SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14a-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:

<Table>
                                            
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11c or Section 240.14a-12
</Table>

                             HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]  No fee required.

[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (5)  Total fee paid:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3)  Filing Party:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4)  Date Filed:

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------


                             HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.

                          NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

                                      AND

                                PROXY STATEMENT

                                  MEETING DATE

                                  MAY 2, 2002

                               ------------------

                            YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

  YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


                             HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
                                  One SeaGate
                                   Suite 1500
                               Toledo, Ohio 43604

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                           TO BE HELD ON MAY 2, 2002

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.:

     The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Health Care REIT, Inc. will be held
on May 2, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. in the Auditorium of One SeaGate, Toledo, Ohio, for
the purpose of considering and acting upon:

     1. The election of three Directors for a term of three years;

     2. The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent
        auditors for the fiscal year 2002; and

     3. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
        meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 2002 will be
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, such Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. Information relating to the matters to be considered and voted on at
the Annual Meeting is set forth in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.

                                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                          ERIN C. IBELE
                                          Vice President and Corporate Secretary

Toledo, Ohio
March 29, 2002

     PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENVELOPE PROVIDED WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. THE
PROXY MAY BE REVOKED BY YOU AT ANY TIME, AND GIVING YOUR PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT
YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.


                             HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.

                                  ONE SEAGATE
                                   SUITE 1500
                               TOLEDO, OHIO 43604

                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                      FOR
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                                  MAY 2, 2002

                                    GENERAL

     This Proxy Statement is furnished to the stockholders of Health Care REIT,
Inc. (the "Company") by its Management and the Board of Directors in connection
with the solicitation of proxies in the enclosed form to be used in voting at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"), which is scheduled to
be held on Thursday, May 2, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. as set forth in the foregoing
notice. At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will be asked to elect three
Directors, ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors
and transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
or any adjournment thereof.

     A share cannot be voted at the Annual Meeting unless the holder thereof is
present or represented by proxy. When proxies in the accompanying form are
returned properly executed and dated, the shares represented thereby will be
voted at the Annual Meeting. If a choice is specified in the proxy, the shares
represented thereby will be voted in accordance with such specification. If no
specification is made, the proxy will be voted FOR the action proposed. Any
stockholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it any time before it is
voted by filing with the Vice President/Corporate Secretary of the Company a
written revocation, or by filing a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or
by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The revocation of a proxy
will not be effective until notice thereof has been received by the Vice
President/Corporate Secretary of the Company.

     The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to solicitation by mail, Directors and officers of the Company may
solicit proxies in writing or by telephone, fax or personal interview. The
Company will reimburse Directors and officers for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with such solicitation. The Company will request brokers
and nominees who hold shares in their names to furnish this proxy material to
the persons for whom they hold shares and will reimburse such brokers and
nominees for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
The Company has hired Mellon Investor Services LLC to solicit proxies for a fee
not to exceed $5,000, plus expenses and other customary charges.

     The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders
of a majority of the total number of shares of voting securities outstanding on
the record date shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by
such holders at the Annual Meeting. The three nominees for election as Directors
who receive the highest number of votes therefor at the Annual Meeting shall be
elected as Directors. Approval of all other matters shall require the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of voting securities present in
person or represented by proxy.

     The executive offices of the Company are located at One SeaGate, Suite
1500, Toledo, Ohio 43604, and its mailing address is One SeaGate, Suite 1500,
P.O. Box 1475, Toledo, Ohio 43603-1475. The telephone number is (419) 247-2800.
The approximate date on which this material was first sent to stockholders was
April 2, 2002. A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE SCHEDULES
AND EXHIBITS THERETO, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, MAY
BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE BY WRITING TO THE VICE PRESIDENT/CORPORATE SECRETARY,
HEALTH CARE REIT, INC. AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

                                        1


                         VOTING SECURITIES OUTSTANDING

     The Company had outstanding 33,947,137 shares of common stock, $1.00 par
value per share (the "shares of common stock"), and 3,000,000 shares of Series C
cumulative convertible preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share (the "shares
of preferred stock"), on March 29, 2002. These shares constitute the only
classes of outstanding voting securities of the Company. Stockholders of record
at the close of business on March 7, 2002 are entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. On all matters to come
before the Annual Meeting, each share of common stock is entitled to one vote
and each share of preferred stock is entitled to .97561 of one vote, the
percentage of common shares into which a preferred share is currently
convertible.

