TOLEDO, Ohio, Apr 19, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 of $0.62 per share as compared to $0.60 per share for the same period in 2004.

The dividend is a two cent increase from the dividend paid for the fourth quarter of 2004 and represents the 136th consecutive dividend payment. The dividend will be payable May 20, 2005, to stockholders of record on April 29, 2005.

Health Care REIT, Inc., with headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, is a real estate investment trust that invests primarily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. At March 31, 2005, the company had investments in 237 assisted living facilities, 153 skilled nursing facilities and eight specialty care facilities located in 35 states and managed by 51 different operators. More information is available on the Internet at www.hcreit.com.

SOURCE: Health Care REIT, Inc.

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