inspect, for Lender's approval, the capital
         improvements as a further condition to the disbursement of funds. Any
         costs incurred by Lender in connection with any such inspection shall
         be paid by Borrower or reimbursed to Lender within five (5) days after
         written notice from Lender. Within five (5) days after 



                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10





         the satisfaction of such requirements and the inspection, if any,
         Lender shall disburse to Borrower all sums documented by Borrower in
         the invoices previously submitted to Lender.

                  h. Borrower shall have delivered to Lender for Lender's
         approval a list of the names and addresses of all contractors and
         major subcontractors and materialmen employed by Borrower for the
         construction, renovation or replacement of improvements at the
         Project, said list to be periodically updated during the course of
         construction, together with, if requested by Lender, true and correct
         copies of all executed contracts and subcontracts. In this connection,
         the parties agree that if any affiliate of Borrower is designated by
         Borrower as the contractor and such designation is approved by Lender,
         such affiliate shall provide all services and materials on such costs
         and terms no less favorable than could be procured from bona fide
         arm's length third parties for similar services and materials.

               10.4 Application of Replacement Disbursements after Default.
After the occurrence of a Default or any event or condition which, with notice
or the passage of time, or both, could constitute a Default, Lender shall have
the right, but not the obligation, to disburse and apply the proceeds of any
Disbursement to the satisfaction of any of Borrower's obligations hereunder
directly to any contractor or subcontractor, title company, and any other
person or firm to whom payment is due under this Agreement or any other Loan
Papers. Borrower hereby authorizes Lender to hold, use, disburse, and apply the
Replacement Reserve Account for payment of costs of construction of the
improvements, expenses incident to the Loan and the Project, and the payment or
performance of any obligation of Borrower hereunder, including, without
limitation, interest on the Loan, any Loan fees owing to Lender, legal fees of
Lender's attorneys which are payable by Borrower, and such other sums as may be
owing from time to time by Borrower to Lender with respect to the Loan.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, nothing in this
Agreement is intended to be for the benefit of, nor may be enforced by, nor
should be relied upon by, any person, firm or corporation other than Borrower.

         SECTION 11.       CASH OPERATING RESERVE FUND. During the term of the
Loan, Borrower will maintain a cash operating reserve fund (the "Operating
Reserve"), in which Borrower grants to Lender a security interest, in an amount
representing twenty-one (21) days of routine Total Expenses. Such amount shall
be estimated by Borrower, subject to Lender's approval. Borrower may withdraw
monies from the Operating Reserve in order to pay ordinary operating expenses;
provided, however, that within ninety (90) days of such withdrawal, Borrower
shall restore to the Operating Reserve the full amount of the monies withdrawn.
Borrower shall provide Lender with written notice of any withdrawal from or
restoration of the Operating Reserve within ten (10) days of such withdrawal or
restoration. Upon request by Lender, Borrower shall provide Lender with
evidence of Borrower's maintenance of the Operating Reserve and the balance
therein.

         SECTION 12.       MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS:




                                     -10-
<PAGE>   11

               12.1 Default. Any breach of the requirements of this Agreement
by Borrower shall constitute a "Default" under this Agreement and under each of
the other Loan Papers.

               12.2 Financial Reports. Borrower shall submit to Lender such
financial statements and/or reports as are required by the Deed of Trust.

               12.3 Books and Records. Borrower shall keep at the Project or at
its offices at 2020 South Monroe Street, Denver, Colorado 80210, complete, true
and accurate books and records relating to the Project and shall permit agents
and employees of Lender (and any auditors selected by Lender) from time to time
upon reasonable request to inspect and copy such books and records during
regular office business hours.

               12.4 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Colorado and of the
United States of America shall govern the rights and duties of the parties
hereto and the validity, construction, enforcement and interpretation of this
Agreement.

               12.5 Construction. The parties acknowledge that each party and
its counsel has reviewed this Agreement and that the normal rule of
construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the
drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement or
any amendments or exhibits hereto.

               12.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan Papers
embody the entire agreement between Borrower and Lender and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings relating hereto, including, without limitation,
that certain Loan Application dated August 17, 1994, and that certain
Commitment Letter dated November 10, 1994, between Borrower and Lender, and any
letter agreement or alleged letter agreement and any correspondence between
Borrower and Lender (all of the foregoing being merged into this document and
deemed null, void and of no force and effect), and this Agreement and the other
Loan Papers may only be amended or supplemented by an instrument in writing
executed by Borrower and Lender.

               12.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of Lender and Borrower and their respective
successors and assigns, provided that Borrower may not, without prior written
consent of Lender, assign any of its rights, duties or obligations hereunder
except pursuant to a Permitted Transfer (as defined in the Deed of Trust).

               12.8 Maximum Rate. All agreements between Borrower and Lender,
whether now existing or hereafter arising and whether written or oral, are
hereby expressly limited so that in no event, whether by reason of acceleration
of the maturity of the Note or otherwise, shall the amount paid or agreed to be
paid to Lender or charged by Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of
the money to be lent hereunder or otherwise, exceed the maximum rate permitted
by applicable law. If fulfillment of any provision of this Agreement or any of
the Loan Papers at the time performance of such provision shall be due, shall
involve transcending the limit of validity prescribed by law (including the
laws of the United States and the State of Colorado), then ipso 




                                     -11-
<PAGE>   12

facto, the terms and provisions of the Note limiting the amount of interest
which shall be paid to or charged by Lender under the Loan shall be applied and
followed.

               12.9 Invalid Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Papers is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable
under present or future laws effective during the term hereof, such provision
shall be fully severable; the appropriate Loan Paper shall be construed and
enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never
comprised a part thereof; and the remaining provisions thereof shall remain in
full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision or by its severance therefrom. Furthermore, in lieu of
such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added
automatically as a part of such Loan Paper a provision as similar in terms to
such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be
legal, valid and enforceable.

               12.10 Expenses. All costs and expenses of closing, including the
fees and expenses of Lender's counsel, shall be paid by Borrower, some of which
may be paid by proceeds of the Loan.

               12.11 Lender Not in Control; No Partnership. None of the
covenants or other provisions contained in this Agreement shall, or shall be
deemed to, give Lender the right or power to exercise control over the affairs
and/or management of Borrower, the power of Lender being limited to the right
to exercise the remedies referred to in the Loan Papers. No covenant or
provision of the Loan Papers is intended, nor shall it be deemed or construed,
to create a partnership, joint venture, agency or common interest in profits or
income between Lender and Borrower or to create an equity in the Project in
Lender or to make Lender in any way responsible for the debts or losses of
Borrower or with respect to the Project. Lender and Borrower disclaim any
sharing of liabilities, losses, costs or expenses.

               12.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

               12.13 Warranty and Representation as to Net Operating Income.
Borrower hereby warrants and represents to Lender that, as of the date hereof,
the annualized Net Revenues Available For Debt Service is at least
$2,196,000.00 from not more than 95% occupancy of the Project by tenants
actually in occupancy and paying rent on a current basis (i.e., not more than
one (1) month delinquent in their rental payment), assuming a five percent (5%)
management fee and reserves for replacements of one percent (1%) of Revenues
per year.

               12.14 Warranty and Representation as to Compliance. Borrower
hereby warrants and represents to Lender that as of the date hereof, (a) the
Project is in full compliance with all zoning, building, health, fire, traffic,
environmental, wetlands, coastal and other rules, regulations, ordinances,
statutes and requirements applicable to the Project, including, without
limitation, Ordinance No. 887, Series of 1991, recorded December 24, 1991, at
Reception No. R-91-0127087, pertaining to zoning; and (b) no inspections,
renovations, rehabilitation or modifications or changes to any of the
improvements at the Project or any certificates of 



                                     -12-
<PAGE>   13

occupancy or any other approvals, consents or authorizations are necessary
under any applicable laws, rules or regulations, as a result of Borrower's
ownership or operation of the Project.

               12.15 ADA Compliance. Borrower shall take such actions as are
reasonably necessary from time to time pertaining to any laws, rules,
regulations or codes relating to access for or discrimination against the
disabled, including without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42
U.S.C.A. ss.ss. 12101 et seq., as interpreted and amended from time to time,
the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 42 U.S.C.A. ss.ss. 3601 et seq., as
interpreted and amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto.

               12.16 Notices. All notices hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served for all purposes when
delivered in person or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to
either party hereto at the address set forth below, or at such other address of
which it shall have notified the party giving such notice in writing as
aforesaid:

                  If to Borrower:  Carriage Club of Denver, L.P.
                                   2020 South Monroe Street
                                   Denver, Colorado  80210
                                   Attention:  Executive Director

                  with a copy to:  Mr. David L. Widener
                                   President
                                   Sagebrush, Inc.
                                   2535 Tech Drive, Suite 111
                                   Bettendorf, Iowa  52722

                  If to Lender:    General Electric Capital Corporation
                                   13355 Noel Road, Suite 2000
                                   Dallas, Texas 75240
                                   Attention:  Manager - Real Estate Financing

         EXECUTED AND DELIVERED as of the date first above recited.

                                    BORROWER:

                                    CARRIAGE CLUB OF DENVER, L.P., a
                                    Delaware limited partnership

                                    By:    Sagebrush, Inc., a Delaware 
                                           corporation, its sole general 
                                           partner



                                           By: /s/ David L. Widener
                                              -------------------------------
                                              David L. Widener
                                              



                                     -13-

<PAGE>   14
                                             PRESIDENT
                                     LENDER:     

                                     GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                     CORPORATION, a New York corporation



                                     By: /s/ Christopher S. Peters    
                                         ------------------------------------
                                         Christopher S. Peters
                                         Project Manager





                                      -14-

<PAGE>   15


                                   EXHIBIT A

                                 (The Project)


A TRACT OF LAND BEING A PART OF BLOCK 19, THE VACATED ALLEY THEREIN, PARTS OF
VACATED EAST ASBURY AND BUCHTEL BLVD., UNIVERSITY PARK AMENDED MAP, MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF SOUTH MONROE STREET, SAID POINT BEING
30.75 FEET NORTHERLY OF THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID BLOCK 19; THENCE NORTHERLY ON
SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTH MONROE STREET, A DISTANCE OF 675.10 FEET TO THE
SOUTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF BUCHTEL BOULEVARD AS DESCRIBED IN BOOK 8854
AT PAGE 283 OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER RECORDS; THENCE ON AN ANGLE OF
100(degree)36'18" TO THE RIGHT AND ALONG SAID SOUTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE A
DISTANCE OF 269.60 FEET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF 79(degree)23'42" A
DISTANCE OF 319.87 FEET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE LEFT OF 45(degree)00'00" A
DISTANCE OF 35.36 FEET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF 45(degree)00'00" A
DISTANCE OF 311.11 FEET TO THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF EAST EVANS AVENUE;
THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF 89(degree)57'00" AND ALONG SAID NORTH
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE A DISTANCE OF 260.00 FEET TO A POINT 30.00 FEET EASTERLY OF
THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTH MONROE STREET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF
45(degree)44'00" A DISTANCE OF 42.94 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING,

CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER,
STATE OF COLORADO.


                                   Exhibit A
                                     Page 1



<PAGE>   1


                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.9 


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                PROMISSORY NOTE



$15,500,000.00                                               December 21, 1994


                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, CARRIAGE CLUB OF DENVER, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("GECC"), the sum of
Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($15,500,000.00), with
interest on the unpaid balance of such amount from the date of the disbursement
of the loan (the "Loan") evidenced hereby, at the rate or rates of interest
specified herein. This Note is secured by an Amended and Restated First Deed of
Trust and Security Agreement (the "Deed of Trust") of even date herewith on
certain property particularly described therein (the "Mortgaged Property") and
by other security given or to be given to GECC as collateral for the Loan
(collectively, the "Other Security Documents").

                  From and after the date hereof and through and including
December 31, 2001 (the "Maturity Date"), Borrower shall pay to GECC monthly in
arrears commencing on the first day of the first calendar month immediately
after the date hereof, and continuing on the first day of each and every
calendar month thereafter (such date for any particular month being hereinafter
referred to as the "Due Date"), interest accrued for the preceding month on the
outstanding principal amount hereof at the Contract Index Rate (as hereinafter
defined). Interest at the Contract Index Rate shall be computed on the basis of
a three hundred sixty (360) day year composed of twelve (12) months of thirty
(30) days each, except that interest for a period less than a full month shall
be computed by multiplying the actual number of days elapsed in such period by
a daily rate based on such 360-day year.

                  In addition to monthly payments of interest hereunder,
commencing January 1, 1995, and continuing on the first day of each month
thereafter, to and including December 31, 2001, Borrower shall pay to GECC, in
reduction of the principal balance of this Note, Twenty Thousand and No/100
Dollars ($20,000.00); provided, however, that if, on the first day of any
month, either (a) Debt Service Coverage (as hereinafter defined) for the most
recent consecutive ninety (90) day period for which financial information 


<PAGE>   2

is available, is less than 1.2 to 1.0, or (b) annualized Net Revenues Available
for Debt Service (as hereinafter defined) divided by the then outstanding
principal balance of this Note is less than 0.13, then, in addition to regular
monthly installments of interest on this Note, Borrower shall pay to GECC, in
reduction of the principal balance of this Note, on the fifth day of such
month, all Excess Cash Flow (as hereinafter defined) for the preceding month.
Such Excess Cash Flow delivered to GECC shall be applied to the payment of
principal of the Note. Borrower shall continue making such payments of Excess
Cash Flow on the fifth day of each succeeding month until the month in which,
on the first day of such month, (a) Debt Service Coverage as determined by GECC
for the most recent consecutive ninety (90) day period, is equal to or greater
than 1.2 to 1.0, and (b) annualized Net Revenues Available for Debt Service
divided by the then outstanding principal balance of this Note is equal to or
greater than 0.13.

                  The entire principal amount of this Note, together with all
accrued but unpaid interest thereon, any and all unpaid late charges and
interest due at the Default Rate, and all other Maturity Obligations (as
hereinafter defined) shall be due and payable to GECC on December 31, 2001 (the
"Maturity Date").

                  As used herein, "Contract Index Rate" shall mean the rate of
interest equal to four and one-quarter percent (4.25%) per annum in excess of
the GECC Composite Commercial Paper Rate. "GECC Composite Commercial Paper
Rate" shall mean the Average Interest Expense on the actual principal amount of
the GECC Composite Commercial Paper outstanding for GECC's full fiscal month
preceding the Interest Billing Month. "GECC Composite Commercial Paper" shall
mean GECC's outstanding commercial paper for terms of nine (9) months or less
from sources within the United States but excluding the current portion of
GECC's long term debt and GECC Financial Corporation's borrowings and interest
expense. "Average Interest Expense" shall mean the percentage obtained by
dividing the interest expense on GECC Composite Commercial Paper for such
fiscal month by the average daily principal amount of GECC Composite Commercial
Paper outstanding during such fiscal month, divided by the actual number of
days in such fiscal month and multiplied by the actual number of days in the
calendar year. The "Interest Billing Month" shall mean the month preceding the
month in which the interest shall be paid. The GECC Composite Commercial Paper
Rate shall be determined by GECC and evidenced by a certificate issued by an
authorized GECC employee.



                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3

                  As used herein, "Debt Service Coverage" shall mean, for any
period, the ratio, as determined by GECC, of Net Revenues Available For Debt
Service for such period to Debt Service for such period. "Net Revenues
Available For Debt Service" shall mean, for any period, the Revenues less the
Total Expenses (both as hereinafter defined). "Debt Service" shall mean, for
any period, the sum of regular payments of interest and principal under this
Note for such period, together with any other payments of Borrower on the Loan
and on all other outstanding permitted indebtedness, if any, relating to the
Mortgaged Property for such period.

                  As used herein, "Excess Cash Flow" shall mean, for any
period, the Net Revenues Available for Debt Service for such period, together
with any reserves required by GECC pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Deed of
Trust or the Other Security Documents, less the Debt Service for such period.
Any negative Excess Cash Flow shall be carried over to the next applicable
accounting period.

                  As used herein, "Maturity Obligations" shall mean the entire
outstanding principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued but unpaid
interest thereon, and all other sums due and unpaid hereunder and under the
Deed of Trust and the Other Security Documents.

                  As used herein, "Revenues" shall mean all Cash receipts of
Borrower from the operation or ownership of the Mortgaged Property after the
date hereof which are properly allocable to the Mortgaged Property, including,
without limitation, gross resident service revenues, less contractual
allowances and provisions for uncollectible accounts, free care and discounted
care, if any; other operating revenues; non-operating revenues; entrance fees
actually paid, if any, less any refunds made; receipts from leases and parking
agreements; concession fees and charges and other miscellaneous operating
sources from the Mortgaged Property; proceeds from rental or business
interruption insurance; and net proceeds of or recoveries from litigation in
which Assignor is involved relating to the operation or ownership of the
Mortgaged Property; but excluding security deposits and earnest money deposits
until and unless such are forfeited by the depositor; any gain or loss
resulting from the early extinguishment of indebtedness or from the sale,
exchange, refinancing or other disposition of property not in the ordinary
course of business; any proceeds from any condemnation or insurance coverage
(other than business interruption), or recovery for damage to the Mortgaged



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

Property; and any gifts, grants, bequests or donations. Revenues shall be
determined in accordance with cash basis accounting principles consistently
applied. "Cash" shall mean cash, negotiable instruments due on demand, readily
marketable securities, demand deposit accounts, or other cash equivalents or
assets similar to any of the foregoing.

                  As used herein, "Total Expenses" shall mean all Cash expenses
of operating the Mortgaged Property which arise after the date hereof and which
are paid by Borrower after the date hereof and which are directly associated
with and fairly allocable to ownership or operation of the Mortgaged Property,
including (without limitation but without duplication) insurance premiums and
ad valorem real estate taxes and assessments (to the extent the same are not
paid out of the Escrows as hereinafter defined), amounts deposited in escrows
required under the Deed of Trust or the loan agreement of even date herewith
executed by Borrower and GECC (the "Loan Agreement") for ad valorem real estate
taxes and assessments (the "Escrows"), amounts deposited in the Replacement
Reserve Account (as defined in the Loan Agreement), maintenance costs,
management fees and costs not to exceed those set forth in the management
agreement for the Mortgaged Property approved by GECC, interest on this Note
(to the extent actually paid), accounting, legal, and other professional fees,
fees relating to environmental or financial audits, utility costs, amounts
deposited into reserves established under the operating budgets for the
Mortgaged Property, wages, salaries, personnel expenses, but excluding any
capital expenditure not properly allocable to the calendar year in question,
any payments of interest, principal, or fees (including fees to extend the term
thereof) on any loans (other than the Loan) obtained by Borrower, any payment
or expense to which Borrower was or is to be reimbursed from proceeds of the
Loan, insurance or any other third party, and any non-cash expense item such as
depreciation or amortization, as such terms are used for accounting or federal
income tax purposes. Total Expenses shall be determined on an actual or pro
forma basis and on a consolidated or combined basis, as determined by GECC in
its sole discretion to be appropriate. For purposes of any calculation of
Revenues or Total Expenses, any deduction from gross resident service revenues
otherwise required by the definition of Revenues shall not be made if and to
the extent that the amount of such deduction is included in Total Expenses.

                  All payments due under this Note are payable at the lock box
maintained by GECC and identified as "Lock-Box-GECC-CREF," P.O. 




                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

Box 4748, Los Angeles, California 90051-2748, or at such other place as GECC or
other holder hereof shall notify Borrower in writing.

                  All payments received by GECC on this Note shall be applied
by GECC as follows: first, to the payment of delinquency or "late" charges, if
any; second, to accrued and unpaid interest at the Contract Index Rate; and
third, to the reduction of principal.

                  This Note may not be prepaid in whole or in part prior to
December 31, 1996. Thereafter, upon ten (10) days' prior written notice to
GECC, Borrower may prepay this Note in whole but not in part on any regularly
scheduled interest payment due date hereof, by paying GECC the Maturity
Obligations, without prepayment premium. GECC reserves the right to require any
payment on this Note, whether such payment is of a regular installment or
represents a prepayment or final payment, to be by wired federal funds or other
immediately available funds.

                  In the event Borrower fails to pay any installment of
interest or any principal on this Note for five (5) days after the same shall
become due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, GECC may, at its option,
impose a delinquency or late charge on Borrower, payable upon demand, equal to
the greater of:

                  (a)      Five percent (5%) per annum in excess of the
                           Contract Index Rate of interest (the "Default
                           Rate") that would have been applicable to a then-
                           current installment as provided for elsewhere in
                           this Note, as if such installment had been made
                           when due, computed from the date such payment was
                           due and payable to the date of receipt of such
                           installment by GECC in good and immediately
                           available funds, or

                  (b)      five percent (5%) of the amount of such past due
                           payment, notwithstanding the date on which such
                           payment is actually paid to GECC;

provided, however, that if any such late charge under subsections (a) or (b)
hereof is not recognized as liquidated damages for such delinquency (as
contemplated by Borrower and GECC), and is deemed to be interest in excess of
the amount permitted to be charged to Borrower under applicable law, GECC shall
be entitled to collect a late charge only at the highest rate 


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

permitted by law, and any interest actually collected by GECC in excess of such
lawful amount shall be deemed a payment in reduction of the principal amount
then outstanding under this Note and shall be so applied.

                  In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this
Note and those of the Deed of Trust, the Other Security Documents or any other
agreement relating to the Loan, the provisions of this Note shall govern.

                  In the event Borrower fails to pay any installment of
interest or any principal on this Note for five (5) days after the same shall
become due or upon the happening of a default or any "Event of Default" as
defined in the Deed of Trust or any of the Other Security Documents or other
documents executed in connection with the Loan (subject to any applicable cure
periods provided for in such documents), then and in any such event GECC may at
its option declare the entire unpaid balance of this Note, together with
interest accrued hereon, to be immediately due and payable, and GECC may
proceed to exercise any rights or remedies that it may have under the Deed of
Trust, under the Other Security Documents, under this Note or under any other
agreement relating to the Loan or such other rights and remedies which GECC may
have at law, equity or otherwise. In the event of such acceleration, Borrower
may discharge its obligations to GECC by paying the Maturity Obligations, with
interest at the Default Rate accruing from the date such acceleration is
declared, plus any applicable prepayment premium, or if no prepayment is then
permitted, a prepayment premium equal to five percent (5%) of the unpaid
balance of the Loan.

                  In the event this Note is turned over to an attorney at law
for collection after default, in addition to the Maturity Obligations, GECC
shall be entitled to collect all costs of collection, including but not limited
to reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with protection of or
realization of collateral or in connection with any of GECC's collection
efforts, whether or not suit on this Note or any foreclosure proceeding is
filed, and all such costs and expenses shall be payable on demand and shall
also be secured by the Deed of Trust and the Other Security Documents.

                  BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXECUTION OF THIS NOTE AND THAT IT UNDERSTANDS
THIS PROVISION FOR CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT, AND BORROWER 




                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO NOTICE OR A HEARING WHICH IT MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE BEFORE
ENTRY OF JUDGMENT.

                  No failure on the part of GECC or other holder hereof to
exercise any right or remedy hereunder, whether before or after the happening
of a default shall constitute a waiver thereof, and no waiver of any past
default shall constitute a waiver of any future default or of any other
default. No failure to accelerate the debt evidenced hereby by reason of a
default hereunder, or acceptance of a past due installment, or indulgence
granted from time to time shall be construed to be a waiver of the right to
insist upon prompt payment thereafter or to impose late charges retroactively
or prospectively, or shall be deemed to be a novation of this Note or a
reinstatement of the debt evidenced hereby or a waiver of such right to
acceleration or of any other right, or be construed so as to preclude the
exercise of any right which GECC may have, whether under the laws of the State
of Colorado, by agreement or otherwise; and Borrower and each endorser or
guarantor hereby expressly waives the benefit of any statute or rule of law or
equity which would produce a result contrary to or in conflict with the
foregoing. This Note may not be changed orally, but only by an agreement in
writing signed by the party against whom such agreement is sought to be
enforced.

                  Borrower, for itself and its heirs, successors and assigns,
and each endorser or guarantor of this Note, for its heirs, successors and
assigns, hereby waives presentment, protest, demand, diligence, notice of
dishonor and of nonpayment, and waives and renounces all rights to the benefits
of any statute of limitations and any moratorium, appraisement, exemption and
homestead now provided or which may hereafter be provided by any federal or
state statute, including but not limited to exemptions provided by or allowed
under the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, both as to itself personally and as to
all of its or their property, whether real or personal, against the enforcement
and collection of the obligations evidenced by this Note and any and all
extensions, renewals and modifications hereof.

                  It is the intention of the parties to conform strictly to
applicable usury laws from time to time in force, and all agreements between
Borrower and GECC, whether now existing or hereafter arising and whether oral
or written, are hereby expressly limited so that in no contingency or event
whatsoever, whether by acceleration of maturity hereof or otherwise, shall the
amount paid or agreed to be paid to GECC or the holder hereof, or collected by



                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

GECC or such holder, for the use, forbearance or detention of the money to be
loaned hereunder or otherwise, or for the payment or performance of any
covenant or obligation contained herein or in the Deed of Trust or in any Other
Security Documents or in any other document evidencing, securing or pertaining
to the indebtedness evidenced hereby, exceed the maximum amount permissible
under applicable usury laws. If under any circumstances whatsoever fulfillment
of any provision hereof or of the Deed of Trust or any Other Security Documents
or any other document executed in connection with the Loan, at the time
performance of such provision shall be due, shall involve transcending the
limit of validity prescribed or permitted by law, including judicial
determination, then ipso facto, the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced
to the limit of such validity; and if under any circumstances GECC or other
holder hereof shall ever receive an amount deemed interest, by applicable law,
which would exceed the highest lawful rate, such amount that would be excessive
interest under applicable usury laws shall be applied to the reduction of the
principal amount owing hereunder or to other indebtedness secured by the Deed
of Trust and not to the payment of interest, or if such excessive interest
exceeds the unpaid balance of principal and other indebtedness, the excess
shall be deemed to have been a payment made by mistake and shall be refunded to
Borrower or to any other person making such payment on Borrower's behalf. All
sums paid or agreed to be paid to the holder hereof for the use, forbearance or
detention of the indebtedness of Borrower evidenced hereby, outstanding from
time to time shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized,
pro-rated, allocated and spread from the date of disbursement of the proceeds
of this Note until payment in full of such indebtedness so that the actual rate
of interest on account of such indebtedness is uniform through the term hereof.
The terms and provisions of this paragraph shall control and supersede every
other provision of all agreements between GECC and Borrower and any endorser or
guarantor of this Note.

                  Neither Borrower nor any partner in Borrower shall be
personally liable for the repayment of any of the principal of or interest due
under this Note or for any deficiency judgment which GECC may obtain after
foreclosure on its collateral after default by Borrower, provided, however,
that neither Borrower nor any partner in Borrower shall be exonerated or
exculpated for any deficiency, loss or damage suffered by GECC as a result of
the failure by Borrower to comply with any of the terms or conditions of this
Note, the Deed of Trust or any of the Other Security 




                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

Documents (other than the provisions relating to the payment of principal,
interest or late charges), including but not limited to losses resulting from:
(i) Borrower's commission of a criminal act; (ii) Borrower's willful misconduct
or gross negligence; (iii) Borrower's failure to perform its obligation to
properly account to GECC as beneficiary for any proceeds of insurance or
condemnation proceeds as required by the Deed of Trust; (iv) Borrower's failure
to comply with provisions of the Deed of Trust prohibiting the sale or further
encumbering of the collateral; (v) Borrower's attempt to interfere with GECC's
rights under the assignment of rents or letters of credit, if any, issued in
connection with the Loan (other than the good faith assertion of legal and
equitable rights and defenses); (vi) Borrower's fraud or misrepresentation made
in or in connection with this Note, the Deed of Trust or the Other Security
Documents; (vii) Borrower's failure to apply proceeds of rents and other income
of the collateral toward the costs of maintenance and operation of the
Mortgaged Property and to the payment of taxes, lien claims, insurance premiums
and debt service and other indebtedness to the extent that the Deed of Trust or
Other Security Documents require such rents and income to be so applied; (viii)
Borrower's failure to pay any taxes, assessments, and insurance premiums
affecting any of the Mortgaged Property; (ix) Borrower's entering into or
modifying leases, rental agreements or management contracts in violation of the
provisions of the Deed of Trust or the Other Security Documents; (x) Borrower's
collection of rentals for periods of more than sixty days (60 days) in advance
under leases of the Mortgaged Property; (xi) the receipt by Borrower of monies
in connection with the modification of any existing or future lease or the
entering into of a new lease in violation of the applicable provisions of the
Deed of Trust or the Other Security Documents; (xii) willful damage or
destruction to any of the Mortgaged Property caused or occasioned by the acts
or omissions of Borrower, its agents or employees, including electrical,
plumbing, heating or air conditioning systems or elevators; (xiii) Borrower's
failure to pay for any loss, liability, damage, costs or expense (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by GECC in connection with any order, consent decree,
settlement, judgment or verdict arising from the deposit, storage, disposal,
burial, dumping, injecting, spilling, leaking or other placement or release in,
on or from any of the Mortgaged Property of asbestos or a "hazardous substance"
as defined in 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601, et seq., as amended from time to time, or any
other toxic or hazardous waste or waste products, including without limitation,
any liability of Borrower arising out of the Hazardous Substances Indemnity
Agreement; or (xiv) Borrower's 




                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

failure to pay for any loss, liability or expenses (including attorneys' fees)
incurred by GECC arising out of any claim or allegation made by Borrower, its
successors or assigns, or any creditor of Borrower, that this Note or the
transactions contemplated hereby or by the Deed of Trust or Other Security
Documents establish a joint venture or partnership arrangement between Borrower
and GECC; and provided further, that the foregoing limitations on Borrower's
personal liability with respect to principal and interest shall not impair the
validity of the indebtedness secured by GECC's collateral or the lien on or
security interest in the collateral or the right of GECC as beneficiary under
the Deed of Trust or as secured party to foreclose and/or enforce its rights
with respect to the collateral after default by Borrower or to seek and enforce
any of GECC's rights pursuant to any guarantee which it may hold. None of the
foregoing limitations on Borrower's personal liability shall modify, diminish
or discharge the personal liability of any guarantor under any guarantee
executed in connection with the indebtedness evidenced by the Note or of
Borrower or any other entity or individual under the Hazardous Substances
Indemnity Agreement of even date herewith or under any indemnification
provisions of the Deed of Trust or any of the Other Security Documents. All of
the representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities of the Hazardous
Substances Indemnity Agreement and any indemnification provisions of this Note,
the Deed of Trust or any Other Security Documents shall survive repayment of
this Note and/or the release of the liens of any of the Deed of Trust and shall
survive the transfer of any or all right, title and interest in and to any of
the Mortgaged Property by Borrower to any party, whether or not affiliated with
Borrower. Nothing herein shall be deemed to be a waiver of any right which GECC
may have under Sections 506(a), 506(b), 1111(b) or any other provision of the
Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as such sections may be amended, or
corresponding or superseding provisions of the Bankruptcy Amendments and
Federal Judgeship Act of 1984, to file a claim for the full amount of the debt
owing to GECC by Borrower or to require that all collateral shall continue to
secure all of the indebtedness owing to GECC in accordance with this Note, the
Deed of Trust and the Other Security Documents.

                  Borrower shall hold harmless, defend, protect and indemnify
GECC from and against any brokerage commissions or finder's fees claimed by any
broker or any other party in connection with the Loan. This indemnification
obligation shall 




                                     -10-
<PAGE>   11

not be subject to the limitation of liability contained in the preceding
paragraph.

                  This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws
of the State of Colorado. BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISPUTE ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE, OR IN ANY
WAY RELATED TO THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, MODIFICATION, EXTENSION OR
COLLECTION OF THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED HEREBY. BORROWER STATES THAT IT HAS
CONFERRED SPECIFICALLY WITH GECC WITH RESPECT TO THIS WAIVER, AND BORROWER HAS
AGREED TO THIS WAIVER AFTER CONSULTATION WITH ITS COUNSEL AND WITH FULL
UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPLICATIONS HEREOF. Borrower hereby submits to personal
jurisdiction in the State of Colorado for the enforcement of Borrower's
obligations hereunder and under the Deed of Trust and the Other Security
Documents, and waives any and all personal rights under the law of any other
state to object to jurisdiction within the State of Colorado for the purposes
of litigation to enforce such obligation of Borrower. In the event such
litigation is commenced, Borrower agrees that, in addition to any other manner
provided by applicable law or court rule, service of process may be made and
personal jurisdiction over Borrower obtained, by service of a copy of the
summons, complaint and other pleadings required by applicable law to commence
such litigation upon Borrower's appointed Agent for Service of Process in the
State of Colorado, which Agent Borrower hereby designates to be:

                  Ireland, Stapleton, Pryor & Pascoe, P.C.
                  1675 Broadway, Suite 2600
                  Denver, Colorado  80202
                  Attention:  Michael A. Smith, Esq.

                  This Note amends and restates in its entirety that certain
Promissory Note dated October 30, 1990, made by Borrower in favor of GECC in
the original principal amount of $11,640,000.00.


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, intending to be legally bound
hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed under seal the day and year
first above written.

                                          CARRIAGE CLUB OF DENVER, L.P., a
                                          Delaware limited partnership


                                     -11-
<PAGE>   12

                                      By:    Sagebrush, Inc., a Delaware
                                             corporation, its sole general
                                             partner



                                             By: /s/ David L. Widener
                                               ------------------------------
                                                David L. Widener
                                                President




                                     -12-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.10



              ASSUMPTION, CONSENT AND LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT


                  This ASSUMPTION, CONSENT AND LOAN MODIFICATION AGREEMENT
("Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 8th day of February, 1995, by
and among CARRIAGE CLUB OF DENVER, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("Seller"), AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership ("Purchaser"), and GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York
corporation ("Lender").


                                    RECITALS

                  A. On October 30, 1990, Lender made an $11,640,000.00 loan to
Seller, which loan was extended and increased to $15,500,000.00 (the "Loan")
pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated as of
December 21, 1994 (the "Original Loan Agreement"). The Loan is evidenced by an
Amended and Restated Promissory Note (the "Original Note") dated December 21,
1994, in the original principal amount of $15,500,000.00 from Seller as maker
to Lender as holder. The Loan is secured by (1) an Amended and Restated First
Deed of Trust and Security Agreement (the "Original Deed of Trust") dated
December 21, 1994, in favor of Lender, encumbering certain real property and
improvements thereon ("Property") located in the City and County of Denver,
Colorado, and more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto; (2) an
Amended and Restated Assignment of Rents and Leases (the "Original Assignment
of Rents") dated December 21, 1994, in favor of Lender; and (3) the documents
described in Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein by this
reference, together with all other documents evidencing and/or securing the
Loan (collectively, with the Original Loan Agreement, the Original Note, the
Original Deed of Trust and the Original Assignment of Rents, the "Original Loan
Documents"). The Original Deed of Trust was recorded on December 23, 1994, and
re-recorded on January 18, 1995, at Reception Nos. 9400189612 and 9500007531,
respectively, of the Records of the Clerk and Recorder of the City and County
of Denver, Colorado (the "Records"). The Original Assignment of Rents was
recorded on December 23, 1994, at Reception No. 9400189613 of the Records.

                  B. Seller wishes to sell and convey the Property, subject to
the lien of the Original Deed of Trust and other 





<PAGE>   2

Original Loan Documents, to Purchaser and has requested that Lender permit such
conveyance.

                  C. In order to induce Lender to consent to the sale and
conveyance of the Property, Purchaser has agreed, among other things, to (i)
assume the obligations of Seller under the Original Note and the other Original
Loan Documents (as modified by Section 3 of this Agreement), and (ii) modify
the Original Loan Documents as set forth in this Agreement.

                  D. Lender is willing to consent to the sale and conveyance of 
the Property and to permit Purchaser's assumption of the Original Loan 
Documents, as modified hereby, on the terms set forth herein.


                                   AGREEMENT

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises,
the following terms, conditions, covenants, warranties and representations, and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

                  1. Assumption. As of the date of this Agreement, Purchaser
hereby assumes the indebtedness evidenced by the Original Note and all other
obligations of Seller under the Original Note and the other Original Loan
Documents as if each of the Original Loan Documents had been executed by
Purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Purchaser hereby
assumes and agrees to perform all obligations of Seller under that certain
Amended and Restated Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement dated as of
December 21, 1994, executed by Seller for the benefit of Lender (the "Original
Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement").

                  2. Conditions Precedent to Lender's Execution.
Lender's execution and delivery of this Agreement are subject to
receipt by Lender of all of the following, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender:

                     (a) A duly executed and acknowledged guaranty agreement 
(the "Guaranty") by American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation 
("Guarantor");



                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

                           (b) A duly executed and acknowledged subordination
of management agreement (the "Subordination of Management Agreement") by
Purchaser and A.R.C. Management Corporation ("Manager");

                           (c) Duly executed UCC-1 financing statements (the
"UCC-1 Financing Statements") by Purchaser;

                           (d) Duly executed UCC-3 statements of change (the
"UCC-3 Statements of Change") by Purchaser and Seller;

                           (e) A duly executed and acknowledged chattel
mortgage security agreement (the "Chattel Mortgage Security Agree- ment") by
Purchaser;

                           (f) A duly executed closing affidavit (the "Closing
Affidavit") by Purchaser;

                           (g) An ALTA-form title insurance policy in the
amount of $15,500,000.00, naming Lender as insured mortgagee, issued by a title
insurance company acceptable to Lender, insuring that the Deed of Trust
constitutes a first priority lien, with such endorsements as may be required by
Lender and with no exceptions or exclusions other than an exception for taxes
not yet due and payable and such other exceptions as may be acceptable to
Lender in its sole discretion;

                           (h) A duly and validly authorized, executed and
delivered letter of credit (the "Letter of Credit"), issued by First American
National Bank, for the account of Purchaser in the amount of $240,000.00 for
the benefit of Lender;

                            (i) The favorable legal opinion of counsel for 
Purchaser and Guarantor as to such matters as Lender may request, including but 
not limited to the following:

                                (i) Purchaser and Guarantor are duly formed, 
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Tennessee.

                                (ii)Purchaser has duly authorized, executed and 
delivered this Agreement, the Subordination of Management Agreement, the UCC-1 
Financing Statements, the Chattel Mortgage Security Agreement and the Closing 
Affidavit.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

                                      (iii) Guarantor has duly authorized,
executed and delivered the Guaranty.

                                      (iv)  The Letter of Credit is in a form
sufficient to be enforceable against its issuer in accordance with
its terms.

                                      (v)   This Agreement, the Subordination 
of Management Agreement, the UCC-1 Financing Statements, the UCC-3 Statements
of Change, the Chattel Mortgage Security Agreement, the Closing Affidavit and
the Guaranty (collectively, the "Assumption Documents"), and the Original Loan
Documents (as the same may be amended by the terms of this Agreement),
constitute legal, valid and binding agreements, enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to
application of general principles of equity.

                                     (vi)   The execution and delivery of the
Assumption Documents do not, and the performance and observance of the terms of
the Loan Documents and the Assumption Documents will not, contravene any
existing law or regulation, and do not and will not conflict with or result in
any breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, or constitute a default
under, or result in or permit the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any of the properties of Purchaser or Guarantor pursuant to
any indenture, mortgage, or other agreement or instrument to which Purchaser or
Guarantor is a party or by which the Property is bound.

                                    (vii)   No action of, filing with, or 
consent, approval, or authorization of, any governmental or public body or
authority is required in connection with the execution and delivery by
Purchaser or Guarantor of the Assumption Documents.

                           (j) Such evidence or certification as Lender may
request that Purchaser and Guarantor have full power and authority to execute
and deliver the Assumption Documents.

                           (k) An ACORD Form 27 certificate of insurance
evidencing compliance with the insurance coverage requirements set forth in
Section 1.4 of the Deed of Trust (as hereinafter defined).

                           (l) Such other documents as Lender may reasonably
request.



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

                  3.       Modifications.  The Original Loan Agreement, the
Original Note, the Original Deed of Trust, the Original Assignment
of Rents and the other Original Loan Documents are hereby modified
as follows:

                           (a) Modification of the Original Loan Agreement:

                                     (i)  All references to the term "Borrower"
contained in the Original Loan Agreement shall refer to American Retirement
Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership.

                                     (ii) The first paragraph of Section 6.3 of
the Original Loan Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as
follows:

                  "6.3 Management of Project Unless otherwise expressly
approved in writing by Lender, the Property shall be managed by a third party
manager pursuant to a written management contract, and such manager and
management contract shall be subject to the prior written approval of Lender,
which may be granted or withheld in Lender's sole discretion. In the event
Borrower desires to enter into, modify, amend or terminate any management
agreement, leasing agreement or any other agreement relating to management,
leasing or operation of the Project, Borrower will submit such proposed
modification or change to Lender in writing for Lender's prior approval, which
approval shall be given or withheld in Lender's sole discretion. Lender shall
respond to such requests for approval within a reasonable period of time.
Lender shall approve all existing managers and management contracts as well.
Lender and Borrower agree that A.R.C. Management Corporation shall serve as
manager of the Project. Such manager shall be entitled to receive a management
fee of $20,000.00 per month, pursuant to a management contract approved by
Lender, in Lender's sole and absolute discretion. Borrower may replace the
manager, provided that such replacement is experienced in the operation and
management of comparable projects and subject to Lender's approval of such
replacement, management fee and management contract. Any change in the
ownership or control of the manager shall entitle Lender to exercise its
approval right over the manager and the management contract. Each manager shall
hold and maintain all licenses, certifications and permits required by law.
Each manager shall execute a non-competition agreement under which such manager
agrees not to acquire, construct, operate or manage an independent or assisted
living facility within five (5) miles of the Project for so long as any
Indebtedness is outstanding under the Loan; 




                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6

provided, however, that activities of a manager related to the facility known
as "Parkplace" and located at 111 Emerson Street, Denver, Colorado, shall not
be deemed a violation of this Section . Any payments payable under a management
contract shall be subordinate to, and shall be paid following, the payment in
full of Debt Service payments on the Loan in each fiscal year. Borrower shall,
and shall cause its on-site administrator to meet with Lender at least
quarterly to discuss the financial and physical condition of the Project and
the management of the Project, including personnel, resident satisfaction,
marketing and other issues pertinent to the success of the Project and, at
Lender's reasonable request, provide Lender with reports relating to such
information. Any management or leasing contract shall provide that:"

                                    (iii) All references to the term "Deed of
Trust" contained in the Original Loan Agreement shall refer to the Original
Deed of Trust, as modified by the terms of this Agreement.

                                    (iv)  All references to the term "Loan
Papers" contained in the Original Loan Agreement shall refer to: (a) the
Original Loan Agreement, the Original Note, the Original Deed of Trust, the
Original Assignment of Rents and the Original Hazardous Substances Indemnity
Agreement, all as modified by the terms of this Agreement; (b) certain UCC-1
financing statements executed by Seller as modified by the UCC-3 Statements of
Change, that certain Subordination of Management Agreement dated December 21,
1994, executed by Seller (the "Original Subordination Agreement"), and any
letters of credit provided by Seller to Lender pursuant to the Original Loan
Agreement; (c) the Assumption Documents and the Letter of Credit; and (d) any
and all other documents evidencing or securing the Obligation (as defined in
the Original Loan Agreement) or executed in connection with the Loan.

                                    (v)   All references to the term "Note"
contained in the Original Loan Agreement shall refer to the Original Note, as
modified by the terms of this Agreement.

                                    (vi)  Section 9 of the Original Loan
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  "SECTION 9.  LETTERS OF CREDIT.

                  9.1      Security.  As additional security for the Loan,
Borrower shall deposit $240,000.00 ("Deposit") in the form of one



                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7

or more unconditional, irrevocable letters of credit, issued in favor of Lender
by an issuer satisfactory to Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to
Lender, and having an expiration date satisfactory to Lender ("Letters of
Credit").

                  9.2 Full Force and Effect. Except as hereinafter provided,
any Letters of Credit and any renewals or replacements thereof shall remain in
full force and effect until the Loan is paid in full and all obligations of
Borrower under the Loan Papers have been fully performed. Additionally, this
Agreement shall not in any manner be construed as amending or modifying the
terms of any Letters of Credit.

                  9.3 Renewal of Letters of Credit. It is hereby understood and
agreed that no less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date of any
Letter of Credit and each renewal or extension thereof (until such time as such
Letter of Credit has been released by Lender), Borrower shall deliver to Lender
a renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit for a term of not less than one
(1) year, in form, content and issued by a bank acceptable to Lender in its
sole discretion. If requested by Lender, each Letter of Credit (and each
renewal or extension thereof) shall, at Borrower's sole cost and expense, be
accompanied by an opinion of counsel regarding its due authorization, execution
and enforceability (which opinion shall be in form, content and from counsel
acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion).

                  9.4 Presentment. Lender shall be entitled to draw upon any
Letter of Credit upon the occurrence of any Default (including, without
limitation, Borrower's failure to deliver a renewal or extension of any Letter
of Credit in the time and manner required hereinabove) or if Lender believes,
in its sole judgment, that its rights to draw on any Letter of Credit could be
in jeopardy. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Lender shall
also be entitled to draw upon any Letter of Credit if the credit rating or
financial condition of the issuing bank is no longer acceptable to Lender in
its sole discretion. No draw by Lender on any Letter of Credit shall cure or be
deemed to cure any default or limit in any respect any of Lender's remedies
under the Loan Papers. Borrower shall replace or restore (to its original
principal amount) any Letter of Credit immediately following any full or
partial draw thereon by Lender.

                  9.5 Application of Proceeds of Letters of Credit. Proceeds of
any draw upon any Letter of Credit (after reimbursement 



                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

of any costs and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys' fees and
disbursements, incurred by Lender in connection with such draw) may be applied
by the Lender to the payment of the Deed of Trust, or the Note or any other
indebtedness secured thereby, in such manner as the Lender, in its sole
discretion, deems appropriate.

                  9.6      Release of Letters of Credit; No Waiver.  After the
payment in full of all sums due under the Deed of Trust, the Note secured
thereby and all of the other Loan Papers, provided there is no Default or any
event or condition which, with notice or the passage of time, or both, could
constitute a Default, Lender shall, upon request, release its rights in any
Letters of Credit and surrender such Letters of Credit to the issuing banks. No
delay or omission of Lender in exercising any right to draw on any Letter of
Credit shall impair any such right, or shall be construed as a waiver of, or
acquiescence in, any Default under this Agreement. Lender's rights and remedies
hereunder shall be cumulative."

                                    (vii) The addresses for Borrower and David
L. Widener contained in Section 12.16 of the Original Loan Agreement are hereby
deleted and the following is substituted therefor:

                  "American Retirement Communities, L.P.
                   111 Westwood Place, Suite 402
                   Brentwood, Tennessee  37027
                   Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

                   with a copy to:

                   Bass, Berry & Sims
                   2700 First American Center
                   Nashville, Tennessee  37238-2700
                   Attn:  T. Andrew Smith, Esq."

                           (b)      Modification of the Original Note:

                                    (i)  All references to the term "Borrower"
contained in the Original Note shall refer to American Retirement Communities,
L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership.

                                    (ii) All references to the term "Deed of
Trust" contained in the Original Note shall refer to the Original Deed of
Trust, as modified by the terms of this Agreement.



                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9

                                    (iii) All references to the term "Other
Security Documents" contained in the Original Note shall refer to the Original
Assignment of Rents, as modified by the terms of this Agreement, the UCC-1
Financing Statements, the Chattel Mortgage Security Agreement, the Letter of
Credit and any other security given by Seller or Purchaser to Lender as
collateral for the Loan.

                                    (iv) The name and address for Borrower's
appointed Agent for Service of Process in the State of Colorado on page 9 of
the Original Note are hereby deleted and the following name and address are
substituted therefor:

                  "Corporation Service Company
                   1535 Grant Street, Suite 140
                   Denver, Colorado  80203"

                                    (v) All references to the term "Hazardous
Substances Indemnity Agreement" contained in the Original Note shall refer to
the Original Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement, as modified by the terms
of this Agreement.
                           (c)      Modification of the Original Deed of Trust:

                                    (i) The name and address of the "Grantor"
in the first paragraph on Page 1 of the Original Deed of Trust are hereby
deleted and the following is substituted therefor:

                  "American Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited
                  partnership, as the Grantor, whose address is 111 Westwood
                  Place, Suite 402, Brentwood, Tennessee
                  37027;"

                                    (ii)  All references to the term "Note"
contained in the Original Deed of Trust shall refer to the Original Note, as
modified by the terms of this Agreement.

                                    (iii) All references to the term "Loan
Agreement" contained in the Original Deed of Trust shall refer to the Original
Loan Agreement, as modified by the terms of this Agreement.

                                    (iv)  All references to the term "Assignment
of Rents and Leases" contained in the Original Deed of Trust shall refer to the
Original Assignment of Rents, as modified by the terms of this Agreement.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

                                    (v)    All references to the term "Security
Documents" contained in the Original Deed of Trust shall refer to any document
or instrument evidencing, governing, securing or guaranteeing the Note, as such
document may have been modified by the terms of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the Assumption Documents and the Letter of Credit.

                                    (vi)   Section 1.17(l) of the Original Deed
of Trust is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  "SECTION 1.17.  RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.  . . . (l) merge
                  or consolidate with any other person or entity, or sell,
                  transfer, convey or assign any interest in the Mortgaged
                  Property or any part thereof (other than leases in the
                  ordinary course of the Grantor's business)."

The final paragraph of Section 1.17 (beginning "Upon the satisfac-
tion . . . ") is hereby deleted in its entirety.

                                    (vii)  Section 2.1(i) of the Original Deed
of Trust is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  "SECTION 2.1.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  . . . (i) if a
                  receiver, liquidator or trustee of (1) the Grantor or
                  (2) any of Grantor's properties or (3) any guarantor
                  ("Guarantor") of the Indebtedness (or any portion
                  thereof) shall be appointed;"

                                    (viii) Section 2.1(z) of the Original Deed
of Trust is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                  "SECTION 2.1.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  . . . (z) any of the
                  letters of credit required to be furnished by the Grantor
                  to the Beneficiary in connection herewith (as provided in
                  Section 9 of the Loan Agreement) shall expire and not be
                  renewed or replaced without interruption prior to payment
                  in full of all indebtedness secured hereby, except to the
                  extent earlier released by the Beneficiary."

                                    (ix)   The addresses for Borrower and David
L. Widener contained in Section 3.3 of the Original Deed of Trust are hereby
deleted and the following is substituted therefor:

                  "American Retirement Communities, L.P.
                   111 Westwood Place, Suite 402

                                     -10-
<PAGE>   11

                   Brentwood, Tennessee  37027
                   Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

                   with a copy to:

                   Bass, Berry & Sims
                   2700 First American Center
                   Nashville, Tennessee  37238-2700
                   Attn:  T. Andrew Smith, Esq."

                           (d)      Modification of the Original Assignment of
Rents:

                                    (i)   The name and address of the "Assignor"
in the first paragraph on Page 1 of the Original Assignment of Rents are hereby
deleted and the following is substituted therefor:

                  "American Retirement Communities, L.P., a limited partnership
                  organized and existing under the laws of the State of
                  Tennessee, having an office at 111 Westwood Place, Suite 402,
                  Brentwood, Tennessee 37027"

                                    (ii)  All references to the term "Deed of
Trust" contained in the Original Assignment of Rents shall refer to the
Original Deed of Trust, as modified by the terms of this Agreement.

                                    (iii) All references to the term "Loan
Documents" contained in the Original Assignment of Rents shall refer to any
document or instrument evidencing, governing, securing or guaranteeing the
Note, as such document may have been modified by the terms of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the Assumption Documents and the Letter of
Credit.

                           (e)      Modification of the Original Hazardous
Substances Indemnity Agreement:

                                    (i)   All references to the term 
"Indemnitor" contained in the Original Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement
shall refer to American Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited 
partnership.

                                    (ii)  All references to the term "Note"
contained in the Original Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement shall refer
to the Original Note, as modified by the terms of this Agreement.



                                     -11-
<PAGE>   12

                                    (iii) All references to the term "Deed of
Trust" contained in the Original Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement shall
refer to the Original Deed of Trust, as modified by the terms of this
Agreement.

                                    (iv)  All references to the term "Loan
Documents" contained in the Original Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement
shall refer to any document or instrument evidencing, governing, securing or
guaranteeing the Note, as such document may have been modified by the terms of
this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Assumption Documents and the
Letter of Credit.

                                    (v)   The name and address for Indemnitor's
appointed agent for service of process in Paragraph 8 of the Original Hazardous
Substances Indemnity Agreement are hereby deleted and the following name and
address are substituted therefor:

                  "Corporation Service Company
                   1535 Grant Street, Suite 140
                   Denver, Colorado  80203"

                                    (vi)  The addresses for Indemnitor contained
in Paragraph 9 of the Original Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement are
hereby deleted and the following is substituted therefor:

                  "American Retirement Communities, L.P.
                   111 Westwood Place, Suite 402
                   Brentwood, Tennessee  37027
                   Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

                   with a copy to:

                   Bass, Berry & Sims
                   2700 First American Center
                   Nashville, Tennessee  37238-2700
                   Attn:  T. Andrew Smith, Esq."

                           (f)      Modification of the other Original Loan
Documents:



                                     -12-
<PAGE>   13

                                    (i)   All references to the term "Borrower"
contained in all Original Loan Documents shall refer to American Retirement
Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership.

                                    (ii)  All references to the terms "Loan
Agreement," "Note" and "Deed of Trust" contained in the other Original Loan
Documents shall refer to the Original Loan Agreement, the Original Note and the
Original Deed of Trust, each as modified by this Agreement.

                                    (iii) All capitalized terms contained in
the other Original Loan Documents, and not otherwise defined therein, shall
have the meanings given to such terms in the Original Deed of Trust, as
modified by this Agreement.

                  4. Original Loan Documents. Except as otherwise expressly
modified by this Agreement, all terms and provisions of the Original Loan
Agreement, the Original Note, the Original Deed of Trust and the other Original
Loan Documents are ratified and confirmed and shall be, and shall remain, in
full force and effect, enforceable in accordance with their terms. The Original
Loan Agreement, the Original Note and the Original Deed of Trust, as modified
by this Agreement, shall be referred to herein as the "Loan Agreement," the
"Note" and the "Deed of Trust," respectively. The Original Loan Documents, as
modified by this Agreement, together with the Assumption Documents, shall be
referred to herein as the "Loan Documents."

                  5. First Lien.  Purchaser hereby acknowledges and
agrees that the liens and security interests of the Deed of Trust
and the other Loan Documents are valid and subsisting first liens
and security interests in the Mortgaged Property (as defined in the
Original Deed of Trust).

                  6. Purchaser Indebted. Purchaser hereby acknowledges and
agrees that it is well and truly indebted to Lender pursuant to the terms of
the Note. Purchaser agrees and hereby promises to pay the Note to the order of
Lender in accordance with the terms thereof and agrees to observe, comply with
and perform all of the obligations, terms and conditions under or in connection
with the Note, the Loan Agreement, the Deed of Trust and any and all other Loan
Documents.

                  7. No Defenses. Purchaser, by its execution of this
Agreement, hereby declares that it has no set-offs, counterclaims, 



                                     -13-
<PAGE>   14

defenses or other causes of action against Lender arising out of the
indebtedness evidenced by the Note, the assumption by Purchaser of the Note,
the assumption by Purchaser of the obligations, terms or conditions under or in
connection with the Note, the Loan Agreement, the Deed of Trust and any and all
other Loan Documents, the modification of the Original Note, the Original Loan
Agreement, the Original Deed of Trust and any and all other Original Loan
Documents, any documents mentioned herein or otherwise; and, to the extent any
such set-offs, counterclaims, defenses or other causes of action may exist,
whether known or unknown, such items are hereby waived by Purchaser.

                  8.  Permits and Licenses. Purchaser hereby agrees that it
shall obtain all permits and licenses necessary for operation of the Property
from the appropriate governmental authorities within ninety (90) days of the
date of this Agreement. Purchaser shall provide Lender with copies of all such
permits and licenses immediately upon receipt thereof and, in any event, not
later than ninety (90) days following the date of this Agreement.

                  9.  Lender Consent. Lender hereby consents to the sale and
conveyance of the Property by Seller to Purchaser subject to the lien of the
Deed of Trust, which consent is granted subject to and in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and the Loan Documents. Nothing contained in this
Agreement, nor any course of dealing by Lender, shall be deemed to constitute a
waiver of Lender's rights to accelerate the indebtedness of the Note pursuant
to the terms of the Deed of Trust upon the occurrence of any further transfer
of the Property, or any part thereof or interest therein, to the extent such
transfer is prohibited by the terms of the Deed of Trust.

                  10. Release.

                      (a)      Seller hereby releases and forever 
discharges Lender and all of Lender's successors and assigns, agents, attorneys
and employees, as appropriate, from any and all causes of action, suits,
liabilities, debts, damages, controversies, agreements, trespasses, judgments,
executions, demands and claims of any nature whatsoever, whether in law or
equity, whether known or unknown, whether primary or secondary, and any and all
rights, duties, liabilities and obligations, whether presently enforceable or
enforceable in the future, by reason of any matter or cause which directly or
indirectly is based on or related to, arises out of, or is in any way connected
with the Loan, the Loan Documents, 



                                     -14-
<PAGE>   15

Lender's administration of the Loan, or Lender's performance under the Loan
Documents.

                      (b)      Lender hereby releases and forever 
discharges Seller and all of Seller's agents, attorneys and employees, as
appropriate, from any and all causes of action, suits, liabilities, debts,
damages, controversies, agreements, trespasses, judgments, executions, demands
and claims of any nature whatsoever, whether in law or equity, whether known or
unknown, whether primary or secondary, and any and all rights, duties,
liabilities and obligations, whether presently enforceable or enforceable in
the future, by reason of any matter or cause which directly or indirectly is
based on or related to, arises out of, or is in any way connected with the
Loan, the Loan Documents, Lender's administration of the Loan, or Lender's
performance under the Loan Documents; provided, however, neither Seller nor any
general partner of Seller shall be released from: (i) liability under that
certain Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement dated December 21, 1994,
executed by Seller for the benefit of Lender, for any act or omission
occurring, or state of affairs existing, prior to the date hereof; or (ii) any
full-recourse liability that has arisen prior to the date hereof under any of
the Original Loan Documents or that could be based upon any event that has
occurred or state of affairs that exists prior to or as of the date hereof.

                  11. Expenses.  Purchaser hereby agrees to pay to Lender
all attorneys' fees and expenses of Lender's counsel, filing and
recording fees and all other expenses incurred by Lender in
connection with the transfer of the Property, the assumption of the
Loan Documents and the preparation and execution of the Assumption
Documents.

                  12. Further Assurance. The parties hereto shall execute such
other documents to be filed for record as may be necessary or as may be
required, in the opinion of counsel to Lender, to effectuate the transactions
contemplated hereby and to protect the liens and security interests of the Deed
of Trust and the other Loan Documents and the insurance thereof.

                  13. Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding
upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties' respective
heirs, representatives, successors and assigns.

                  14. Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by
the laws of the State of Colorado.



                                     -15-
<PAGE>   16

                  15. Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, PURCHASER AND LENDER KNOWINGLY, IRREVOCABLY, VOLUNTARILY AND
INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT EITHER MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF
ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BASED ON THE DEED OF TRUST, OR ARISING
OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEED OF TRUST OR ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR
ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENT (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN)
OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY HERETO OR TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT. THIS PROVISION IS A
MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR PURCHASER AND LENDER TO ENTER INTO THE LOAN TRANSACTION
EVIDENCED BY THE NOTE.

                  16. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in
several counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all
of which shall constitute one and the same original instrument.




        [The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]



                                      -16-

<PAGE>   17



                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.


                                    SELLER:

                                    CARRIAGE CLUB OF DENVER, L.P., a
                                    Delaware limited partnership

                                    By:    Sagebrush, Inc., a Delaware
                                           corporation, its sole general
                                           partner



                                           By: /s/ David L. Widener
                                               --------------------------------
                                               David L. Widener
                                               President


                                    PURCHASER:

                                    AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES,
                                    L.P., a Tennessee limited
                                    partnership

                                    By:    American Retirement
                                           Communities, LLC, a Tennessee
                                           limited liability company,
                                           its sole general partner


                                           By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                               --------------------------------
                                               Name:
                                               Title:




                                     -17-

<PAGE>   18

                                    LENDER:

                                    GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                    CORPORATION, a New York
                                    corporation



                                  By: /s/ Christopher S. Peters
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Christopher S. Peters
                                     Project Manager




STATE OF                   )                  
         -----------------                              ) ss.
COUNTY OF                  )
         -----------------

                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____
day of February, 1995, by David L. Widener, as President of Sagebrush, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, on behalf of the corporation as the sole general partner
of Carriage Club of Denver, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

                  Witness my hand and official seal.

                  My Commission expires:                                      .
                                         -------------------------------------


                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Notary Public



                                     -18-
<PAGE>   19


STATE OF                   )
        -------------------
                           ) ss.
COUNTY OF                  )
         ------------------

                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____
day of February, 1995, by ________________, as _______________ of American
Retirement Communities, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company, on behalf
of the limited liability company as the sole general partner of American
Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership.

                  Witness my hand and official seal.

                  My Commission expires:                                .
                                         -------------------------------

                                         -------------------------------
                                         Notary Public



STATE OF                   )
        ------------------ ) ss.
COUNTY OF                  )
         -----------------

                  The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ____
day of February, 1995, by Christopher S. Peters, as Project Manager of General
Electric Capital Corporation, a New York corporation.

                  Witness my hand and official seal.

                  My Commission expires:                                   .
                                         ---------------------------------


                                                                        
                                         ---------------------------------
                                         Notary Public





                                     -19-
<PAGE>   20



                                   EXHIBIT A

                              [Legal Description]


A TRACT OF LAND BEING A PART OF BLOCK 19, THE VACATED ALLEY THEREIN, PARTS OF
VACATED EAST ASBURY AND BUCHTEL BLVD., UNIVERSITY PARK AMENDED MAP, MORE
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF SOUTH MONROE STREET, SAID POINT BEING
30.75 FEET NORTHERLY OF THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID BLOCK 19; THENCE NORTHERLY ON
SAID EAST LINE OF SOUTH MONROE STREET, A DISTANCE OF 675.10 FEET TO THE
SOUTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF BUCHTEL BOULEVARD AS DESCRIBED IN BOOK 8854
AT PAGE 283 OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER RECORDS; THENCE ON AN ANGLE OF
100(degree)36'18" TO THE RIGHT AND ALONG SAID SOUTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE A
DISTANCE OF 269.60 FEET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF 79(degree)23'42" A
DISTANCE OF 319.87 FEET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE LEFT OF 45(degree)00'00" A
DISTANCE OF 35.36 FEET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF 45(degree)00'00" A
DISTANCE OF 311.11 FEET TO THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF EAST EVANS AVENUE;
THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF 89(degree)57'00" AND ALONG SAID NORTH
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE A DISTANCE OF 260.00 FEET TO A POINT 30.00 FEET EASTERLY OF
THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTH MONROE STREET; THENCE ON AN ANGLE TO THE RIGHT OF
45(degree)44'00" A DISTANCE OF 42.94 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING,

CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER,
STATE OF COLORADO.


                                      A-1

<PAGE>   21


                                   EXHIBIT B

                                  [Documents]

1.       UCC-1 Financing Statements executed by Seller.

2.       Guaranty dated December 21, 1994, executed by Onyx Holdings,
         Inc., for the benefit of Lender.

3.       Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement dated as of
         December 21, 1994, executed by Seller for the benefit of
         Lender.

4.       Subordination of Management Agreement dated as of December 21,
         1994, executed by Seller for the benefit of Lender.





                                      B-1


<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.11


===============================================================================




                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
                                    Borrower


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

                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

                        $2,500,000 REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN
                              $2,000,000 TERM LOAN

                          Dated as of October 31, 1995

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


                     FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE
                                     Lender





===============================================================================





<PAGE>   2



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
RECITALS......................................................................................................... 1

I.  DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................. 1

II. LOAN......................................................................................................... 9
                  2.1       Revolving Credit Loan................................................................ 9
                  2.2       Term Loan............................................................................ 9
                  2.3       Advances of Revolving Loans..........................................................10
                  2.4       Interest.............................................................................14
                  2.5       Principal Repayment..................................................................15
                  2.6       Fees.................................................................................15
                  2.7       Prepayment of Prime Rate Loans.......................................................16
                  2.8       Prepayment of LIBOR Loans............................................................16
                  2.9       Prepayment of Term Loan..............................................................17
                  2.10      Additional Costs.....................................................................17

III.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.......................................................................................17
                  3.1       Conditions to Initial Advance........................................................17
                  3.2       Conditions to Subsequent Revolving Loans.............................................19

IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...............................................................................19
                  4.1       Capacity.............................................................................19
                  4.2       Authorization........................................................................19
                  4.3       Binding Obligations..................................................................20
                  4.4       No Conflicting Law or Agreement......................................................20
                  4.5       No Consent Required..................................................................20
                  4.6       Financial Statements.................................................................20
                  4.7       Fiscal Year..........................................................................20
                  4.8       Litigation...........................................................................20
                  4.9       Taxes; Governmental Charges..........................................................20
                  4.10      Title to Properties..................................................................21
                  4.11      No Default...........................................................................21
                  4.12      Casualties; Taking of Properties.....................................................21
                  4.13      Compliance with Laws.................................................................21
                  4.14      ERISA................................................................................21
                  4.15      Full Disclosure of Material Facts....................................................21
                  4.16      Accuracy of Projections..............................................................22
                  4.17      Investment Company Act...............................................................22
                  4.18      Personal Holding Company.............................................................22
                  4.19      Solvency.............................................................................22
</TABLE>


                                       i
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
                  <S>       <C>                                                                                  <C>
                  4.20      Chief Executive Office...............................................................22
                  4.21      Subsidiaries.........................................................................22
                  4.22      Ownership of Patents, Licenses, Etc..................................................22
                  4.23      Environmental Compliance.............................................................22
                  4.24      Labor Matters........................................................................22
                  4.25      OSHA Compliance......................................................................23
                  4.26      Regulation U.........................................................................23

V.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS........................................................................................23
                  5.1       Payment of Obligations...............................................................23
                  5.2       Maintenance of Existence and Business................................................23
                  5.3       Financial Statements and Reports and Other Information...............................23
                  5.4       Operating Data.......................................................................25
                  5.5       Other Information....................................................................25
                  5.6       Certain Additional Reporting Requirements............................................25
                  5.7       Taxes and Other Encumbrances.........................................................26
                  5.8       Payment of Debts.....................................................................26
                  5.9       Compliance with Laws.................................................................26
                  5.10      Maintenance of Property..............................................................26
                  5.11      Maintenance of Bank Accounts.........................................................26
                  5.12      Compliance with Contractual Obligations..............................................26
                  5.13      Further Assurances...................................................................27
                  5.14      Security Interest; Setoff............................................................27
                  5.15      Insurance............................................................................27
                  5.16      Accounts and Records.................................................................29
                  5.17      Official Records.....................................................................29
                  5.18      Right of Inspection..................................................................29
                  5.19      ERISA Information and Compliance.....................................................30
                  5.20      Indemnity; Expenses..................................................................30
                  5.21      Assistance in Litigation.............................................................31
                  5.22      Name Changes.........................................................................31
                  5.23      Estoppel Letters.....................................................................31
                  5.24      Environmental Matters................................................................31

VI.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS..........................................................................................32
                  6.1       Debts, Guaranties, and Other Obligations.............................................32
                  6.2       Change of Management.................................................................33
                  6.3       Distributions........................................................................33
                  6.4       Stock Acquisitions...................................................................33
                  6.5       Encumbrances.........................................................................33
                  6.6       Prepayment of Indebtedness...........................................................33
                  6.7       Investments..........................................................................33
                  6.8       Sales and Leasebacks.................................................................34
</TABLE>



                                      ii
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                            <C>
                  6.9       Change of Control....................................................................34
                  6.10      Nature of Business...................................................................34
                  6.11      Further Acquisitions, Mergers, Etc...................................................34
                  6.12      Sale of Receivables..................................................................34
                  6.13      Disposition of Assets................................................................34
                  6.14      Loans to Others......................................................................34
                  6.15      Inconsistent Agreements..............................................................35
                  6.16      Fictitious Names.....................................................................35
                  6.17      Subsidiaries and Affiliates..........................................................35
                  6.18      Place of Business....................................................................35
                  6.19      Adverse Action With Respect to Plans.................................................35
                  6.20      Transactions With Affiliates.........................................................35
                  6.21      Constituent Document Amendments......................................................35
                  6.22      Adverse Transactions.................................................................35
                  6.23      Use of Lender's Name.................................................................35
                  6.24      Margin Securities....................................................................36
                  6.25      Accounting Changes...................................................................36
                  6.26      Capital Stock........................................................................36
                  6.27      Modification of Management Agreements................................................36
                  6.28      Action Outside Ordinary Course.......................................................36

VII. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.........................................................................................36
                  7.1       Debt Service Coverage Ratio..........................................................36
                  7.2       Liquidity............................................................................36
                  7.3       Capital Expenditure Reserves, Operating Expense Reserves.............................37

VIII.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.........................................................................................37
                  8.1       Events of Default....................................................................37
                  8.2       Remedies.............................................................................39

IX.  GENERAL PROVISIONS..........................................................................................39
                  9.1       Notices..............................................................................40
                  9.2       Renewal, Extension, or Rearrangement.................................................40
                  9.3       Application of Payments..............................................................40
                  9.4       Computations; Accounting Principles..................................................41
                  9.5       Counterparts.........................................................................41
                  9.6       Negotiated Document..................................................................41
                  9.7       Consent to Jurisdiction; Exclusive Venue.............................................41
                  9.8       Not Partners; No Third Party Beneficiaries...........................................41
                  9.9       No Reliance on Lender's Analysis.....................................................41
                  9.10      No Marshalling of Assets.............................................................42
                  9.11      Impairment of Collateral.............................................................42
                  9.12      Business Days........................................................................42
</TABLE>



                                      iii
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
                  <S>       <C>                                                                                  <C>
                  9.13      Participations.......................................................................42
                  9.14      Standard of Care; Limitation of Damages..............................................42
                  9.15      Incorporation of Schedules...........................................................42
                  9.16      Indulgence Not Waiver................................................................42
                  9.17      Cumulative Remedies..................................................................42
                  9.18      Amendment and Waiver in Writing......................................................42
                  9.19      Assignment...........................................................................43
                  9.20      Entire Agreement.....................................................................43
                  9.21      Severability.........................................................................43
                  9.22      Time of Essence......................................................................43
                  9.23      Applicable Law.......................................................................43
                  9.24      Gender and Number....................................................................43
                  9.25      Captions Not Controlling.............................................................43
                  9.26      Waiver of Right to Jury Trial........................................................43
</TABLE>



                                      iv

<PAGE>   6




                                 LOAN AGREEMENT


                  This Loan Agreement is entered into as of the 31st day of
October, 1995, by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
("Borrower"), a Tennessee limited partnership; and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
TENNESSEE ("Lender"), a national banking association.


                                    RECITALS

                  WHEREAS, Lender has agreed to extend credit to Borrower, on
certain terms and conditions, as set forth in detail in this Agreement;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement to cause Lender to extend
credit to Borrower, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:


                                 I. DEFINITIONS

                  As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms
shall have the following meanings, unless the context expressly requires
otherwise:

                  "ACCOUNT AGREEMENTS" has the meaning assigned in Section
2.3.1 hereof.

                  "AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, another Person
that, directly or indirectly, (i) has an equity interest in that Person, in any
degree, (ii) has common ownership with that Person, in any degree, (iii)
Controls that Person, or (iv) shares common Control with that Person.

                  "AGREEMENT" means this Loan Agreement (including all
schedules and exhibits hereto), as the same may be amended from time to time.

                  "ARC ENTITIES" means Borrower; American Retirement
Communities, L.L.C. ("ARC, L.L.C."), a Tennessee limited liability company;
American Retirement Corporation ("ARC"), a Tennessee corporation; ARC
Management Corporation ("ARCM"), a Tennessee corporation; ARC Chattanooga,
Inc., a Tennessee corporation; ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a Tennessee
corporation; ARC Corpus Christi, Inc., a Tennessee corporation; ARC Oak Park,
Inc., a Tennessee corporation; ARC Lexington Equities, Inc., a Tennessee
corporation; ARC Chattanooga, Inc.; and all other Subsidiaries of Borrower from
time to time.




<PAGE>   7



                  "BANKRUPTCY CODE" means Title I of the Bankruptcy Reform Act
of 1978, as it may be amended from time to time.

                  "BORROWER" means American Retirement Communities, L.P., a
Tennessee limited partnership, its successors and assigns. This definition does
not abrogate the requirement set forth below restricting Borrower's ability to
assign its rights under this Agreement.

                  "BORROWING NOTICE" has the meaning assigned in Section
2.3.2(b) hereof.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" or "BUSINESS DAYS" means any day or days on
which Lender's main office in Nashville, Tennessee is open for business with
the public.

                  "CAPITAL LEASE" means a lease that would be characterized as
a financed sale under GAAP.

                  "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence, after the date of
this Agreement, of the acquisition of Control of any ARC Entity by any Person
which does not presently Control such entity.

                  "CLOSING DATE" means the date of this Agreement.

                  "COLLATERAL" means all Property now or hereafter securing the
Obligations.

                  "COMMITMENT LETTER" means that letter from Lender to Borrower
dated September 25, 1995, describing the Loans.

                  "CONTROL" or "CONTROLLED" means that a Person has the power
to conduct or govern the policies of another Person.

                  "DEBT" means, with respect to any Person, all obligations,
contingent or otherwise, that would be classified under GAAP as a liability of
that Person including, but not limited to, any nonrecourse obligations secured
by Property of that Person.

                  "DEFAULT RATE" means the highest lawful rate or such lesser
rate as Lender may elect in writing in a given instance.

                  "EVENT OF DEFAULT" means the occurrence of any of the events
specified in Section 8.1 hereof, as to which any requirement for notice or
lapse of time has been satisfied.

                  "ENCUMBRANCE" means any interest in Property in favor of one
not the owner thereof, whether voluntary or involuntary, including, but not
limited to, (i) the lien or security interest arising from a deed of trust,
mortgage, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale, 



                                       2

<PAGE>   8



Capital Lease, consignment, or bailment for security purposes, and (ii)
reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, covenants,
conditions, restrictions, leases, and other title exceptions.

                  "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means the Environmental Protection Act,
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act and any other federal, state or municipal law,
rule or regulation relating to air emissions, water discharge, noise emissions,
solid or liquid waste disposal, hazardous or toxic waste or materials, or other 
environmental or health matters.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, including (unless the context otherwise
requires) any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "ERISA AFFILIATE" means any Person who for purposes of Title
IV of ERISA is a member of Borrower's controlled group, or under common control
with Borrower, within the meaning of Section 414 of the IRC, and the
regulations promulgated pursuant thereto and the rulings issued thereunder.

                  "ERISA EVENT" means (i) the occurrence of a reportable event,
within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, unless the 30-day notice
requirement with respect thereto has been waived by the PBGC; (ii) the
provision by the administrator of any Plan of a notice of intent to terminate
such Plan, pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice
with respect to a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA);
(iii) the cessation of operations at a facility in the circumstances described
in Section 4068(f) of ERISA; (iv) the withdrawal by Borrower or an ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a
substantial employer, as defined in 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (v) the failure by
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make a material payment to a Plan required
under Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA; (vi) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan
requiring the provision of initial or additional security to such Plan,
pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA; or (vii) the institution by the PBGC of
proceedings to terminate a Plan, pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or the
occurrence of any event or condition which might constitute grounds under
Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee
to administer, a Plan.

                  "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" means the consolidated balance sheet
and income statement for ARC, L.P. and the consolidating balance sheet and
income statement representing Richmond Place, Heritage Club, Trinity Towers
Limited Partnership, Fort Austin Limited Partnership, Holley Court Terrace,
L.P. and ARC, dated September 30, 1995, delivered by Borrower to Lender, and
all subsequent financial statements delivered to Lender pursuant to this
Agreement as of the date hereof, including all notes thereto.


 
                                      3
<PAGE>   9

                  "FIXED-RATE PERIOD" has the meaning assigned in Section 2.8
hereof.

                  "FUNB-NC" means First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
a national banking association and the issuer of the Richmond Place Letter of
Credit.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles
pronounced by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any successor
thereto, as in effect from time to time.

                  "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY OR AUTHORITIES" shall mean any
governmental or quasi-governmental entity, court or tribunal including, without
limitation, any department, commission, board, bureau, agency, administration,
service or other instrumentality of any foreign or domestic governmental
entity.

                  "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" means those substances included from
time to time within the definition of hazardous substances, hazardous
materials, toxic substances, or solid waste under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 as amended, 42
U.S.C. ss. 9601 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42
U.S.C. ss. 6901 et seq.; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C.
ss. 1801 et seq.; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et. seq.; the
Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et. seq., and in the
regulations promulgated pursuant to such acts and laws; and such other
substances that are or become regulated under any applicable local, state, or
federal law or regulation addressing environmental hazards.

