TOLEDO, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2006--Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 of $0.62 per share.

The dividend represents the 139th consecutive dividend payment. The dividend will be payable February 21, 2006, to stockholders of record on January 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 December 31, 2005, the company had investments in 195 assisted living facilities, 203 skilled nursing facilities, 31 independent living/continuing care retirement communities and 13 specialty care facilities located in 36 states and managed by 54 different operators. More information is available on the Internet at www.hcreit.com.

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

SOURCE: Health Care REIT, Inc.