TOLEDO, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2006--Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 of $0.64 per share as compared to the prior year rate of $0.62 per share. The dividend will be the company's 142nd consecutive quarterly payment, payable November 20, 2006, to stockholders of record on October 31, 2006.

Health Care REIT, Inc., with headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, is a real estate investment trust that invests in health care and senior housing properties. At September 30, 2006, the company had investments in 477 facilities located in 37 states and managed by 58 different operators. The portfolio included 39 independent living/continuing care retirement communities, 204 assisted living facilities, 220 skilled nursing facilities and 14 specialty care facilities. More information is available on the Internet at www.hcreit.com.

CONTACT: Health Care REIT, Inc.
Scott Estes or Mike Crabtree, 419-247-2800

SOURCE: Health Care REIT, Inc.