As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 2, 2003

                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-_______

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
                   -------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

           DELAWARE                                        34-1096634
           --------                                        ----------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification
Incorporation or Organization)                               Number)

                                   One SeaGate
                                   Suite 1500
                               Toledo, Ohio 43604
                                 (419) 247-2800
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of
                   Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

                                GEORGE L. CHAPMAN
                Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
                             Health Care REIT, Inc.
                             One SeaGate, Suite 1500
                               Toledo, Ohio 43604
                                 (419) 247-2800
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                             of Agent for Service)

                                    Copy to:
                          Mary Ellen Pisanelli, Esquire
                         Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
                             North Courthouse Square
                                  1000 Jackson
                               Toledo, Ohio 43624
                                 (419) 241-9000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to
time after the effective date of this registration statement as determined by
market conditions.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: [ ]

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]







If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [ ]


                                                 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            TITLE OF EACH
              CLASS OF                                     PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM        AMOUNT OF
            SECURITIES TO             AMOUNT TO BE          OFFERING PRICE            AGGREGATE          REGISTRATION
            BE REGISTERED              REGISTERED            PER UNIT (1)         OFFERING PRICE(1)        FEE (1)
       ----------------------    ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------
                                                                                              
       Common Stock,
       $1.00 par value                  811,385                $34.475              $27,972,497             $2,262.98
       per share
       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       (1) Determined in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of
           1933 based on the average of the high and low reported sales prices
           on the New York Stock Exchange on November 25, 2003.

       THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE
OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.







                             HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.

                         811,385 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

         Health Care REIT, Inc. is a self-administered, equity real estate
investment trust that invests in health care facilities, primarily skilled
nursing and assisted living facilities. We also invest in specialty care
facilities. Founded in 1970, we were the first real estate investment trust to
invest exclusively in health care facilities. Our principal executive offices
are located at One SeaGate, Suite 1500, Toledo, Ohio, 43604, and the telephone
number is (419) 247-2800.

         The persons and entities listed in this prospectus, whom we refer to as
the "selling stockholders," may use this prospectus to offer and sell up to
811,385 shares of our common stock from time to time. We are registering these
shares for offer and sale as required under the terms of a registration rights
agreement between the selling stockholders and us. Our registration of the
offered shares does not mean that any of the selling stockholders will offer or
sell any of the shares. We will receive no proceeds of any sales of the offered
shares by the selling stockholders, but we will incur expenses in connection
with the offering.

         The selling stockholders may sell the offered shares in public or
private transactions, on or off the New York Stock Exchange, at prevailing
market prices or at privately negotiated prices. The selling stockholders may
sell the offered shares directly or through agents or broker-dealers acting as
principal or agent.

         Our shares of common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol "HCN." On December 1, 2003, the last reported sales price of
our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $35.10 per share.

         INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISK. SEE "CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 2 IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.

    NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
          COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES, OR
             DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
          ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

             THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ______________ __, 2003.





  CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

        We have made or incorporated by reference in this prospectus statements
that constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the
federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements may concern:

        -       the possible expansion of our portfolio;

        -       the performance of our operators and properties;

        -       our ability to enter into agreements with new viable tenants for
                properties that we take back from financially troubled tenants,
                if any;

        -       our ability to make distributions;

        -       our policies and plans regarding investments, financings and
                other matters;

        -       our tax status as a real estate investment trust;

        -       our ability to appropriately balance the use of debt and equity;
                and

        -       our ability to access capital markets or other sources of funds.

        When we use words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate"
or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
risks and uncertainties. Our expected results may not be achieved, and actual
results may differ materially from our expectations. This may be a result of
various factors, including, but not limited to:

        -       the status of the economy;

        -       the status of capital markets, including prevailing interest
                rates;

        -       compliance with and changes to regulations and payment policies
                within the health care industry;

        -       changes in financing terms;

        -       competition within the health care and senior housing
                industries; and

        -       changes in federal, state and local legislation.

        On May 28, 2003, the President signed into law legislation that, for
individual taxpayers, will generally reduce the tax rate on corporate dividends
to a maximum of 15% for tax years from 2003 to 2008. The dividends of a real
estate investment trust ("REIT") generally will not qualify for this reduced tax
rate because a REIT's income generally is not subject to corporate level tax.
This new law could cause stock in non-REIT corporations to be a more attractive
investment to individual investors than stock in REITs and could have an adverse
effect on the market price of our equity securities.

