TOLEDO, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2006--Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 of $0.64 per share as compared to the prior rate of $0.62 per share. As previously announced, the new quarterly rate represents a 3.2% increase. The dividend will be the company's 140th consecutive quarterly payment, payable May 19, 2006, to stockholders of record on April 28, 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 March 31, 2006, the company had investments in 457 facilities located in 37 states and managed by 55 different operators. The portfolio included 32 independent living/continuing care retirement communities, 201 assisted living facilities, 211 skilled nursing facilities and 13 specialty care facilities. More information is available on the Internet at www.hcreit.com.

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

SOURCE: Health Care REIT, Inc.