                  "INTEREST EXPENSE" means expenses for interest (including
current charges on Capital Leases) and expenses for any interest rate swaps or
similar derivative contracts used for the management of interest expense,
letter of credit fees, remarketing and guaranty fees.

                  "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means, as to Prime Rate Loans, the
10th day of each January, April, July and October, and as to LIBOR Loans, the
last day of the applicable Interest Period and, as to all Loans, the maturity
thereof, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

                  "INTEREST PERIOD" means the period of one (1), two (2) or
three (3) months selected for a LIBOR Loan in a Borrowing Notice.

                  "IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time.

                  "LAW" or "LAWS" means all applicable constitutional
provisions, statutes, codes, acts, ordinances, orders, judgments, decrees,
injunctions, rules, regulations, and requirements of all Governmental
Authorities.



                                       4

<PAGE>   10

                  "LENDER" means First Union National Bank of Tennessee, its
successors and assigns.

                  "LIBOR LOAN" means a Loan for which Borrower has elected
application of an interest rate based on the LIBOR Rate.

                  "LIBOR RATE" means that rate (rounded upwards, if necessary,
to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) for deposits in United States Dollars for a
maturity of one, two or three months (as elected by Borrower; each such period
is referred to herein as an "Interest Period"), which appears on the Telerate
Page 3750 at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time, two (2) London business days
prior to the effective date of the applicable LIBOR Rate, as such rate is
adjusted in accordance with Lender's standard practices to reflect the LIBOR
Reserve Percentage and other requirements.

                  "LIBOR RESERVE PERCENTAGE" means, for the purpose of
computing the LIBOR Rate, the daily arithmetic reserve requirements (percentage
expressed as a decimal) imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (or any successor) under Regulation D on LIBOR liabilities (as
such term is defined in Regulation D) for the applicable Interest Period as of
the first day of such Interest Period, but subject to any changes in such
reserve requirement becoming effective during the Interest Period. For purposes
of calculation of the LIBOR Reserve Percentage, the reserve requirement shall
be as set forth in Regulation D without benefit or credit for prorations,
exemptions or offsets under Regulation D, and further, without regard to
whether or not Lender elects to actually fund the Revolving Loans with LIBOR
liabilities. Lender, at its sole option, may elect, from time to time, to waive
application of the Reserve Percentage on specified maturities.

                  "LOAN" means an extension of credit under the Term Loan or
the Revolving Credit Loan.

                  "LOAN DOCUMENTS" means, collectively, each written agreement
executed and delivered by any ARC Entity to Lender relating to the Revolving
Credit Loan, whenever delivered, and each written agreement executed and
delivered by any ARC Entity to Lender or FUNB-NC relating to the transactions
evidenced by the Reimbursement Agreement.

                  "MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" means any material and adverse
change in the business, Properties, or operations of Borrower or Trinity
individually or of the ARC Entities on a consolidated basis.

                  "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means any event or condition which,
singly or in the aggregate with other events or conditions, materially and
adversely affects the business, Properties, or operations of Borrower or
Trinity individually or of the ARC Entities on a consolidated basis.


                                       5

<PAGE>   11


                  "OBLIGATIONS" means all present and future debts and other
obligations of Borrower to Lender, whether arising by contract, tort, guaranty,
overdraft, or otherwise; whether or not the advances or events creating such
debts or other obligations are presently foreseen; and regardless of the class
of the debts or other obligations, be they otherwise secured or unsecured.
Without limiting the foregoing, the "Obligations" specifically includes the
obligations of Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

                  "PERMITTED DISTRIBUTION" means distributions made to
Borrower's or Trinity's partners in the absence of any Event of Default or
Unmatured Default hereunder or any default or unmatured default by any ARC
Entity under any other obligation respecting borrowed money and shall in all
circumstances be limited to (i) for any fiscal quarter, the amount of net
income for that fiscal quarter plus depreciation, amortization and other
non-cash charges, less the principal component of debt service (including debt
service escrow payments, current maturities of long-term debt and current
maturities of Capital Lease obligations due and payable within that quarter),
and less capital expenditures of $500 per unit owned by the ARC Entity making
the distribution (whether or not actually expended), and (ii) the ARC Entities
will further be permitted to distribute excess cash in an amount up to
$2,000,000 consisting of cash collateralizing letter of credit obligations in
an amount of approximately $1,575,000 and an additional amount not to exceed
$425,000. The ARC Entities will also be permitted to distribute amounts
available as a result of Lender-approved asset sales or refinancings (subject
in each case to the overriding limitation that there exists no default or
unmatured default by any ARC Entity under any obligation respecting borrowed
money). The calculation described in subsection (i) of this definition shall be
made at the end of any fiscal quarter for the quarter just ended. Any Permitted
Distribution calculated under subsection (i) may be paid at any time during the
12 months following the end of the quarter for which it was permitted. The term
"Permitted Distribution" shall additionally include any cash distribution made
on account of any partnership or shareholder interest from any ARC Entity
(other than Trinity) to any ARC Entity (other than ARC, L.L.C.).

                  "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means all of the following:

                           (a)      Encumbrances securing the payment of any of
                                    the Obligations.

                           (b)      Encumbrances securing taxes, assessments,
                                    or other governmental charges not yet due
                                    or which are being contested in good faith
                                    by appropriate action promptly initiated
                                    and diligently conducted, if Borrower has
                                    made reserve therefor as required by GAAP.




                                       6
<PAGE>   12


                           (c)      Mechanics', repairmen's, materialmen's,
                                    warehousemen's and other like liens arising
                                    by operation of law securing accounts that
                                    are not delinquent.

                           (d)      Encumbrances on real property used by
                                    Borrower not securing monetary obligations,
                                    provided that the Encumbrances are of a
                                    type customarily placed on real property
                                    and do not materially impair the value of
                                    the affected property.

                           (e)      Pledges or deposits in the ordinary course
                                    of business to secure nondelinquent
                                    obligations under workman's compensation or
                                    unemployment laws or similar legislation or
                                    to secure the performance of leases or
                                    contracts entered into in the ordinary
                                    course of business.

                           (f)      Encumbrances described on the attached
                                    Schedule 1.

                  "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government, governmental agency or political subdivision thereof,
or any other form of entity.

                  "PLAN" means any employee benefit or other plan established
or maintained, or to which contributions have been made, by Borrower or any
Subsidiary and covered by Title IV of ERISA or to which Section 412 of the IRC
applies.

                  "PRIME RATE" shall be that rate announced by Lender from time
to time as its Prime Rate and is one of several interest rate bases used by
Lender. Lender lends at rates both above and below Lender's Prime Rate and
Borrower acknowledges that Lender's Prime Rate is not represented or intended
to be the lowest or most favorable rate of interest offered by Lender.

                  "PRIME RATE LOAN" means a Loan for which Borrower has elected
application of an interest rate based on the Prime Rate.

                  "PROPERTY" or "PROPERTIES" means any interest in any kind of
property, whether real, personal, or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

                  "REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT" means the Reimbursement Agreement
of even date herewith executed by Borrower in favor of Lender and FUNB-NC,
pursuant to which the Richmond Place Letter of Credit has been issued.

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN" has the meaning assigned in Article
II hereof.



                                       7
<PAGE>   13

                  "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE" means the Revolving Credit Note made
by Borrower dated the date of this Agreement in the maximum principal amount of
Two Million Five Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($2,500,000.00) in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A and all modifications, amendments,
extensions, renewals and restatements thereof.

                  "REVOLVING LOAN" means a Loan advanced under the Revolving
Credit Loan.

                  "RICHMOND PLACE LETTER OF CREDIT" means the Irrevocable
Direct Pay Letter of Credit issued by FUNB-NC for the account of Borrower to
Third National Bank in Nashville as Trustee under the Trust Indenture dated as
of April 1, 1987, as amended and restated as of November 1, 1994, governing the
issuance of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Residential
Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds (Richmond Place Associates, L.P. Project)
Series 1987.

                  "SOLVENT" shall mean, as to any Person, that as of any date
of determination, (i) the then fair value of the assets of such Person is (a)
greater than the then total amount of liabilities (including subordinated
liabilities) of such Person and (b) greater than the amount that will be
required to pay such Person's probable liability on such Person's then existing
debts as they become absolute and matured, (ii) such Person's capital is not
unreasonably small in relation to its business, and (iii) such Person does not
intend to incur, or believe or reasonably should believe that it will incur,
debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due.

                  "SUBSIDIARY" means any present or future corporation,
partnership or other entity at least a majority of whose outstanding voting
stock shall at the time be owned directly or indirectly by Borrower, by one or
more Subsidiaries of Borrower or a combination thereof, or any partnership in
which Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower is a general partner.

                  "TAXES" means all taxes and assessments whether general or
special, ordinary or extraordinary, or foreseen or unforeseen, which at any
time may be assessed, levied, confirmed or imposed on Borrower or on any of its
properties or assets or any part thereof or in respect of any of its
franchises, businesses, income or profits.

                  "TERM LOAN" has the meaning assigned in Article II hereof.

                  "TERM LOAN NOTE" means the Term Loan Note made by Borrower
dated the date of this Agreement in the maximum principal amount of Two Million
and No/100 Dollars ($2,000,000.00) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and
all modifications, amendments, extensions, renewals and restatements thereof.

                  "TRINITY" means Trinity Towers Limited Partnership, a
Tennessee limited partnership.



                                       8
<PAGE>   14

                  "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in
Tennessee, as it may be amended from time to time.

                  "UNMATURED DEFAULT" means any event or condition that, but
for the giving of any required notice by Lender and/or the passing of time,
would be an Event of Default hereunder.

                                   II. LOANS

                  2.1 Revolving Credit Loan. Concurrently with the execution of
this Agreement, Lender shall make a Revolving Credit Loan (the "Revolving
Credit Loan") available to Borrower under the following terms:

                            2.1.1 Amount of Revolving Credit Loan. The
                  principal indebtedness of Borrower to Lender under the
                  Revolving Credit Loan shall not exceed Two Million Five
                  Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($2,500,000.00);
                  provided, however, that until the closing of the contemplated
                  loan transaction between Lender and Trinity described in the
                  Commitment Letter, Borrower's availability under the
                  Revolving Credit Loan shall be limited to $800,000 (including
                  the $500,000 letter of credit described in the immediately
                  succeeding subparagraph).

                            2.1.2 Use of Proceeds of Revolving Credit Loan. The
                  proceeds of Revolving Loans shall be used by Borrower for
                  general working capital needs, and the issuance of letters of
                  credit. All letters of credit issued by Lender for any ARC
                  Entity's account (including, but not limited to, the existing
                  $500,000 letter of credit in favor of Reliance National
                  Indemnity Company) shall be regarded as Loans outstanding
                  under the Revolving Credit Loan for the purpose of
                  determining the remaining availability under the Revolving
                  Credit Loan.

                           2.1.3 Revolving Credit Note. Borrower's obligations
                  under the Revolving Credit Loan shall be evidenced by the
                  Revolving Credit Note.

                  2.2 Term Loan. Concurrently with the execution of this
Agreement, Lender shall make a Term Loan (the "Term Loan") available to
Borrower under the following terms:

                           2.2.1 Amount of Term Loan. The original principal
                  indebtedness of Borrower to Lender under the Term Loan shall
                  be Two Million and No/100 Dollars ($2,000,000.00).



                                       9
<PAGE>   15

                            2.2.2 Use of Proceeds of Term Loan. The proceeds of
                  the Term Loan shall be used by Borrower to refinance the
                  obligations of Borrower to Lender under that Promissory Note
                  made by Borrower dated June 23, 1995 payable to the order of
                  Lender in the original principal amount of Two Million and
                  No/100 Dollars ($2,000,000.00).

                           2.2.3 Term Loan Note. Borrower's obligations under
                  the Term Loan shall be evidenced by the Term Loan Note.

                  2.3 Advances of Revolving Loans. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Borrower may from time to time request and repay
Revolving Loans, provided that the total principal amount outstanding under the
Revolving Credit Loan shall not at any time exceed the amount provided in
Section 2.1.1 above. Revolving Loans shall be disbursed as follows:

                            2.3.1 Revolving Loans Advanced Pursuant to Cash
                  Management Account. Borrower may have in effect from time to
                  time separate agreements with depository institutions
                  establishing cash management procedures ("Account
                  Agreements") that may involve the automatic disbursement of
                  amounts available under the Revolving Credit Loan. If Lender
                  or its Affiliates serve as depository institutions under
                  Account Agreements, they may use standardized forms for
                  Account Agreements that do not address the specific
                  circumstances of the Revolving Credit Loan. To resolve
                  potential inconsistencies between this Agreement and Account
                  Agreements, the terms of this Agreement and of Account
                  Agreements entered into by Lender or its Affiliates shall
                  relate to one another as follows:

                                          2.3.1(a) Funding and Payment
                            Procedures Controlled by Account Agreements. The
                            Account Agreements shall control this Agreement as
                            to (i) Section 2.3.2 hereof regarding funding
                            procedures, and (ii) Interest Payment Dates, to the
                            extent that an Account Agreement may provide for
                            such payment more frequently than otherwise
                            required under this Agreement.

                                          2.3.1(b) Certain Provisions
                            Controlled by this Agreement. Notwithstanding any
                            provision of an Account Agreement to the contrary,
                            except as provided above in Section 2.3.1(a), the
                            provisions of this Agreement shall control any
                            Account Agreement to the extent that an Account
                            Agreement may be inconsistent with this Agreement.
                            Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower
                            acknowledges that Article III hereof shall remain
                            in full effect notwithstanding any provision
                            contained in an Account Agreement. Accordingly, and
                            without limiting any other provision of this
                            Agreement, Borrower 




                                      10

<PAGE>   16

                           acknowledges that Lender shall have no obligation to
                           make Revolving Loans under the Revolving Credit Loan
                           after the occurrence of an Unmatured Default or an
                           Event of Default under this Agreement or to allow
                           balances to remain in Borrower's account after the
                           occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder.
                           Therefore, while an Unmatured Default is outstanding
                           under this Agreement, Lender or its Affiliate may
                           dishonor any item presented for payment on the
                           applicable account that is not funded by the amount
                           of collected balance then available in Borrower's
                           account. Additionally, after the occurrence of an
                           Event of Default, Lender may apply balances in
                           Borrower's account(s) to the Obligations and may
                           dishonor any item presented for payment on
                           Borrower's account. Lender's right to dishonor items
                           may be exercised without any liability whatsoever
                           and shall apply regardless of when the item
                           dishonored may have been issued by Borrower.
 
                                    2.3.1(c) Continuing Warranty Under Account
                           Agreements. Because Account Agreements may provide
                           for the making of Revolving Loans without formal
                           draw requests from Borrower, Borrower agrees that
                           Borrower's warranty under Section 2.3.5 hereof as to
                           the satisfaction of all conditions to the right to
                           receive Revolving Loans shall be a continuing one
                           during any period that such an Account Agreement may
                           be in effect. Therefore, any Revolving Loans funded
                           by Lender pursuant to an Account Agreement after the
                           failure of a condition stated in Article III hereof
                           shall be deemed made upon the affirmative
                           misrepresentation of Borrower unless Lender has
                           received written notice of and waived the failed
                           condition in writing. Lender may terminate any
                           Account Agreement upon ten (10) days written notice
                           to Borrower or upon such lesser notice as may be
                           provided in any Account Agreement.

                                    2.3.1(d) Prime Rate Loans. All Revolving
                           Loans made as advances pursuant to Account
                           Agreements shall be Prime Rate Loans.

                           2.3.2 Revolving Loans Advanced Other Than Pursuant
                  to Cash Management Account.

                                    2.3.2(a) Applicability. Except for
                           Revolving Loans made pursuant to Account Agreements,
                           which shall be Prime Rate Loans, Revolving Loans
                           advanced hereunder may be LIBOR Loans, Prime Rate
                           Loans, or a combination thereof and the funding
                           thereof shall be subject to this Section 2.3.2.



                                      11
<PAGE>   17

                                    2.3.2(b) Borrowing Notices. As long as
                           Borrower meets the conditions for funding stated in
                           this Agreement, Borrower may submit requests for
                           Revolving Loans ("Borrowing Notices") to Lender's
                           representatives by telephone at 615-251-9365 or such
                           other telephone number as Lender may advise Borrower
                           from time to time. All requests shall be subject to
                           any applicable security procedures that Lender may
                           have in effect from time to time, shall be submitted
                           or confirmed promptly in writing, and shall specify
                           the requested date of the requested disbursement;
                           the aggregate amount of such disbursement; the type
                           of Revolving Loan, i.e., LIBOR Loan or Prime Rate
                           Loan; and if a LIBOR Loan, the designated Interest
                           Period. Each Borrowing Notice shall irrevocably
                           obligate Borrower to accept the Revolving Loan
                           requested thereby. No draw shall be requested in an
                           amount less than $100,000.

                                    2.3.2(c)Funding of Revolving Loans. Lender
                           shall fund Prime Rate Loans so requested on the same
                           Business Day if the request is received before 1:00
                           p.m. local time in Nashville, Tennessee, and on the
                           succeeding Business Day if received after that time.
                           Lender shall fund LIBOR Loans so requested on the
                           third Business Day after receipt if the Borrowing
                           Notice is received before 1:00 p.m. local time in
                           Nashville, Tennessee, and on the fourth succeeding
                           Business Day if received after that time. All funds
                           shall be disbursed directly into an account
                           maintained by Borrower with Lender. Borrower agrees
                           that if Lender elects to fund any requested
                           Revolving Loan(s) sooner after requested than is
                           required of Lender hereunder, Lender may
                           nevertheless use the entire response period allowed
                           hereunder upon receipt of any subsequent request, at
                           Lender's sole option.

                 2.3.3     Additional Limitations on Loans.

                           2.3.3(a) Prime Rate Loan Limitations. Individual
                           Prime Rate Loans may be in any amount. Any number of
                           Prime Rate Loans may be outstanding at any one time.

                           2.3.3(b) LIBOR Loan Limitations. Individual LIBOR
                           Loans shall each be in the minimum amount of
                           $100,000.00. No more than a total of six (6) LIBOR
                           Loans may be outstanding at any one time under this
                           Agreement and under any document evidencing
                           Lender's credit relationship with Trinity.



                                      12
<PAGE>   18

                           2.3.3(c) Additional Limitation on LIBOR Interest
                           Periods. No Interest Period may be selected for any
                           LIBOR Loan that would end later than the maturity
                           date of the applicable facility.

                  2.3.4 Conversion of Loans. Borrower shall have the right at
                  any time, on prior irrevocable written notice to Lender not
                  later than 1:00 p.m. local time in Nashville, Tennessee,
                  three (3) Business Days prior to the date of any requested
                  conversion, to convert any Prime Rate Loan or LIBOR Loan into
                  a Loan of another type, or to continue any LIBOR Loan for
                  another Interest Period (specifying in each case the
                  applicable Interest Period), subject in each case to the
                  following;

                                    2.3.4(a) Application of Converted Loans.
                           Each conversion shall be effected by applying the
                           proceeds of the new LIBOR and/or Prime Rate Loan, as
                           the case may be, to the Loan (or portion thereof)
                           being converted.

                                    2.3.4(b) Notices of Conversions. Each
                           notice pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable
                           and shall refer to this Agreement and specify (i)
                           the identity and principal amount of the particular
                           Loan that Borrower's request be converted or
                           continued, (ii) if such notice requests conversion,
                           the date of such conversion (which shall be a
                           Business Day), and (iii) if a Loan is to be
                           converted to a LIBOR Loan or a LIBOR Loan is to be
                           continued, the Interest Period with respect thereto.
                           No LIBOR Loan shall be converted at any time other
                           than at the end of the Interest Period applicable
                           thereto. In the event that Borrower shall not give
                           notice to continue any LIBOR Loan for a subsequent
                           period, such LIBOR Loan (unless repaid) shall
                           automatically be converted into a Prime Rate Loan.
                           If Borrower fails to specify in any Borrowing Notice
                           the type of borrowing or, in the case of a LIBOR
                           Loan, the applicable Interest Period, Borrower will
                           be deemed to have requested a Prime Rate Loan.

                           2.3.5 Implied Representations Upon Request for
                  Revolving Loan. Upon making any request for a Revolving Loan,
                  Borrower shall be deemed to have warranted to Lender that all
                  conditions to funding are satisfied as of the submission of
                  the request to Lender.

                           2.3.6 Advance Not Waiver. Lender's making of any
                  Loan that it is not obligated to make under any provision of
                  Article III hereof or any other provision hereof shall not be
                  construed as a waiver of Lender's right to withhold future
                  Loans, declare an Event of Default, or otherwise demand
                  strict compliance with this Agreement.




                                      13
<PAGE>   19

                           2.3.7 Draws by Debit Memorandum. Lender may draw
                  amounts available under the Revolving Credit Loan to pay any
                  Obligation that is not otherwise timely paid.

                  2.4 Interest. Interest shall be charged and paid on each Loan
as follows:

         2.4.1 Revolving Credit Loan. Loans advanced under the Revolving Credit
Loan may be Prime Rate Loans or LIBOR Loans, as elected by Borrower.


         2.4.2 Term Loan. The Term Loan may constitute a single Prime Rate Loan
or LIBOR Loan or, if elected by Borrower from time to time, a portion thereof
may be designated as a Prime Rate Loan and the balance designated as a single
LIBOR Loan. Additionally, should Borrower wish to convert the Term Loan to a
fixed rate loan, Lender shall quote a rate at which Lender would be willing to
agree to this conversion on one occasion during the term of the Term Loan.

                           2.4.3 Prime Rate Loans. Interest shall accrue on
                  Prime Rate Loans at an annual rate equal to fifty basis
                  points (.5%) above the Prime Rate, said rate to change
                  contemporaneously with any change in the Prime Rate.

                           2.4.4 LIBOR Loans. Interest shall accrue on LIBOR
                  Loans at a rate equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for the
                  selected Interest Period plus two hundred fifty basis points
                  (2.50%); provided, however, in the event, and on each
                  occasion, that on the date of commencement of any Interest
                  Period for a LIBOR Loan, Lender shall have determined, in its
                  sole discretion, that LIBOR funds are not available to it,
                  then Lender's obligation to make, maintain or convert into a
                  LIBOR Loan shall be suspended until such time as Lender shall
                  have concluded that the circumstances giving rise to such
                  suspension no longer exist. Upon a determination of
                  unavailability of LIBOR funds as set out above, Lender shall,
                  until notice to the Borrower that the circumstances giving
                  rise to the suspension of availability of the LIBOR Rate no
                  longer exist, charge interest on all Loans as Prime Rate
                  Loans. Each determination by Lender hereunder as to the
                  availability of the LIBOR Rate shall be conclusive absent
                  manifest error.

                           2.4.5 Calculation of Interest. Interest for both
                  Prime Rate Loans and LIBOR Loans shall be computed on the
                  basis of a 360-day year counting the actual number of days
                  elapsed.

                           2.4.6 Payment of Interest. Interest for both Prime
                  Rate Loans and LIBOR Loans shall be due and payable in
                  arrears without notice on each Interest Payment Date.



                                      14
<PAGE>   20

                           2.4.7 Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                  upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the
                  continuation of such Event of Default until it is cured or
                  waived, interest shall be charged at the Default Rate,
                  regardless of whether Lender has elected to exercise any
                  other remedies available to Lender, including, without
                  limitation, acceleration of the maturity of the outstanding
                  principal of the Revolving Credit Loan and Term Loan. All
                  such interest shall be paid at the time of and as a condition
                  precedent to the curing of any such Event of Default to the
                  extent any right to cure is given in this Agreement.

                           2.4.8 Usury Savings Provision. It is the intention
                  of the parties that all charges under or in connection with
                  this Agreement and the Obligations, however denominated, and
                  including (without limitation) all interest, commitment fees,
                  late charges and loan charges, shall be limited to the
                  maximum lawful amount that may be assessed under Tennessee
                  law or, if higher, applicable federal law. Such charges shall
                  be characterized and all provisions of the Loan Documents
                  shall be construed as to uphold the validity of charges
                  provided for therein and, all such charges shall be spread
                  over the entire term of the Loans to the extent permitted by
                  law. If for any reason whatsoever, however, any charges paid
                  or contracted to be paid in respect of the Revolving Credit
                  Loan or Term Loan shall exceed the maximum amounts
                  collectible under applicable laws in effect from time to
                  time, then, ipso facto, the obligation to pay such interest
                  and/or other charges shall be reduced to the maximum lawful
                  amount in effect from time to time, and any amounts collected
                  by Lender that exceed the maximum lawful amount shall be
                  applied to the reduction of the principal balance of the
                  Revolving Credit Loan or Term Loan and/or refunded to
                  Borrower so that at no time shall the interest or loan
                  charges paid or payable in respect of the Revolving Credit
                  Loan or Term Loan exceed the maximum lawful amount. This
                  provision shall control every other provision herein and in
                  any and all other agreements and instruments now existing or
                  hereafter arising between Borrower and Lender with respect to
                  the Loans.

                  2.5      Principal Repayment.

                           2.5.1 Revolving Credit Loan. All remaining principal
                  outstanding under the Revolving Credit Loan shall become due
                  on October 31, 1996.

                           2.5.2 Term Loan. Payments of principal shall be made
                  under the Term Loan in the amount of One Hundred Thousand and
                  No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) each due on the 10th day of each
                  January, April, July and October until October 31, 1997, when
                  all remaining principal, interest and expenses shall become
                  due.


                                      15
<PAGE>   21

                  2.6      Fees.

                           2.6.1 Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Fee.
                  Concurrently with the execution hereof, Borrower shall pay
                  the balance due of the Twelve Thousand Five Hundred and
                  No/100 Dollars ($12,500.00) commitment fee provided for by
                  the Commitment Letter as a commitment fee for the Revolving
                  Credit Loan.

                           2.6.2 Term Loan Commitment Fee. Concurrently with
                  the execution hereof, Borrower shall pay the balance due of
                  the Ten Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($10,000.00) commitment
                  fee provided for by the Commitment Letter as a commitment fee
                  for the Term Loan.

                           2.6.3 Letter of Credit Fees. Borrower will pay a
                  letter of credit fee equal to 1.15% per annum of the face
                  amount of any letter of credit issued under the Revolving
                  Credit Loan, payable annually in advance. Borrower shall also
                  pay Lender's standard administrative fees upon the issuance
                  of any such letter of credit.

         2.7 Prepayment of Prime Rate Loans. Borrower may at any time prepay
any outstanding Prime Rate Loans in whole or in part without premium or
penalty.

         2.8 Prepayment of LIBOR Loans. Prepayment of a LIBOR Loan shall not be
permitted; provided, however, in the event that Lender receives a prepayment of
principal from Borrower on other than those dates specified by the Loan
Agreement such that the prepayment must apply to a LIBOR Loan, or if Borrower
elects to terminate a LIBOR Loan before its stated maturity date, and Lender,
at its sole option in either case, elects to permit such prepayment, Borrower
shall pay to Lender on demand any amounts required to compensate Lender for any
losses, costs or expenses which it may incur as a result of such prepayment or
election (including, but not limited to, reinvestment costs). Compensation due
Lender as reinvestment costs shall be determined in accordance with the
following formula:

                  PREPAYMENT COMPENSATION = (A - B) X  C X  D

                  A =      The LIBOR Rate determined as of the funding date
                           of the advance, on a per annum basis for deposits in
                           United States Dollars for a term equal to the term
                           of the LIBOR Loan being prepaid (the "Applicable
                           Term") which appeared on the Telerate Page 3750 at
                           11:00 a.m. London time two Business Days prior to
                           the effective date of the applicable LIBOR Rate, as
                           such rate was adjusted in accordance with Lender's
                           standard practices for reserves and other
                           requirements.




                                      16
<PAGE>   22


                  B =      The LIBOR Rate determined as of the prepayment
                           date on a per annum basis for deposits in United
                           States Dollars for the Applicable Term which
                           appeared on the Telerate Page 3750 at 11:00 a.m.
                           London time on such date, as such rate is adjusted
                           in accordance with Lender's standard practices for
                           reserves and other requirements.

                  C =      Principal amount prepaid.

                  D =      Number of days from the date of prepayment to the
                           end of the Fixed-Rate Period divided by a year base
                           of 360 days.

As used herein, the "Fixed-Rate Period" shall be the period during which the
applicable LIBOR Rate is to remain in effect. In addition, in the event the
amount determined as variable B above is greater than the amount determined as
variable A above, no prepayment compensation shall be due hereunder. The
determination of prepayment compensation due Lender hereunder shall be made by
Lender in good faith using such methodology as Lender deems appropriate and
customary under the circumstances and shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

                  2.9   Prepayment of Term Loan. If Borrower elects at any time
to convert the Term Loan to a fixed rate loan, a prepayment fee shall be
assessed on any prepayment. Such prepayment fee shall be based on a prepayment
compensation formula to be negotiated prior to conversion in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender.

                  2.10  Additional Costs. If, at any time, a change in any law,
regulation, or reserve requirement applicable to this Agreement or
interpretation or administration of the same by any governmental authority,
central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or any reversal by such entities of an interpretation
by Lender as to compliance with such law or regulation impose, increase, or
modify any reserve, and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the
cost to Lender of maintaining its commitment to make LIBOR Loans by an amount
deemed by Lender in its sole discretion to be material, then within fifteen
(15) days after demand by Lender the Borrower agrees to pay to Lender such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate Lender for such increased cost
related to Lender's commitment to make LIBOR Loans hereunder. A certificate of
Lender setting forth such amount or amounts as shall be necessary to compensate
Lender (or its participating banks or other entities) for such additional costs
shall be delivered to Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                           III. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  3.1   Conditions to Initial Advance. Lender shall not be
obligated to make its initial Loan pursuant to this Agreement unless and until
Borrower provides Lender with 



                                      17
<PAGE>   23

the following documents, all fully executed by all appropriate parties and in
form and substance satisfactory to Lender and its counsel (Lender may accept
certain of the following requirements as satisfied for the purpose hereof by
the documents provided by Borrower in connection with the Prior Loan
Agreement):

                            3.1.1 This Agreement.
                                  
                            3.1.2 The Revolving Credit Note.
                                  
                            3.1.3 The Term Loan Note.

                            3.1.4 UCC Financing Statements to be filed at the
                  office of the Tennessee Secretary of State and such other
                  offices as Lender may require.

                            3.1.5 Collateral Assignment of Contract Rights in
                  all management contracts and associated receivables owned by
                  ARCM, accompanied by such third-party consents as Lender may
                  require.

                            3.1.6 Collateral Assignment of Promissory Note
                  granting Lender a first priority perfected security interest
                  in a promissory note executed by ARC in favor of ARC, L.P. in
                  the original principal amount of Two Million and No/100
                  Dollars ($2,000,000.00).

                            3.1.7 Deed of Trust on certain unimproved property
                  located in Williamsburg, Virginia and owned by ARC, together
                  with land survey, environmental survey, title insurance and
                  other diligence matters as Lender may require.

                            3.1.8 Unlimited Guaranties by each of the ARC
                  Entities other than Borrower.

                            3.1.9 Stock Pledge granting a first priority
                  perfected pledge of 100% of the outstanding stock of the
                  corporate ARC Entities (not including ARC, LLC). If such
                  pledge is precluded by the primary debt instruments
                  evidencing or securing obligations of any of the ARC
                  Guarantors to their primary lenders, Lender will agree to
                  waive this requirement in such cases, provided that in any
                  event Lender must receive pledges in the stock of ARC, ARCM,
                  ARC Equities-Lexington, Inc. and ARC Corpus Christi, Inc.

                           3.1.10  Opinions of Borrower's Counsel addressed to
                  Lender, addressing matters reasonably required by Lender.

                           3.1.11  Evidence of insurance as required by this
                  Agreement.


                                      18
<PAGE>   24

                            3.1.12 Such Corporate and Partnership Diligence
                  materials as Lender may require, including but not limited to
                  partnership agreements, corporate charters, authorizing
                  resolutions, certificates of existence, and certified copies
                  of Medicare provider contracts bearing the ARC Entities'
                  provider numbers.

                           3.1.13 Such other documents as Lender may reasonably
                  require.

                           3.1.14 Consummation of the Transactions evidenced by
                  the Reimbursement Agreement.

                  3.2  Conditions to Subsequent Revolving Loans.  Lender shall 
not be obligated to make any Revolving Loan unless all of the following
conditions are satisfied as of the time of the request and of funding:

                           3.2.1 Conditions to Initial Advance. All of the
                  conditions in Section 3.1 hereof must have been satisfied.

                           3.2.2 Warranties. All warranties made in the Loan
                  Documents must be true as of the dates of the Borrowing
                  Notice and as of the date of funding thereof, except such
                  warranties as, by their terms, speak of a specific date.

                            3.2.3 Covenants. All covenants made in the Loan
                  Documents must have been complied with as of the dates of the
                  Borrowing Notice and funding thereof.

                           3.2.4 Absence of Unmatured Default. No Event of
                  Default or Unmatured Default shall exist under this
                  Agreement.

                           3.2.5 Material Adverse Change. There shall not have
                  occurred a Material Adverse Change.

                       IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that, as of the
Closing Date:

                  4.1 Capacity. Each ARC Entity is a limited partnership or
corporation, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Tennessee. Each ARC Entity is qualified
or authorized to do business in all jurisdictions in which its ownership of
property or conduct of business requires such qualification or authorization.
Each ARC Entity has the power and authority to own its Properties and to carry
on its business as now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted after
the 


                                      19
<PAGE>   25

execution hereof, to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, and to perform its obligations hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents.

                  4.2 Authorization. Each ARC Entity's execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as applicable, have
been duly authorized by all requisite partnership and corporate action.

                  4.3 Binding Obligations. This Agreement is and the other Loan
Documents, when executed and delivered to Lender, will be, legal, valid and
binding upon each ARC Entity, enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms, subject only to principles of equity and laws applicable to creditors
generally, including bankruptcy laws.

                  4.4 No Conflicting Law or Agreement. Each ARC Entity's
execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents do not constitute a
breach of or default under, and will not violate or conflict with, any
provisions of the corporate charter of any ARC Entity; any contract, financing
agreement, lease, or other agreement to which any ARC Entity is a party or by
which its Properties may be affected; or any Law to which any ARC Entity is
subject or by which its Properties may be affected; nor will the same result in
the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance upon any Properties of any ARC
Entity, other than those contemplated by the Loan Documents.

                  4.5 No Consent Required. Each ARC Entity's execution,
delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents do not
require the consent or approval of or the giving of notice to any Person except
for those consents which have been duly obtained and are in full force and
effect on the date hereof.

                  4.6 Financial Statements. The Financial Statements are
complete and correct, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and present
fairly the financial condition and results of operations of the ARC Entities as
of the date and for the period stated therein, subject to year-end adjustments.
No Material Adverse Change has occurred since the date of the Financial
Statements. Borrower acknowledges that Lender has advanced (or shall advance)
the Loans in reliance upon the Financial Statements.

                  4.7 Fiscal Year.  Each ARC Entity's fiscal year ends on 
December 31 of each year.

                  4.8 Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.8 hereto,
there is no litigation, arbitration, legal or administrative proceeding, tax
audit, investigation, or other action or proceeding of any nature pending or,
to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against, likely to be instituted
against or affecting any ARC Entity or any of its Properties, except any such
proceeding involving only a claim for money damages less than $100,000. No ARC
Entity is subject to any outstanding court, arbitral or administrative order,
writ or injunction. To the best of Borrower's knowledge, information and
belief, no facts exist under 


                                      20
<PAGE>   26

which third parties have unasserted claims against any ARC Entity that would
involve a claim for injunctive relief or payment of money damages in excess of
$100,000.

                  4.9 Taxes; Governmental Charges. Each ARC Entity has filed or
caused to be filed all tax returns and reports required to be filed. Each ARC
Entity has paid, or made adequate provision for the payment of, all Taxes that
have or may have become due pursuant to such returns or otherwise, or pursuant
to any assessment received by Borrower, except such Taxes, if any, as are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate
reserves have been provided. Borrower knows of no proposed material tax
assessment against any ARC Entity. No extension of time for the assessment of
federal, state or local taxes of borrower is in effect or has been requested,
except as disclosed in the Financial Statements. Each ARC Entity has timely
made all required remittances of withholding deposits and other assessments
against payroll expenditures.

                  4.10 Title to Properties.  Each ARC Entity has good and 
marketable title to its Properties, free and clear of all Encumbrances except 
for Permitted Encumbrances.

                  4.11 No Default. No ARC Entity is in default in any respect
that affects its business, Properties, operations, or condition, financial or
otherwise, under any document evidencing an obligation for the repayment of
borrowed money. No ARC Entity is in default in any respect under any other
instrument to which any ARC Entity is a party or by which its Properties are
bound, except to the extent that such default could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the best of Borrower's knowledge,
information and belief, no other party to any contract with any ARC Entity is
in default or breach thereof and no circumstances exist which, with the giving
of notice and/or the passing of time would constitute such default or breach.
No Event of Default or Unmatured Default exists under this Agreement.

                  4.12 Casualties; Taking of Properties. Neither the business
nor the Property of any ARC Entity is presently impaired as a result of any
fire, explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident, strike or
other labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of property,
cancellation of contracts, permits, concessions by any domestic or foreign
government or any agency thereof, riot, activities of armed forces or acts of
God or of any public enemy.

                  4.13 Compliance with Laws. No ARC Entity is in violation of
any Law to which any ARC Entity, its business or any of its Properties are
subject, the violation of which would likely have a Material Adverse Effect,
and there are no outstanding citations, notices or orders of noncompliance
issued to any ARC Entity under any such Law, the violation of which would
likely have a Material Adverse Effect. Each ARC Entity has obtained all
licenses, permits, franchises, or other governmental authorizations necessary
to the ownership of its Properties or to the conduct of any ARC Entity's
business.


                                      21
<PAGE>   27

                  4.14 ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred with respect to any
Plan or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan.

                  4.15 Full Disclosure of Material Facts. Borrower has fully
advised Lender of all matters involving Borrower's, Trinity's and the
consolidated ARC Entities' financial condition, business, operations,
Properties or industry that would be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. No information, exhibit, or report furnished or to be furnished
by Borrower to Lender in connection with this Agreement contains, as of the
date thereof, any misrepresentation of fact or failed or will fail to state any
material fact, the omission of which would render the statements therein
materially false or misleading.

                  4.16 Accuracy of Projections. With respect to all business
plans and other forecasts and projections furnished by or on behalf of Borrower
and made available to Lender relating to the financial condition, business,
operations, Properties or prospects of the ARC Entities, to the best of
Borrower's knowledge, information and belief, all facts stated as such therein
are true and complete in all material respects and all estimates and
assumptions were made in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time
made.

                  4.17 Investment Company Act. No ARC Entity is an "investment
company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                  4.18 Personal Holding Company. No ARC Entity is a "personal
holding company" as defined in Section 542 of the IRC.

                  4.19 Solvency. Each ARC Entity is Solvent as of the Closing
Date and will remain Solvent upon the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                  4.20 Chief Executive Office. The address designated herein to
which notices are to be sent under this Agreement is the chief executive office
for each ARC Entity within the meaning of Tennessee Code Annotated Section
47-9-103(3)(d).

                  4.21 Subsidiaries. No ARC Entity has any Subsidiaries other
than those depicted in the organizational chart attached as Schedule 4.21
hereof.

                  4.22 Ownership of Patents, Licenses, Etc. Each ARC Entity
owns all licenses, permits, franchises, registrations, patents, copyrights,
trademarks, trade names or service marks, or the rights to use the foregoing,
that are necessary for the continued operation of its business.

                  4.23 Environmental Compliance. Each ARC Entity has duly
complied with, and its Properties are owned and operated in compliance with,
all Environmental Laws, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse
Effect. There have been no citations, notices or orders of non-compliance
issued to any ARC Entity or, to Borrower's knowledge, 



                                      22
<PAGE>   28

relating to any ARC Entity's business or Properties pursuant to any
Environmental Law. Each ARC Entity has obtained all required federal, state and
local licenses, certificates or permits relating to it and its Properties as
required by applicable Environmental Laws.

                  4.24 Labor Matters. No ARC Entity is subject to any
collective bargaining agreements or any agreements, contracts, decrees or
orders requiring it to recognize, deal with or employ any Person. No demand for
collective bargaining has been asserted against any ARC Entity by any union or
organization. No ARC Entity has experienced any strike, labor dispute, slowdown
or work stoppage due to labor dispute and, to the best knowledge of Borrower,
there is no such strike, dispute, slowdown or work stoppage threatened against
any ARC Entity. Each ARC Entity is in compliance in all material respects with
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended.

                  4.25 OSHA Compliance. Each ARC Entity is in compliance in all
material respects with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, as
amended, and all regulations under the foregoing.

                  4.26 Regulation U. No ARC Entity is engaged in the business
of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock
(within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System). No proceeds of any Revolving Loan will be used to
purchase or carry any margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued
by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) in violation of
applicable law, including, without limitation, Regulation U issued by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.


                            V. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  Borrower covenants that, during the term of this Agreement
(and thereafter where expressly stated herein), it will observe and cause the
other ARC Entities to observe the following covenants:

                  5.1 Payment of Obligations. Borrower shall pay all amounts
due under the Obligations when due.

                  5.2 Maintenance of Existence and Business. Except as
permitted by Section 6.11 hereof, each ARC Entity shall maintain its corporate
or partnership existence, name, rights, and franchises, and shall continue to
operate in the same type of business as it engages in as of the date hereof.

                  5.3 Financial Statements and Reports and Other Information.
Borrower shall furnish to Lender or cause Lender to receive all of the
following, all of which must be in form and substance satisfactory to Lender:


                                      23
<PAGE>   29

                            5.3.1 Monthly Financial Reports. As soon as
                  available, and in any event by the 45th day following the end
                  of each month, Borrower shall deliver to Lender a
                  consolidated balance sheet, income statement and, beginning
                  on April 30, 1996, statement of cash flows, for and as of the
                  end of the preceding month. Additionally, Lender shall
                  receive consolidating financial statements for Borrower and
                  for Trinity, Fort Austin Limited Partnership, Holley Court
                  Terrace L.P. and ARC, as well as consolidating entries for
                  Richmond Place and Heritage Club. All such financial
                  statements shall be internally-prepared and certified by
                  Borrower's chief financial officer or other representative
                  chosen by Lender to be complete and correct and to present
                  fairly, in accordance with GAAP (excluding year-end
                  adjustments and required footnote disclosures), the financial
                  condition of such entities and their consolidated affiliates
                  as of the date of such statements and the results of their
                  operations for such period. The monthly financial reports
                  shall show comparisons to budget for Trinity, Richmond Place,
                  Holley Court Terrace L.P., Heritage Club and Fort Austin
                  Limited Partnership through March 31, 1996, and in addition,
                  on a consolidated basis beginning April 30, 1996.
                  Calculations of all financial ratios shall be included on
                  applicable reporting dates, and each monthly financial report
                  shall contain a certificate confirming that no Event of
                  Default or Unmatured Default exists hereunder.

                            5.3.2 Annual Financial Reports. As soon as
                  available, and in any event within 120 days after the end of
                  each fiscal year, Borrower shall deliver to Lender its
                  audited balance sheets as of the end of such year and the
                  related audited statements of income, retained earnings and
                  cash flows for such year, together with supporting schedules,
                  all such statements prepared in accordance with GAAP on a
                  consolidated basis and accompanied by an unqualified audit
                  report prepared by an independent certified public accountant
                  acceptable to Lender showing the financial condition of the
                  ARC Entities and their consolidated affiliates at the close
                  of such year and the results of their operations during such
                  year. The annual financial information shall include
                  calculations of all financial ratios as determined based upon
                  the audited financial statements. Annual unaudited
                  consolidating financial statements shall be delivered to
                  Lender concurrently with the audited financial statements
                  described herein. The unaudited statements shall be certified
                  as to accuracy and completeness by Borrower's chief financial
                  officer or other representative chosen by Lender. Lender
                  shall retain the right to require audited financial
                  statements on Trinity, in Lender's sole discretion, and to
                  the extent that any other debt instrument of any of the ARC
                  Entities requires that any such entity produce audited
                  financial statements, such audited statements shall be
                  delivered to Lender as well.



                                      24
<PAGE>   30

                            5.3.3 Budgets. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal
                  year, Borrower shall provide Lender with consolidated and
                  consolidating budgets, including proposed capital 
                  expenditures.

                            5.3.4 Licensure Reports. Promptly upon receipt
                  thereof, Borrower shall provide Lender with copies of all
                  regulatory and licensure inspection or audit reports for
                  Richmond Place and Trinity, and for any other ARC Entity as
                  requested.

                            5.3.5 Accountant Reports. Promptly upon the receipt
                  thereof, the ARC Entities shall deliver to Lender a copy of
                  each other report (other than work papers) submitted to any
                  of them or their consolidated affiliates by their accountants
                  in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made
                  by them. The ARC Entities shall also provide Lender with
                  copies of all management letters issued by their accountants.

                  5.4       Operating Data. Upon request, the ARC Entities will
provide Lender with operating statistics on any or all Properties owned by any
ARC Entity, including but not limited to occupancy reports.

                  5.5       Other Information. The ARC Entities shall provide 
Lender with such additional information regarding the financial condition, 
properties, operations and prospects of the ARC Entities and their consolidated
affiliates as Lender may reasonably require.

                  5.6       Certain Additional Reporting Requirements.

                            5.6.1 Owner Mailings. Promptly upon the sending
                  thereof, Borrower shall deliver to Lender a copy of each
                  statement, report or notice sent by any ARC Entity to its
                  partners or shareholders.

                            5.6.2 Notice to Lender Upon Perceived Breach.
                  Borrower agrees to give Lender prompt written notice of any
                  action or inaction by or on behalf of Lender in connection
                  with this Agreement or the Obligations that Borrower believes
                  may be actionable against Lender or a defense to payment of
                  any or all Obligations for any reason, including, but not
                  limited to, commission of a tort or violation of any
                  contractual duty or duty implied by law, in order to give
                  Lender the opportunity to mitigate any damages allegedly
                  arising therefrom.

                            5.6.3 Changes in Constituent Documents. Borrower
                  shall promptly notify Lender in writing of any change in the
                  partnership agreement, corporate charter or bylaws of any ARC
                  Entity, and shall provide Lender with a copy of such change
                  (the ARC Entities are restricted in the adoption of such



                                      25
<PAGE>   31

                  amendments as provided elsewhere in the Loan Documents, and
                  nothing contained in this Section shall be deemed a waiver of
                  such restrictions).

                            5.6.4 Notice of Litigation. Borrower shall give
                  Lender prompt written notice of any litigation, arbitration,
                  tax audit, administrative proceeding or investigation that
                  may hereafter be instituted or threatened in writing in which
                  any ARC Entity would be a party or which otherwise may affect
                  any ARC Entity or any of its business, operations or
                  Properties, except for (i) actions seeking only monetary
                  damages in an amount of less than $100,000, and (ii) matters
                  arising from premises or vehicular liability seeking only
                  monetary damages and which are fully covered by insurance,
                  subject only to the applicable deductible.

                            5.6.5 Other Notices. Borrower shall promptly notify
                  Lender in writing if Borrower learns of the occurrence of (i)
                  any event that constitutes an Event of Default or an
                  Unmatured Default, together with a detailed statement of the
                  steps being taken as a result thereof, or (ii) any Material
                  Adverse Change.

                  5.7 Taxes and Other Encumbrances. Each ARC Entity shall make
due and timely payment or deposit of all federal, state and local taxes,
assessments or contributions required of it by law, and execute and deliver to
Lender, on demand, appropriate certificates attesting to the payment or deposit
thereof; provided, however, that no ARC Entity Borrower shall be required to
pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge or claim for as long as it is
being diligently contested in good faith by proper proceedings and for which
appropriate reserves are being maintained.

                  5.8 Payment of Debts. Each ARC Entity shall pay all of its
Debts as and when the same become due in accordance with their terms.

                  5.9 Compliance with Laws. Each ARC Entity shall observe and
comply with all Laws, and shall maintain all certificates, franchises, permits,
licenses, and authorizations necessary to the conduct of its business or the
operation of its Properties.

                  5.10 Maintenance of Property. Each ARC Entity shall maintain
its Property (and any Property leased by or consigned to it or held under title
retention or conditional sales contracts) in good and workable condition at all
times and make all repairs, replacements, additions, and improvements to its
Property reasonably necessary and proper to ensure that the business carried on
in connection with its Property may be conducted properly and efficiently at
all times. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the ARC Entities
shall take such measures as identified in the structural engineering reports
delivered to Lender to bring the Richmond Place Retirement Community and the
Trinity Towers Retirement Community into compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act.



                                      26
<PAGE>   32


                  5.11 Maintenance of Bank Accounts. The ARC Entities shall
maintain their primary operating accounts and all escrow accounts described
herein with Lender. Borrower acknowledges that this requirement is a material
aspect of the consideration for Lender's willingness to make credit available
to Borrower at the interest rates and other terms described herein.

                  5.12 Compliance with Contractual Obligations. Each ARC Entity
will perform all of its obligations in respect of all material contracts to
which it is a party will and use its best efforts to keep, and to take all
action to keep, such contracts in full force and effect and not allow any such
contract to lapse or be terminated or any rights to renew such to be forfeited
or cancelled; provided, however, that any such contract may lapse or be
terminated or such renewal rights may be forfeited or cancelled if in the
reasonable business judgment of the ARC Entity in its best interests to allow
or cause such lapse, termination, forfeiture or cancellation.

                  5.13 Further Assurances. Borrower shall promptly cure any
defects in the creation, issuance, or delivery of the Loan Documents. Borrower
at its expense will execute (or cause to be executed) and deliver to Lender
upon request all such other and further documents, agreements, and instruments
in compliance with or accomplishment of the covenants and agreements of
Borrower in the Loan Documents, or to evidence further and to describe more
fully any Collateral intended as security for the Obligations, or to correct
any omissions in the Loan Documents, or to state more fully the Obligations and
agreements set out in any of the Loan Documents, or to perfect, protect, or
preserve any Encumbrances created pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, or to
make any recordings, to file any notices, or to obtain any consents, all as may
be reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection therewith. Borrower
appoints Lender as Borrower's attorney-in-fact to execute any financing
statements or other instruments of perfection with respect to the Collateral.

                  5.14 Security Interest; Setoff. In order to further secure
the payment of the Obligations, Borrower hereby grants to Lender a security
interest and right of setoff against all of Borrower's presently owned or
hereafter acquired monies, items, credits, deposits and instruments (including
certificates of deposit) presently or hereafter in the possession of Lender. By
maintaining any such accounts or other property at Lender, Borrower
acknowledges that Borrower voluntarily subjects the property to Lender's rights
hereunder. Lender may exercise its rights under this Section without prior
notice following an Event of Default. Borrower agrees that Lender shall not be
liable for the dishonor of any instrument resulting from Lender's exercise of
its rights under this Section.



                                      27
<PAGE>   33

                  5.15      Insurance.

                            5.15.1 General Insurance Requirements. In addition
                  to the other specific requirements set forth in this
                  Agreement and in other Loan Documents, the ARC Entities shall
                  maintain insurance on all insurable Properties now or
                  hereafter owned by them against such risks and to the extent
                  customary in their industry, and shall maintain or cause to
                  be maintained public liability, worker's compensation
                  insurance to the extent customary in their industry, and loss
                  of rental income or business interruption insurance coverage,
                  all in form and amounts reasonably acceptable to Lender. A
                  listing of the ARC Entities' current insurance coverages is
                  provided on the attached Schedule 5.15.1, which is
                  incorporated herein by reference.

                            5.15.2 Insurance on Tangible Collateral. Each ARC
                  Entity shall keep its Property insured against "all risks of
                  physical loss" (except earthquake, unless Lender specifically
                  so requires at its election, and also including flood
                  insurance, if applicable) under a casualty insurance policy
                  with the "replacement cost" endorsement and a deductible
                  calculated on an "occurrence" basis of no more than $10,000
                  (other than coverage for windstorm damage in Florida and
                  Texas, where a deductible of one percent is permitted). Each
                  ARC Entity shall maintain public liability coverage in an
                  amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. The following
                  provisions shall apply to all such insurance policies issued
                  with respect to tangible Collateral:

                                          5.15.2(a) Rating of Insurer. Each 
                            insurance policy shall be issued by an insurance
                            company with a rating of "A" or better by A. M. Best
                            & Co.

                                          5.15.2(b) Mortgagee Provisions. Each
                            casualty policy covering Collateral shall name
                            Lender as an insured mortgagee pursuant to a
                            non-contribution mortgagee clause satisfactory to
                            Lender, and all liability insurance policies shall
                            name Lender as an additional insured. The issuers
                            of such policies must agree in writing (by the
                            policy provisions, endorsement or letter) to give
                            Lender at least twenty (20) days prior written
                            notice before termination or any reduction of
                            amount or scope of coverage.

                                          5.15.2(c) Original and Renewal
                            Policies. Borrower shall deliver certificates of
                            insurance in form and substance satisfactory to
                            Lender on the Closing Date. Within 90 days
                            thereafter, Borrower shall deliver certified copies
                            of all insurance policies covering any Collateral
                            and, if requested by Lender, Borrower shall deliver
                            such original 


                                      28
<PAGE>   34


                            policies to Lender. Not less than thirty (30) days
                            prior to the expiration date of each policy of
                            insurance required under this Instrument, Borrower
                            shall deliver to Lender evidence of the renewal of
                            such policy or policies or of the substitution of
                            another policy or policies complying with the terms
                            of this Agreement. Lender may require that such
                            evidence consist of the presentment of a renewal
                            policy or policies marked "premium paid." If
                            Borrower fails to maintain the required insurance,
                            Lender may, at Lender's option, obtain such
                            insurance, or Lender may obtain single interest
                            coverage insuring only Lender's interest in the
                            Collateral. Lender agrees to give Borrower
                            reasonable advance notice of its decision to
                            purchase insurance pursuant to this paragraph unless
                            in so doing it will be without the benefit of the
                            required insurance for any period of time. In such
                            later case, Lender will advise Borrower of its
                            decision with reasonable promptness. In no event
                            shall Lender be under any obligation to procure or
                            maintain insurance on the Collateral. The cost of
                            any insurance so obtained shall become part of the
                            Obligations and shall be due from Borrower upon
                            demand.

                            5.15.2(d) Application of Proceeds. Borrower hereby
                            assigns to Lender, as further security for the
                            payment of the Obligations, all policies of
                            insurance which now or hereafter insure against any
                            loss or damage to the Collateral. Borrower shall
                            promptly give written notice to Lender of any loss
                            or damage to the Collateral and will not adjust or
                            settle any such loss without the written consent of
                            Lender. If Lender, on account of any insurance on
                            the Collateral, receives any money for loss or
                            damage, such amount may, in the reasonable
                            exercise of Lender's discretion, be retained and    
                            applied by Lender toward payment of the
                            Obligations, or be paid to Borrower, wholly or  in
                            part, subject to such conditions as Lender may 
                            require. Lender is hereby irrevocably appointed 
                            attorney-in-fact for Borrower to receive any sums 
                            collected under insurance policies insuring the 
                            Collateral, to endorse any drafts or instruments 
                            received under such policies, and to make proof of
                            loss for, settle, and give binding acquittances for
                            claims under such policies. To the extent of any
                            inconsistency regarding the application of
                            insurance proceeds between this Agreement and the
                            Mortgage securing the obligations under the
                            Reimbursement Agreement (the "Kentucky Mortgage"),
                            the provisions of the Kentucky Mortgage will        
                            control with respect to the Project as defined in
                            the Kentucky Mortgage. 

                                          5.15.2(e) Impairment of Insurance.
                            Borrower covenants that neither it nor any other
                            ARC Entity will do any act or voluntarily 



                                      29
<PAGE>   35

                            suffer or permit any act to be done whereby any
                            insurance required hereunder shall or may be
                            suspended, impaired or defeated, unless replaced
                            with similar insurance required hereby without any
                            intervening lapse of coverage.

                  5.16 Accounts and Records. Each ARC Entity shall maintain
current books of record and account, in which full, true, and correct entries
will be made of all transactions.

                  5.17 Official Records. Each ARC Entity shall maintain current
corporate records, minute books and stock ledgers or partnership records, as
applicable.

                  5.18 Right of Inspection. Borrower shall permit any officer,
employee, or agent of Lender to visit and inspect any of the Property of any
ARC Entity, to examine its books of record and accounts and corporate records,
to take copies and extracts from such books of record and accounts, and to
discuss the affairs, finances, and accounts of any ARC Entity with their
respective officers, accountants, and auditors, all at such reasonable times
and as often as Lender may reasonably desire and upon reasonable advance notice
absent an Event of Default, and Borrower will further cause all other ARC
Entities to afford such privileges to Lender. Without limiting Lender's right
to obtain equitable relief as to any other appropriate right in this Agreement
or in other Loan Documents, Borrower agrees that the rights in this Section may
be enforced by affirmative injunction and, to the extent the right to review
records may be denied, the right may be enforced by a restraining order
prohibiting the interference by Borrower with Lender's exercise of its rights
to review of the records.

                  5.19 ERISA Information and Compliance. Each ARC Entity shall
comply with ERISA and all other applicable laws governing any pension or profit
sharing plan or arrangement to which it is a party. Each ARC Entity shall (i)
provide Lender with copies of any annual report required to be filed pursuant
to ERISA with respect to any Plan or any other employee benefit plan; (ii)
notify Lender upon the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any additional act
or condition arising in connection with any Plan which it believes might
constitute grounds for termination thereof by the PBGC or for the appointment
of a trustee to administer the Plan; and (iii) furnish to Lender, promptly upon
request, such additional information concerning any Plan or any other employee
benefit plan as Lender may request.

                  5.20 Indemnity; Expenses. Borrower agrees to indemnify,
defend (with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Lender) and hold harmless
Lender against any loss, liability, claim or expense, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, that Lender may incur in connection with the Loan Documents or
the Obligations, except those losses, etc. that may result from Lender's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the foregoing, upon demand
by Lender, Borrower will reimburse Lender for the following reasonable expenses
if not paid by Borrower promptly after written demand by Lender:



                                      30
<PAGE>   36

                            5.20.1 Administration. All out-of-pocket expenses
                  that Lender may incur in the preparation and negotiation
                  hereof and in the course of administration of the Loans.

                            5.20.2 Taxes. All taxes that Lender may be required
                  to pay because of the Obligations or because of Lender's
                  interest in any property securing the payment of the
                  Obligations, excepting taxes based upon the net income of
                  Lender.

                            5.20.3 Protection of Collateral. All costs of
                  preserving, insuring, preparing for sale (whether by
                  improvement, repair or otherwise) or selling any collateral
                  securing the Obligations.

                            5.20.4 Costs of Collection. All court costs and
                  other reasonable costs of collecting any debt, overdraft or
                  other obligation included in the Obligations.

                            5.20.5 Litigation. All reasonable costs arising
                  from any litigation, investigation, or administrative
                  proceeding (whether or not Lender is a party thereto) that
                  Lender may incur as a result of the Obligations or as a
                  result of Lender's association with the ARC Entities,
                  including, but not limited to, expenses incurred by Lender in
                  connection with a case or proceeding involving any ARC Entity
                  under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code or any successor
                  statute thereto.

                            5.20.6 Attorneys' Fees. Reasonable attorneys' fees
                  incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.

If Lender pays any of the foregoing expenses, they shall become a part of the
Obligations and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. This Section shall
remain in full effect regardless of the full payment of the Obligations, the
purported termination of this Agreement, the delivery of the executed original
of this Agreement to Borrower, or the content or accuracy of any representation
made by Borrower to Lender; provided, however, Lender may terminate this
Section by executing and delivering to Borrower a written instrument of
termination specifically referring to this Section.

                  5.21 Assistance in Litigation. Borrower covenants to, upon
request, cooperatively participate in any proceeding in which Borrower is not
an adverse party to Lender and which concerns Lender's rights regarding the
Obligations or any Collateral.

                  5.22 Name Changes. Borrower shall give Lender at least thirty
(30) days prior written notice before Borrower or any other ARC Entity changes
its name or begins doing business under any trade name.



                                      31
<PAGE>   37

                  5.23 Estoppel Letters. Borrower covenants to provide Lender,
within ten (10) days after request, an estoppel letter stating (i) the balance
of the Obligations, (ii) whether Borrower is aware of any defenses to payment
of the Obligations, and (iii) the nature of any defenses to payment of the
Obligations. Such balance as presented for confirmation and the nonexistence of
defenses shall be presumed (subject to rebuttal by Borrower) if Borrower fails
to respond to such a request within the required period.

                  5.24      Environmental Matters.

                            5.24.1 Compliance With Environmental Laws. Each ARC
                  Entity will (i) employ in connection with its operations,
                  appropriate technology and compliance procedures to maintain
                  compliance with any applicable Environmental Laws, (ii)
                  obtain and maintain any and all materials permits or other
                  permits required by applicable Environmental Laws in
                  connection with its operations and (iii) dispose of any and
                  all Hazardous Substances only at facilities and with carriers
                  reasonably believed to possess valid permits under any
                  applicable state and local Environmental Laws. Each ARC
                  Entity shall use its best efforts to obtain all certificates
                  required by law to be obtained from all contractors employed
                  in connection with the transport or disposal of any Hazardous
                  Substances.

                            5.24.2 Remedial Work. If any investigation, site
                  monitoring, containment, clean-up, removal, restoration or
                  other remedial work of any kind or nature with respect to any
                  ARC Entity's Properties is required to be performed under any
                  applicable local, state or federal law or regulation, any
                  judicial order, or by any governmental or non-governmental
                  entity or Person because of, or in connection with, the
                  current or future presence, suspected presence, release or
                  suspected release of a Hazardous Substance in or into the
                  air, soil, groundwater, surface water or soil vapor at, on,
                  about, under, or within any ARC Entity's Property (or any
                  portion thereof), it shall within 30 days after written
                  demand for performance thereof (or such shorter period of
                  time as may be required under applicable law, regulation,
                  order or agreement), commence and thereafter diligently
                  prosecute to completion, all such remedial work.

                            5.24.3 Indemnification of Lender. Borrower agrees
                  to indemnify, defend (with counsel satisfactory to Lender)
                  and hold harmless Lender against any loss, liability claim or
                  expense, including attorneys' fees, that Lender may incur as
                  a result of the violation or alleged violation of any
                  Environmental Law by Borrower or with respect to any other
                  violation of Environmental Laws with respect to any Property
                  of any ARC Entity. This covenant shall survive the repayment
                  of the Loans but shall not extend to any affirmative
                  misconduct of Lender with respect to environmental matters
                  following Lender's acquisition of 



                                      32
<PAGE>   38

                  any of any ARC Entity's Property following foreclosure or 
                  proceeding in lieu thereof.


                             VI. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  Borrower covenants and agrees that, without Lender's prior
written consent:

                  6.1 Debts, Guaranties, and Other Obligations. No ARC Entity
shall incur, create, assume, or in any manner become or be liable with respect
to any Debt, except the following:

                           6.1.1 Obligations to Lender. Any Obligations to
                  Lender.

                           6.1.2 Existing Liabilities. Liabilities, direct or
                  contingent, of the ARC Entities existing on the date of this
                  Agreement that are reflected in the Financial Statements.

                           6.1.3 Endorsements. Endorsements of negotiable or
                  similar instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary
                  course of business.

                           6.1.4 Trade Debt. Trade payables from time to time
                  incurred in the ordinary course of business.

                           6.1.5 Taxes. Taxes, assessments, or other
                  governmental charges that are not delinquent or are being
                  contested in good faith by appropriate action promptly
                  initiated and diligently conducted, if Borrower has made the
                  reserve therefor required by GAAP.

                           6.1.6 Miscellaneous Indebtedness. Miscellaneous
                  indebtedness not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate
                  outstanding at any time.

                  6.2 Change of Management. Borrower shall not allow or suffer
                  any change of management staffing or structure (other than as
                  caused by death or disability) whereby W.E. Sheriff will
                  cease active participation in the management of Borrower and
                  the ARC Entities; provided, however, such a change shall not
                  in itself cause an Event of Default hereunder, but shall only
                  permit Lender at its option to accelerate the maturity of the
                  Obligations upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice.
                  Lender represents, and Borrower acknowledges, that the
                  participation in management of the individuals named above is
                  a primary factor in Lender's approval of the extension of the
                  Loans.



                                      33
<PAGE>   39

                  6.3 Distributions. No ARC Entity shall declare or pay a
distribution to its shareholders or partners (of cash, property or stock),
except for Permitted Distributions.

                  6.4 Stock Acquisitions. No ARC Entity shall redeem or acquire
any stock or warrants, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

                  6.5 Encumbrances. No ARC Entity shall create, incur, assume,
or permit to exist any Encumbrance on any of its Property (now owned or
hereafter acquired) except for Permitted Encumbrances. No ARC Entity shall sign
or file under the Uniform Commercial Code a financing statement that names an
ARC Entity as debtor or the equivalent or sign any security agreement
authorizing any secured party thereunder to file any such financing statement,
except to secure Permitted Encumbrances.

                  6.6 Prepayment of Indebtedness. No ARC Entity shall make any
prepayment on any obligation for borrowed money.

                  6.7 Investments. Unless Lender gives its consent, not to be
unreasonably withheld, no ARC Entity shall make investments (including but not
limited to acquisitions or purchases of the obligations or stock of, or any
other or additional interest) in any person, firm, partnership, joint venture
or corporation except: (a) those investments in existence as of the Closing
Date, (b) general obligations of, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed as
to principal and interest by, the United States of America maturing within
fifteen (15) months of the date of purchase, (c) commercial paper having a
rating of not less than "A2" of "P2" from Moody's or S & P, respectively, and
(d) certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances issued by a Lender or
another banking institution with a minimum net worth of $200,000,000 and having
a letter of credit rating of not less than "A" from Moody's or S & P,
respectively.

                  6.8 Sales and Leasebacks. No ARC Entity shall enter into any
arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person by which it shall sell or
transfer any of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and by
which it shall then or thereafter rent or lease as lessee such Property or any
part thereof or other Property that it intends to use for substantially the
same purpose or purposes as the Property sold or transferred.

                  6.9 Change of Control. Except as permitted by Section 6.11,
no ARC Entity shall suffer or permit the occurrence of a Change of Control.

                  6.10 Nature of Business. No ARC Entity shall suffer or permit
any material changes to be made in the character of its business as carried on
at the Closing Date.

                  6.11 Further Acquisitions, Mergers, Etc. No ARC Entity shall
enter into any agreement to merge, consolidate, or otherwise reorganize or
recapitalize, or sell, assign, lease, or otherwise dispose of (whether in one
transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its
Property (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), provided that



                                      34
<PAGE>   40

approval of proposed acquisitions (of assets or equity interests) shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

                  6.12 Sale of Receivables. No ARC Entity shall sell any of its
receivables at a discount or otherwise.

                  6.13 Disposition of Assets. No ARC Entity shall dispose of
any of its assets other than in the ordinary course of its present business
upon terms standard in its industry. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lender
agrees that, provided no Event of Default or Unmatured Default exists
hereunder, American Retirement Corporation may sell the Williamsburg Property
and, if at the time of such sale the Loan to Value Ratio does not exceed 75%,
the proceeds from the sale of the Williamsburg Property need not be applied to
reduce the Obligations. The term "Loan to Value Ratio" shall mean the total
commitment of Lender to the ARC Entities expressed as a percentage of the
market values (including the benefit of the favorable financing associated
therewith and crediting any debt service escrow balance as a part of the value
for this purpose) of the Richmond Place Retirement Community and the Trinity
Towers Retirement Community established pursuant to the appraisals commissioned
and approved by Lender.

                  6.14 Loans to Others. No ARC Entity shall make any loan or
advance to any Person, other than trade credit extended in the ordinary course
of business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) loans among Borrower, ARC and
Trinity (following the closing of the loan to Trinity described in the
Commitment Letter) shall be unrestricted; (b) the transactions described on the
attached Schedule 6.14 are permitted; and (c) the ARC Entities may make
additional loans among themselves and their respective Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time outstanding.

                  6.15 Inconsistent Agreements. No ARC Entity shall enter into
any agreement containing any provision which would be violated or breached by
the performance of the Obligations.

                  6.16 Fictitious Names. No ARC Entity shall use any name other
than the name used in executing this Agreement or any assumed or fictitious
name.

                  6.17 Subsidiaries and Affiliates. No ARC Entity shall create
or acquire any direct or indirect Subsidiary or Affiliate or divest itself of
any material assets by transferring them to any existing Subsidiary or
Affiliate or to any Subsidiary or Affiliate to whose existence Lender has not
consented; nor shall any ARC Entity enter into any partnership, joint venture,
or similar arrangement, or otherwise make any material change in its corporate
structure.



                                      35
<PAGE>   41

                  6.18 Place of Business. No ARC Entity shall transfer its
executive offices, or maintain records with respect to accounts at any
locations other than at the address for notices specified herein.

                  6.19 Adverse Action With Respect to Plans. No ARC Entity
shall take any action to terminate any Plan which could reasonably result in a
material liability to any Person.

                  6.20 Transactions With Affiliates. except as permitted by
Section 6.14 hereof, no ARC Entity shall enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate except in the ordinary course of business and on fair and reasonable
terms no less favorable than it would obtain in a comparable arms length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

                  6.21 Constituent Document Amendments. No ARC Entity shall
amend its partnership or corporate documents.

                  6.22 Adverse Transactions. No ARC Entity shall enter into any
transaction that materially and adversely affects or may materially and
adversely affect the Collateral or its ability to repay the Obligations.

                  6.23 Use of Lender's Name. No ARC Entity shall, without the
prior written consent of Lender, use the name of Lender or the name of any
Affiliates of Lender in connection with any of its business or activities,
except in connection with internal business matters, as required in making
required securities law disclosures, in dealings with governmental agencies and
financial institutions and to trade creditors solely for credit reference
purposes.

                  6.24 Margin Securities. No ARC Entity shall own, purchase or
acquire (or enter into any contract to purchase or acquire) any "margin
security" as defined by any regulation of the Federal Reserve Board as now in
effect or as the same may hereafter be in effect. 

                  6.25 Accounting Changes. No ARC Entity shall change its 
fiscal year, or make any other significant change in consolidated or 
consolidating accounting treatment and reporting practices, except as required 
or permitted by GAAP.

                  6.26 Capital Stock. No ARC Entity shall issue or sell any of
its capital stock or equity interest or any rights, warrants or options to
acquire any of its capital stock or equity interest, or dispose of any capital
stock of any of its Subsidiaries.

                  6.27 Modification of Management Agreements. The management
agreements between ARCM and Trinity and Borrower (as to the Richmond Place
property), shall not be modified without Lender's prior written consent.



                                      36
<PAGE>   42


                  6.28 Action Outside Ordinary Course. No ARC Entity shall take
any other action outside the ordinary course of its business.

                            VII. FINANCIAL COVENANTS

                  7.1 Debt Service Coverage Ratio. On a rolling 4 quarter
basis, tested quarterly, ARC, L.P. (to the extent accountable by the Richmond
Place Complex), ARC, L.P. on a consolidated basis and Trinity each shall
maintain a debt service coverage ratio of no less than 1.35:1. This ratio shall
be determined as follows:

                      NIBT + D/A + INT. EXP. + LEASE EXP.
  INT. EXP. (incl. Letter of Credit, Remarketing & Guaranty fees, as appl.) +
  CURRENT MATURITIES OF LTD (including required escrow payments) + LEASE EXP.


As used in the formula above, NIBT means net income plus tax expense; D/A means
expenses for depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items; INT.EXP
means Interest Expense; LEASE EXP. means expenses under leases other than
Capital Leases; LTD means long-term Debt and CURRENT MATURITIES OF LTD means
principal and escrow payments actually due and payable within the applicable
test period.

                  7.2 Liquidity. ARC, ARCM and ARC, L.P. shall collectively
maintain a minimum of $350,000 in unrestricted liquidity at all times. Up to
$125,000 of the required liquidity amount may be held by Trinity. Assets
qualifying as "unrestricted liquidity" shall be cash and cash deposits that are
unencumbered.

                  7.3 Capital Expenditure Reserves, Operating Expense Reserves.
ARC, L.P. (for the account of the Richmond Place Retirement Community) and
Trinity shall maintain escrowed capital expenditure reserve accounts in an
amount no less than $88,000 and $130,000 respectively ($500/unit). In addition,
each shall similarly maintain escrowed operating expense reserve accounts in an
amount no less than that amount representing fourteen (14) days of estimated
annual operating expenses for each such facility. These capital expenditure and
operating expense reserve accounts will serve as additional security for the
Loans.

                  7.4 Security Deposit Escrows. The ARC Entities shall maintain
tenant security deposits in full compliance with their contractual agreements
and all applicable laws.



                                      37

<PAGE>   43

                            VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                  8.1 Events of Default. Any of the following events shall be
considered an Event of Default under this Agreement:

                            8.1.1 Payments. Borrower's failure to make payment
                  of any installment of principal, interest or expenses to
                  Lender within 10 days of the date when due.

                            8.1.2 Representations and Warranties. Lender's
                  determination that any representation or warranty made by any
                  ARC Entity in any Loan Document was incorrect in any material
                  respect as of the date thereof.

                            8.1.3 Negative Covenants. The failure of any ARC
                  Entity to comply with any of the requirements of Article VI
                  hereof.

                            8.1.4 Reporting Requirements. The failure of
                  Borrower or any other party to timely perform all covenants
                  in the Loan Documents requiring the furnishing of notices,
                  financial reports or other information to Lender.

                            8.1.5 Other Covenants. The failure of any ARC
                  Entity to observe or perform any covenant contained in any
                  Loan Document, which covenant is not subject to any specific
                  provision in this Article VIII; provided, however, as to any
                  such breach that is reasonably susceptible to being cured (a
                  "Curable Default"), the occurrence of such Curable Default
                  shall not constitute an Event of Default hereunder if such
                  Curable Default is fully cured and/or corrected within thirty
                  (30) days (five (5) days, if such Curable Default may be
                  cured by the payment of a sum of money) after the earlier of
                  Borrower's knowledge of the facts giving rise thereto or
                  Lender's written notice thereof to Borrower given in
                  accordance with the provisions hereof.

                            8.1.6 Involuntary Bankruptcy or Receivership
                  Proceedings. The appointment of a receiver, custodian,
                  liquidator, or trustee for any ARC Entity, or for any of its
                  Property, by the order or decree of any court or agency or
                  supervisory authority having jurisdiction; or any ARC
                  Entity's adjudication as being bankrupt or insolvent; or the
                  sequestering of any of the Property of any ARC Entity by
                  court order or the filing of a petition against any ARC
                  Entity under any state or federal bankruptcy, reorganization,
                  debt arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt,
                  dissolution, liquidation, or receivership law of any
                  jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, if such
                  involuntary proceedings are not dismissed within 30 days.



                                      38
<PAGE>   44

                            8.1.7 Voluntary Petitions. Any ARC Entity's filing
                  of a petition in voluntary bankruptcy or to seek relief under
                  any provision of any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt
                  arrangement, insolvency, receivership, readjustment of debt,
                  dissolution, or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether
                  now or hereafter in effect, or its consent to the filing of
                  any petition against it under any such law.
 
                            8.1.8 Discontinuance of Business. Any ARC Entity's
                  discontinuance of its usual business or its dissolution.

                            8.1.9 Default on Other Debt. Any ARC Entity shall
                  fail to make any payment due from it on any indebtedness or
                  other security for borrowed money beyond any applicable cure
                  period (whether its liability therefor is direct or
                  contingent), or if any other event (other than the mere
                  passage of time) or any other condition in respect of any
                  indebtedness or other security for borrowed money of any ARC
                  Entity in a principal amount in excess of $100,000 (whether
                  its liability therefor is direct or contingent) or under any
                  agreement securing or relating to such indebtedness or other
                  security for borrowed money shall occur the effect of which,
                  after the giving of any required notice and the expiration of
                  any applicable cure period, is to cause (or permit any holder
                  of such indebtedness or other security or a trustee to cause)
                  such indebtedness or other security, or a portion thereof, to
                  become due prior to its stated maturity or prior to its
                  regularly scheduled dates of payment, or if any such
                  indebtedness or other security for borrowed money otherwise
                  is accelerated and becomes due prior to its stated maturity
                  or prior to its regularly scheduled dates of payment.

                            8.1.10 Undischarged Judgments. Any judgment against
                  any ARC Entity or any attachment or levy against the property
                  of any ARC Entity with respect to a claim for an amount in
                  excess of $25,000 not adequately insured or indemnified
                  against, remains unpaid, unstayed on appeal, undischarged,
                  unbonded or undismissed for a period of twenty (20) days.

                            8.1.11 Insolvency. Any ARC Entity's no longer being
                  Solvent. For purposes of making the determination of solvency
                  hereunder, any ARC Entity may include funds available from
                  any other ARC Entity to the extent permitted under the terms
                  of this Agreement.

                            8.1.12 Attachment. The issuance of an attachment or
                  other process against any Property of any ARC Entity, unless
                  removed (by bond or otherwise) within twenty (20) days.



                                      39
<PAGE>   45

                            8.1.13 Insurance. Any ARC Entity's failure to
                  maintain any insurance required herein or in any other Loan
                  Document.