         Other important factors are identified in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, which are incorporated by reference
into this prospectus, and may be identified in documents filed by us with the
SEC after the date hereof that are incorporated by reference into this
prospectus, including factors identified under the headings "Business" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those
projected in any forward-looking statements.



                                       2


                              ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

         We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or
inconsistent information from that contained in this prospectus and the
documents incorporated herein by reference. If anyone provides you with
different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should
assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date
hereof and that the documents incorporated herein by reference are accurate only
as of the date that such documents were filed with the SEC. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since
these dates. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a
solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities other than the shares of common
stock offered hereby, or an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy,
such shares in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such offer
or solicitation would be unlawful.

         This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference
summarize material provisions of certain contracts and other documents. These
are summaries only, and you may wish to review the full text of those documents
for a full understanding of their terms and conditions.

         Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise,
all references in this prospectus to "the Company," "we," "us," "our" and
similar references mean Health Care REIT, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

                    WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we have
filed with the SEC covering the shares of common stock that may be offered under
this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth
in the registration statement. We have omitted certain parts consistent with SEC
rules. For further information, please see the registration statement, including
its exhibits.

         Additionally, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC, all of which are made available,
free of charge, on our Internet Web site at www.hcreit.com under the heading
"Investor Relations" as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed
with, or furnished to, the SEC. You can review our SEC filings and the
registration statement by accessing the SEC's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy the registration statement and
any reports, statements or other information on file at the SEC's public
reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can
request copies of those documents upon payment of a duplicating fee to the SEC.
You also may review a copy of the registration statement at the SEC's regional
offices in Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference
rooms.

         You also can inspect our reports, proxy statements and other
information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with the SEC, which means:

         -        we consider incorporated documents to be part of the
                  prospectus;

         -        we may disclose important information to you by referring you
                  to those documents; and

         -        information we subsequently file with the SEC will
                  automatically update and supersede the information in this
                  prospectus.

         This prospectus incorporates by reference the following documents which
have been filed with the SEC:

         -        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                  2002.

         -        Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
                  31, 2003, June 30, 2003 and September 30, 2003.



                                       3


         -        Current Reports on Form 8-K filed February 6, 2003, March 14,
                  2003, May 12, 2003, June 13, 2003, July 8, 2003, July 10,
                  2003, September 24, 2003, October 1, 2003, October 30, 2003,
                  November 7, 2003 and November 14, 2003.

         -        The description of our common stock as set forth in our
                  registration statement filed under the Exchange Act on Form
                  8-A on June 17, 1985, including any amendment or report for
                  the purpose of updating such description.

         -        The description of the rights to purchase our Series A junior
                  participating preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share,
                  associated with our common stock, as set forth in our
                  registration statement filed under the Exchange Act on Form
                  8-A on August 3, 1994, including any amendment or report for
                  the purpose of updating such description.

         -        All subsequent documents filed by us under Sections 13(a),
                  13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 after the date
                  of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering.

         Upon written or oral request, we will provide each person receiving
this prospectus a free copy of any or all documents incorporated by reference
into this prospectus, including any exhibits that are specifically incorporated
by reference in such documents but otherwise without exhibits. You may direct
such requests to:

         Erin C. Ibele, Vice President and Corporate Secretary
         Health Care REIT, Inc.
         One SeaGate, Suite 1500
         Toledo, Ohio 43604
         (419) 247-2800
         www.hcreit.com

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         We are filing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a
part pursuant to our contractual obligation to the holders named in the section
entitled "Selling Stockholders." We will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. However, we will pay
registration expenses which we estimate to be approximately $30,000.

                     RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SECURITIES

         For us to qualify as a real estate investment trust, not more than 50%
in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly,
by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of our taxable
year. In order to ensure that this requirement is satisfied, under our by-laws
we have the power to refuse to transfer shares of our common stock, or any
security convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock, to any
person whose acquisition of such shares or other securities would result in the
direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than 9.8% in value of our
outstanding common stock. If any shares or other securities in excess of this
limit are issued or transferred to any person, such issuance or transfer shall
be valid only with respect to such amount of shares or securities as does not
exceed this limit, and such issuance or transfer will be void with respect to
the excess.