                   PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF THREE DIRECTORS

     The Company is currently authorized to have nine Directors. The By-Laws
divide the Board into three classes: Class I, Class II, and Class III. The
Directors are elected for a three-year term or until the election and
qualification of their respective successors. Proxies received will be voted to
elect the three Directors named below to serve for a three-year term until their
respective successors are elected and have qualified or until their earlier
resignation or removal.

     If any nominee declines or is unable to accept such nomination to serve as
a Director, events which Management does not now expect, the proxy reserves the
right to substitute another person as a Management nominee, or to reduce the
number of Management nominees, as they shall deem advisable. The Proxy solicited
hereby will not be voted to elect more than three Directors.

                                    CLASS I
                            DIRECTORS TO BE ELECTED

     WILLIAM C. BALLARD, JR., AGE 61. Mr. Ballard is Of Counsel to Greenebaum,
Doll & McDonald PLLC (law firm) and has held this position since 1992. From 1972
to 1992, Mr. Ballard was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director of Humana Inc. (provider of integrated health care services). Mr.
Ballard also serves as a Director of Trover Solutions, Inc. (healthcare
subrogation and recovery services) and UnitedHealth Group (managed care
company). Mr. Ballard has served as a Director of the Company since 1996 and is
a member of the Board's Investment, Nominating and Planning Committees.

     PETER J. GRUA, AGE 48. Mr. Grua is a Principal and President of HLM
Management Company, Inc. (registered investment adviser). From 1986 until 1992,
Mr. Grua was a Managing Director and Senior Analyst of Alex. Brown & Sons,
Incorporated (brokerage services). Mr. Grua has served as a Director of the
Company since 1999 and is a member of the Board's Investment, Nominating and
Planning Committees.

     R. SCOTT TRUMBULL, AGE 53. Mr. Trumbull is Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Owens-Illinois, Inc. (manufacturer of glass and
plastic packaging products), a position he has held since November 2001. From
1993 to October 2001, Mr. Trumbull served as Executive Vice President,
International Operations & Corporate Development of Owens-Illinois, Inc. Mr.
Trumbull is a member of the Board of Franklin Electric Company, Inc.
(manufacturer of electric motors). Mr. Trumbull has served as a Director of the
Company since 1999 and is a member of the Board's Audit, Investment and Planning
Committees.

     THE MANAGEMENT AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE ABOVE NOMINEES. The nominees
who receive the highest number of votes at the Annual Meeting shall be elected
as Directors.

                                    CLASS II
                       DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS CONTINUE (1)

     PIER C. BORRA, AGE 62. Mr. Borra is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
CORA Health Services, Inc. (outpatient rehabilitation services), a position he
has held since January 1998. From April 1985 to December

                                        2


1997, Mr. Borra served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Arbor Health Care Company (operator of nursing homes). Mr. Borra has served as a
Director of the Company since 1991 and is a member of the Board's Compensation,
Investment and Planning Committees.

     GEORGE L. CHAPMAN, AGE 54. Mr. Chapman became Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President of the Company in October 1996. From 1992 to October 1996,
Mr. Chapman served in various capacities, including President, Executive Vice
President and General Counsel of the Company. Mr. Chapman has served as a
Director of the Company since 1994 and is a member of the Board's Executive,
Investment, Nominating and Planning Committees.

     SHARON M. OSTER, AGE 53. Ms. Oster is Professor of Economics,
Entrepreneurship and Management, Yale University School of Management. Ms. Oster
also serves as a Director of Aristotle Corporation (holding company for a
manufacturer of educational products) and Transpro, Inc. (designer and
manufacturer of precision transportation products). Ms. Oster has served as a
Director of the Company since 1994 and is a member of the Board's Audit,
Investment and Planning Committees.

                                   CLASS III
                       DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS CONTINUE (2)

     JEFFREY H. DONAHUE, AGE 55. Mr. Donahue is Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of The Rouse Company (real estate development and
operations), a position he has held since December 1998. From September 1993 to
December 1998, Mr. Donahue served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of The Rouse Company. He has served as a Director of the Company since
1997 and is a member of the Board's Compensation, Investment and Planning
Committees.

     BRUCE G. THOMPSON, AGE 72. Mr. Thompson served as a consultant to the
Company in 1997 and 1998. From 1970 to October 1996, Mr. Thompson was Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In addition, Mr. Thompson serves as
President and a Director of First Toledo Corporation (developer of health care
facilities), a position he has held since June 1994. Mr. Thompson is also a
Director of Kingston HealthCare Company (manager of health care facilities). Mr.
Thompson has served as a Director of the Company since 1971 and is a member of
the Board's Executive, Investment and Planning Committees.