                            8.1.14 Other Event. The occurrence of any event or
                  condition which, in Lender's reasonable discretion,
                  materially and adversely affects the ability of Borrower to
                  perform the Obligations.

                            8.1.15 Contest. Any ARC Entity's challenge or
                  contest the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or
                  any other Loan Document or the validity, priority or
                  perfection of any security interest created hereunder or
                  under any other Loan Document in any action, suit or
                  proceeding.

                            8.1.16 Cross-Default. The occurrence of an Event of
                  Default under (i) the Reimbursement Agreement or (ii) any
                  document evidencing or securing obligations of Trinity to
                  Lender.

                  8.2  Remedies.  Upon the happening of any Event of Default:

                            8.2.1 Default Rate. Lender may declare the
                  Obligations to thereafter bear interest at the Default Rate.

                            8.2.2 Acceleration. Lender may declare the entire
                  principal amount of all Obligations then outstanding,
                  including interest accrued thereon, to be immediately due and
                  payable without presentment, demand, protest, notice of
                  protest, or dishonor or other notice of default of any kind,
                  all of which are hereby expressly waived.

                            8.2.3 Exercise of Setoff. Lender may exercise its
                  right of setoff against Borrower.

                            8.2.4 Other Remedies. Lender may exercise its
                  remedies under any or all of the Loan Documents and all other
                  rights afforded a creditor under applicable law.


                             IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS


                                      40

<PAGE>   46




                  9.1 Notices. All communications relating to this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents shall be in writing and shall effective when be
delivered by mail, overnight courier, special courier or otherwise to the
following addresses:

                            if to Borrower:
                            American Retirement Companies, L.P.
                            Attn: Mr. W.E. Sheriff
                            111 Westwood Place, Suite 400
                            Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

                            With a Copy To:

                            Bass, Berry & Sims
                            Attn: T. Andrew Smith, Esq.
                            First American Center
                            Nashville, Tennessee 37238

                            if to Lender:

                            First Union National Bank of Tennessee
                            Attn: Scott Miler
                            150 Fourth Avenue North
                            Nashville, Tennessee 37219

                            With a Copy To:

                            Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry
                            Attn:  John E. Murdock III, Esq.
                            414 Union Street, Suite 1600
                            Nashville, Tennessee  37219

                  Any party may change its address for receipt of notice by
written direction to the other parties hereto.

                  9.2 Renewal, Extension, or Rearrangement. All provisions of
this Agreement relating to Obligations shall apply with equal force and effect
to each and all promissory notes executed hereafter which in whole or in part
represent a renewal, extension for any period, increase, or rearrangement of
any part of the Obligations originally represented by any part of such other
Obligations.

                  9.3 Application of Payments. Amounts received with respect to
the Obligations shall be applied (i) first, to any expenses due Lender, (ii)
second, to accrued



                                       41

<PAGE>   47



interest under any of the Obligations, and (iii) third, to reduce principal of
the Obligations, in such manner as determined by Lender.

                  9.4 Computations; Accounting Principles. Where the character
or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to
be determined, or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required
to be made for the purposes of this Agreement, such determination or
calculation, to the extent applicable and except as otherwise specified in this
Agreement, shall be made in accordance with GAAP.

                  9.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts with all signatures or by counterpart signature pages, and it
shall not be necessary that the signatures of all parties be contained on any
one counterpart. Each counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  9.6 Negotiated Document. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents have been negotiated by the parties with full benefit of counsel and
should not be construed against any party as author.

                  9.7 Consent to Jurisdiction; Exclusive Venue. Borrower hereby
irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Tennessee and of all Tennessee state courts sitting
in Davidson County, Tennessee, for the purpose of any litigation to which
Lender may be a party and which concerns this Agreement or the Obligations. It
is further agreed that venue for any such action shall lie exclusively with
courts sitting in Davidson County, Tennessee, unless Lender agrees to the
contrary in writing.

                  9.8 Not Partners; No Third Party Beneficiaries. The
relationship of Lender and the ARC Entities is that of lender and borrower
only, and neither is a fiduciary, partner or joint venturer of the other for
any purpose. Except as described in the immediately succeeding sentence, this
Agreement has been executed for the sole benefit of Lender, and no third party
is authorized to rely upon Lender's rights or duties hereunder. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Borrower specifically acknowledges that the representations,
warranties and covenants contained herein shall inure to the benefit of Lender
and FUNB-NC for as long as any obligations under the Reimbursement Agreement
remain outstanding, it being the expectation of the parties hereto that Lender
and FUNB-NC will rely on such representations, warranties and covenants in
connection with their consummation of the transactions evidenced by the
Reimbursement Agreement.

                  9.9 No Reliance on Lender's Analysis. Borrower acknowledges
and represents that, in connection with the Obligations, Borrower has not
relied upon any financial projection, budget, assessment or other analysis by
Lender or upon any representation by Lender as to the risks, benefits or
prospects of Borrower's business activities or present or 


                                      42
<PAGE>   48

future capital needs incidental thereto, all such considerations having been
examined fully and independently by Borrower.

                  9.10 No Marshalling of Assets. Lender may proceed against
collateral securing the Obligations and against parties liable therefor in such
order as it may elect, and neither Borrower nor any surety or guarantor for
Borrower nor any creditor of Borrower shall be entitled to require Lender to
marshal assets. The benefit of any rule of law or equity to the contrary is
hereby expressly waived.

                  9.11 Impairment of Collateral. Lender may, in its sole
discretion, release any collateral securing the Obligations or release any
party liable therefor. The defenses of impairment of collateral and impairment
of recourse and any requirement of diligence on Lender's part in collecting the
Obligations are hereby waived.

                  9.12 Business Days. If any payment date under the Obligations
falls on a day that is not a Business Day, or if the last day of any notice
period falls on such a day, the payment shall be due and the notice period
shall end on the next following Business Day.

                  9.13 Participations. Lender may, from time to time, in its
sole discretion, and without notice to Borrower or any other Person, sell
participations in any credit subject hereto to such other investors or
financial institutions as it may elect. Lender may from time to time disclose
to any participant or prospective participant such information as Lender may
have regarding the financial condition, operations, and prospects of Borrower.

                  9.14 Standard of Care; Limitation of Damages. Lender shall be
liable to the ARC Entities only for matters arising from this Agreement or
otherwise related to the Obligations resulting from Lender's gross negligence
or willful misconduct, and liability for all other matters is hereby waived.
Lender shall not in any event be liable to the ARC Entities for special or
consequential damages arising from this Agreement or otherwise related to the
Obligations.

                  9.15 Incorporation of Schedules. All Schedules and Exhibits
referred to in this Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference.

                  9.16 Indulgence Not Waiver. Lender's indulgence in the
existence of a default hereunder or any other departure from the terms of this
Agreement shall not prejudice Lender's rights to declare a default or otherwise
demand strict compliance with this Agreement.

                  9.17 Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided Lender in
this Agreement are not exclusive of any other remedies that may be available to
Lender under any other document or at law or equity.



                                      43

<PAGE>   49

                  9.18 Amendment and Waiver in Writing. No provision of this
Agreement can be amended or waived, except by a statement in writing signed by
the party against whom enforcement of the amendment or waiver is sought.
Additionally, no provision hereof may be amended or waived absent the written
consent of First Union National Bank of North Carolina.

                  9.19 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of Borrower and
Lender, except that Borrower shall not assign any rights or delegate any
obligations arising hereunder without the prior written consent of Lender. Any
attempted assignment or delegation by Borrower without the required prior
consent shall be void.

                  9.20 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other written
agreements between the ARC Entities and Lender represent the entire agreement
between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof, and all oral
discussions and prior agreements are merged herein. Provided, if there is a
conflict between this Agreement and any other document executed
contemporaneously herewith with respect to the Obligations, the provision in
this Agreement shall control.

                  9.21 Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be
declared invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions
hereof shall remain in full effect.

                  9.22 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of this
Agreement, and all dates and time periods specified herein shall be strictly
observed.

                  9.23 Applicable Law. The validity, construction and
enforcement of this Agreement and all other documents executed with respect to
the Obligations shall be determined according to the laws of Tennessee
applicable to contracts executed and performed entirely within that state.

                  9.24 Gender and Number. Words used herein indicating gender
or number shall be read as context may require.

                  9.25 Captions Not Controlling. Captions and headings have
been included in this Agreement for the convenience of the parties, and shall
not be construed as affecting the content of the respective Sections.

                  9.26 Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, WITH BENEFIT OF COUNSEL, WAIVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE ANY
DISPUTE ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OBLIGATIONS TRIED BY A
JURY, WITH THE RESULT THAT ANY SUCH DISPUTE WOULD BE TRIED BY A JUDGE RATHER
THAN A JURY.



                                      44
<PAGE>   50


                  Executed as of the date first written above.

                                AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                                By: American Retirement Communities, LLC,
                                     General Partner


                                By: /s/ George T. Hicks
                                    -------------------------------------------

                                Title: EVP Finance
                                      -----------------------------------------


                                FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE,
                                Lender

                                By: /s/ S. Scott Miler
                                    -------------------------------------------

                                Title: VP
                                      -----------------------------------------

                                       45


<PAGE>   51

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                       FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT


         This First Amendment to Loan Agreement is executed as of June 11th,
1996, by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P. ("Borrower"), a
Tennessee limited partnership, and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE
("Lender"), a national banking association:


                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain Loan Agreement
("Loan Agreement") dated as of October 31, 1995; and

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender wish to amend the Loan Agreement in
certain particulars;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Loan Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:

         1.      Paragraph 2.1.2 is hereby amended by adding the following
                 sentence thereto:

         In no event shall the letters of credit issued under this section have
         a maturity in excess of one (1) year.

         2.      Paragraphs 2.2.1, 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 are hereby deleted in their
entirety.  They are hereby replaced with the following:

                 2.2.1    Amount of Term Loan.  The original principal
                 indebtedness of Borrower to Lender under Term Loan shall be
                 Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand and No/100ths Dollars
                 ($2,950,000.00).

                 2.2.2.   Use of Proceeds of Term Loan.  The proceeds of the
                 Term Loan shall be used by Borrower to refinance the
                 obligations of Borrower to Lender under that Amended and
                 Restated Promissory Note made by Borrower dated October 31,
                 1995 payable to the order of Lender in the original principal
                 amount of Two Million and No/100ths Dollars ($2,000,000.00),
                 and for the purpose of repaying $1,150,000 of the preferred
                 equity notes issued by Borrower to various investors in
                 Borrower (the LEAAF transaction).

                 2.2.3    Term Loan Note.  Borrower's obligations under the
                 Term Loan shall be evidenced by the Term Loan Note, as amended
                 from time to time.

<PAGE>   52


         3.      The Loan Agreement is hereby further amended by deleting
paragraphs 2.5 and 2.6 in their entirety and substituting therefore the
following:

                 2.5      Principal Repayment.

                          2.5.1   Revolving Credit Loan.  All remaining
                                  principal outstanding under the Revolving
                                  Credit Loan shall become due on October 31,
                                  1997.

                          2.5.2   Term Loan.  Payments of principal shall be
                                  made under the Term Loan in the amount of One
                                  Hundred Sixty Thousand and No/100 Dollars
                                  ($160,000.00) each due on the 10th day of
                                  each January, April, July and October until
                                  October 31, 1997, when all remaining
                                  principal, interest and expenses shall become
                                  due.

                 2.6      Fees.

                          2.6.1   Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Fee.
                                  Concurrently with the initial execution of
                                  this Agreement, Borrower paid the balance due
                                  of the Twelve Thousand Five Hundred and
                                  No/100 Dollars ($12,500.00) commitment fee
                                  provided for by the Commitment Letter as a
                                  commitment fee for the Revolving Credit Loan,
                                  and shall pay in connection with the
                                  amendment to the Agreement dated June 11,
                                  1996 an additional commitment fee of
                                  $12,500.00.

                          2.6.2   Term Loan Commitment Fee.  Concurrently with
                                  the initial execution of this Agreement,
                                  Borrower paid the balance due of the Ten
                                  Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($10,000.00)
                                  commitment fee provided for by the Commitment
                                  Letter as a commitment fee for the Term Loan,
                                  and shall pay in connection with the
                                  Amendment to the Agreement dated June 11,
                                  1996 an additional commitment fee of
                                  $5,750.00.

                          2.6.3   Letter of Credit Fees. Borrower will pay a
                                  letter of credit fee equal to 1.15% per annum
                                  of the face amount of any letter of credit
                                  issued under the Revolving Credit Loan,
                                  payable annually in advance. Borrower shall
                                  also pay Lender's standard administrative
                                  fees upon the issuance of any such letter of
                                  credit.



                                      2

<PAGE>   53

         4.      The Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
as additional paragraphs to Article II of the Loan Agreement.  The additional
paragraphs shall read as follows:

                 2.11     Vehicle Loan.  Lender shall fund up to $500,000 at
                 any time prior to June 11, 1997 for the use by American
                 Retirement Corporation for the sole purpose of providing up to
                 100% of the invoice costs needed to purchase commercial
                 vehicles.  Any amounts paid or prepaid under the vehicle loan
                 may not be reborrowed.  All vehicles purchased pursuant to the
                 vehicle loan shall be titled in the name of American
                 Retirement Corporation and Lender shall be granted a first
                 priority security interest in the vehicles so purchased.
                 Borrower shall guarantee American Retirement Corporation's
                 obligations under the vehicle loan.

                 2.12     Payment of Vehicle Loan.  Payments of principal and
                 interest under the vehicle loan shall be made as set forth in
                 that certain Nonrevolving Line of Credit Note dated June 11,
                 1996.

                 2.13     Release of Vehicles.  Provided that no Event of
                 Default exists hereunder, Lender hereby agrees to release its
                 lien on any vehicle purchased with proceeds of the vehicle
                 loan provided that it is delivered the greater of the sales
                 proceeds from the sale of the vehicle or the then current
                 N.A.D.A.  listed loan value of such vehicle.

                 2.14     Lien Perfections.  As each vehicle is purchased
                 pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, Borrower
                 covenants to cause American Retirement Corporation to comply
                 with that certain Security Agreement dated June 11, 1996

                 2.15     Commitment Fee For Vehicle Loan.  Borrower covenants
                 to cause American Retirement Corporation to pay Lender an
                 initial commitment of $1,250.00.  On June 11, 1997, Borrower
                 further covenants to cause American Retirement Corporation to
                 pay an additional fee equal to one-half of one percent ( 1/2
                 of 1%) of all sums borrowed under the vehicle loan in excess
                 of $250,000.  For example, if the total amount borrowed
                 equaled $400,000.00, an additional fee of $750.00 would be due
                 and payable.

                 2.16     Interest.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3.,
                 2.4 and 2.8, amounts outstanding under that certain $500,000
                 Nonrevolving Line of Credit Note dated June 11, 1996 shall
                 accrue interest, as elected by Borrower, as either a Prime
                 Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan.

EXECUTED as of the day first set forth above.





                                       3
<PAGE>   54


                       
                       
                          AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
                       
                          BY: AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.L.C., G.P.
                       
                       
                          By:  /s/
                               -----------------------------------------------
                       
                          Title:                                              
                                  --------------------------------------------
                       
                       
                       
                          FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE
                       
                       
                          By:  /s/                                            
                               -----------------------------------------------
                       
                          Title:                                              
                                  --------------------------------------------
                       
                       



                                      4
<PAGE>   55


                       THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT


         This Third Amendment to Loan Agreement is executed as of February 18,
1997 by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P. ("Borrower"), a
Tennessee limited partnership, and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE
("Lender"), a national banking association:


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain Loan Agreement
dated as of October 31, 1995, as amended by that First Amendment to Loan
Agreement dated as of June 11, 1996 and as amended by that Second Amendment to
Loan Agreement dated as of December 31, 1996 (as amended, the "Loan Agreement")
(capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned
in the Loan Agreement); and

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender wish to further amend the Loan Agreement
in certain particulars;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Loan Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:

         1.      The Loan Agreement is hereby amended by revising the following
definitions to read in full as follows:

                          "REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT" means the Reimbursement
                 Agreement of even date herewith executed by Borrower in favor
                 of Lender and FUNB-NC, pursuant to which the Richmond Place
                 Letter of Credit has been issued, as it may hereafter be
                 modified, amended, restated or renewed.

                          "RICHMOND PLACE LETTER OF CREDIT" means the
                 Irrevocable Direct Pay Letter of Credit issued by FUNB-NC for
                 the account of Borrower to SunTrust Bank, Nashville, N.A., as
                 Trustee under the Trust Indenture dated as of April 1, 1987,
                 as amended and restated as of November 1, 1994, governing the
                 issuance of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
                 Residential Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds (Richmond Place
                 Associates, L.P. Project) Series 1987, and all modifications,
                 extensions, restatements, amendments and renewals thereof.

         2.      The Loan Agreement is hereby further amended by deleting
paragraph 2.5.2 in its entirety and substituting therefore the following:
<PAGE>   56


                          2.5.2   Term Loan.  Payments of principal shall be
                 made under the Term Loan in the amount of One Hundred Sixty
                 Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($160,000.00) each due on the 10th
                 day of each January, April, July and October until April 30,
                 1998, when all remaining principal, interest and expenses
                 shall become due.

         3.      Concurrently with the execution hereof, Borrower shall pay to
Lender an extension fee for the extension of the Term Loan in the amount of
$13,150.00 and an extension fee for the extension of the Revolving Loan entered
into in December of 1996 in the amount of $6,250.00.

         4.      As amended hereby, the Loan Agreement remains in full effect,
and all agreements among the parties with respect to the subject hereof are
represented fully in this Amendment and the other written documents among the
parties.  The validity, construction and enforcement hereof shall be determined
according to the substantive laws of the State of Tennessee.


                 EXECUTED as of the day first set forth above.

                          AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
                          
                          BY: AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.L.C., G.P.
                          
                          
                          By:  /s/ 
                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                                             
                          Title:                                             
                                  -------------------------------------------
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                          FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE             
                                                                             
                                                                             
                          By:  /s/                                           
                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                                             
                          Title:                                             
                                  -------------------------------------------



                                      
                                      2
<PAGE>   57

                        NONREVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT NOTE


$500,000.00                    Nashville, Tennessee                June 11, 1996

                 FOR VALUE RECEIVED, American Retirement Corporation ("Maker"),
a Tennessee corporation, promises to pay to the order of First Union National
Bank of Tennessee ("Payee"), a national banking association, the sum of Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), or as much thereof as may be
outstanding from time to time pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement dated
October 31, 1995 between American Retirement Communities, L.P. and Payee (the
"Loan Agreement"), together with interest thereon at the rate set forth in the
Loan Agreement.  Accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable on the
10th day of each successive calendar month beginning on July 10, 1996 and
continuing on the 10th day of each successive month thereafter until June 10,
1997.  Thereafter, this Note shall be due and payable in forty-eight (48) equal
monthly installments of principal, plus accrued interest.  The first
installment, together with accrued interest, shall be due and payable on July
10, 1997 and a like installment of principal, together with accrued interest,
shall be due and payable on the 10th day of each successive calendar month
thereafter.  All remaining principal and interest shall be due and payable on
June 10, 2001.

                 From time to time before June 7, 1997, Maker may borrow an
aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000.00 against this Note (but may not
reborrow any principal paid or prepaid) against written borrowing requests made
to Payee, provided that  no default has occurred under this Note or the Loan
Agreement, and  no event has occurred which, with notice, the passage of time
or both would constitute such an event of default.  The proceeds of this Note
shall only be used to purchase commercial vehicles for the use by an ARC Entity
and the operation of its retirement/nursing homes.  As a condition precedent to
any disbursement hereunder, Maker shall pay a fee as per Section 2.15 of First
Amendment to Loan Agreement.  Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meaning given such terms in the Loan Agreement.

                 Interest hereunder shall be calculated based upon a 360-day
year and actual days elapsed.  The interest rate required hereby shall not
exceed the maximum rate permissible under applicable law, and any amounts paid
in excess of such rate shall be applied to reduce the principal amount hereof
or shall be refunded to Maker, at the option of the holder of this Note.

                 All amounts due under this Note are payable at par in lawful
money of the United States of America, at the principal place of business of
Payee in Nashville, Tennessee, or at such other address as the Payee or other
holder hereof (herein "Holder") may direct.

                 To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, any
payment not made within fifteen (15) days of its due date will be subject to
assessment of a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of such payment.
Holder's right to impose a late charge does not evidence a grace period for the
making of payments hereunder.

                 The occurrence of any Event of Default under the Loan
Agreement shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder.  Without limiting the
foregoing, the failure of Maker to make payment of any installment of
principal, interest or expenses due hereunder within ten (10) days of its due
date.

                              Page 1 of 2 Pages
<PAGE>   58

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, as so defined, Holder may, at its
option and without notice, declare all principal and interest provided for
under this Note, and any other obligations of Maker to Holder, to be presently
due and payable, and Holder may enforce any remedies available to Holder under
any documents securing or evidencing debts of Maker to Holder.  Holder may
waive any Event of Default before or after it occurs and may restore this Note
in full effect without impairing the right to declare it due for a subsequent
Event of Default, this right being a continuing one. Following the occurrence
of an Event of Default, the remaining unpaid principal balance of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby and all expenses due Holder shall bear interest
at the highest rate permissible under applicable law.

                 All amounts received for payment of this Note shall be first
applied to any expenses due Holder under this Note or under any other documents
evidencing or securing obligations of Maker to Holder, then to accrued
interest, and finally to the reduction of principal.  Prepayment of principal
or accrued interest may be made, in whole or in part, only as provided in the
Loan Agreement.  Any prepayment(s) shall reduce the final payment(s) and shall
not reduce or defer installments next due.

                 This Note may be freely transferred by Holder.

                 Maker and all sureties, guarantors, endorsers and other
parties to this instrument hereby consent to any and all renewals, waivers,
modifications, or extensions of time (of any duration) that may be granted by
Holder with respect to this Note and severally waive demand, presentment,
protest, notice of dishonor, and all other notices that might otherwise be
required by law.  All parties hereto waive the defense of impairment of
collateral and all other defenses of suretyship.

                 Maker and all sureties, guarantors, endorsers and other
parties hereto agree to pay reasonable attorneys' fees and all court and other
costs that Holder may incur in the course of efforts to collect the debt
evidenced hereby or to protect Holder's interest in any collateral securing the
same.

                 The validity and construction of this Note shall be determined
according to the laws of Tennessee applicable to contracts executed and
performed within that state.  If any provision of this Note should for any
reason be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall
remain in full effect.

                 The provisions of this Note may be amended or waived only by
instrument in writing signed by the Holder and Maker and attached to this Note.

                 Words used herein indicating gender or number shall be read as
context may require.

                                           AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION


                                            By: /s/                          
                                               ------------------------------
                                                                             
                                            Title:                           
                                                  ---------------------------


                              Page 2 of 2 Pages


<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.12


                      AMENDED AND RESTATED PROMISSORY NOTE


$2,000,000                 Nashville, Tennessee               October 31, 1995

                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, American Retirement Communities, L.P.
("Maker"), a Tennessee limited partnership, promises to pay to the order of
First Union National Bank of Tennessee ("Payee"), a national banking
association, the sum of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), together with
interest thereon as provided in that certain Loan Agreement of even date
herewith between Maker and Payee (the "Loan Agreement"). Payments of interest
in arrears on the outstanding principal balance hereunder shall be made as
provided in the Loan Agreement. Additionally, payments of principal in the
amount of $100,000 each shall be due and payable on the 10th day of each
January, April, July and October during the term hereof. All remaining
principal and interest shall be due and payable on October 31, 1997.

                  Interest hereunder shall be calculated based upon a 360-day
year and actual days elapsed. The interest rate required hereby shall not
exceed the maximum rate permissible under applicable law, and any amounts paid
in excess of such rate shall be applied to reduce the principal amount hereof
or shall be refunded to Maker, at the option of the holder of this Note.

                  All amounts due under this Note are payable at par in lawful
money of the United States of America, at the principal place of business of
Payee in Nashville, Tennessee, or at such other address as the Payee or other
holder hereof (herein "Holder") may direct.

                  To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, any
payment not made within fifteen (15) days of its due date will be subject to
assessment of a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of such payment.
Holder's right to impose a late charge does not evidence a grace period for the
making of payments hereunder.

                  The occurrence of any Event of Default under the Loan
Agreement shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder. Upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default, as so defined, Holder may, at its option and without
notice, declare all principal and interest provided for under this Note, and
any other obligations of Maker to Holder, to be presently due and payable, and
Holder may enforce any remedies available to Holder under any documents
securing or evidencing debts of Maker to Holder. Holder may waive any Event of
Default before or after it occurs and may restore this Note in full effect
without impairing the right to declare it due for a subsequent Event of
Default, this right being a continuing one. Following the occurrence of an
Event of Default, the remaining unpaid principal balance of the indebtedness
evidenced hereby and all expenses due Holder shall bear interest at the highest
rate permissible under applicable law.

                  All amounts received for payment of this Note shall be first
applied to any expenses due Holder under this Note or under any other documents
evidencing or securing obligations of Maker to Holder, then to accrued
interest, and finally to the reduction of principal. Prepayment of principal or
accrued interest may be made, in whole or in part, only as provided in the Loan
Agreement. Any prepayment(s) shall reduce the final payment(s) and shall not
reduce or defer installments next due.




                               Page 1 of 2 Pages

<PAGE>   2


                  This Note may be freely transferred by Holder.

                  Maker and all sureties, guarantors, endorsers and other
parties to this instrument hereby consent to any and all renewals, waivers,
modifications, or extensions of time (of any duration) that may be granted by
Holder with respect to this Note and severally waive demand, presentment,
protest, notice of dishonor, and all other notices that might otherwise be
required by law. All parties hereto waive the defense of impairment of
collateral and all other defenses of suretyship.

                  Maker and all sureties, guarantors, endorsers and other
parties hereto agree to pay reasonable attorneys' fees and all court and other
costs that Holder may incur in the course of efforts to collect the debt
evidenced hereby or to protect Holder's interest in any collateral securing the
same.

                  The validity and construction of this Note shall be
determined according to the laws of Tennessee applicable to contracts executed
and performed within that state. If any provision of this Note should for any
reason be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall
remain in full effect.

                  The provisions of this Note may be amended or waived only by
instrument in writing signed by the Holder and Maker and attached to this Note.

                  Words used herein indicating gender or number shall be read
as context may require.

                  This Amended and Restated Promissory Note is given in renewal
and restatement, and not in extinguishment, of the obligations of Maker
reflected by that certain Promissory Note in the original principal amount of
$2,000,000 executed by Maker in favor of Payee on June 23, 1995 (the "Original
Note"). All liens, guaranties, assignments and security interests securing the
Original Note are hereby ratified, confirmed, renewed, extended and brought
forward as security for this Note, in addition to and cumulative of all other
security.

                                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                                     By:  American Retirement Communities LLC,
                                          General Partner


                                          By: /s/                             
                                              --------------------------------
                                                                              
                                          Title:                              
                                                ------------------------------



                               Page 2 of 2 Pages

<PAGE>   3

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                      AMENDED AND RESTATED PROMISSORY NOTE


                  This First Amendment to Amended and Restated Promissory Note
is dated as of June 11, 1996 by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES,
L.P. ("Borrower"), a Tennessee limited partnership, and FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK OF TENNESSEE ("Lender"), a national banking association.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain
$2,000,000 Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated October 31, 1995 (the
"Note"); and

                  WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender wish to amend the Note and
certain particulars;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned
hereby agrees as follows:

                  1. The Note is hereby further amended by deleting the
reference in the upper left hand corner to $2,000,000 on page one (1) and
inserting therefore reference to $2,950,000.

                  2. The Note is hereby further amended by deleting the
reference to $2,000,000 in the third line of paragraph 1 thereof and
substituting therefore the phrase "Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($2,950,000)." It being the intent of the Borrower and Lender to
increase the amount of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note from the present
principal balance of $1,800,000 by the sum of $1,150,000 to $2,950,000.

                  3. The Promissory Note is hereby amended by deleting the
final two sentences of the first paragraph on page 1 thereof and substituting
therefore the following:

                           Additionally, payments of principal in the amount of
                           $160,000.00 each shall be due and payable on the
                           10th day of each January, April, July and October
                           during the term hereof. All remaining principal and
                           interest shall be due and payable on October 31,
                           1997.

                  EXECUTED the date first written above.



<PAGE>   4


                         FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE


                         By: /s/                   
                            ---------------------------------------------
                         Title:                      
                               -----------------------------------------
                         
                         
                         
                         AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
                         
                         BY: AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.L.C., G.P.
                         
                         
                         
                         By: /s/                   
                            ---------------------------------------------
                         Title:                      
                               -----------------------------------------
                         
                         


<PAGE>   5


                              SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                      AMENDED AND RESTATED PROMISSORY NOTE


                  This Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Promissory Note
is dated as of February 18, 1997 by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT
COMMUNITIES, L.P. ("Borrower"), a Tennessee limited partnership, and FIRST
UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE ("Lender"), a national banking association.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain
$2,000,000 Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated October 31, 1995, as
amended by that First Amendment to Promissory Note dated as of June 11, 1996
(as amended, the "Note"); and

                  WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender wish to further amend the Note
in certain particulars;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned
hereby agree as follows:

                  1. The Note is hereby amended by deleting the final sentence
of the first paragraph on page 1 thereof and substituting therefore the 
following:

                     All remaining principal and interest shall be due and 
payable on April 30, 1998.

                  2. As amended hereby, the Note remains in full effect, and
all agreements among the parties with respect to the subject hereof are
represented fully in this Amendment and the other written documents among the
parties. The validity, construction and enforcement hereof shall be determined
according to the substantive laws of the State of Tennessee.

                  EXECUTED as of the date first written above.


                                 FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE



                                By: /s/                      
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                Title:                      
                                      -----------------------------------------






<PAGE>   6



                            AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                            BY: AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.L.C., G.P.

                            By: /s/                   
                               ---------------------------------------------
                            Title:                      
                                  -----------------------------------------




<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.13


                        REVOLVING CREDIT PROMISSORY NOTE


$2,500,000                   Nashville, Tennessee              October 31, 1995

                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, American Retirement Communities, L.P.
("Maker"), a Tennessee limited partnership, promises to pay to the order of
First Union National Bank of Tennessee ("Payee"), a national banking
association, the sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000),
or as much thereof as may be outstanding from time to time pursuant to that
certain Loan Agreement of even date herewith between Maker and Payee (the "Loan
Agreement"), together with interest thereon as provided in the Loan Agreement.
Payments of interest in arrears on the outstanding principal balance hereunder
shall be made as provided in the Loan Agreement. All remaining principal and
interest shall be due and payable on October 31, 1996.

                  Interest hereunder shall be calculated based upon a 360-day
year and actual days elapsed. The interest rate required hereby shall not
exceed the maximum rate permissible under applicable law, and any amounts paid
in excess of such rate shall be applied to reduce the principal amount hereof
or shall be refunded to Maker, at the option of the holder of this Note.

                  All amounts due under this Note are payable at par in lawful
money of the United States of America, at the principal place of business of
Payee in Nashville, Tennessee, or at such other address as the Payee or other
holder hereof (herein "Holder") may direct.

                  To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, any
payment not made within fifteen (15) days of its due date will be subject to
assessment of a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of such payment.
Holder's right to impose a late charge does not evidence a grace period for the
making of payments hereunder.

                  The occurrence of any Event of Default under the Loan
Agreement shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder. Upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default, as so defined, Holder may, at its option and without
notice, declare all principal and interest provided for under this Note, and
any other obligations of Maker to Holder, to be presently due and payable, and
Holder may enforce any remedies available to Holder under any documents
securing or evidencing debts of Maker to Holder. Holder may waive any Event of
Default before or after it occurs and may restore this Note in full effect
without impairing the right to declare it due for a subsequent Event of
Default, this right being a continuing one. Following the occurrence of an
Event of Default, the remaining unpaid principal balance of the indebtedness
evidenced hereby and all expenses due Holder shall bear interest at the highest
rate permissible under applicable law.

                  All amounts received for payment of this Note shall be first
applied to any expenses due Holder under this Note or under any other documents
evidencing or securing obligations of Maker to Holder, then to accrued
interest, and finally to the reduction of principal. Prepayment of principal or
accrued interest may be made, in whole or in part,only as provided in the Loan


                               Page 1 of 2 Pages

<PAGE>   2

Agreement. Any prepayment(s) shall reduce the final payment(s) and shall not
reduce or defer installments next due.

                  This Note may be freely transferred by Holder.

                  Maker and all sureties, guarantors, endorsers and other
parties to this instrument hereby consent to any and all renewals, waivers,
modifications, or extensions of time (of any duration) that may be granted by
Holder with respect to this Note and severally waive demand, presentment,
protest, notice of dishonor, and all other notices that might otherwise be
required by law. All parties hereto waive the defense of impairment of
collateral and all other defenses of suretyship.

                  Maker and all sureties, guarantors, endorsers and other
parties hereto agree to pay reasonable attorneys' fees and all court and other
costs that Holder may incur in the course of efforts to collect the debt
evidenced hereby or to protect Holder's interest in any collateral securing the
same.

                  The validity and construction of this Note shall be
determined according to the laws of Tennessee applicable to contracts executed
and performed within that state. If any provision of this Note should for any
reason be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall
remain in full effect.

                  The provisions of this Note may be amended or waived only by
instrument in writing signed by the Holder and Maker and attached to this Note.

                  Words used herein indicating gender or number shall be read
as context may require.



                            AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                            By:  American Retirement Communities LLC,
                                 General Partner

                                 By: /s/                                        
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                 Title:                                         
                                       -----------------------------------------



                               Page 2 of 2 Pages

<PAGE>   3


                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                        REVOLVING CREDIT PROMISSORY NOTE


                  This First Amendment to Revolving Credit Promissory Note is
dated as of June 11, 1996 by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
("Borrower"), a Tennessee limited partnership, and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
TENNESSEE ("Lender"), a national banking association.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain
$2,500,000 Revolving Credit Promissory Note dated October 31, 1995 (the
"Note"); and

                  WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender wish to amend the Note and
certain particulars;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned
hereby agrees as follows:

                  1. The Promissory Note is hereby amended by deleting the
final sentence of the first paragraph on page 1 thereof and substituting
therefore the following:

                     All remaining principal and interest shall be due and 
                     payable on October 31, 1997.

                  EXECUTED the date first written above.





                    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE               
                                                                         
                    By: /s/                                              
                       -----------------------------------------         
                                                                         
                    Title:                                               
                          --------------------------------------         
                                                                         
                                                                         
                    AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.                
                                                                         
                    By:  American Retirement Communities, L.L.C., G.P.   
                                                                         
                    By: /s/                                              
                       -----------------------------------------         
                                                                         
                    Title:                                               
                          --------------------------------------         
                                                               
   
<PAGE>   4

                    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE
                                  STANDBY NOTE

$8,176,875.00                                                October 31, 1995

                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, AMERICAN RETIREMENT
COMMUNITIES, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership (the "Borrower"), hereby
promises to pay to the order of First Union National Bank of North Carolina
("FUNB-NC") and First Union National Bank of Tennessee ("FUNB-TN"), as their
respective interests may appear (collectively, the "Bank") the principal amount
of Eight Million One Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Five
and No/100 Dollars ($8,176,875.00), or so much thereof as may be advanced from
time to time as contemplated in that certain Reimbursement Agreement dated as
of October 31, 1995 (the "Agreement") among the Borrower and the Bank, with
interest thereon at a rate of one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) in excess of
the Prime Rate as announced from time to time by FUNB-TN, with respect to
drawings identified in clause (b) below, and two percent (2%) in excess of such
Prime Rate, with respect to drawings identified in clause (a) below, or such
greater rate as may be provided in the Agreement. As used in this Standby Note,
the term "Prime Rate" means the fluctuating and floating rate of interest as
established and declared as the Prime Rate by FUNB-TN at any time and from time
to time. The interest rate hereon shall be adjusted on the day of each change
in such Prime Rate, automatically and without the necessity of notice to or
demand on the undersigned.

                  Principal of and interest on this Standby Note shall be
payable in lawful currency of the United States of America at the main office
of FUNB-TN in Nashville, Tennessee, as follows:

                  (a) In the event of any drawings under the Letter of Credit
(as defined in the Agreement) other than a drawing specified in clause (b)
below, principal of and interest on this Standby Note shall be payable in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1 of the Agreement.

                  (b) In the event of any Tender Drawing (as defined in the
Agreement), principal of this Standby Note shall be payable on the earlier of
(i) the date of any subsequent resale of the Bonds (as defined in the
Agreement) that were purchased or paid with proceeds of such Tender Drawing,
but only to the extent of the principal amount of such Bonds that have been so
resold, (ii) the date on which any Bonds shall be prepaid or redeemed as
provided in the Agreement and in the Indenture (as defined in the Agreement),
but only to the extent of the principal amount of Bonds that have been prepaid
or redeemed, or (iii) the Scheduled Termination Date (as defined in the
Agreement); and interest hereon shall be payable monthly in arrears on the
first Business Day (as defined in the Agreement) in each calendar month,
commencing with the first calendar month following the date of such Tender
Drawing to and including the Scheduled Termination Date, provided, however,
that with respect to any Bonds that have been resold or prepaid as contemplated
in clauses (i) and (ii) above, interest on the principal amount of such Bonds
shall be due and payable on the date(s) of any such resale or prepayment.



                                    - 2 -

<PAGE>   5



                  Principal and interest that may be paid from time to time by
the Borrower with respect to this Standby Note shall be credited against the
Borrower's corresponding reimbursement obligations under Section 3.1 of the
Agreement.

                  In the event any amount which may be due under this Standby
Note shall not be paid within fifteen (15) days of the date when due, the
Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, also pay to the Bank
a late charge equal to four percent (4%) of the amount of such overdue payment.

                  In the event this Standby Note is placed in the hands of an
attorney for collection or enforcement or if the Bank incurs any costs incident
to the collection of the indebtedness evidenced hereby, the Borrower agrees to
pay a reasonable attorney's fee, all other court and other costs, and the
reasonable costs of any other collection efforts.

                  Presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of
demand, protest and nonpayment are hereby waived by Borrower. No failure to
accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby by reason of default hereunder,
acceptance of a past-due installment or other indulgences granted from time to
time, shall be construed as a novation of this Standby Note or as a waiver of
such right of acceleration or of the right of the Bank thereafter to insist
upon strict compliance with the terms hereof or to prevent the exercise of such
right of acceleration or any other right granted hereunder or by applicable
laws. Unless otherwise specifically agreed by Bank in writing, the liability of
Borrower and all other persons now or hereafter liable for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby, or any portion thereof, shall not be affected by
(1) any renewal hereof or other extension of the time for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby or any amount due in respect thereof, (2) the
release of all or any part or any collateral now or hereafter securing the
payment of the indebtedness evidenced hereby or any portion thereof, or (3) the
release of or resort to any person now or hereafter liable for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby or any portion thereof. This Standby Note may not
be changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party
against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification or discharge is
sought.

                  This Standby Note has been negotiated, executed and delivered
in the State of Tennessee, and is intended as a contract under and shall be
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of said state.




                                    - 2 -

<PAGE>   6


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Borrower has caused this
Standby Note to be executed in its name by its duly authorized officer as of
the date first above written.

                      AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
                      a Tennessee limited partnership
                     
                               By:     American Retirement Communities, LLC,
                                       its sole general partner
                     
                               By: /s/
                                  --------------------------------------------
                               Title:
                                     -----------------------------------------
                     
                     
                           


                                    - 4 -

<PAGE>   7




                            By: /s/                   
                               ---------------------------------------------
                            Title:                      
                                  -----------------------------------------



                            AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                            BY: AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.L.C.,G.P.

                            By: /s/                   
                               ---------------------------------------------
                            Title:                      
                                  -----------------------------------------


<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.14

                                  STANDBY NOTE


$8,176,875.00                                                October 31, 1995

                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, AMERICAN RETIREMENT
COMMUNITIES, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership (the "Borrower"), hereby
promises to pay to the order of First Union National Bank of North Carolina
("FUNB-NC") and First Union National Bank of Tennessee ("FUNB-TN"), as their
respective interests may appear (collectively, the "Bank") the principal amount
of Eight Million One Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Five
and No/100 Dollars ($8,176,875.00), or so much thereof as may be advanced from
time to time as contemplated in that certain Reimbursement Agreement dated as
of October 31, 1995 (the "Agreement") among the Borrower and the Bank, with
interest thereon at a rate of one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) in excess of
the Prime Rate as announced from time to time by FUNB-TN, with respect to
drawings identified in clause (b) below, and two percent (2%) in excess of such
Prime Rate, with respect to drawings identified in clause (a) below, or such
greater rate as may be provided in the Agreement. As used in this Standby Note,
the term "Prime Rate" means the fluctuating and floating rate of interest as
established and declared as the Prime Rate by FUNB-TN at any time and from time
to time. The interest rate hereon shall be adjusted on the day of each change
in such Prime Rate, automatically and without the necessity of notice to or
demand on the undersigned.

                  Principal of and interest on this Standby Note shall be
payable in lawful currency of the United States of America at the main office
of FUNB-TN in Nashville, Tennessee, as follows:

                  (a) In the event of any drawings under the Letter of Credit
(as defined in the Agreement) other than a drawing specified in clause (b)
below, principal of and interest on this Standby Note shall be payable in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1 of the Agreement.

                  (b) In the event of any Tender Drawing (as defined in the
Agreement), principal of this Standby Note shall be payable on the earlier of
(i) the date of any subsequent resale of the Bonds (as defined in the
Agreement) that were purchased or paid with proceeds of such Tender Drawing,
but only to the extent of the principal amount of such Bonds that have been so
resold, (ii) the date on which any Bonds shall be prepaid or redeemed as
provided in the Agreement and in the Indenture (as defined in the Agreement),
but only to the extent of the principal amount of Bonds that have been prepaid
or redeemed, or (iii) the Scheduled Termination Date (as defined in the
Agreement); and interest hereon shall be payable monthly in arrears on the
first Business Day (as defined in the Agreement) in each calendar month,
commencing with the first calendar month following the date of such Tender
Drawing to and including the Scheduled Termination Date, provided, however,
that with respect to any Bonds that have been resold or prepaid as contemplated
in clauses (i) and (ii) above, interest on the principal amount of such Bonds
shall be due and payable on the date(s) of any such resale or prepayment.






<PAGE>   2



                  Principal and interest that may be paid from time to time by
the Borrower with respect to this Standby Note shall be credited against the
Borrower's corresponding reimbursement obligations under Section 3.1 of the
Agreement.

                  In the event any amount which may be due under this Standby
Note shall not be paid within fifteen (15) days of the date when due, the
Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, also pay to the Bank
a late charge equal to four percent (4%) of the amount of such overdue payment.

                  In the event this Standby Note is placed in the hands of an
attorney for collection or enforcement or if the Bank incurs any costs incident
to the collection of the indebtedness evidenced hereby, the Borrower agrees to
pay a reasonable attorney's fee, all other court and other costs, and the
reasonable costs of any other collection efforts.

                  Presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of
demand, protest and nonpayment are hereby waived by Borrower. No failure to
accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby by reason of default hereunder,
acceptance of a past-due installment or other indulgences granted from time to
time, shall be construed as a novation of this Standby Note or as a waiver of
such right of acceleration or of the right of the Bank thereafter to insist
upon strict compliance with the terms hereof or to prevent the exercise of such
right of acceleration or any other right granted hereunder or by applicable
laws. Unless otherwise specifically agreed by Bank in writing, the liability of
Borrower and all other persons now or hereafter liable for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby, or any portion thereof, shall not be affected by
(1) any renewal hereof or other extension of the time for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby or any amount due in respect thereof, (2) the
release of all or any part or any collateral now or hereafter securing the
payment of the indebtedness evidenced hereby or any portion thereof, or (3) the
release of or resort to any person now or hereafter liable for payment of the
indebtedness evidenced hereby or any portion thereof. This Standby Note may not
be changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party
against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification or discharge is
sought.

                  This Standby Note has been negotiated, executed and delivered
in the State of Tennessee, and is intended as a contract under and shall be
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of said state.



                                      -2-



<PAGE>   3


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Borrower has caused this
Standby Note to be executed in its name by its duly authorized officer as of
the date first above written.

                            AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
                            a Tennessee limited partnership

                            By:     American Retirement Communities, LLC,
                                    its sole general partner


                            By: /s/                   
                               ---------------------------------------------
                            Title:                      
                                  -----------------------------------------




                                      -3-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.15


                           REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT


                 THIS REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT (such Reimbursement Agreement as
supplemented or amended from time to time being referred to herein as this
"Agreement" or this "Reimbursement Agreement") is made as of the 31st day of
October, 1995, between American Retirement Communities, L.P. (the "Borrower"),
a Tennessee limited partnership, FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA
("FUNB-NC"), a national banking association, and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
TENNESSEE ("FUNB-TN"), a national banking association (FUNB-NC and FUNB-TN are
sometimes referred to hereinafter collectively as the "Credit Institution");

                                 WITNESSETH:

                 WHEREAS, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, a
political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (the "Issuer"), has
financed a part of the cost of the acquisition of approximately 20 acres of
land located at the corner of Rio Dosa Drive and Man O' War Boulevard in
Lexington, Kentucky, and the renovation, development, equipping and
installation by the Borrower of 175 apartment units (the "Project"), through
the issuance, pursuant to a Trust Indenture dated as of May 1, 1985 (the "1985
Indenture") between the Issuer and Third National Bank in Nashville, a national
banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States
of America, 424 Church Street, Sixth Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37219, as
Trustee (the "Trustee"), of Eleven Million Dollars ($11,000,000.00) aggregate
principal amount of Issuer's Residential Facilities Revenue Bonds (Richmond
Place Associates, L.P. Project) Series 1985 (the "Series 1985 Bonds"), to one
or more bond purchasers (the "Bond Purchaser");

                 WHEREAS, the Richmond Place Associates, L.P. ("RPLP"), a
Delaware limited partnership and predecessor in interest to Borrower, requested
the Issuer to issue its Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Residential
Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds (Richmond Place Associates, L.P. Project)
Series 1987 (the "Bonds") in the aggregate principal amount of $11,000,000
issued under and pursuant to a Trust Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1987 by
and between the Issuer and the Trustee in order to reimburse the Letter of
Credit Issuer for the refunding of the Series 1985 Bonds;

                 WHEREAS, at the time of issuance of the Bonds, the RPLP
granted a mortgage on, and a first perfected security interest in, the Project
in favor of the Issuer, pursuant to a Loan Agreement and Mortgage by and
between the RPLP and Issuer (the "Loan Agreement"), which has been assigned to
the Trustee under the Indenture to secure payment of the Bonds; and

                 WHEREAS, Metropolitan Federal Savings and Loan Association
issued its irrevocable letter of credit in an aggregate maximum amount of
$11,916,667, as security for
<PAGE>   2

payment of the principal and interest on the Bonds in order to provide for the
making of payments due from RPLP under the Loan Agreement;

                 WHEREAS, by Order No. 91-213, effective April 19, 1991, the
Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") found that Metropolitan
Federal Bank, the successor to Metropolitan Federal Savings and Loan
Association and a Federal Savings Bank, Nashville, Tennessee (the
"Association"), was in an unsafe and unsound condition to transact business
because it had substantially insufficient capital, in that it had negative
tangible capital, and that it was failing all of its capital requirements by
significant margins.  On that date, the OTS ordered the Association closed and
appointed the Resolution Trust Corporation ("RTC") as Receiver for the
Association.  Also on that date, pursuant to the same order, the OTS created
and chartered a new federal mutual savings association known as Metropolitan
Federal Savings and Loan Association, F.A. ("Metropolitan Federal").  The RTC
as Receiver for the Association entered into a Purchase and Assumption
Agreement with Metropolitan Federal whereby Metropolitan Federal acquired
certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the Association.  Following
entry into that Agreement, the OTS took possession of Metropolitan Federal and
appointed the RTC as Conservator of that institution, which appointment was
accepted.  On March 27, 1992, pursuant to OTS Order No. CIN-92-102, the OTS
replaced the conservatorship with a receivership, and appointed the RTC as
Receiver of Metropolitan Federal, which appointment was accepted; and

                 WHEREAS, pursuant to a Settlement Agreement dated September
27, 1994, by and between RPLP and Resolution Trust Corporation, as Receiver for
Metropolitan Federal Bank, certain Bonds totalling $2,500,000.00 in amount were
purchased and cancelled by Resolution Trust Corporation, as Receiver for
Metropolitan Federal Bank, and the Letter of Credit previously issued by
Metropolitan Federal Savings and Loan Association was to be replaced by a
substitute letter of credit; and

                 WHEREAS, NationsBank of North Carolina, N.A. issued such
substitute Letter of Credit (the "NBNC Letter of Credit") in the original
stated amount of $8,176,875.00 to Trustee under the Indenture and RPLP assumed
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto pursuant to a Reimbursement
Agreement (the "NationsBank Reimbursement Agreement") dated as of November 1,
1994; and

                 WHEREAS, the obligations of RPLP under the NationsBank
Reimbursement Agreement were assumed by Borrower pursuant to an Amendment to
Reimbursement Agreement and Standby Note with Assumption and Release dated as
of March 31, 1995; and

                 WHEREAS, Borrower has requested, and FUNB-NC has agreed, to
replace the NBNC Letter of Credit by issuing its Letter of Credit in the
original stated amount of $8,176,875.00 to the Trustee under the Indenture to
secure the payment of the principal and purchase price of and interest on the
remaining Bonds upon such terms and conditions as are mutually agreed upon by
the Borrower, FUNB-NC and FUNB-TN; and




                                     -2-
<PAGE>   3

                 WHEREAS, the Borrower, FUNB-NC and FUNB-TN desire (a) to
specify the conditions precedent to the issuance of the Letter of Credit by
FUNB-NC, and (b) to provide for the payment to the Credit Institution of
certain fees for the Letter of Credit, the reimbursement by the Borrower of
amounts paid by the Credit Institution under the Letter of Credit, the
indemnity by the Borrower of the Credit Institution pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement, the security to be provided by Borrower to secure Borrower's
performance under this Agreement, and certain other matters.

                 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
agreements contained in this Agreement, the Borrower, FUNB-NC and FUNB-TN agree
as follows:

                                 ARTICLE I.
                                 DEFINITIONS

                 The terms "Code," "Note", "Loan Agreement", "Person,"
"Regulatory Agreement," "Remarketing Agent," "Remarketing Agreement," "Seasoned
Moneys," "Trustee" and all other capitalized terms used and not defined herein
shall have the meanings given thereto in the Indenture, as hereinafter defined.
As used in this Agreement, in addition to the terms previously defined herein
or defined in Section 1.01 of the Indenture, the following terms shall have the
meanings as provided in this Article 1.  Unless otherwise provided, each of the
financial terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meaning given to
it under generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis, and the computation of any such term is to be determined both as to
classification of items and as to amounts in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.  Unless otherwise indicated, references to Articles or
Sections refer to those in this Agreement.

                 "Anniversary Date" shall mean the same day and month as the
Date of Issuance occurring in any subsequent year.

                 "Business Day" shall have the same meaning as provided in the 
Letter of Credit.

                 "Collateral Agreement" shall mean the Collateral Assignment of
Accounts Receivable dated as of the date hereof by and between A.R.C.
Management Corporation and the Credit Institution, as supplemented or amended
from time to time.

                 "Collateral Real Estate" shall mean the fee simple interest of
Borrower in the approximately 20 acres of real property in Fayette County,
Kentucky and the fee simple interest of Borrower in the Project, conveyed
pursuant to the Mortgage as security for the obligations of the Borrower under
this Agreement.

                 "Credit Institution" shall mean FUNB-NC and/or FUNB-TN, as the
context may indicate, their successors and assigns.





                                    - 3 -
<PAGE>   4

                 "Date of Issuance" shall mean the date on which the Letter of
Credit is issued and becomes effective.

                 "Default" shall mean any condition or event which with the
giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of
Default hereunder.

                 "Environmental Laws" shall mean the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA); the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA); the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know
Act; the Clean Water Act (the Federal Water Pollution Control Act); the Safe
Drinking Water Act; the Clean Air Act; the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act; the Coastal Zone Management Act; the Noise Control Act; the
Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA);
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); any so-called
"Superfund" or "Superlien" law; or any other federal, state or local statute,
law, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, decree or other requirement of
any governmental body regulating, relating to or imposing liability or
standards of conduct concerning any Hazardous Materials, or toxic or dangerous
chemical, waste, substance or material.

                 "Event of Default" shall mean any of the Events of Default as
defined in Section 5.1 hereof.

                 "Financing Documents" shall mean the Bonds, the Indenture, the
Loan Agreement, the Note, this Reimbursement Agreement, the Standby Note, the
Mortgage, the Security Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, the Pledge
Agreement, the Guaranty Agreements, and the Remarketing Agreement.

                 "Guarantors" shall mean American Retirement Corporation, a
Tennessee corporation,; A.R.C. Management Corporation, a Tennessee corporation;
American Retirement Communities, L.L.C. ("ARC, LLC"), a Tennessee limited
liability company; ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a Tennessee corporation;
ARC Corpus Christi, Inc., a Tennessee corporation; ARC Oak Park, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation; ARC Equities-Lexington, Inc., a Tennessee corporation;
and ARC Chattanooga, Inc., a Tennessee corporation and their respective
successors and assigns.

                 "Guaranty Agreement" shall mean collectively, the Guaranty
Agreements, dated as of the date hereof, made by the respective Guarantors in
favor of the Credit Institution, pursuant to which, among other things, the
Guarantors have agreed to guarantee all obligations of the Borrower hereunder,
under the Standby Note and under the other Financing Documents, as supplemented
or amended from time to time, subject however to such limitations (if any) as
appear in such Guaranty Agreements.





                                    - 4 -
<PAGE>   5

                 "Hazardous Materials" shall mean any hazardous, toxic or
dangerous chemical, substance, waste or material defined as such in any of the
Environmental Laws.

                 "Indenture" shall mean the Trust Indenture dated as of April
1, 1987 by and between the Issuer and the Trustee as revised pursuant to that
Amended and Restated Indenture  between the Issuer and the Trustee dated as of
November 1, 1994.

                 "Letter of Credit" shall mean the Letter of Credit issued by
FUNB-NC to the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement in the form of Exhibit A
hereto, as supplemented or amended from time to time.

                 "Maximum Rate" shall mean the maximum rate of interest
permitted to be charged under applicable laws in effect from time to time.

                 "Mortgage" shall mean the Mortgage with Security Agreement and
Assignment of Rents on the Collateral Real Estate and certain personal property
of the Borrower, dated as of the date hereof, from the Borrower for the benefit
of the Credit Institution, as supplemented or amended from time to time.

                 "Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Pledge Agreement dated as of
the date hereof by and between the Borrower and the Credit Institution, as
supplemented or amended from time to time.

                 "Prime Rate" shall mean the fluctuating rate of interest
established by FUNB-TN from time to time as its "Prime Rate," whether or not
such rate shall be otherwise published.  The Prime Rate is established by
FUNB-TN as an index or base rate and may or may not at any time be the best or
lowest rate charged by FUNB-TN on any loan. If at any time or from time to time
the Prime Rate increases or decreases, then any interest rate hereunder based
on the Prime Rate shall be correspondingly increased or decreased as of the
date of the increase or decrease in the Prime Rate.  In the event that FUNB-TN,
during the term hereof, shall abolish or abandon the practice of establishing a
Prime Rate, or should the same become unascertainable, the Credit Institution
shall designate a comparable reference rate which shall thereafter be deemed to
be the Prime Rate for purposes hereof.

                 "Reimbursement Account" shall mean the Reimbursement Account
established pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof.

                 "Scheduled Termination Date" shall mean the "Stated Expiration
Date" as set forth in the Letter of Credit.

                 "Settlement Agreement" shall mean the Settlement Agreement
dated September 27, 1994 between the Borrower and the Resolution Trust
Corporation, as Receiver for Metropolitan Federal Savings and Loan Associates.





                                    - 5 -
<PAGE>   6


                 "Standby Note" shall mean the standby promissory note of the
Borrower described in Section 3.5 hereof, as supplemented or amended from time
to time.

                 "Stated Amount" shall mean the face amount of the Letter of
Credit initially equal to $8,176,875.00, representing a $8,010,000.00 principal
portion and a $166,875.00 interest portion to cover 50 days' interest on the
Bonds at an assumed rate equal to fifteen percent (15%) per annum, as it may be
reduced and reinstated from time to time in accordance with the terms of the
Letter of Credit.

                 "Tender Drawing" shall mean any drawing under the Letter of
Credit pursuant to a drawing certificate in the form of Annex B to the Letter
of Credit.

                 "Termination Date" shall mean the last day a drawing is
available under the Letter of Credit.

                                 ARTICLE II.
                        REPRESENTATIONS BY BORROWER;
                 CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT

                 SECTION  2.1.  REPRESENTATIONS BY BORROWER.  The Borrower makes
the following representations for the benefit of the Credit Institution (which
representations shall survive the issuance of the Letter of Credit):

                 (A)      All representations and warranties made by the
Borrower in the Loan Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall
be deemed to have been made and reaffirmed by the Borrower for the benefit of
the Credit Institution as if they were fully set forth herein.

                 (B)      The Borrower owns a fee simple estate in the real
property on which the Project is located, and the Borrower owns fee simple
title to the Project, subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances (as defined in
the Mortgage).

                 (C)      The Borrower has the power to own its property and to
carry on its business as now being conducted, is in good standing in the
jurisdiction of its formation, and is qualified to do business in each
jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned by it therein or in
which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary.

                 (D)      The Borrower has full partnership power and authority
to enter into and execute and deliver each of the Financing Documents to which
it is a party and to incur and perform the obligations provided for herein and
therein, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary
partnership action.  No consent or approval of limited partners or of any other
person or public authority or regulatory body is required as a condition to the
validity





                                    - 6 -
<PAGE>   7

or enforceability of any of such Financing Documents, or, if required, the same
has been duly obtained.

                 (E)       The existing and contemplated use of the Project is
and will be in conformity with all applicable governmental laws, ordinances,
rules and regulations (including, but not limited to, the Americans with
Disabilities Act and all other environmental, health, safety and zoning laws,
ordinances, rules and regulations), and all variances and exceptions granted
with respect thereto; and there is no existing, threatened or pending action,
suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation wherein an unfavorable decision,
ruling or finding would in any way have an adverse effect on the Project, or
its existing or intended use, or the repayment of the Bonds.
                           
                 (F)       The Borrower is in compliance with all applicable
governmental laws and regulations applicable to the conduct of its business and
the operation of the Project, the noncompliance with which would have a
material adverse effect on the Borrower's financial condition or operations or
the operation of the Project.

                 (G)       The Borrower is in compliance with all applicable
governmental laws and regulations and has all necessary certificates of need
applicable to the conduct of its health agency business in Fayette County,
Kentucky and in the surrounding counties of Bourbon, Scott, Jesamine and
Franklin.

                 (H)       All of the Financing Documents to which the Borrower
is a party have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Borrower,
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Borrower, and are fully
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms.

                 (I)       The execution, delivery and performance by the
Borrower of the Financing Documents will not: conflict with or result in a
breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the partnership
agreement or the partnership certificate of the Borrower; conflict with or
result in a breach of any governmental requirement applicable to the Borrower;
conflict with, result in a breach of or require consent under any agreement,
instrument or indenture to which the Borrower is a party, or by which it or any
of its property is bound, or conflict with, result in a breach of, or
constitute (with notice, lapse of time, or both) a default thereunder; result
in the creation or imposition of any lien (other than the lien of the Mortgage)
upon any of the property or assets of the Borrower; or result in or require the
acceleration of any indebtedness of the Borrower.

                 (J)       There are no actions, claims, suits or proceedings
pending, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened or reasonably
anticipated against or directly involving the Borrower at law or in equity or
before or by any governmental authority and, to the best of the Borrower's
knowledge, there is no possibility of any judgment, liability or award which
may reasonably be expected to result in any material and adverse change in the
business, operations, prospects, properties, assets or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower.  The Borrower





                                    - 7 -
<PAGE>   8

has received no notice that it is in default with respect to any governmental
requirement or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, rule, award or
regulation of any governmental authority.

                 (K)      The Borrower is not in default under any contract,
agreement, commitment or other instrument which default would have a material
adverse effect on the business, properties or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower, or in the performance of any covenants or
conditions respecting any of its indebtedness.  No holder of any indebtedness
of the Borrower has given notice of any asserted default thereunder.  No
liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower and no receivership, insolvency,
bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding relative to the Borrower
or its properties is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is
threatened against it.

                 (L)      Borrower is not in default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on any of its indebtedness for borrowed money, nor is
the Borrower in default under any provision of any instrument under or subject
to which any indebtedness for borrowed money has been incurred, and no event
has occurred and is continuing under the provisions of any such instrument that
with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an
event of default thereunder.

                 (M)      No information furnished by or on behalf of the
Borrower in connection with the negotiation of the issuance of the Letter of
Credit contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits a material
fact necessary to make such information not misleading. There is no fact that
the Borrower has not disclosed to the Credit Institution that materially
adversely affects or, so far as the Borrower can now foresee based on facts
known to it and based on opinions of the Borrower's partners, employees, agents
and advisors concerning such facts, will materially adversely affect the
properties, business, prospects, profits or condition (financial or otherwise)
of the Borrower, or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations
under the Financing Documents.

                 SECTION 2.2.  LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT; PARTICIPATION.

                 (A)      Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, FUNB-NC agrees to issue its Letter of Credit, in the form of Exhibit
A hereto, in the original Stated Amount.

                 (B)      Effective on the Date of Issuance, FUNB-TN shall be
deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received from
FUNB-NC, without recourse or warranty and without any further action on the
part of either of them, an undivided interest and participation in all
obligations of the Borrower hereunder and any security therefor or guarantees
relating thereto.  FUNB-NC shall notify FUNB-TN telephonically of the making
and amount of each drawing and confirm such notification by facsimile, promptly
after the presentation of any draft and certificate or equivalent documents in
connection with any drawing under the Letter of Credit not reimbursed by or on
behalf of the Borrower on the date such drawing is made, and





                                    - 8 -
<PAGE>   9

FUNB-TN shall, on or before 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the date of any such
drawing unconditionally pay to FUNB-NC the full amount of such drawing,
provided that if FUNB-TN has not received such notice by 12:00 noon (Eastern
time), FUNB-TN shall reimburse FUNB-NC on the next Business Day. FUNB-NC agrees
that, for so long as FUNB-TN is not in default to FUNB- NC under this Section
2.2(B), FUNB-TN shall act as agent for FUNB-NC with respect to collection of
payments due hereunder from the Borrower, receipt of financial and other
information from the Borrower required hereunder, the declaration or waiver of
any default hereunder, the giving or withholding of any consents, instructions
or amendments hereunder or hereto, the exercise of any remedies following the
occurrence of an Event of Default, and all other matters pertaining to
relations and communications between the Borrower and the Credit Institution
hereunder.  To the extent any of the Financing Documents vests such authority
in the Credit Institution, FUNB-NC agrees that it will act in accordance with
the instructions of FUNB-TN.

                 SECTION 2.3.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ISSUANCE OF THE LETTER
OF CREDIT.  It is a condition precedent to the obligation of FUNB-NC to issue
the Letter of Credit that the Credit Institution shall have received each of
the following documents or other items in form and substance satisfactory to
the Credit Institution, and, in the case of appraisals and environmental
reports, insurance and similar certifications and the like, prepared by
professionals satisfactory to the Credit Institution; or if any such item shall
be waived by the Credit Institution as a condition to the issuance of the
Letter of Credit, such item shall be furnished to the Credit Institution at or
before the time set forth in such waiver:

                 (A)      Certified copies of the partnership agreement,
partnership certificate and consent of partners of the Borrower, and
certificate(s) of existence and incumbency certificate(s) for the Borrower's
general partner, ARC, LLC, accompanied by an opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims,
counsel to the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Credit
Institution, including, without limitation, to the effect that the Borrower is
a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Tennessee and Kentucky and that the Financing
Documents to which the Borrower is a party have been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by the Borrower and constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Borrower enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws or equitable principles relating to or
limiting creditors' rights generally and except as rights of indemnification
relating to liability under federal and state securities laws may be limited by
applicable law;

                 (B)      Certificates of existence, incumbency certificates,
resolutions and certified copies of the organizational documents for the
Guarantors,  accompanied by an opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims, counsel to the
Guarantors, in form and substance satisfactory to the Credit Institution,
including without limitation, to the effect that each of the Guarantors is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Tennessee and, if different, the State of its domestication, and that the
Financing Documents to which each of them





                                    - 9 -
<PAGE>   10

is a party have been duly authorized, executed and delivered and constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligation of each Guarantor enforceable in accordance
with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws or equitable
principles relating to or limiting creditor's rights generally and except as
rights of indemnification relating to liability under federal and state
securities laws may be limited by applicable law;

                 (C)      A copy of the fully executed Indenture;

                 (D)      The fully executed original of the Standby Note and
fully executed originals of this Agreement, the Mortgage, the Security
Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and the Guaranty
Agreements;

                 (E)      An ALTA lender's title insurance policy (the "Title
Policy") on the Collateral Real Estate from Chicago Title Insurance Company
with minimum coverage in an amount not less than the original Stated Amount of
the Letter of Credit.  The Title Policy shall insure that the Mortgage in favor
of the Credit Institution is a lien on the Collateral Real Estate subject only
to such exceptions as are Permitted Encumbrances and shall contain such
endorsements and affirmative coverage as shall be requested by the Credit
Institution;

                 (F)      An opinion of Rubin Hays & Foley, Bond Counsel, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee;

                 (G)      An opinion of Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry,
counsel to the Credit Institution, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Trustee;

                 (H)      Evidence that the Mortgage has been recorded in the
Clerk's Office of Fayette County, Kentucky (the "Register's Office") and
evidence that financing statements perfecting the Credit Institution's security
interest in personal property have been duly filed in all required filing
offices;

                 (I)      A certificate of a person selected by the Borrower
and knowledgeable in the insurance business, who is not a partner or employee
of the Borrower, reciting that all policies of insurance required by the Loan
Agreement to be in effect upon delivery of the Bonds are in full force and
effect and that the amounts and types of insurance evidenced thereby comply
with and satisfy all the requirements of the Loan Agreement, together with
certificates or policies evidencing insurance coverage then in effect, which
certificates and policies shall include flood insurance unless the Borrower
shall have furnished the Credit Institution with written evidence satisfactory
to the Credit Institution that the Collateral Real Estate is not located in an
area shown as having special flood hazards on a map of the boundaries of
Fayette County, Kentucky prepared by or on behalf of the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development;





                                   - 10 -
<PAGE>   11

                 (J)      A current survey of the Collateral Real Estate,
prepared and certified by a certified land surveyor in the form required by the
Credit Institution;

                 (K)      A copy of the certificate of occupancy required for
the operation and occupancy of the Project by the Borrower, evidence that the
Borrower has obtained and maintains in full force and effect all permits,
licenses, certificates and authorizations needed to own and operate its home
health business and the Project (including, without limitation, certificates of
need and other regulatory approvals), and evidence that the Project complies
with all zoning and building codes and ordinances applicable thereto;

                 (L)      A current appraisal of the Collateral Real Estate by
an appraiser engaged by the Credit Institution at the Borrower's expense,
indicating an appraised value of the Project satisfactory to the Credit
Institution, and which satisfies all applicable regulations of bank regulatory
agencies having jurisdiction over the Credit Institution;

                 (M)      An environmental engineer's environmental screening
inspection report ("ESI") addressing environmental matters and indicating that
the Collateral Real Estate is free of hazardous wastes and toxic substances and
otherwise complying with the requirements of the Credit Institution;

                 (N)      Payment to the Credit Institution in cash of all fees
which are due on the Date of Issuance under Section 3.2;

                 (O)      A copy of the Management Agreement for the Project
between the Borrower and A.R.C. Management Corporation; and

                 (P)      Such other documents as may have been reasonably
requested by the Credit Institution.


                                ARTICLE III.
                          REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION;
                    OTHER PAYMENTS; LETTER OF CREDIT FEES

                 SECTION 3.1.  REIMBURSEMENT AND OTHER PAYMENTS.

                 (A)      The Borrower hereby agrees to establish an interest
bearing escrow account with FUNB-TN known as the Richmond Place Reimbursement
Account (the "Reimbursement Account") and to pay to the Credit Institution (and
the Credit Institution is hereby authorized to deduct from any and all
operating accounts maintained by the Borrower with the Credit Institution) the
following amounts in the manner and at the times set forth below:





                                   - 11 -
<PAGE>   12

                          (i)     All funds deposited in the Reimbursement
Account in accordance with subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) below shall be
accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis.  Amounts deposited in the
Reimbursement Account shall be spent within a thirteen-month period beginning
on the date of deposit; and earnings received from investment of money held in
the Reimbursement Account shall be spent within a one-year period beginning on
the date of receipt.  Moneys in the Reimbursement Account at any time may be
invested without restriction as to yield within the meaning of Section 148 of
the Code at the direction of the Borrower.  Any amounts in the appropriate
subaccount of the Reimbursement Account on the date any payment is due under
any subparagraph hereof shall be credited against the amount due.  Any balance
remaining in the Reimbursement Account after the Termination Date and the
payment of all obligations of the Borrower due the Credit Institution hereunder
and under all of the other Financing Documents shall be paid to the Borrower.

                          (ii)    Not later than 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on
the Business Day next preceding the twenty-fifth (25th) day of each consecutive
month commencing November 24, 1995, the Borrower shall pay the Credit
Institution in collected funds for deposit in the interest subaccount of the
Reimbursement Account an amount equal to the amount of interest due and payable
to the Trustee under the Indenture on the first Business Day of the immediately
succeeding month, the same being equal to one-sixth (1/6) of the amount of
interest due and payable on the Bonds on the next succeeding Semi-Annual
Interest Payment Date.  The amounts received by the Credit Institution pursuant
to this subparagraph shall be deposited in the interest subaccount of the
Reimbursement Account which shall be debited by the Credit Institution as
necessary to reimburse the Credit Institution for each drawing under the Letter
of Credit for interest on the Bonds.

                          (iii)   Not later than the second Business Day
preceding any date on which principal is due and payable on the Bonds at
maturity or by sinking fund redemption or mandatory redemption, the Borrower
shall pay the Credit Institution in collected funds for deposit in the
principal subaccount of the Reimbursement Account the amount the Credit
Institution will be required to advance under the Letter of Credit for such
principal payment.  In the event of a drawing under the Letter of Credit to pay
principal on the Bonds as a result of an optional redemption or optional
prepayment of the Bonds, the Borrower shall pay the Credit Institution in
collected funds, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Credit
Institution pursuant to Section 4.1(B) below, to pay an amount sufficient to
reimburse the Credit Institution for each drawing before the Trustee sends
notice of redemption to the Bondholders.  The principal amounts received by the
Credit Institution pursuant to this subparagraph shall be deposited in the
principal subaccount of the Reimbursement Account which shall be debited by the
Credit Institution as necessary to reimburse the Credit Institution for each
drawing under the Letter of Credit for principal on the Bonds.  In the event
the Trustee credits the amount to be drawn under the Letter of Credit for any
principal payment made otherwise than from a draw on the Letter of Credit, a
corresponding credit shall be granted to the Borrower for the amounts due
hereunder.





                                   - 12 -
<PAGE>   13

                          (iv)    In addition to those amounts required to be
paid by Borrower under subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) above, Borrower shall
deposit into the principal subaccount of the Reimbursement Account the amount
of $170,000, representing the current balance in Borrower's existing escrow
account. Borrower shall also pay on a quarterly basis to the Credit
Institution, the following amounts for deposit into the principal subaccount of
the Reimbursement Account on the dates indicated:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          PAYMENT DATE                      AMOUNT
                          ------------                      ------
<S>                                                         <C>
December 31, 1995                                           $36,000

March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and                           $53,750 
September 30, 1996

December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997                        $60,000 

</TABLE>
                                                           

                 (B)      In the event of a Tender Drawing under the Letter of
Credit to purchase Bonds for the account of the Borrower pursuant to optional
or mandatory tenders under the provisions of the Indenture, the Borrower shall
continue to make the payments required by subparagraphs (A)(iii) and A(iv)
above, and such payments shall be applied first to redeem Bonds purchased with
the proceeds of such drawing and held for the account of the Borrower or the
Credit Institution as of any maturity date or redemption date provided for in
the Indenture.  The Borrower shall cause all amounts received from the
remarketing of such Bonds prior to any maturity date or redemption date
provided for in the Indenture to be paid to the Credit Institution to reimburse
it for the amount of such drawing.  On the Termination Date, the Borrower shall
pay the Credit Institution the aggregate amount of any and all such drawings
that have not been previously reimbursed, subject to a credit for any amounts
available therefor in the principal subaccount of the Reimbursement Account.

                 (C)      In the event of any drawing under the Letter of
Credit to make payments due on the Bonds as a result of any event or
circumstance not covered by subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) above, the
Borrower shall by no later than 12:00 p.m. (Nashville, Tennessee Time) on the
day of such drawing pay to the Credit Institution an amount sufficient to
reimburse the Credit Institution for such drawing to the extent funds are not
available in the principal subaccount of the Reimbursement Account to cover
such drawing reimbursement.

                 (D)      In the event of a drawing under the Letter of Credit
pursuant to subparagraph (B) above, the Borrower shall pay the Credit
Institution interest on the entire amount of such drawing at the Prime Rate
plus one- quarter of one percent (1/4%) per annum from the date of the draw
until such amount is reimbursed in full, which interest shall be payable in
arrears on the first Business Day of each month, on the Termination Date or on
any earlier date of reimbursement pursuant to Section 3.6. In the event the
payments required by subparagraphs (A), (B) or (C) above or subparagraph (G)
below are not made on the due date thereof, the Borrower





                                   - 13 -
<PAGE>   14

shall pay the Credit Institution interest on such outstanding amounts from the
due date thereof until such amounts are paid in full at the Prime Rate plus two
percent (2%) per annum.

                 (E)      In the event the Credit Institution holds Bonds as
pledgee or for its own account pursuant to a Tender Drawing and it receives
payment in full for such Bonds and for all amounts due to it under this
Agreement, the Credit Institution shall release such Bonds to the Trustee as
provided in the Indenture.

                 (F)      In any event, if as a result of a drawing under the
Letter of Credit other than a Tender Drawing, the Credit Institution pays any
amount under the Letter of Credit in excess of the amount in the Reimbursement
Account applied to reimburse the Credit Institution therefor, the Borrower
shall upon demand immediately reimburse the Credit Institution for such amount.
Any amounts not so paid shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus two percent
(2%) per annum, which interest shall be payable on demand.

                 (G)      The Borrower shall pay the Credit Institution on
demand any and all reasonable charges and expenses, including legal fees (and
interest on such amounts as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (F) above), which
the Credit Institution may pay or incur relative to the Letter of Credit or in
reviewing, interpreting, administering or enforcing any of its rights or
responsibilities under this Agreement or the other Financing Documents.

                 SECTION 3.2.  FEES.

                 (A)  In addition to any other fees payable to the Credit
Institution, the Borrower shall pay to the Credit Institution a fee with
respect to the Letter of Credit (a "Letter of Credit Fee") equal to either (i)
1.09% per annum, payable annually in advance on the date hereof and on each
Anniversary Date thereafter; or (ii) 1.15% per annum, payable quarterly in
advance on the date hereof and on each quarterly principal payment date
described in Section 3.1(A)(iv) hereof (each such annual or quarterly payment
date is referred to herein as a "Fee Payment Date"). If the annual payment date
is chosen, the Letter of Credit Fee shall be calculated as a percentage of the
initial Stated Amount of the Letter of Credit for the first year and of the
maximum potential Stated Amount of the Letter of Credit then in effect for each
year thereafter (as it is reduced from time to time by virtue of drawings to
redeem the principal of the Bonds or to pay principal on the Bonds at maturity,
but not drawings to purchase Bonds subject to optional or mandatory tender and
as so determined on the date each fee payment is due).  If the quarterly
payment date is chosen, the Letter of Credit Fee shall be calculated as a
percentage of the initial Stated Amount of the Letter of Credit for the first
quarter and of the maximum potential Stated Amount of the Letter of Credit then
in effect for each quarter thereafter (as it is reduced from time to time by
virtue of drawings to redeem the principal of the Bonds or to pay principal on
the Bonds at maturity, but not drawings to purchase Bonds subject to optional
or mandatory tender and as so determined on the date each fee payment is due).
The Letter of Credit fee shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year.
There shall be no refund of any portion of such prepaid fee by reason of
expiration, reduction, modification, termination, redemption or prepayment of





                                   - 14 -
<PAGE>   15

any of the Stated Amount, the Letter of Credit or the Bonds subsequent to the
date of receipt of such fee by the Credit Institution.

                 (B)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default
occurs hereunder and is continuing, then from and after the occurrence of such
Event of Default the Letter of Credit fee shall be simultaneously increased to
two percent (2%) per annum multiplied by the maximum potential stated amount of
the Letter of Credit on the Fee Payment Date immediately preceding such Event
of Default. The excess over any Letter of Credit fee previously paid for the
year, together with any balance of the fee for the current year, shall be due
and payable in prorated monthly installments on the first of each month for the
balance of the year.  For any new year the Letter of Credit fee payable
pursuant to this Section 3.2(B) shall be payable in full on the Anniversary
Date.