         If this provision of our by-laws is determined to be invalid by virtue
of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the transferee of the
shares or other securities will be deemed to have acted as our agent in
acquiring the shares or other securities that are in excess of the limit, and
will be deemed to hold such excess shares or securities on our behalf. As the
equivalent of treasury securities for such purposes, the excess securities will
not be entitled to any voting rights, will not be considered to be outstanding
for quorum or voting purposes, and will not be entitled to receive dividends,
interest or any other distribution with respect to such securities. Any person
who receives dividends, interest or any other distribution in respect of the
excess securities will hold the same as our agent and for the transferee of the
excess securities following a permitted transfer.

         In addition, under our by-laws we may refuse to transfer any shares,
passing either by voluntary transfer, by operation of law, or under the last
will and testament of any stockholder, if such transfer would or might, in the
opinion of our board of directors or counsel, disqualify us as a real estate
investment trust.



                                       4


             DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF
                            INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS

         Our amended certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain provisions
that may have the effect of discouraging persons from acquiring large blocks of
our stock or delaying or preventing a change in our control. The material
provisions that may have such an effect are:

         -        Classification of our board of directors into three classes
                  with the term of only one class expiring each year.

         -        A provision permitting our board of directors to make, amend
                  or repeal our by-laws.

         -        Authorization for our board of directors to issue preferred
                  stock in series and to fix the rights and preferences of the
                  series, including, among other things, whether and to what
                  extent the shares of any series will have voting rights and
                  the extent of the preferences of the shares of any series with
                  respect to dividends and other matters.

         -        A prohibition on stockholders taking action by written consent
                  in lieu of a meeting.

         -        Advance notice procedures with respect to nominations of
                  directors by stockholders.

         -        The grant only to our board of directors of the right to call
                  special meetings of stockholders.

         -        Limitations on the number of shares of our capital stock that
                  may be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any one
                  stockholder (see "Restrictions on Transfer of Securities"
                  above).

         -        Limitations on transactions that involve us and any
                  stockholder who beneficially owns 5% or more of our common
                  stock (see "Limitations on Transactions Involving Us and Our
                  Stockholders" below).

         -        A provision permitting amendment of certain of the provisions
                  listed above by the stockholders only by an affirmative vote
                  of the holders of at least three-quarters of all of the
                  outstanding shares of our voting stock, voting together as a
                  single class.

LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING US AND OUR STOCKHOLDERS

         Under our by-laws, in addition to any vote otherwise required by law,
our certificate of incorporation or our by-laws, the following transactions will
require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent of
the voting power of our then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class:

         -        Our merger or consolidation with or into

                  -        any stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting
                           stock; or

                  -        any other corporation or entity which is, or after
                           such merger or consolidation would be, an affiliate
                           of a stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting
                           stock.

         -        Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
                  disposition of substantially all of our assets, in one
                  transaction or a series of transactions, to or with any
                  stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting stock or an
                  affiliate of any such stockholder.

         -        Any reclassification of our securities, including any reverse
                  stock split, or recapitalization or any other transaction that
                  has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the
                  proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of
                  our equity securities that is directly or indirectly owned by
                  any stockholder that owns 5% or more of our voting stock or
                  any affiliate of such a stockholder, whether or not the
                  transaction involves such a stockholder.


                                       5


         -        The adoption of any plan or proposal for our liquidation or
                  dissolution proposed by or on behalf of a stockholder that
                  owns 5% or more of our voting stock or any affiliate of such a
                  stockholder.

These provisions will not apply to any of the transactions described above if:

         -        we are at the time of the consummation of the transaction, and
                  at all times throughout the preceding twelve months have been,
                  directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of a majority of
                  each class of the outstanding equity securities of the 5%
                  stockholder that is a party to the transaction; or

         -        the transaction has been approved by a majority of the members
                  of our board of directors who, at the time such approval is
                  given, were not affiliates or nominees of the 5% stockholder
                  and were either members of our board of directors prior to the
                  time that the 5% stockholder became a 5% stockholder, or were
                  successors of such directors on the recommendation of a
                  majority of such directors then on the board of directors; or

         -        both of the following conditions have been met:

                  -        the aggregate amount of the cash and the fair market
                           value, as determined in good faith by our board of
                           directors, of the consideration other than cash to be
                           received per share by holders of our voting stock in
                           such transaction shall be at least equal to the
                           highest per share price paid by the 5% stockholder
                           for any shares of voting stock acquired by it within
                           the two-year period immediately prior to the first
                           public announcement of the proposal of the
                           transaction, or in the transaction in which it became
                           a 5% stockholder, whichever is higher; and

                  -        the consideration to be received by holders of a
                           particular class of outstanding voting stock shall be
                           in cash or in the same form as the 5% stockholder
                           previously paid for shares of such voting stock. If
                           the 5% stockholder paid for shares of any class of
                           voting stock with varying forms of consideration, the
                           form of consideration paid by the 5% stockholder for
                           such class of voting stock shall be deemed to be
                           either cash or the form used to acquire the largest
                           number of shares of such class of voting stock
                           previously acquired by the stockholder.

         The foregoing summary of certain provisions of our amended certificate
of incorporation and by-laws does not purport to be complete or to give effect
to provisions of statutory or common law. The foregoing summary is subject to,
and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of applicable law
and our amended certificate of incorporation and by-laws, copies of which are
incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part.

                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

         The "selling stockholders" are those persons who may receive shares of
our common stock upon conversion of our 6% Series E Cumulative Convertible and
Redeemable Preferred Stock. We originally issued 1,060,000 shares of our Series
E preferred stock in a private offering to Southern Assisted Living, Inc., a
North Carolina corporation, in connection with the purchase of 32 assisted
living facilities and two parcels of land from Southern Assisted Living and
certain of its subsidiaries on September 29, 2003. Such shares were issued in
payment of $26,500,000 of the purchase price for such facilities. Southern
Assisted Living transferred 1,020,000 shares of our Series E preferred stock to
the other selling stockholders listed below in a private resale. Such entities
and persons were the holders of debt or equity securities of Southern Assisted
Living at the time of the distribution of the shares of our Series E preferred
stock to them.

         The following table provides the names of the selling stockholders, the
number of shares of Series E preferred stock owned by the selling stockholders
and the aggregate number of shares of common stock that will be owned by the
selling stockholders if they convert all of the 1,060,000 shares of Series E
preferred stock, based upon a conversion rate of approximately .76546 shares of
common stock for each share of Series E preferred stock. The number of shares in
the following table represents the number of shares of common stock into which
the Series E preferred stock held by the selling stockholders are currently
convertible, and assumes that no change in the conversion price, which
determines the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion
of a share of Series E preferred stock, will have occurred. As set forth in the
Certificate of Designation which sets forth the terms of the Series E preferred
stock, a change in the conversion price will occur if, after the issuance of the
Series E preferred stock, we issue any shares of our common stock, or securities
which are convertible into our common stock, at a price per share of common
stock less than $32.66, except for issuances of common stock (i) upon the
exercise of options, or the conversion of convertible securities, outstanding on
the date of issuance of the Series E preferred stock, (ii) under our dividend
reinvestment and stock purchase plan, (iii) in capital raising transactions with
pricing discounts no greater than our normal and customary underwriting
discounts, or (iv)


                                       6


upon the exercise of certain future stock acquisition rights under any of our
benefit or compensation plans. A change in the conversion price also will occur
if, after the issuance of the Series E preferred stock, we declare a dividend on
our common stock payable in common stock, split or subdivide our common stock or
effect a reverse stock split or combine our common stock into a smaller number
of shares.

         Since the selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their
shares, we cannot estimate the aggregate number of shares that the selling
stockholders will sell pursuant to this prospectus or that each selling
stockholder will own upon completion of the offering to which this prospectus
relates.

The selling stockholders named below may from time to time offer the shares of
common stock offered by this prospectus:



                                                                     Shares of
                                             Shares of Series       Common Stock           Shares of         Shares of
                                                E Preferred           Issuable on           Common             Common
                                                Stock Owned          Conversion of           Stock              Stock
                                                 Prior to               Series E           Otherwise          Offered
                   Name                        Conversion(1)       Preferred Stock          Owned(1)           Hereby
                   ----                        -------------       ---------------          --------            ------
                                                                                                   