     RICHARD A. UNVERFERTH, AGE 78. Mr. Unverferth is Chairman of Unverferth
Manufacturing, Inc. (agricultural equipment manufacturer). In addition, Mr.
Unverferth is Chairman of H.C.F., Inc. (operator of skilled nursing facilities).
Mr. Unverferth has served as a Director of the Company since 1971 and is a
member of the Board's Audit, Compensation, Executive, Investment, Nominating and
Planning Committees.
- ---------------
(1) The terms of Messrs. Borra and Chapman and Ms. Oster expire in 2003.

(2) The terms of Messrs. Donahue, Thompson and Unverferth expire in 2004.

                              BOARD AND COMMITTEES

     The Board met four times during the year ended December 31, 2001. The Board
has standing Audit, Executive, Compensation, Investment, Nominating and Planning
Committees. In 1997, the Board appointed a subcommittee of the Investment
Committee to meet between Investment Committee meetings. In 2001, each incumbent
Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and
the committees on which they served.

     The Audit Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2001.
The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as to the
engagement or discharge of the independent auditors; reviews the plan and
results of the auditing engagement with the independent auditors; reviews the
adequacy of the Company's system of internal accounting controls; and directs
and supervises investigations into matters within the scope of its duties. The
Audit Committee is governed by a written charter approved by the Board of
Directors.

                                        3


     The function of the Executive Committee is to exercise all the powers of
the Board (except any powers specifically reserved to the Board) between
meetings of the Board.

     The Compensation Committee, which met three times during 2001, is generally
responsible for determining the nature and amount of compensation for Executive
Officers.

     The Investment Committee and its subcommittee met three times and two
times, respectively during the year ended December 31, 2001.

     The function of the Nominating Committee, which did not meet during 2001,
is to select and recommend to the full Board nominees for election as Directors.
The Committee may, in its discretion, consider nominees proposed by stockholders
of the Company for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, provided such
recommendations are in writing, contain a description of the nominee's
qualifications and his or her consent to serve, and are received by the Company
by November 29, 2002.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     The Audit Committee, the members of which are independent as defined by the
New York Stock Exchange's listing standards, oversees the Company's financial
reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the
primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process,
including the system of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the
Annual Report with Management, including a discussion of the quality, not just
the acceptability, of the accounting principles; the reasonableness of
significant judgments; and the clarity of disclosures in the financial
statements.

     The Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible
for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial
statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to
the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company's accounting principles
and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under
generally accepted auditing standards (including Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61). In addition, the Committee has discussed with the independent auditors
the auditors' independence from Management and the Company, including the
matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board
(including Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1), and considered the
compatibility of nonaudit services with the auditors' independence.

     The Committee discussed with the Company's independent auditors the overall
scope and plans for their audit. The Committee meets with the independent
auditors, with and without Management present, to discuss the results of their
examinations, their evaluations of the Company's internal control, and the
overall quality of the Company's financial reporting. The Committee held four
meetings during fiscal year 2001.

     In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the
audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2001 for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Committee and the Board have also recommended, subject to
stockholder approval, the selection of the Company's independent auditors.

Sharon M. Oster, Audit Committee Chair
R. Scott Trumbull, Audit Committee Member
Richard A. Unverferth, Audit Committee Member
March 29, 2002

                 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

     The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 2002, unless otherwise
specified, certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the
Company's shares of common stock by each person who is a Director of the
Company, each Executive Officer, and the Directors and Executive Officers of the
Company as a group. Unless noted below, each person has sole voting and
investment power regarding the Company's shares. Also,

                                        4


unless noted below, the beneficial ownership of each person represents less than
1% of the outstanding common shares of the Company. No member of the group below
owns any shares of the Class C cumulative convertible preferred stock. Other
than Rothschild Realty Investors IIA L.L.C. as described below, the Company's
Management is not aware of any person who, as of March 1, 2002, was the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Company.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                    COMMON STOCK
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                           SHARES HELD       OPTIONS EXERCISABLE         TOTAL SHARES
        NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER           OF RECORD(1)        WITHIN 60 DAYS         BENEFICIALLY OWNED
        ------------------------           ------------      -------------------    ----------------------
                                                                           