                 (C)      In addition to the fees payable pursuant to the
preceding paragraph, a $1,000 transfer fee and a fee of $100 per draw shall be
assessed against Borrower and payable on demand.

                 SECTION 3.3.  SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS.

                 (A)      If after the Date of Issuance (i) the Credit
Institution determines, or acquiesces in the determination by a court or
administrative or governmental authority that its obligations under this
Agreement or the Letter of Credit are a deposit insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") or (ii) the Credit Institution determines that
any law or regulation, or any change in any law or regulation or in the
interpretation thereof by any court or administrative or governmental authority
charged with the administration thereof shall either (A) impose, modify or deem
applicable any insurance (including, without limitation, FDIC insurance),
reserve, capital adequacy, special deposit or similar requirement for or
against letters of credit issued or assets held by, or deposits in or for the
account of, the Credit Institution or (B) impose on the Credit Institution any
other condition regarding this Agreement or the Letter of Credit, including any
relating to capital adequacy, and the result of any event referred to in clause
(A)(i) or (ii) above shall be to increase the cost to the Credit Institution of
issuing or maintaining the Letter of Credit (which increase in cost shall be
the result of the Credit Institution's reasonable allocation of the aggregate
of such cost increases resulting from such events and shall be calculated
without giving effect to any participation granted in the Letter of Credit)
then, upon demand by the Credit Institution, the Borrower shall immediately pay
to the Credit Institution all additional amounts which are necessary to
compensate the Credit Institution for such increased cost incurred by the
Credit Institution.  A certificate as to such increased cost incurred by the
Credit Institution as a result of any event referred to in clause (A)(i) or
(ii) above submitted by the Credit Institution to the Borrower shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error, as to the amount thereof.





                                   - 15 -
<PAGE>   16

                 (B)      The Borrower shall also pay interest on such
increased costs at the Prime Rate plus one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) per
annum from the date the Credit Institution mails Borrower written notice of
such change until such amount is paid in full.

                 SECTION 3.4.  COMPUTATION OF INTEREST; FORM AND PLACE OF
PAYMENT.  The interest payable hereunder shall be computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.  If the Prime Rate
changes, the interest rate on all amounts due hereunder shall be adjusted on
the day of each change in the Prime Rate.  All payments by the Borrower to the
Credit Institution hereunder shall be made in lawful currency of the United
States and in immediately available funds on the date such payment is due at
the Credit Institution's office at 150 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville,
Tennessee 37219.

                 SECTION 3.5.  STANDBY NOTE AND SECURITY FOR REIMBURSEMENT 
                 OBLIGATION.

                 (A)      The Borrower shall execute and deliver the Standby
Note to the Credit Institution on the Date of Issuance.  In the event any sums
are advanced under the Letter of Credit which are not immediately reimbursed to
the Credit Institution, such sums shall be deemed to be advanced under the
Standby Note.

                 (B)      As security for the payment of all of its obligations
under this Agreement, whether now existing or hereafter arising, the Borrower
shall grant the Credit Institution a lien on, and an assignment of and security
interest in, the Collateral Real Estate, all leases of and rents derived by the
Borrower from the Collateral Real Estate, a security interest in all equipment,
inventory, accounts and other personal property located on, used in connection
with or arising from the Collateral Real Estate, pursuant to the Mortgage (in
each case subject only to Permitted Encumbrances), and the Borrower shall
execute and deliver (and cause the Guarantors and the other parties thereto to
execute and deliver) the other Financing Documents.

                 (C)      The Borrower hereby pledges, assigns, hypothecates,
transfers and delivers to the Credit Institution all its right, title and
interest in and to the Reimbursement Account and hereby grants to the Credit
Institution a lien on, and security interest in, the Borrower's right, title
and interest in and to the Reimbursement Account and in all proceeds thereof,
and substitutions therefor, as additional collateral security for the prompt
and complete payment when due of all amounts due from the Borrower to the
Credit Institution under this Agreement and the other Financing Documents.

                 SECTION 3.6.  ACQUISITION OF BONDS.

                 (A)      In the event the Remarketing Agent is able to
remarket any Bonds as of the date of any Tender Drawing and the proceeds of
such remarketing are paid to the Credit Institution on the date of such
drawing, the Credit Institution shall relinquish any interest it may have had
in the Bonds purchased with the proceeds of such drawing, but only to the
extent of such





                                   - 16 -
<PAGE>   17

payment, and the Trustee shall deliver Bonds, in a principal amount equal to
the amount so paid, to the purchasers of such Bonds free of any claim of the
Credit Institution.

                 (B)      Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, in the
event that as of the date of any Tender Drawing the Remarketing Agent has been
unable to remarket any or all Bonds, a principal amount of Bonds equal to the
amount owed the Credit Institution for such Tender Drawing shall immediately as
of such date become, and be deemed to be, owned and held by the Credit
Institution as pledgee of the Borrower (or, at the option of the Credit
Institution upon prior written notice to the Borrower and the Trustee, for its
own account), and the Borrower hereby and pursuant to the Pledge Agreement
pledges to the Credit Institution, and grants the Credit Institution a security
interest in, all Bonds so purchased for the account of the Borrower with the
proceeds of a Tender Drawing.

                 (C)      Upon notice to the Credit Institution that any of the
Bonds held by the Credit Institution as pledgee or for its own account are to
be remarketed and upon payment to the Credit Institution of the proceeds
thereof and all accrued interest which is due the Credit Institution on the
Tender Drawing used to purchase such Bonds, the Credit Institution shall
release to the Trustee, for delivery to the purchasers thereof a principal
amount of Bonds equal to the principal amount of such payment from the proceeds
of the remarketing thereof, free of any pledge or ownership interest of the
Credit Institution.

                 (D)      The obligations of the Credit Institution hereunder
shall remain in effect until the Termination Date.

                 (E)      All amounts paid to the Credit Institution by the
Borrower on Bonds held by the Credit Institution as pledgee or for its own
account shall be credited against amounts due from the Borrower under Section
3.1(B) and (D).


                                 ARTICLE IV.
                 COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER; OTHER AGREEMENTS

                 SECTION 4.1.  INCORPORATED COVENANTS OF BORROWER.  All
covenants of the Borrower in the other Financing Documents, to the extent not
inconsistent herewith, are incorporated herein by reference and shall be deemed
to have been made and reaffirmed by the Borrower for the benefit of the Credit
Institution as if they were fully set forth herein.  The Borrower hereby
further covenants and agrees that until the Termination Date and payment to the
Credit Institution of all amounts due and performance of all other obligations
of the Borrower under the Financing Documents, it shall comply with the
following additional affirmative and negative covenants, unless the Credit
Institution shall otherwise consent in writing:

                 (A)      ACCESS TO PROJECT AND RECORDS.  The Borrower shall at
any reasonable time and from time to time permit the Credit Institution or any
agents or representatives thereof, (i) to





                                   - 17 -
<PAGE>   18

examine and make copies of and abstracts from all relevant records and books of
account of the Borrower, (ii) to discuss all relevant affairs, finances and
accounts of the Borrower with any of its partners or employees, and (iii) to
inspect the Project. ANY INSPECTIONS OF THE PROJECT BY THE CREDIT INSTITUTION
SHALL IN NO WAY CONSTITUTE A WARRANTY TO THE BORROWER OR ANY THIRD PARTY AS TO
THE STRUCTURAL, SOIL OR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF THE PROJECT OR OF THE LAND
ON WHICH THE PROJECT IS LOCATED.

                 (B)      PREPAYMENT OF LOAN OBLIGATIONS.  The Borrower may
cause, at any time, any optional prepayment of the Note as may be permitted
under the Loan Agreement and Indenture and direct any corresponding optional
redemption of Bonds as may be permitted under the Indenture by providing the
Credit Institution with notice of the desired prepayment and by making
satisfactory arrangements with the Credit Institution for reimbursing the
Credit Institution in full for the drawing on the Letter of Credit necessary to
effect such redemption of the Bonds by no later than the date on which the
Trustee first sends notice thereof to the owners of the Bonds.  Thereupon the
Credit Institution shall notify the Trustee to begin redemption proceedings and
to request the Trustee to draw on the Letter of Credit as required by the
Indenture.

                 (C)      GOOD STANDING.  The Borrower shall maintain its
status at all times as a limited partnership validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Tennessee.

                 (D)      TAX EXEMPT STATUS OF BONDS.  The Borrower shall not
take, fail to take or, to the extent it exercises any control, permit to be
taken, any action if such action or failure to act would adversely affect the
exclusion from gross income for federal income tax purposes of interest on the
Bonds and will perform all of its obligations under the Financing Documents to
prevent or cure any default by the Borrower which would adversely affect such
exclusion.

                 (E)      BOOKS AND RECORDS.  The Borrower shall keep or cause
to be kept proper books of record and account, in which full and correct
entries shall be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied, of all its business and affairs, and such
books of record and account shall be kept at either (i) the principal place of
business of the A.R.C. Management Corporation, or (ii) at the Borrower's
principal place of business, being 111 Westwood Place, Brentwood, Tennessee.
The Borrower shall not change its principal place of business or the location
of its books and records relating to the Project without giving prior written
notice of such change to the Credit Institution.

                 (F)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Borrower shall furnish or
cause to be furnished at its expense to the Credit Institution (i) all such
financial and other data required to be furnished to FUNB-TN under the Loan
Agreement of even date herewith executed by  Borrower and FUNB-TN (the "FUNB-TN
Loan Agreement"), (ii) promptly after receipt, copies of any and all deficiency
or other notices, complaints, attempts to seek injunctive relief or attempts to
seek injunctive remedies issued by any regulatory agency or authority having
jurisdiction or authority over the Project, and (iii) promptly upon a request
from the Credit Institution, such additional





                                   - 18 -
<PAGE>   19

information, reports and statements as the Credit Institution may from time to
time reasonably request.

                 (G)      NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.  The Borrower shall promptly
notify the Credit Institution of any default by the Borrower under any of the
Financing Documents or any filing by or against the Borrower of any petition in
bankruptcy or any similar insolvency proceeding.

                 (H)      NOTICE OF LITIGATION.  The Borrower shall promptly
inform the Credit Institution of any litigation, the adverse determination of
which might materially prejudice the payment of the Bonds, the performance of
its obligations under the Financing Documents, or the operation of the Project.

                 (I)      GOVERNMENTAL LICENSES.  The Borrower shall take all
steps necessary to maintain in full force and effect all permits, licenses,
certificates of need, and other authorizations and accreditations necessary for
the Borrower to own and operate the Project as a 175 unit residential
retirement community substantially as currently owned and operated and to own
and operate its home health agency business as currently owned and operated in
Fayette County and in each of the four surrounding counties of Bourbon, Scott,
Jesamine, and Franklin.

                 (J)      COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS.  The
Borrower shall comply with all valid and applicable statutes, rules and
regulations, and shall pay all taxes, assessments, governmental charges, claims
for labor, supplies and rent, and other obligations which, if unpaid, might
become a lien against the Project (except liabilities being contested in good
faith and against which, if requested by the Credit Institution, the Borrower
shall set up reserves satisfactory to the Credit Institution).

                 (K)      RESERVE ACCOUNTS. The Borrower shall maintain
with FUNB-TN (i) a capital expenditure reserve account in an amount not less
than $88,000 for the Project; and (ii) an operating expense reseve account in
an amount equal to at least 14 times the annual average daily operating
expenses for the Project. These reserve accounts shall be pledged to the Credit
Institution as security for the obligations of Borrower hereunder.

                 (L)      SECURITY DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS. To the extent required by
applicable law, Borrower shall maintain a segregated security deposit account
for the Project and shall advise the Credit Institution of its location.

                 (M)      MERGER, ACQUISITION OR SALE OF ASSETS.  The Borrower
shall not merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer all or substantially
all of its property or assets to any person, firm, corporation or other entity.

                 (N)      COPIES OF NOTICES OR COMPLAINTS ISSUED BY REGULATORY
AGENCIES; DEFICIENCY REPORTS.  The Borrower shall promptly after receipt,
provide the Credit Institution with copies of any and all notices, complaints,
attempts to seek injunctive relief and attempts to





                                   - 19 -
<PAGE>   20

seek injunctive remedies issued by regulatory agencies having authority over
the Project. Without limiting the foregoing, if the Borrower shall:

                          (1)     receive written notice that any violation of
any Environmental Laws may have been committed or is about to be committed by
the Borrower;

                          (2)     receive written notice that any
administrative or judicial complaint or order has been filed or is about to be
filed against the Borrower alleging any material violation of any Environmental
Laws or requiring the Borrower to take any action in connection with the
release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials or solid waste into the
environment; or

                          (3)     receive written notice from a federal, state,
foreign or local governmental agency or private party alleging that the
Borrower is liable or responsible for costs associated with the response to
cleanup, stabilization or neutralization of any environmental activity;

then it shall provide the Credit Institution with a copy of such notice within
two Business Days of the Borrower's receipt thereof.  Within ten days of the
date the Borrower shall have learned of the enactment or promulgation of any
Environmental Laws which may have a material adverse effect on the business,
property, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the
Borrower, taken as a whole, or which might materially impair the value of the
Project, the Borrower shall provide the Credit Institution with notice thereof.

                 (O)      SALE OR LEASE OF PROJECT.  The Borrower shall not
sell, lease or otherwise assign any interest in the Project or any portion
thereof, except for residential leases signed in the ordinary course of
business.

                 (P)      NO FURTHER ENCUMBRANCES.  The Borrower shall not
mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber, either directly or indirectly, or
permit or suffer to exist any lien, security interest or encumbrance upon the
Project or any of its other property except for (i) existing liens as of the
date of this Agreement which are approved by the Credit Institution and are
disclosed in the title policy delivered to the Credit Institution on the Date
of Issuance, (ii) liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings, (iii) easements, rights-of-way, and
other minor defects and irregularities in the title to the Project which do not
impair the use of the Project or such other property or adversely affect the
value thereof, and (iv) other liens and encumbrances approved by the Credit
Institution.

                 (Q)      NO PAYMENTS TO RELATED PARTIES.  Without the prior
written consent of the Credit Institution, the Borrower shall not directly or
indirectly, except as permitted in the FUNB-TN Loan Agreement, enter into or
permit the payment by the Borrower of any fee, service charge or other
compensation or form of reimbursement to any Person or entity related to the
Borrower, American Retirement Corporation, A.R.C. Management Corporation, or
American Retirement Communities, LLC ("ARC-LLC") or any Person directly or
indirectly controlled by or under





                                   - 20 -
<PAGE>   21

common control with any one or more of them; provided however, so long as no
Event of Default has occurred hereunder, the Credit Institution does consent to
the payment of  management fees to A.R.C. Management Corporation.

                 (R)      SUBSTITUTE LETTER OF CREDIT.  The Borrower shall not
provide a Substitute Letter of Credit for the Bonds except (i) during the sixty
(60) day period ending immediately prior to the then Scheduled Termination Date
of the Letter of Credit if the Borrower and the Credit Institution have been
unable to reach an agreement upon the extension of the Letter of Credit beyond
its then Scheduled Termination Date, or (ii) at any time after the Credit
Institution fails to honor a valid draft under the Letter of Credit, or (iii)
in connection with a conversion of the Interest Rate on the Bonds to a Fixed
Rate.

                 (S)      CERTIFICATE AS TO NO DEFAULT.  The Borrower shall
furnish to the Credit Institution within ninety (90) days after the close of
each of its fiscal years a certificate signed by an officer of the general
partner of the Borrower, stating that during such fiscal year and as of the
date of such certificate no event or condition has happened or existed, or is
happening or existing, which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default under
the Financing Documents, or if such an event or condition has occurred or is
occurring, specifying the nature and period of such event or condition and what
action the Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto.

                 (T)      MANAGEMENT OR OPERATING AGREEMENT.  The Borrower
shall not enter into any management or operating agreement for the Project with
any person other than A.R.C. Management Corporation.  The Borrower shall not
modify or amend its management agreement with A.R.C. Management Corporation
without the prior written consent of the Credit Institution.

                 (U)      GENERAL PARTNER.  ARC-LLC shall at all times be the
sole general partner of Borrower, and Borrower shall not change or remove said
general partner or add additional general partners to its partnership without
the prior written consent of the Credit Institution.

                 (V)      AMENDMENT OF FINANCING DOCUMENTS.  The Borrower shall
not amend or consent to the amendment of any of the Financing Documents, the
FUNB-TN Loan Agreement, or any other document executed in connection therewith.

                 SECTION 4.2.  CONTINUOUS OBLIGATIONS; OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.
This Agreement is a continuing obligation and shall (a) be binding upon the
Borrower, its successors and assigns, and (b) inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Credit Institution and its successors, transferees and
assigns; provided, the Borrower may not assign all or any part of this
Agreement without the prior written consent of the Credit Institution.  The
obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement shall be paid or performed
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances
whatsoever, and shall be absolute, irrevocable, and unconditional.





                                   - 21 -
<PAGE>   22

                 SECTION 4.3.  TRANSFER OF LETTER OF CREDIT.  The Letter of
Credit may be transferred in accordance with the provisions set forth therein
and upon any transfer the Borrower shall pay the Credit Institution a transfer
fee of $1,000.

                 SECTION 4.4.  REDUCTION AND REINSTATEMENT OF STATED AMOUNT OF
LETTER OF CREDIT.  The reduction and reinstatement of the Stated Amount by
virtue of drawings under the Letter of Credit shall be as provided therein.

                 SECTION 4.5.  EXTENSION OF THE SCHEDULED TERMINATION DATE.
The Credit Institution, at its sole option, may extend the Scheduled
Termination Date for purposes of this Agreement and the Letter of Credit for
one or more years at a time.  No exercise by the Credit Institution of such
option shall obligate the Borrower to accept and pay any commission on the
extension of this Agreement and the Letter of Credit unless the Borrower shall
consent to such extension.  If the Scheduled Termination Date is extended by
agreement of the parties as provided herein, then the Credit Institution shall
as soon as practicable thereafter give notice to the Trustee of such extension
in the form of Exhibit G to the Letter of Credit.

                 SECTION 4.6.  EVIDENCE OF DEBT.  The Credit Institution shall
maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts
evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each drawing under
the Letter of Credit and the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid
from time to time hereunder.  In any legal action or proceeding in respect of
this Agreement, the entries made in such account or accounts shall be
conclusive evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the
Borrower therein recorded.

                 SECTION 4.7.  OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.  The payment obligations
of the Borrower under this Agreement shall be unconditional and irrevocable,
and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under
all circumstances, including, without limitation, the following circumstances:

              (i)        any lack of validity or enforceability of any of the
Financing Documents;

             (ii)        any amendment or waiver of or any consent to
departure from all or any of the Financing Documents;

            (iii)        the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other
right that the Borrower or the Guarantor may have at any time against the
Trustee or any other beneficiary or any transferee of the Letter of Credit (or
any persons for whom the Trustee, any such beneficiary or any such transferee
may be acting), the Credit Institution, or any other person whether in
connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by any
and all other Financing Documents or any unrelated transaction;





                                   - 22 -
<PAGE>   23

             (iv)         any statement or any other document presented under
the Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient
in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any
respect;

              (v)         payment by the Credit Institution under the Letter of
Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not strictly
comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit; or

             (vi)         any other circumstance or happening whatsoever,
whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including, without limitation,
any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to,
or a discharge of, the Borrower.


                                 ARTICLE V.
                            DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

                 SECTION 5.1.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  Unless waived by the Credit
Institution pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, each of the following shall
constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

                 (A)      Any representation or warranty made in this
Agreement, in any certificate, report or opinion (including legal opinion),
financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with this
Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents proves to have been untrue or
incomplete in any material respect when made;

                 (B)      The Borrower fails to pay on the date on which the
same is due and payable as herein provided any payment required by this
Agreement and/or the Standby Note to be paid by the Borrower and the same is
not cured within two (2) Business Days;

                 (C)      If, for any reason (other than release by the Credit
Institution), the Mortgage, the Security Agreement, the Collateral Agreement,
the Pledge Agreement or any Guaranty Agreement ceases to be in full force and
effect;

                 (D)      The Borrower is dissolved;

                 (E)      Any judgment against the Borrower or any attachment
or levy against the property of the Borrower with respect to a claim for an
amount in excess of $100,000 not adequately insured or indemnified against,
remains unpaid, unstayed on appeal, undischarged, unbonded or undismissed for a
period of twenty (20) days;

                 (F)      A default or an event of default occurs and continues
beyond any applicable cure period under the Mortgage, the Security Agreement,
the Collateral Agreement, the Pledge





                                   - 23 -
<PAGE>   24

Agreement, any Guaranty Agreement, the Loan Agreement, or any of the other
Financing Documents;

                 (G)      A default or an event of default occurs and continues
beyond any applicable cure period under the FUNB-TN Loan Agreement or any other
document evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to FUNB-NC and/or FUNB-TN;

                 (H)      The Borrower shall fail to make any payment due from
it on any indebtedness or other security for borrowed money beyond any
applicable cure period (whether its liability therefor is direct or
contingent), or if any event (other than the mere passage of time) or any
condition in respect of any indebtedness or other security for borrowed money
of the Borrower (whether its liability therefor is direct or contingent) or
under any agreement securing or relating to such indebtedness or other security
for borrowed money shall occur the effect of which, after the giving of any
required notice and the expiration of any applicable cure period, is to cause
(or permit any holder of such indebtedness or other security or a trustee to
cause) such indebtedness or other security, or a portion thereof, to become due
prior to its stated maturity or prior to its regularly scheduled dates of
payment, or if any such indebtedness or other security for borrowed money
otherwise is accelerated and becomes due prior to its stated maturity or prior
to its regularly scheduled dates of payment;

                 (I)      The determination by the Credit Institution in good
faith that a material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition of
any Guarantor which will impair such Guarantor's ability to comply with its
obligations under its Guaranty Agreement; provided, however, that any such
material adverse change shall not constitute an Event of Default hereunder
until thirty (30) days following written notice from the Credit Institution to
the Borrower of such material adverse change;

                 (J)      (i) Failure of the Borrower to pay generally its
debts as they become due, (ii) commencement by the Borrower of a voluntary case
under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any
other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law,
(iii) consent by the Borrower to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official for the
Borrower or any substantial part of its property, or to the taking possession
by any such official of any substantial part of the property of the Borrower,
(iv) making by the Borrower of any assignment for the benefit of creditors or
(v) taking of action by the Borrower in furtherance of any of the foregoing;

                 (K)      The (i) entry of any decree or order for relief by a
court having jurisdiction over the Borrower or its property in an involuntary
case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any
other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law,
(ii) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian,
sequestrator or similar official for the Borrower or any substantial part of
its property or (iii) entry of any order for the termination or liquidation of
the Borrower or its affairs;





                                   - 24 -
<PAGE>   25

                 (L)      Failure of the Borrower within thirty (30) days after
the commencement of any proceedings against it under the federal bankruptcy
laws or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law, to have such proceedings dismissed or stayed;

                 (M)      Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.8 hereof,
any material provision of this Agreement at any time for any reason ceases to
be valid and binding on the Borrower, or is declared to be null and void, or
the validity or enforceability thereof is contested by the Borrower or any
governmental agency or authority, or the Borrower denies that it has any or
further liability or obligation under this Agreement or any of the other
Financing Documents;

                 (N)      The Borrower at any time shall not hold or shall fail
to renew any certificates of need, material operating licenses or accreditation
documents necessary to operate the Project or its related home health agency
business;

                 (O)      The Credit Institution, at any time, shall not hold a
valid, perfected security interest or lien in any of the collateral described
in Section 3.5 and in Section 3.6(B) hereof (subject only to Permitted
Encumbrances) or any subordinate liens will be placed against any of such
collateral, including, but not limited to, any liens for any delinquent taxes
whatsoever, except for a tax lien that is being contested in good faith and for
which Borrower provides additional security satisfactory in all respects to the
Credit Institution and except for Permitted Encumbrances; or

                 (P)      The Borrower defaults in the due and punctual
observance or performance of any other term, covenant or agreement herein
contained (other than as specified elsewhere in this Section 5.1), which
default remains unremedied for thirty (30) days (or such other cure period as
may be specified herein) after the earlier of (i) written notice from the
Credit Institution to the Borrower of such breach or (ii) Borrower's knowledge
of the occurrence of such breach.

                 Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under this
Agreement, the Credit Institution, by notice to the Borrower (except that such
notice to the Borrower shall not be required in the case of any Event of
Default under Section 5.1(E), (J), (K) (L) or (M) above), may in its sole
discretion, but shall not be obligated to (i) declare all amounts outstanding
and payable by the Borrower under this Agreement to be forthwith due and
payable, and the same shall thereupon become immediately due and payable
without demand, presentment, protest or further notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived, and (ii) pursue any other remedy permitted
to the Credit Institution under the Financing Documents, under any other
collateral agreements securing the Borrower's obligations hereunder, or at law
or in equity, including but not limited to directing the Trustee to accelerate
the Bonds and the Trustee to make a drawing under the Letter of Credit to pay
or purchase the Bonds in accordance with Section 702 of the Indenture.  In the
event the Credit Institution determines to exercise its right to direct the
Trustee to accelerate the Bonds and the Trustee to make a drawing under the
Letter of Credit to pay or purchase the Bonds in accordance with Section 702 of
the Indenture as a result of a covenant default hereunder, the Credit
Institution shall give the Trustee the notice pursuant to





                                   - 25 -
<PAGE>   26

Section 702(c) of the Indenture.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
hereunder, the Credit Institution may also exercise any right of a secured
party under the Uniform Commercial Code as to (i) any Bonds held by it as
pledgee pursuant to a Tender Drawing, (ii) the collateral in the Reimbursement
Account, and (iii) the fixtures, equipment and other personal property located
on, used in connection with or arising from the Collateral Real Estate and the
collateral provided in the Collateral Agreement; and, in addition to all
remedies available to the Credit Institution at law or in equity, pursuant to
any claim of subrogation by reason of any payment made pursuant to the Letter
of Credit, the Credit Institution in accordance with the Indenture shall be
entitled to enforce the rights of the owners of the Bonds under the Indenture
and the other Financing Documents against the Borrower notwithstanding any
payment, satisfaction or discharge thereof, irrespective of whether such
payment, satisfaction or discharge shall have been entered as a matter of
record in any court or other office wherein liens, mortgages, deeds of trust or
financing statements are filed pursuant to law.

                 SECTION 5.2.  NO WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  No failure by
the Credit Institution to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under
this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right under this Agreement preclude any other further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.  No waiver under this
Agreement shall be valid unless in writing signed by the Borrower and the
Credit Institution, and, unless otherwise specified in such waiver, shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which
given and shall not preclude the right of the Credit Institution to require
strict compliance with the terms hereof in any subsequent instance, whether
similar or dissimilar.  The remedies in this Agreement are cumulative and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.


                                 ARTICLE VI.
                                MISCELLANEOUS

                 SECTION 6.1.  RIGHT OF SET-OFF.  In addition to any other,
right or remedy that the Credit Institution may have by operation of law or
otherwise, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under this Agreement,
the Credit Institution shall be entitled to exercise its banker's lien upon and
its right to set-off against any and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts
or moneys at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by the
Credit Institution to or for the credit or account of the Borrower and apply
the same against the payment of any and all of the obligations of the Borrower
now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any of the other Financing
Documents.

                 SECTION 6.2.  LIABILITIES.  All acts, including any failure to
act, relating to the Project and the issuance of the Bonds and the Letter of
Credit by any director, officer, employee, agent, representative or designee of
the Credit Institution are performed solely for the benefit of the Credit
Institution to assure repayment of the Borrower's obligations to the Credit
Institution hereunder and under the other Financing Documents and are not for
the benefit of the Borrower





                                   - 26 -
<PAGE>   27

or the benefit of any other person.  Under no circumstances whatsoever shall
the Credit Institution, its directors, officers or employees, be deemed to
assume any responsibility for, or obligation or duty with respect to, any part
or all of the collateral of any nature or kind whatsoever, or in any matter or
proceedings arising out of or relating thereto.  The Credit Institution shall
not be required to take any action of any kind to collect or protect any
interest in the collateral, including but not limited to, the collection of the
Loan, or to take any action necessary to preserve the Credit Institution's or
the Borrower's rights against prior parties to any of the collateral.  To the
extent permitted by law, the Credit Institution shall not be liable or
responsible in any way for the safekeeping, care or custody of any of the
collateral, for any loss or damage thereto or for any diminution in the value
thereof, or for any act or default of the Borrower or any of its agents or any
third party, but the same shall be at the Borrower's sole risk at all times.
Neither the Credit Institution nor any of its directors, officers or employees
shall be liable or responsible for: (a) the use which may be made of the Letter
of Credit or moneys drawn thereunder or for any acts or omissions of the
Trustee and any beneficiary in connection therewith; (b) the validity,
sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsements thereon, even
if such documents should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid,
insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (c) payment by the Credit Institution
against presentation of documents provided such documents on their face appear
to be in order and in compliance with the Letter of Credit; and (d) any other
circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under the Letter
of Credit, except only that the Borrower shall have a claim against the Credit
Institution, and the Credit Institution shall be liable to the Borrower, to the
extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential,
damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by (i)
the Credit Institution's willful misconduct or gross negligence in determining
whether documents presented under the Letter of Credit comply with the terms of
the Letter of Credit or (ii) the Credit Institution's willful failure to pay
under the Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the Trustee or a
successor trustee of a sight draft and certificate strictly complying with the
terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit (absent issuance of a court order
purporting to enjoin such payment).  In furtherance and not in limitation of
the foregoing, the Credit Institution may accept documents that appear on their
face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation,
regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.  Except as otherwise
provided in this paragraph, the Borrower hereby releases the Credit Institution
from any claims, causes of action and demands at any time arising out of or
with respect to this Reimbursement Agreement and any actions taken or omitted
to be taken by the Credit Institution with respect thereto, and the Borrower
hereby agrees to hold the Credit Institution harmless from and with respect to
any and all such claims, causes of action and demands.

                 The Borrower further agrees that the Credit Institution shall
not be chargeable for any negligence, mistake, act or omission of any
accountant, examiner, agent, attorney, receiver or operator contracted for by
the Credit Institution in making examinations or investigations, or otherwise
in perfecting, maintaining, protecting or realizing upon any security for the
Borrower's obligations hereunder and selected with reasonable care by the
Credit Institution; provided,





                                   - 27 -
<PAGE>   28

however, the Credit Institution shall be liable for the gross negligence or
wilful misconduct of any such accountant, examiner, agent, attorney, receiver
or operator.

                 SECTION 6.3.  ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE.  The Borrower will, upon
not less than ten (10) days' request by the Credit Institution, execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Credit Institution or to such other person(s) as
the Credit Institution shall identify a statement in writing, certifying (a)
that this Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect and the payments
required by this Agreement to be paid by the Borrower have been paid, and (b)
the then unpaid principal balance of the Bonds; and stating whether or not to
the knowledge of the signer of such certificate any party to any of the
Financing Documents is in default in the performance of any covenant, agreement
or condition contained therein and, if so, specifying each such default of
which the signer may have knowledge, it being intended that any such statement
delivered pursuant to this section may be relied upon by the Credit Institution
and such other person(s) to whom such statement is made.

                 SECTION 6.4.  MODIFICATIONS.  No modification or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement nor consent to any departure by the Borrower
therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be approved in
writing, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  No notice to or demand
on the Borrower not provided for herein in any case shall entitle the Borrower
to any other or further notice or demand not provided for herein in the same,
similar or other circumstance.

                 SECTION 6.5.  SUCCESSORS; TERM.  This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and shall be binding upon each successor or assign of each
party.  This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the Credit
Institution shall no longer be bound to fund under the Letter of Credit and the
Borrower shall have paid all amounts due hereunder and under the other
Financing Documents and complied with all other provisions and conditions of
this Agreement.

                 SECTION 6.6.  FEES AND EXPENSES; EXPENSES OF COLLECTION. The
Borrower shall pay all fees of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Placement Agent,
the Remarketing Agent and the Credit Institution and shall pay all fees and
expenses of, or reimburse the Credit Institution for amounts therefor paid by
it to, all appraisers (regardless of whether engaged by the Borrower or the
Credit Institution), engineers, surveyors, environmental auditors, architects,
title insurers and counsel performing services for the Issuer, the Trustee, the
Borrower, the Placement Agent, the Remarketing Agent and the Credit Institution
and Bond Counsel with respect to or in any way connected with the Bonds, the
Financing Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby.  The Borrower
agrees to pay all expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees, which are
incurred or paid by the Credit Institution in administering this Agreement,
determining its rights and responsibilities hereunder and under the other
Financing Documents and collecting any amounts due it or protecting or
enforcing any of its rights hereunder and thereunder, and notwithstanding any
disposition of any collateral securing the Credit Institution hereunder and
thereunder, the Borrower shall pay to the Credit Institution any deficiencies
which remain after such disposition.  In addition, the Borrower shall pay any
and all stamp, recording, transfer and other taxes and fees





                                   - 28 -
<PAGE>   29

payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery,
filing and any recording of any Financing Documents and agrees to save the
Credit Institution harmless from and against any and all liabilities with
respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or omission to pay such taxes
and fees.  The Borrower shall pay any brokerage fees or commissions arising
from the issuance of the Bonds and the Letter of Credit and shall defend,
indemnify, and hold the Credit Institution harmless against any and all
expenses, liabilities and losses arising from such claims in connection
therewith.

                 SECTION  6.7.  NOTICES.  All demands, notices, approvals,
consents, requests and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in
electronic, telephonic or written (including bank wire, telegram, telecopier,
telex or similar writing) form and shall be given to the party to whom sent,
addressed to it, at its address or telephone or telecopier number set forth
below or such other address or telephone or telecopier number as such party may
hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other party set forth below.
Each such notice, request or communication shall be effective (a) if given by
telephone, telex, telecopier or other electronic means, when such communication
is transmitted to the address specified below and any appropriate answerback is
received, (b) if given by mail, three (3) Business Days after such
communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid,
addressed as aforesaid, (c) if given by any other means, when delivered at the
address specified below:


              (i)         If to the Borrower:

                          American Retirement Communities, L.P.
                          c/o American Retirement Corporation
                          Suite 402, 111 Westwood Place
                          Brentwood, Tennessee  37027
                          Attention:  George Hicks
                          Telephone No.:  (615) 221-2260
                          Telecopier No.:  (615) 221-2269

             (ii)         If to the Credit Institution:

                          First Union National Bank of Tennessee
                          150 Fourth Avenue North
                          Nashville, Tennessee 37219
                          Attention: Scott Miler
                          Telephone No.:  (615) 251-0768
                          Telecopier No.:  (615) 251-9461

or (iii) in either of the foregoing cases, at such other address or telex,
telecopier, bank wire or telephone number as the addressee may hereafter
specify for the purpose in a notice to the other party specifically captioned
"Notice of Change of Address Pursuant to Section 6.7 of the Reimbursement
Agreement."





                                   - 29 -
<PAGE>   30


                 SECTION 6.8.   ILLEGALITY.  If fulfillment of any provision
hereof at the time performance of such provision shall be due shall involve
transcending the limit of validity prescribed by law, then ipso facto, the
obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of such validity; and
if any clause or provisions herein contained other than the provisions hereof
pertaining to reimbursement of amounts drawn under the Letter of Credit and
payment of Letter of Credit fees operates or would prospectively operate to
invalidate this Agreement in whole or in part, then such clause or provision
only shall be void, as though not herein contained, and the remainder of this
Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect; and if such
provision impairs reimbursement of any amounts drawn under the Letter of Credit
or payment of fees due hereunder, then, at the option of the Credit
Institution, all amounts due from the Borrower under this Agreement shall
become immediately due and payable.

                 SECTION 6.9.   ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement may not be assigned
by the Borrower without the prior written consent of the Credit Institution.

                 SECTION 6.10.  PARTICIPATIONS.  The Borrower recognizes that
the Credit Institution or a participant may sell and transfer interests in the
Letter of Credit to one or more participants or subparticipants and that all
documentation, financial statements, appraisals and other data, or copies
thereof, relevant to the Borrower or the Letter of Credit may be exhibited to
and retained by any such participant or subparticipant whether actual or
prospective.

                 SECTION 6.11.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed
in multiple counterparts or copies, each of which shall be deemed an original
hereof for all purposes.  One or more counterparts or copies of this Agreement
may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto, and some different
counterparts or copies executed by other parties.  Each counterpart or copy
hereof executed by any party hereto shall be binding upon the party executing
same even though other parties may execute one or more different counterparts
or copies and all counterparts or copies hereof so executed shall constitute
but one and the same instrument.  Each party hereto ("Signing Party"), by
execution of a counterpart or copy hereof, expressly authorizes and directs any
other party hereto to detach the signature pages and/or acknowledgment,
attestation, witness, jurat or similar pages thereto from the counterpart or
copy hereof executed by Signing Party and affix same to another identical
counterpart or copy hereof such that upon execution of multiple counterparts or
copies hereof by all parties hereto, there shall be one counterpart or copy
hereof to which the attached signature pages containing signatures of all
parties hereto together with any such acknowledgment, attestation, witness,
jurat or similar pages relating thereto.

                 SECTION 6.12.  RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.  As to the rights and
obligations of the Borrower and the Credit Institution against and to each
other, the provisions of this Agreement and the Mortgage shall control to the
extent they are inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture, the Loan
Agreement or any other Financing Documents.

                 SECTION 6.13.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be
governed by the internal laws of the State of Tennessee without reference to
choice of law principles.





                                   - 30 -
<PAGE>   31


                 SECTION 6.14.  INDENTURE.  The Borrower acknowledges and
consents to the provisions of the Indenture.

                 SECTION 6.15.  CONSENT TO SERVICE; WAIVER OF JURY.

                 (A)      The Borrower agrees that any suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Reimbursement Agreement, the
Standby Note, the other Financing Documents or any related documents may be
instituted against it in any Tennessee court or in any U.S. District Court
sitting in the State of Tennessee (assuming such latter court has jurisdiction
over such suit, action or proceeding), at the option of the person or entity
bringing such suit, action or proceeding, and the Borrower waives any objection
which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or
proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any such court in
any such suit, action or proceeding.  Nothing herein shall affect the right of
the Credit Institution to serve process in any manner permitted by law or to
commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Borrower in any
other jurisdiction.

                 (B)      TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE BORROWER
HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE
TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON OR ARISING OUT
OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT, THE STANDBY NOTE
OR THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS.

                 SECTION 6.16.  ACTION BY CREDIT INSTITUTION THROUGH AND
RELIANCE UPON OTHERS.  The Credit Institution may execute and perform any of
the duties or powers required of it hereunder by or through attorneys,
receivers or agents, shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters with respect to its duties hereunder, and shall not be answerable for
the default or negligence of any such attorney, receiver or agent selected by
it with reasonable care, or for the exercise of any discretion or power under
this Agreement except only for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct,
or that of its attorneys, receivers or agents.

                 SECTION 6.17.  CREDIT INSTITUTION MAY RELY UPON INSTRUMENTS.
Absent its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Credit Institution
shall be protected and shall incur no liability in acting or proceeding in good
faith upon any resolution, notice, telegram, request, consent, waiver,
certificate, statement, affidavit, voucher, bond, requisition or other paper or
document which it shall in good faith believe to be genuine and to have been
passed or signed by the proper person or to have been prepared and furnished
pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement, and the Credit Institution
shall be under no duty to make any investigation or inquiry as to any
statements contained or matters referred to in any such instrument, but may
accept and rely upon the same as evidence of the truth and accuracy of such
statements.

                 SECTION 6.18.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  The Financing Documents
shall completely and fully supersede all other prior commitments, both written
and oral, between the Credit Institution





                                   - 31 -
<PAGE>   32

and the Borrower relating to the obligations of the Borrower thereunder, and
neither the Credit Institution nor the Borrower shall hereafter have any rights
under such other prior commitments but shall look solely to the Financing
Documents for definition and determination of all of their respective rights,
liabilities and responsibilities relating to the obligations of the Borrower
thereunder.

                 SECTION 6.19.  GENDER.  Whenever used herein, the singular
number shall include the plural, the plural the singular and the use of the
masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include all genders.

                 SECTION 6.20.  HEADINGS.  The headings in this Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms
hereof.


                 WITNESS the following signatures, all as of the date first 
above written.


                                        American Retirement Communities, L.P.,
                                        a Tennessee limited partnership

                                        By:  American Retirement Communities,
                                             LLC, a Tennessee limited
                                             liability company, its sole
                                             general partner


                                             By: /s/____________________________
                                                

                                             Its:_______________________________

                                        FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF TENNESSEE, 
                                        a national banking association


                                        By /s/__________________________________
                                          
                                        Its_____________________________________


                                        FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH
                                        CAROLINA, a national banking association


                                        By /s/__________________________________

                                        Its_____________________________________
                                        
                                        





                                   - 32 -
<PAGE>   33



                             FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                           REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT

                 This First Amendment to Reimbursement Agreement ("Amendment")
is entered into as of the 18th day of February, 1997 by FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA, a national banking association; FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK OF TENNESSEE, a national banking association (these two banks are referred
to herein collectively as the "Credit Institution");  and AMERICAN RETIREMENT
COMMUNITIES, L.P. ("Borrower"), a Tennessee limited partnership.

                                  RECITALS:

                 WHEREAS, the Credit Institution and Borrower have previously
entered into that Reimbursement Agreement (the "Reimbursement Agreement") dated
as of October 31, 1994 (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meaning assigned in the Reimbursement Agreement); and

                 WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend the Reimbursement Agreement
in certain respects;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                 1.       The Reimbursement Agreement is hereby amended by
revising the table of required deposits set forth in Section 3.1(A)(iv) thereof
to provide in full as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          

                          Payment Date                                       Amount
                          ------------                                       ------
                          <S>                                                <C>
                          March 31, 1997,                                    $60,000.00
                          June 30, 1997 and
                          September 30, 1997

                          December 31, 1997                                  $65,000.00
</TABLE>

                 2.       The Reimbursement Agreement is hereby amended by
revising the definition of "Letter of Credit" on page 5 thereof to read in full
as follows:

                          "Letter of Credit" shall mean the Letter of Credit
                 issued by FUNB-NC to the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement in
                 the form of Exhibit A hereto, as supplemented, modified,
                 extended, restated or amended from time to time.





<PAGE>   34

                 3.       The Reimbursement Agreement is hereby amended by
revising the definition of "Scheduled Termination Date" on page 5 thereof to
read in full as follows:

                          "Scheduled Termination Date" shall mean the "Stated
Expiration Date" as set forth in the Letter of Credit from time to time.

                 4.       The Reimbursement Agreement is hereby amended by
revising the reference to "Exhibit G" in the last sentence of Section 4.5
thereof to be a reference to "Annex D".

                 5.       Pursuant to Section 3.2(A) of the Reimbursement
Agreement, Borrower hereby elects the quarterly payment option of Section
3.2(A)(ii) at the rate of 1.15%, as provided therein.

                 6.       Concurrently with the execution hereof, the Credit
Institution shall issue and deliver to the Trustee an extension of the Stated
Expiration Date to March 31, 1998 in the form annexed to the Letter of Credit
as Annex D.

                 7.       Concurrently with the execution of this Amendment,
Borrower shall pay to the Credit Institution a renewal fee in the amount of
$10,221.13 (1/8% of the stated amount of the Letter of Credit).

                 8.       As amended hereby, the Reimbursement Agreement
remains in full effect, and all agreements among the parties with respect to
the subject hereof are represented fully in this Amendment and the other
written documents among the parties.  The validity, construction and
enforcement hereof shall be determined according to the substantive laws of the
State of Tennessee.

                 Dated as of the date stated above.


                                               FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                               OF NORTH CAROLINA

                                               By: /s/__________________________
                                               Title:___________________________


                                               FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF 
                                               TENNESSEE
 
                                               By: /s/__________________________
                                               Title:___________________________





                                    - 2 -
<PAGE>   35





                                               AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES,
                                               L.P.

                                               BY:  AMERICAN RETIREMENT 
                                                    COMMUNITIES, L.L.C., G.P.


                                               By: /s/__________________________

                                               Title:___________________________





                                    - 3 -

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.16

                                
================================================================================



                               LOAN AGREEMENT





                                   between



                      FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                 as Borrower



                                     and



                    GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
                                  as Lender





                              January ___, 1996
================================================================================

<PAGE>   2

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page No.
                                                                                                                 --------
         <S>              <C>                                                                                          <C>

                                                            ARTICLE 1
                                                       CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         Section 1.1      Certain Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

                                                            ARTICLE 2
                                                        COMMITMENT TO LEND

         Section 2.1      Commitment to Lend  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
         Section 2.2      Interest Rate; Late Charge  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

                                                            ARTICLE 3
                                                         TERMS OF PAYMENT

         Section 3.1      Terms of Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11

                                                            ARTICLE 4
                                           CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE INITIAL ADVANCE

         Section 4.1      Conditions Precedent to the Initial Advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13

                                                            ARTICLE 5
                                                 RESERVES, HOLDBACKS AND ADVANCES

         Section 5.1      Subsequent Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
         Section 5.2      Capital Expenditures Reserve  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
         Section 5.3      Monthly Principal Reductions and Advances for Ad Valorem Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         Section 5.4      Existing Reserves for Capital Expenditures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22

                                                            ARTICLE 6
                                                     CERTAIN RIGHTS OF LENDER

         Section 6.1      Remedies Upon Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         Section 6.2      Letter of Credit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         Section 6.3      Indemnification of Lender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23

                                                            ARTICLE 7
                                                         OTHER AGREEMENTS
</TABLE>




                                      i
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
         <S>              <C>                                                                                          <C>
         Section 7.1      Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
         Section 7.2      Limitation on Interest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
         Section 7.3      Invalid Provisions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         Section 7.4      Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         Section 7.5      Commitment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         Section 7.6      Lender Not in Control; No Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         Section 7.7      Time of the Essence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         Section 7.8      Limitation on Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         Section 7.9      Successors and Assigns  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         Section 7.10     Promotional Material  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         Section 7.11     Right of First Offer for Credit Facility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         Section 7.12     Substitution and Replacement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         Section 7.13     Releases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25

                                                            ARTICLE 8
                                                            COVENANTS

         Section 8.1      Commitment Fee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
         Section 8.2      Liens, Mortgages, Encumbrances, Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
         Section 8.3      Operating Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
         Section 8.4      Rent Rolls, Leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
         Section 8.5      Site Inspections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
         Section 8.6      Noncompliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
         Section 8.7      Consultant  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
         Section 8.8      Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         Section 8.9      Reserves, Deposits, Escrows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         Section 8.10     Management  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         Section 8.11     ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         Section 8.12     Cash Operating Reserve Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         Section 8.13     Security Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         Section 8.14     Cash Flow Summaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         Section 8.15     Limitation on Other Indebtedness  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         Section 8.16     Legal Existence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         Section 8.17     Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         Section 8.19     Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         Section 8.20     Non-Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         Section 8.21     Key Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         Section 8.22     Medicare Certification, Licenses and Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
         Section 8.23     Immediate Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
</TABLE>




                                      ii
<PAGE>   4

                            LIST OF DEFINED TERMS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page No.
                                                                                                                 --------
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>

Additional Facilities Advances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
Advances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
ARC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
ARC, LP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
ARC, LLC  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
ARC Fort Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
Assignment of Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Assignment of Management Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Assignment of Rents and Leases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
Borrower  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
Broadway  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Business Purpose Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
Business Day  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Capital Expenditures Reserve  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Capital Expenditures Reserve  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Capital Expenditures Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Capital Expenditures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Cash on Cash Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Commitment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Credit Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Debt Service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Debt Service Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Deed of Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Default Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Excess Cash Flow  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Existing Loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Facility Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
Fourth Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
GENEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Guarantors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Guaranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Hampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Holdbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Immediate Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6

</TABLE>



                                     iii
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
Initial Advance   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Lender  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
Letter of Credit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Loan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Loan Papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Loan Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Maturity Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Net Revenues Available for Debt Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Note  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Note 2  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Note 1  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
Operating Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Parkplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Plan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Preceding Loan Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Projects  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
REIT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Residency Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Resident  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Revenues  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Santa Catalina  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Security Deposit Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Subsequent Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Summit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Total Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Westlake Village  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Yield Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
</TABLE>




                                      iv
<PAGE>   6

                                LOAN AGREEMENT


         This Loan Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is entered into as of January
4, 1996 between GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation
("LENDER"), and FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited partnership
("BORROWER").  In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, Lender and Borrower agree as follows:

                                  ARTICLE 1
                             CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         Section 1.1      CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following
terms have the meanings indicated:

                 "ARC" means American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee 
         corporation.

                 "AFFILIATE" means ARC, ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a
         Tennessee corporation ("ARC FORT AUSTIN"), American Retirement
         Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership ("ARC, LP"), and
         American Retirement Communities, L.L.C., a Tennessee limited liability
         company ("ARC, LLC") and any person which, directly or indirectly,
         controls or is controlled by or is under common control with Borrower,
         and/or any one of ARC, ARC Fort Austin, ARC, LP and ARC, LLC.  For the
         purpose of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative
         meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with")
         means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
         cause the direction of management and policies, whether through the
         ownership of voting securities or interests or by contract or otherwise
         and shall include, without limitation, any and all constituent partners
         (at any tier), at any time, comprising a partnership.

                 "AGREEMENT" means this Loan Agreement, which is in complete
         substitution for and replacement of each earlier Loan Agreement
         between Borrower and Lender and between Borrower and GENEL.

                 "ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES" means, collectively, and as
         amended, the following Assignments of Rents and Leases:

                          (a)     Assignment of Rents and Leases dated June 14,
                 1994, executed by Borrower, recorded in Docket 9814, Page 1959
                 in the Real Property Records of Pima County, Arizona, relating
                 to Santa Catalina, assigned to Lender and modified to relate
                 to the Loan;




                                      1
<PAGE>   7

                          (b)     Assignment of Rents and Leases dated April 1,
                 1992, executed by Borrower recorded in Volume 10585, Page
                 1435, et seq., of the Real Property Records of Tarrant County,
                 Texas, and in Volume 11656, Page 0665, et seq., of the Real
                 Property Records of Travis County, Texas, assigning to Lender
                 all of the rents and leases of Broadway and Summit, as
                 modified;

                          (c)     the Assignments of Rents and Leases dated of
                 even date herewith, executed by Borrower, filed in the Real
                 Property Records of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, for Westlake
                 Village, filed in the Real Property Records of Denver County,
                 Colorado for Parkplace, and filed in the office of the County
                 Clerk of Harris County, Texas for Hampton, assigning to Lender
                 all of the rents and leases of Parkplace, Hampton, and
                 Westlake Village; and

                          (d)     any other assignment of rents and leases in
                 favor of Lender and pertaining to the rents and leases of the
                 Projects.

                 "ASSIGNMENT OF MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT" means, collectively,
         those agreements styled Assignment and Subordination of Management
         Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, executed by
         Borrower and A.R.C. Management Corporation, assigning to Lender the
         management agreements for the Projects.

                 "ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS" means, collectively, those
         agreements styled Assignment and Subordination of Service Contract, in
         form and substance satisfactory to Lender, executed by Borrower and
         contractors under service agreements for the operation of the
         Projects.

                 "BROADWAY" means Broadway Plaza at Cityview Retirement Center,
         consisting of approximately 126 independent residential living units,
         88 villas, 40 assisted living units, and a 122-bed skilled/
         intermediate care health center on 20.013 acres located at 5301 Bryant
         Irvin Road, Fort Worth, Texas, including parking for 355 automobiles,
         and more particularly described on Exhibit A.

                 "BUSINESS DAY" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday,
         or day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the
         State of New York.

                 "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means any costs approved in writing by
         Lender, including the Immediate Repairs described on Exhibit D, for
         (a) replacing or correcting damages, or defects (as opposed to normal
         repairs and recurring expenses) to any Project, including, but not
         limited to, roofing, foundation work, exterior painting, parking lot
         and structures, kitchen appliances, carpeting, furnishings, fixtures,
         equipment, vehicles, office equipment, landscaping, heating,




                                      2
<PAGE>   8

         ventilating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical and
         mechanical systems, and (b) any additions constructed in, on, about,
         or under such Projects, provided, further that none of the costs for
         any Capital Expenditures shall be paid from any Loan proceeds and no
         costs incurred for or amounts included as Capital Expenditures shall
         be included as a part of Total Expenses.

                 "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES RESERVE" has the meaning assigned to
         such term in Article 5 of this Agreement.

                 "CASH ON CASH RETURN" means the amount, expressed as a
         percentage, equal to annualized Net Revenues Available for Debt
         Service divided by the outstanding principal balance on the Loan.

                 "COMMITMENT" means the commitment letter, dated December 21,
         1995, issued by Lender to Borrower and accepted by Borrower on
         December 21, 1995.

                 "COMMITMENT FEE" means a fee in the amount of $245,000,
         payable to Lender in consideration for the Commitment and payable as
         provided in Section 8.1.

                 "DEBT SERVICE" means the aggregate principal payments (other
         than payments of Excess Cash Flow applied to reduction of principal),
         interest payments and other payments by Borrower on the Loan, other
         than required additions to the Capital Expenditures Reserve and any
         other reserves deemed necessary by Lender, and on all other
         outstanding permitted indebtedness (other than indebtedness evidenced
         by the Subordinated Notes), if any, relating to the Projects for the
         period of time for which calculated.

                 "DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE" means the ratio of total Net Revenues
         Available for Debt Service to total Debt Service.

                 "DEED OF TRUST" means, collectively, and as amended, the
         following Deeds of Trust:

                          (a)     First Deed of Trust and Security Agreement,
                 dated April 1, 1992, executed by Borrower for the benefit of
                 Lender, recorded at Volume 10585, Page 1351, et. seq., of the
                 Real Property Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and recorded
                 at Volume 11656, Page 0625, et. seq., of the Real Property
                 Records of Travis County, Texas, encumbering Broadway and
                 Summit, and amended by (i) First Modification Agreement dated
                 May 27, 1993, among Lender, Borrower, and ARC; (ii) Second
                 Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement dated June 14,
                 1994, among Lender, Borrower and ARC, recorded at Volume
                 12209, Page 0555, et seq., of the Real Property Records of
                 Tarrant County, Texas and




                                      3
<PAGE>   9

         recorded at Volume 12209, Page 0555, et seq., of the Real Property
         Records of Travis County, Texas; and (iii) the Third Modification and
         (iv) the Fourth Modification;

                          (b)     First Deed of Trust and Security Agreement,
                 dated October 31, 1994, executed by Borrower for the benefit
                 of GENEL, recorded in Docket 9814, Page 1910, et seq., of the
                 Real Property Records of Pima County, Arizona, encumbering
                 Santa Catalina, assigned to Lender and modified to secure the
                 Loan;

                          (c)     Second Deed of Trust and Security Agreement,
                 dated of even date herewith, executed by Borrower for the
                 benefit of Lender and encumbering Broadway and Summit;

                          (d)     First Deed of Trust and Security Agreement,
                 dated of even date herewith, executed by Borrower for the
                 benefit of Lender and encumbering Parkplace, and filed for
                 recording in the Real Property Records of Denver County,
                 Colorado;

                          (e)     First Deed of Trust and Security Agreement,
                 dated of even date herewith, executed by Borrower for the
                 benefit of Lender, encumbering Hampton and filed in the Office
                 of the County Clerk of Harris County, Texas;

                          (f)     Open-End Mortgage and Security Agreement,
                 dated of even date herewith, executed by Borrower for the
                 benefit of Lender, encumbering Westlake Village and filed in
                 the Real Property Records of Cuyahoga County, Ohio; and

                          (g)     any other deed of trust, mortgage or similar
                 instrument encumbering the Projects as security for the Loan.

                 "DEFAULT" means an Event of Default as defined in the Deed of
         Trust or any event of default (however defined), arising under any of
         the other Loan Papers or in any other document or instrument
         evidencing or securing the Loan.

                 "DEFAULT RATE"means the lesser of (i) the maximum rate of
         interest allowed by applicable law, or (ii) five percent (5%) per
         annum in excess of the Floating Rate.

                 "EXCESS CASH FLOW" means with respect to the Projects in any
         period, the Net Revenues Available for Debt Service for such period,
         less any required additions to the Capital Expenditures Reserve and
         any other additions to reserves deemed necessary by Lender, less the
         Debt Service for such period.  As such term is used in Note 1, "Excess
         Cash Flow" shall mean total Excess Cash Flow




                                      4
<PAGE>   10

         multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
         principal balance of Note 1 and the denominator of which shall be the
         total principal balance of the Loan; as such term is used in Note 2,
         "Excess Cash Flow" shall mean total Excess Cash Flow multiplied by a
         fraction, the numerator of which shall be the principal balance of
         Note 2 and the denominator of which shall be the total principal
         balance of the Loan.

                 "FACILITY CAPACITY" means the total number of independent
         living units and the total number of assisted living units and skilled
         nursing beds in the Projects.

                 "FIXED RATE" shall mean the rate of interest equal to eight
         and twenty one-hundredths percent (8.20%) per annum for the principal
         balance under the Initial Advance, and, as applicable, the rate of
         interest under any Fixed Rate Election.

                 "FIXED RATE ELECTION" shall mean Borrower's election to have a
         portion of the principal balance of the Loan bear interest at a Fixed
         Rate under Section 2.2.

                 "FLOATING RATE" shall mean the rate of interest equal to two
         and sixty-five one hundredths percent (2.65%) per annum in excess of
         the GECC Composite Commercial Paper Rate (defined below).  "GECC
         COMPOSITE COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE " shall mean the Average
         Interest Expense (defined below) on the actual principal amount of the
         GECC Composite Commercial Paper outstanding for Lender for the full
         fiscal month preceding the interest billing month.  " GECC COMPOSITE
         COMMERCIAL PAPER" shall mean GECC's outstanding commercial paper for
         terms of nine (9) months or less from sources within the United States
         but excluding the current portion of GECC's long term debt and GECC
         Financial Corporation's borrowings and interest expense.  " AVERAGE
         INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean the percentage obtained by dividing the
         interest expense on GECC Composite Commercial Paper for such fiscal
         month by the average daily principal amount of GECC Commercial Paper
         outstanding during such fiscal month, divided by the actual number of
         days in such fiscal month and multiplied by the actual number of days
         in the calendar year.  The GECC Composite Commercial Paper Rate shall
         be determined by Lender and evidenced by a certificate issued by an
         authorized employee of Lender.

                 "FOURTH MODIFICATION" means the Fourth Renewal, Extension and
         Modification Agreement, of even date herewith, between Lender,
         Borrower, and Guarantors, modifying, renewing and extending the
         indebtedness evidenced by Note 1 and the documents securing or
         otherwise pertaining to Note 1.

                 "GENEL" means GENEL Company, Inc., an Oregon corporation.

                 "GUARANTORS" means ARC, ARC Fort Austin, ARC, LP, and ARC,
         LLC.




                                      5
<PAGE>   11

                 "GUARANTY" means that Unconditional Guaranty of
         Payment and Performance, of even date herewith, executed by
         Guarantors for the benefit of Lender and guarantying the payment and
         performance of all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of
         Borrower under and with respect to the Loan and the Loan Papers.

                 "HAMPTON" shall mean The Hampton at Post Oak Road Retirement
         Community, consisting of 149 independent residential living units, 21
         assisted living units on 1.357 acres located at 2929 Post Oak
         Boulevard in Houston, Texas, including adequate parking for
         automobiles, and more particularly described on Exhibit A.

                 "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES INDEMNITY AGREEMENT" means,
         collectively, those Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreements relating
         to environmental conditions of the Projects, executed by Borrower,
         ARC, Fort Austin Associates and ARC Fort Austin for the benefit of
         Lender.

                 "IMMEDIATE REPAIRS" means those repairs to the Projects 
         described on Exhibit D.

                 "INDEMNITY" means the Indemnity, of even date herewith,
         executed by ARC, Fort Austin Associates and ARC Fort Austin,
         indemnifying Lender against certain losses relating to the Loan and
         the Projects.

                 "LETTER OF CREDIT" means the unconditional, irrevocable letter
         of credit in the amount of $650,000, in form and substance
         satisfactory to Lender, from a national banking association
         satisfactory to Lender, and having an expiration date not earlier than
         one year following the date of issuance, as the same may be renewed,
         extended, or replaced.

                 "LOAN PAPERS" means: (a) this Agreement, (b) the Note, (c) the
         Guaranty, (d) the Letter of Credit, (e) the Indemnity, (f) the Deed of
         Trust, (g) the Assignment of Rents and Leases, (h) the Assignment of
         Management Agreement, (i) the Assignment of Contracts, (j) financing
         statements, (k) the Commitment, (l) the Hazardous Substances Indemnity
         Agreement, (m) the Fourth Modification, and (n) any and all other
         documents evidencing, securing, governing or otherwise pertaining to
         the Loan or the Obligations.

                 "LOAN YEAR" shall mean the period between the date hereof and
         December 31, 1996 for the first Loan Year and the period between each
         succeeding January 1 and December 31 until the Maturity Date.




                                      6
<PAGE>   12

                 "MATURITY DATE" means December 31, 2002, or any earlier date
         on which the entire Loan is required to be paid in full, by
         acceleration or otherwise, under this Agreement or any of the other
         Loan Papers.

                 "NET REVENUES AVAILABLE FOR DEBT SERVICE" means, as to any
         period of time, all Revenues minus Total Expenses of Borrower
         (including reserves in an amount equal to one percent (1%) of
         Revenues, other than depreciation, amortization and interest, all as
         determined on an actual or pro forma and consolidated or combined
         basis, as appropriate.  As such term is used in Note 1, "Net Revenues
         Available for Debt Service" shall mean total Net Revenues Available
         for Debt Service multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
         shall be the principal balance of Note 1 and the denominator of which
         shall be the total principal balance of the Loan; as such term is used
         in Note 2, "Net Revenues Available for Debt Service" shall mean total
         Net Revenues Available for Debt Service multiplied by a fraction, the
         numerator of which shall be the principal balance of Note 2 and the
         denominator of which shall be the total principal balance of the Loan.

                 "NET WORTH" means, as to any period of time, total assets
         (after adding back accumulated depreciation, amortization, and other
         reasonable non-cash charges determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles), less total liabilities determined on
         a book basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting
         principles.

                 "NOTE" means, collectively, the following Promissory Notes:
         (a) Promissory Note dated April 1, 1992, in the stated principal
         amount of $24,000,000, executed by Borrower, payable to the order of
         Lender, as modified by First Modification Agreement dated May 27,
         1993, among Lender, Borrower and ARC, as assigned and endorsed payable
         to the order of GENEL, as further modified by Second Renewal,
         Extension and Modification Agreement dated June 14, 1994 among GENEL,
         Borrower and ARC, as further modified by the Third Modification, as
         assigned and endorsed payable to the order of Lender, and as further
         modified by the Fourth Modification (as modified, "NOTE 1"), and (b)
         Promissory Note of even date herewith, in the stated principal amount
         of $73,500,000.00, executed by  Borrower and payable to the order of
         Lender as therein provided ("NOTE 2").

                 "PARKPLACE" means Parkplace Retirement Community, consisting
         of approximately 173 independent residential living units, and 53
         assisted living units on 1.623 acres located at 111 Emerson Street in
         Denver, Colorado, including adequate parking for automobiles, and more
         particularly described on Exhibit A.

                 "PROJECTS" means, collectively, Broadway, Summit, Santa
         Catalina, Parkplace, Hampton, Westlake Village, and any other
         retirement communities




                                      7
<PAGE>   13

         acquired, constructed or developed by Borrower from proceeds of
         Subsequent Advances, and the term "PROJECT" shall mean and refer to
         any of the Projects and all related facilities other amenities,
         fixtures, and personal property owned by Borrower and any improvements
         now or hereafter located on the real property related thereto.

                 "RESIDENCY AGREEMENT" means (a) any lease, residency or other
         rental agreement for the occupancy of residential living units of any
         Project, (b) any admission and financial agreement for the use and
         occupancy of an assisted living unit of any Project, (c) any health
         center admission and financial agreement (private payment) or health
         center admission agreement (Medicare payment) and (d) any other
         express or implied agreement for the occupancy of nursing beds in a
         Project or for space in or use of the Project.

                 "RESIDENT" means any resident of a Project under a Residency
         Agreement.

                 "REVENUES" means for any period, all revenues actually
         received by Borrower from its operations of the Projects, including
         (a) gross resident service revenues less contractual allowances and
         provisions for uncollectible accounts, free care and discounted care,
         if any, plus (b) other operating revenues, plus (c) non-operating
         revenues, plus (d) entrance fees actually paid, if any, net of
         refunds; however, that no determination thereof shall take into
         account (1) income derived from irrevocable deposits, (2) any gain or
         loss resulting from the early extinguishment of indebtedness or the
         sale, exchange or other disposition of properties not in the ordinary
         course of business, (3) gifts, grants, bequests or donations
         restricted as to use by the donor or grantor for a purpose
         inconsistent with the payment of Debt Service and (4) insurance (other
         than business interruption) and condemnation proceeds.  For purposes
         of any calculation that is made with reference to both Revenues and
         Total Expenses, any deduction from gross resident service revenues
         otherwise required by the preceding provisions of this definition
         shall not be made if and to the extent that the amount of such
         deduction is included in Total Expenses.

                 "SANTA CATALINA" means Santa Catalina Villas Retirement
         Community, consisting of approximately 148 independent residential
         living units, and 15 assisted living units, on 11 acres located at
         7500 North Calle Sin Envidia, Tucson, Arizona 85718, including
         adequate parking for automobiles, and more particularly described on
         Exhibit A.

                 "SUBORDINATED NOTES" means those Non-Negotiable Promissory
         Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000, issued by
         Borrower to various investors in Borrower.




                                      8
<PAGE>   14

                 "SUMMIT" means Summit at Westlake Hills Retirement Community
         consisting of approximately 149 independent residential living units,
         30 assisted living units, and a 90-bed skilled/intermediate care
         health center on 14.003 acres located at 1034 Capital Parkway, Austin,
         Texas, including parking for 212 automobiles, and more particularly
         described on Exhibit A.

                 "TOTAL EXPENSES" means, for any period, the total operating
         and non-operating expenses of Borrower relating to the Projects,
         determined on an actual or pro forma consolidated or combined basis,
         as appropriate; however, "Total Expenses" shall not include any
         required additions to the Capital Expenditures Reserve and any
         additions to the other reserves deemed necessary by Lender.

                 "WESTLAKE VILLAGE" means Westlake Village Retirement
         Community, consisting of approximately 212 independent residential
         living units, and 56 assisted living units on 19.6906 acres located at
         28550 Westlake Village Drive, Westlake, Ohio, including parking for
         201 automobiles, and more particularly described on Exhibit A.

                 "YIELD MAINTENANCE" shall mean, with respect to that portion
         of the Loan for which the calculation is to be made, the sum of the
         Present Value on the date of prepayment of each Monthly Interest
         Shortfall for the remaining term of the loan discounted at the monthly
         Replacement Treasury Yield.  The Monthly Interest Shortfall is
         calculated for each monthly payment date as follows:  (i) the positive
         difference, if any, of the Fixed Rate less the Treasury Yield, plus
         the Break Contract Fee of 20 basis points; (ii) divided by 12; (iii)
         multiplied by the portion of the Loan for which the calculation is to
         be made on the date of prepayment.  The Present Value is then
         determined by discounting each Monthly Interest Shortfall at the
         Replacement Treasury Yield divided by 12.  The "BREAK  CONTRACT FEE"
         shall be 20 basis points at all times.  The "REPLACEMENT TREASURY
         YIELD" shall mean the rate of interest equal to the yield to maturity
         of the most recently issued U.S.  Treasury security as quoted in the
         Wall Street Journal on the prepayment date.  If the remaining term is
         less than one year, the Replacement Treasury Yield will equal the
         yield for 1-Year Treasury's.  If the remaining Term is 1-Year, 2-Year,
         etc., then the Replacement Treasury Yield will equal the yield for the
         Treasury's with a maturity equaling the remaining term.  If the
         remaining Term is longer than one year but does not equal one of the
         maturities of the Treasury's being quoted, then the Replacement
         Treasury Yield will equal the yield for the Treasury's with a maturity
         closest to but not exceeding the remaining term.  If the
         Wall Street Journal (i) quotes more than one such rate, the
         highest of such quotes shall apply, or (ii) ceases to publish such
         quotes, the U.S. Treasury security shall be determined from such
         financial reporting service or source as Lender shall determine.



                                      9

<PAGE>   15

                                  ARTICLE 2
                              COMMITMENT TO LEND

         Section 2.1      COMMITMENT TO LEND.  Subject to and upon the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, Lender agrees to advance to Borrower up to
NINETY-SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($97,500,000.00)
(the "LOAN") in one or more advances ("ADVANCES") in accordance with the
Approved Budget attached hereto as Exhibit C and made a part hereof and as
hereinafter provided, for the purposes of (1) refinancing of Broadway, Summit,
Santa Catalina, Parkplace, Hampton, and Westlake Village, (2) providing up to
an additional $17,000,000 in financing for Borrower's acquisition and
construction of additional senior living facilities, acquisition of land for
construction of new senior living facilities, and/or expansion of the existing
and new Projects as described in Section 5.1(a), (3) providing up to
$18,000,000 in financing for Borrower's general business purposes as described
in Section 5.1(b), and (4) providing funds for Borrower's payment of the
Commitment Fee and other costs of closing the Loan as described in Section
5.1(c).  The initial Advance of the Loan (the "INITIAL ADVANCE") shall be made
on Borrower's satisfaction of conditions to the Initial Advance described in
Article 4.  Advances subsequent to the Initial Advance ("SUBSEQUENT ADVANCES")
shall be made on Borrower's satisfaction of condition to Subsequent Advances
set forth in Article 5.

         Section 2.2      INTEREST RATE; LATE CHARGE. The outstanding principal
balance of the Loan arising from the Initial Advance, including the entire
outstanding principal balance of Note 1, shall bear interest at the Fixed Rate,
and the Fixed Rate shall be effective as of November 1, 1995, and the
outstanding principal balance of the Loan arising from Subsequent Advances
shall bear interest at the Floating Rate; provided, however, that so long as no
Event of Default exists, Borrower may on a one-time basis at any time on or
before the expiration of the third Loan Year, December 31, 1998, and on at
least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to Lender make an election,
specifying the Business Day, not less than five (5) Business Days after the
notice, on which the election is to be effective, to have all or any portion of
the existing principal balance of the Loan (other than as arising from the
Initial Advance) bear interest at a rate of interest equal to 2.65% per annum
in excess of the closing price (yield to maturity) of the most recently issued
U.S. Treasury security having a maturity of December 31, 2002 (or a date as
closely corresponding to that date as is possible), as quoted in the Wall
Street Journal on the Business Day on which the election becomes effective.  If
the Wall Street Journal (i) quotes more than one such U.S. Treasury security,
the higher or highest of such quotes shall apply, (ii) publishes a retraction
or correction of any such quote, the quote in the retraction or correction
shall apply, or (iii) ceases to publish such quotes, the U.S. Treasury security
shall be determined from such financial reporting service or source as Lender
shall determine.  Lender shall endeavor to communicate the applicable Fixed
Rate to Borrower as soon as possible after the Fixed Rate Election.  Interest
shall be computed on the basis of a fraction, the denominator of which is three
hundred sixty (360) and the numerator of which is the actual number of days
elapsed from the date of the Initial Advance or the date of the preceding
interest installment due date, as the case may be, to the date of the next
interest installment due date or the Maturity Date.  If Borrower fails to pay
any installment of interest or principal within five (5) days after the date on
which the same is due, Borrower shall




                                      10
<PAGE>   16

pay to Lender a late charge on such past-due amount, as liquidated damages and
not as a penalty, equal to the greater of (a) interest at the Default Rate on
such amount from the date when due until paid, or (b) five percent (5%) of such
amount, but not in excess of the maximum amount of interest allowed by
applicable law.  While any Default exists, the Loan shall bear interest at the
Default Rate.

                                  ARTICLE 3
                               TERMS OF PAYMENT

         Section 3.1      TERMS OF PAYMENT.  The Loan and the interest thereon
shall be evidenced by, and be payable as hereinafter provided (the Loan and the
interest thereon, together with any other sums payable by Borrower under the
Loan Papers, are herein  collectively called the "OBLIGATIONS");

                 (1)      INTEREST.  Commencing on February 1, 1996, Borrower
         shall pay interest in arrears at the rate or rates set forth in
         Section 2.2 on the first day of each month until all amounts due under
         the Loan Papers are paid in full.  The February 1, 1996 payment will
         be adjusted to reflect the Fixed Rate of interest effective as of
         November 1, 1995.

                 (2)      PRINCIPAL AMORTIZATION.  In addition to monthly
         payments of interest hereunder, commencing February 1, 1996, adjusted
         to be effective as of November 1, 1995, and continuing on the first
         day of each month thereafter, to and including December 1, 2002,
         Borrower shall pay to Lender, in reduction of the principal balance of
         the Loan an amount equal to twelve one hundredths percent (.12%) of
         the total of all amounts which have been advanced under the Loan;
         provided, however, that if during any 90-consecutive day period,
         either (i) the Cash on Cash Return is less than twelve and ninety-five
         one hundredths percent (12.95%), or (ii) the Net Worth of ARC, LP is
         less than $10,000,000, then, in addition to regular monthly
         installments of principal and interest, Borrower shall pay to Lender,
         in reduction of the principal balance of the Loan, on the twentieth
         (20th) day of each month, fifty percent (50%) all Excess Cash Flow for
         the preceding month until for a 90-consecutive day period the Cash on
         Cash Return equals or exceeds 12.95% and the Net Worth of ARC, L.P.
         equals or exceeds $10,000,000.  The February 1, 1996 payment will be
         adjusted to include amortization payments commencing November 1, 1995.

                 (3)      MATURITY.  On the Maturity Date, Borrower shall pay
         to Lender all outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest, and
         any other amounts due under the Loan Papers.

                 (4)      PREPAYMENT.  Borrower may not prepay the Loan in
         whole or in part at any time before the expiration of the second Loan
         Year.  From and after January 1, 1998, the commencement of the third
         Loan Year, Borrower may prepay the Loan in whole or in part, upon ten
         (10) days prior written notice to Lender, and on any regularly
         scheduled




                                      11
<PAGE>   17

         interest payment due date, by paying Lender all or a portion of the
         principal balance of the Loan, plus a prepayment premium, equal to
         either:

                          (i)     two percent (2%) of the entire principal
                 amount of any prepayment made during the third Loan Year
                 (January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998),

                          (ii)    one percent (1%) of the entire principal
                 amount of any prepayment made during the fourth Loan Year
                 (January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999), or

                          (iii)   zero percent (0%) of the entire principal
                 amount of any prepayment made after the end of the fourth Loan
                 Year, December 31, 1999.

         Each prepayment shall be applied first in reduction of that portion of
         the Loan which bears interest at the Floating Rate until all of the
         principal balance which bears interest at the Floating Rate has been
         paid in full, after which prepayment amounts shall be applied in
         reduction of that portion of the principal balance of the Loan which
         bears interest at the Fixed Rate.  In addition to any prepayment fees
         outlined above, upon repayment prior to the Maturity Date of any
         portion of the Loan which bears interest at a Fixed Rate, Borrower
         shall also pay to Lender the Yield Maintenance for the portion of the
         Loan prepaid that bears interest at the Fixed Rate.

                 (5)      APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.  All payments received by
         Lender under the Loan Papers shall be applied:  first, to any fees and
         expenses due to Lender under the Loan Papers; second, to any Default
         Rate interest or late charges; third, to accrued and unpaid
         interest; fourth, to the principal sum which is payable at the Floating
         Rate, and fifth, to the principal sum which is payable at a Fixed Rate
         and other amounts due under the Loan Papers.  Lender reserves the right
         to require any payment on this Note, whether such payment is of a
         regular installment or represents a prepayment or final payment, to be
         by wired federal funds or other immediately available funds.




                                      12
<PAGE>   18

                                  ARTICLE 4
                 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE INITIAL ADVANCE

         Section 4.1      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE INITIAL ADVANCE.  The
Initial Advance shall not exceed $97,500,000 less the Holdbacks under Section
5.1 of this Agreement (collectively, the "HOLDBACKS").  Lender shall not be
obligated to make the Initial Advance unless and until Borrower shall have
delivered to lender of the following, all of which shall be in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender:

                 (a)      The fully-executed Note and the other Loan Papers;

                 (b)      The Guaranty;

                 (c)      The Letter of Credit;

                 (d)      The Commitment Fee of $245,000, to the extent the
         Commitment Fee is required to be paid under Section 8.1.