Southern Assisted Living, Inc.                    40,000               30,618                   -              30,618
Kitty Hawk Capital Limited Partnership, III       58,248               44,586                   -              44,586
Kitty Hawk Capital Limited Partnership, IV        44,346               33,945                   -              33,945
The North Carolina Enterprise Fund Limited
      Partnership                                 73,373               56,164                   -              56,164
Primus Capital Fund III Limited Partnership       96,014               73,495                   -              73,495
Primus Capital Fund IV Limited Partnership       128,200               98,132                   -              98,132
Primus Executive Fund Limited Partnership          5,342                4,089                   -               4,089
PNC Venture Corp. (2)                            236,672              181,163                   -             181,163
Chartwell Capital Investors II, L.P.             221,731              169,726                   -             169,726
Raymond James Capital Partners, L.P.             110,865               84,862                   -              84,862
Lovett Miller Venture Fund II, Limited
      Partnership                                 44,346               33,945                   -              33,945
Pier C. Borra (3)                                    863                  660               73,666                660
                                               ---------              -------               ------            -------
Total                                          1,060,000              811,385               73,666            811,385


----------

(1)      Based on information provided to us by the selling stockholders.
         Information on share ownership does not include any shares that may be
         owned by affiliates of the named holder.

(2)      Does not include any shares held by other selling stockholders in which
         PNC Venture Corp. has an interest.

(3)      Mr. Borra serves as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Borra's
         other share ownership includes 31,666 shares of common stock that are
         subject to issuance upon exercise by him of stock options exercisable
         on or after the date hereof, which stock options were granted under our
         1997 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. This prospectus does not
         constitute an offering of any of the shares of common stock otherwise
         owned by Mr. Borra. Such other share ownership by Mr. Borra is less
         than 1% of the total number of outstanding shares of our common stock.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         This prospectus relates to the possible sale by the selling
stockholders of shares of our common stock if, and to the extent that, the
selling stockholders tender shares of our Series E preferred stock for
conversion into common stock. The term "selling stockholder" include donees,
pledgees or other transferees selling shares received in a "no-sale" transaction
from a named selling stockholder after the date of this prospectus.

         We have registered the shares for sale by the selling stockholders to
provide them with freely tradable securities, but registration of the shares
does not necessarily mean that any of the shares will be offered or sold by the
selling stockholders.

         Shares of our common stock may be sold from time to time to purchasers
directly by the selling stockholders. Alternatively, the selling stockholders
may from time to time offer the shares through dealers or agents, who may
receive compensation in the form of commissions from the selling stockholders
and the purchasers of shares for whom they may act as agent. The sale of the
shares by the selling stockholders may be effected from time to time in one or
more negotiated transactions at negotiated prices or in transactions on the New
York Stock Exchange or any other exchange or automated quotation system on which
the securities may then


                                       7


be listed or quoted. In connection with distributions of the shares or
otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such
transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short
sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume
with selling stockholders. The selling stockholders may also sell our common
stock short and deliver the shares offered hereby to close out such short
positions. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other
transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions under which
they could be required or could elect to deliver the shares offered hereby,
which shares could be resold by such broker-dealer or other financial
institution pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended, if
required, to reflect such transaction). The selling stockholders may also pledge
shares to a broker-dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default,
such broker-dealer or other financial institution may effect sales of the
pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended, if
required, to reflect such transaction). The selling stockholders and any dealers
or agents that participate in the distribution of shares of our common stock may
be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act and any
profit on the sale of shares of our common stock by them and any commissions
received by any such dealers or agents might be deemed to be underwriting
commissions under the Securities Act. When a selling stockholder elects to make
a particular offer of shares covered by this prospectus, this prospectus and, if
required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed, which, to the extent
required, will identify any underwriting discounts, commissions and other
compensation from such selling stockholder and any other required information.
We have informed the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulative provisions
of Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act may apply to their sales in
the market.

         The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares
offered hereby in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, provided they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements
of such Rule.

         We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of common
stock by the selling stockholders, but we have agreed to pay the following
expenses, estimated to be $30,000, for the registration of the shares:

         -        all registration and filing fees;

         -        fees and expenses for complying with securities or blue sky
                  laws, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
                  in connection with blue sky qualifications; and

         -        the fees and expenses incurred in connection with listing our
                  common stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

         We have no obligation to pay any discounts or commissions attributable
to the sale of our common stock. We also have no obligation to pay any
out-of-pocket expenses of the selling stockholders, or the agents who manage
their accounts, or any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of
the common stock.

