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Exhibit 99.1 (EXTENDICARE LOGO) NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2005 Extendicare Closes Acquisition of Assisted Living Concepts MARKHAM, ONTARIO  Extendicare Inc. (TSX: EXE.MV and EXE.SV; NYSE: EXE), and its wholly owned
U.S. subsidiary, Extendicare Health Services, Inc. (EHSI), announced it has closed the acquisition
of Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. (ALC) of Dallas, Texas (OTC.
BB; ASLC). The transaction was approved at an ALC shareholders meeting held earlier today. As previously announced on November 4, 2004, EHSI entered into a definitive merger and acquisition
agreement with ALC to acquire all of the outstanding shares and stock options of ALC for US$18.50
per share totalling approximately US$129.5 million. Total consideration for the transaction,
including assumption of debt, is approximately US$278 million. ALC has a portfolio of 177 assisted living facilities, comprised of 122 owned properties and 55
leased facilities representing 6,838 units, located in 14 states; many in markets where Extendicare
already operates. The portfolio is relatively new having been constructed through the mid-to-late
1990s. EHSI has financed this transaction through cash on hand of US$25 million, a loan from Extendicare
Inc. of US$55 million, drawing US$60 million from its revolving line of credit, and assuming ALCs
existing debt of US$138 million. ALCs debt will be
non-recourse to EHSI, and it will be excluded from EHSIs
existing financial covenants under EHSIs credit facility. With this acquisition, Extendicare, through its subsidiaries, now operates 440 long-term care and assisted living
facilities across North America, with capacity for over 34,400 residents. As well, through its
operations in the United States, Extendicare offers medical specialty services such as subacute
care and rehabilitative therapy services, while home health care services are provided in Canada.
The Company employs 38,500 people in North America. Statements contained in this release other than statements of historical fact, including
statements regarding anticipated financial performance, business strategy and managements plans
and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements can be identified as such because the statements generally include words such as
expect, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, plan or objective or other similar
expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements.
In addition to the risks and uncertainties related to these statements, other risks and
uncertainties are identified in Extendicare Inc.s or Extendicare Health Services, Inc.s filings
with Canadian and United States securities regulators and include, but are not limited to, the
following: changes in the health care industry in general and the long-term care industry in
particular because of political and economic influences; changes in regulations governing the
industry and the Companys compliance with such regulations; changes in government funding levels
for health care services; resident care litigation, including exposure for punitive damage claims
and increased insurance costs, and other claims asserted against the Company; the Companys ability
to attract and retain qualified personnel; the availability and terms of capital to fund the
Companys capital expenditures; changes in competition; and demographic changes. Given these risks
and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Companys
forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this report are necessarily
estimates reflecting the best judgement of the party making such statements based upon current
information, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. For further information, contact: Extendicare Inc.
Christopher Barnes
Manager, Investor Relations
Phone: (905) 470-5483
Fax: (905) 470-4003
Email: cbarnes@extendicare.com Visit Extendicares Website @ www.extendicare.com - 30 -