                 (e)      ALTA or equivalent loan or mortgagee policy(ies) of
         title insurance, or written undertaking(s) by a title insurance
         company to provide said policy(ies) within seven (7) days, in form and
         substance and in amount acceptable to Lender and insuring that the
         liens and security interests created by the Deed of Trust constitute
         valid first priority and second priority liens, as applicable,
         encumbering the Projects, subject to no exceptions other than those
         approved in writing by Lender;

                 (f)      The limited partnership agreement of Borrower, and
         all amendments thereto, the articles of organization and regulations
         of ARC, LLC, and all amendments thereto, the certificate of limited
         partnership for each of Borrower and ARC, LP, and the articles of
         incorporation, bylaws, certificates of good standing (Tennessee,
         Texas, Arizona, Ohio and Colorado), certificates of authority to do
         business (Texas, Arizona, Ohio and Colorado), certificate of
         incumbency and authorizing resolution for ARC Fort Austin;

                 (g)      Legal opinion(s) issued by Borrower's counsel, in
         form and content acceptable to Lender and Lender's counsel, as to the
         valid existence of Borrower and each of Guarantors and the due
         authorization, execution, delivery, enforceability and validity of
         this Agreement and the other Loan Papers executed and delivered by
         Borrower and Guarantors; that the Loan is not usurious; that
         Borrower's counsel has no knowledge and has received no notice that
         any of the Projects is in violation of any zoning, building, health,
         fire, traffic, environmental, wetlands, coastal or other rules,
         regulations, ordinances, statutes and requirements applicable to the
         Projects; and that the Loan Papers do not create or constitute a
         partnership, joint venture or other trust or fiduciary relationship
         between Borrower and Lender; and as to such other matters as Lender or
         Lender's counsel reasonably may specify;




                                      13
<PAGE>   19

                 (h)      Current UCC searches for Borrower and the immediately
         preceding owner of each of the Projects, in form and content
         acceptable to Lender;

                 (i)      Evidence of insurance as described in the Deed of
         Trust, including, without limitation, all- risk casualty insurance,
         use and occupancy insurance covering rental income loss, and
         comprehensive general liability insurance, in form and substance and
         from issuing companies acceptable to Lender, naming Lender as an
         additional or named insured, as its interests may appear, and
         conforming in all respects to the requirements of the Commitment;

                 (j)      Evidence of professional liability or medical
         malpractice insurance in form and amount and from an insurer
         satisfactory in all respects to Lender;

                 (k)      Current "as-built" surveys for each Project prepared
         by a surveyor or engineer acceptable to Lender and certified to
         Lender's benefit in form and substance acceptable to Lender;

                 (l)      Engineering reports or architect's certificates, in
         form and content acceptable to Lender with respect to the Projects,
         covering, among other matters, inspection of heating and cooling
         systems, roof and structural details and showing no failure of
         compliance with building plans and specifications (which must be
         approved by Lender) or with any applicable local, state or federal
         law, a schedule of which engineering reports or architect's
         certificates are listed on Exhibit E attached hereto and made a part
         hereof;

                 (m)      Environmental engineering reports with respect to the
         Projects, in form and content acceptable to Lender, conducted by an
         engineer and in a manner both of which are satisfactory to Lender,
         based upon an investigation relating to toxic or hazardous wastes,
         waste products, or substances on the Projects;

                 (n)      Evidence acceptable to Lender that all requisite
         certificates of occupancy, building permits, and other licenses,
         certificates, approvals or consents required of any regulatory
         authority having jurisdiction over the Projects have been issued
         without variance or condition and that there is no litigation, action,
         citation, injunctive proceedings, or like matter pending or threatened
         with respect to the validity of such matters;

                 (o)      A current rent roll of each of the Projects,
         certified by Borrower or the current owner of each of the Projects,
         and copies of all Residency Agreements, and a copy of each standard
         lease form, admission agreement, or occupancy or other residency
         agreement form to be used by Borrower in leasing space in the
         Projects, or conducting a retirement home business in the Projects, in
         form satisfactory to and approved by Lender;

                 (p)      Copies of all management agreements for the Projects,
         approved by Lender and certified by Borrower;




                                      14
<PAGE>   20


                 (q)      Evidence satisfactory to Lender (based on Lender's
         audit, at Borrower's expense, of all income and expenses of the
         Projects) that the Net Revenues Available for Debt Service generated
         by the Projects equals or exceeds $11,270,000 on an annualized basis
         from Residency Agreements for  not more than ninety-five percent (95%)
         of the units of the Projects after application of a management fee
         equal to three percent (3%) of Revenues and a Capital Expenditures
         Reserve of one percent (1%) of Revenues per annum;

                 (r)      Evidence satisfactory to Lender that Borrower is and
         has at all relevant times been in all respects in compliance with all
         requirements of the Social Security Act of 1965, the regulations
         promulgated thereunder, and, as applicable, all conditions of
         participation in the Medicare program thereunder, including, without
         limitation, those imposed by the States of Texas, Arizona, Ohio and
         Colorado, the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of
         Human Services, the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Ohio
         Department of Health, the Ohio Department on Aging, Colorado
         Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Department
         of Healthcare Policy and Financing and the United States Department of
         Health and Human Services;

                 (s)      Certified copies of (i) Medicare provider agreements,
         as applicable, issued under Title XVIII and Title XIX of the Social
         Security Act of 1965, with current provider numbers, (ii) as
         applicable, Nursing Home Licenses (or "long-term-care licenses")
         issued by the Texas Department of Health, or the Texas Department of
         Human Services for Broadway and Summit, and the Arizona Department of
         Health Services for Santa Catalina, (iii) a Personal Care Facilities
         License issued by the Texas Department of Health, or the Texas
         Department of Human Services, for Broadway, Summit and Hampton, the
         Arizona Department of Health Services for Santa Catalina, the Ohio
         Department of Health or the Ohio Department on Aging for Westlake
         Village, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,
         the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing for
         Parkplace, and (iv) all licenses, permits and approvals required or
         convenient for the operation of the Projects as retirement communities
         under applicable laws and regulations, such certifications to state
         that such agreements, licenses, permits and approvals are in full
         force and effect;

                 (t)      Evidence satisfactory to Lender that the Projects and
         the operation thereof comply with all covenants and restrictions of
         record and applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations,
         including, without limitation, the Americans with Disabilities Act and
         regulations thereunder;

                 (u)      Evidence satisfactory to Lender that there shall have
         been no change in the financial condition of Borrower or in the Net
         Revenues Available for Debt Service which materially and adversely
         affects Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under the Note
         or under any of the other Loan Papers;

                 (v)      Evidence satisfactory to Lender that no condemnation
         or adverse zoning or usage change proceedings shall have been
         commenced or threatened against any of the




                                      15
<PAGE>   21

         Projects, that the Projects shall not have suffered any damage in
         excess of $100,000 by fire or other casualty, and no law, regulation,
         ordinance, moratorium, injunctive proceeding, restriction or similar
         matter shall have been enacted, adopted or threatened by any federal,
         state or local government or any board, authority, commission, agency
         or department asserting jurisdiction over the subject matter, and no
         litigation, action, citation or similar proceeding or matter shall be
         pending or threatened against Borrower or any Project, which would
         have the effect, in Lender's judgment, of materially and adversely
         affecting the financial condition of Borrower or any Project, its
         operation or the anticipated benefits to be derived by Borrower
         therefrom or by Lender in connection with its assisting Borrower in
         refinancing any Project for any reason, whether because of Borrower's
         being prohibited or delayed in converting any Project to usage other
         than its present usage or otherwise;

                 (w)      Evidence satisfactory to Lender that the
         representations and warranties made in the Loan Papers are true and
         correct in all material respects on the date of the Initial Advance,
         and that Borrower shall have performed all acts required by the Loan
         Papers to have been previously performed by Borrower;

                 (x)      Evidence satisfactory to Lender that there is no
         lien, other encumbrance or other title matter encumbering any Project
         and not approved by Lender (other than for taxes not yet due and
         payable and title matters permitted by the Deed of Trust) and that
         there has been no other change in the state of title to any Project;

                 (y)      Evidence that all fees and commissions payable to
         real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, or any other brokers or agents
         in connection with the Loan or the acquisition of the Projects have
         been paid, such evidence to be accompanied by any waivers or
         indemnifications deemed necessary by Lender; and

                 (z)      Such other documents or items as Lender or its
counsel reasonably may require.

                                  ARTICLE 5
                       RESERVES, HOLDBACKS AND ADVANCES

         Section 5.1   SUBSEQUENT ADVANCES.  Up to $35,400,000 of the Loan
is allocated for Subsequent Advances, including up to $17,000,000 which is to
be advanced for Borrower's acquisition of additional senior living facilities,
Borrower's acquisition of land for new senior living facilities, Borrower's
construction of new senior living facilities, and the expansion of the existing
Projects, as approved by Lender and as described below (the "ADDITIONAL
FACILITIES HOLDBACK"), up to $18,000,000 for general corporate or partnership
purposes as approved by Lender and as described below (the "BUSINESS PURPOSE
HOLDBACK"), and up to $400,000 for financing costs of closing the Loan
(including but not limited to costs of title insurance, professional fees, all
credit and legal evaluations, evaluating collateral and the like, travel
expenses, fees and costs of appraisers, attorneys and engineers and other
out-of-pocket expenses




                                      16
<PAGE>   22

incurred by Lender) and paying the Commitment Fee (the "TRANSACTION
COSTS HOLDBACK").  The Additional Facilities Holdback, the Business Purpose
Holdback, and the Transaction Costs Holdback are to be advanced on the following
terms and conditions:

                 (a)      ADDITIONAL FACILITIES ADVANCES.  The Additional
         Facilities Holdback shall be disbursed in several advances 
         ("ADDITIONAL FACILITIES ADVANCES") to be made periodically on
         the following terms and conditions:

                          (1)     Additional retirement communities acquired by
                 Borrower through Additional Facilities Advances, any
                 renovation or expansion of any such retirement community, any
                 construction of a new retirement community, and any
                 acquisition of land for construction of a new retirement
                 community through Additional Facilities Advances shall be
                 subject in all respects to Lender's underwriting and due
                 diligence review, it being understood that Lender may
                 determine not to make advances for any such acquisition,
                 renovation, expansion, new construction, or land acquisition
                 in its sole and absolute discretion;

                          (2)     Lender shall not be obligated to make any
                 Additional Facilities Advance after December 31, 1998;

                          (3)     Lender shall have no obligation to make any
                 Additional Facilities Advance in an amount less than $500,000,
                 except for the last Additional Facilities Advance which may be
                 in the amount of the then remaining amount of the Additional
                 Facilities Holdback;

                          (4)     Lender shall not be obligated to make any
                 Additional Facilities Advance unless, after giving effect to
                 such Additional Facilities Advance (and, on or before December
                 31, 1997, any unfunded portion of the Business Purpose
                 Holdback), (i) Debt Service Coverage is at least 1.30:1
                 calculated on the then current interest rates (a blending of
                 Fixed Rates and the Floating Rate, as appropriate), and (ii)
                 the Cash on Cash Return is at least 14%.  Calculation of Debt
                 Service Coverage and Cash on Cash Return will be based on
                 Lender's audit (using Lender's normal audit procedures), at
                 Borrower's sole cost and expense, of the Projects then
                 securing the Loan (excluding any released Project) and of any
                 Project which is being acquired by Borrower through such
                 Additional Facilities Advance, and the minimum required Cash
                 on Cash Return and the minimum required Debt Service Coverage
                 will be calculated based on Lender's audit of the twelve
                 (12)-month period immediately preceding the requested
                 Additional Facilities Advance;

                          (5)     Lender shall have a first deed of trust or
                 mortgage, an assignment of rents and leases, and perfected
                 Uniform Commercial Code security interests, on each new
                 retirement community for which any Additional Facilities
                 Advance is made.  Each mortgage or other security instrument
                 on any retirement community in addition to the existing
                 Projects shall be cross-collateralized and cross- defaulted
                 with the Deed of Trust and all other Loan Papers;




                                      17
<PAGE>   23


                          (6)     Borrower shall give Lender a written notice
                 of each request for an Additional Facilities Advance at least
                 ten (10) Business Days prior to the date on which such
                 requested Additional Facilities Advance is to be made and
                 shall include in such notice the amount of the Additional
                 Facilities Advance being requested and Lender may, at
                 Borrower's expense, conduct an audit, inspection, or review of
                 the Projects to confirm the amount of the requested Additional
                 Facilities Advance;

                          (7)     All renovation or construction work by
                 Borrower on any Project or on any other retirement community
                 or land acquired by Borrower prior to the date an Additional
                 Facilities Advance is requested for such work shall be
                 completed to the satisfaction of Lender in accordance with (i)
                 the plans therefor, if any, approved by Lender, and (ii) all
                 applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, and other
                 requirements of any municipality or governmental agency having
                 jurisdiction over the Projects (or such other retirement
                 community);

                          (8)     Borrower shall not use any Additional
                 Facilities Advance, or any portion of any Additional
                 Facilities Advance, for payment of any other cost or expense
                 except as specifically set forth in a budget approved by
                 Lender and in a request for a Additional Facilities Advance
                 approved by Lender in writing.  Lender shall have no duty or
                 obligation to fund any Additional Facilities Advance except in
                 accordance with this Agreement and a budget approved by
                 Lender, and only for expenses incurred in arrears.  Borrower
                 shall promptly furnish to Lender true and correct copies of
                 all proposed changes, amendments, or supplements to any such
                 budget, and Borrower shall not be permitted to make any such
                 change, amendment, or supplement without the prior written
                 consent of Lender;

                          (9)     Requests for Additional Facilities Advances
                 shall specify the amount requested, shall be on forms
                 satisfactory to Lender, and shall be accompanied by
                 appropriate invoices, bills paid affidavits, lien waivers,
                 title updates and title endorsements satisfactory to Lender,
                 and other documents required by Lender.  Additional Facilities
                 Advances may be made either (i) in reimbursement for costs and
                 expenses paid by Borrower, or (ii) for payment of costs and
                 expenses incurred and invoiced but not yet paid by Borrower,
                 and shall be made within ten (10) business days following
                 request therefor and satisfaction of all conditions specified
                 herein;

                          (10)    Lender shall have the right, but not the
                 obligation, to disburse and apply the proceeds of any
                 Additional Facilities Advances to the satisfaction of any of
                 Borrower's obligations hereunder (other than Borrower's
                 obligations which are being diligently contested by Borrower
                 in accordance with the Deed of Trust, and for which Borrower
                 has provided Lender security in accordance with the Deed of
                 Trust) directly to any contractor or subcontractor,
                 materialman, title company, and any other person or firm to
                 whom payment is due under this Agreement or under any other
                 Loan Papers.  Any Additional Facilities Advances made by
                 Lender for such purpose shall be part of the Loan and shall be
                 secured by the Loan Papers.




                                      18
<PAGE>   24

         No further direction or authorization from Borrower shall be necessary
         to warrant such direct Additional Facilities Advances and all such
         Additional Facilities Advances shall satisfy pro tanto the obligations
         of Lender hereunder and shall be secured by the Loan Papers as fully
         as if made directly to Borrower.  Notwithstanding the other provisions
         of this Section 5.1, nothing in this Agreement is intended to be for
         the benefit of, nor may be enforced by, nor should be relied upon by,
         any person, firm or corporation other than Borrower, its partners,
         successors, or assigns; and

                          (11)    All certificates of occupancy, building
                 permits, licenses, certificates, approvals or consents
                 required for the Projects shall continue to be valid and
                 issued without variance or condition; and there shall be no
                 litigation, action, citation, injunctive proceeding or like
                 matter pending or threatened with respect to any such matter
                 and, if requested by Lender, any of such certificates of
                 occupancy, building permits, licenses, certificates, approvals
                 and consents shall be delivered to and approved by Lender.

                 (b)      BUSINESS PURPOSE ADVANCES.  The Business Purpose
         Holdback shall be disbursed in several advances ("BUSINESS PURPOSE
         ADVANCES") to be used for general corporate or partnership purposes of
         Borrower and its Affiliates approved by Lender in its sole and
         absolute discretion, including up to $10,000,000 to satisfy the
         Subordinated Notes, up to $8,000,000 for payment of taxes and other
         corporate and partnership purposes as approved by Lender, including
         $517,061 which is allocated specifically for the completion of the
         Immediate Repairs (as detailed in Exhibit D), and otherwise for
         acquisition, construction, or renovation of new retirement communities
         (including the acquisition of raw land for the construction thereof)
         and expansion of the existing Projects.  Business Purpose Advances
         shall be made on the following terms and conditions:

                          (1)     Lender shall not be obligated to make any
                 Business Purpose Advances after December 31, 1997;

                          (2)     Lender shall not be obligated to make any
                 Business Purpose Advance if annualized Net Revenues Available
                 for Debt Service are less than $11,270,000; and

                          (3)     Business Purpose Advances for acquisition,
                 renovation and construction of new retirement communities,
                 acquisition of land for construction of new retirement
                 communities, and expansions of the existing Projects shall be
                 subject to Lender's approval in its sole and absolute
                 discretion, and further subject to the Advance conditions of
                 Subsections 5.1(a)(5) through 5.1(a)(11), including Lender
                 being furnished with a first deed of trust or mortgage, an
                 assignment of rents and leases and perfected Uniform
                 Commercial Code security interests on each new retirement
                 community.  Each mortgage or other security instrument on each
                 retirement community in addition to the Projects shall be
                 cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted with the Deed of
                 Trust and all other Loan Papers;




                                      19
<PAGE>   25


                          (4)     Until completion of the Immediate Repairs,
                 Lender shall hold back the unfunded portion of the amount of
                 the Business Purpose Holdback which is allocated for the
                 Immediate Repairs;

                          (5)     On completion of the Immediate Repairs in a
                 manner satisfactory to Lender and Lender's engineer, any
                 unfunded portion of the amount of the Business Purpose
                 Holdback which is allocated for the Immediate Repairs
                 automatically shall be reallocated to be available for other
                 general corporate or business purposes as approved by Lender.

                 (c)      TRANSACTION COSTS HOLDBACK.  The Transaction Costs
         Holdback shall be disbursed in one or more Advances for payment of
         bona fide costs of closing the Loan which have been approved by Lender
         in its sole and absolute discretion, and for payment of the Commitment
         Fee, as and when the Commitment Fee is due and payable under Section
         8.1 of this Agreement.  When the Commitment Fee and all costs of
         closing have been paid in full, any unfunded portion of the
         Transaction Costs Holdback automatically shall be reallocated to the
         Additional Facilities Holdback.

                 (d)      ALL SUBSEQUENT ADVANCES.  All Subsequent Advances
         shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

                          (1)     There shall exist no Default and no event or
                 condition which, with notice or the passage of time, or both,
                 could constitute a Default;

                          (2)     There shall have been no change in the
                 financial condition of Borrower or of the Projects taken as a
                 whole which materially and adversely affects Borrower's
                 ability to perform its obligations under the Note or the other
                 Loan Papers;

                          (3)     No condemnation or zoning or usage change
                 proceedings shall have been commenced or threatened against
                 any Project which, in Lender's judgment, would materially
                 adversely affect the operation or financial performance of the
                 Projects taken as a whole, no Project shall have suffered any
                 significant damage by or other casualty, and no law,
                 regulation, ordinance, moratorium, injunctive proceedings,
                 restriction, litigation, action, citation or similar
                 proceeding or matter shall be pending or threatened against
                 Borrower or any Project, which would have the effect, in
                 Lender's judgment, of materially and adversely affecting the
                 financial condition of Borrower or the Projects taken as a
                 whole, their operation or the anticipated benefits to be
                 derived by Borrower therefrom or by Lender in connection with
                 its assisting Borrower in financing the Projects for any
                 reason, whether because of Borrower's being prohibited or
                 delayed in converting a Project to usage other than its
                 present usage or otherwise;

                          (4)     The representations and warranties made in
                 the Loan Papers will be true and correct in all material
                 respects on the date of each such request for a




                                      20
<PAGE>   26

                 Subsequent Advance, and Borrower shall have performed all acts
                 required by the Loan Papers to have been previously performed 
                 by Borrower;

                          (5)     Borrower shall give Lender a written notice
                 of each request for a Subsequent Advance at least thirty (30)
                 days prior to the date on which such disbursement is to be
                 made and shall include the amount of the Subsequent Advance
                 being requested, accompanied by such invoices, lien waivers
                 and other documents as Lender shall request, and Lender may at
                 Borrower's expense conduct an audit of the Projects to confirm
                 the amount of the requested Subsequent Advance; and

                          (6)     There shall be no lien, other encumbrance or
                 other title matter not approved by Lender (other than for
                 taxes not yet due and payable and title matters permitted by
                 the Deed of Trust) and there shall be no other change in the
                 state of title to any Project.  Lender may require title
                 insurance date-down endorsements to insure no change in the
                 state of title.

         Section 5.2      CAPITAL EXPENDITURES RESERVE.  Borrower shall make
monthly payments to Lender on the first day of each month in the amount of two
percent (2%) of Revenues for the preceding month, such payments to be applied
in reduction of the principal balance of Note 2 (without premium, penalty or
Yield Maintenance), and the amount of such principal reduction shall constitute
a reserve to be advanced for Capital Expenditures (the "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
RESERVE").  Borrower shall submit to Lender annually a budget for Capital
Expenditures for the Projects for the next succeeding year (the "CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES BUDGET"), and Lender shall approve or disapprove, or request
changes in the Capital Expenditures Budget at Lender's reasonable discretion.
Items contained within an approved Capital Expenditures Budget shall be deemed
approved for disbursements from the Capital Expenditures Reserve during the
applicable budget period.  Borrower may, not more frequently than once every
month, and in amounts of not less than $25,000 for each Project, request Lender
to make Advances (or readvance) the Capital Expenditures Reserve  ("CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES ADVANCES") to reimburse Borrower for, pay, or provide funds for
Borrower's payment of, the cost of completed Capital Expenditures at any
Project, subject to the conditions to Subsequent Advances under Subsection
5.1(d) and the following terms and conditions:

                 (a)      Lender shall have approved the Capital Expenditures
         and all plans and specifications therefor and all work for which a
         Capital Expenditures Advance has been requested shall have been
         completed in a manner satisfactory to Lender and Lender's engineer;
         and

                 (b)      Advances of the Capital Expenditures Reserve shall be
         evidenced by Note 2 and shall bear interest at the Floating Rate.




                                      21
<PAGE>   27

         Section 5.3      MONTHLY PRINCIPAL REDUCTIONS AND ADVANCES FOR AD
VALOREM TAXES.  In addition to any other principal reductions, Lender and
Borrower agree that, notwithstanding any contrary term of the Note or the Deed
of Trust, monthly deposits by Borrower required under the Deed of Trust for ad
valorem taxes and assessments shall be applied in reduction of the principal
balance of the Note (without premium, penalty or Yield Maintenance), and re-
advanced to Borrower or to the applicable taxing authorities, subject to the
conditions to Subsequent Advances in Subsection 5.1(d)(1) and the requirement
that there shall be no change in the state of title, as insured by title
insurance date-down endorsements as required by Lender, for payment of such
taxes and assessments as and when taxes and assessments are due and owing on
the Projects.  Advances for ad valorem taxes and assessments shall be evidenced
by Note 2 and shall bear interest at the Floating Rate.

         Section 5.4      EXISTING RESERVES FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.  Lender
shall continue to hold all reserves for Capital Expenditures currently held by
Lender and shall disburse the same prior to any Capital Expenditures Advances
under Section 5.2 to reimburse Borrower for the cost of Capital Expenditures,
provided such Capital Expenditures and all plans and specifications therefor
shall have been approved by Lender, all work for which a Capital Expenditures
disbursement has been requested shall have been completed in a manner
satisfactory to Lender and Lender's engineer, and provided further that all of
the conditions to Subsequent Advances in Subsection 5.1(d) shall have been
satisfied.  Upon the occurrence of any Default and the expiration of any
applicable period of grace or notice and cure, Lender may, at Lender's option,
apply any undisbursed portion of such reserves for Capital Expenditures in
reduction of the amount owing on the Loan.

                                  ARTICLE 6
                           CERTAIN RIGHTS OF LENDER

         Section 6.1      REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT.  Should a Default occur and be
continuing after the expiration of any applicable period of grace or notice and
cure, Lender shall have all the rights and remedies provided in the Loan
Papers.

         Section 6.2      LETTER OF CREDIT.  If a Default should occur and be
continuing after the expiration of any applicable period of grace or notice and
cure, Lender may, in addition to and not in limitation on Lender's rights under
the Letter of Credit, present a draft or drafts on the Letter of Credit for any
unpaid amounts owing to Lender under the Loan Papers up to the full amount of
the Letter of Credit, and may apply amounts disbursed under the Letter of
Credit to the payment of any sums owing under the Loan Papers; however, the (a)
honor and payment of any such draft to Lender, or Lender's application of any
such payment to sums owing under the Loan Papers, shall not cure or be deemed
to have cured such Default, (b) Lender shall continue to have all the rights
and remedies provided in the Loan Papers on account of such Default, including
the right to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note
and foreclose the liens and security interests created under the Deed of Trust,
unless and until the issuer of the Letter of Credit provides to Lender such
amendments or modifications to the Letter of Credit as are necessary in
Lender's sole judgment to restore the Letter of Credit to its original




                                      22
<PAGE>   28

amount such that Lender may draw on the Letter of Credit as if no prior draft
had been honored and paid.

         Section 6.3      INDEMNIFICATION OF LENDER.  Borrower shall indemnify,
defend and hold Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities
(including, without limitation, any and all taxes and special assessments
levied against the Projects, or personal property located thereon),
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims,
costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature which may be imposed
on, incurred by, or asserted against Lender, in any way relating to, or arising
out of (i) any brokerage commissions or finder's fees claimed by any broker or
other party in connection with the Commitment or the Loan, (ii) any failure by
Borrower to comply with provisions of the Loan Papers (other than provisions
relating to the payment of principal, interest or late charges), (iii) any
breach of any representation, warranty or covenant set forth in Section 8.22,
or (iv) any professional malpractice or negligence relating to the operation of
any Project.

                                  ARTICLE 7
                               OTHER AGREEMENTS

         Section 7.1      GOVERNING LAW.  THE LOAN PAPERS ARE BEING EXECUTED
AND DELIVERED, AND ARE INTENDED TO BE PERFORMED, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE
LAWS OF SUCH STATE AND OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SHALL GOVERN THE RIGHTS
AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, ENFORCEMENT
AND INTERPRETATION OF THE LOAN PAPERS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
IN ANY OF THE LOAN PAPERS. ALL OBLIGATIONS OF BORROWER UNDER THE LOAN PAPERS
SHALL BE PERFORMABLE IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS, UNLESS LENDER DESIGNATES ANOTHER
PLACE FOR PERFORMANCE.

         Section 7.2      LIMITATION ON INTEREST.  All agreements between
Borrower and Lender, whether now existing or hereafter arising and whether
written or oral, are hereby expressly limited so that in no event, whether by
reason of acceleration of the maturity of the Note or otherwise, shall the
amount paid or agreed to be paid to Lender or charged by Lender for the use,
forbearance or detention of the money to be lent hereunder or otherwise, exceed
the maximum amount allowed by law. If fulfillment of any provision of this
Agreement or any of the Loan Papers at the time performance of such provision
shall be due, shall involve transcending the limit of validity prescribed by
law (including the laws of the United States and the State of Texas), then ipso
facto, the terms and provisions of the Note limiting the amount of interest
which shall be paid to, agreed to be paid to or charged by Lender under the
Loan shall be applied and followed.

         Section 7.3      INVALID PROVISIONS.  If any provision of this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Papers is held to be illegal, invalid or
unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term hereof,
such provision shall be fully severable; the appropriate Loan Paper shall be
construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision
had never comprised a part thereof; and the remaining provisions thereof shall
remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal,
invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance




                                      23
<PAGE>   29

therefrom.  Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision there shall be added automatically as a part of such Loan Paper a
provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision as may be possible to be legal, valid and enforceable.

         Section 7.4      EXPENSES.  All costs and expenses of closing,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and actual expenses of
Lender's counsel, shall be paid by Borrower.

         Section 7.5      COMMITMENT.  This Agreement includes the terms and
conditions of the Commitment and the same are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof; however, if any conflict or inconsistency
exists between the Commitment and this Agreement or any of the Loan Papers, the
terms of the Commitment shall control.

         Section 7.6      LENDER NOT IN CONTROL; NO PARTNERSHIP.  None of the
covenants or other provisions contained in this Agreement shall, or shall be
deemed to, give Lender the right or power to exercise control over the affairs
and/or management of Borrower, the power of Lender being limited to the rights
to exercise the remedies referred to in the Loan Papers. No covenant or
provision of the Loan Papers is intended, nor shall it be deemed or construed,
to create a partnership, joint venture, agency or common interest in profits or
income between Lender and Borrower or to create an equity in the Projects in
Lender or to make Lender in any way responsible for the debts or losses of
Borrower or with respect to the Projects.  Lender and Borrower disclaim any
intention to create any partnership, joint venture, agency or common interest
in profits or income between Lender and Borrower, or to create an equity in the
Projects in Lender, or any sharing of liabilities, losses, costs or expenses.

         Section 7.7      TIME OF THE ESSENCE.  Time is of the essence with
respect to the provisions of this Agreement.

         Section 7.8      LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.  Reference is made to the
limitation of liability provisions contained in the Note, which provisions are
incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

         Section 7.9      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of Lender and Borrower and the respective
successors and assigns of Lender and Borrower, provided that no party
comprising Borrower may, without the prior written consent of Lender, assign
any rights, duties or obligations hereunder.

         Section 7.10     PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL.  Borrower authorizes Lender to
issue press releases, advertisements and other promotional materials in
connection with Lender's own promotional and marketing activities, and
describing the Loan in general terms or in detail and Lender's participation in
the Loan.  All references to Lender contained in any press release,
advertisement or promotional material issued by Borrower shall be approved in
writing by Lender in advance of issuance.




                                      24
<PAGE>   30

         Section 7.11     RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER FOR CREDIT FACILITY.  If
Borrower or ARC or any Affiliate desires to form a real estate investment trust
which will include the Projects (the "REIT"), Lender shall have a right of
first offer with respect to any acquisition and/or revolving credit facility to
be established by the REIT ("CREDIT FACILITY").  Under such right of first
offer, Lender may offer terms for a Credit Facility to the REIT either on its
own initiative or on request by the REIT within thirty (30) days of the REIT's
request.  The REIT may accept or decline such terms, provided that if the
Credit Facility terms offered by Lender are declined by the REIT, the REIT
shall not accept any other Credit Facility on terms that are materially less
favorable than those offered by Lender without first requesting such Credit
Facility terms from Lender.

         Section 7.12     SUBSTITUTION AND REPLACEMENT.  Reference is made to
the Loan Agreement dated April 1, 1992 between Lender and Borrower, the Loan
Agreement dated July 14, 1994 between GENEL and Borrower, and the Loan
Agreement dated October 31, 1994 between GENEL and Borrower (collectively, the
"PRECEDING LOAN AGREEMENT") pertaining to financing for Borrower's acquisition,
refinancing, and development of Broadway, Summit, Santa Catalina, Parkplace,
Hampton, and Westlake Village (the "EXISTING LOAN").  The Existing Loan is
included within and as part of the Loan, as such term is defined herein; and is
being increased, renewed, extended and modified under this Agreement and the
Loan Papers.  This Agreement is made in complete substitution for and
replacement of the Preceding Loan Agreement for all purposes, and the terms of
this Agreement shall control and govern the Loan, notwithstanding any contrary
or different terms of the Preceding Loan Agreement.

         Section 7.13     RELEASES.  Lender agrees that from and after January
1, 1998, but not before January 1, 1998, Lender will release one or more
Projects from the liens, assignments and security interests of the Deed of
Trust and the other Loan Papers if:

                 (a)      There exists no Default and no event or condition
         which, with notice or passage of time, or both, would constitute a
         Default;

                 (b)      Borrower shall have delivered notice to Lender of any
         requested release of a Project at least thirty (30) days prior to the
         scheduled date of such release;

                 (c)      Borrower shall pay to Lender, in reduction of the
         principal balance of the Loan, an amount equal to 1.15 times the
         principal amount of the Loan related to the Project(s) to be released,
         calculated by Lender on the basis of (i) the amount which according to
         Lender and Lender's records has been advanced under the Loan for such
         Project(s), less (ii) the pro rata portion of any principal
         amortization payments on the Note related to such Project(s) (each
         Project's pro rata portion being the sum of all principal amortization
         payments multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
         outstanding amount which has been advanced under the Loan for such
         Project and the denominator of which is the total of all Advances
         under the Loan) (the "RELEASE AMOUNT") with respect to each of the
         Projects as it is subject to being released; and shall pay to Lender
         the




                                      25
<PAGE>   31

         additional amount, if any, required to be paid in order that the
         Projects which have not been released will satisfy the requirements of
         Subsection 7.13(f) of this Agreement, together with any prepayment
         premium or Yield Maintenance (as applicable) (the sum of the Release
         Amount and any such additional amount being herein called the "MINIMUM
         RELEASE AMOUNT");

                 (d)      Borrower shall pay all costs and expenses of Lender
         arising in connection with the release of the Deed of Trust and the
         other Loan Papers, including, but not limited to, reasonable legal
         fees of Lender's counsel, and all other costs arising in connection
         with the execution and delivery of the release;

                 (e)      Borrower shall deliver to Lender evidence
         satisfactory to Lender that all amounts owing to any parties as a
         result of the release of such Project(s) have been paid in full, or
         are simultaneously being paid in full at closing; and

                 (f)      After application of the Minimum Release Amount, (i)
         the remaining outstanding principal balance (as determined by Lender
         in its sole discretion) must be greater than $45,000,000, and (ii) the
         Projects which have not been released must be generating annualized
         Net Revenues Available for Debt Service equal to at least 14% of the
         outstanding principal balance of the Loan from leases of not more than
         95% occupancy of the Projects, as determined by Lender's audit of the
         Projects at Borrower's sole cost and expense.

                                  ARTICLE 8
                                  COVENANTS

         Borrower warrants, represents, covenants and agrees with Lender as
follows:

         Section 8.1      COMMITMENT FEE.  The Commitment Fee is fully earned
by Lender effective on Borrower's acceptance of the Commitment.  Borrower shall
pay the Commitment Fee to Lender as follows:

                 (a) at the time of each Advance (excluding Advances for
         Capital Expenditures under Section 5.2 and Advances for ad valorem
         taxes and assessments under Section 5.3) in excess of $73,000,000,
         $.01 for every $1.00 advanced, and

                 (b) to the extent the  Commitment Fee has not sooner been
         paid, on the earlier of (i) the Maturity Date, or (ii) the date on
         which Borrower repays any part of the principal balance of the Loan
         (excluding principal reductions for Capital Expenditures and ad
         valorem taxes and assessments under Sections 5.2 and 5.3).

         Section 8.2      LIENS, MORTGAGES, ENCUMBRANCES, TRANSFERS.  Borrower
shall not create or permit (a) the imposition of any lien, mortgage or other
encumbrance against any of the Projects, except for the Deed of Trust, (b) the
termination of any Lender-approved management




                                      26
<PAGE>   32

agreement relating to the operation and management of any Project, (c) the
transfer of ownership of any Project, or (d) the transfer of ownership of any
other collateral or of any stock or general partnership interest in Borrower;
however, that Lender shall not unreasonably withhold its consent or impose any
transfer fee (other than out-of-pocket transaction costs) if Borrower desires
to transfer one or more of the Projects or interests in Borrower to an
Affiliate, so long as (i) there exists no Default, event or condition which,
with notice or the passage of time or both, could constitute a Default, (ii)
any transferee of the Projects assumes Borrower's obligations under the Loan,
(iii) the net worth and liquidity of any transferee of the Projects are
equivalent to or better than those of Borrower on the date of this Agreement,
and (iv) the proposed transferee is considered, in Lender's reasonable
discretion, to be capable of managing and maintaining the marketability of the
Projects.

         Section 8.3      OPERATING STATEMENTS.  Borrower shall provide Lender
with annual and monthly operating statements on each of the Projects, including
income from all sources, and annual financial statements on Borrower, in scope
and detail satisfactory to Lender with all such statements to be certified by
the chief financial officer of Borrower, prepared on a review basis and
certified by a certified public accountant within ninety (90) days after the
end of each fiscal year for annual statements.  Monthly income/expense
statements and statements of cash flow and balance sheets shall be delivered
within thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar month, shall be certified
as true and correct by the chief financial officer of Borrower, shall be in
such form and substance as Lender may request, and shall be accompanied by such
supporting documentation as Lender may request.  In addition, from time to
time, Borrower shall provide appropriate reports as to its operating results as
requested by Lender.  Lender's employees or agents shall have the right to
audit, at any time, Borrower's financial statements and records pertaining to
the Projects.

         Section 8.4      RENT ROLLS, LEASES.  Borrower shall provide Lender
with certified copies of all rent rolls relating to the Projects.  If
requested, Lender shall be furnished with certified copies of all existing
Residency Agreements.  In addition a requirement that all present and future
Residency Agreements shall be approved as to form and content by Lender and no
material modifications thereof shall be made without Lender's prior written
approval.

         Section 8.5      SITE INSPECTIONS.  Lender shall be entitled, upon
request, to make periodic site inspections of the Projects; in addition,
Borrower shall pay, upon request, all expenses incurred by Lender during the
term of the Loan to conduct financial audits, site inspections, title updates,
the filing of UCC continuation statements and other reasonable loan
administration expenses.

         Section 8.6      NONCOMPLIANCE.  Borrower shall promptly deliver to
Lender copies of all reports and other documents with respect to any
inspections, surveys, investigations, or on-site visits of, or certification
actions regarding, the Projects by any federal, state, or local licensing and
regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Projects, including, without
limitation, any inspections by the Texas Department of Health, the Texas
Department of Human Services, the Arizona Department of Health Services, the
Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department on Aging, the State of Ohio Fire
Marshall/local fire department, or the Colorado Department of




                                      27
<PAGE>   33

Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and
Financing.  Lender shall have the right to retain a consultant, at Borrower's
expense, to evaluate and review such reports and documents. Borrower shall
promptly correct any deficiency and comply with all remedial actions and
recommendations set forth in such reports or specified by the consultant
retained by Lender.  Borrower will promptly notify Lender of (i) any
noncompliance, or (ii) any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would result in noncompliance, with any statute, law, ordinance, order,
judgment, decree, regulation, direction or requirement concerning Borrower, its
operations, or any of the Projects, of which Borrower is aware, or in
connection with which Borrower has received any notice, correspondence other
communication to or from any federal, state or local governmental official,
body, board, department or regulatory authority.  If any such notice or
communication of a material nature is received by Borrower, Borrower shall
engage an independent consultant as described in Section 8.7 below and shall
provide Lender with a statement of Borrower setting forth its proposed action
or response to the noncompliance situation.  Borrower will promptly notify
Lender of any proposed local, state or federal law that, if enacted, would
materially and adversely affect Borrower's current operation of any of the
Projects.

         Section 8.7      CONSULTANT.  If (a) Borrower fails to maintain at all
times a Debt Service Coverage of at least 1.20:1, calculated by taking the
ratio of Net Revenues Available for Debt Service to Debt Service calculated on
an interest only basis, or (b) the consolidated occupancy level of the Projects
is less than (i) 80% for three consecutive months before December 31, 1997, or
(ii) 87% by December 31, 1997, or (c) Borrower receives any notice,
correspondence or other communication of a material nature from any federal,
state or local governmental official, body, board, department or regulatory
authority citing violations of or lack of compliance with any statue, ordinance
and/or regulation concerning Borrower, its operations, or any of the Projects,
then Borrower will, at its expense, retain an independent consultant selected
from a list of independent consultants designated by Lender from time to time,
which independent consultant is to make recommendations to increase the Debt
Service Coverage to at least 1.30:1 calculated on an interest only basis,
increase the occupancy level to at least 90%, or make recommendations to
address the violation and/or noncompliance situation, as the case may be.  With
regard to a notice of violation or noncompliance received by Borrower as
described in Section 8.7(c) above, if such violation or noncompliance can be
cured by Borrower within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the
notice or other communication relating thereto, then the independent
consultant's engagement may be limited to a review of Borrower's proposed plan
to cure such noncompliance.  Such independent consultant will provide a copy of
its report to Borrower and to Lender.  Borrower further agrees that its
compliance with this covenant and/or the independent consultant's
recommendation will not limit any of Lender's rights and remedies upon
Borrower's default or excuse Borrower from any Default whether by reason of its
failure to maintain the above-specified Debt Service Coverage or occupancy
level, or the receipt of a notice of noncompliance or for any other reason.

         Section 8.8      ANNUAL BUDGET.  Within sixty (60) days prior to the
commencement of each fiscal year during the term of the Loan, Borrower will
provide to Lender its proposed annual budget for such fiscal year for review
and approval by Lender.  Thereafter, within thirty (30) days following the end
of each calendar month, Borrower will provide to Lender a monthly statement




                                      28
<PAGE>   34

setting forth any variance from such annual budget.  As a part of its budget
process, Borrower will prepare a pro forma calculation of the effect the
proposed budget will have on the Debt Service Coverage for such fiscal year.

         Section 8.9      RESERVES, DEPOSITS, ESCROWS.  Borrower shall at all
times maintain all reserves, deposits and/or escrows required by Lender or
state statutes applicable from time to time to Borrower by virtue of the nature
of Borrower's business.

         Section 8.10     MANAGEMENT.  Lender and Borrower agree that Borrower,
or an Affiliate, shall serve as manager of the Projects. Such manager, if other
than Borrower, shall be entitled to receive a management fee of three percent
(3%) of Revenues pursuant to a management agreement approved by Lender, in
Lender's sole and absolute discretion.  No management fee shall be payable if
Borrower manages the Projects. If Borrower seeks to replace the manager, Lender
retains full and absolute approval right over such substitute manager,
management fee and management agreement.  Lender shall approve all managers and
management contracts, both presently existing and prior to entering into such
contracts in the future; in addition, all management fees payable under any
management contract shall be subordinate to and be paid following full payment
of all Debt Service payments on the Loan in each fiscal year.  Any change in
ownership or control of the manager shall be cause for Lender to re-approve
such manager and management contract.  Each manager shall hold and maintain all
necessary licenses, certifications and permits required by law, and shall enter
a non-competition agreement to the effect that such manager will not acquire,
construct, operate or manage any facility similar to the Projects (i.e., an
independent living units facility or an assisted living facility) within a
5-mile radius of any Project at any time while any portion of the Loan is
outstanding (except for the Heritage Club of Denver which ARC, LP owns and
manages).  Borrower shall strictly comply with the Management Standards set
forth in Exhibit B attached hereto, and shall not enter into, modify, amend, or
terminate any existing management agreement, except in accordance with the
Management Standards.

         Section 8.11     ERISA.  Borrower shall comply with the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time ("ERISA"), in all material
respects.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower shall
cause all or any defined benefit pension plan, including both single employer
and multi-employer plans, subject to Title IV of ERISA (a "PLAN"), to be funded
in accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA, if applicable, and
shall make in a timely manner all contributions due to any Plan.

         Section 8.12     CASH OPERATING RESERVE FUND.  During the term of the
Loan, Borrower will maintain a cash operating reserve fund (the "OPERATING
RESERVE") in which Lender will take a security interest, in an amount
representing 21 days' of estimated, routine Total Expenses.  If monies from the
Operating Reserve are withdrawn and used by Borrower to pay ordinary operating
expenses, Borrower shall replenish the Operating Reserve within 60 days of such
withdrawal, by depositing an amount sufficient to restore the Operating Reserve
to its full amount.




                                      29
<PAGE>   35

         Section 8.13     SECURITY DEPOSITS.  Borrower covenants and agrees
with Lender that it will maintain a separate account for each of Broadway and
Summit ("SECURITY DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS") into which it will deposit all security
deposits and other deposits received by Borrower under the Residency Agreements
for such Projects.  Borrower shall make all disbursements from the appropriate
Security Deposit Account in accordance with the terms of the Residency
Agreements, the Loan Documents and all applicable state and local statutes,
ordinances and regulations, if any, and Borrower will continue to comply with
Lender's requirements, the terms of the Residency Agreements, and all
applicable state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations regarding
maintenance of such Security Deposit Accounts.  To the extent allowed by
applicable law, Borrower pledges, and grants Lender a security interest in, the
Security Deposit Accounts and all funds therein to Lender as security for the
Loan and agrees that upon the occurrence of a Default and the expiration of any
applicable grace or notice and cure period, Lender may withdraw funds from the
Security Deposit Accounts and apply such funds to satisfy any of the
indebtedness and obligations of Borrower under the Loan Papers.  With respect
to security deposits and other deposits received by Borrower under Residency
Agreements for Santa Catalina, Parkplace, Westlake Village and Hampton,
Borrower has provided the Guaranty in lieu of maintaining Security Deposit
amounts.

         Section 8.14     CASH FLOW SUMMARIES.  Borrower shall annually provide
to Lender a certified cash flow summary which includes certifications that
Borrower has and will continue to (a) preserve its partnership or other
separate legal existence, (b) preserve all its rights and licenses to the
extent necessary or desirable in the operation of its business and affairs and
(c) be and remain qualified to do business and conduct its affairs in each
jurisdiction where its ownership of Projects or the conduct of its business
affairs requires such qualification.

         Section 8.15     LIMITATION ON OTHER INDEBTEDNESS.  Borrower shall
not, without the prior written consent of Lender, incur any indebtedness
(whether personal or non-recourse, secured or unsecured) other than the Loan
and customary trade payables which are payable and are actually paid within
sixty (60) days after they are incurred (or such longer period as may be
allowed by trade creditors) and equipment or automobile lease obligations of
not more than $50,000 for any single lease obligation and of not more than
$350,000 for all such lease obligations in the aggregate, and the Subordinated
Notes.

         Section 8.16     LEGAL EXISTENCE.  Borrower shall preserve its
separate legal existence and shall not, without the prior written consent of
Lender, merge or consolidate with any other person or entity or sell or convey,
except as otherwise permitted in the Deed of Trust, all or substantially all of
its assets to any other person or entity, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld with respect to any merger or consolidation (a) which involves only
ARC, LP wholly-owned subsidiaries and Affiliates, and (b) from which the
surviving merged or consolidated entity is a single-purpose entity which owns
only the Projects and which is in compliance with Section 8.15 of this
Agreement.

         Section 8.17     NET WORTH.  ARC, LP shall at all times maintain a Net
Worth of at least $10,000,000.



                                      30

<PAGE>   36


         Section 8.18     OPERATION.  Broadway and Summit shall be operated as
continuing care retirement communities comprised of independent living units,
assisted living units, and skilled nursing beds, and Parkplace, Hampton,
Westlake Village, Santa Catalina shall be operated as an independent living and
assisted living facility.  All of the Projects shall be operated in such a
manner so as to maximize the number of Residency Agreements and other occupancy
agreements in effect and to maintain a favorable reputation for the Projects.
Borrower shall fully and faithfully perform, in all material respects, all of
its covenants, agreements and obligations under the Residency Agreements and
under any management agreement (and under any replacement instruments to the
foregoing which are permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.)

         Section 8.19     SERVICES.  Borrower shall maintain and continue to
provide throughout the term of the Loan the same services to Residents as are
currently being provided at the Projects by Borrower or otherwise on the date
hereof; Borrower shall not materially change such services or change the
Facility Capacity without the prior written consent and approval of Lender.

         Section 8.20     NON-COMPETITION.  Borrower will not acquire,
construct, operate or manage any congregate care facility, assisted living
facility, skilled or intermediate nursing facility, adult day care facility,
home health care agency, or any business comprised of any combination of the
aforementioned, to the extent revenues derived therefrom are not included in
Project's Revenues, within a 5-mile radius of any Project at any time while any
portion of the Loan is outstanding (except for the Heritage Club at Denver
which ARC, LP owns and manages).

         Section 8.21     KEY PERSONS. Borrower will promptly notify Lender if
persons or entities key to Borrower's operations, as designated by Lender from
time to time, are terminated or cease providing services to Borrower.

         Section 8.22     MEDICARE CERTIFICATION, LICENSES AND COMPLIANCE.
Borrower further represents, warrants and covenants to Lender that:

                 (a)      Broadway is certified for participation in the
         Medicare program of the Social Security Act of 1965, and the
         regulations promulgated thereunder, and is not in violation of any
         condition of participation in such Medicare program;

                 (b)      Borrower is currently a party to a provider agreement
         for Broadway with the Secretary of the United States Department of
         Health and Human Services with respect to its participation in the
         Medicare program with the State of Texas, which provider agreement is
         currently in full force and effect;

                 (c)      All licenses, permits and approvals required for the
         operation of the Projects as nursing home and personal care facilities
         under applicable law have been issued and are in good standing,
         including, without limitation, the Social Security Act of 1965, the
         regulations promulgated thereunder, and for Broadway and Summit all
         conditions of participation in the Medicare program thereunder imposed
         by the State of Texas and the United States Department of Health and
         Human Services, including, without limitation,




                                      31
<PAGE>   37

         (i) Medicare provider agreements issued under Title XVIII and Title
         XIX of the Social Security Act of 1965 (as applicable to the
         Projects), with current provider numbers; (ii) Nursing Home Licenses
         issued by, as applicable, the Texas Department of Health, the Texas
         Department of Human Services, and the Arizona Department of Health
         Services; and (iii) Personal Care Facilities Licenses issued by, as
         applicable the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of
         Human Services, the Arizona Department of Health Services, the State
         of Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department on Aging, the State of
         Ohio Fire Marshall/local fire department, and the Colorado Department
         of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Department of
         Healthcare Policy and Financing which are currently in full force and
         effect; and

                 (d)      Borrower shall comply with all local, state or
         federal laws or regulations governing the operation of each Project as
         a nursing home and a personal care facility, including but not limited
         to, the requirements of the Texas



                 [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]




                                      32
<PAGE>   38

         Department of Health, the Texas Department of Human Services, the
         Arizona Department of Health Services, the State of Ohio Department of
         Health, Ohio Department on Aging, the State of Ohio Fire
         Marshall/local fire department, the Colorado Department of Public
         Health and Environment, the Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy
         and Financing or the United States Department of Health and Human
         Services, and any applicable requirements under the Medicare program.

         Section 8.23     IMMEDIATE REPAIRS.  Borrower shall complete all of
the Immediate Repairs to the satisfaction of Lender and Lender's inspecting
architect/engineer and shall pay all costs and expenses therefor prior to
December 31, 1996.


         EXECUTED as of the date first written above.

                                 LENDER:
                                 
                                 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, an 
                                 New York corporation


                                 By: /s/ Barry P. Skolnick
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                     Barry P. Skolnick, Senior Investment
                                     Manager


                                 BORROWER:

                                 FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas
                                 limited partnership

                                 By: ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a 
                                     Tennessee corporation, General Partner



                                 By: /s/ W. E. Sheriff
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                     W. E. Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer




                                      33
<PAGE>   39

                                  EXHIBIT A

                          [DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS]




                                     A-1
<PAGE>   40

                                  EXHIBIT B

                             MANAGEMENT STANDARDS


         1.      If Borrower desires to enter into, modify, amend or terminate
any management agreement, leasing agreement or any other agreement relating to
management, leasing or operation of the Projects, Borrower will submit such
proposed modification or change to Lender in writing for Lender's prior
approval, which approval shall be given or withheld in Lender's sole
discretion.  Lender shall respond to such requests for approval within a
reasonable period of time.

         2.      Upon Lender's request, Borrower shall, and shall cause its
on-site administrator to, (i) meet with Lender at least quarterly to discuss
the financial and physical condition of the Projects and the management of the
Projects, including personnel, resident satisfaction, marketing and other
issues pertinent to the success of the Projects, and (ii) at Lender's
reasonable request, provide Lender with reports relating to such information.

         3.      Borrower's agreements with its management and leasing agents
shall be written so that:

                 (a)      If Lender acquires ownership of the Projects, Lender
         can, without cost or liability to Lender, within sixty days' of
         Lender's notice, terminate the management and leasing agreement, and
         the on-site administrator and director of leasing.

                 (b)      If, commencing three months following closing, there
         are fewer than eighty percent (80%) of the total number of units
         leased for each of three (3) consecutive months, the leasing and
         management agents for the Projects may be terminated.




                                     B-1
<PAGE>   41

                                  EXHIBIT C

                               APPROVED BUDGET

<TABLE>
 <S>                                                               <C>
 Refinance Existing Loan                                           $62,100,000

 Transaction Costs                                                     400,000
                                                                  ------------
 Initial Advance                                                   $62,500,000

  Additional Facilities Holdback                                    17,000,000

 Business Purpose Holdback                                          18,000,000
                                                                  ------------
 Commitment                                                        $97,500,000
</TABLE>




                                     C-1
<PAGE>   42

                                  EXHIBIT D

                            IMMEDIATE REPAIRS (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               PROPERTY                                     ITEM                                COST
               --------                                     ----                                ----
 <S>                                    <C>                                                <C>

 Santa Catalina Villas                  Sitework                                           $   7,550.00
                                        Architectural Work                                 $   2,500.00 
                                        ADA Compliance                                     $     250.00 
                                                                                           ------------ 
                                                    TOTAL SANTA CATALINA VILLAS            $  10,300.00 
                                                                                                        
 Broadway Plaza                         Gutters & Downspouts                               $   7,500.00  
                                        Fascia boards Repair & Paint                       $  18,500.00  
                                        Steel Masonry Lintels                              $   3,000.00  
                                        Other Deferred Maintenance                         $   1,300.00  
                                                                                           ------------  

                                                    TOTAL BROADWAY PLAZA                   $  30,300.00  
                                                                                             

 Forum at Westlake Hills                Sidewalk Repairs                                   $     550.00
                                        Paving/Erosion Repairs                             $  10,000.00 
                                        Acoustical Ceiling Tiles                           $   3,000.00  
                                        Ceramic Tile                                       $   3,000.00  
                                        Other Deferred Maintenance                         $   3,600.00 
                                                                                           ------------ 

                                                    TOTAL FORUM AT WESTLAKE HILLS          $  20,150.00 
                                                                                             

 Westlake Village                       Exterior Restaining                                $ 378,176.00 
                                        Guardrail                                          $   1,200.00 
                                                                                           ------------ 
                                                    TOTAL WESTLAKE VILLAGE                 $ 379,376.00 

                                                                                                        
 Hampton at Post Oak                    Cooling Tower                                      $  64,000.00
                                        Other Deferred Items                               $     775.00  
                                        Water Damage - Garage                              $   2,500.00  
                                                                                           ------------  
                                                    TOTAL HAMPTON AT POST OAK              $  67,275.00   

                                                                                                        
                                                                                                        
 Park Place                             Sealcoat Parking Lot                               $   1,000.00 
                                        Carbon-Monoxide Monitoring                         $   4,000.00  
                                        Electrical Outlets                                 $   4,660.00  
                                                                                                        
                                                                                                        
                                                    TOTAL PARK PLACE                       $   9,660.00          

 Grand Total All Properties                                                                $ 517,061.00  
                                                                                            
</TABLE>


             (1) AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE ENGINEERING REPORTS




                                     D-1
<PAGE>   43

                                  EXHIBIT E



1.     BROADWAY

       AECC, Inc. Property Update dated October 30, 1995 and prepared by Andy
       Brundige (AECC, Inc. Project No. 95325).

2.     SUMMIT

       AECC, Inc. Property Update dated October 27, 1995 and prepared by David
       Browning (AECC, Inc. Project No. 95324).

3.     SANTA CATALINA

       Abacus Project Management Abbreviated Physical Audit dated October 30,
       1995.

4.     PARKPLACE

       Eckland Consultants, Inc. Property Condition Report Update dated October
       31, 1995 (Comm. No. 95-D15-113-01).

5.     HAMPTON

       Eckland Consultants, Inc. Property Condition Report Update dated October
       27, 1995 (Comm. No. 95-D15-113-02).

6.     WESTLAKE VILLAGE

       Eckland Consultants, Inc. Property Condition Report Update dated October
       27, 1995 (Comm. No. 95-D15-113-03).




                                     E-1

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17


                               PROMISSORY NOTE


$73,500,000.00                                                   January 4, 1996

         1.      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas
limited partnership ("BORROWER"), promises to pay to the order of GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("LENDER"), the sum of
SEVENTY-THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS
($73,500,000.00), or so much thereof as shall be advanced by Lender from time
to time on the loan (the "LOAN") which is evidenced hereby and governed by that
Loan Agreement of even date herewith between Lender and Borrower (the "LOAN
AGREEMENT"), with interest on the unpaid balance of such amount from the date
of the initial disbursement hereunder (the "INITIAL DISBURSEMENT") at the rate
or rates of interest specified in the Loan Agreement.

                 The Loan is further evidenced by that Promissory Note dated as
of April 1, 1992, in the stated principal amount of $24,000,000, executed by
Borrower, bearing interest and being payable to the order of Lender, as
modified by First Modification Agreement dated May 27, 1993, among Borrower,
Lender and American Retirement Corporation ("ARC"), as endorsed payable to the
order of GENEL Company, Inc. ("GENEL"), as further modified by Second Renewal,
Extension and Modification Agreement dated June 14, 1994 among Borrower, GENEL
and ARC, as further modified by Third Renewal, Extension and Modification
Agreement dated October 31, 1994 among ARC, ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation, and Fort Austin Associates Limited Partnership, a Texas
limited partnership (collectively, "GUARANTORS"), Borrower and GENEL, as
endorsed payable to the order of Lender, and as further modified by Fourth
Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement of even date herewith among
Borrower, Lender and Guarantors (as modified, the "OTHER NOTE").  This Note and
the Other Note are secured by those Deeds of Trust and Security Agreements and
that Open-End Mortgage and Security Agreement (collectively the "MORTGAGE") on
real property and improvements known as the Santa Catalina Retirement Community
located in the City of Tucson, Pima County, Arizona ("SANTA CATALINA"), the
Summit at Westlake Retirement Community in the City of Austin, Travis County,
Texas ("SUMMIT"), the Broadway Plaza at Cityview Retirement Community in the
City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas ("BROADWAY"), the Parkplace
Retirement Community in the City of Denver, Denver County, Colorado
("PARKPLACE"), the Westlake Village Retirement Community in the City of
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio ("WESTLAKE"), and The Hampton at Post Oak Road
Retirement Community in the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas ("HAMPTON")
and described therein (collectively, the "MORTGAGED PROPERTY") and by other
security given or to be given to Lender as collateral for the Loan.  All other
documents or instruments executed to evidence, secure or otherwise in
connection with the Loan are collectively referred to herein as the "OTHER
SECURITY DOCUMENTS."

                 To the extent of payments against the principal balance from
applications in lieu of impounds for taxes and assessments and in lieu of
reserves for Capital Expenditures (as defined

                                      1
<PAGE>   2

in the Loan Agreement), the Loan shall be a "revolving line of credit"; that
is, portions of the principal sum of this Note may be advanced, repaid, and
readvanced.  The books and records of Lender shall be prima facie evidence of
all sums due Lender under this Note and the Other Security Documents.

         2.      PAYMENTS.  Interest shall accrue on this Note and interest and
principal shall be payable on this Note as provided in the Loan Agreement.  The
entire principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued but unpaid
interest thereon, any and all unpaid late charges and interest due at the
Default Rate (as defined in the Loan Agreement), and all other amounts owing
under this Note, the Other Note, and the Other Security Documents (the
"MATURITY OBLIGATIONS") shall be due and payable to Lender on December 31, 2002
(the "MATURITY DATE").

         3.      PAYMENTS; APPLICATION.  All payments due under this Note are
payable at P.O. Box 102771, Atlanta, Georgia 30368-0771 or at such other place
as Lender or other holder hereof shall notify Borrower in writing.

         4.      DEFAULT.  If Borrower fails to pay any installment of interest
or any principal on this Note or on the Other Note for five (5) days after the
same shall become due or upon the happening of any "Event of Default" as
defined in the Mortgage or any of the Other Security Documents, then and in any
such event Lender may at its option declare the entire unpaid balance of this
Note, together with interest accrued hereon, to be immediately due and payable
and Lender may proceed to exercise any rights or remedies that it may have
under the Mortgage, under the Other Security Documents, under this Note or
under any other agreement relating to the Loan or such other rights and
remedies which Lender may have at law, equity or otherwise.  In the event of
such acceleration, Borrower may discharge its obligations to Lender by paying
the Maturity Obligations, with interest at the Default Rate accruing from the
date such acceleration is declared, plus any applicable prepayment premium
provided for in the Loan Agreement, or if no prepayment is then permitted, a
prepayment premium equal to five percent (5%) of the unpaid balance of the
Loan.

         5.      COSTS OF COLLECTION.  If this Note is turned over to an
attorney at law for collection after default, in addition to the Maturity
Obligations, Lender shall be entitled to collect all costs of collection,
including but not limited to attorneys' fees incurred in connection with
protection of or realization of collateral or in connection with any of
Lender's collection efforts, whether or not suit on this Note or any
foreclosure proceeding is filed, and all such costs and expenses shall be
payable on demand and shall also be secured by the Mortgage and the Other
Security Documents.

         6.      NO WAIVER.  No failure on the part of Lender or other holder
hereof to exercise any right or remedy hereunder, whether before or after the
happening of a default, shall constitute a waiver thereof, and no waiver of any
past default shall constitute waiver of any future default or of any other
default.  No failure to accelerate the debt evidenced hereby by reason of
default hereunder, or acceptance of a past-due installment, or indulgence
granted from time to time shall be construed to be a waiver of the right to
insist upon prompt payment thereafter or to impose late





                                      2
<PAGE>   3

charges retroactively or prospectively, or shall be deemed to be a novation of
this Note or as a reinstatement of the debt evidenced hereby or as a waiver of
such right of acceleration or any other right, or be construed so as to
preclude the exercise of any right which Lender may have, whether by the laws
of the State of Texas, by agreement, or otherwise; and Borrower and each
endorser or guarantor hereby expressly waives the benefit of any statute or
rule of law or equity which would produce a result contrary to or in conflict
with the foregoing.  This Note may not be changed orally, but only by an
agreement in writing signed by the party against whom such agreement is sought
to be enforced.

         7.      WAIVERS.  Borrower, for itself and its heirs, successors and
assigns, and each endorser or guarantor of this Note, for its heirs, successors
and assigns, hereby waives presentment, protest, demand, diligence, notice of
dishonor and of nonpayment, and waives and renounces all rights to the benefits
of any statute of limitations and any moratorium, appraisement, exemption or
homestead right now provided or which may hereafter be provided by any federal
or state statute, including but not limited to exemptions provided by or
allowed under the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, both as to itself personally
and as to all of its or their property, whether real or personal, against the
enforcement and collection of the obligations evidenced by this Note and any
and all extensions, renewals and modifications hereof.

         8.      JOINT AND SEVERAL.  If Borrower consists of more than one (1)
person, corporation or other entity, the obligations and liabilities of such
persons, corporations or other entities under this Note and under the Mortgage
and the Other Security Documents shall be joint and several, and the word
"Borrower" shall mean all or some or any of them.

         9.      USURY.  It is the intention of the parties to conform strictly
to applicable usury laws from time to time in force, and all agreements between
Borrower and Lender, whether now existing or hereafter arising and whether oral
or written, are hereby expressly limited so that in no contingency or event
whatsoever, whether by acceleration of maturity hereof or otherwise, shall the
amount paid or agreed to be paid to Lender or the holder hereof, or collected
by Lender or such holder, for the use, forbearance or detention of the money to
be loaned hereunder or otherwise, or for the payment or performance of any
covenant or obligation contained herein or in the Mortgage or in any Other
Security Documents, or in any other document evidencing, securing or pertaining
to the indebtedness evidenced hereby, exceed the maximum amount permissible
under applicable usury laws.  If under any circumstances whatsoever fulfillment
of any provisions hereof or of the Mortgage or any Other Security Documents, at
the time performance of such provision shall be due, shall involve transcending
the limit of validity prescribed or permitted by law, including judicial
determination, then ipso facto, the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced
to the limit of such validity; and if under any circumstances Lender or any
other holder hereof shall ever receive any amount deemed interest by applicable
law which would exceed interest at the highest lawful rate, such amount that
would be excessive interest under applicable usury laws shall be applied to the
reduction of the principal amount owing hereunder or to other indebtedness
secured by the Mortgage and not to the payment of interest, or if such
excessive interest exceeds the unpaid balance of principal and other
indebtedness, the excess shall be deemed to have been a payment made by mistake
and shall be refunded to





                                      3
<PAGE>   4

Borrower or to any other person making such payment on Borrower's behalf.  All
sums paid or agreed to be paid to the holder hereof for the use, forbearance or
detention of the indebtedness of Borrower evidenced hereby and outstanding from
time to time shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized,
prorated, allocated and spread from the date of disbursement of the proceeds of
this Note until payment in full of such indebtedness so that the actual rate of
interest on account of such indebtedness is uniform through the term hereof.
The terms and provisions of this paragraph shall control and supersede every
other provision of all agreements between Lender and Borrower and any endorser
or guarantor of this Note.

         10.     LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  Borrower shall not be personally
liable for the repayment of any of the principal of or interest due under this
Note or for any deficiency judgment which Lender may obtain after foreclosure
on its collateral after default by Borrower, provided, however, that Borrower
and any general partner of Borrower shall not be exonerated or exculpated for
any deficiency, loss or damage suffered by Lender as a result of the failure by
Borrower to comply with any of the terms or conditions of the Mortgage or any
of the Other Security Documents (other than the provisions relating to the
payment of principal, interest or late charges), including but not limited to
losses resulting from: (a) Borrower's failure to perform its obligation to
properly account to Lender as mortgagee for any proceeds of insurance or
condemnation proceeds as required by the Mortgage; (b) Borrower's failure to
comply with provisions of the Mortgage prohibiting the sale or further
encumbering of the collateral; (c) Borrower's attempt to interfere with
Lender's rights under the Assignments of Rents and Leases (collectively the
"ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES") from Borrower to Lender, or any other
assignment of rents granted or any letter of credit issued in connection with
the Loan; (d) Borrower's failure to apply proceeds of rents and other income of
the collateral toward the costs of maintenance and operation of the Mortgaged
Property and to the payment of taxes, lien claims, insurance premiums and debt
service and other indebtedness to the extent that the Mortgage or Other
Security Documents require such rents and income to be so applied; (e)
Borrower's entering into or modifying leases in violation of the provisions of
the Mortgage or the Assignment of Rents and Leases; (f) Borrower's collection
of rentals for periods of more than one month in advance under leases of the
Mortgaged Property; (g) the receipt by Borrower of monies in connection with
the modification of any existing or future lease or the entering into of a new
lease in violation of the applicable provisions of the Mortgage or the
Assignment of Rents and Leases; (h) damage or destruction to the Mortgaged
Property, including its electrical, plumbing, heating or air-conditioning
systems or its elevators, except as a result of casualty; (i) Borrower's
failure to pay for any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by Lender in connection with any order, consent
decree, settlement, judgment or verdict arising from the deposit, storage,
disposal, burial, dumping, injecting, spilling, leaking, or other placement or
release in, on or from the Mortgaged Property of asbestos or a "hazardous
substance" as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq., as amended from time
to time, or any other toxic or hazardous waste or waste products; (j)
Borrower's failure to pay for any loss, liability or expense (including
attorney's fees) incurred by Lender arising out of any claim or allegation made
by Borrower, its successors or assigns, or any creditor of Borrower, that this
Note or the transactions contemplated hereby establish a joint venture or
partnership arrangement between Borrower and Lender; (k) any failure on the
part of Borrower to comply with any local, state or





                                      4
<PAGE>   5

federal laws or regulations governing the operation of the Mortgaged Property
as nursing homes and personal care facilities, including but not limited to the
requirements of the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of Human
Services, and the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Ohio Department of
Health, the Ohio Department on Aging, the State of Ohio Fire Marshall/local
fire department, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the
Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing, or the United States
Department of Health and Human Services, and any requirements under Medicare
(Title XVIII of the Social Security Act of 1965) or Medicaid (Title XIX of the
Social Security Act of 1965); (l) any liability for professional malpractice or
negligence relating to the operation of the Mortgaged Property; (m) any claim
for brokerage commissions or finders' fees claimed by any broker or any other
party in connection with the Loan or the Mortgaged Property, or (n) the failure
of Borrower to account for all security deposits and other deposits received by
Borrower under any leases of the Mortgaged Property, as required by the
Assignment of Rents and Leases; and provided further, that the foregoing
limitations on Borrower's personal liability with respect to principal and
interest shall not impair the validity of the indebtedness secured by Lender's
collateral, or the lien on or security interest in the collateral, or the right
of Lender as mortgagee or secured party to foreclose and/or enforce the
collateral after default by Borrower.  In the event any party shall have
guaranteed all or part of the Loan by separate written guaranty, none of the
foregoing limitations on Borrower's personal liability for payment of principal
and interest shall modify, diminish or discharge the personal liability of any
such guarantor as set forth in any such written guaranty.  None of the
foregoing limitations on Borrower's personal liability shall modify, diminish
or discharge the personal liability of Borrower or any individual under the
Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement executed and delivered by Borrower and
others of even date herewith or under any indemnification provisions of the
Mortgage or any of the Other Security Documents.  Nothing herein shall be
deemed to be a waiver of any right which Lender may have under Sections 506(a),
506(b), 1111(b) or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 to
file a claim for the full amount of the debt owing to Lender by Borrower or to
require that all collateral shall continue to secure all of the indebtedness
owing to Lender in accordance with this Note, the Mortgage and the Other
Security Documents.

         11.     GOVERNING LAW.  THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES
APPLICABLE TO TRANSACTIONS IN TEXAS.  Borrower hereby submits to personal
jurisdiction in the State of Texas for the enforcement of Borrower's
obligations hereunder and under the Mortgage and the Other Security Documents,
and waives any and all personal rights under the law of any other state to
object to jurisdiction within the State of Texas for the purposes of litigation
to enforce such obligation of Borrower.  In the event such litigation is
commenced, Borrower agrees that, in addition to any other manner provided by
applicable law or court rule, service of process may be made and personal
jurisdiction over Borrower obtained, by service of a copy of the summons,
complaint and other pleadings required





                                      5
<PAGE>   6

by applicable law to commence such litigation upon Borrower's appointed Agent
for Service of Process in the State of Texas, which Agent Borrower hereby
designates to be:

                                 CT Corporation
                               350 North St. Paul
                              Dallas, Texas 75201


         12.     RENEWAL, EXTENSION AND INCREASE.  The indebtedness evidenced
by this Note is in renewal, extension and increase, but not in extinguishment,
of the indebtedness evidenced by that Promissory Note, dated October 31, 1994,
in the stated principal amount of $49,000,000, executed by Borrower, bearing
interest and being payable to the order of GENEL as therein provided (the
"EXISTING NOTE").  The terms of this Note supersede and replace the terms of
the Existing Note.

         Executed as of the date first written above.

                                        FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas
                                        limited partnership

                                        By:  ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., 
                                             a Tennessee corporation, General 
                                             Partner



                                             By: /s/ W. E. Sheriff
                                                -------------------------------
                                                W. E. Sheriff, Chief Executive 
                                                Officer





                                      6

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.18

                               PROMISSORY NOTE

$24,000,000.00                                                     April 1, 1992


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited
partnership ("Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of GENERAL ELECTRIC
CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("GECC"), the sum of TWENTY-FOUR
MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($24,000,000.00), or so much thereof as shall be
advanced by GECC from tine to time under that Loan Agreement of even date
herewith between GECC and Borrower (the "Loan Agreement"), with interest on the
unpaid balance of such amount from the date of the initial disbursement (the
"Initial Disbursement") of the loan (the "Loan") evidenced hereby, at the rate
or rates of interest specified herein.  This Note is secured or to be secured
by a First Deed of Trust and Security Agreement (the "Mortgage") on two (2)
retirement communities (together the "Projects" and each individually, a
"Project") described as follow.:

         (a)     Weatlake Hills Retirement Community, a retirement community
                 consisting of approximately 150 independent residential living
                 units, 30 assisted living units, and a 90-bed
                 skilled/intermediate care health center on 14.003 acres
                 located at 1034 Capital Parkway, Austin, Texas 78746,
                 including parking for 212 automobiles; and

         (b)     The Broadway Plaza at Cityview, a retirement community
                 consisting of approximately 126 independent residential living
                 units, 88 villas, 40 assisted living units, and a 120-bed
                 skilled/intermediate care health center on 20.013 acres
                 located at 5301 Bryant Irvin Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76132,
                 including parking for 355 automobiles;

and more particularly described in the Mortgage (the Mortgaged Property") and
by other security given or to be given to GECC as collateral for the Loan
(collectively, the "Other Security Documents").

         Interest only on the outstanding balance of principal of this Note
shall be payable monthly on the first day of each month beginning May 1, 1992
and continuing to and including the first day of the month in which Income
Achievement (as defined in the Loan Agreement) occurs, at the Contract Index
Rate (as hereinafter defined); commencing the first day of the first month
immediately following Income Achievement and continuing on the first day of
each month thereafter to and including March 1, 1999, installments of principal
and interest shall be payable in the amount of the sum of (a) all accrued but
unpaid interest hereon, plus (b) the amount of the corresponding principal
increment in an amortization of the principal balance hereof in equal monthly
installments of principal and interest over twenty-five (25) years (commencing
with the first principal and interest installment) at the Contract Index Rate
from time to time in effect; the amount of each principal increment shall be
recomputed for the remainder of the amortization period at each change in the
Contract Index
<PAGE>   2

Rate.  A final payment of the Maturity Obligations (as hereinafter defined)
shall be payable on March 31, 1999 (the "Maturity Date").  Interest at the
Contract Index Rate shall be computed on the basis of a fraction, the
denominator of which is three hundred sixty (360) and the numerator of which is
the actual number of days elapsed from the date of the Initial Disbursement or
the date of the preceding interest installment due date, as the case may be, to
the date of the next interest installment due date or the Maturity Date.

         As used herein, "Maturity Obligations" shall mean the entire
outstanding principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued but unpaid
interest thereon, and all other sums due and unpaid hereunder and under the
Mortgage and the Other Security Documents, including, as applicable, the
Profits Participation and Right of First Refusal Agreement and Assignment of
even date herewith between Borrower and GECC (the "Profits Agreement"), as
hereinafter defined.

         As used herein, "Loan Year" shall mean the period between the date
hereof and March 31, 1993 for the first Loan Year and the period between each
succeeding April 1 and March 31 until the Maturity Date.

         As used herein, "Contract Index Rate" shall mean the rate of interest
equal to two percent (2%) per annum in excess of the higher of either the
"Prime Rate" or the "Commercial Paper Rate," as hereinafter defined.

         As used herein, "Prime Rate" shall mean the highest prime rate (or
base rate) reported in the Money Rates column or section of The Wall Street
Journal published on the second business day of the month preceding the month
in which a payment of interest and/or principal is due on the Loan, as having
been the rate in effect for corporate loans at large U.S. money center
commercial banks (whether or not such rate has actually been charged by any
such bank) as of the first calendar day of such month for which such rate is
published.  In the event The Wall Street Journal ceases publication of the
Prime Rate, the "Prime Rate" shall mean the prime rate (or base rate) announced
by Bankers Trust Company, New York, New York (whether or not such rate has
actually been charged by such bank).  In the event such bank discontinues the
practice of announcing the Prime Rate, the "Prime Rate" shall mean the highest
rate charged by such bank on short-term, unsecured loans to its most
creditworthy large corporate borrowers.

         As used herein, "Commercial Paper Rate" shall mean the highest
discount rate reported in the Money Rates column or section of The Wall Street
Journal (the "Published Rate"), published on the second business day of the
month preceding the month in which a payment of interest and/or principal is
due on the Loan, as having been the rate in effect for "high-grade unsecured
notes having 90-day maturities, sold through dealers by mayor Corporations in
multiples of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000)" (whether or not such notes have
actually been sold by such dealers at such rates) as of the first calendar day
of each month, for which such rate is published, adjusted to a per annum rate
by applying the following formula:


                                      2
<PAGE>   3


         (Published Rate)        times 1000 = X
          --------------                                 
         (       4      )


         (       X      )        times 4 = "Commercial Paper Rate"
          ---------------                                          
         (   1000 - X   )


         In the event The Wall Street Journal (i) publishes more than any one
Prime Rate or Published Rate, the higher or highest of such rates shall apply,
or (ii) publishes a retraction or correction of any such rate, the rate
reported in such retraction or correction shall apply.

         All payments due under this Note are payable at P. O. Box 302771,
Atlanta, Georgia 30368-0771 or at such other place as GECC or other holder
hereof shall notify Borrower in writing.

         All payments received by GECC on this Note shall be applied by GECC as
follows fires, to the payment of delinquency or "late" charges, if any; second,
to accrued and unpaid interests and third, to the reduction of principal.

         Borrower may prepay this Note in whole, but not in part, in the event
of any third party sale of the Projects, or any refinancing of the Loan, upon
ten (10) day prior written notice to GECC and on any regularly scheduled
interest payment due date, by paying the principal balance of, and all accrued
but unpaid interest under, this Note, and any Net Profit Participation due
under the Profits Agreement GECC reserves the right to require any payment on
this Note, whether such payment is of a regular installment or represents a
prepayment or final payment, to be by wired federal funds or other immediately
available funds.

         The provisions contained herein and in the Mortgage and Other Security
Documents giving GECC the right to participate in the proceeds of the sale or
increase in the appraised value of the Mortgaged Property in addition to the
right to receive repayment of the Maturity Obligations in full, represent
additional consideration for the Loan and shall not be deemed to create a joint
venture or partnership arrangement between GECC and Borrower, it being
Borrower's intention that the transaction will be a loan and not a joint
venture or partnership and the transaction shall not be deemed to be an
agreement by GECC to share in any losses incurred by Borrower or to be
responsible for any liabilities of Borrower to third parties.