         We have agreed to indemnify each of the selling stockholders and the
selling brokers, dealer managers and similar securities industry professionals
participating in the distribution, as well as their respective officers,
directors, employees and agents and each person who controls such selling
stockholder or securities industry professional within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against
certain liabilities arising from the distribution of the shares, including
liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Each of the selling stockholders
has agreed to indemnify us, each of our directors and officers and each person
who controls us, against specified losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses and any actions or proceedings arising under the securities laws in
connection with this offering with respect to written information furnished to
us by such selling stockholder for use herein and any violation or alleged
violation by such selling stockholder of any federal, state or common law rule
or regulation applicable to the sale of the shares under the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part.

         To comply with any applicable state securities laws, the offered shares
may be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers and the
shares will not be sold in a particular state unless the shares have been
registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration
or qualification is available.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

         The validity of the securities offered will be passed upon by Shumaker,
Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Toledo, Ohio.

                                     EXPERTS

         Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements and schedules included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2002, as set forth in their report, which is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration
statement. Our financial statements and schedules are incorporated by reference
in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on their authority as experts
in accounting and auditing.



                                       8


                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

         Expenses payable in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the securities to be registered, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, are estimated as follows:


                                                                
               Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees      $ 2,263
               New York Stock Exchange listing fee                 $ 3,500
               Legal fees and expenses                             $15,000
               Accounting fees and expenses                        $ 5,000
               Printing and miscellaneous costs                    $ 4,237
                                                                   -------
                    TOTAL                                          $30,000


ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.

         Section 7 of our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, provides that our directors will not be personally liable to us or our
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us
or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the "GCL"), or (iv) for
any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.
Section 7 also provides that if the GCL is amended to further eliminate or limit
the personal liability of directors, then the liability of our directors will be
eliminated or limited to the extent permitted by the GCL, as so amended. The
Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation also states that any repeal or
modification of the foregoing paragraph by our stockholders will not adversely
affect any right or protection of our directors existing at the time of such
repeal or modification.

         Our By-Laws provide that we will indemnify, to the extent permitted by
the GCL, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she
is or was one of our directors or officers, or is or was serving at our request
as a director, officer, employee, trustee, partner or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in
settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding.

         We have entered into indemnification agreements to assure our directors
and officers that they will be indemnified to the extent permitted by the Second
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Delaware law. The
indemnification agreements cover any and all expenses, judgments, fines,
penalties, and amounts paid in settlement, provide for the prompt advancement of
all expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding and obligate the
director or officer to reimburse us for all amounts so advanced if it is
subsequently determined, as provided in the indemnification agreements, that the
director or officer is not entitled to indemnification.

         Delaware law requires indemnification in cases where a director or
officer has been successful in defending any claim or proceeding and permits
indemnification, even if a director or officer has not been successful, in cases
where the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she
reasonably believed was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation. To be indemnified with respect to criminal proceedings, the
director or officer must also have had no reasonable cause to believe that his
or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of a claim by a third party (i.e., a
party other than the corporation), Delaware law permits indemnification for
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, as well as expenses. In the
case of a claim by, or in the right of, the corporation (including stockholder
derivative suits), indemnification under the GCL is limited to expenses, but
does not cover judgments or amounts paid in settlement, and no indemnification
of expenses is permitted if the director or officer is adjudged liable to the
corporation, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in
view of all of the circumstances, such indemnification is nonetheless proper.
Delaware law also permits the advancement of expenses to directors and officers
upon receipt of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it is
ultimately determined that the director or officer has not met the applicable
standard of conduct and is, therefore, not entitled to be indemnified.

         We maintain indemnification insurance that provides for reimbursement
of indemnification payments properly and lawfully made to our directors and
officers and coverage for directors and officers in situations where we cannot
or do not indemnify them.




ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS

3.1        Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed
           with the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed
           March 20, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.2        Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Junior
           Participating Preferred Stock, Series A, of the Company (filed with
           the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed March
           20, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.3        Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series C
           Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (filed with
           the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed March
           20, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.4        Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of
           Incorporation of the Company (filed with the Commission as Exhibit
           3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed March 20, 2000, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.5        Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of
           Incorporation of the Company (filed with the Commission as Exhibit
           3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed June 13, 2003, and incorporated
           herein by reference thereto).

