TOLEDO, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2006--Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend for the quarter ended June 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 141st consecutive quarterly payment, payable August 21, 2006, to stockholders of record on July 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 June 30, 2006, the company had investments in 464 facilities located in 37 states and managed by 57 different operators. The portfolio included 35 independent living/continuing care retirement communities, 203 assisted living facilities, 213 skilled nursing facilities and 13 specialty care facilities. More information is available on the Internet at www.hcreit.com.

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

SOURCE: Health Care REIT, Inc.