         In the event Borrower fails to pay any installment of interest or any
principal on this Note for five (5) days after the same shall become due,
whether by acceleration or otherwise, GECC may, at its option, impose a
delinquency or late charge on Borrower, payable upon demand, equal to the
greater of:

         (a)     Five percent (5%) per annum in excess of the Contract Index
Rate (the





                                      3
<PAGE>   4

                 "Delinquency Rate") that would have been applicable to
                 a then current installment as provided elsewhere in this Note,
                 as if such installment had been made when due, computed from
                 the date said payment was due and payable to the date of
                 receipt of such installment by GECC in good and immediately
                 available funds, or

         (b)     Five percent (5%) of the amount of such past due payment (the
                 "Late Charge"), notwithstanding the date on which such payment
                 is actually paid to GECC;

provided, however, that if any such late charge under subsections (a) or (b)
hereof is not recognized as liquidated damages for such delinquency (as
contemplated by Borrower and GECC), is demand to be interest and, then added to
all other interact contracted for, charged or received on the indebtedness
evidenced by this Note, is in excess of the amount permitted to be charged to
Borrower under applicable law, GECC shall be entitled to collect a late charge
only in the amount which, when added to such other interest, would not exceed
interest at the highest rate permitted by law, and any interest actually
collected by GECC in excess of such lawful amount shall be deemed a payment in
reduction of the principal amount then outstanding under this Note and shall be
so applied.

         In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Note and
those of the Mortgage, the Other Security Documents or any other agreement
relating to the Loan, the provisions of this Note shall govern.

         In the event Borrower fails to pay any installment of interest or any
principal on this Note for five (5) days after the same shall become due or
upon the happening of any "Event of Default" as defined in the Mortgage or any
of the Other Security Documents, then and in any such event GECC may at its
option declare the entire unpaid balance of this Note, together with interest
accrued hereon, to be immediately due and payable and GECC may proceed to
exercise any rights or remedies that it may have under the Mortgage, under the
Other Security Documents, under this Note or under any other agreement relating
to the Loan or such other rights and remedies which GECC may have at law,
equity or otherwise.  In the event of such acceleration, Borrower may discharge
its obligations to GECC by paying the Maturity Obligations, with interest at
the Delinquency Rate accruing from the date such acceleration is declared, plus
any applicable prepayment premium, or if no prepayment is then permitted, a
prepayment premium equal to five percent (5%) of the unpaid balance of the
loan.

         In the event this Note is turned over to an attorney at law for
collection after default, in addition to the Maturity Obligations, GECC shall
be entitled to collect all costs of collection, including but not limited to
attorneys' fees incurred in connection with protection of or realization of
collateral or in connection with any of GECC's collection efforts, whether or
not suit on this Note or any foreclosure proceeding is filed, and all such
coats and expenses shall be payable on demand and shall also be secured by the
Mortgage and the Other Security Documents.





                                      4
<PAGE>   5


         No failure on the part of GECC or other holder hereof to exercise any
right or remedy hereunder, whether before or after the happening of a default
shall constitute a waiver thereof, and no waiver of any past default shall
constitute waiver of any future default or of any other default.  No failure to
accelerate the debt evidenced hereby by reason of default hereunder, or
acceptance of a past due installment, or indulgence granted from time to time
shall be construed to be a waiver of the right to insist upon prompt payment
thereafter or to impose late charges retroactively or prospectively, or shall
be deemed to be a notation of this Note or as a reinstatement of the debt
evidenced hereby or as a waiver of such right of acceleration or any other
right, or be construed so as to preclude the exercise of any right which GECC
may have, whether by the laws of the State of Texas, by agreement, or
otherwise; and Borrower and each endorser or guarantor hereby expressly waives
the benefit of any statute or rule of law or equity which would produce a
result contrary to or in conflict with the foregoing.  This Note may not be
changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against
whom such agreement is sought to be enforced.

         Borrower, for itself and its heirs, successors and assigns, and each
endorser or guarantor of this Note, for its heirs, successors and assigns,
hereby waives presentment, protest, demand, diligence, notice of dishonor and
of nonpayment, and waives and renounces all rights to the benefits of any
statute of limitations and any moratorium, appraisement, exemption and
homestead now provided or which may hereafter be provided by any federal or
state statute, including but not limited to exemptions provided by or allowed
under the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, both as to itself personally and as to
all of its or their property, whether real or personal, against the enforcement
and collection of the obligations evidenced by this Note and any and all
extensions, renewals and modifications hereof.

         If Borrower consists of more than one (1) person, corporation or other
entity, the obligations and liabilities of such persons, corporation or other
entities under this Note and under the Mortgage and the Other Security
Documents shall be joint and several, and the word "Borrower" shall mean all or
some or any of them.

         It is the intention of the parties to conform strictly to applicable
usury laws from time to time in force, and all agreements between Borrower and
GECC, whether now existing or hereafter arising and whether oral or written,
are hereby expressly limited so that in no contingency or event whatsoever,
whether by acceleration of maturity hereof or otherwise, shall the amount paid
or agreed to be paid to GECC or the holder hereof, or collected by GECC or such
holder, for the use, forbearance or detention of the money to be loaned
hereunder or otherwise, or for the payment or performance of any covenant or
obligation contained herein or in the Mortgage or in any Other Security
Documents, or in any other document evidencing, securing or pertaining to the
indebtedness evidenced hereby, exceed the maximum amount permissible under
applicable usury laws.  If under any circumstances whatsoever fulfillment of
any provisions hereof or of the Mortgage or any Other Security Documents, at
the time performance of such provision shall be due, shall involve transcending





                                       5

<PAGE>   6

the limit of validity prescribed or permitted by law, including judicial
determination, then ipso facto, obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to
the limit of such validity; and if under any circumstances GECC or any other
holder hereof shall ever receive any amount deemed interest by applicable law
which would exceed interest at the highest lawful rate, such amount that would
be excessive interest under applicable usury laws shall be applied to the
reduction of the principal amount owing hereunder or to other indebtedness
secured by the Mortgage and not to the payment of interest, or if such
excessive interest exceeds the unpaid balance of principal and other
indebtedness, the excess shall be deemed to have been a payment made by mistake
and shall be refunded to Borrower or to any other person making such payment on
Borrower's behalf.  All sums paid or agreed to be paid to the holder hereof for
the use, forbearance or detention of the indebtedness of Borrower evidenced
hereby and outstanding from time to time shall, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread from the date of
disbursement of the proceeds of this Note until payment in full of such
indebtedness so that the actual rate of interest on account of such
indebtedness is uniform through the term hereof.  The terms and provisions of
this paragraph shall control and supersede every other provision of all
agreements between GECC and Borrower and any endorser or guarantor of this
Note.

         Borrower shall not be personally liable for the repayment of any of
the principal of or interest due under this Note or for any deficiency judgment
which GECC any obtain after foreclosure on its collateral after default by
Borrower, provided, however, that Borrower and any general partner of Borrower
shall not be exonerated or exculpated for any deficiency, loss or damage
suffered by GECC as a result of the failure by Borrower to comply with any of
the terms or conditions of the Mortgage or any of the Other Security Documents
(other than the provisions relating to the payment of principal, interest or
late charges), including but not limited to losses resulting from:  (i)
Borrower's failure to perform its obligation to properly account to GECC as
mortgagee for any proceeds of insurance or condemnation proceeds as required by
the Mortgage; (ii) Borrower's failure to comply with provisions of the Mortgage
prohibiting the sale or further encumbering of the collateral; (iii) Borrower's
attempt to interfere with GECC's rights under the Assignment of Rents and
Leases (herein so called) of even date herewith from Borrower to GECC, or any
other assignment of rents granted or any letter of credit issued in connection
with the Loan; (iv) Borrower's failure to apply proceeds of rents and other
income of the collateral toward the coats of maintenance and operation of the
Mortgaged Property and to the payment of taxes, lien claims, insurance premiums
and debt service and other indebtedness to the extent that the Mortgage or
Other Security Documents require such rents and income to be so applied; (v)
Borrower's entering into or modifying leases in violation of the provisions of
the Mortgage or the Assignment of Rents and Leases; (vi) Borrower's collection
of rentals for periods of more than one month in advance under lease of the
Mortgaged Property; (vii) the receipt by Borrower of monies in connection with
the modification of any existing or future lease or the entering into of a new
lease in violation of the applicable provisions of the Mortgage or the
assignment of Rents and Leases; (viii) damage or destruction to the Mortgaged
Property, including its electrical, plumbing, heating or air-conditioning
systems or its elevators, except as a result of casualty; (ix) Borrower's





                                      6
<PAGE>   7

failure to pay for any lose, liability, damage, coat or expense (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by GECC in connection with any order, consent decree,
settlement, judgment or verdict arising from the deposit, storage, disposal,
burial, dumping, injecting, spilling, leaking, or other placement or release
in, on or from the Mortgaged Property of asbestos or a "hazardous substance" as
defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq., as amended from time to time, or
any other toxic or hazardous waste or waste products; (x) Borrower's failure to
pay for any loss, liability or expense (including attorney's fees) incurred by
GECC arising out of any claim or allegation made by Borrower, its successors or
assigns, or any creditor of Borrower, that this Note or the transactions
contemplated hereby establish a joint venture or partnership arrangement
between Borrower and GECC; (xi) any failure on the part of Borrower to comply
with any local, state or federal laws or regulations governing the operation of
the Projects as nursing homes and personal care facilities, including but not
limited to the requirements of the Texas Department of Health, the Texas
Department of Human Services, or the United States Department of Health and
Human Services, and any requirements under Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social
Security Act of 1965) or Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act of
1965); or (xii) any liability for professional malpractice or negligence
relating to the operation of the Projects; and provided further, that the
foregoing limitations on Borrower's personal liability with respect to
principal and interest shall not impair the validity of the indebtedness
secured by GECC's collateral, or the lien on or security interest in the
collateral, or the right of GECC as mortgagee or secured party to foreclose
and/or enforce the collateral after default by Borrower in the event any party
shall have guaranteed all or part of the Loan by separate written guaranty,
none of the foregoing limitations on Borrower's personal liability for payment
of principal and interest shall modify, diminish or discharge the personal
liability of any such guarantor as set forth in any such written guaranty.
None of the foregoing limitations on Borrower's personal liability shall
modify, diminish or discharge the personal liability of Borrower or any
individual under the Hazardous Substances Indemnity Agreement executed and
delivered by Borrower of even date herewith or under any indemnification
provisions of the Mortgage or any of the Other Security Documents.  Nothing
herein shall be deemed to be a waiver of any right which GECC may have under
sections 506(a), 506(b), 1111(b) or any other provision of the Bankruptcy
Reform Act of 1978 to file a claim for the full amount of the debt owing to
GECC by Borrower or to require that all collateral shall continue to secure all
of the indebtedness owing to GECC in accordance with this Note, the Mortgage
and the Other Security Documents.

         THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF TEXAS AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES APPLICABLE TO TRANSACTIONS IN
TEXAS.  Borrower hereby submits to personal jurisdiction in the State of Texas
for the enforcement of Borrower's obligations hereunder and under the Mortgage
and the Other Security Documents, and waives any and all personal rights under
the law of any other state to object to jurisdiction within the State of Texas
for the purposes of litigation to enforce such obligation of Borrower.  In the
event such litigation is commenced, Borrower agrees that, in addition to any
other manner provided by applicable law or court rule, service of process may
be made and personal jurisdiction over Borrower obtained, by





                                      7
<PAGE>   8

service of a copy of the summons, complaint and other pleadings required by
applicable law to commence such litigation upon Borrower's  appointed Agent for
Service of Process in the State of Texas, which Agent Borrower hereby
designates to be:

                                           CT Corporation    
                                         350 North St. Paul  
                                        Dallas, Texas 75201  

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, intending to bo legally bound hereby,
has caused this Note to be duly executed under seal the day and year first
above written.
                                        FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                        a Texas limited partnership-

                                        By:     FORT AUSTIN ASSOCIATES LIMITED
                                                PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited
                                                partnership, General Partner

                                        By:     ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES,
                                                INC., a Tennessee
                                                corporation, Managing General
                                                Partner


                                                By: /s/ James H. Drass, Jr.
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                       James H. Drass, Jr.  
                                                       Senior Vice President







                                      8
<PAGE>   9
                          THIRD RENEWAL, EXTENSION AND
                             MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

     This Third Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement (this "AGREEMENT")
is executed as of October 31, 1994 between AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION, a
Tennessee corporation, ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., a Tennessee
corporation, and FORT AUSTIN ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited
partnership (collectively, "GUARANTORS" and each a "GUARANTOR"), FORT AUSTIN
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited partnership ("BORROWER") and GENEL COMPANY,
INC., an Oregon corporation ("GENEL").


                                    RECITALS:

     A. GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("GECC")
and Borrower entered into the Loan Agreement dated as of April 1, 1992 (the
"ORIGINAL LOAN AGREEMENT"), in which GECC made a loan (the "LOAN") to Borrower
in the amount of TWENTY FOUR MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($24,000,000.00) as
evidenced by the Promissory Note of even date therewith, in the stated principal
amount of $24,000,000, executed by Borrower and payable to the order of GECC as
therein provided (the "NOTE");

     B. The indebtedness evidenced by the Note is secured by, among other
things, (i) the First Deed of Trust and Security Agreement dated as of April 1,
1992 (the "DEED OF TRUST"), executed by Borrower to Michael R. Boulden, Trustee,
recorded at Volume 10585, Page 1351, et seq., of the Real Property Records of
Tarrant County, Texas, and at Volume 11656, Page 0625, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Travis County, Texas, and encumbering (a) the real property
and improvements described therein and known as the Broadway Plaza at Cityview
Retirement Community located in the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
("BROADWAY") and (b) the real property and improvements known as the Summit at
Westlake Retirement Community in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas
("SUMMIT") (collectively, the "MORTGAGED PROPERTY"), and (i) Assignment of Rents
and Leases dated April 1, 1992 (the "ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS"), executed by Borrower
and recorded in Volume 10585, Page 1435, et seq., of the Real Property Records
of Tarrant County, and in Volume 11656, Page 0665, et seq., of the Real Property
Records of Travis County, Texas, assigning to GECC all of the rents and leases
of the Mortgaged Property;

     C. American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation ("ORIGINAL
GUARANTOR") executed and delivered to GECC the Guarantee, dated as of April 1,
1992, guaranteeing to GECC the payment and performance of certain obligations
and liabilities of Borrower under the Loan and the Security Documents (the
"ORIGINAL GUARANTEE");

     D. The Loan Agreement, the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of
Rents, the Original Guarantee, and all other documents or instruments
evidencing, governing, securing, or 


                                        1

<PAGE>   10



otherwise pertaining to the Loan are collectively referred to herein as the
"ORIGINAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS";

     E. GECC, Borrower and Guarantor entered into the First Modification
Agreement dated May 27, 1993 (the "FIRST MODIFICATION"), recorded in Volume
11097, Page 1062, et. seq., of the Real Property Records of Tarrant County,
Texas, and in Volume 11954, Page 2231, et. seq., of the Real Property Records of
Travis County, Texas, modifying and amending the Loan Agreement, the Note, the
Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents and the other Original Security
Documents;

     F. GECC and GENEL entered into the Assignment of Note, Liens and Other
Security Documents, dated as of June 14, 1994, whereby GECC assigned all of its
right, title and interest in the Original Security Documents to GENEL, and GENEL
became the owner and holder of the Note, "Beneficiary" of the Deed of Trust, and
became substituted in all respects for GECC under the Assignment of Rents and
the other Original Security Documents;

     G. GENEL, Borrower and Guarantor entered into the Second Renewal, Extension
and Modification Agreement dated as of June 14, 1994 (the "SECOND
MODIFICATION"), recorded in Volume 11620, Page 0230, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and in Volume 12209, Page 0555, et
seq., of the Real Property Records of Travis County, Texas, modifying and
amending the Loan Agreement, the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of
Rents and Other Security Documents and providing for, among other things,
financing by GENEL for Borrower's acquisition and development of the Santa
Catalina Villas Retirement Community located in the City of Tucson, Pima County,
Arizona ("SANTA CATALINA"), the satisfaction of certain second lien indebtedness
on Summit and Broadway, and the replacement of the (a) Original Loan Agreement
with the Loan Agreement, dated as of June 14, 1994, between GENEL and Borrower
(the "FIRST REPLACEMENT LOAN AGREEMENT") (b) the Original Guarantee with the
Unconditional Guarantee of Payment and Performance, dated as of July 14, 1994,
executed by Guarantors for the benefit of GENEL (the "FIRST REPLACEMENT
GUARANTEE"); and

     H. Borrower and Guarantors have requested GENEL to extend additional
financing to Borrower for its acquisition of the Parkplace Retirement Community
located in the City of Denver, Denver County, Colorado ("PARKPLACE"), The
Hampton at Post Oak Road Retirement Community located in the City of Houston,
Harris County, Texas ("HAMPTON"), and the Westlake Village Retirement Community
located in the City of Westlake, Cuyahoga County, Ohio ("WESTLAKE") and in
renewal and execution of second lien indebtedness on Summit and Broadway and
certain first lien indebtedness on Santa Catalina, and GENEL has agreed to
extend the additional financing subject to, among other conditions, execution
and delivery by Borrower of (a) the Loan Agreement of even date herewith between
GENEL and Borrower, in substitution for the First Replacement Loan Agreement,
with respect to the Loan and the additional financing (the "LOAN AGREEMENT"),
(b) the Guaranty of Payment and Performance of even date herewith executed by
Guarantors for the benefit of GENEL, in substitution of the First Replacement
Guarantee (the "GUARANTY"), and (c) certain modifications and amendments of the
Note, the Deed of Trust and the other Original Security Documents, as amended or
replaced to date, as hereinafter 



                                       2

<PAGE>   11

provided. As used herein, "SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall include the Original
Security Documents, as modified and replaced by the First Modification, the
Second Modification this Agreement, the Guaranty and the Loan Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENTS:

     For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, GENEL, Borrower and Guarantors hereby modify and amend
the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents and the other Security
Documents as follows:

     1. MODIFICATION OF THE NOTE. The Note is hereby amended and modified as
follows:

          (a) RENEWAL AND EXTENSION. The maturity date of the Note, defined in
     the Note as the "Maturity Date," is hereby modified and extended so that
     the outstanding principal balance of the Note and all accrued but unpaid
     interest thereon shall be fully due and payable on October 31, 2001. Prior
     to default or maturity, interest on the unpaid principal balance of the
     Note shall continue to be payable as provided in the Note, as it is
     modified by this Agreement. Borrower hereby renews the indebtedness
     evidenced by the Note and promises to pay to the order of GENEL the unpaid
     principal balance of the Note plus all accrued but unpaid interest and
     charges thereon in accordance with the Note and this Agreement.

          (b) PAYMENT TERMS. The second grammatical paragraph of the Note is
     amended and restated as follows:

          Interest and principal on this Note shall be payable as follows:

               (1) INTEREST. Commencing November 1, 1994, and continuing on the
          first day of each month thereafter, to and including October 1, 2001,
          Borrower shall pay to GENEL in arrears, all accrued and unpaid
          interest for the immediately preceding month on the outstanding
          principal balance of this Note at the Contract Index Rate (as
          hereinafter defined). Interest at the Contract Index Rate shall be
          computed on the basis of a fraction, the denominator of which is three
          hundred sixty (360) and the numerator of which is the actual number of
          days elapsed from the date of the Initial Disbursement or the date of
          the preceding interest installment due date, as the case may be, to
          the date of the next interest installment due date or the Maturity
          Date.

               (2) PRINCIPAL. In addition to monthly payments of interest
          hereunder, (i) commencing December 1, 1994 and continuing on the first
          day of each month thereafter, to and including August 1, 1995,
          Borrower shall pay to GENEL, in reduction of the principal balance of
          this Note, NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($9,400.00);
          and (ii) commencing September 1, 1995 and continuing on the first day
          of each month thereafter to and 


                                       3

<PAGE>   12

          including October 1, 2001, Borrower shall pay to GENEL, in reduction
          of the principal balance of this Note, THIRTY TWO THOUSAND EIGHT
          HUNDRED AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($32,800.00); provided, however, that if on
          the first day of any month, either (A) Debt Service Coverage as
          defined below but calculated on an interest only basis for the most
          recent consecutive 90-day period, as determined by GENEL, is less than
          1.20:1 or (B) annualized Net Revenues Available for Debt Services
          (defined below) divided by the then outstanding principal balance of
          the Note is less than 0.145, then, in addition to regular monthly
          installments of interest and principal on this Note, Borrower shall
          pay to GENEL, in reduction of the principal balance of this Note, on
          the twentieth (20th) day of each month, all Excess Cash Flow (defined
          below) for the preceding month.

               (3) MATURITY DATE. The entire principal amount of this Note,
          together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, any and all
          unpaid late charges and interest due at the Delinquency Rate, and all
          other Maturity Obligations (defined below) shall be due and payable to
          GENEL on October 31, 2001 (the "MATURITY DATE").

          (c) DEFINED TERMS. Defined terms in the Note are hereby modified and
     amended effective on the date of this Agreement as follows:

               (1) The definition of "LOAN AGREEMENT" is amended to mean and
          refer solely to the Loan Agreement dated October 31, 1994 between
          GENEL and Borrower.

               (2) The definition of "MATURITY OBLIGATIONS" is amended and
          restated as follows:

                    As used herein, "Maturity Obligations" shall mean the entire
               outstanding principal amount of this Note and the Promissory Note
               dated as of October 31, 1994, in the stated principal amount of
               $49,000,000 executed by Borrower, bearing interest and being
               payable to the order of GENEL (the "OTHER NOTE"), together with
               all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, and all other sums due
               and unpaid hereunder and under the Mortgage, the Other Security
               Documents, and all documents evidencing, governing, securing or
               otherwise pertaining to the indebtedness evidenced by the Other
               Note.


                                        4

<PAGE>   13



               (3) The definition of "LOAN YEAR" is amended and restated as
          follows:

                    As used herein, "LOAN YEAR" shall mean the period between
               the date hereof and October 31, 1995 for the first Loan Year, and
               the period between each succeeding November 1 and October 31
               until the Maturity Date.

               (4) The definition of "CONTRACT INDEX RATE" is amended and
          restated as follows:

                    As used herein, "Contract Index Rate" shall mean the rate of
               interest equal to four and five-tenths percent (4.5%) per annum
               in excess of the GECC Composite Commercial Paper Rate (as
               hereinafter defined). "GECC COMPOSITE COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE"
               shall mean the "Average Interest Expense" (as hereinafter
               defined) on the actual principal amount of the GECC Composite
               Commercial Paper outstanding for General Electric Capital
               Corporation ("GECC") for the full fiscal month preceding the
               interest billing month. "GECC Composite Commercial Paper" shall
               mean GECC's outstanding commercial paper for terms of nine (9)
               months or less from sources within the United States but
               excluding the current portion of GECC's long term debt and GECC
               Financial Corporation's borrowings and interest expense. "Average
               Interest Expense" shall mean the percentage obtained by dividing
               the interest expense on GECC Composite Commercial Paper for such
               fiscal month by the average daily principal amount of GECC
               Commercial Paper outstanding during such fiscal month, divided by
               the actual number of days in such fiscal month and multiplied by
               the actual number of days in the calendar year. The GECC
               Composite Commercial Paper Rate shall be determined by GECC and
               evidenced by a certificate issued by an authorized GECC employee.

          (d) ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS. The following paragraph is added
     immediately following the second grammatical paragraph of the Note, as
     amended and restated above:

               As used herein, the terms "DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE," "EXCESS CASH
          FLOW" and "NET REVENUES AVAILABLE FOR DEBT SERVICE" shall have the
          same meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement. All
          capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall be given the
          meaning assigned to them in the Loan Agreement.

          (e) The eleventh grammatical paragraph of the Note (fifth grammatical
     paragraph on page 3 of the Note) is amended and restated as follows:

               Borrower may prepay this Note in whole, but not in part, and only
          in conjunction with the payment in full of the Other Note, in the
          event of any third 


                                       5


<PAGE>   14

          party sale of all of the Mortgaged Property or any refinancing of the
          Loan, upon ten (10) days prior written notice to GENEL and on any
          regularly scheduled interest payment due date, by paying GENEL the
          Maturity Obligations, plus an aggregate prepayment premium allocable
          to Broadway and Summit, for both this Note and the Other Note, equal
          to the sum of (i) two percent (2%) of the entire principal amount of
          any prepayment, if such prepayment is made during the first Loan Year,
          and (ii) one percent (1%) of the entire principal amount of any
          prepayment, if such prepayment is made during the second Loan Year,
          and (iii) zero percent (0%) of the entire principal amount of any
          prepayment if such prepayment if such prepayment is made after the
          expiration of the second Loan Year. GENEL reserves the right to
          require any payment on this Note, whether such payment is of a regular
          installment or represents a prepayment or final payment, to be by
          wired federal funds or other immediately available funds.

          (f) The fifteenth grammatical paragraph of the Note (last grammatical
     paragraph commencing on page 4 of the Note) is amended and restated as
     follows:

               If Borrower fails to pay any installment of interest or any
          principal on this Note or on the Other Note for five (5) days after
          the same shall become due or upon the happening of any "Event of
          Default" as defined in the Mortgage or any of the Other Security
          Documents, then and in any such event GENEL may at its option declare
          the entire unpaid balance of this Note, together with interest accrued
          hereon, to be immediately due and payable and GENEL may proceed to
          exercise any rights or remedies that it may have under the Mortgage,
          under the Other Security Documents, under this Note or under any other
          agreement relating to the Loan or such other rights and remedies which
          GENEL may have at law, equity or otherwise. In the event of such
          acceleration, Borrower may discharge its obligations to GENEL by
          paying the Maturity Obligations, with interest at the Delinquency Rate
          accruing from the date such acceleration is declared, plus any
          applicable prepayment premium, or if no prepayment is then permitted,
          a prepayment premium equal to five percent (5%) of the unpaid balance
          of the Loan.

     2. MODIFICATION OF DEED OF TRUST. The Deed of Trust is hereby modified and
amended as follows:

          (a) CROSS-DEFAULT. Section 2.01(v) is amended and restated as
     follows::

               "; or (v) default when and as the same shall become due and
          payable of any payment of principal or interest on Promissory Note
          dated October 31, 1994, in the stated principal amount of $49,000,000
          executed by the Grantor, bearing interest and being payable to the
          order of Genel Company, Inc. as therein provided; whether by maturity
          or acceleration, which default has continued for a period of five (5)
          days, except such five (5) day grace period shall not be allowed for
          payments becoming due and owing by reason of acceleration."


                                       6

<PAGE>   15

          (b) GENERAL MODIFICATION. The Deed of Trust is further modified to
     provide that (1) all references therein to the "Note" or the like shall
     mean the Note, as modified by this Agreement, and (2) all references to the
     Loan Agreement shall mean and refer solely to the Loan Agreement (that is,
     that Loan Agreement dated October 31, 1994, between Borrower and GENEL).

     3. MODIFICATION OF ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS. The Assignment of Rents is hereby
modified and amended as follows:

          (a) REFERENCE TO DOCUMENTS. Section 2(b)(ii) of the Assignment of
     Rents is hereby amended and restated as follows:

               "(ii) interest, principal or other amounts payable to GENEL
          pursuant to:

                    (A) the Loan Agreement dated October 31, 1994, between GENEL
               and Assignor (the "LOAN AGREEMENT");

                    (B) the following Promissory Notes (collectively, and as
               amended, the "NOTE"):

                         (i) Promissory Note dated April 1, 1992, in the stated
                    principal amount of $24,000,000, executed by Assignor,
                    bearing interest and being payable to the order of General
                    Electric Capital Corporation ("GECC"), and endorsed payable
                    to the order of GENEL, as modified by the First Modification
                    Agreement (the "FIRST MODIFICATION") dated May 27, 1993
                    between Assignor, GECC, and American Retirement Corporation
                    ("ARC") and recorded in Volume 11097, Page 1062, et seq., of
                    the Real Property Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and in
                    Volume 11954, Page 2231, et seq., of the Real Property
                    Records of Travis County, Texas, as further modified by the
                    Second Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement (the
                    "SECOND MODIFICATION") dated June 14, 1994, between
                    Assignor, GENEL, and ARC, and recorded in Volume 11620, Page
                    0230, et seq., of the Real Property Records of Tarrant
                    County, Texas, and in Volume 12209, Page 0555, et seq., of
                    the Real Property Records of Travis County, Texas, and as
                    further modified by the Third Renewal, Extension and
                    Modification Agreement (the "THIRD MODIFICATION") dated
                    October 31, 1994, between Assignor, GENEL and ARC; and

                         (ii) Promissory Note dated October 14, 1994, in the
                    stated principal amount of $49,000,000, executed by
                    Assignor, bearing interest and being payable to the order of
                    GENEL as therein provided; and


                                       7

<PAGE>   16

                    (C) the following deeds of trust: (i) First Deed of Trust
               and Security Agreement dated April 1, 1992, executed by Assignor
               in favor of GECC, the interest of GECC herein having been
               assigned to GENEL under that Assignment of Note, Liens and Other
               Security Documents dated as of June 14, 1994 between GECC and
               GENEL, and recorded in Volume 11620, Page 0222, et seq., of the
               Real Property Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and in Volume
               12209, Page 0548, et seq., of the Real Property Records of Travis
               County, Texas, as amended by the First Modification, the Second
               Modification, and the Third Modification and (ii) Second Deed of
               Trust and Security Agreement dated October 31, 1994, executed by
               Assignor in favor of GENEL (collectively, the "DEED OF TRUST")."

     4. MODIFICATION OF SECURITY DOCUMENTS. The other Security Documents are
modified to provide that all references to the "Loan Agreement" shall mean the
Loan Agreement dated October 31, 1994 between GENEL and Borrower and that all
references therein to the "Note" or the like shall mean, collectively, (a) the
Promissory Note dated April 1, 1992, in the stated principal amount of
$24,000,000, executed by Borrower, bearing interest and being payable to the
order of GECC, endorsed payable to the order of GENEL, as modified by (i) the
First Modification Agreement, dated as of May 27, 1993 between GECC, Borrower
and Original Guarantor, and recorded in Volume 11097, Page 1062, et seq., of the
Real Property Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and in Volume 11954, Page 2231,
et seq., of the Real Property Records of Travis County, Texas, (ii) the Second
Modification and (iii) this Agreement, and (b) Promissory Note, of even date
herewith, in the stated principal amount of $49,000,000 executed by Borrower,
bearing interest and being payable to the order of GENEL as therein provided.

     5. LIENS. In conjunction with the renewal, extension and modification of
the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents, and the other Security
Documents, Borrower hereby agrees that such modification shall in no manner
affect or impair the Note (except to the extent renewed, extended and amended
hereby) or the liens, assignments and security interests under the Deed of Trust
and the other Security Documents, and that said liens, assignments and security
interests shall not in any manner be waived, the purpose of this Agreement being
simply to modify the Note and the other Security Documents, and Borrower further
agrees that, as modified by this Agreement and heretofore modified in writing,
all terms and provisions of the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of
Rents, and the other Security Documents shall be and remain in full force and
effect as therein written.

     6. NO DEFENSES. Borrower and Guarantor hereby covenant and warrant that
GENEL is not in default in the performance of any of its obligations or
warranties under the Security Documents, that there are no defenses,
counterclaims or offsets to the Security Documents, and that all of the
provisions of the Security Documents are in full force and effect.


                                       8

<PAGE>   17

     7. COSTS. Borrower agrees to pay all costs incurred in connection with the
execution and consummation of this Agreement, including but not limited to, all
recording costs and the fees and expenses of GENEL's counsel.

     8. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT OF GUARANTOR. Guarantors hereby (a)
acknowledge and consent to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
(b) ratify and confirm the Guaranty to and for the benefit of Lender, and (c)
acknowledge that the Guaranty is valid and in full force and effect and is
subject to no claims, defenses, or off-sets. Further, Guarantors agree that
nothing contained in this Agreement shall adversely affect any right or remedy
of Lender under the Guaranty and that with respect to the Guaranty all
references to any of the Security Documents in the Guaranty shall mean such
documents as amended by this Agreement; that the execution and delivery of this
Agreement shall in no way change or modify their obligations as Guarantors
pursuant to the Guaranty; and that the execution and delivery of any agreements
by Borrower and Lender shall not constitute a waiver by Lender of any of
Lender's rights against Guarantors, and (d) waive all claims, defenses, and
rights of offset that they may have against their obligations thereunder as of
the date hereof, if any, whether known or unknown, whether arising under tort,
contract, at law, or in equity.

     9. MAXIMUM AMOUNT. All agreements between Borrower and GENEL, whether now
existing or hereafter arising and whether written or oral, are hereby expressly
limited so that in no contingency, whether by reason of acceleration of the
maturity of the Note or otherwise, shall the interest contracted for, charged,
received, paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of the Note exceed the maximum
amount permissible under applicable law. If from any circumstance whatsoever
interest would otherwise be payable to the holder of the Note in excess of the
maximum lawful amount, the interest payable to the holder of the Note shall be
reduced to the maximum amount permitted by applicable law; and if from any
circumstance the holder of the Note shall ever receive anything of value deemed
interest by applicable law, an amount equal to any excessive interest shall be
applied to the reduction of the principal amount owing under the Note, and not
to the payment of interest, or if such excessive interest exceeds such unpaid
balance of principal of the Note, such excess shall be refunded to Borrower. All
interest paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of the Note shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread
throughout the full term of the Note (including the period of any renewal or
extension thereof), so that the interest on the Note shall not exceed the
maximum amount permitted by applicable law. This section shall control all
agreements between Borrower and the holder of the Note.

     EXECUTED as of the date and year first recited above.

GUARANTORS:                      AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION, 
                                 a Tennessee corporation


                                 By:
                                      -----------------------------------
                                        James T. Money


                                       9


<PAGE>   18

                                        Executive Vice President


                                 ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., a
                                 Tennessee corporation


                                 By:
                                     ----------------------------------
                                        James T. Money
                                        Executive Vice President

                                 FORT AUSTIN ASSOCIATES LIMITED
                                 PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited partnership

                                 By:   ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc.,
                                       a Tennessee corporation, its Managing
                                       General Partner


                                        By:
                                             -----------------------------
                                                James T. Money
                                                Executive Vice President


BORROWER:                       FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a
                                Texas limited partnership

                                By: Fort Austin Associates Limited Partnership, 
                                    a Texas limited partnership,
                                    General Partner

                                     By:  ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc.,
                                          a Tennessee corporation, Managing
                                          General Partner


                                          By:
                                              --------------------------
                                                James T. Money
                                                Executive Vice President



                                       10
<PAGE>   19

LENDER:                          GENEL COMPANY, INC., an Oregon corporation


                                 By:
                                     --------------------------------------
                                         Barry P. Skolnick
                                         Senior Investment Manager

STATE OF TEXAS        ss.
                            ss.
COUNTY OF DALLAS            ss.

         This instrument was acknowledged before me on October ___, 1994, by
James T. Money, Executive Vice President of AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION, a
Tennessee corporation, on behalf of said corporation.


(SEAL)
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Notary Public, State of Texas


                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Printed name of notary
                                         My Commission Expires:
                                                               ---------------



STATE OF TEXAS        ss.
                            ss.
COUNTY OF DALLAS            ss.

         This instrument was acknowledged before me on October ___, 1994, by
James T. Money, Executive Vice President of ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., a
Tennessee corporation, on behalf of said corporation.


(SEAL)
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Notary Public, State of Texas


                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Printed name of notary
                                         My Commission Expires:
                                                               ---------------


                                    11



<PAGE>   20

STATE OF TEXAS        ss.
                            ss.
COUNTY OF DALLAS            ss.

         This instrument was acknowledged before me on October ___, 1994, by
James T. Money, Executive Vice President of ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation and Managing General Partner of FORT AUSTIN ASSOCIATES
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited partnership, on behalf of said corporation
and limited partnership.


(SEAL)
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Notary Public, State of Texas


                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Printed name of notary
                                         My Commission Expires:
                                                               ---------------



STATE OF TEXAS        ss.
                            ss.
COUNTY OF DALLAS            ss.

         This instrument was acknowledged before me on October ___, 1994, by
James T. Money, Executive Vice President of ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation, the Managing General Partner of Fort Austin Associates
Limited Partnership, a Texas limited partnership, the General Partner of FORT
AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited partnership, on behalf of said
Tennessee corporation and Texas limited partnerships.


(SEAL)
                                         ------------------------------------- 
                                         Notary Public, State of Texas


                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Printed name of notary
                                         My Commission Expires:
                                                               ---------------


                                       12
<PAGE>   21

STATE OF TEXAS        ss.
                            ss.
COUNTY  OF  DALLAS          ss.

         This instrument was acknowledged before me on October ___, 1994, by
Barry P. Skolnick, Senior Investment Manager of GENEL COMPANY, INC., an Oregon
corporation, on behalf of said corporation.


                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Notary Public, State of Texas

                                         My Commission Expires:
                                                               ---------------

                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Printed Name of Notary




               [For purposes of reference, copies of the Note, the
                 First Modification and the Second Modification
                              are attached hereto.]


                                       13

<PAGE>   22
                          FOURTH RENEWAL, EXTENSION AND
                             MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

     This Fourth Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement (this
"AGREEMENT") is executed as of January ___, 1996 among AMERICAN RETIREMENT
CORPORATION, a Tennessee corporation, and ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., a
Tennessee corporation (collectively, "GUARANTORS" and each a "GUARANTOR"), FORT
AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited partnership ("BORROWER") and GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("GECC").


                                    RECITALS:

     A. GECC and Borrower entered into that Loan Agreement dated as of April 1,
1992 (the "ORIGINAL LOAN AGREEMENT"), in which GECC made a loan (the "LOAN") to
Borrower in the amount of TWENTY FOUR MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS
($24,000,000.00), as evidenced by the Promissory Note of even date therewith, in
the stated principal amount of $24,000,000, executed by Borrower and payable to
the order of GECC as therein provided (the "NOTE");

     B. The indebtedness evidenced by the Note is secured by, among other
things, (i) that First Deed of Trust and Security Agreement dated as of April 1,
1992 (the "DEED OF TRUST"), executed by Borrower to Michael R. Boulden, Trustee,
recorded at Volume 10585, Page 1351, et seq., of the Real Property Records of
Tarrant County, Texas, and at Volume 11656, Page 0625, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Travis County, Texas, and encumbering (a) the real property
and improvements described therein and known as the Broadway Plaza at Cityview
Retirement Community located in the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
("BROADWAY") and (b) the real property and improvements known as the Summit at
Westlake Retirement Community in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas
("SUMMIT") (collectively, the "MORTGAGED PROPERTY"), and (i) that Assignment of
Rents and Leases dated April 1, 1992 (the "ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS"), executed by
Borrower and recorded in Volume 10585, Page 1435, et seq., of the Real Property
Records of Tarrant County, and in Volume 11656, Page 0665, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Travis County, Texas, assigning to GECC all of the rents and
leases of Broadway and Summit;

     C. American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation ("ORIGINAL
GUARANTOR") executed and delivered to GECC the Guarantee, dated as of April 1,
1992, guaranteeing to GECC the payment and performance of certain obligations
and liabilities of Borrower under the Loan and the Security Documents (as
hereinafter defined) (the "ORIGINAL GUARANTEE");

     D. The Loan Agreement, the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of
Rents, the Original Guarantee, and all other documents or instruments
evidencing, governing, securing, or 


                                       1

<PAGE>   23

otherwise pertaining to the Loan are collectively referred to herein as the
"ORIGINAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS";

     E. GECC, Borrower and American Retirement Corporation entered into that
First Modification Agreement dated May 27, 1993 (the "FIRST MODIFICATION"),
recorded in Volume 11097, Page 1062, et seq., of the Real Property Records of
Tarrant County, Texas, and in Volume 11954, Page 2231, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Travis County, Texas, modifying and amending the Original
Loan Agreement, the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents and the
other Original Security Documents;

     F. GECC and GENEL Company, Inc. ("GENEL") entered into that Assignment of
Note, Liens and Other Security Documents, dated as of June 14, 1994, and
recorded at Volume 11620, Page 0222, et seq., of the Real Property Records of
Tarrant County, Texas and at Volume 12209, Page 0548, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Travis County, Texas, whereby GECC assigned all of its
right, title and interest in the Original Security Documents to GENEL, and GENEL
became the owner and holder of the Note, "Beneficiary" of the Deed of Trust, and
became substituted in all respects for GECC under the Assignment of Rents and
the other Original Security Documents;

     G. GENEL, Borrower, Guarantors and Fort Austin Associates Limited
Partnership ("FORT AUSTIN") entered into that Second Renewal, Extension and
Modification Agreement dated as of June 14, 1994 (the "SECOND MODIFICATION"),
recorded in Volume 11620, Page 0230, et seq., of the Real Property Records of
Tarrant County, Texas, and in Volume 12209, Page 0555, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Travis County, Texas, modifying and amending the Note, the
Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents and other Original Security Documents and
providing for, among other things, financing by GENEL for Borrower's acquisition
and development of the Santa Catalina Villas Retirement Community located in the
City of Tucson, Pima County, Arizona ("SANTA CATALINA"), the satisfaction of
certain second lien indebtedness on Summit and Broadway, and the replacement of
(a) the Original Loan Agreement with that Loan Agreement, dated as of June 14,
1994, between GENEL and Borrower (the "FIRST REPLACEMENT LOAN AGREEMENT") and
(b) the Original Guarantee with that Unconditional Guaranty of Payment and
Performance, dated as of June 14, 1994, executed by Guarantors and Fort Austin
for the benefit of GECC (the "FIRST REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE");

     H. GENEL, Borrower, Guarantors and Fort Austin entered into that Third
Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement dated as of October 31, 1994 (the
"THIRD MODIFICATION"), recorded in Volume 11777, Page 2053, et seq., of the Real
Property Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and in Volume 12305, Page 102, et
seq., of the Real Property Records of Travis County, Texas, modifying and
amending the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents, and the other
Original Security Documents, and providing for, among other things, financing to
Borrower for its acquisition of the Parkplace Retirement Community located in
the City of Denver, Denver County, Colorado ("PARKPLACE"), The Hampton at Post
Oak Road Retirement Community located in the City of Houston, Harris County,
Texas ("HAMPTON"), and the Westlake Village Retirement Community located in the
City of Westlake, Cuyahoga County, Ohio ("WESTLAKE"; Broadway, 



                                       2
<PAGE>   24

Summit, Santa Catalina, Parkplace, Hampton, and Westlake being herein
collectively called the "MORTGAGED PROPERTY"), and the replacement of (a) the
First Replacement Loan Agreement with that Loan Agreement dated as of October
31, 1994 between GENEL and Borrower (the "SECOND REPLACEMENT LOAN AGREEMENT"),
and (b) the First Replacement Guarantee with that Unconditional Guaranty of
Payment and Performance, dated as of October 31, 1994, executed by Guarantors
and Fort Austin for the benefit of GENEL (the "SECOND REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE");

     I. GENEL and GECC entered into that Assignment of Note, Liens and Other
Security Documents, dated of even date herewith, whereby GENEL assigned all of
its right, title and interest in the Original Security Documents to GECC and
GECC became the owner and holder of the Note, "Beneficiary" under the Deed of
Trust, and became substituted in all respects for GENEL under the Assignment of
Rents and other Original Security Documents. As used herein, "SECURITY
DOCUMENTS" shall include the Original Security Documents, as modified and
replaced by the First Modification, the Second Modification, the Third
Modification, this Agreement, the Guaranty (as hereinafter defined) and the Loan
Agreement (as hereinafter defined); and

     J. Borrower and Guarantors have requested GECC to commit to extend
additional financing to Borrower for its acquisition and development of
additional senior living facilities, and in further renewal and extension of
second lien indebtedness on Summit and Broadway and extension of the
indebtedness on Santa Catalina, Hampton, Parkplace and Westlake, and GECC has
agreed to extend the additional financing subject to, among other conditions,
execution and delivery by Borrower of (a) that Loan Agreement of even date
herewith between GECC and Borrower, in substitution for the Second Replacement
Loan Agreement, with respect to the Loan, as modified to include said additional
financing (the "LOAN AGREEMENT"), (b) the Unconditional Guaranty of Payment and
Performance of even date herewith executed by Guarantors, American Retirement
Communities, L.L.C., and American Retirement Communities, L.P. for the benefit
of GECC, in substitution of the Second Replacement Guaranty (the "GUARANTY"),
and (c) certain modifications and amendments of the Note, the Deed of Trust and
the other Original Security Documents, as amended or replaced to date, as
hereinafter provided.

                                   AGREEMENTS:

     For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, GECC, Borrower and Guarantors hereby modify and amend
the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents and the other Security
Documents as follows:

     1. MODIFICATION OF THE NOTE. The Note is hereby amended and modified as
follows:

          (a) RENEWAL AND EXTENSION. The maturity date of the Note, defined in
     the Note as the "Maturity Date," is hereby modified and extended so that
     the outstanding principal balance of the Note and all accrued but unpaid
     interest thereon shall be fully due and payable on December 31, 2002. Prior
     to default or maturity, interest on the unpaid principal balance of the
     Note shall accrue and be payable as provided in the Loan Agreement.
     Borrower hereby renews the indebtedness evidenced by the Note and 



                                       3

<PAGE>   25

     promises to pay to the order of GECC the unpaid principal balance of the
     Note plus all accrued but unpaid interest and charges thereon in accordance
     with the Note and the Loan Agreement.

          (b) PAYMENT TERMS. From and after the date hereof, interest and
     principal of this Note shall be payable as set forth in the Loan Agreement.
     The entire principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued but
     unpaid interest thereon, any and all unpaid late charges, and all other
     Maturity Obligations (defined below) shall be due and payable to GECC on
     December 31, 2002 (the "MATURITY DATE").

          (c) DEFINED TERMS. Defined terms in the Note are hereby modified and
     amended effective on the date of this Agreement as follows:

               (1) The definition of "LOAN AGREEMENT" is amended to mean and
          refer solely to the Loan Agreement dated January ___, 1996 between
          GECC and Borrower.

               (2) The definition of "MATURITY OBLIGATIONS" is amended and
          restated as follows:

                    As used herein, "Maturity Obligations" shall mean the entire
               outstanding principal amount of this Note and that Promissory
               Note dated as of January ___, 1996, in the stated principal
               amount of $73,500,000, executed by Borrower, bearing interest and
               being payable to the order of GECC (the "OTHER NOTE"), together
               with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, and all other sums
               due and unpaid hereunder and under the Mortgage, the Other
               Security Documents, and all documents evidencing, governing,
               securing or otherwise pertaining to the indebtedness evidenced by
               the Other Note.

     2. MODIFICATION OF DEED OF TRUST. The Deed of Trust is hereby modified and
amended as follows:

          (a) CROSS-DEFAULT. Section 2.01(v) is amended and restated as
     follows::

               "; or (v) default when and as the same shall become due and
          payable of any payment of principal or interest on Promissory Note
          dated January ___, 1996, in the stated principal amount of $73,500,000
          executed by the Grantor, bearing interest and being payable to the
          order of General Electric Capital Corporation as therein provided;
          whether by maturity or acceleration, which default has continued for a
          period of five (5) days, except such five (5) day grace period shall
          not be allowed for payments becoming due and owing by reason of
          acceleration."


                                        4

<PAGE>   26



          (b) GENERAL MODIFICATION. The Deed of Trust is further modified to
     provide that (1) all references therein to the "Note" or the like shall
     mean the Note, as modified by this Agreement, and (2) all references to the
     Loan Agreement shall mean and refer solely to the Loan Agreement (that is,
     that Loan Agreement dated January ___, 1996, between Borrower and GECC).

     3. MODIFICATION OF ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS. The Assignment of Rents is hereby
modified and amended as follows:

          (a) REFERENCE TO DOCUMENTS. Section 2(b)(ii) of the Assignment of
     Rents is hereby amended and restated as follows:

               "(ii) interest, principal or other amounts payable to GECC
          pursuant to:

                    (A) the Loan Agreement dated January ___, 1996, between GECC
               and Assignor (the "LOAN AGREEMENT");

                    (B) the following Promissory Notes (collectively, and as
               amended, the "NOTE"):

                         (i) Promissory Note dated April 1, 1992, in the stated
                    principal amount of $24,000,000, executed by Assignor,
                    bearing interest and being payable to the order of General
                    Electric Capital Corporation ("GECC"), as modified by the
                    First Modification Agreement (the "FIRST MODIFICATION")
                    dated May 27, 1993 among Assignor, GECC, and American
                    Retirement Corporation ("ARC") and recorded in Volume 11097,
                    Page 1062, et seq., of the Real Property Records of Tarrant
                    County, Texas, and in Volume 11954, Page 2231, et seq., of
                    the Real Property Records of Travis County, Texas, as
                    endorsed payable to the order of GENEL Company, Inc.
                    ("GENEL"), as further modified by the Second Renewal,
                    Extension and Modification Agreement (the "SECOND
                    MODIFICATION") dated June 14, 1994, among Assignor, GENEL,
                    and ARC, recorded in Volume 11620, Page 0230, et seq., of
                    the Real Property Records of Tarrant County, Texas, and in
                    Volume 12209, Page 0555, et seq., of the Real Property
                    Records of Travis County, Texas, as further modified by the
                    Third Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement (the
                    "THIRD MODIFICATION") dated October 31, 1994, among
                    Assignor, GENEL, ARC, ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc. ("ARC
                    FORT AUSTIN") and Fort Austin Associates Limited Partnership
                    ("FORT AUSTIN ASSOCIATES") and recorded in Volume 11777,
                    Page 2035, et seq. of the Real Property Records of Tarrant
                    County, Texas and in Volume 12305, Page 141, et seq., of the
                    Real Property Records of Travis County, Texas, as endorsed
                    by GENEL 


                                       5

<PAGE>   27

                    payable to the order of GECC, and as further modified by the
                    Fourth Renewal, Extension and Modification Agreement dated
                    January ___, 1996 among Assignor, GECC, ARC, ARC Fort Austin
                    and Fort Austin Associates (the "FOURTH MODIFICATION"), and

                         (ii) Promissory Note dated January ___, 1996, in the
                    stated principal amount of $73,500,000, executed by
                    Assignor, bearing interest and being payable to the order of
                    GECC as therein provided; and

                    (C) the following deeds of trust: (i) First Deed of Trust
               and Security Agreement dated April 1, 1992, executed by Assignor
               in favor of GECC, as amended by the First Modification, the
               interest of GECC herein having been assigned to GENEL under that
               Assignment of Note, Liens and Other Security Documents dated as
               of June 14, 1994 between GECC and GENEL, and recorded in Volume
               11620, Page 0222, et seq., of the Real Property Records of
               Tarrant County, Texas, and in Volume 12209, Page 0548, et seq.,
               of the Real Property Records of Travis County, Texas, as further
               amended by the Second Modification and the Third Modification, as
               reassigned to GECC under that Assignment of Note, Liens and Other
               Security Documents dated as of January __, 1996 between GENEL and
               GECC, and as further modified under the Fourth Modification, and
               (ii) Second Deed of Trust and Security Agreement dated January
               ___, 1996, executed by Assignor in favor of GECC (collectively,
               the "DEED OF TRUST")."

     4. MODIFICATION OF SECURITY DOCUMENTS. The other Security Documents are
modified to provide that all references to the "Loan Agreement" shall mean the
Loan Agreement dated January ___, 1996 between GECC and Borrower and that all
references therein to the "Note" or the like shall mean, collectively, (a) the
Promissory Note dated April 1, 1992, in the stated principal amount of
$24,000,000, executed by Borrower, bearing interest and being payable to the
order of GECC, endorsed payable to the order of GENEL, as modified by (i) the
First Modification, (ii) the Second Modification, and (iii) the Third
Modification, as endorsed by GENEL payable to the order of GECC and as further
modified by this Agreement, and (b) Promissory Note, of even date herewith, in
the stated principal amount of $73,500,000 executed by Borrower, bearing
interest and being payable to the order of GECC as therein provided.

     5. LIENS. In conjunction with the renewal, extension and modification of
the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of Rents, and the other Security
Documents, Borrower hereby agrees that such modification shall in no manner
affect or impair the Note (except to the extent renewed, extended and amended
hereby) or the liens, assignments and security interests under the Deed of Trust
and the other Security Documents, and that said liens, assignments and security


                                       6

<PAGE>   28

interests shall not in any manner be waived, the purpose of this Agreement being
simply to modify the Note and the other Security Documents, and Borrower further
agrees that, as modified by this Agreement and heretofore modified in writing,
all terms and provisions of the Note, the Deed of Trust, the Assignment of
Rents, and the other Security Documents shall be and remain in full force and
effect as therein written.

     6. NO DEFENSES. Borrower and Guarantors hereby covenant and warrant that
neither GENEL nor GECC is in default in the performance of any of its
obligations or warranties under the Security Documents, that there are no
defenses, counterclaims or offsets to the Security Documents, and that all of
the provisions of the Security Documents are in full force and effect.

     7. COSTS. Borrower agrees to pay all costs incurred in connection with the
execution and consummation of this Agreement, including but not limited to, all
recording costs and the fees and expenses of GECC's counsel.

     8. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT OF GUARANTOR. Guarantors hereby (a)
acknowledge and consent to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
(b) ratify and confirm the Guaranty to and for the benefit of GECC, and (c)
acknowledge that the Guaranty is valid and in full force and effect and is
subject to no claims, defenses, or off-sets. Further, Guarantors agree that
nothing contained in this Agreement shall adversely affect any right or remedy
of GECC under the Guaranty and that with respect to the Guaranty all references
to any of the Security Documents in the Guaranty shall mean such documents as
amended by this Agreement; that the execution and delivery of this Agreement
shall in no way change or modify their obligations as Guarantors pursuant to the
Guaranty; and that the execution and delivery of any agreements by Borrower and
GECC shall not constitute a waiver by GECC of any of GECC's rights against
Guarantors, and (d) waive all claims, defenses, and rights of offset that they
may have against their obligations thereunder as of the date hereof, if any,
whether known or unknown, whether arising under tort, contract, at law, or in
equity.

     9. MAXIMUM AMOUNT. All agreements between Borrower and GECC, whether now
existing or hereafter arising and whether written or oral, are hereby expressly
limited so that in no contingency, whether by reason of acceleration of the
maturity of the Note or otherwise, shall the interest contracted for, charged,
received, paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of the Note exceed the maximum
amount permissible under applicable law. If from any circumstance whatsoever
interest would otherwise be payable to the holder of the Note in excess of the
maximum lawful amount, the interest payable to the holder of the Note shall be
reduced to the maximum amount permitted by applicable law; and if from any
circumstance the holder of the Note shall ever receive anything of value deemed
interest by applicable law, an amount equal to any excessive interest shall be
applied to the reduction of the principal amount owing under the Note, and not
to the payment of interest, or if such excessive interest exceeds such unpaid
balance of principal of the Note, such excess shall be refunded to Borrower. All
interest paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of the Note shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread
throughout the full term of the Note (including the period of any renewal or
extension thereof), so that the interest on the Note shall not exceed the
maximum 


                                       7


<PAGE>   29

amount permitted by applicable law. This section shall control all agreements
between Borrower and the holder of the Note.

     EXECUTED as of the date and year first recited above.

GUARANTORS:                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION,
                                   a Tennessee corporation


                                   By: /s/ W. E. Sheriff
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                         W. E. Sheriff
                                         Chief Executive Officer

                                   ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., a
                                   Tennessee corporation


                                   By: /s/ W. E. Sheriff
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                         W. E. Sheriff
                                         Chief Executive Officer


BORROWER:                          FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a
                                   Texas limited partnership


                                   By:  ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., 
                                        a Tennessee corporation, General Partner


                                        By: /s/ W. E. Sheriff
                                            ---------------------------------
                                              W. E. Sheriff
                                              Chief Executive Officer



LENDER:                            GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                   CORPORATION, a New York corporation


                                   By: /s/ Barry P. Skolnick
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                         Barry P. Skolnick
                                         Senior Investment Manager



                                       8



<PAGE>   30

STATE OF ________              ss.
                               ss.
COUNTY OF ________             ss.

     This instrument was acknowledged before me on January ___, 1996, by W. E.
Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer of AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION, a Tennessee
corporation, on behalf of said corporation.


(SEAL)
                                       --------------------------------------  
                                       Notary Public, State of 
                                                              ---------------

                                       Printed name of notary
                                       My Commission Expires:
                                                             ----------------




STATE OF __________            ss.
                               ss.
COUNTY OF ___________          ss.

     This instrument was acknowledged before me on January ___, 1996, by W. E.
Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer of ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., a
Tennessee corporation, on behalf of said corporation.


(SEAL)
                                       --------------------------------------  
                                       Notary Public, State of 
                                                              ---------------

                                       --------------------------------------
                                       Printed name of notary
                                       My Commission Expires:
                                                             ----------------


                                       9
<PAGE>   31


STATE OF _________             ss.
                               ss.
COUNTY OF ________             ss.

     This instrument was acknowledged before me on January __, 1996 by W. E.
Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer of ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation and General Partner of FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a
Texas limited partnership, on behalf of said Tennessee corporation and said
Texas limited partnership.


(SEAL)
                                       --------------------------------------  
                                       Notary Public, State of Texas

                                       -------------------------------------- 
                                       Printed name of notary
                                       My Commission Expires:
                                                             ----------------


STATE OF TEXAS                 ss.
                               ss.
COUNTY  OF  DALLAS             ss.

     This instrument was acknowledged before me on January ___, 1996, by Barry
P. Skolnick, Senior Investment Manager of GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
a New York corporation, on behalf of said corporation.


                                       --------------------------------------  
                                       Notary Public, State of Texas

                                       My Commission Expires:
                                                             ----------------

                                       --------------------------------------
                                       Printed name of Notary



               [For purposes of reference, copies of the Note, the
                 First Modification and the Second Modification
                              are attached hereto.]




                                       10

<PAGE>   1


                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19
================================================================================
                                 LOAN AGREEMENT





                                    BETWEEN



                             ARCLP - CHARLOTTE, LLC
                                      AND
                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.
                   INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY, AS BORROWER



                                      AND



                      GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
                                   AS LENDER




                                  MAY 7, 1996

$51,750,000                   Carriage Club Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
                               Carriage Club Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida

================================================================================



                                      1
<PAGE>   2

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        Page No.

                                                     ARTICLE 1

                                                CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
<S>              <C>                                                                                          <C>
Section 1.1      Certain Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1                   
 
                                                     ARTICLE 2
 
                                                    LOAN TERMS
                                                                             
Section 2.1      The Loan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8 
Section 2.2      Interest Rate; Late Charge  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8 
Section 2.3      Terms of Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8 
Section 2.4      Security  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9 
Section 2.5      Application of Operating Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9         

                                                     ARTICLE 3               

                                       INSURANCE, CONDEMNATION, AND IMPOUNDS 

Section 3.1      Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10                  
Section 3.2      Use and Application of Insurance Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11                  
Section 3.3      Condemnation Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11                  
Section 3.4      Impounds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12                  
                                                                                                                              
                                                     ARTICLE 4 

                                                ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Section 4.1      Certain Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12                  
Section 4.2      Representations and Warranties on Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13                  
Section 4.3      Covenants on Environmental Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13                  
Section 4.4      Allocation of Risks and Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14                  
Section 4.5      Collateral Assignment of Indemnities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14                  
Section 4.6      No Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14                  

                                                     ARTICLE 5               

                                                  LEASING MATTERS           

Section 5.1      Representations and Warranties on Residency Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14                  
Section 5.2      Standard Residency Agreement Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15                  
Section 5.3      Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15                  
</TABLE>


                                      i
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     ARTICLE 6               

                                            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   
<S>              <C>                                                                                          <C>
Section 6.1      Organization and Power  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15                  
Section 6.2      Validity of Loan Documents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15                  
Section 6.3      Liabilities; Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15                  
Section 6.4      Taxes and Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16                  
Section 6.5      Other Agreements; Defaults  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16                  
Section 6.6      Compliance with Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16                  
Section 6.7      Location of Borrower  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
Section 6.8      ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
Section 6.9      Margin Stock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
Section 6.10     Tax Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
Section 6.11     Solvency  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
Section 6.12     Full and Accurate Disclosure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
Section 6.13     Single Purpose Entity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
Section 6.14     Licenses and Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17                  
                                                                            
                                                     ARTICLE 7              
                                                                            
                                                 FINANCIAL REPORTING        
                                                                            
Section 7.1      Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18                  
Section 7.2      Accounting Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18                  
Section 7.3      Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18                  
Section 7.4      Annual Budget and Cash Flow Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18                  
Section 7.5      Audits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19                  
                                                                             
                                                     ARTICLE 8               
                                                                             
                                                     COVENANTS              
                                                                             
Section 8.1      Due on Sale and Encumbrance; Transfers of Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19                  
Section 8.2      Taxes; Charges  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20                  
Section 8.3      Control; Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20                  
Section 8.4      Noncompliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21                  
Section 8.5      Consultant  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21                  
Section 8.6      Permits and Licenses; Operation; Maintenance; Inspection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21                  
Section 8.7      Taxes on Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22                  
Section 8.8      Reserves, Deposits, Escrows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22                  
Section 8.9      Legal Existence; Name, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22                  
Section 8.10     Affiliate Transactions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23                  
Section 8.11     Limitation on Other Debt  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23                  
Section 8.12     Limitation on Affiliate Debt  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23                  
Section 8.13     Further Assurances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23                  
Section 8.14     Estoppel Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23                  
Section 8.15     Notice of Certain Events  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23                  
Section 8.16     Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23                  
</TABLE>



                                      ii
                                                                              
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>              <C>                                                                                          <C>
Section 8.17     ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24                  
Section 8.18     Cash Operating Reserve Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24                  
Section 8.19     Security Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24                  
Section 8.20     Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24                  
Section 8.21     Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24                  
Section 8.22     Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24                  
Section 8.23     Non-Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25                  
Section 8.24     Key Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25                  
Section 8.25     Immediate Repairs; Expansion Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25                  
Section 8.26     Fort Austin Loan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25                  
Section 8.27     Right of First Offer for Credit Facility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25                  
Section 8.28     Assignment of Construction Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25                  
Section 8.29     Assignment of Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26                 
                                                                              
                                                     ARTICLE 9                
                                                                               
                                                  EVENTS OF DEFAULT            

Section 9.1      Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27                  
Section 9.2      Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27                  
Section 9.3      Sale, Encumbrance, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27                  
Section 9.4      Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27                  
Section 9.5      Representations and Warranties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27                  
Section 9.6      Other Encumbrances  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27                  
Section 9.7      Involuntary Bankruptcy or Other Proceeding  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27                  
Section 9.8      Voluntary Petitions, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28                  
Section 9.10     Limiting Mortgage Amounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28                  
                                                                             
                                                     ARTICLE 10              
                                                                             
                                                      REMEDIES               

Section 10.1     Remedies - Insolvency Events  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28                  
Section 10.2     Remedies - Other Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28                  
Section 10.3     Lender's Right to Perform the Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29                  
Section 10.4     Joint and Several Liability; Co-Borrower Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29                  
                                                                              
                                                     ARTICLE 11               
                                                                              
                                                    MISCELLANEOUS            

Section 11.1     Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29                  
Section 11.2     Amendments and Waivers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30                  
Section 11.3     Limitation on Interest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30                  
Section 11.4     Invalid Provisions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31                  
Section 11.5     Reimbursement of Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31                  
Section 11.6     Approvals; Third Parties; Conditions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31                  
Section 11.7     Lender Not in Control; No Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32                  
Section 11.8     Time of the Essence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32                  
</TABLE>
                                 



                                     iii

<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>              <C>                                                                                          <C>
Section 11.9     Successors and Assigns  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32                  
Section 11.10    Renewal, Extension or Rearrangement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32                  
Section 11.11    Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32                  
Section 11.12    Cumulative Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32                  
Section 11.13    Singular and Plural . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.14    Phrases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.15    Exhibits and Schedules  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.16    Titles of Articles, Sections and Subsections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.17    Promotional Material  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.18    Survival  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.19    Waiver of Jury Trial  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.20    Waiver of Punitive or Consequential Damages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.21    Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33                  
Section 11.22    Entire Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34                  
Section 11.23    Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34                  
                                                     
                                                     ARTICLE 12             
                    
                                               LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY     
                                                                            
Section 12.1     Limitation on Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34                  
Section 12.2     Limitation on Liability of Lender's Officers, Employees, etc  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35                  
</TABLE>














                                      iv
<PAGE>   6

                         LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES


EXHIBIT A

     LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS

EXHIBIT B

     BUDGET

EXHIBIT C

     IMMEDIATE REPAIRS

EXHIBIT D

     MANAGEMENT STANDARDS

SCHEDULE 2.1

     ADVANCE CONDITIONS

SCHEDULE 2.2

     INDEX RATES

SCHEDULE 2.3(4)

     DISCOUNTED YIELD MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULE 2.4(2)

     CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS RESERVE






                                      v
<PAGE>   7

                                 LOAN AGREEMENT


         This Loan Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is entered into as of May 7,
1996 between GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation
("LENDER"), and ARCLP - CHARLOTTE, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company
and AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership
(individually and collectively, "BORROWER").


                                   ARTICLE 1

                              CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         Section 1.1      CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following
terms have the meanings indicated:

                 (1)      "ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES" means Operating
Expenses as determined and adjusted by Lender in accordance with its current
audit policies and procedures.

                 (2)      "ADJUSTED OPERATING REVENUES" means Operating
Revenues as determined and adjusted by Lender in accordance with its current
audit policies and procedures.

                 (3)      "AFFILIATE" means (a) any corporation in which
Borrower or any partner, shareholder, director, officer, member, or manager of
Borrower directly or indirectly owns or controls more than ten percent (10%) of
the beneficial interest, (b) any partnership, joint venture or limited
liability company in which Borrower or any partner, shareholder, director,
officer, member, or manager of Borrower is a partner, joint venturer or member,
(c) any trust in which Borrower or any partner, shareholder, director, officer,
member or manager of Borrower is a trustee or beneficiary, (d) any entity of
any type which is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by Borrower or any
partner, shareholder, director, officer, member or manager of Borrower, (e) any
partner, shareholder, director, officer, member, manager or employee of
Borrower, (f) any Person related by birth, adoption or marriage to any partner,
shareholder, director, officer, member, manager, or employee of Borrower, or
(g) any Borrower Party.

                 (4)      "AGREEMENT" means this Loan Agreement, as amended 
from time to time.

                 (5)      "ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTS" means, collectively, the
Assignments and Subordinations of Service Contracts, executed by Borrower and
contractors under service agreements for the operation of the Projects.

                 (6)      "ASSIGNMENTS OF RENTS AND LEASES" means,
collectively, the Senior Assignment of Rents and Leases and the Junior
Assignment of Rents and Leases.

                 (7)      "BORROWER'S EQUITY" means the amount of up to
$14,750,000 invested by Borrower for Borrower's acquisition of the Projects, as
the same may be reduced from time to time upon the return (in whole or in part)
of Borrower's Equity and any other additional amounts invested by Borrower in
the Projects and approved by Lender.

                 (8)      "BORROWER PARTY" means any Joinder Party, any
Guarantor, any general partner in Borrower, and any general partner in any
partnership that is a general partner in Borrower, at any level.




                                       1
<PAGE>   8

                 (9)      "BORROWER'S RETURN" means a return on the initial
investment of Borrower's Equity at eight and one-tenth percent (8.10%), such
return to be payable only out of available Operating Revenues in accordance
with Section 2.5, and to be non-cumulative and non-compounding if not paid.

                 (10)     "BUDGET" means the budget attached as Exhibit B
showing total costs relating to the subject transaction, use of the initial
advance of the Loan, and amounts allocated for future advances (if any).

                 (11)     "BUSINESS DAY" means a day other than a Saturday, a
Sunday, or a legal holiday on which national banks located in the State of New
York are not open for general banking business.

                 (12)     "CARRIAGE CLUB CHARLOTTE" means the senior living
facility located in Charlotte, North Carolina and known as "Carriage Club
Charlotte," consisting of 372 units upon completion or modification of certain
units (276 independent living units, 54 assisted living units and 42 skilled
nursing units).

                 (13)     "CARRIAGE CLUB JACKSONVILLE" means the senior living
facility located in Jacksonville, Florida and known as "Carriage Club
Jacksonville," consisting of 298 units upon completion or modification of
certain units (238 independent living units, and 60 assisted living units).

                 (14)     "CASH ON CASH RETURN" means the ratio, expressed as a
percentage, of (a) annualized Net Operating Income (after application of
capital replacement reserves of one percent [1%] of Operating Revenues and
notwithstanding that actual capital replacement reserves will be three percent
[3%] of Operating Revenues), to (b) the sum of the outstanding principal
balance of the Loan.

                 (15)     "CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS" means all contracts and
agreements, written or oral, between Borrower and any original contractor,
between any of the foregoing and any subcontractor and between any of the
foregoing and any other Person relating in any way to the Expansion Work,
including the performing of labor or the furnishing of standard or specially
fabricated materials in connection therewith.

                 (16)     "CONSTRUCTION GUARANTY" means the Construction
Guaranty executed by American Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership, Fort Austin Limited Partnership, a Texas limited partnership,
American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation, ARC Fort Austin
Properties, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, and American Retirement Communities,
LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company

                 (17)     "DEBT" means, for any Person, without duplication:
(a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (whether personal or
non-recourse, secured or unsecured), for amounts drawn under a letter of
credit, or for the deferred purchase price of property for which such Person or
its assets is liable, (b) all unfunded amounts under a loan agreement, letter
of credit, or other credit facility for which such Person would be liable, if
such amounts were advanced under the credit facility, (c) all amounts required
to be paid by such Person as a guaranteed payment to partners or a preferred or
special dividend, including any mandatory redemption of shares or interests,
(d) all indebtedness guaranteed by such Person, directly or indirectly, (e) all
obligations under leases that constitute capital leases for which such Person
is liable, and (f) all obligations of such Person under interest rate swaps,
caps, floors, collars and other interest hedge agreements, in each case whether
such Person is liable contingently or otherwise, as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise, or in respect of which obligations such Person otherwise assures a
creditor against loss.



                                       2
<PAGE>   9



                 (18)     "DEBT SERVICE" means the aggregate interest, fixed
principal, and other payments due under the Loan, and on any other outstanding
permitted Debt relating to the Projects approved by Lender for the period of
time for which calculated.

                 (19)     "DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE" means, for the period of time
for which calculation is being made, the ratio of Net Operating Income to Debt
Service.

                 (20)     "DEFAULT RATE" means the lesser of (a) the maximum
rate of interest allowed by applicable law, and (b) five percent (5%) per annum
in excess of the Junior Note Contract Rate.

                 (21)     "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" has the meaning assigned in
Article 4.

                 (22)     "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning assigned in
Article 9.

                 (23)     "EXPANSION WORK" means the construction work to add
fifty-four (54) assisted living units to Carriage Club Charlotte, convert
thirty (30) assisted living units in Carriage Club Charlotte to forty-two (42)
skilled nursing beds, and add thirty-eight (38) independent living villas to
Carriage Club Jacksonville.

                 (24)     "FACILITY CAPACITY" means the total number of
independent living units, assisted living units and skilled nursing beds, if
applicable, in the Projects.

                 (25)     "FORT AUSTIN LOAN" means the loan by Lender to Fort
Austin Limited Partnership, an Affiliate of Borrower, in the amount of up to
$97,500,000, under the Fort Austin Loan Agreement, as such loan may be amended,
modified, enlarged, renewed or replaced from time to time.

                 (26)     "FORT AUSTIN LOAN AGREEMENT" means the Loan Agreement
dated January 4, 1996 between Lender and Fort Austin Limited Partnership.

                 (27)     "GUARANTORS" means the Persons, if any, executing a
Guaranty, including American Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership, Fort Austin Limited Partnership, a Texas limited partnership,
American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation, ARC Fort Austin
Properties, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, and American Retirement Communities,
LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company.

                 (28)     "GUARANTY" means the instruments of guaranty, if any,
now or hereafter in effect from a Guarantor to Lender.

                 (29)     "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" has the meaning assigned in
Article 4.

                 (30)     "IMMEDIATE REPAIRS" means those repairs to the
Projects described on Exhibit C.

                 (31)     "INDEMNITY" means the Indemnity Agreement executed by
American Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership, Fort
Austin Limited Partnership, a Texas limited partnership, American Retirement
Corporation, a Tennessee corporation, ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., a
Tennessee corporation, and American Retirement Communities, LLC, a Tennessee
limited liability company.

                 (32)     "JOINDER PARTY" means the Persons, if any, executing
the Joinder hereto.


                                       3
<PAGE>   10



                 (33)     "JUNIOR ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES" means,
collectively, the Junior Assignments of Rents and Leases, executed by Borrower
for the benefit of Lender and for purposes of paying and discharging the Junior
Note, and pertaining to Residency Agreements and leases of space in the
Projects.

                 (34)     "JUNIOR MORTGAGE" means, collectively, the Junior
Mortgage, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, executed by American
Retirement Communities, L.P. and encumbering Carriage Club Jacksonville, and
the Junior Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, executed by
ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and encumbering Carriage Club Charlotte, each in favor of
Lender as security for the indebtedness under the Junior Note.

                 (35)     "JUNIOR NOTE" means the Junior Promissory Note of
even date, in the stated principal amount of $14,750,000, executed by Borrower
and payable to the order of Lender in evidence of a portion of the Loan.

                 (36)     "JUNIOR NOTE CONTRACT RATE" has the meaning assigned
in Article 2.

                 (37)     "JUNIOR NOTEHOLDER" means Lender or any other holder
of the Junior Note and beneficiary or mortgagee of the Junior Mortgage from
time to time.

                 (38)     "LENDER" means General Electric Capital Corporation,
and its successors and assigns, and upon any sale or assignment of the Senior
Note or the Junior Note shall mean and refer to the Senior Noteholder and the
Junior Noteholder, as their interests may appear.

                 (39)     "LIEN" means any interest, or claim thereof, in the
Projects securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, any Person other than
the owner of the Projects, whether such interest is based on common law,
statute or contract, including the lien or security interest arising from a
deed of trust, mortgage, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement,
conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for
security purposes.  The term "Lien" shall include reservations, exceptions,
encroachments, easements, rights of way, covenants, conditions, restrictions,
leases and other title exceptions and encumbrances affecting the Projects.

                 (40)     "LOAN" means the loan to be made by Lender to
Borrower under this Agreement and all other amounts secured by the Loan
Documents.

                 (41)     "LOAN DOCUMENTS" means:  (a) this Agreement, (b) the
Notes, (c) the Guaranty, (d) the Construction Guaranty, (e) any letter of
credit provided to Lender in connection with the Loan, (f) the Mortgages, (g)
the Assignments of Rents and Leases, (h) Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements, (i) the Assignment of Contracts, (j) the Indemnity, (k) the
Subordination Agreement, (l) such assignments of contracts and other rights as
may be requested by Lender, (m) all other documents evidencing, securing,
governing or otherwise pertaining to the Loan, and (n) all amendments,
modifications, renewals, substitutions and replacements of any of the
foregoing.

                 (42)     "LOAN YEAR" means the period between the date hereof
and April 30, 1997 for the first Loan Year and the period between each
succeeding May 1 and April 30 until the Maturity Date.

                 (43)     "MATURITY DATE" means the earlier of (a) April 30,
2003, or (b) any earlier date on which the entire Loan is required to be paid
in full, by acceleration or otherwise, under this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents.





                                       4
<PAGE>   11



                 (44)     "MORTGAGES" means, collectively, the Senior Mortgage,
the Junior Mortgage, and the Third Mortgage.

                 (45)     "NET CASH FLOW" means, for any period, the amount by
which Operating Revenues exceed the sum of (a) Operating Expenses, (b) Debt
Service, (c) any actual payment into impounds, escrows, or reserves required by
Lender, except to the extent included within the definition of Operating
Expenses, and (d) Borrower's Return.

                 (46)     "NET OPERATING INCOME" means the amount by which
Adjusted Operating Revenues exceed Adjusted Operating Expenses.

                 (47)     "NET WORTH" means, as to any period of time, total
assets (after adding back accumulated depreciation, amortization, and other
reasonable non-cash charges determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles), less total liabilities (contingent or otherwise)
determined on a book basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, including declared and unpaid distributions or dividends; however,
excluded from the determination of total assets shall be all assets that are
classified as intangible, including good will, licenses, patents, trademarks,
trade names, copyrights and franchises.

                 (48)     "NOTES" means, collectively, the Senior Note and the
Junior Note.