3.6        Certificate of Designation of 7 7/8% Series D Cumulative Redeemable
           Preferred Stock of the Company (filed with the Commission as Exhibit
           2.5 to the Company's Form 8-A/A filed July 8, 2003, and incorporated
           herein by reference thereto).

3.7        Certificate of Designation of 6% Series E Cumulative Convertible and
           Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Company (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed October 1, 2003, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.8        Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (filed with the
           Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed October
           24, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.1        The Company, by signing this Report, agrees to furnish the Securities
           and Exchange Commission upon its request a copy of any instrument
           that defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of Company and
           authorizes a total amount of securities not in excess of 10% of the
           total assets of the Company.

4.2        Series A Junior Participating Preferred Share Purchase Rights
           Agreement, dated as of July 19, 1994 (filed with the Commission as
           Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 8-A filed August 3, 1994 (File No.
           1-8923), and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.3        Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997 between the Company and Fifth
           Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
           Form 8-K filed April 21, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference
           thereto).

4.4        First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 17, 1997, to
           Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
           Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
           Form 8-K filed April 21, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference
           thereto).

4.5        Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 13, 1998, to
           Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
           Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
           Form 8-K filed March 11, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference
           thereto).

4.6        Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 18, 1999, to
           Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
           Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
           Form 8-K filed March 17, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference
           thereto).

4.7        Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 10, 2001, to
           Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
           Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
           Form 8-K filed August 9, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference
           thereto).

                                      II-2




4.8        Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated September 10, 2003, to Indenture
           dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth Third Bank
           (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-K
           filed September 24, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference
           thereto).

4.9        Amendment No. 1, dated September 16, 2003, to Supplemental Indenture
           No. 5, dated September 10, 2003, to Indenture dated as of April 17,
           1997, between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the
           Commission as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September
           24, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.10       Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September 9, 2002, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.11       Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of September 6, 2002, to
           Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September 9, 2002, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.12       Amendment No. 1, dated March 12, 2003, to Supplemental Indenture No.
           1, dated as of September 6, 2002, to Indenture for Senior Debt
           Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002, between the Company and
           Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.1 to the
           Company's Form 8-K filed March 14, 2003, and incorporated herein by
           reference thereto).

4.13       Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of September 10, 2003, to
           Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September 24, 2003,
           and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.14       Amendment No. 1, dated September 16, 2003, to Supplemental Indenture
           No. 2, dated as of September 10, 2003, to Indenture for Senior Debt
           Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002, between the Company and
           Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.4 to the
           Company's Form 8-K filed September 24, 2003, and incorporated herein
           by reference thereto).

4.15       Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of October 29, 2003, to
           Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed October 30, 2003, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.16       Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 29, 2003, among the
           Company, Southern Assisted Living, Inc., and the holders of debt and
           equity securities of Southern Assisted Living, Inc. who are
           signatories thereto.

5          Opinion of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.

23.1       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.

23.2       Consent of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP to the use of their opinion
           as an exhibit to this Registration Statement is included in their
           opinion filed herewith as Exhibit 5.

24         Powers of Attorney.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

(A)      The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

         (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;

         (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in

                                      II-3



the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20%
change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and

         (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and (A)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

(B) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(C) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

                                      II-4






                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized in the City of Toledo, State of Ohio, on December 2, 2003.

                                                   HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.

                                                   By: /S/ George L. Chapman
                                                      --------------------------
                                                   George L. Chapman
                                                   Chairman of the Board and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer
                                                   (Principal Executive Officer)

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



                    SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                                    DATE
                                                                                                  
         /s/ William C. Ballard, Jr.*                              Director                             December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------
         William C. Ballard, Jr.

                                                                   Director
         ----------------------------
         Pier C. Borra

         /s/ Jeffrey H. Donahue*                                   Director                             December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------
         Jeffrey H. Donahue

         /s/ Peter J. Grua*                                        Director                             December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------
         Peter J. Grua

         /s/ Sharon M. Oster*                                      Director                             December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------
         Sharon M. Oster

         /s/ Bruce G. Thompson*                                    Director                             December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------
         Bruce G. Thompson

         /s/ R. Scott Trumbull*                                    Director                             December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------
         R. Scott Trumbull

         /s/ Richard A. Unverferth*                                Director                             December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------
         Richard A. Unverferth

         /s/ George L. Chapman                        Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,                December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------             and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
         George L. Chapman

