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Exhibit 99.1

(Extendicare Logo)

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2004

Extendicare to Refinance U.S. Debt with US$125 Million Senior Subordinated Notes

MARKHAM, ONTARIO (TSX: EXE and EXE.A; NYSE: EXE.A) Extendicare Inc. announced
that its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Extendicare Health Services, Inc.
(EHSI), intends to sell up to US$125 million principal amount of Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2014 (the 2014 Notes). Consummation of the private
sale is anticipated in late April 2004.

EHSI plans to use the net proceeds from the sale of the 2014 Notes, together
with borrowings under its amended and restated credit facility and cash on
hand, to fund a tender offer for any and all of the outstanding US$200 million
aggregate principal amount of 9.35% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the
2007 Notes), to redeem any 2007 Notes not tendered in the tender offer and to
pay related fees and expenses related to the tender offer and the redemption.
In connection with the offering, EHSI intends to amend and restate its existing
five-year US$105 million senior secured revolving credit facility to, among
other things, provide an additional US$50 million of borrowing availability and
extend the term by two years.

The 2014 Notes will be unsecured indebtedness guaranteed on a senior
subordinated basis by substantially all of EHSIs existing and future active
domestic subsidiaries. The 2014 Notes will be sold to qualified institutional
buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and outside the United States in compliance
with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 2014 Notes
will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may
not be offered or sold by holders thereof without registration unless an
exemption from such registration is available.

Through its subsidiaries, Extendicare Inc. operates 275 long-term care
facilities across North America, with capacity for over 28,900 residents. As
well, through its operations in the United States, Extendicare offers medical
specialty services such as sub acute care and rehabilitative therapy services,
while home health care services are provided in Canada. The Company employs
35,800 people in the United States and Canada.

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:

Christopher Barnes
Manager, Investor Relations
Phone: (905) 470-5483
Fax: (905) 470-4003
Email: cbarnes@extendicare.com
Visit Extendicares Website @ www.extendicare.com

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