                 (49)     "OPERATING EXPENSES" means all customary expenses of
operating the Projects in the ordinary course of business which are paid in
cash by Borrower and which are directly associated with and fairly allocable to
the Projects for the applicable period, including ad valorem real estate taxes
and assessments, insurance premiums, regularly scheduled tax impounds paid to
Lender, maintenance costs, management fees and costs of three percent (3%) of
Operating Revenues (which amount Borrower may retain for Borrower's
self-management of the Projects), accounting, legal, and other professional
fees, fees relating to environmental and Net Cash Flow and Net Operating Income
audits, and other expenses incurred by Lender and reimbursed by Borrower under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, capital expenditures specifically
identified in a Capital Expenditures Budget (as defined in Schedule 2.4[2]),
deposits to any capital replacement reserves required by Lender, wages,
salaries, and personnel expenses, but excluding Debt Service, capital
expenditures unless specifically included in a Capital Expenditures Budget, any
of the foregoing expenses which are paid from deposits to cash reserves
previously included as Operating Expenses, any payment or expense for which
Borrower was or is to be reimbursed from proceeds of the Loan or insurance or
by any third party, and any non-cash charges such as depreciation and
amortization.  Any management fee or other expense payable to Borrower or to an
Affiliate of Borrower, other than the management fee of three percent (3%) of
Operating Revenues to be retained by Borrower, shall be included as an
Operating Expense only with Lender's prior approval.  Operating Expenses shall
not include federal, state or local income taxes or legal and other
professional fees unrelated to the operation of the Projects.

                 (50)     "OPERATING REVENUES" means all cash receipts of
Borrower from operation of the Projects or otherwise arising in respect of the
Projects after the date hereof which are properly allocable to the Projects for
the applicable period, including (a) gross resident service revenues less
contractual allowances and provisions for uncollectible accounts, free care and
discounted care, if any, (b) non-operating revenues, (c) entrance fees actually
paid, if any, net of refunds, (d) revenues from parking agreements, concession
fees and charges and other miscellaneous operating revenues, (e) proceeds from
rental or business interruption insurance, (f) proceeds of any loans (other
than the Loan and any refinancing of the Loan) obtained by Borrower after the
date hereof which are secured by a Project (less only reasonable and





                                       5
<PAGE>   12

customary expenses incurred in procuring and closing such loan and actually
paid in cash to individuals or entities other than Borrower or any Affiliate of
Borrower and without implying any consent of Lender to the granting of any
security for any such loans), (g) withdrawals from cash reserves (except to the
extent any operating expenses paid therewith are excluded from Operating
Expenses).  Operating Revenues shall not include (i) security deposits and
earnest money deposits until they are forfeited by the depositor, (ii) advance
rentals until they are earned, (iii) proceeds from a sale or other disposition,
(iv) any gain or loss resulting from the early extinguishment of indebtedness
or the sale, exchange or other disposition of properties not in the ordinary
course of business, (v) gifts, grants, bequests or donations restricted as to
use by the donor or grantor for a purpose inconsistent with the payment of Debt
Service, or (vi) insurance proceeds (other than rental or business interruption
proceeds) and condemnation proceeds.  For purposes of any calculation that is
made with reference to both Adjusted Operating Revenues and Adjusted Operating
Expenses, any deduction from gross resident service revenues otherwise required
by the preceding provisions of this definition shall not be made if and to the
extent that the amount of such deduction is included in Adjusted Operating
Expenses.

                 (51)     "PERSON" means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, trustee,
estate, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, real estate
investment trust, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or
any other form of entity.

                 (52)     "PLANS" means all contracts and agreements, written
or oral, between Borrower and design professionals for the Expansion Work,
together with the final plans, specifications, shop drawings and other
technical descriptions prepared for the Expansion Work, and all amendments and
modifications thereof.

                 (53)     "POTENTIAL DEFAULT" means the occurrence of any event
or condition which, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both,
would constitute an Event of Default.

                 (54)     "PROJECTS" means Carriage Club Charlotte and Carriage
Club Jacksonville, and all related facilities, amenities, fixtures, and
personal property owned by Borrower relating to the real property described in
Exhibit A, and any improvements now or hereafter located on such real property.

                 (55)     "RESIDENCY AGREEMENT" means (a) any lease, residency
or other rental agreement for the occupancy of residential living units of the
Projects, (b) any admission and financial agreement for the use and occupancy
of an assisted living unit of the Projects, (c) any health center admission and
financial agreement (private payment) or health center admission agreement
(Medicare payment) and (d) any other express or implied agreement for the
occupancy of nursing beds in the Projects or for space in or use of the
Projects.

                 (56)     "SENIOR ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES" means the
Senior Assignment of Rents and Leases, executed by Borrower for the benefit of
Lender and for purposes of paying and discharging the Senior Note, and
pertaining to Residency Agreements and leases of space in the Projects.

                 (57)     "SENIOR MORTGAGE" means, collectively, the Senior
Mortgage, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, executed by American
Retirement Communities, L.P. and encumbering Carriage Club Jacksonville, and
the Senior Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, executed by
ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and encumbering Carriage Club Charlotte, each in favor of
Lender as security for the indebtedness under the Senior Note.





                                       6
<PAGE>   13



                 (58)     "SENIOR NOTE" means the Senior Promissory Note of
even date, in the stated principal amount of $37,000,000, executed by Borrower,
and payable to the order of Lender in evidence of a portion of the Loan.

                 (59)     "SENIOR NOTE CONTRACT RATE" has the meaning assigned
in Article 2.

                 (60)     "SENIOR NOTEHOLDER" means Lender or any other holder
of the Senior Note and beneficiary or mortgagee of the Senior Mortgage from
time to time.

                 (61)     "SINGLE PURPOSE ENTITY" shall mean a Person (other
than an individual, a government, or any agency or political subdivision
thereof), which exists solely for the purpose of owning the Projects, conducts
business only in its own name, does not engage in any business or have any
assets unrelated to the Projects, does not have any indebtedness other than as
permitted by this Agreement, has its own separate books, records, and accounts
(with no commingling of assets), holds itself out as being a Person separate
and apart from any other Person, and observes corporate and partnership
formalities independent of any other entity, and which otherwise constitutes a
single purpose, bankruptcy remote entity as determined by Lender.

                 (62)     "SITE ASSESSMENT" means an environmental engineering
report for the Project prepared by an engineer engaged by Lender at Borrower's
expense, and in a manner satisfactory to Lender, based upon an investigation
relating to and making appropriate inquiries concerning the existence of
Hazardous Materials on or about the Project, and the past or present discharge,
disposal, release or escape of any such substances, all consistent with good
customary and commercial practice.

                 (63)     "STATE" means the State of Texas.

                 (64)     "STATE AGENCIES" means any governmental authority
having jurisdiction over Borrower, any Guarantor or the Project, including,
with respect to Carriage Club Jacksonville, the State of Florida Agency for
Health Care Administration, and with respect to Carriage Club Charlotte, the
North Carolina Department of Human Resources and the North Carolina Department
of Insurance, and the statutes, rulings, rules, regulations, permits,
certificates and ordinances promulgated or enforced by such governmental
authorities.

                 (65)     "SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT" means the Subordination
Agreement executed by Fort Austin Limited Partnership, a Texas limited
partnership, Borrower and American Retirement Communities, L.P., a Tennessee
limited partnership, and other Affiliates of Borrower.

                 (66)     "THIRD MORTGAGE" means, collectively, the Third
Mortgage, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, executed by American
Retirement Communities, L.P. and encumbering Carriage Club Jacksonville, and
the Third Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, executed by
ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and encumbering Carriage Club Charlotte, each in favor of
Lender as security for the indebtedness under the Fort Austin Loan.





                                       7
<PAGE>   14


                                   ARTICLE 2

                                   LOAN TERMS

         Section 2.1      THE LOAN.  The Loan of up to FIFTY-ONE MILLION SEVEN
HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($51,750,000) shall be funded in one
or more advances and repaid in accordance with this Agreement.  All advances of
the Loan shall be made in accordance with the Budget.  The initial advance of
the Loan, in the amount of up to $47,705,910 (the purchase price for the
Projects, including the audited cost of Expansion Work incurred and paid as of
the date hereof, minus Borrower's Equity and holdbacks for construction costs
and Immediate Repairs), shall be made in accordance with the Budget upon
Borrower's satisfaction of the conditions to initial advance described in
Schedule 2.1.  The initial advance of the Loan shall be made first under the
Senior Note (with any excess funded under the Junior Note) and all other
advances on the Loan shall be made under the Junior Note.  Subsequent advance
for the items shown on the Budget shall be made upon Borrower's satisfaction of
the conditions for such advances described in Schedule 2.1.

         Section 2.2      INTEREST RATE; LATE CHARGE.  The outstanding
principal balance of the Loan (including any amounts added to principal under
the Loan Documents) shall bear interest as follows:

                 (a)      the Senior Note shall bear interest at a fixed rate
of interest equal to nine and twenty-eight one hundredths percent (9.28%) per
annum (the "SENIOR NOTE CONTRACT RATE"); and

                 (b)      the Junior Note shall bear interest at a floating
rate of interest equal to three and twenty- five one hundredths percent (3.25%)
per annum in excess of the GECC Composite Commercial Paper Rate, as defined in
Schedule 2.2 (the "JUNIOR NOTE CONTRACT RATE").

Interest shall be computed on the basis of a fraction, the denominator of which
is three hundred sixty (360) and the numerator of which is the actual number of
days elapsed from the date of the initial advance or the date on which the
immediately preceding payment was due.  If Borrower fails to pay any
installment of interest or principal within five (5) days after the date on
which the same is due, Borrower shall pay to Lender a late charge on such
past-due amount, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to the
greater of (i) interest at the Default Rate on such amount from the date when
due until paid, or (ii) five percent (5%) of such amount, but not in excess of
the maximum amount of interest allowed by applicable law.  While any Event of
Default exists, the Loan shall bear interest at the Default Rate.

         Section 2.3      TERMS OF PAYMENT.  The Loan shall be payable as
follows:

                 (1)      INTEREST.  Commencing on June 1, 1996, Borrower shall
pay interest in arrears on the first day of each month until all amounts due
under the Loan Documents are paid in full.

                 (2)      PRINCIPAL AMORTIZATION. Commencing May 1, 1997 and
continuing on the first day of each month thereafter to and including April 1,
2003, Borrower shall pay to Lender $80,000; provided no Event of Default
exists, $19,000 of such amount shall be applied to the reduction of the
principal balance of the Junior Note and the remaining amount ($61,000) shall
be applied to reduction of the principal balance of the Senior Note.  In
addition, if at any time the Cash on Cash Return (as defined in, and determined
in accordance with, the Fort Austin Loan Agreement) under the Fort Austin Loan
is less than fourteen percent (14%), then all Net Cash Flow for each month, at
Borrower's option, shall be (a) deposited into an escrow with Lender or with a
third party under an escrow agreement satisfactory to Lender, or (b) applied,
without penalty or premium, in reduction of the principal balance of the Loan
or, at Lender's election, to the Fort





                                       8
<PAGE>   15

Austin Loan, until the Cash on Cash Return under the Fort Austin Loan exceeds
fourteen percent (14%) for six (6) consecutive months.

                 (3)      MATURITY.  On the Maturity Date, Borrower shall pay
to Lender all outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest, and any other
amounts due under the Loan Documents.

                 (4)      PREPAYMENT.  The Loan is closed to prepayments in
whole or in part, during the first two (2) Loan Years.  From the beginning of
the third (3rd) Loan Year to the Maturity Date, upon not less than fifteen (15)
days' prior written notice to Lender, Borrower may prepay the Loan, in whole
but not in part, without premium or penalty, provided that any prepayment of
the Senior Note shall be accompanied by the Yield Maintenance Amount,
calculated as provided in Schedule 2.3(4) and Lender's participation interest,
calculated as provided in Schedule 2.3(6).  Prepayments of principal shall be
applied to the reduction of the principal balance of the Junior Note before any
application thereof to the principal balance of the Senior Note.  If the Loan
is accelerated for any reason other than casualty or condemnation, while the
Loan is closed to prepayment, Borrower shall pay, in addition to all other
amounts outstanding under the Loan Documents, a prepayment premium equal to
five percent (5%) of the outstanding balance of the Loan plus the Yield
Maintenance Amount on the Senior Note.

                 (5)      APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.  Unless an Event of Default
exists, all payments received by Lender under the Loan Documents (other than
scheduled principal amortization payments which shall be applied in reduction
of principal as provided in Section 2.3(2)) shall be applied: first, to any
fees and expenses due to Lender under the Loan Documents; second, to any
Default Rate interest or late charges; third, to accrued and unpaid interest;
fourth, to the principal sums of the Junior Note and the Senior Note as set
forth in 2.3(2); fifth, to other amounts due under the Loan Documents, except
participation amounts under Schedule 2.3(6), and sixth, to participation
amounts under Schedule 2.3(6).  If an Event of Default exists, all payments
received hereunder shall be applied to amounts owing on the Senior Note and the
Junior Note in such order and manner as Lender shall determine in Lender's sole
and absolute discretion.

                 (6)      PARTICIPATION.  In addition to other payments under
the Loan, Borrower shall pay to Lender the participation under Schedule 2.3(6).

         Section 2.4      SECURITY.  The Loan shall be secured by the Senior
Mortgage creating a first lien on the Projects, the Junior Mortgage creating a
second lien on the Projects, the Assignments of Rents and Leases, and the other
Loan Documents.  As further security for the Loan, Borrower shall fund the
Capital Improvements Reserve in accordance with Schedule 2.4(2).

         Section 2.5      APPLICATION OF OPERATING REVENUES.  Borrower shall
apply Operating Revenues in the following order:

                 (1)      first, to pay Operating Expenses;

                 (2)      second, to Debt Service under the Loan;

                 (3)      third, to make deposits into the reserves, deposits
and/or escrows required hereunder;

                 (4)      fourth, to the payment of the performance and
discharge of the obligations under the Loan Documents (other than Debt Service,
but including any escrow deposit or principal amortization through application
of Net Cash Flow under Section 2.3(2));





                                       9
<PAGE>   16



                 (5)      fifth, to Borrower's Return;

                 (6)      sixth, to the payment of Lender's Participation
Percentage in Net Cash Flow in accordance with Schedule 2.3(6); and

                 (7)      seventh, if Lender shall have given Borrower a notice
that a default exists under the Fort Austin Loan, to the payment of amounts
owing under the Fort Austin Loan, and otherwise to be retained by Borrower for
purposes not inconsistent with the Loan Documents.


                                   ARTICLE 3

                     INSURANCE, CONDEMNATION, AND IMPOUNDS

         Section 3.1      INSURANCE.  Borrower shall maintain insurance as
follows:

                 (1)      CASUALTY; BUSINESS INTERRUPTION.  Borrower shall keep
the Projects insured against damage by fire and the other hazards covered by a
standard extended coverage and all-risk insurance policy for the full insurable
value thereof (without reduction for depreciation or co-insurance), and shall
maintain such other casualty insurance as reasonably required by Lender.
Borrower shall keep the Projects insured against loss by flood if a Project is
located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an
area having special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has been made
available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (and any successor act
thereto) in an amount at least equal to the lesser of (i) the maximum amount of
the Loan or (ii) the maximum limit of coverage available under said act.
Borrower shall maintain use and occupancy insurance covering, as applicable,
rental income or business interruption, with coverage in an amount not less
than twelve (12)-months anticipated gross rental income or gross business
earnings, as applicable in each case, attributable to the Projects.  Borrower
shall not maintain any separate or additional insurance which is contributing
in the event of loss unless it is properly endorsed and otherwise satisfactory
to Lender in all respects.  The proceeds of insurance paid on account of any
damage or destruction to a Project shall be paid to Lender to be applied as
provided in Section 3.2.

                 (2)      LIABILITY.  Borrower shall maintain (a) commercial
general liability insurance with respect to each Project providing for limits
of liability of not less than $11,000,000 for both injury to or death of a
person and for property damage per occurrence, and (b) other liability
insurance as reasonably required by Lender.

                 (3)      FORM AND QUALITY.  All insurance policies shall be
endorsed in form and substance acceptable to Lender to name Lender as an
additional insured, loss payee or mortgagee thereunder, as its interest may
appear, with loss payable to Lender, without contribution, under a standard New
York (or local equivalent) mortgagee clause.  All such insurance policies and
endorsements shall be fully paid for and contain such provisions and expiration
dates and be in such form and issued by such insurance companies licensed to do
business in the State, with a rating of "A-IX" or better as established by
Best's Rating Guide (or an equivalent rating approved in writing by Lender).
Each policy shall provide that such policy may not be canceled or materially
changed except upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice of intention of
non-renewal, cancellation or material change to Lender and that no act or thing
done by Borrower shall invalidate any policy as against Lender.  If Borrower
fails to maintain insurance in compliance with this Section 3.1, Lender may
obtain such insurance and pay the premium therefor and Borrower shall, on
demand, reimburse Lender for all expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Borrower shall assign the policies or proofs of insurance to Lender, in such
manner and form that Lender and its successors and assigns shall at all times





                                       10
<PAGE>   17

have and hold the same as security for the payment of the Loan.  Borrower shall
deliver copies of all original policies certified to Lender by the insurance
company or authorized agent as being true copies, together with the
endorsements required hereunder.  The proceeds of insurance policies coming
into the possession of Lender shall not be deemed trust funds, and Lender shall
be entitled to apply such proceeds as herein provided.

                 (4)      ADJUSTMENTS.  Borrower shall give immediate written
notice of any loss to the insurance carrier and to Lender.  Borrower hereby
irrevocably authorizes and empowers Lender, as attorney-in-fact for Borrower
coupled with an interest, to make proof of loss, to appear in and prosecute any
action arising from such insurance policies, to collect and receive insurance
proceeds, and to deduct therefrom Lender's expenses incurred in the collection
of such proceeds, and if an Event of Default or Potential Default exists, to
adjust and compromise any claim under insurance policies.  Nothing contained in
this Section 3.1(4), however, shall require Lender to incur any expense or take
any action hereunder.

         Section 3.2      USE AND APPLICATION OF INSURANCE PROCEEDS.  Lender
shall apply insurance proceeds (other than proceeds of rental income or
business interruption insurance which shall constitute Operating Revenues) to
costs of restoring a damaged Project or the Loan as follows:

                 (1)      if the loss is less than or equal to $300,000, Lender
shall apply the insurance proceeds to restoration provided (a) no Event of
Default or Potential Default exists, and (b) Borrower promptly commences and is
diligently pursuing restoration of the Project;

                 (2)      if the loss exceeds $300,000 but is not more than 10%
of the replacement value of the improvements (for projects containing multiple
phases or stand alone structures, such calculation to be based on the damaged
phase or structure, not the project as a whole), Lender shall apply the
insurance proceeds to restoration provided that at all times during such
restoration (a) no Event of Default or Potential Default exists; (b) Lender
determines that there are sufficient funds available to restore and repair the
Project to a condition approved by Lender; (c) Lender determines that the Net
Operating Income of the Project during restoration will be sufficient to pay
Debt Service; (d) Lender determines that after restoration the Debt Service
Coverage will be at least (i) 1.0:1 in the first two Loan Years, and (ii)
1.15:1 after the first two Loan Years, and the Cash on Cash Return will be at
least (i) 9.5% in the first Loan Year, (ii) 12% in the second Loan Year, and
(iii) 14% after the second Loan Year; (e) Lender determines that restoration
and repair of the Project to a condition approved by Lender will be completed
within six months after the date of loss or casualty and in any event ninety
(90) days prior to the Maturity Date; and (f) Borrower promptly commences and
is diligently pursuing restoration of the Project;

                 (3)      if the conditions set forth above are not satisfied
or the loss exceeds the maximum amount specified in Subsection 3.2(2) above, in
Lender's sole discretion, Lender may apply any insurance proceeds it may
receive to the payment of the Loan or allow all or a portion of such proceeds
to be used for the restoration of the Project; and

                 (4)      insurance proceeds applied to restoration will be
disbursed on receipt of satisfactory plans and specifications, contracts and
subcontracts, schedules, budgets, lien waivers and architects' certificates,
and otherwise in accordance with prudent commercial construction lending
practices for construction loan advances, including, as applicable, the advance
conditions under Schedule 2.1.

         Section 3.3      CONDEMNATION AWARDS.  Borrower shall immediately
notify Lender of the institution of any proceeding for the condemnation or
other taking of a Project or any portion thereof.  Lender may participate in
any such proceeding and Borrower will deliver to Lender all instruments
necessary





                                       11
<PAGE>   18

or required by Lender to permit such participation.  Without Lender's prior
consent, Borrower (1) shall not agree to any compensation or award, and (2)
shall not take any action or fail to take any action which would cause the
compensation to be determined.  All awards and compensation for the taking or
purchase in lieu of condemnation of a Project or any part thereof are hereby
assigned to and shall be paid to Lender.  Borrower authorizes Lender to collect
and receive such awards and compensation, to give proper receipts and
acquittances therefor, and in Lender's sole discretion to apply the same toward
the payment of the Loan, notwithstanding that the Loan may not then be due and
payable, or to the restoration of the Project; however, if the award is less
than or equal to $300,000 and Borrower requests that such proceeds be used for
non-structural site improvements (such as landscape, driveway, walkway and
parking area repairs) required to be made as a result of such condemnation,
Lender will apply the award to such restoration in accordance with disbursement
procedures applicable to insurance proceeds provided there exists no Potential
Default or Event of Default.  Borrower, upon request by Lender, shall execute
all instruments requested to confirm the assignment of the awards and
compensation to Lender, free and clear of all liens, charges or encumbrances.

         Section 3.4      IMPOUNDS.  Borrower shall deposit with Lender,
monthly, one-twelfth (1/12th) of the annual charges for real estate taxes,
assessments and similar charges relating to the Projects.  At or before the
initial advance of the Loan, Borrower shall deposit with Lender a sum of money
which together with the monthly installments will be sufficient to make each of
such payments thirty (30) days prior to the date any delinquency or penalty
becomes due with respect to such payments.  Deposits shall be made on the basis
of Lender's estimate from time to time of the charges for the current year
(after giving effect to any reassessment or, at Lender's election, on the basis
of the charges for the prior year, with adjustments when the charges are fixed
for the then current year).  Unless Borrower and Lender hereafter enter into a
"blocked account" or similar deposit agreement, all funds so deposited shall be
held by Lender, without interest, and may be commingled with Lender's general
funds.  Borrower hereby grants to Lender a security interest in all funds so
deposited with Lender for the purpose of securing the Loan.  While an Event of
Default exists, the funds deposited may be applied in payment of the charges
for which such funds have been deposited, or to the payment of the Loan or any
other charges affecting the security of Lender, as Lender may elect, but no
such application shall be deemed to have been made by operation of law or
otherwise until actually made by Lender.  Borrower shall furnish Lender with
bills for the charges for which such deposits are required at least thirty (30)
days prior to the date on which the charges first become payable.  If at any
time the amount on deposit with Lender, together with amounts to be deposited
by Borrower before such charges are payable, is insufficient to pay such
charges, Borrower shall deposit any deficiency with Lender immediately upon
demand.  Lender shall pay such charges when the amount on deposit with Lender
is sufficient to pay such charges and Lender has received a bill for such
charges.


                                   ARTICLE 4

                             ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         Section 4.1      CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following
terms have the meanings indicated:

                 (1)      "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any federal, state or
local law (whether imposed by statute, or administrative or judicial order, or
common law), now or hereafter enacted, governing health, safety, industrial
hygiene, the environment or natural resources, or Hazardous Materials,
including, such laws governing or regulating the use, generation, storage,
removal, recovery, treatment, handling, transport, disposal, control, discharge
of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials.





                                       12
<PAGE>   19


                 (2)      "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means (a) petroleum or chemical
products, whether in liquid, solid, or gaseous form, or any fraction or
by-product thereof, (b) asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, (c)
polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs), (d) radon gas, (e) underground storage tanks,
(f) any explosive or radioactive substances, (g) lead or lead-based paint, or
(h) any other substance, material, waste or mixture which is or shall be
listed, defined, or otherwise determined by any governmental authority to be
hazardous, toxic, dangerous or otherwise regulated, controlled or giving rise
to liability under any Environmental Laws.

         Section 4.2      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL
MATTERS.  To Borrower's knowledge, except as set forth in the Site Assessment,
(1) no Hazardous Material is now or was formerly used, stored, generated,
manufactured, installed, disposed of or otherwise present at or about either
Project or any property adjacent to a Project (except for cleaning and other
products currently used in connection with the routine maintenance or repair of
the Project in full compliance with Environmental Laws), (2) all permits,
licenses, approvals and filings required by Environmental Laws have been
obtained, and the use, operation and condition of the Projects do not, and did
not previously, violate any Environmental Laws, and (3) no civil, criminal or
administrative action, suit, claim, hearing, investigation or proceeding has
been brought or been threatened, nor have any settlements been reached by or
with any parties or any liens imposed in connection with either Project
concerning Hazardous Materials or Environmental Laws.

         Section 4.3      COVENANTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

                 (1)      Borrower shall (a) comply strictly and in all
respects with applicable Environmental Laws; (b) notify Lender immediately upon
Borrower's discovery of any spill, discharge, release or presence of any
Hazardous Material at, upon, under, within, contiguous to or otherwise
affecting a Project; (c) promptly remove such Hazardous Materials and remediate
a Project in full compliance with Environmental Laws and in accordance with the
recommendations and specifications of an independent environmental consultant
approved by Lender or in the matter relating to the leaking underground storage
tank affecting Carriage Club Charlotte, enforce Borrower's Indemnification and
Remediation Agreement with Exxon USA, Inc.; and (d) promptly forward to Lender
copies of all orders, notices, permits, applications or other communications
and reports in connection with any spill, discharge, release or the presence of
any Hazardous Material or any other matters relating to the Environmental Laws
or any similar laws or regulations, as they may affect a Project or Borrower.

                 (2)      Borrower shall not cause, shall prohibit any other
Person within the control of Borrower from causing, and shall use prudent,
commercially reasonable efforts to prohibit other Persons (including tenants)
from (a) causing any spill, discharge or release, or the use, storage,
generation, manufacture, installation, or disposal, of any Hazardous Materials
at, upon, under, within or about a Project or the transportation of any
Hazardous Materials to or from a Project (except for cleaning and other
products used in connection with routine maintenance or repair of the Project
in full compliance with Environmental Laws), (b) installing any underground
storage tanks at a Project, or (c) conducting any activity that requires a
permit or other authorization under Environmental Laws.

                 (3)      Borrower shall provide to Lender, at Borrower's
expense promptly upon the written request of Lender from time to time, a Site
Assessment or, if required by Lender, an update to any existing Site
Assessment, to assess the presence or absence of any Hazardous Materials and
the potential costs in connection with abatement, cleanup or removal of any
Hazardous Materials found on, under, at or within a Project.  Borrower shall
pay the cost of no more than one such Site Assessment or update in any twelve
(12)-month period, unless Lender's request for a Site Assessment is based on
information provided under Section 4.3(1), a reasonable suspicion of Hazardous
Materials at or near a Project (exclusive of the matters






                                       13
<PAGE>   20

established in the Site Assessment), a breach of representations under Section
4.2, or an Event of Default, in which case any such Site Assessment or update
shall be at Borrower's expense.

         Section 4.4      ALLOCATION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY.  As between
Borrower and Lender, all risk of loss associated with non-compliance with
Environmental Laws, or with the presence of any Hazardous Material at, upon,
within, contiguous to or otherwise affecting a Project, shall lie solely with
Borrower.  Accordingly, Borrower shall bear all risks and costs associated with
any loss (including any loss in value attributable to Hazardous Materials),
damage or liability therefrom, including all costs of removal of Hazardous
Materials or other remediation required by Lender or by law.  Borrower shall
indemnify, defend and hold Lender harmless from and against all loss,
liabilities, damages, claims, costs and expenses (including reasonable costs of
defense) arising out of or associated, in any way, with the non-compliance with
Environmental Laws, or the existence of Hazardous Materials in, on, or about a
Project, or a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in
this Article 4, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty,
strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law, INCLUDING THOSE
ARISING FROM THE JOINT, CONCURRENT, OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OF LENDER;
HOWEVER, BORROWER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER SUCH INDEMNIFICATION TO THE EXTENT
SUCH LOSS, LIABILITY, DAMAGE, CLAIM, COST OR EXPENSE RESULTS SOLELY FROM
LENDER'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OCCURRING AFTER FORECLOSURE.
Borrower's obligations under this Section 4.4 shall arise upon the discovery of
the presence of any Hazardous Material, whether or not any governmental
authority has taken or threatened any action in connection with the presence of
any Hazardous Material, and whether or not the existence of any such Hazardous
Material or potential liability on account thereof is disclosed in the Site
Assessment and shall continue notwithstanding the repayment of the Loan or any
transfer or sale of any right, title and interest in a Project (by foreclosure,
deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise).

         Section 4.5      COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT OF INDEMNITIES.  Borrower
hereby collaterally assigns all of the rights and benefits (but none of the
obligations or liabilities) under any indemnity agreement or provision with
respect to one or more of the Projects, including any indemnification agreement
for the benefit of Borrower executed by Exxon Corporation (or any affiliate
thereof) or the previous owner of the Projects.

         Section 4.6      NO WAIVER.  Notwithstanding any provision in this
Article 4 or elsewhere in the Loan Documents, or any rights or remedies granted
by the Loan Documents, Lender does not waive and expressly reserves all rights
and benefits now or hereafter accruing to Lender under the "security interest"
or "secured creditor" exception under applicable Environmental Laws, as the
same may be amended.  No action taken by Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents
shall be deemed or construed to be a waiver or relinquishment of any such
rights or benefits under the "security interest exception."


                                   ARTICLE 5

                                LEASING MATTERS

         Section 5.1      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ON RESIDENCY
AGREEMENTS.  Borrower represents and warrants to Lender with respect to
Residency Agreements of the Projects that: (1) to Borrower's knowledge, the
rent roll delivered to Lender is true and correct, and the Residency Agreements
are valid and in and full force and effect; (2) the Residency Agreements
(including amendments) are in writing, and, to Borrower's knowledge, there are
no oral agreements with respect thereto; (3) the copies of the Residency
Agreements available to be furnished to Lender at Lender's request are true and
complete; (4) to Borrower's knowledge, neither the landlord nor any resident is
in default under any of the Residency Agreements;





                                       14
<PAGE>   21

(5) Borrower has no knowledge of any notice of termination or default with
respect to any Residency Agreement; (6) Borrower has not assigned or pledged
any of the Residency Agreements, the rents or any interests therein except to
Lender; (7) except as set forth in the rent roll delivered to Lender, no
resident or other party has an option to purchase all or any portion of a
Project; and (8) no resident has prepaid more than one month's rent in advance
(except for bona fide security deposits not in excess of an amount equal to two
month's rent).

         Section 5.2      STANDARD RESIDENCY AGREEMENT FORM.  All Residency
Agreements and other rental arrangements shall in all respects be approved by
Lender and shall be on a standard form approved by Lender with no material
modifications (except as approved by Lender).  Within ten (10) days after
Lender's request, Borrower shall furnish to Lender a statement of all resident
security deposits, and copies of all Residency Agreements not previously
delivered to Lender, certified by Borrower as being true and correct.

         Section 5.3      COVENANTS.  Borrower (1) shall perform the
obligations which Borrower is required to perform under the Residency
Agreements; (2) shall enforce the obligations to be performed by the residents
in accordance with the normal prudent operation of the Projects; (3) shall not
collect any rents for more than thirty (30) days in advance of the time when
the same shall become due, except for bona fide security deposits not in excess
of an amount equal to two months rent; (4) shall not enter into any ground
lease or master lease of any part of a Project; (5) shall not further assign or
encumber any Residency Agreement; (6) shall not, except in the ordinary course
of business and the normal prudent operation of the Projects, cancel or accept
surrender or termination of any Residency Agreement; and (7) shall not, except
in the ordinary course of business and the normal prudent operation of the
Projects, modify or amend any Residency Agreement and any action in violation
of clauses (5), (6), and (7) of this Section 5.3, shall be void at the election
of Lender.


                                   ARTICLE 6

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that:

         Section 6.1      ORGANIZATION AND POWER.  Borrower and each Borrower
Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of its formation or existence, and is in compliance with legal
requirements applicable to doing business in the State.  Borrower is not a
"foreign person" within the meaning of Section  1445(f)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code.

         Section 6.2      VALIDITY OF LOAN DOCUMENTS.  The execution, delivery
and performance by Borrower and each Borrower Party of the Loan Documents: (1)
are duly authorized and do not require the consent or approval of any other
party or governmental authority which has not been obtained; and (2) will not
violate any law or result in the imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance
upon the assets of any such party, except as contemplated by the Loan
Documents.  The Loan Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding
obligations of Borrower and each Borrower Party, enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or
similar laws generally affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights.

         Section 6.3      LIABILITIES; LITIGATION.





                                       15
<PAGE>   22



                 (1)      The financial statements delivered by Borrower and
each Borrower Party are true and correct with no significant change since the
date of preparation.  Except as disclosed in such financial statements, there
are no liabilities (fixed or contingent) affecting the Projects, Borrower or
any Borrower Party.  Except as disclosed in such financial statements, there is
no litigation, administrative proceeding, investigation or other legal action
(including any proceeding under any state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency
law) pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened, against the
Projects, Borrower or any Borrower Party which if adversely determined could
have a material adverse effect on such party, a Project or the Loan.

                 (2)      Neither Borrower nor any Borrower Party is
contemplating either the filing of a petition by it under state or federal
bankruptcy or insolvency laws or the liquidation of all or a major portion of
its assets or property, and neither Borrower nor any Borrower Party has
knowledge of any Person contemplating the filing of any such petition against
it.

         Section 6.4      TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS.  The Projects are comprised of
one or more parcels, each of which constitutes a separate tax lot and none of
which constitutes a portion of any other tax lot.  There are no pending or, to
Borrower's best knowledge, proposed, special or other assessments for public
improvements or otherwise affecting a Project, nor are there any contemplated
improvements to either Project that may result in such special or other
assessments.

         Section 6.5      OTHER AGREEMENTS; DEFAULTS.  Neither Borrower nor any
Borrower Party is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any
court order, injunction, permit, or restriction which might adversely affect a
Project or the business, operations, or condition (financial or otherwise) of
Borrower or any Borrower Party.  Neither Borrower nor any Borrower Party is in
violation of any agreement which violation would have an adverse effect on a
Project, Borrower, or any Borrower Party or Borrower's or any Borrower Party's
business, properties, or assets, operations or condition, financial or
otherwise.

         Section 6.6      COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.

                 (1)      Borrower has made applications and filed all required
notices for the transfer, renewal, recertification, and/or reissuance of all
such currently existing licenses, permits, approvals and provider agreements
necessary to own, lease, operate and carry on its business in the Projects, and
has no knowledge of any basis for the denial of such applications, subject to
completion of the application process including compliance with any applicable
on-site health facility survey and certification review requirements that can
be completed only after Borrower legally assumes responsibility for operation
of each Project.  Each Project is in compliance with all applicable legal
requirements and, to Borrower's knowledge, is free of structural defects, and
all building systems contained therein are in good working order, subject to
ordinary wear and tear.  Neither Project constitutes, in whole or in part, a
legally non-conforming use under applicable legal requirements;

                 (2)      No condemnation has been commenced or, to Borrower's
knowledge, is contemplated with respect to all or any portion of a Project or
for the relocation of roadways providing access to a Project; and

                 (3)      Each Project has adequate rights of access to public
ways and is served by adequate water, sewer, sanitary sewer and storm drain
facilities.  All public utilities necessary or convenient to the full use and
enjoyment of each Project are located in the public right-of-way abutting the
Project, and all such utilities are connected so as to serve the Project
without passing over other property, except to the extent such other property
is subject to a perpetual easement for such utility benefitting the Project.
All roads necessary





                                       16
<PAGE>   23

for the full utilization of each Project for its current purpose have been
completed and dedicated to public use and accepted by all governmental
authorities.

         Section 6.7      LOCATION OF BORROWER.  Borrower's principal place of
business and chief executive offices are located at the address stated in
Section 11.1.

         Section 6.8      ERISA.  Except for the 401K plan established by ARCLP
for its employees, Borrower has not established any pension plan for employees
which would cause Borrower to be subject to the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.

         Section 6.9      MARGIN STOCK.  No part of proceeds of the Loan will
be used for purchasing or acquiring any "margin stock" within the meaning of
Regulations G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.

         Section 6.10     TAX FILINGS. Borrower and each Borrower Party have
filed (or have obtained effective extensions for filing) all federal, state and
local tax returns required to be filed and have paid or made adequate provision
for the payment of all federal, state and local taxes, charges and assessments
payable by Borrower and each Borrower Party, respectively.

         Section 6.11     SOLVENCY. Giving effect to the Loan, the fair
saleable value of Borrower's assets exceeds and will, immediately following the
making of the Loan, exceed Borrower's total liabilities, including, without
limitation, subordinated, unliquidated, disputed and contingent liabilities.
The fair saleable value of Borrower's assets is and will, immediately following
the making of the Loan, be greater than Borrower's probable liabilities,
including the maximum amount of its contingent liabilities on its Debts as such
Debts become absolute and matured, Borrower's assets do not and, immediately
following the making of the Loan will not, constitute unreasonably small
capital to carry out its business as conducted or as proposed to be conducted.
Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur Debts and
liabilities (including contingent liabilities and other commitments) beyond its
ability to pay such Debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and
amounts of cash to be received by Borrower and the amounts to be payable on or
in respect of obligations of Borrower).

         Section 6.12     FULL AND ACCURATE DISCLOSURE.  No statement of fact
made by or on behalf of Borrower or any Borrower Party in this Agreement or in
any of the other Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make statements contained
herein or therein not misleading.  There is no fact presently known to Borrower
which has not been disclosed to Lender which adversely affects, nor as far as
Borrower can foresee, might adversely affect, the Projects or the business,
operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower or any Borrower
Party.

         Section 6.13     SINGLE PURPOSE ENTITY.  ARCLP-Charlotte, L.L.C. is
and has at all times since its formation been a Single Purpose Entity.

         Section 6.14     LICENSES AND COMPLIANCE.  All licenses, permits and
approvals required under current ownership for the operation of the Projects as
nursing homes and personal care facilities under applicable law have been
issued and are in good standing, including, without limitation,(i) Nursing Home
Licenses issued by State Agencies; and (ii) Personal Care Facilities Licenses
issued by State Agencies, which are currently in full force and effect.





                                       17
<PAGE>   24



                                   ARTICLE 7

                              FINANCIAL REPORTING

         Section 7.1      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                 (1)      MONTHLY REPORTS.  Within thirty (30) days after the
end of each calendar month, Borrower shall furnish to Lender a current (as of
the calendar month just ended) balance sheet, a detailed operating statement
(showing monthly activity and year-to-date) stating Operating Revenues,
Operating Expenses, operating income and Net Cash Flow for the calendar month
just ended, as requested by Lender, an updated rent roll, and, as requested by
Lender, a written statement setting forth any variance from the annual budget,
copies of bank statements and bank reconciliations and other documentation
supporting the information disclosed in the most recent financial statements.

                 (2)      QUARTERLY REPORTS.  Within forty-five (45) days after
the end of each calendar quarter, Borrower shall furnish to Lender a detailed
operating statement (showing quarterly activity and year-to-date) stating
Operating Revenues, Operating Expenses, operating income and Net Cash Flow for
the calendar quarter just ended.

                 (3)      ANNUAL REPORTS.  Within ninety (90) days after the
end of each fiscal year of Borrower's operation of the Projects, Borrower shall
furnish to Lender a current (as of the end of such fiscal year) balance sheet,
a detailed operating statement stating Operating Revenues, Operating Expenses,
operating income and Net Cash Flow for each of Borrower and the Projects, a
detailed statement of all expenditures for capital improvements and
replacements to the Projects during the preceding calendar year and a
reconciliation to disbursements from the Capital Improvements Reserve (as
defined in Schedule 2.4(2)), and, if required by Lender, prepared on a review
basis and certified by an independent public accountant satisfactory to Lender.

                 (4)      CERTIFICATION; SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.  Each such
financial statement shall be in scope and detail satisfactory to Lender and
certified by the chief financial representative of Borrower.

         Section 7.2      ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.  All financial statements
shall be prepared in accordance with sound accounting principles applicable to
commercial real estate, consistently applied from year to year.

         Section 7.3      OTHER INFORMATION.  Borrower shall deliver to Lender
such additional information regarding Borrower, its subsidiaries, its business,
any Borrower Party, and the Projects within 30 days after Lender's request
therefor.

         Section 7.4      ANNUAL BUDGET AND CASH FLOW SUMMARY.  At least sixty
(60) days prior to the commencement of each fiscal year, Borrower will provide
to Lender its proposed annual operating and capital improvements budget for
such fiscal year for review and approval by Lender.  Furthermore, within sixty
(60) days after the end of each fiscal year, Borrower shall provide Lender a
certified cash flow summary which includes certifications that Borrower has and
will continue to (i) preserve its partnership, limited liability company or
other separate legal existence, (ii) preserve all its rights and licenses to
the extent necessary or desirable in the operation of its business and affairs
and (iii) be and remain qualified to do business and conduct its affairs in
each jurisdiction where its ownership of projects or the conduct of its
business affairs requires such qualification.





                                       18
<PAGE>   25

         Section 7.5      AUDITS.  Lender shall have the right to choose and
appoint a certified public accountant to perform financial and cash flow audits
as it deems necessary, at Borrower's expense; however, Lender shall not require
such audits at Borrower's expense more often than two times each year or for an
amount in any year in excess of $5,000.  Borrower shall permit Lender to
examine such records, books and papers of Borrower which reflect upon its
financial condition and the income and expense relative to the Projects.


                                   ARTICLE 8

                                   COVENANTS

         Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender as follows:

         Section 8.1      DUE ON SALE AND ENCUMBRANCE; TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS.
Without the prior written consent of Lender,

                 (1)      neither Borrower nor any other Person having an
ownership or beneficial interest in Borrower shall (a) directly or indirectly
sell, transfer, convey, mortgage, pledge, or assign any interest in a Project
or any part thereof (including any partnership or any other ownership interest
in Borrower, other than new limited partner interests which are issued, and
existing limited partner interests which are  transferred or encumbered, in
accordance with the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement of American
Retirement Communities, L.P.); (b) further encumber, alienate, grant a Lien or
grant any other interest in a Project or any part thereof (including any
partnership or other ownership interest in Borrower, other than new limited
partner interests which are issued, and existing limited partner interests
which are  transferred or encumbered, in accordance with the terms of the
Limited Partnership Agreement of American Retirement Communities, L.P.),
whether voluntarily or involuntarily; or (c) enter into any easement or other
agreement granting rights in or restricting the use or development of a
Project;

                 (2)      no new general partner, member, or limited partner
having the ability to control the affairs of Borrower shall be admitted to or
created in Borrower (nor shall any existing general partner or member or
controlling limited partner withdraw from Borrower), and no change in
Borrower's organizational documents relating to control over Borrower and/or a
Project shall be effected; and

                 (3)      no transfer shall be permitted which would cause
American Retirement Communities, L.P. to own less than ninety-nine percent
(99%) of the beneficial interest and voting membership interest in
ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC and Carriage Club Charlotte or one hundred percent (100%)
of the beneficial interest in Carriage Club Jacksonville.

As used in this Section 8.1, "transfer" shall include the sale, transfer,
conveyance, mortgage, pledge, or assignment of the legal or beneficial
ownership of (a) a Project, (b) any partnership interest in any general partner
in Borrower that is a partnership, and (c) any voting stock in any general
partner in Borrower that is a corporation; "transfer" shall not include (i) the
leasing of individual units within a Project so long as Borrower complies with
the provisions of the Loan Documents relating to such leasing activity; or (ii)
the transfers of limited partner interests in Borrower so long as the
provisions of Sections 8.1(2) and 8.1(3) are satisfied.  After the Loan is
fully funded, Lender shall not unreasonably withhold its consent or impose any
transfer fee (other than out-of-pocket transaction costs) if Borrower desires
to transfer one or both of the Projects or interests in Borrower to an
Affiliate, so long as (A)  there exists no Event of Default or Potential
Default, (B) any transferee of the Projects assumes Borrower's obligations
under the Loan, including the





                                       19
<PAGE>   26

execution of a Consent and Assumption Agreement, financing statement(s) and any
other documents reasonably requested by Lender (each in form satisfactory to
Lender) to evidence such transfer and maintain the perfection of Lender's liens
and security interests against the Projects, (C) the Net Worth and liquidity of
any transferee of the Projects are equivalent to or better than those of
American Retirement Communities, L.P. on the date of this Agreement, (D) the
proposed transferee is considered, in Lender's reasonable discretion, to be
capable of managing and maintaining the marketability of the Projects, (E)
American Retirement Communities, L.P. owns one hundred percent (100%) of the
voting stock in every corporate general partner of Borrower's constituent
general partner and members, as applicable, and (F) American Retirement
Communities, L.P. directly or indirectly maintains sole control over Borrower
(including the sole discretion regarding the sale, exchange, refinancing or
disposition of the Projects and the selection of any manager therefor) and any
controlling limited partner or member of Borrower, each as determined by Lender
taking into account the requested transfer.

         Section 8.2      TAXES; CHARGES.  Borrower shall pay before any fine,
penalty, interest or cost may be added thereto, and shall not enter into any
agreement to defer, any real estate taxes and assessments, franchise taxes and
charges, and other governmental charges that may become a Lien upon a Project
or become payable during the term of the Loan, and will promptly furnish Lender
with evidence of such payment; however, Borrower's compliance with Section 3.4
of this Agreement relating to impounds for taxes and assessments shall, with
respect to payment of such taxes and assessments, be deemed compliance with
this Section 8.2.  Borrower shall not suffer or permit the joint assessment of
a Project with any other real property constituting a separate tax lot or with
any other real or personal property.  Borrower shall pay when due all claims
and demands of mechanics, materialmen, laborers and others which, if unpaid,
might result in a Lien on a Project; however, Borrower may contest the validity
of such claims and demands so long as (a) Borrower notifies Lender that it
intends to contest such claim or demand, (b) Borrower provides Lender with an
indemnity, bond or other security satisfactory to Lender (including an
endorsement to Lender's title insurance policy insuring against such claim or
demand) assuring the discharge of Borrower's obligations for such claims and
demands, including interest and penalties, and (c) Borrower is diligently
contesting the same by appropriate legal proceedings in good faith and at its
own expense and concludes such contest prior to the tenth (10th) day preceding
the earlier to occur of the Maturity Date or the date on which a Project is
scheduled to be sold for non-payment.

         Section 8.3      CONTROL; MANAGEMENT.  There shall be no change in the
day-to-day control and management of Borrower or Borrower's general partner, if
any, without the prior written consent of Lender.  Borrower shall not
terminate, replace or appoint any manager or terminate or amend the management
agreement for a Project without Lender's prior written approval.  Borrower
shall fully perform all of its covenants, agreements and obligations under the
management agreement.  Borrower, or an Affiliate, shall serve as manager of the
Projects.  If the manager is an Affiliate of Borrower, such manager shall be
entitled to receive a management fee of up to three percent (3%) of Operating
Revenues pursuant to a management agreement approved by Lender, in Lender's
sole and absolute discretion.  No management fee shall be payable if Borrower
manages the Projects. If Borrower seeks to replace the manager, Lender retains
full and absolute approval right over such substitute manager, management fee
and management agreement.  Lender shall approve all managers and management
contracts, both presently existing and prior to entering into such contracts in
the future; in addition, all management fees payable under any management
contract shall be subordinate to and be paid following full payment of all Debt
Service payments on the Loan in each fiscal year.  Any change in ownership or
control of the manager shall be cause for Lender to re-approve such manager and
management contract.  Each manager shall hold and maintain all necessary
licenses, certifications and permits required by law, and shall enter a
non-competition agreement to the effect that such manager will not acquire,
construct, operate or manage any facility similar to the Projects (i.e., an
independent living units facility or an assisted living facility) within a
5-mile radius of any Project at any





                                       20
<PAGE>   27

time while any portion of the Loan is outstanding.  Borrower shall strictly
comply with the Management Standards set forth in Exhibit D attached hereto,
and shall not enter into, modify, amend, or terminate any existing management
agreement, except in accordance with the Management Standards and this Section
8.3.

         Section 8.4      NONCOMPLIANCE.  Borrower shall promptly deliver to
Lender copies of all reports and other documents with respect to any
inspections, surveys, investigations, or on-site visits of, or certification
actions regarding, the Projects by any federal, state, or local licensing and
regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Projects, including any
inspections by State Agencies.  Subject to Section 8.5, Lender may retain a
consultant, at Borrower's expense, to evaluate and review such reports and
documents. Borrower shall promptly correct any deficiency and comply with all
remedial actions and recommendations set forth in such reports or specified by
the consultant retained by Lender.  Borrower will promptly notify Lender of (i)
any noncompliance, or (ii) any event which, with notice or lapse of time or
both, would result in noncompliance, with any statute, law, ordinance, order,
judgment, decree, regulation, direction or requirement concerning Borrower, its
operations, or either of the Projects, or in connection with which Borrower has
received any notice, correspondence other communication to or from any federal,
state or local governmental official, body, board, department or regulatory
authority.  If any such notice or communication of a material nature is
received by Borrower, Borrower shall engage an independent consultant as
described in Section 8.5 below and shall provide Lender with a statement of
Borrower setting forth its proposed action or response to the noncompliance
situation.  Borrower shall promptly notify Lender of any proposed local, state
or federal law that, if enacted, would materially and adversely affect
Borrower's current operation of either of the Projects.

         Section 8.5      CONSULTANT.  If (a) Borrower fails to maintain at all
times a Debt Service Coverage of at least 1.20:1, or (b) the occupancy level of
either of the Projects is less than 87% (not including the occupancy of space
under the Expansion Work until such space is anticipated to be occupied
according to projections approved by Lender) for three consecutive months, or
(c) Borrower receives any notice, correspondence or other communication of a
material nature from any federal, state or local governmental official, body,
board, department or regulatory authority citing violations of or lack of
compliance with any statue, ordinance and/or regulation concerning Borrower,
its operations, or either of the Projects, then Borrower shall, at its expense,
retain an independent consultant selected from a list of independent
consultants designated by Lender from time to time, which independent
consultant is to make recommendations to increase the Debt Service Coverage to
at least 1.30:1, increase the occupancy level to at least 90%, or make
recommendations to address the violation and/or noncompliance situation, as the
case may be.  With regard to a notice of violation or noncompliance received by
Borrower as described in Section 8.4 above, if such violation or noncompliance
can be cured by Borrower within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of
the notice or other communication relating thereto, then the independent
consultant's engagement may be limited to a review of Borrower's proposed plan
to cure such noncompliance.  Such independent consultant will provide a copy of
its report to Borrower and to Lender.  Borrower further agrees that its
compliance with this covenant and/or the independent consultant's
recommendation will not limit any of Lender's rights and remedies upon
Borrower's default or excuse Borrower from any default whether by reason of its
failure to maintain the above-specified Debt Service Coverage or occupancy
level, or the receipt of a notice of noncompliance or for any other reason.

         Section 8.6      PERMITS AND LICENSES; OPERATION; MAINTENANCE;
INSPECTION.   Borrower shall promptly complete the application process for the
transfer, renewal, recertification, and/or reissuance of all currently existing
licenses, permits, approvals and agreements necessary to own, lease, operate
and carry on its business in the Projects and shall furnish to Lender true and
correct copies of such licenses, permits, approvals and agreements on or before
July 1, 1996.  Borrower shall observe and comply with all legal requirements
applicable to the ownership, use and operation of the Projects as nursing





                                       21
<PAGE>   28

homes and personal care facilities, including the requirements of State
Agencies, and any applicable requirements under the Medicare (or other
reimbursement) program.  Borrower shall maintain the Projects in good condition
(ordinary wear and tear excepted) and promptly repair any damage or casualty.
Borrower shall permit Lender and its agents, representatives and employees,
upon reasonable prior notice to Borrower, to inspect the Projects and conduct
such environmental and engineering studies as Lender may require, provided such
inspections and studies do not materially interfere with the use and operation
of the Projects.

         Section 8.7      TAXES ON SECURITY.  Borrower shall pay all taxes,
charges, filing, registration and recording fees, excises and levies payable
with respect to the Note or the Liens created or secured by the Loan Documents,
other than income, franchise and doing business taxes imposed on Lender.  If
there shall be enacted any law (1) deducting the Loan from the value of a
Project for the purpose of taxation, (2) affecting any Lien on a Project, or
(3) changing existing laws of taxation of mortgages, deeds of trust, security
deeds, or debts secured by real property, or changing the manner of collecting
any such taxes, Borrower shall promptly pay to Lender, on demand, all taxes,
costs and charges for which Lender is liable as a result thereof; however, if
such payment would be prohibited by law or would render the Loan usurious, then
instead of collecting such payment, Lender may declare all amounts owing under
the Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable.

         Section 8.8      RESERVES, DEPOSITS, ESCROWS.  Borrower shall at all
times maintain all reserves, deposits and/or escrows required by Lender or
State Agencies applicable from time to time to Borrower by virtue of the nature
of Borrower's business.

         Section 8.9      LEGAL EXISTENCE; NAME, ETC.  Borrower and each
general partner in Borrower, if any, shall preserve and keep in full force and
effect its entity status, franchises, rights and privileges under the laws of
the state of its formation, and all qualifications, licenses and permits
applicable to the ownership, use and operation of the Projects.  Neither
Borrower nor any general partner of Borrower, if any, shall wind up, liquidate,
dissolve, reorganize, merge, or consolidate with or into, or convey, sell,
assign, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
its assets, and ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC shall not acquire all or substantially all
of the assets of the business of any Person, except that Borrower may engage in
a merger or consolidation on the conclusion of which (a) American Retirement
Communities, L.P. directly or indirectly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the
voting stock in every corporate general partner of the surviving entity's
constituent general partner and members, as applicable, and (b) American
Retirement Communities, L.P. (or substantially the present effective ownership
of American Retirement Communities, L.P.) directly or indirectly maintains sole
control over the surviving entity (including the sole discretion regarding the
sale, exchange, refinancing or disposition of the Projects and the selection of
any manager therefor) and any controlling limited partner or member of the
surviving entity, each as determined by Lender taking into account the
requested transfer.  Borrower and each general partner in Borrower, if any,
shall conduct business only in its own name and shall not change its name,
identity, or organizational structure, or the location of its chief executive
office or principal place of business unless Borrower (c) shall have obtained
the prior written consent of Lender to such change, and (d) shall have taken
all actions necessary or requested by Lender to file or amend any financing
statement or continuation statement to assure perfection and continuation of
perfection of security interests under the Loan Documents.  Borrower (and each
general partner in Borrower, if any) shall maintain its separateness as an
entity, including maintaining separate books, records, and accounts and
observing corporate and partnership formalities independent of any other
entity, shall pay its obligations with its own funds and shall not commingle
funds or assets with those of any other entity.





                                       22
<PAGE>   29



         Section 8.10     AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.  Without the prior written
consent of Lender, except for management agreements complying with the
provisions hereof, Borrower shall not engage in any transaction affecting a
Project with an Affiliate of Borrower.

         Section 8.11     LIMITATION ON OTHER DEBT.  Borrower (and each general
partner in Borrower, if any) shall not, without the prior written consent of
Lender, incur any Debt other than (a) Debt incurred by American Retirement
Communities, L.P. in compliance with all financial covenants of this Agreement
or the Fort Austin Loan Agreement, (b) the Loan, and (c) customary trade
payables which are payable, and shall be paid, within sixty (60) days of when
incurred (or such longer period as may be allowed by trade creditors) and
equipment or automobile lease obligations of not more than $40,000 for any
single lease obligation and of not more than $120,000 for all such lease
obligations in the aggregate.

         Section 8.12     LIMITATION ON AFFILIATE DEBT.  Neither Borrower nor
any other Affiliate shall lend or borrow funds from any other Affiliate unless
such parties have acknowledged that all such debt is unsecured and subordinate
to the Loan on the terms of the Subordination Agreement (which acknowledgment
shall be in the form of the Joinder Page attached to the Subordination
Agreement).

         Section 8.13     FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Borrower shall promptly (1) cure
any defects in the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, and (2)
execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such other
documents, agreements and instruments as Lender may reasonably request to
further evidence and more fully describe the collateral for the Loan, to
correct any omissions in the Loan Documents, to perfect, protect or preserve
any liens created under any of the Loan Documents, or to make any recordings,
file any notices, or obtain any consents, as may be necessary or appropriate in
connection therewith.

         Section 8.14     ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES.  Borrower, within ten (10)
days after Lender's reasonable request, shall furnish to Lender a written
statement, duly acknowledged, setting forth the amount due on the Loan, the
terms of payment of the Loan, the date to which interest has been paid, whether
any offsets or defenses exist against the Loan and, if any are alleged to
exist, the nature thereof in detail, and such other matters as Lender
reasonably may request.

         Section 8.15     NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS.  Borrower shall promptly
notify Lender of (1) any Potential Default or Event of Default, together with a
detailed statement of the steps being taken to cure such Potential Default or
Event of Default; (2) any notice of default received by Borrower under other
obligations relating to a Project or otherwise material to Borrower's business;
and (3) any threatened or pending legal, judicial or regulatory proceedings,
including any dispute between Borrower and any governmental authority,
affecting Borrower or a Project.

         Section 8.16     INDEMNIFICATION.  Borrower shall indemnify, defend
and hold Lender harmless from and against any and all losses (other than losses
resulting solely from nonpayment of the Loan), liabilities, claims, damages,
expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, including the reasonable fees
and actual expenses of Lender's counsel incurred by Lender, in connection with
(1) any inspection, review or testing of or with respect to the Projects, (2)
any investigative, administrative, mediation, arbitration, or judicial
proceeding, whether or not Lender is designated a party thereto, commenced or
threatened at any time (including after the repayment of the Loan) in any way
related to the execution, delivery or performance of any Loan Document or to
either Project, (3) any proceeding instituted by any Person claiming a Lien,
(4) any brokerage commissions or finder's fees claimed by any broker or other
party in connection with the Loan, either Project, or any of the transactions
contemplated in the Loan Documents, except commissions and fees arising solely
from Lender's actions, (5) the breach of any of the representations, warranties
or covenants contained in any Loan Document, and





                                       23
<PAGE>   30

(6) any professional malpractice or negligence relating to the operation of the
Projects, INCLUDING THOSE ARISING FROM THE JOINT, CONCURRENT, OR COMPARATIVE
NEGLIGENCE OF LENDER, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ANY OF THE FOREGOING IS CAUSED BY
LENDER'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

         Section 8.17     ERISA.  Borrower shall comply with the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time ("ERISA"), in all material
respects.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower shall
cause all or any defined benefit pension plan, including both single employer
and multi-employer plans, subject to Title IV of ERISA (a "PLAN"), to be funded
in accordance with the minimum funding standards of ERISA, if applicable, and
shall make in a timely manner all contributions due to any Plan.

         Section 8.18     CASH OPERATING RESERVE FUND.  During the term of the
Loan, Borrower shall maintain a cash operating reserve fund (the "OPERATING
RESERVE") in an amount representing 21 days' of estimated, routine Operating
Expenses.  If funds from the Operating Reserve are withdrawn and used by
Borrower to pay ordinary Operating Expenses, Borrower shall replenish the
Operating Reserve within sixty (60) days of such withdrawal, by depositing an
amount sufficient to restore the Operating Reserve to its full amount.
Borrower grants to Lender a security interest in the Operating Reserve.  While
an Event of Default exists, Lender shall be entitled, without notice to
Borrower, to withdraw funds from the Operating Reserve to satisfy Borrower's
obligations under the Loan Documents.

         Section 8.19     SECURITY DEPOSITS.  Borrower shall maintain a
separate account for each of the Projects ("SECURITY DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS") into
which it will deposit all security deposits and other deposits received by
Borrower under the Residency Agreements for such Projects.  Borrower shall make
all disbursements from the appropriate Security Deposit Account in accordance
with the terms of the Residency Agreements, the Loan Documents and all
applicable state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations, if any, and
Borrower shall continue to comply with Lender's requirements, the terms of the
Residency Agreements, and all applicable state and local statutes, ordinances
and regulations regarding maintenance of such Security Deposit Accounts.  To
the maximum extent allowed by applicable law, Borrower grants to Lender a
security interest in the Security Deposit Accounts and all funds therein to
Lender as security for the Loan.  To the extent allowed by law while any Event
of Default exists, Lender may withdraw funds from the Security Deposit Accounts
and apply such funds to satisfy Borrower's obligations under the Loan
Documents.

         Section 8.20     NET WORTH.  American Retirement Communities, L.P.
shall at all times maintain a Net Worth of at least $10,000,000 and
ARCLP-Charlotte, LLC shall at all times maintain a Net Worth of at least $1.00.

         Section 8.21     OPERATION.  The Projects shall be operated as
continuing care retirement communities comprised of independent living units,
assisted living units, and, if applicable, skilled nursing beds.  The Projects
shall be operated using prudent business judgment and in such a manner so as to
maximize the number of Residency Agreements and other occupancy agreements in
effect and to maintain a favorable reputation for the Projects.  Borrower shall
fully and faithfully perform, in all material respects, all of its covenants,
agreements and obligations under the Residency Agreements and under any
management agreement (and under any replacement instruments to the foregoing
which are permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.)

         Section 8.22     SERVICES.  Borrower shall maintain and continue to
provide throughout the term of the Loan materially the same services to
residents as are currently being provided at the Projects by Borrower 





                                       24
<PAGE>   31

or otherwise on the date hereof.  Borrower shall not materially change such
services or change the Facility Capacity without the prior written consent and
approval of Lender.

         Section 8.23     NON-COMPETITION.  Borrower shall not acquire,
construct, operate or manage any congregate care facility, assisted living
facility, skilled or intermediate nursing facility, adult day care facility,
home health care agency, or any business comprised of any combination of the
aforementioned, to the extent revenues derived therefrom are not included in
Projects' Operating Revenues, within a 5-mile radius of either Project at any
time while any portion of the Loan is outstanding.

         Section 8.24     KEY PERSONS. Borrower shall promptly notify Lender if
persons or entities key to Borrower's operations, as designated by Lender from
time to time, are terminated or cease providing services to Borrower.

         Section 8.25     IMMEDIATE REPAIRS; EXPANSION WORK.  Borrower shall
complete all of the Immediate Repairs to the satisfaction of Lender and
Lender's inspecting architect/engineer and shall pay all costs and expenses
therefor prior to December 1, 1996.  Borrower shall complete all Expansion Work
to the satisfaction of Lender and Lender's inspecting architect/engineer and
shall pay all expenses therefor prior to December 31, 1996.

         Section 8.26     FORT AUSTIN LOAN.  Borrower acknowledges that the
initial investment of Borrower's Equity is derived from advances on the Fort
Austin Loan and covenants and agrees that any return of any of Borrower's
Equity hereunder which is derived from the Fort Austin Loan (not including any
Borrower's Return or Net Cash Flow entitled to be retained by Borrower) shall
be applied without prepayment premium (other than Yield Maintenance or Make
Whole Breakage) in reduction of the principal balance of the Fort Austin Loan.

         Section 8.27     RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER FOR CREDIT FACILITY.  If
Borrower or any Affiliate desires to form a real estate investment trust which
will include either of the Projects (the "REIT"), General Electric Capital
Corporation shall have a right of first offer with respect to any acquisition
and/or revolving credit facility to be established by the REIT ("CREDIT
FACILITY").  Under such right of first offer, General Electric Capital
Corporation may offer terms for a Credit Facility to the REIT either on its own
initiative or on request by the REIT within thirty (30) days of the REIT's
request.  The REIT may accept or decline such terms, provided that if the
Credit Facility terms offered by General Electric Capital Corporation are
declined by the REIT, the REIT shall not accept any other Credit Facility on
terms that are materially less favorable than those offered by General Electric
Capital Corporation without first requesting such Credit Facility terms from
General Electric Capital Corporation.

         Section 8.28     ASSIGNMENT OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS.  As additional
security for the payment of amounts owing by Borrower under or with respect to
the Loan, Borrower hereby transfers and assigns to Lender, and grants to Lender
a security interest in, all of Borrower's rights, title and interests, but not
its obligations, in, under and to the Construction Contracts upon the following
terms and conditions:

                 (1)      Borrower represents and warrants that, to Borrower's
knowledge, each copy of any Construction Contract furnished to Lender is a true
and complete copy thereof and that Borrower's interest therein is not subject
to any claim, setoff or encumbrance.

                 (2)      Neither this assignment nor any action by Lender
constitutes an assumption by Lender of any obligations under the Construction
Contracts.  Borrower shall continue to be liable for all obligations of
Borrower thereunder and shall perform all of its obligations under the
Construction Contracts.





                                       25
<PAGE>   32

Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Lender harmless against and from any
loss, liability or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred by Lender and resulting from any failure of Borrower
to so perform.

                 (3)      If an Event of Default exists, Lender may at any time
(but shall have no obligation) take, in its name or in the name of Borrower,
such action as Lender may at any time determine to be necessary or advisable to
cure any default under the Construction Contracts or to protect the rights of
Borrower or Lender thereunder.  Lender shall incur no liability if any action
so taken by it or in its behalf shall be inadequate or invalid, and Borrower
shall hold Lender free and harmless from any loss, liability or expense
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in
connection with any such action, EVEN IF IT ARISES FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF
LENDER, BUT NOT IF THE LOSS, LIABILITY, OR EXPENSE ARISES FROM THE GROSS
NEGLIGENCE OF LENDER OR LENDER'S WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

                 (4)      Borrower irrevocably constitutes and appoints Lender
as Borrower's attorney-in-fact, in Borrower's name or in Lender's name, to
enforce all rights of Borrower under the Construction Contracts while any Event
of Default or Potential Default exists; however, Lender is not obligated to
enforce such rights.

                 (5)      If no Event of Default exists, Borrower may exercise
its rights as owner under the Construction Contracts; however, Borrower shall
not cancel or amend the Construction Contracts or do, or suffer to be done, any
act which would impair the security constituted by this assignment without the
prior written consent of Lender.

                 (6)      This assignment shall inure to the benefit of Lender,
its successors and assigns, including any purchaser upon foreclosure of the
Projects (or either Project) or any grantee under a deed in lieu of
foreclosure, any receiver in possession of the Projects (or either Project) and
any corporation formed by or on behalf of Lender which assumes Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement.

         Section 8.29     ASSIGNMENT OF PLANS.  As additional security for the
payment of amounts owing by Borrower under or with respect to the Loan,
Borrower hereby transfers and assigns to Lender, and grants to Lender a
security interest in, all of Borrower's rights, title and interest in and to
the Plans, and hereby represents and warrants to and agrees with Lender as
follows:

                 (1)      To Borrower's knowledge, the original counterparts of
the Plans furnished to Lender are true and complete.

                 (2)      To Borrower's knowledge, the schedule of the Plans
delivered to Lender is a complete and accurate description of the Plans.

                 (3)      To Borrower's knowledge, the Plans are complete and
adequate for the Expansion Work, and there have been no modifications thereof
except as described in such schedule. The Plans shall not be modified without
the prior written consent of Lender.

                 (4)      Lender may use the Plans for any purpose relating to
the Expansion Work, including, but not limited to, inspections of construction
and the completion of the Expansion Work.

                 (5)      Lender's acceptance of this assignment shall not
constitute approval of the Plans by Lender.  Lender has no liability or
obligation whatsoever in connection with the Plans and no





                                       26
<PAGE>   33

responsibility for the adequacy thereof or for the construction of the
Improvements contemplated by the Plans.

                 (6)      This assignment shall inure to the benefit of Lender,
its successors and assigns, including any purchaser upon foreclosure of the
Projects (or either Project) or any grantee under a deed in lieu of
foreclosure, any receiver in possession of the Projects (or either Project) and
any corporation formed by or on behalf of Lender which assumes Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE 9

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under the
Loan:

         Section 9.1      PAYMENTS.  Borrower's failure to pay any regularly
scheduled installment of principal, interest or other amount due under the Loan
Documents within five (5) days after the date when due, or Borrower's failure
to pay the Loan at the Maturity Date, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

         Section 9.2      INSURANCE.  Borrower's failure to maintain insurance
as required under Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

         Section 9.3      SALE, ENCUMBRANCE, ETC.  The sale, transfer,
conveyance, pledge, mortgage or assignment of any part or all of a Project
(other than disposition of obsolete items of equipment or replacement of worn
items of equipment with new items in the ordinary course of business), or any
interest therein, or of any interest in Borrower, in violation of Section 8.1
of this Agreement.

         Section 9.4      COVENANTS.  Borrower's failure to perform or observe
any of the agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any of
the other Loan Documents (other than payments under Section 9.1, insurance
requirements under Section 9.2, and transfers and encumbrances under Section
9.3), and the continuance of such failure for ten (10) days after notice by
Lender to Borrower; however, subject to any shorter period for curing any
failure by Borrower as specified in any of the other Loan Documents, Borrower
shall have an additional thirty (30) days to cure such failure if (1) such
failure does not involve the failure to make payments on a monetary obligation;
(2) such failure cannot reasonably be cured within ten (10) days; (3) Borrower
is diligently undertaking to cure such default, and (4) Borrower has provided
Lender with security reasonably satisfactory to Lender against any interruption
of payment or impairment of collateral as a result of such continuing failure.
The notice and cure provisions of this Section 9.4 do not apply to the Events
of Default described in Section 9.5, Section 9.6, Section 9.7, Section 9.8,
Section 9.9 and Section 9.10.

         Section 9.5      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Any representation
or warranty made in any Loan Document proves to be untrue in any material
respect when made or deemed made.

         Section 9.6      OTHER ENCUMBRANCES.  Any default under any document
or instrument, other than the Loan Documents, evidencing or creating a Lien on
a Project or any part thereof.

         Section 9.7      INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY OR OTHER PROCEEDING.
Commencement of an involuntary case or other proceeding against Borrower, any
Borrower Party or any other Person having an ownership or security interest in
a Project (excluding limited partners in Borrower or any Borrower Party) (each,
a





                                       27
<PAGE>   34

"BANKRUPTCY PARTY") which seeks liquidation, reorganization or other relief
with respect to it or its debts or other liabilities under any bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeks the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar
official of it or any of its property, and such involuntary case or other
proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or an
order for relief against a Bankruptcy Party shall be entered in any such case
under the Federal Bankruptcy Code.

         Section 9.8      VOLUNTARY PETITIONS, ETC.  Commencement by a
Bankruptcy Party of a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation,
reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its Debts or other
liabilities under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or seeking
the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar
official for it or any of its property, or consent by a Bankruptcy Party to any
such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official
in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or the making
by a Bankruptcy Party of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
the failure by a Bankruptcy Party, or the admission by a Bankruptcy Party in
writing of its inability, to pay its debts generally as they become due, or any
action by a Bankruptcy Party to authorize or effect any of the foregoing.

         Section 9.9      OTHER LOANS.  The existence of any Event of Default
under the Fort Austin Loan or any other loan by Lender to either Borrower or
any Affiliate thereof, which by its terms is intended to be secured by a
Project.

         Section 9.10     LIMITING MORTGAGE AMOUNTS.  Any filing for record of
a notice pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 697.04 (or any successor
replacement Section) limiting the maximum amount that may be secured by the
Mortgages.


                                   ARTICLE 10

                                    REMEDIES

         Section 10.1     REMEDIES - INSOLVENCY EVENTS.  Upon the occurrence of
any Event of Default described in Section 9.7 or 9.8, the obligations of Lender
to advance amounts hereunder shall immediately terminate, and all amounts due
under the Loan Documents immediately shall become due and payable, all without
written notice and without presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest or
dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate the maturity thereof, notice of
acceleration of the maturity thereof, or any other notice of default of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; however, if the
Bankruptcy Party under Section 9.7 or 9.8 is other than Borrower, then all
amounts due under the Loan Documents shall become immediately due and payable
at Lender's election, in Lender's sole discretion.

         Section 10.2     REMEDIES - OTHER EVENTS.  Except as set forth in
Section 10.1 above, while any Event of Default exists, Lender may (1) by
written notice to Borrower, declare the entire Loan to be immediately due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest, notice of protest or dishonor,
notice of intent to accelerate the maturity thereof, notice of acceleration of
the maturity thereof, or other notice of default of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived by Borrower, (2) terminate the obligation, if any, of
Lender to advance amounts hereunder, and (3) exercise all rights and remedies
therefor under the Loan Documents and at law or in equity.





                                       28
<PAGE>   35



         Section 10.3     LENDER'S RIGHT TO PERFORM THE OBLIGATIONS.  If
Borrower shall fail, refuse or neglect to make any payment or perform any act
required by the Loan Documents, then while any Event of Default exists, and
without notice to or demand upon Borrower and without waiving or releasing any
other right, remedy or recourse Lender may have because of such Event of
Default, Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) make such payment or
perform such act for the account of and at the expense of Borrower, and shall
have the right to enter upon the Projects for such purpose and to take all such
action thereon and with respect to the Projects as it may deem necessary or
appropriate.  If Lender shall elect to pay any sum due with reference to a
Project, Lender may do so in reliance on any bill, statement or assessment
procured from the appropriate governmental authority or other issuer thereof
without inquiring into the accuracy or validity thereof.  Similarly, in making
any payments to protect the security intended to be created by the Loan
Documents, Lender shall not be bound to inquire into the validity of any
apparent or threatened adverse title, lien, encumbrance, claim or charge before
making an advance for the purpose of preventing or removing the same.
Additionally, if any Hazardous Materials affect or threaten to affect a
Project, Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) give such notices and take
such actions as it deems necessary or advisable in order to abate the discharge
of any Hazardous Materials or remove the Hazardous Materials.  Borrower shall
indemnify, defend and hold Lender harmless from and against any and all losses,
liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever,
including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred or accruing by reason of any
acts performed by Lender pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.3,
INCLUDING THOSE ARISING FROM THE JOINT, CONCURRENT, OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE
OF LENDER, EXCEPT AS A RESULT OF LENDER'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT.  All sums paid by Lender pursuant to this Section 10.3, and all
other sums expended by Lender to which it shall be entitled to be indemnified,
together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date of such
payment or expenditure until paid, shall constitute additions to the Loan,
shall be secured by the Loan Documents and shall be paid by Borrower to Lender
upon demand.

         Section 10.4     JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY; CO-BORROWER
RELATIONSHIP.  The entities comprising Borrower acknowledge that (1) they are
jointly and severally liable for every obligation of Borrower under the Loan
Documents and (2) Lender shall have no responsibility or liability for the
allocation or use of the Loan between the parties constituting Borrower.  No
disputes among the parties constituting Borrower related to the Loan or the use
and operation of the Projects shall in any way affect the obligations of
Borrower hereunder.  Lender shall be entitled to accept from either party
constituting Borrower any notices or other communications under the Loan
Documents as if such communication were received from both parties comprising
Borrower.


                                   ARTICLE 11

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         Section 11.1     NOTICES.  Any notice required or permitted to be
given under this Agreement shall be in writing and either shall be mailed by
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or sent by overnight
air courier service, or personally delivered to a representative of the
receiving party, or sent by telecopy (provided an identical notice is also sent
simultaneously by mail, overnight courier, or personal delivery as otherwise
provided in this Section 11.1).  All such communications shall be mailed, sent
or delivered, addressed to the party for whom it is intended at its address set
forth below.

                 If to Borrower:      ARCLP - Charlotte, LLC
                                      American Retirement Communities, L.P.
                                      c/o American Retirement Communities, L.P.






                                       29
<PAGE>   36


                                      111 Westwood Place, Suite 402
                                      Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
                                      Attention: H. Todd Kaestner, 
                                                 Executive Vice President
                                      Telecopy:  (615) 221-2269

                 with a copy to:      Bass, Berry & Sims
                                      First American Center
                                      Nashville, Tennessee 32238
                                      Attention: T. Andrew Smith
                                      Telecopy:  (615) 742-6298

                 If to Lender:        General Electric Capital Corporation
                                      13355 Noel Road, Suite 2000
                                      One Galleria Tower, LB54
                                      Dallas, Texas 75240
                                      Attention: Region Manager,
                                                 Portfolio Management Operations
                                      Telecopy:  (214) 960-1365

                 with a copy to:      Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
                                      2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3700
                                      Dallas, Texas 75201-2875
                                      Attention: Michael R. Boulden
                                      Telecopy:  (214) 220-7716

Any communication so addressed and mailed shall be deemed to be given on the
earliest of (1) when actually delivered, (2) on the first Business Day after
deposit with an overnight air courier service, or (3) on the third Business Day
after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the
address of the intended addressee (except as otherwise provided in the
Mortgages), and any communication so delivered in person shall be deemed to be
given when receipted for by, or actually received by Lender or Borrower, as the
case may be.  If given by telecopy, a notice shall be deemed given and received
when the telecopy is transmitted to the party's telecopy number specified
above, and confirmation of complete receipt is received by the transmitting
party during normal business hours or on the next Business Day if not confirmed
during normal business hours, and an identical notice is also sent
simultaneously by mail, overnight courier, or personal delivery as otherwise
provided in this Section 11.1.  Either party may designate a change of address
by written notice to the other by giving at least ten (10) days prior written
notice of such change of address.