         /s/ Raymond W. Braun*                       President and Chief Financial Officer              December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------                    (Principal Financial Officer)
         Raymond W. Braun

         /s/ Michael A. Crabtree*                                  Treasurer                            December 2, 2003
         ----------------------------                   (Principal Accounting Officer)
         Michael A. Crabtree

*  By:  /s/ George L. Chapman
        -----------------------------
            George L. Chapman, as Attorney-in-Fact
            Dated: December 2, 2003



                                      II-5




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1       Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed
          with the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed
          March 20, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.2       Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Junior
          Participating Preferred Stock, Series A, of the Company (filed with
          the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed March
          20, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.3       Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series C
          Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (filed with
          the Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed March
          20, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.4       Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of
          Incorporation of the Company (filed with the Commission as Exhibit
          3.1 to the Company's Form 10-K filed March 20, 2000, and
          incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.5       Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of
          Incorporation of the Company (filed with the Commission as Exhibit
          3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed June 13, 2003, and incorporated
          herein by reference thereto).

3.6       Certificate of Designation of 7 7/8% Series D Cumulative Redeemable
          Preferred Stock of the Company (filed with the Commission as Exhibit
          2.5 to the Company's Form 8-A/A filed July 8, 2003, and incorporated
          herein by reference thereto).

3.7       Certificate of Designation of 6% Series E Cumulative Convertible and
          Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Company (filed with the Commission
          as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed October 1, 2003, and
          incorporated herein by reference thereto).

3.8       Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (filed with the
          Commission as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed October
          24, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.1       The Company, by signing this Report, agrees to furnish the Securities
          and Exchange Commission upon its request a copy of any instrument
          that defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of Company and
          authorizes a total amount of securities not in excess of 10% of the
          total assets of the Company.

4.2       Series A Junior Participating Preferred Share Purchase Rights
          Agreement, dated as of July 19, 1994 (filed with the Commission as
          Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 8-A filed August 3, 1994 (File No.
          1-8923), and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.3       Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997 between the Company and Fifth
          Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
          Form 8-K filed April 21, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference
          thereto).

4.4       First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 17, 1997, to
          Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
          Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
          Form 8-K filed April 21, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference
          thereto).

4.5       Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 13, 1998, to
          Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
          Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
          Form 8-K filed March 11, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference
          thereto).

4.6       Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 18, 1999, to
          Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
          Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
          Form 8-K filed March 17, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference
          thereto).

4.7       Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 10, 2001, to
          Indenture dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth
          Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
          Form 8-K filed August 9, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference
          thereto).

                                     II-6




4.8        Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated September 10, 2003, to Indenture
           dated as of April 17, 1997, between the Company and Fifth Third Bank
           (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-K
           filed September 24, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference
           thereto).

4.9        Amendment No. 1, dated September 16, 2003, to Supplemental Indenture
           No. 5, dated September 10, 2003, to Indenture dated as of April 17,
           1997, between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the
           Commission as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September
           24, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.10       Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September 9, 2002, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.11       Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of September 6, 2002, to
           Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September 9, 2002, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.12       Amendment No. 1, dated March 12, 2003, to Supplemental Indenture No.
           1, dated as of September 6, 2002, to Indenture for Senior Debt
           Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002, between the Company and
           Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.1 to the
           Company's Form 8-K filed March 14, 2003, and incorporated herein by
           reference thereto).

4.13       Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of September 10, 2003, to
           Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed September 24, 2003,
           and incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.14       Amendment No. 1, dated September 16, 2003, to Supplemental Indenture
           No. 2, dated as of September 10, 2003, to Indenture for Senior Debt
           Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002, between the Company and
           Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission as Exhibit 4.4 to the
           Company's Form 8-K filed September 24, 2003, and incorporated herein
           by reference thereto).

4.15       Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of October 29, 2003, to
           Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of September 6, 2002,
           between the Company and Fifth Third Bank (filed with the Commission
           as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed October 30, 2003, and
           incorporated herein by reference thereto).

4.16       Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 29, 2003, among the
           Company, Southern Assisted Living, Inc., and the holders of debt and
           equity securities of Southern Assisted Living, Inc. who are
           signatories thereto.

5          Opinion of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.

23.1       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.

23.2       Consent of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP to the use of their opinion
           as an exhibit to this Registration Statement is included in their
           opinion filed herewith as Exhibit 5.

24         Powers of Attorney.



                                      II-7