         Section 11.2     AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  No amendment or waiver of
any provision of the Loan Documents shall be effective unless in writing and
signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

         Section 11.3     LIMITATION ON INTEREST.  It is the intention of the
parties hereto to conform strictly to applicable usury laws.  Accordingly, all
agreements between Borrower and Lender with respect to the Loan are hereby
expressly limited so that in no event, whether by reason of acceleration of
maturity or otherwise, shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to Lender or
charged by Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of the money to be lent
hereunder or otherwise, exceed the maximum amount allowed by law.  If the Loan
would be usurious under applicable law (including the laws of the State and the
laws of the United States of America), then, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in the Loan Documents: (1) the aggregate of all consideration which
constitutes interest under applicable law that is contracted for, taken,
reserved, charged or received under the Loan Documents shall under no
circumstances exceed the maximum





                                       30
<PAGE>   37

amount of interest allowed by applicable law, and any excess shall be credited
on the Notes by the holder thereof (or, if the Notes have been paid in full,
refunded to Borrower); and (2) if maturity is accelerated by reason of an
election by Lender, or in the event of any prepayment, then any consideration
which constitutes interest may never include more than the maximum amount
allowed by applicable law.  In such case, excess interest, if any, provided for
in the Loan Documents or otherwise, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
shall be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread from the date of advance
until payment in full so that the actual rate of interest is uniform through
the term hereof.  If such amortization, proration, allocation and spreading is
not permitted under applicable law, then such excess interest shall be canceled
automatically as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if
theretofore paid, shall be credited on the Notes (or, if the Notes have been
paid in full, refunded to Borrower).  The terms and provisions of this Section
11.3 shall control and supersede every other provision of the Loan Documents.
The Loan Documents are contracts made under and shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State, except that if at any
time the laws of the United States of America permit Lender to contract for,
take, reserve, charge or receive a higher rate of interest than is allowed by
the laws of the State (whether such federal laws directly so provide or refer
to the law of any state), then such federal laws shall to such extent govern as
to the rate of interest which Lender may contract for, take, reserve, charge or
receive under the Loan Documents.

         Section 11.4     INVALID PROVISIONS.  If any provision of any Loan
Document is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall
be fully severable; the Loan Documents shall be construed and enforced as if
such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part
thereof; the remaining provisions thereof shall remain in full effect and shall
not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its
severance therefrom; and in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision there shall be added automatically as a part of such Loan Document a
provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision as may be possible to be legal, valid and enforceable.

         Section 11.5     REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.  Borrower shall pay all
expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the Loan, including fees and
expenses of Lender's attorneys, environmental, engineering and other
consultants, and fees, charges or taxes for the recording or filing of Loan
Documents.  Borrower shall pay all expenses of Lender in connection with the
administration of the Loan, including audit costs, inspection fees, settlement
of condemnation and casualty awards, and premiums for title insurance and
endorsements thereto.  Borrower shall, upon request, promptly reimburse Lender
for all amounts expended, advanced or incurred by Lender to collect the Notes,
or to enforce the rights of Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or to defend or assert the rights and claims of Lender under the Loan
Documents or with respect to the Projects (by litigation or other proceedings),
which amounts will include all court costs, attorneys' fees and expenses, fees
of auditors and accountants, and investigation expenses as may be incurred by
Lender in connection with any such matters (whether or not litigation is
instituted), together with interest at the Default Rate on each such amount
from the date of disbursement until the date of reimbursement to Lender, all of
which shall constitute part of the Loan and shall be secured by the Loan
Documents.

         Section 11.6     APPROVALS; THIRD PARTIES; CONDITIONS.  All approval
rights retained or exercised by Lender with respect to leases, contracts,
plans, studies and other matters are solely to facilitate Lender's credit
underwriting, and shall not be deemed or construed as a determination that
Lender has passed on the adequacy thereof for any other purpose and may not be
relied upon by Borrower or any other Person.  This Agreement is for the sole
and exclusive use of Lender and Borrower and may not be enforced, nor relied
upon, by any Person other than Lender and Borrower.  All conditions of the
obligations of Lender hereunder, including the obligation to make advances, are
imposed solely and exclusively for the benefit of Lender, its successors and
assigns, and no other Person shall have standing to require satisfaction of
such conditions or





                                       31
<PAGE>   38

be entitled to assume that Lender will refuse to make advances in the absence
of strict compliance with any or all of such conditions, and no other Person
shall, under any circumstances, be deemed to be a beneficiary of such
conditions, any and all of which may be freely waived in whole or in part by
Lender at any time in Lender's sole discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if the Senior Noteholder and the Junior Noteholder are different Persons and
shall not be in agreement on the exercise of approval rights, or on enforcement
of this Agreement (exclusive of enforcement of any Mortgage or Assignment of
Rents and Leases which is solely in favor of Senior Noteholder or Junior
Noteholder), or on satisfaction of conditions to advances, the determination of
Senior Noteholder shall control.

         Section 11.7     LENDER NOT IN CONTROL; NO PARTNERSHIP.  None of the
covenants or other provisions contained in this Agreement shall, or shall be
deemed to, give Lender the right or power to exercise control over the affairs
or management of Borrower, the power of Lender being limited to the rights to
exercise the remedies referred to in the Loan Documents.  The relationship
between Borrower and Lender is, and at all times shall remain, solely that of
debtor and creditor.  No covenant or provision of the Loan Documents is
intended, nor shall it be deemed or construed, to create a partnership, joint
venture, agency or common interest in profits or income between Lender and
Borrower or to create an equity in the Projects in Lender.  Lender neither
undertakes nor assumes any responsibility or duty to Borrower or to any other
person with respect to the Projects or the Loan, except as expressly provided
in the Loan Documents; and notwithstanding any other provision of the Loan
Documents: (1) Lender is not, and shall not be construed as, a partner, joint
venturer, alter ego, manager, controlling person or other business associate or
participant of any kind of Borrower or its stockholders, members, or partners
and Lender does not intend to ever assume such status; (2) Lender shall in no
event be liable for any Debts, expenses or losses incurred or sustained by
Borrower; and (3) Lender shall not be deemed responsible for or a participant
in any acts, omissions or decisions of Borrower or its stockholders, members,
or partners.  Lender and Borrower disclaim any intention to create any
partnership, joint venture, agency or common interest in profits or income
between Lender and Borrower, or to create an equity in the Projects in Lender,
or any sharing of liabilities, losses, costs or expenses.

         Section 11.8     TIME OF THE ESSENCE.  Time is of the essence with
respect to this Agreement.

         Section 11.9     SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of Lender and Borrower and the successors
and assigns of Lender, including any assignee or transferee of the Senior Note
or the Junior Note, individually, and the successors and assigns of Borrower,
provided that neither Borrower nor any other Borrower Party shall, without the
prior written consent of Lender, assign any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder, except in accordance with Section 8.1.

         Section 11.10    RENEWAL, EXTENSION OR REARRANGEMENT.  All provisions
of the Loan Documents shall apply with equal effect to each and all promissory
notes and amendments thereof hereinafter executed which in whole or in part
represent a renewal, extension, increase or rearrangement of the Loan.
Borrower agrees to cooperate with Lender and to execute such documents as
Lender reasonably may request to effect any divisions of the Loan required by
Lender.

         Section 11.11    WAIVERS.  No course of dealing on the part of Lender,
its officers, employees, consultants or agents, nor any failure or delay by
Lender with respect to exercising any right, power or privilege of Lender under
any of the Loan Documents, shall operate as a waiver thereof.

         Section 11.12    CUMULATIVE RIGHTS.  Rights and remedies of Lender
under the Loan Documents shall be cumulative, and the exercise or partial
exercise of any such right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any
other right or remedy.





                                       32
<PAGE>   39


         Section 11.13    SINGULAR AND PLURAL.  Words used in this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents in the singular, where the context so permits,
shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa.  The definitions of words
in the singular in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall apply to
such words when used in the plural where the context so permits and vice versa.

         Section 11.14    PHRASES.  When used in this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, the phrase "including" shall mean "including, but not limited
to," the phrase "satisfactory to Lender" shall mean "in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender in all respects," the phrase "with Lender's consent" or
"with Lender's approval" shall mean such consent or approval at Lender's
discretion, and the phrase "acceptable to Lender" shall mean "acceptable to
Lender at Lender's sole discretion."

         Section 11.15    EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES.  The exhibits and schedules
attached to this Agreement are incorporated herein and shall be considered a
part of this Agreement for the purposes stated herein.

         Section 11.16    TITLES OF ARTICLES, SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS.  All
titles or headings to articles, sections, subsections or other divisions of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or the exhibits hereto and thereto
are only for the convenience of the parties and shall not be construed to have
any effect or meaning with respect to the other content of such articles,
sections, subsections or other divisions, such other content being controlling
as to the agreement between the parties hereto.

         Section 11.17    PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL.  Borrower authorizes Lender to
issue press releases, advertisements and other promotional materials in
connection with Lender's own promotional and marketing activities, and
describing the Loan, in a manner consistent with descriptions of other
financings,  and Lender's participation in the Loan.  All references to Lender
contained in any press release, advertisement or promotional material issued by
Borrower shall be approved in writing by Lender in advance of issuance.

         Section 11.18    SURVIVAL.  All of the representations, warranties,
covenants, and indemnities hereunder (including environmental matters under
Article 4), and under the indemnification provisions of the other Loan
Documents shall survive the repayment in full of the Loan and the release of
the liens evidencing or securing the Loan, and shall survive the transfer (by
sale, foreclosure, conveyance in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) of any or
all right, title and interest in and to the Projects to any party, whether or
not an Affiliate of Borrower.

         Section 11.19    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  To the maximum extent
permitted by law, Borrower and Lender hereby knowingly, voluntarily and
intentionally waive the right to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation
based hereon, arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statement
(whether verbal or written) or action of either party or any exercise by any
party of their respective rights under the Loan Documents or in any way
relating to the Loan or the Projects (including, without limitation, any action
to rescind or cancel this Agreement, and any claim or defense asserting that
this Agreement was fraudulently induced or is otherwise void or voidable).
This waiver is a material inducement for Lender to enter this Agreement.

         Section 11.20    WAIVER OF PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.  Neither
Lender nor Borrower shall be responsible or liable to the other or to any other
Person for any punitive, exemplary or consequential damages which may be
alleged as a result of the Loan or the transaction contemplated hereby,
including any breach or other default by any party hereto.

         Section 11.21    GOVERNING LAW.  The Loan Documents are being executed
and delivered, and are intended to be performed, in the State and the laws of
the State and of the United States of America shall





                                       33
<PAGE>   40

govern the rights and duties of the parties hereto and the validity,
construction, enforcement and interpretation of the Loan Documents, except to
the extent otherwise specified in any of the Loan Documents.

         Section 11.22    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Lender and
Borrower and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  Accordingly, the
Loan Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous,
or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no unwritten oral
agreements between the parties.

         Section 11.23    COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in
multiple counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of
which shall constitute one document.


                                   ARTICLE 12

                            LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

         Section 12.1     LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.  Except as provided below,
Borrower shall not be personally liable for amounts due under the Loan
Documents.  Borrower shall be personally liable to Lender for any deficiency,
loss or damage suffered by Lender because of:  (1) Borrower's commission of a
criminal act, (2) the failure to comply with provisions of the Loan Documents
prohibiting the sale, transfer or encumbrance of the Projects, any other
collateral, or any direct or indirect ownership interest in Borrower; (3) the
misapplication by Borrower or any Borrower Party of any funds derived from the
Projects, including security deposits, insurance proceeds and condemnation
awards; (4) the fraud or misrepresentation by Borrower or any Borrower Party
made in or in connection with the Loan Documents or the Loan; (5) Borrower's
collection of rents more than one month in advance or entering into or
modifying Residency Agreements, or receipt of monies by Borrower or any
Borrower Party in connection with the modification of any Residency Agreements,
in violation of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents; (6)
Borrower's failure to apply proceeds of rents or any other payments in respect
of the Residency Agreements and other income of the Projects or any other
collateral to the costs of maintenance and operation of the Projects and to the
payment of taxes, lien claims, insurance premiums, Debt Service and other
amounts due under the Loan Documents; (7) Borrower's interference with Lender's
exercise of rights under the Assignments of Rents and Leases; (8) Borrower's
failure to timely renew any letter of credit issued in connection with the
Loan; (9) Borrower's failure to maintain insurance as required by this
Agreement or to pay any taxes or assessments affecting a Project; (10) damage
or destruction to a Project directly caused by the acts or omissions of
Borrower, its agents, employees, or contractors; (11) Borrower's obligations
with respect to environmental matters under Article 4; (12) Borrower's failure
to pay for any loss, liability or expense (including attorneys' fees) incurred
by Lender arising out of any claim or allegation made by Borrower, its
successors or assigns, or any creditor of Borrower, that this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents establish a joint venture,
partnership or other similar arrangement between Borrower and Lender; (13) any
failure on the part of Borrower to comply with any local, state or federal laws
or regulations governing the operation of the Projects as nursing homes and
personal care facilities, including the requirements of State Agencies, and any
requirements under Medicare or other reimbursement program; (14) any liability
for professional malpractice or negligence relating to the operation of the
Projects; (15) the failure of Borrower to maintain separate accounts for
security deposits as required in Section 8.19; (16) any brokerage commission or
finder's fees claimed in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Loan Documents other than commissions or fees incurred solely as a result of
Lender's actions; or (17) any violation of the Subordination Agreement.  None
of the foregoing limitations





                                       34
<PAGE>   41

on the personal liability of Borrower shall modify, diminish or discharge the
personal liability of (i) any Guarantor or (ii) any Joinder Party.  Nothing
herein shall be deemed to be a waiver of any right which Lender may have under
Sections 506(a), 506(b), 1111(b) or any other provision of the United States
Bankruptcy Code, as such sections may be amended, or corresponding or
superseding sections of the Bankruptcy Amendments and Federal Judgeship Act of
1984, to file a claim for the full amount due to Lender under the Loan
Documents or to require that all collateral shall continue to secure the
amounts due under the Loan Documents.

         Section 12.2     LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF LENDER'S OFFICERS,
EMPLOYEES, ETC.  Any obligation or liability whatsoever of Lender which may
arise at any time under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be
satisfied, if at all, out of the Lender's assets only.  No such obligation or
liability shall be personally binding upon, nor shall resort for the
enforcement thereof be had to, the property of any of Lender's shareholders,
directors, officers, employees or agents, regardless of whether such obligation
or liability is in the nature of contract, tort or otherwise.





                                       35
<PAGE>   42

         EXECUTED as of the date first written above.


LENDER:                                 GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, 
                                        a New York corporation


                                        By: /s/ Kevin A. Moyer
                                           ------------------------------------
                                              Kevin A. Moyer
                                              Attorney-In-Fact


BORROWER:                               ARCLP - CHARLOTTE, LLC,
                                        a Tennessee limited liability company



                                        By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                           ------------------------------------
                                              H. Todd Kaestner 
                                              Executive Vice President - 
                                              Corporate Development

                                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.,
                                        a Tennessee limited partnership

                                        By:   American Retirement Communities, 
                                              LLC, a Tennessee limited 
                                              liability company, its sole 
                                              general partner


                                              By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                    H. Todd Kaestner 
                                                    Executive Vice President - 
                                                    Corporate Development





                                       36
<PAGE>   43

                                    JOINDER


         By executing this Joinder (the "JOINDER"), the undersigned ("JOINDER
PARTIES") jointly and severally guaranty the performance by Borrower of
Borrower's obligations with respect to environmental matters under Article 4 of
this Agreement, Borrower's indemnification obligations under Section 8.16 of
this Agreement, and all obligations and liabilities for which Borrower is
personally liable under Section 12.1 of this Agreement.  This Joinder is a
guaranty of full and complete payment and performance and not of
collectability.

         1.      WAIVERS.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
each Joinder Party waives all rights and defenses of sureties, guarantors,
accommodation parties and/or co-makers and agrees that its obligations under
this Joinder shall be primary, absolute and unconditional, and that its
obligations under this Joinder shall be unaffected by any of such rights or
defenses, including:

                 (a)      the unenforceability of any Loan Document against
Borrower and/or any Guarantor or other Joinder Party;

                 (b)      any release or other action or inaction taken by
Lender with respect to the collateral, the Loan, Borrower, any Guarantor and/or
other Joinder Party, whether or not the same may impair or destroy any
subrogation rights of any Joinder Party, or constitute a legal or equitable
discharge of any surety or indemnitor;

                 (c)      the existence of any collateral or other security for
the Loan, and any requirement that Lender pursue any of such collateral or
other security, or pursue any remedies it may have against Borrower, any
Guarantor and/or any other Joinder Party;

                 (d)      any requirement that Lender provide notice to or
obtain a Joinder Party's consent to any modification, increase, extension or
other amendment of the Loan, including the guaranteed obligations;

                 (e)      any right of subrogation (until payment in full of
the Loan, including the guaranteed obligations, and the expiration of any
applicable preference period and statute of limitations for fraudulent
conveyance claims);

                 (f)      any defense based on any statute of limitations;

                 (g)      any payment by Borrower to Lender if such payment is
held to be a preference or fraudulent conveyance under bankruptcy laws or
Lender is otherwise required to refund such payment to Borrower or any other
party; and

                 (h)      any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy,
receivership, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding affecting
Borrower or any of its assets.





                                       37
<PAGE>   44



         2.      AGREEMENTS.  Each Joinder Party further represents, warrants
and agrees that:

                 (a)      The obligations under this Joinder are enforceable
against each such party and are not subject to any defenses, offsets or
counterclaims;

                 (b)      The provisions of this Joinder are for the benefit of
Lender and its successors and assigns;

                 (c)      Lender shall have the right to (i) renew, modify,
extend or accelerate the Loan, (ii) pursue some or all of its remedies against
Borrower, any Guarantor or any Joinder Party, (iii) add, release or substitute
any collateral for the Loan or party obligated thereunder, and (iv) release
Borrower, any Guarantor or any Joinder Party from liability, all without notice
to or consent of any Joinder Party (or other Joinder Party) and without
affecting the obligations of any Joinder Party (or other Joinder Party)
hereunder;

                 (d)      Each Joinder Party covenants and agrees to furnish to
Lender, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year
of such Joinder Party, a current (as of the end of such fiscal year) balance
sheet of such Joinder Party, in scope and detail satisfactory to Lender,
certified by the chief financial representative of such Joinder Party and, if
required by Lender, prepared on an accounting review basis and certified by an
independent public accountant satisfactory to Lender; and

                 (e)      To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Joinder
Party hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waives the right to a
trial by jury in respect of any litigation based hereon.  This waiver is a
material inducement to Lender to enter into this Agreement.

         This Joinder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.





                                       38
<PAGE>   45

         Executed as of May 7, 1996.

JOINDER PARTIES:                        FORT AUSTIN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
                                        a Texas limited partnership

                                        By:  ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc., 
                                             a Tennessee corporation, its sole 
                                             general partner


                                             By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                                -------------------------------
                                                   H. Todd Kaestner
                                                   Vice President and 
                                                   Assistant Secretary


                                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, LLC, 
                                        a Tennessee limited liability company


                                        By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                           ------------------------------------
                                              H. Todd Kaestner
                                              Executive Vice President-
                                              Corporate Development



                                        ARC FORT AUSTIN PROPERTIES, INC., a 
                                        Tennessee corporation


                                        By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                           ------------------------------------
                                              H. Todd Kaestner
                                              Vice President and Assistant 
                                              Secretary


                                        AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION,
                                        a Tennessee corporation



                                        By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                           ------------------------------------
                                              H. Todd Kaestner
                                              Executive Vice President-
                                              Corporate Development





                                       39
<PAGE>   46

                                   EXHIBIT A

                         LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS

                    Carriage Club Charlotte, North Carolina


All that lot or parcel of land lying and being in Charlotte, Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point located in the centerline of Blueberry Lane, said point
being the northeasterly corner of the R. Kent Goolsby property as recorded in
Deed Book 4905, Page 570, of the Public Registry; thence with the centerline of
Blueberry Lane in eight courses as follows:  (1) N. 89-03-31 E. 116.60 feet to
a point; (2) N. 83-24-00 E. 24.05 feet to a point; (3) N. 64-29-00 E. 34.10
feet to a point; (4) N. 51-14-00 E. 25.28 feet to a point; (5) N. 51-14-00 E.
28.77 feet to a point; (6) N. 43-57-00 E. 161.85 feet to a point; (7) N.
49-15-00 E. 42.15 feet to a point; (8) N. 47-05-00 E. 11.55 feet to a point;
thence with the alignment of the southwesterly right-of-way of Blueberry Lane
in three courses as follows: (1) S. 42-20-00 E. 274.48 feet to a point; (2) S.
62-20-00 E. 73.58 feet to a point; (3) N. 88-13-50 E. 127.18 feet to a point;
thence N. 88-13-50 E. 313.84 feet to a point; thence N. 88-12-18 E. 225.02 feet
to a point; thence N. 88-11-43 E. 109.65 feet to a point; thence N. 88-11-24
E. 138.67 feet to a point within the right-of-way of Old Providence Road near
its intersection with Providence Road; thence a line within the right-of-way of
Old Providence Road S. 19-18-33 W. 201.35 feet to a point in the centerline of
Old Providence Road; thence with the centerline of Old Providence Road in three
courses as follows:  (1) S. 28-02-55 W. 564.41 feet to a point; (2) with the
arc of a circular curve to the left with a radius of 736.37 feet an arc length
of 276.70 feet to a point;  (3) S. 6-31-09 W. 188.36 feet to a point; thence S.
84-57-46 W. 634.91 feet to a point; thence S. 84-45-40 W. 89.81 feet to a
point; thence S. 84-44-38 W. 170.15 feet to a point; thence S. 84-52-13 W.
472.20 feet to a point; thence S. 84-49-48 W. 368.06 feet to a point in or near
the centerline of Swan Run Branch; thence with or near the centerline of Swan
Run Branch in fourteen courses as follows:  (1) N. 22-04-41 E. 150.88 feet to a
point; (2) N. 8-49-03 E. 74.60 feet to a point; (3) N. 15-29-29 E.  58.73 feet
to a point; (4) N. 20-55-03 E. 79.69 feet to a point; (5) N. 12-53-54 W. 38.37
feet to a point; (6) N. 19-06-20 E. 23.68 feet to a point; (7) N. 53-51-21 E.
29.91 feet to a point; (8) N. 12-20-00 E. 66.66 feet to a point; (9) N.
17-02-08 E. 76.91 feet to a point; (10) N. 1-08-29 W. 69.61 feet to a point;
(11) N. 20-58-16 E. 64.33 feet to a point; (12) N. 5-58-51 E. 96.22 feet to a
point; (13) N. 13-24-24 E. 100.64 feet to a point; (14) N. 18-21-03 E. 23.46
feet to a point; thence S. 83-43-59 E. 344.67 feet to a point; thence N.
7-26-20 E. 431.39 feet to the point or place of beginning containing 45.440
acres, more or less.

LESS AND EXCEPT, all of that property conveyed to The North Carolina Department
of Transportation in that deed dated February 20, 1996, recorded in Book 8504,
Page 250, Mecklenburg County Registry.


                      Carriage Club Jacksonville, Florida

Parcel "A"

A portion of Section 14, Township 3 South, Range 27 East, Duval County,
Florida, being more particularly described as follows:

For a point of reference, commence at the Southeast corner of Section 14, and
run North 00 degrees 37 minutes 00 seconds West, along the East line of said
Section 14, a distance of 675.00 feet; run thence North





                                 Exhibit A - 1
<PAGE>   47

89 degrees 42 minutes 50 seconds West, a distance of 120.00 feet to the point
of beginning, said point being on the Northerly boundary of a 150-foot power
line easement, as described in Official Records Volume 3040, Page 963, Public
Records of said County; run thence North 89 degrees 42 minutes 50 seconds West,
along said Northerly line, a distance of 795.00 feet; thence departing from
said Northerly line, North 0 degrees 02 minutes 10 seconds West, a distance of
1,190.00 feet; run thence North 89 degrees 57 minutes 50 seconds East, a
distance of 794.99 feet to the Westerly line of that land described in Official
Records Volume 5809, Page 1938; run thence along said Westerly line, South 0
degrees 02 minutes 10 seconds East, a distance of 1,194.47 feet to the point of
beginning.

Parcel "B"

Together with a non-exclusive easement for ingress and egress as described in
Amended and Restated Declaration of Easement recorded in Official Records
Volume 6163 page 2383, of the current public records of Duval County, Florida,
over and across the following described lands:

A portion of Section 13 and 14, Township 3 South, Range 27 East, Jacksonville,
Duval County, Florida, being more particularly described as follows:

For point of beginning, commence at the Northeast corner of that property
described in Official Records Volume 5141, Page 126, Public Records of said
County, said point lying on the Westerly right of way line of Southside
Boulevard, State Road No. 115, U.S. Alternate No. 1 (a 200-foot right of way as
now established) at a point 100 feet Northerly of the intersection of said
right of way line with the line dividing Sections 13 and 24, Township and Range
aforementioned, and run North 89 degrees 45 minutes 47 seconds West, along the
Northerly boundary line of said Official Records Volume 5141, Page 126, a
distance of 1,534.86 feet; run thence North 0 degrees 14 minutes 06 seconds
East, a distance of 150.00 feet to the Northerly line of a 150-foot power line
easement as recorded in Official Records Volume 3040, Page 983, of said County;
run thence North 89 degrees 45 minutes 47 seconds West, a distance of 462.85
feet to a point lying on the Westerly line of said Section 13; run thence North
37 degrees 32 minutes 14 seconds West, a distance of 460.31 feet to a point of
tangent intersection, with a curve, concave to the Northeast and having a
radius of 100.00 feet; run thence Northerly, along said curve an arc distance
of 66.01 feet through a central angle of 37 degrees 49 minutes 23 seconds, a
chord bearing and distance of North 18 degrees 37 minutes 30 seconds West, a
distance of 64.82 feet to a point of intersection with a non-tangent line, said
point being on the Northerly line of a 150-foot power line easement, as
recorded in Official Records Volume 3040, Page 963; run thence South 89 degrees
42 minutes 50 seconds East, along the Northerly line of said power line
easement, a distance of 176.59 feet to the Southerly and most Westerly corner
of that land described in Official Records Volume 5809, Page 1938, of said
County; run thence South 37 degrees 45 minutes 02 seconds East, a distance of
245.40 feet to a point of tangent intersection with a curve, concave to the
Northeast and having a radius of 342.30 feet; run thence along said curve, an
arc distance of 310.74 feet, through a central angle of 52 degrees 00 minutes
45 seconds, a chord bearing and distance of South 63 degrees 45 minutes 24
seconds East, 300.18 feet to a point of tangency, run thence South 89 degrees
45 minutes 47 seconds East, a distance of 1,666.86 feet; run thence North 45
degrees 06 minutes 01 seconds East, a distance of 49.62 feet to the Westerly
right of way line of said Southside Boulevard; run thence South 0 degrees 02
minutes 10 seconds East, along said Westerly line, a distance of 285.17 feet to
the point of beginning, excepting therefrom that portion lying within the right
of way of State Road No. 115 (Southside Boulevard) as now established and as
described in instrument recorded in Official Records Volume 6333, page 2257,
public records of said County.

Parcel "C"
                                 Exhibit A - 2
<PAGE>   48



Together with a non-exclusive easement for ingress and egress as described in
Easement recorded in Official Records Volume 6164, page 6 of the current public
records of Duval County, Florida, over and across the following described
lands:

A parcel of land, lying in Section 14, Township 3 South, Range 27 East, Duval
County, Florida, being more particularly described as follows:

For point of reference, commence at the Southeast corner of Section 14, and run
North 00 degrees 37 minutes 00 seconds West, along the East line of said
Section 14, a distance of 675.00 feet to the North line of a 150-foot power
line easement, as described in Official Records Volume 3040, Page 963, of the
current public records of said County; run thence North 89 degrees 42 minutes
50 seconds West, along said easement line, a distance of 296.58 feet to the
point of beginning; thence continue North 89 degrees 42 minutes 50 seconds
West, along said easement line, a distance of 149.01 feet to the intersection
of a tangent curve, and having a radius of 250.00 feet, concave to the
Southwest; run thence Southeasterly, along the arc of a curve, curving to the
right through a central angle of 52 degrees 10 minutes 36 seconds, a distance
of 227.66 feet, the chord bearing and distance being South 63 degrees 37
minutes 32 seconds East, 219.88 feet, to the point of tangency; run thence
North 37 degrees 32 minutes 14 seconds West, a distance of 44.78 feet to the
beginning of a tangent curve, with a radius of 100.00 feet, concave to the
East; run thence Northerly, along the arc of said curve, curving to the right,
through a central angle of 37 degrees 49 minutes 23 seconds, a distance of
66.01 feet, the chord bearing and distance being North 18 degrees 37 minutes 30
seconds West, 64.82 feet, to the point of beginning.

Parcel "D"

Together with the rights and easement, in common with others, for sign purposes
as described in Sign and Landscaping Agreement recorded in Official Records
Volume 5987, page 669 of the current public records of Duval County, Florida,
as partially assigned by Partial Assignment recorded in Official Records Volume
5987 page 675, of the current public records of Duval County, Florida, upon,
across, over and under the following described lands:

A portion of Section 13, Township 3 South, Range 27 East, Jacksonville, Duval
County, Florida, being more particularly described as follows:

For point of beginning, commence at the Northeast corner of that property
described in Official Records Volume 5141, Page 126, Public Records of said
County, said point lying on the Westerly right of way line of Southside
Boulevard, State Road No. 115, U.S. Alternate No. 1 (a 200-foot right of way,
as now established) at a point 100 feet Northerly of the intersection of said
right of way line with the line dividing Sections 13 and 24,  Township and
Range aforementioned.

From the point of beginning thus described, run N89 degrees 45'47"W., along the
Northerly boundary line of the aforementioned property described in Official
Records Volume 5141, Page 126, a distance of 1,995.48 feet to the Northwest
corner of the aforementioned property described in Official Records Volume
5141, Page 126, said point lying on the line dividing Sections 13 and 14,
Township and Range aforementioned; run thence N00 degrees 37'00"W., along said 
dividing line, a distance of 150.02 feet to a point; run thence N37 degrees 
32'14"W. a distance of 460.30 feet to a point of curvature; run thence 328.99 
feet along the arc of a curve, concave Southeasterly and having a radius of 
100.00 feet; a chord distance of 199.45 feet to the point of tangency, the 
bearing of the aforementioned chord being N56 degrees 42'42"E.; run thence S29 
degrees 02'11"E. a distance of 228.22 feet to a point of curvature; run thence 
362.80 feet, along the arc of a curve, concave Northeasterly and having a 
radius of 342.303 feet, a chord distance of 346.06 feet to the point of 
tangency,





                                 Exhibit A - 3
<PAGE>   49

the bearing of the aforementioned chord being S59 degrees 23'59"E; run thence
S89 degrees 45'47"E. a distance of 1,666.86 feet to a point; run thence N45 
degrees 06'01"E. a distance of 49.62 feet to a point; run thence S00 degrees 
02'10"E., along the Westerly right of way line of said Southside Boulevard, a 
distance of 285.17 feet to the point of beginning.  Said Parcel being subject 
to a 150-foot power line easement along the Southerly and Westerly sides, as 
recorded in Official Records Volume 3040, Page 963, of the Public Records of 
said County.  LESS AND EXCEPT the following described land:

A portion of Section 14, Township 3 South, Range 27 East, Jacksonville, Duval
County, Florida, being more particularly described as follows:

For point of reference, commence at the Northeast corner of that property
described in Official Records Volume 5141, Page 126, Public Records of said
County, said point lying on the Westerly right of way line of Southside
Boulevard, State Road No. 115, U.S. Alternate No. 1 (a 200-foot right of way,
as now established) at a point 100 feet Northerly of the intersection of said
right of way line with the line dividing Sections 13 and 24, Township and
Range aforementioned; run thence N89 degrees 45'47"W., along the Northerly 
boundary line of the aforementioned property described in Official Records 
Volume 5141, Page 126, a distance of 1,995.48 feet to the Northwest corner of 
the aforementioned property described in Official Records Volume 5141, Page 126,
said point lying on the line dividing Sections 13 and 14, Township and Range
aforementioned; run thence N00 degrees 37'00"W., along said dividing line, a 
distance of 574.99 feet to a point; run thence N89 degrees 42'50"W, a distance 
of 120.00 feet to a point for point of beginning; thence continue N89 degrees 
42'50"W. a distance of 176.59 feet to a point on a curve; run thence 243.75 
feet, along the arc of a curve, concave Southeasterly and having a radius of 
100.00 feet, a chord distance of 187.74 feet to a point on a curve, the bearing 
of the aforementioned chord being N70 degrees 06'58"E.; run thence S00 degrees 
02'10"E. a distance of 64.73 feet to the point of beginning, also expecting 
therefrom that portion lying within the right of way of State Road No. 115 
(Southside Boulevard) as now established and a described in instrument recorded
in Official Records Volume 6333, Page 2257, Public Records of said County.

Parcel "E"

Together with a non-exclusive easement for drainage purposes as described in
Drainage and Storm Water Easement recorded in Official Records Volume 5987 page
677, of the current public records of Duval County, Florida, on, over, across,
under and through the following described lands:

A portion of that certain parcel of land lying within the power line easement
recorded in Official Records Volume 1192, page 261, and also described in
Official Records Volume 3040, page 963, current public records of Duval County,
Florida, which lies in the Westerly six hundred thirty feet (630') or the most
easterly one thousand forty feet (1040') thereof.

Additional Parcel

A portion of Section 14, Township 3 South, Range 27 East, Duval County,
Florida, being more particularly described as follows:

For a point of reference, commence at the Southeast corner of said Section 14;
thence North 00 degrees 37 minutes 00 seconds West, along the East line of said
Section 14, a distance of 675.00 feet to the Northerly line of a 150 foot power
line easement, as described in Official Records Volume 3040, page 963 of the
current public records of Duval County; thence North 89 degrees 42 minutes 50
seconds West, along said Northerly line, a distance of 120.00 feet to a point;
thence departing said Northerly line, North 00 degrees 02 minutes 10 seconds
West, a distance of 1,194.47 feet to the point of beginning; thence South 89
degrees





                                 Exhibit A - 4
<PAGE>   50

57 minutes 50 seconds West, a distance of 794.99 feet; thence North 00 degrees
02 minutes 10 seconds West, a distance of 730.24 feet; thence South 82 degrees
45 minutes 00 seconds East, a distance of 801.46 feet; thence South 00 degrees
02 minutes 10 seconds East, a distance of 628.60 feet to the point of
beginning.





                                 Exhibit A - 5
<PAGE>   51


                                   EXHIBIT B

                                     BUDGET



<TABLE>
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                                       <C>              
   Acquisition                                               $ 46,862,146     
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------     
   Closing Costs and Fees                                       1,000,000     
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------    
   Completion of Expansion Work - Carriage Club of                            
   Jacksonville (to be allocated by agreement)                                
                                                                2,241,417     
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
   Completion of Expansion Work - Carriage Club of                            
   Charlotte (to be allocated by agreement)                                   
                                                                1,646,437     
                                                             ------------     
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
   TOTAL                                                     $ 51,750,000     
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>





                                    B - 1
<PAGE>   52

                                   EXHIBIT C

                               IMMEDIATE REPAIRS(1)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Property                             Item                                        Cost
           --------                             ----                                        ----
 <S>                                <C>                                                 <C>
 Carriage Club Charlotte            Remove and replace damaged                          $  2,930.00
                                    sections of asphalt paving

                                    Repair minor cracks in concrete                     $    527.00
                                    walkways

                                    Repair damaged downspouts and                       $    723.00
                                    gutters

                                           TOTAL                                        $  4,180.00


 Carriage Club Jacksonville         Seal coat asphalt                                   $ 21,462.00

                                    Restrip parking and drive areas                     $  1,844.00

                                    Repair/replace damaged aluminum                     $  7,500.00
                                    siding and stucco

                                    Pressure wash exterior siding,                      $ 21,000.00
                                    stucco and composite roof
                                    surfaces

                                    Paint exterior surfaces                             $ 14,000.00

                                    Repair or replace damaged                           $  2,500.00
                                    composition roof shingles

                                    Insulate exposed roof mounted                       $  8,750.00
                                    HVAC ductwork

                                    Replace fire detection and                          $ 75,000.00
                                    suppression system                                  ===========
                                    

                                           TOTAL                                        $152,056.00
</TABLE>





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

        (1) As more fully described in the engineering reports.

                                     C-1
<PAGE>   53

                                   EXHIBIT D

                              MANAGEMENT STANDARDS


         1.      If Borrower desires to enter into, modify, amend or terminate
any management agreement, leasing agreement or any other agreement relating to
management, leasing or operation of the Projects, Borrower shall submit such
proposed modification or change to Lender in writing for Lender's prior
approval, which approval shall be given or withheld in Lender's sole
discretion.  Lender shall respond to such requests for approval within a
reasonable period of time.

         2.      Upon Lender's request, Borrower shall, and shall cause its
on-site administrator to (i) meet with Lender at least quarterly to discuss the
financial and physical condition of the Projects and the management of the
Projects, including personnel, resident satisfaction, marketing and other
issues pertinent to the success of the Projects, and (ii) at Lender's request,
provide Lender with reports relating to such information.

         3.      Borrower's agreements with its management and leasing agents,
if any, shall be written so that:

                 (a)      If Lender acquires ownership of the Projects, Lender
         may, without cost or liability to Lender, within sixty (60) days' of
         Lender's notice, terminate the management and leasing agreement, and
         the on-site administrator and director of leasing.

                 (b)      If, commencing three months following closing, there
         are fewer than eighty percent (80%) of the total number of units
         leased for each of three (3) consecutive months, the leasing and
         management agents for the Projects may be terminated.





                                      D-1
<PAGE>   54

                                  SCHEDULE 2.1

                               ADVANCE CONDITIONS


         Part A - Initial Advance
         Part B - General Conditions
         Part C - Improvements Advances

                     PART A. CONDITIONS TO INITIAL ADVANCE.

         The initial advance of the Loan shall be subject to Lender's receipt,
review, approval and/or confirmation of the following, at Borrower's cost and
expense, each in form and content satisfactory to Lender in its sole
discretion:

         1.      The Loan Documents, executed by Borrower and, as applicable,
each Borrower Party.

         2.      The commitment fee of $435,816.32 in cash.

         3.      ALTA (or equivalent) mortgagee policies of title insurance, in
the aggregate maximum amount of the Loan, with reinsurance and endorsements as
Lender may require, containing no exceptions to title (printed or otherwise)
which are unacceptable to Lender, and insuring that the Senior Mortgage is a
first-priority Lien on the Projects and related collateral and that the Junior
Mortgage is a second-priority Lien on the Projects and related collateral.

         4.      All documents evidencing the formation, organization, valid
existence, good standing, and due authorization of and for Borrower and each
Borrower Party for the execution, delivery, and performance of the Loan
Documents by Borrower and each Borrower Party.

         5.      Legal opinions issued by counsel for Borrower and each
Borrower Party, opining as to the due organization, valid existence and good
standing of Borrower and each Borrower Party, and the due authorization,
execution, delivery, enforceability and validity of the Loan Documents with
respect to, Borrower and each Borrower Party; that the Loan, as reflected in
the Loan Documents, is not usurious; to the extent that Lender is not otherwise
satisfied, that the Projects and their use is in full compliance with all legal
requirements; that the Loan Documents do not create or constitute a
partnership, a joint venture or a trust or fiduciary relationship between
Borrower and Lender; and as to such other matters as Lender and Lender's
counsel reasonably may specify.

         6.      Current Uniform Commercial Code searches for Borrower and the
immediately preceding owner of the Projects.

         7.      Evidence of insurance as required by this Agreement, and
conforming in all respects to the requirements of Lender.

         8.      A current "as-built" survey of each Project, dated or updated
to a date not earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the date hereof, certified
to Lender and such title insurer, prepared by a licensed surveyor acceptable to
Lender and the issuer of the title insurance, and conforming to Lender's
current standard survey requirements.





                                Schedule 2.1 - 1
<PAGE>   55


         9.      A current engineering report or architect's certificate with
respect to each Project, covering, among other matters, inspection of heating
and cooling systems, roof and structural details and showing no failure of
compliance with building plans and specifications, applicable legal
requirements (including requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act)
and fire, safety and health standards.  As requested by Lender, such report
shall also include an assessment of the Project's tolerance for earthquake and
seismic activity.

         10.     A current Site Assessment for each Project.

         11.     A current rent roll of each Project, and copies of all
Residency Agreements, certified by Borrower or the current owner of such
Project.  Such rent roll shall include the following information: (a) resident
names; (b) unit/suite numbers; (c) area of each demised premises and total area
of the Project (stated in net rentable square feet); (d) rental rate (including
escalations, if any); (e) cancellation/termination provisions; (f) term (if
any); and (g) security deposit.  In addition, a copy of each standard lease
form, admission agreement, occupancy or other residency agreement form to be
used by Borrower in leasing space in the Projects, or conducting a retirement
home business in the Projects, in form satisfactory to and approved by Lender.

         12.     Evidence satisfactory to Lender that Borrower is and has at
all relevant times been in all respects in compliance with all requirements of
the Social Security Act of 1965, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and,
as applicable, all conditions of participation in the Medicare program
thereunder, including, without limitation, those imposed by the State Agencies
and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

         13.     Certified copies of (i) Medicare provider agreements, as
applicable, issued under Title XVIII and Title XIX of the Social Security Act
of 1965, with current provider numbers, (ii) as applicable, nursing home
licenses (or "long-term-care licenses") issued by the State Agencies, (iii) a
personal care facilities license issued by the State Agencies, and (iv) all
licenses, permits and approvals required or convenient for the operation of the
Projects as retirement communities under applicable laws and regulations, such
certifications to state that such agreements, licenses, permits and approvals
are in full force and effect.

         14.     Borrower's deposit with Lender of the amount required by
Lender to impound for taxes and assessments under Article 3 and to fund any
other required escrows or reserves.

         15.     Evidence that the Projects and the operation thereof comply
with all legal requirements, including that all requisite certificates of
occupancy, building permits, and other licenses, certificates, approvals or
consents required of any governmental authority have been issued without
variance or condition and that there is no litigation, action, citation,
injunctive proceedings, or like matter pending or threatened with respect to
the validity of such matters.  At Lender's request, Borrower shall furnish
Lender with a zoning endorsement to Lender's title insurance policy, zoning
letters from applicable municipal agencies, and utility letters from applicable
service providers.

         16.     No change shall have occurred in the financial condition of
Borrower or any Borrower Party or in the Net Operating Income of either
Project, which would have, in Lender's judgment, a material adverse effect on a
Project or on Borrower's or any Borrower Party's ability to repay the Loan or
otherwise perform its obligations under the Loan Documents.

         17.     No condemnation or adverse zoning or usage change proceeding
shall have occurred or shall have been threatened against a Project; neither
Project shall have suffered any significant damage by fire or





                                Schedule 2.1 - 2
<PAGE>   56

other casualty which has not been repaired; no law, regulation, ordinance,
moratorium, injunctive proceeding, restriction, litigation, action, citation or
similar proceeding or matter shall have been enacted, adopted, or threatened by
any governmental authority, which would have, in Lender's judgment, a material
adverse effect on Borrower, any Borrower Party or a Project.

         18.     The annualized Net Operating Income of the Projects equals or
exceeds $4,850,000 and the Debt Service Coverage equals or exceeds 1.10:1, each
from Residency Agreements of not more than 95% occupancy of each Project, after
application of a management fee of not less than 3% of Operating Revenues and
reserves for replacements of not less than 1% of Operating Revenues.

         19.     The acquisition cost of the Projects is at least equal to the
sum of (a) $56,000,000, including all closing costs and related fees, and (b)
the total cost of the Expansion Work incurred and paid as of the date hereof.

         20.     Borrower's cash investment for the acquisition of the Projects
is at least $14,750,000.

         21.     All fees and commissions payable to real estate brokers,
mortgage brokers, or any other brokers or agents in connection with the Loan or
the acquisition of the Projects have been paid, such evidence to be accompanied
by any waivers or indemnifications deemed necessary by Lender.

         22.     The Budget showing total costs relating to closing of the
proposed transaction, all uses of the initial advance, and amounts allocated
for future advances (if any).

         23.     Payment of Lender's costs and expenses in underwriting,
documenting, and closing the transaction, including fees and expenses of
Lender's inspecting engineers, consultants, and outside counsel.

         24.     Such other documents or items as Lender or its counsel 
reasonably may require.

         25.     The representations and warranties contained in this Loan
Agreement and in all other Loan Documents are true and correct.

         26.     No Potential Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
or exist.

         27.     Lender shall have audited costs of Expansion Work incurred and
paid to date, as certified by the contractors and architects for the Expansion
Work, and Lender's inspecting architect/engineer shall have certified that the
total amounts incurred and paid for Expansion Work is for Expansion Work
actually completed.

         28.     Borrower shall have received an assignment of all Construction
Contracts and Plans for the Expansion Work, copies of which Construction
Contracts and Plans must be furnished to and approved by Lender, and Borrower
shall have received written agreements from the contractors and design
professionals for the Expansion Work, consenting to the assignment of such
Construction Contracts and Plans to Borrower, and the further assignment of
such Construction Contracts and Plans to Lender.





                                Schedule 2.1 - 3
<PAGE>   57



                          PART B. GENERAL CONDITIONS

         Each advance of the Loan following the initial advance shall be
subject to Lender's receipt, review, approval and/or confirmation of the
following, each in form and content satisfactory to Lender in its sole
discretion:

         1.      There shall exist no Potential Default or Event of Default
(currently and after giving effect to the requested advance).

         2.      The representations and warranties contained in this Loan
Agreement and in all other Loan Documents are true and correct.

         3.      Such advance shall be secured by the Loan Documents, subject
only to those exceptions to title approved by Lender at the time of Loan
closing, as evidenced by title insurance endorsements satisfactory to Lender.

         4.      Borrower shall have paid Lender's costs and expenses in
connection with such advance (including title charges, and costs and expenses
of Lender's inspecting engineer and attorneys).

         5.      No change shall have occurred in the financial condition of
Borrower or any Borrower Party, or in the Net Operating Income of the Projects,
or in the financial condition of any major or anchor tenant, which would have,
in Lender's judgment, a material adverse effect on the Loan, the Projects, or
Borrower's or any Borrower Party's ability to perform its obligations under the
Loan Documents.

         6.      No condemnation or adverse, as determined by Lender, zoning or
usage change proceeding shall have occurred or shall have been threatened
against a Project; neither Project shall have suffered any damage by fire or
other casualty which has not been repaired or is not being restored in
accordance with this Agreement; no law, regulation, ordinance, moratorium,
injunctive proceeding, restriction, litigation, action, citation or similar
proceeding or matter shall have been enacted, adopted, or threatened by any
governmental authority, which would have, in Lender's judgment, a material
adverse effect on a Project or Borrower's or any Borrower Party's ability to
perform its obligations under the Loan Documents.

         7.      Lender shall have no obligation to make any additional advance
for less than $10,000, except for the final additional advance, or to make
advances more often than once in any one-month period, or to make any advance
after the twelfth (12th) month of the Loan.

         8.      At the option of Lender (i) each advance request shall be
submitted to Lender at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the date of the
requested advance; and (ii) all advances shall be made at the Dallas, Texas
office of Lender or at such other place as Lender may designate unless Lender
exercises its option to make an advance directly to the Person to whom payment
is due.

         9.      Borrower shall immediately deposit all proceeds of the Loan
advanced by Lender in a separate and exclusive account to be used solely for
the purposes specified in this Agreement and in Borrower's advance request and,
upon Lender's request, shall promptly furnish Lender with evidence thereof.





                                Schedule 2.1 - 4
<PAGE>   58




                         PART C. IMPROVEMENTS ADVANCES

         Additional advances shall be made to finance completion of Expansion
Work on the following terms and conditions:

         1.      Each request for such an advance shall specify the amount
requested, shall be on forms satisfactory to Lender, and shall be accompanied
by appropriate invoices, bills paid affidavits, lien waivers, title updates,
endorsements to the title insurance, and other documents as may be required by
Lender.  Such advances may be made, at Lender's election, either: (a) in
reimbursement for expenses paid by Borrower, or (b) for payment of expenses
incurred and invoiced but not yet paid by Borrower.  Lender, at its option and
without further direction from Borrower, may disburse any improvements advance
to the Person to whom payment is due or through an escrow satisfactory to
Lender.  Borrower hereby irrevocably directs and authorizes Lender to so
advance the proceeds of the Loan.  All sums so advanced shall constitute
advances of the Loan and shall be secured by the Loan Documents.  Any
improvements advance for such purpose shall be part of the Loan and shall be
secured by the Loan Documents.  Lender may, at Borrower's expense, conduct an
audit, inspection, or review of the Projects to confirm the amount of the
requested improvements advance.

         2.      Borrower shall have submitted and Lender shall have approved
(a) the improvements to be constructed, (b) the plans and specifications for
such improvements, which plans and specifications may not be changed without
Lender's prior written consent, and (c) if requested by Lender, each contract
or subcontract for an amount in excess of $5,000 for the performance of labor
or the furnishing of materials for such improvements.

         3.      Borrower shall have submitted and Lender shall have approved
the time schedule for completing the capital improvements.  After Lender's
approval of a detailed budget, such budget may not be changed without Lender's
prior written consent.  If the estimated cost of such improvements exceeds the
unadvanced portion of the amount allocated for such improvements in the
approved budget, then Borrower shall provide such security as Lender may
require to assure the lien-free completion of improvements before the scheduled
completion date.

         4.      All improvements constructed by Borrower prior to the date an
improvements advance is requested shall be completed to the satisfaction of
Lender and Lender's engineer and in accordance with the plans and budget for
such improvements, as approved by Lender, and all legal requirements.

         5.      Borrower shall not use any portion of any improvements advance
for payment of any other cost except as specifically set forth in a request for
advance approved by Lender in writing.

         6.      Lender shall not under any circumstances be obligated to make
any improvements advance after April 30, 1997.

         7.      No funds will be advanced for materials stored at the Projects
unless Borrower furnishes Lender satisfactory evidence that such materials are
properly stored and secured at the Project.





                                Schedule 2.1 - 5
<PAGE>   59

                                  SCHEDULE 2.2

                                  INDEX RATES


                 (1)      "GECC COMPOSITE COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE" shall mean the
Average Interest Expense on the actual principal amount of the GECC Composite
Commercial Paper outstanding for Lender's full fiscal month preceding the
interest billing month.  "AVERAGE INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean the percentage
obtained by dividing the interest expense on GECC Composite Commercial Paper
for such fiscal month by the average daily principal amount of GECC Composite
Commercial Paper outstanding during such fiscal month, divided by the actual
number of days in such fiscal month and multiplied by the actual number of days
in the calendar year.  The GECC Composite Commercial Paper Rate shall be
determined by Lender and evidenced by a certificate issued by an authorized
Lender employee.  "GECC COMPOSITE COMMERCIAL PAPER" shall mean Lender's
outstanding commercial paper for terms of nine (9) months or less from sources
within the United States, but excluding the current portion of Lender's long
term Debt and GECC Financial Corporation's borrowings and interest expense.

                 (2)      "TREASURY RATE" shall mean 6.63%, which is the yield
to maturity of the most recently issued seven year U.S. Treasury Security as
quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the closing date.  If the closing date is
not a Business Day, then the quote shall be obtained on the Business Day
immediately preceding the closing date.  If The Wall Street Journal (a) quotes
more than one such seven year U.S. Treasury Security, the highest of such
quotes shall apply, or (b) ceases to publish such quotes, the seven year U.S.
Treasury Security shall be determined from such substitute financial reporting
service or source as Lender in its discretion shall determine.





                                Schedule 2.2 - 1
<PAGE>   60

                                SCHEDULE 2.3(4)

                          DISCOUNTED YIELD MAINTENANCE

A.       YIELD MAINTENANCE AMOUNT

                 As used herein, "YIELD MAINTENANCE AMOUNT" means the sum of
                 the Present Value (as defined below) on the date of prepayment
                 of each Monthly Interest Shortfall (as defined below) for the
                 remaining term of the Loan discounted at the monthly
                 Replacement Treasury Yield (as defined below).

                 The Monthly Interest Shortfall is calculated for each monthly
                 payment date as follows:

                 i)       The positive difference, if any, of the Contract Rate
                          less the Replacement Treasury Yield, plus the Break
                          Contract Fee (as defined below) of 20 basis points;

                 ii)      Divided by 12;

                 iii)     Multiplied by the outstanding principal balance of
                          the Loan on the date of prepayment

                 The Present Value is then determined by discounting each
                 Monthly Interest Shortfall at the Replacement Treasury Yield
                 divided by 12.

                 FOR EXAMPLE:  If a loan with a Contract Rate of 9% were
                 prepaid with 24 months remaining in the term, at a time when
                 the two year Replacement Treasury Yield was 5%, and the
                 outstanding loan balance was $10,000,000.00 then:

<TABLE>
         <S>                                                    <C>  <C>   
         Contract Rate                                                     .0900   
                                                                               
         Less the Replacement Treasury Yield                    -          .0500  
                                                                ----------------               

                                                                =          .0400  

         Plus the Break Contract Fee                            +          .0020  
                                                                ----------------     

         Equals the rate difference                             =          .0420  

         Divided by 12                                          /             12     
                                                                ================
                                                                              
         Equals the monthly rate difference                     =          .0035 
                                                                              
         Times the principal balance                            x    $10,000,000
                                                                ----------------               
                                                                               
         Equals the Monthly Interest Shortfall                  =    $35,000.000
</TABLE>                                                                       

The Present Value of each Monthly Interest Shortfall ($35,000) discounted at
the monthly Replacement Treasury Yield (5% divided by 12 or .4167%) equals
$797,786.





                              Schedule 2.3(4) - 1
<PAGE>   61



         The Break Contract Fee shall be 20 basis points at all times.

         As used herein the term "REPLACEMENT TREASURY YIELD" shall mean
         the rate of interest equal to the yield to maturity of the most
         recently issued U.S. Treasury Security as quoted in The Wall Street
         Journal on the prepayment date. If the remaining term is less than one
         year, the Replacement Treasury Yield will equal the yield for 1-Year
         Treasury's.  If the remaining term is 1-Year, 2-Year, etc., then the
         Replacement Treasury Yield will equal the yield for the Treasury's with
         a maturity equaling the remaining term.  If the remaining term is
         longer than one year but does not equal one of the maturities being
         quoted, then the Replacement Treasury Yield will equal the yield for
         Treasury's with a maturity closest to but not exceeding the remaining
         term.  If The Wall Street Journal (i) quotes more than one such rate,
         the highest of such quotes shall apply, or (ii) ceases to publish such
         quotes, the U.S. Treasury security shall be determined from such
         financial reporting service or source as Lender shall determine.





                              Schedule 2.3(4) - 2
<PAGE>   62

                               SCHEDULE 2.3(6)

                                PARTICIPATION


         1.      DEFINITIONS.  The following terms shall have the meanings
         assigned in this Schedule 2.3(6):

                 "ECONOMIC VALUE" means the fair market value of the Projects
         as determined by agreement between Borrower and Junior Noteholder, or
         failing agreement, by an appraisal as set forth below.  Junior
         Noteholder and Borrower shall seek to determine the fair market value
         of the Projects for a period of fifteen (15) Business Days after
         notice by Junior Noteholder or Borrower requesting a determination of
         value.  If Borrower and Junior Noteholder are unable to agree on the
         fair market value within said fifteen (15) Business Days, such value
         may be determined, at the request of Junior Noteholder or Borrower, by
         three independent appraisers who shall be members of the American
         Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the National Association of
         Realtors, one appointed by Junior Noteholder, one appointed by
         Borrower (such appraisers to be appointed within ten (10) days after a
         request by either Junior Noteholder or Borrower), and a third
         appraiser who shall be selected by the appointed appraisers within ten
         (10) Business Days after the appointment of the second appraiser.  If
         either Junior Noteholder or Borrower shall fail to timely appoint an
         appraiser, the appointed appraiser shall select the second appraiser
         within ten (10) days after such failure by Junior Noteholder or
         Borrower to appoint an appraiser.  If the two appraisers so determined
         shall be unable to agree on the selection of a third appraiser, then
         either appraiser, on behalf of both, may request such appointment by
         the presiding judge of any United States District Court in the
         district where the Project is located.  A Project's "Economic Value"
         shall be the average of the valuations of such Project as determined
         by such appraisers; however, if any appraiser's valuation deviates
         more than ten percent (10%) from the average of the other two
         appraisers' valuations, then Junior Noteholder and Borrower shall
         again seek to determine the fair market value of a the Project by
         mutual agreement for a period of fifteen (15) Business Days based on
         the existing appraisals, and if Junior Noteholder and Borrower are
         unable to agree on the fair market value of a Project within said
         fifteen (15) Business Days, then at the request of Junior Noteholder
         or Borrower, the Economic Value may be determined by three (3) new
         independent appraisers in accordance with the foregoing appraisal
         procedures.  The averaged appraisal shall be submitted to Junior
         Noteholder and Borrower within thirty (30) days after any panel of
         three (3) appraisers is constituted.  Junior Noteholder shall pay a
         percentage of the cost of each appraisal equal to the Participation
         Percentage, unless there exists an Event of Default or a Potential
         Default, in which event Borrower shall pay the entire cost of the
         appraisals.  The appraisers shall be instructed to assume that such
         Project is well managed with no deferred maintenance and that actual
         rents and occupancy levels are not above market.

                 "NET ECONOMIC VALUE" means the sum of the Economic Value, and
         any reserves or impounds funded out of Operating Revenues, less the
         sum of the principal amount owing on the Loan (or any refinancing of
         the Loan), Borrower's Equity, and normal and customary costs which
         would be incurred in selling the Projects (with brokerage commissions
         not to exceed 3% of the sales price).

                 "NET REFINANCING PROCEEDS" means the sum of the proceeds of
         any refinancing of the Loan, and any reserves or impounds funded out
         of Operating Revenues, less the sum of the principal amount owing on
         the Loan, and normal and customary costs incurred in such refinancing.





                              Schedule 2.3(6) - 1
<PAGE>   63



                 "NET SALE PROCEEDS" means the sum of the proceeds of any sale
         of a Project, and any reserves or impounds funded out of Operating
         Revenues plus the excess value, as determined by Junior Noteholder, of
         any management, services or other agreement retained by Borrower or
         any Affiliate of Borrower which requires payments in excess of normal
         market rates, less the sum of the principal amount owing on the Loan
         or any other financing on the Project which has been approved by
         Junior Noteholder and which is secured by Liens on the Project,
         Borrower's Equity, and normal and customary costs of selling the
         Project (with brokerage commissions not to exceed 3% of the sales
         price).

                 "PARTICIPATION PERCENTAGE" means thirty percent (30%) of Net
         Economic Value, Net Refinancing Proceeds, Net Sale Proceeds, or Net
         Cash Flow, as applicable.

                 "THIRD PARTY SALE" means a sale or other transaction (1) in
         which the consideration of a Project is all cash, does not include the
         transfer or conveyance to Borrower of any interest in real property,
         and does not involve the sale, transfer or other disposition by
         Borrower of any other property, (2) in which the purchaser is a third
         party which is not an Affiliate of Borrower or a party with whom
         Borrower has a material contractual relationship (excluding incidental
         management contracts), (3) in which neither Borrower nor any Affiliate
         is retaining or receiving any residual interest in such Project, any
         interest in the purchaser or any contract (excluding incidental
         management contracts) with the purchaser for management or other
         services (except as approved by Junior Noteholder), and (4) which is
         an arm's length bona fide sale.  Third Party Sale shall include any
         transfer as a result of the exercise of the power of eminent domain,
         any transfer in avoidance of the power of eminent domain, or any
         casualty which results in the payment of any award, insurance proceeds
         or other amount in excess of the principal amount of the Loan;
         however, Junior Noteholder's participation interest hereunder shall
         continue and shall not be terminated with respect to (a) any portion
         of a Project which is not condemned or transferred in lieu of
         condemnation or (b) a Project in its condition following such
         casualty.

         2.      PARTICIPATION PAYMENTS.  As additional consideration for the
commitment to make the Loan, Borrower shall pay to Junior Noteholder the
following amounts:

                 (1)      SALE.  On any Third Party Sale, the Participation
Percentage of Net Sale Proceeds;

                 (2)      MATURITY; OTHER DISPOSITIONS.  On the Maturity Date,
or in the event of a sale or other disposition of a Project other than (a) a
Third Party Sale (including ground leases, exchanges or refinancings in which
Junior Noteholder does not elect to retain an interest in future Net Sale
Proceeds or future Net Economic Value) or (b) a Sale, with Lender's consent as
required in Section 8.1, to an Affiliate which assumes the Loan and the
obligation to pay the Participation Percentage, the Participation Percentage of
Net Economic Value; and

                 (3)      REFINANCING.  On any refinancing of the Loan before
the Maturity Date, at Junior Noteholder's election, either (a) the
Participation Percentage of Net Economic Value, or (b) if Junior Noteholder
elects to retain its interest in future Net Cash Flow, future Net Sale Proceeds
and future Net Economic Value until sale of a Project or the Maturity Date
(whichever occurs earlier), the Participation Percentage of Net Refinancing
Proceeds.  If Junior Noteholder elects to retain its interest in future Net
Cash Flow, future Net Sale Proceeds and future Net Economic Value until sale of
a Project or the Maturity Date (whichever occurs earlier), such interests shall
be secured by a subordinate deed of trust or mortgage satisfactory to Junior
Noteholder and encumbering a Project.





                              Schedule 2.3(6) - 2
<PAGE>   64


         3.      NET CASH FLOW PARTICIPATION.  As an additional part of Junior
Noteholder's participation interest, Borrower shall pay to Junior Noteholder
quarterly on or before the last day of each month, the Participation Percentage
of Net Cash Flow for the previous calendar month, or with respect to the first
calendar month of the Loan term, for the portion of such period during which
the Loan was outstanding.  Such obligation shall continue until full payment of
all amounts owing under the Loan Documents has been received.

         4.      RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER.  Borrower hereby grants, conveys and
transfers to Junior Noteholder a right of first offer with respect to any sale
of a Project by Borrower.  If Borrower desires to sell a Project, Borrower must
offer the Project for sale to Junior Noteholder at Borrower's stated sales
price of such Project, net of Junior Noteholder's interest in Net Sale Proceeds
and Junior Noteholder shall have thirty (30) days after Junior Noteholder's
receipt of such offer to accept or decline such offer.  If Junior Noteholder
declines the offer, the Borrower may sell such Project within one hundred
eighty (180) days thereafter in a Third Party Sale at a price no less than the
stated sales price used to compute the offer to Junior Noteholder.  After said
one hundred eighty (180) days, Borrower must re-offer such Project to Junior
Noteholder.  This right of first offer shall continue until Junior Noteholder
has purchased such Project or has received payment of its entire interest in
Net Sale Proceeds or Net Economic Value.

         5.      NOT A JOINT VENTURE.  The provisions herein and in the Loan
Documents giving Lender interests in Net Sale Proceeds, Net Economic Value, Net
Refinancing Proceeds and Net Cash Flow, in addition to the right to receive
repayment of all other amounts owing under the Loan Documents, is additional
consideration for the Loan, and such provisions shall not be deemed to create a
joint venture or partnership arrangement between Lender and Borrower or between
Junior Noteholder and Borrower, it being Borrower's intention that the
transaction shall not be deemed to be an agreement by Lender or Junior
Noteholder to share in any losses incurred by Borrower or to be responsible for
any liabilities of Borrower to third parties.





                              Schedule 2.3(6) - 3
<PAGE>   65

                                SCHEDULE 2.4(2)

                          CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS RESERVE


         1.      CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS RESERVE.  On January 15, 1997 and by the
fifteenth (15th) day of each January thereafter, Borrower shall deposit into a
reserve with Lender (the "CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS RESERVE") an amount equal to the
positive difference between (1) three percent (3%) of Operating Revenues for
the immediately preceding calendar year, and (2) the sum of all expenditures by
Borrower for capital improvements and replacements to the Projects during the
preceding calendar year which were specified in a Capital Expenditures Budget
(as hereinafter defined) or otherwise approved in advance by Lender and not
paid with disbursements from the Capital Improvements Reserve.  The Capital
Improvements Reserve will be held by Lender without interest and may be
commingled with Lender's own funds.  The Capital Improvement Reserve shall be
advanced by Lender to Borrower for capital improvements and capital repairs to
the Projects, as approved by Lender; however, funds in the Capital Improvements
Reserve shall not be available for financing any of the improvements for which
capital improvements advances are contemplated by the Budget.  Borrower grants
to Lender a security interest in the Capital Improvements Reserve.  While an
Event of Default or a Potential Default exists, Lender shall not be obligated
to advance to Borrower any portion of the Capital Improvements Reserve, and
while an Event of Default exists, Lender shall be entitled, without notice to
Borrower, to apply any funds in the Capital Improvements Reserve to satisfy
Borrower's obligations under the Loan Documents.  Borrower and Lender shall
meet annually on a date selected by Lender to establish monthly, quarterly, and
annual budgets for capital expenditures for the Projects for the succeeding
calendar year (the "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES BUDGET").  The Capital Expenditures
Budget shall be based on the previous year's experience and an assessment of
anticipated future needs, and shall be subject to Lender's approval.  The
Capital Improvements Reserve shall be advanced in accordance with the
conditions for improvements advances under Schedule 2.1.






                              Schedule 2.4(2) - 1
<PAGE>   66

                            LIST OF DEFINED TERMS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page No.
                                                                                                                 --------
<S>                                                                                                                   <C>
Adjusted Operating Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Adjusted Operating Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Assignment of Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Assignments of Rents and Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Average Interest Expense  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  SCHEDULE 2.2 - 1         
Bankruptcy Party  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28         
Borrower  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Borrower Party  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Borrower's  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Borrower's Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Budget  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Business Day  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Carriage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Carriage Club Charlotte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Cash on Cash Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Construction Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Construction Guaranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Credit Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25         
Debt  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2         
Debt Service  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Debt Service Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Default Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Environmental Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Environmental Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12         
ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24         
Event of Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Expansion Work  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Facility Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Fort  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
Fort Austin Loan Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3         
GECC Composite Commercial Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  SCHEDULE 2.2 - 1         
GECC Composite Commercial Paper Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  SCHEDULE 2.2 - 1
Guarantors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Guaranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Hazardous Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Hazardous Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Immediate Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Joinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
Joinder Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Junior Assignment of Rents and Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Junior Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Junior Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
</TABLE>


                                   List - 1
<PAGE>   67

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                    <C>
Junior Note Contract Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Junior Noteholder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Lender  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Lender  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1         
Lien  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Loan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Loan Documents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Loan Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Maturity Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4         
Mortgages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5         
Net Cash Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5         
Net Operating Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5         
Net Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5         
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5         
Operating Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5         
Operating Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24         
Operating Revenues  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5         
Person  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6         
Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6         
Potential Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6         
Projects  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6         
REIT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25         
Residency Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6          
Security Deposit Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24         
Senior Assignment of Rents and Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6         
Senior Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6         
Senior Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7         
Senior Note Contract Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7         
Senior Noteholder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7         
Single Purpose Entity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7         
Site Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7         
State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7         
State Agencies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7         
Subordination Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Third Mortgage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7  
Treasury Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  SCHEDULE 2.2 - 1
</TABLE>





                                    List - 2

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.20

                             JUNIOR PROMISSORY NOTE


$14,750,000                                                         May 7, 1996

         For value received, ARCLP-CHARLOTTE, LLC, a Tennessee limited
liability company, and AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P., a Tennessee
limited partnership (individually and collectively, "BORROWER"), jointly and
severally promise and agree to pay to the order of GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("LENDER"), in lawful money of the United
States of America, the principal sum of $14,750,000 or so much thereof as may
be advanced and remain outstanding under this Note and the Loan Agreement of
even date herewith between Borrower and Lender (as from time to time amended,
modified or supplemented, the "LOAN AGREEMENT"), with interest on the unpaid
principal sum owing hereunder at the rate or rates or in the amounts designated
for this Note and computed in accordance with the Loan Agreement, together with
other amounts due Lender under the Loan Agreement, all payable in the manner
and at the time or times provided in the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms used
herein, but not defined, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Loan
Agreement.

         This Note is the Junior Note as identified and defined in the Loan
Agreement. This Note is executed and delivered in conjunction with Borrower's
execution and delivery of the Senior Promissory Note of even date herewith, in
the stated principal amount of $37,000,000 bearing interest and being payable
to the order of Lender as provided therein and in the Loan Agreement (the
"SENIOR NOTE").

         If not sooner due and payable in accordance with the Loan Agreement,
Borrower shall pay to Lender all amounts due and unpaid under the Loan
Agreement on April 30, 2003, or on any earlier Maturity Date as set forth in
the Loan Agreement. Unless otherwise specified in writing by Lender, all
payments hereunder shall be paid to Lender at GECC Commercial Real Estate,
GECC/CRE Depository, P.O. Box 910361, Dallas, Texas 75391-0361. Lender reserves
the right to require any payment on this Note, whether such payment is a
regular installment, prepayment or final payment, to be by wired federal funds
or other immediately available funds.

         Borrower, co-makers, sureties, endorsers and guarantors, and each of
them, expressly waive demand and presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment,
protest, notice of protest, notice of dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate
the maturity hereof, notice of the acceleration of the maturity hereof,
bringing of suit and diligence in taking any action to collect amounts called
for hereunder and in the handling of securities at any time existing in
connection herewith; such parties are and shall be jointly, severally, directly
and primarily liable for the payment of all sums owing and to be owing hereon,
regardless of and without any notice, diligence, act or omission as or with
respect to the collection of any amount called for hereunder or in connection
with any right, lien, interest or property at any and all times had or existing
as security for any amount called for hereunder.

         This Note evidences advances made, interest due and all amounts
otherwise owed to Lender under the Loan Agreement. This Note is executed in
conjunction with the Loan Agreement and is secured by the liens and security
interests created under the Loan Documents (including those arising under the
Junior Mortgage). Reference is made to the Loan Agreement for provisions
relating to repayment of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note, including
mandatory repayment, acceleration following default, late charges, default rate
of interest, limitations on interest, restrictions on prepayment, and
participation interest (if any).


                                       1

<PAGE>   2

         Borrower's liability hereunder is subject to the limitation on
liability provisions of Article 12 of the Loan Agreement. This Note has been
executed and delivered in and shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Texas and of the United States of America.

<PAGE>   3

         Executed as of the date first written above.

                     ARCLP - CHARLOTTE, LLC,
                     a Tennessee limited liability company

                     By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                        -----------------------------------------------
                           H. Todd Kaestner
                           Executive Vice President-Corporate Development

                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.,
                     a Tennessee limited partnership


                     By:   American Retirement Communities, LLC,
                           a Tennessee limited liability company, its
                           sole general partner


                           By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                              ------------------------------------------
                                 H. Todd Kaestner
                                 Executive Vice President-
                                 Corporate Development


FLORIDA DOCUMENTARY STAMP TAXES DUE ON THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE
BEEN PAID UPON RECORDATION OF THE JUNIOR MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT AND
FIXTURE FILING OF EVEN DATE HEREWITH, RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DUVAL
COUNTY, FLORIDA, ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF.





<PAGE>   4

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.21


                             SENIOR PROMISSORY NOTE


$37,000,000                                                         May 7, 1996

         For value received, ARCLP-CHARLOTTE, LLC, a Tennessee limited
liability company, and AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P., a Tennessee
limited partnership (individually and collectively, "Borrower"), jointly and
severally promise and agree to pay to the order of GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("Lender"), in lawful money of the United
States of America, the principal sum of $37,000,000 or so much thereof as shall
be advanced and remain outstanding under this Note and the Loan Agreement of
even date herewith between Borrower and Lender (the "Loan Agreement"), with
interest on the unpaid principal sum owing hereunder at the rate or rates or in
the amounts designated for this Note and computed in accordance with the Loan
Agreement, together with other amounts due Lender under the Loan Agreement, all
payable in the manner and at the time or times provided in the Loan Agreement.
Capitalized terms used herein, but not defined, shall have the meanings
assigned to them in the Loan Agreement.

         This Note is the Senior Note as identified and defined in the Loan
Agreement. This Note is executed and delivered in conjunction with Borrower's
execution and delivery of the Junior Promissory Note of even date herewith, in
the stated principal amount of $14,750,000, bearing interest and being payable
to the order of Lender as provided therein and in the Loan Agreement (the
"Junior Note").

         If not sooner due and payable in accordance with the Loan Agreement,
Borrower shall pay to Lender all amounts due and unpaid under the Loan
Agreement on April 30, 2003, or on any earlier Maturity Date as set forth in
the Loan Agreement. Unless otherwise specified in writing by Lender, all
payments hereunder shall be paid to Lender at GECC Commercial Real Estate,
GECC/CRE Depository, P.O. Box 910361, Dallas, Texas 75391-0361. Lender reserves
the right to require any payment on this Note, whether such payment is a
regular installment, prepayment or final payment, to be by wired federal funds
or other immediately available funds.

         Borrower, co-makers, sureties, endorsers and guarantors, and each of
them, expressly waive demand and presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment,
protest, notice of protest, notice of dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate
the maturity hereof, notice of the acceleration of the maturity hereof,
bringing of suit and diligence in taking any action to collect amounts called
for hereunder and in the handling of securities at any time existing in
connection herewith; such parties are and shall be jointly, severally, directly
and primarily liable for the payment of all sums owing and to be owing hereon,
regardless of and without any notice, diligence, act or omission as or with
respect to the collection of any amount called for hereunder or in connection
with any right, lien, interest or property at any and all times had or existing
as security for any amount called for hereunder.

         This Note evidences advances made, interest due and all amounts
otherwise owed to Lender under the Loan Agreement. This Note is executed in
conjunction with the Loan Agreement and is secured by liens and security
interests created under the Loan Documents (including those arising under the
Senior Mortgage). Reference is made to the Loan Agreement for provisions
relating to repayment of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note, including
mandatory repayment, acceleration following default, late charges, default rate
of interest, limitations on interest, restrictions on prepayment, and
participation interest (if any).


                                       1

<PAGE>   5

         Borrower's liability hereunder is subject to the limitation on
liability provisions of Article 12 of the Loan Agreement. This Note has been
executed and delivered in and shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Texas and of the United States of America.

<PAGE>   6

         Executed as of the date first written above.

                            ARCLP - CHARLOTTE, LLC,
                            a Tennessee limited liability company


                            By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                               ------------------------------------------------
                                 H. Todd Kaestner
                                 Executive Vice President-Corporate Development


                            AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.,
                            a Tennessee limited partnership


                            By:      American Retirement Communities, LLC,
                                     a Tennessee limited liability company, its
                                     sole general partner


                                      By: /s/ H. Todd Kaestner
                                          -------------------------------------
                                             H. Todd Kaestner
                                             Executive Vice President-
                                             Corporate Development



FLORIDA DOCUMENTARY STAMP TAXES DUE ON THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE
BEEN PAID UPON RECORDATION OF THE SENIOR MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT AND
FIXTURE FILING OF EVEN DATE HEREWITH, RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DUVAL
COUNTY, FLORIDA, ON OR ABOUT THE DATE HEREOF.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

                    AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P.

                   Computation of Earnings per Common Share
                         Year ended December 31, 1996
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Amount    Per Share
                                                            ------    ---------
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>
Pro forma income before extraordinary item                  $3,659      $0.39

Preferred return on special redeemable preferred limited     
  partnership interests                                      1,104       0.12
                                                            ------      -----
Pro forma net income before extraordinary item available
  for distribution to partners and shareholders             $2,555      $0.27
                                                            ------      -----
Shares used in calculation:

  Number of shares to be issued to existing partners 
    upon reorganization                                           7,812.5

  Equivalent number of shares applicable to reorganization
    note of $25,000 assuming issue price of $16.00 per share      1,562.5
                                                                  -------    

          Share used in calculation                               9,375.0
                                                                  -------

</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21

                        Subsidiaries of the Registrant

American Retirement Corporation II
ARCLP - Charlotte, LLC
A.R.C. Management Corporation
ARC Corpus Christi, Inc.
ARC Oak Park, Inc.
ARC Equities - Lexington, Inc.
ARC Fort Austin Properties, Inc.
Fort Austin Limited Partnership
Trinity Towers Limited Partnership
Holley Court Terrace, L.P.
Carriage Club of Charlotte, L.P.
Carriage Club of Jacksonville, L.P.
A.R.C. Chattanooga, Inc.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 23.1


The Partners
American Retirement Communities, L.P.:

The audits of American Retirement Communities, L.P. referred to in our report
dated January 22, 1997, included the related financial statement schedule for
the year ended December 31, 1994, the three months ended March 31, 1995, the
nine months ended December 31, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1996, 
included in the registration statement. The financial statement schedule is the
responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on the financial statement schedule based on our audits. In
our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to
the basic combined and consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. Our
report dated January 22, 1997 contains an explanatory paragraph which refers to
a change in cost basis as a result of a purchase business combination.

We consent to the use of our reports included herein on (1) American Retirement
Communities L.P. and (2) Carriage Club of Charlotte, Limited Partnership and
Carriage Club of Jacksonville, Limited Partnership and to the reference to our
firm under the headings "Selected Combined and Consolidated Financial Data" and
"Experts" in the prospectus.


                                         KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



Nashville, Tennessee
March   , 1997



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, L.P. AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,222
<SECURITIES>                                        52
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,455
<ALLOWANCES>                                       108
<INVENTORY>                                        420
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 9,271
<PP&E>                                         230,547
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,423
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 228,162
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,560
<BONDS>                                        170,689
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,882
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   228,162
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                75,617
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   53,866
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,160
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,613
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (920)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,533
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  2,335
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,198
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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