William C. Ballard, Jr. .................     19,800                25,001                   44,801
Pier C. Borra............................     40,500                25,001                   65,501
Raymond W. Braun.........................     85,596               161,000                  246,596
George L. Chapman........................    167,735               484,211                  651,946(3)
Michael A. Crabtree......................     28,926                29,900                   58,826
Jeffrey H. Donahue.......................      5,250                25,001                   30,251
Peter J. Grua............................     11,500                20,001                   31,501
Charles J. Herman, Jr....................     15,000                 5,250                   20,250
Erin C. Ibele............................     37,239                67,100                  104,339
Sharon M. Oster..........................      5,500                25,001                   30,501
Bruce G. Thompson........................    191,203                25,001                  216,204
R. Scott Trumbull........................      4,667                15,001                   19,668
Richard A. Unverferth....................      8,316(2)             25,001                   33,317
All Directors and Executive Officers as a
  group (13 persons).....................    621,232               932,469                1,553,701(4)
</Table>

- ---------------

(1) Includes all restricted shares granted under the Company's 1995 Stock
    Incentive Plan or Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors beneficially owned
    by such Directors and Executive Officers as of March 1, 2002.

(2) Mr. Unverferth disclaims beneficial ownership of 3,816 shares held in his
    sons' names.

(3) As of March 1, 2002, Mr. Chapman beneficially owned 1.92% of the outstanding
    common shares of the Company, which includes 3,300 shares held in his sons'
    names.

(4) Total beneficial ownership represents 4.58% of the outstanding common shares
    of the Company.

     Based upon a filing made with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
April 1999, the only stockholder known to the Company to be the beneficial owner
of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding voting securities at March 1, 2002,
is set forth below:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              COMMON STOCK           PERCENT OF
                                                           BENEFICIALLY OWNED    OUTSTANDING COMMON
                    BENEFICIAL OWNER                        UPON CONVERSION            STOCK
                    ----------------                       ------------------    ------------------
                                                                           
Five Arrows Realty Securities II L.L.C.
  1251 Avenue of the Americas
  New York, NY 10020.....................................      2,926,830               7.94%(1)
</Table>

- ---------------

(1) Includes 2,926,830 shares of common stock that are issuable upon the
    conversion of the 3,000,000 shares of the Company's Series C Cumulative
    Convertible Preferred Stock held by Five Arrows Realty Securities II L.L.C.,
    and its sole Managing Member, Rothschild Realty Investors IIA L.L.C.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

     The following information is furnished as to the Executive Officers of the
Company:

     GEORGE L. CHAPMAN, AGE 54. Mr. Chapman has served as Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President of the Company since October 1996. As described
above, since 1992, Mr. Chapman has served in various executive capacities with
the Company.

                                        5


     RAYMOND W. BRAUN, AGE 44. Mr. Braun has served as Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer since July 2000 and as Chief Operating Officer since
January 1997. From January 1993 through January 1997, Mr. Braun served in
various roles, including Assistant Vice President, Vice President and Assistant
General Counsel of the Company.

     MICHAEL A. CRABTREE, AGE 45. Mr. Crabtree has served as Treasurer of the
Company since July 2000 and as Controller of the Company since July 1996. Prior
to that date, Mr. Crabtree was Chief Financial Officer of Westhaven Services
Co., a provider of pharmaceutical services to nursing homes, holding that
position from July 1993 through July 1996.

     ERIN C. IBELE, AGE 40. Ms. Ibele has served as Vice President and Corporate
Secretary of the Company since January 1993. Since 1986, Ms. Ibele has served in
various capacities with the Company.

     CHARLES J. HERMAN, JR., AGE 36. Mr. Herman has served as Vice President of
Operations since August 2000. From 1998 to August 2000, Mr. Herman was a
founding member and President of Herman/Turner Group, LLC, a health care
consulting company. Prior to that date, Mr. Herman was also a founder and Chief
Operating Officer of Capital Valuation Group, a health care consulting firm
founded during 1991.

                                  REMUNERATION

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     The following table presents the total compensation awarded to, earned by,
or paid to, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company during 1999, 2000 and
2001, and the total compensation awarded, earned, or paid during 1999, 2000 and
2001 to the Company's most highly compensated Executive Officers who were
serving at the end of 2001, and whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded
$100,000.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                              LONG-TERM
                                                                             COMPENSATION
                                                                      --------------------------
                                                                       RESTRICTED
                                              ANNUAL COMPENSATION        STOCK        SECURITIES     ALL OTHER
             NAME AND                        ---------------------       AWARDS       UNDERLYING    COMPENSATION
        PRINCIPAL POSITION           YEAR    SALARY($)    BONUS($)      ($) (1)       OPTIONS(#)       ($)(2)
        ------------------           ----    ---------    --------    ------------    ----------    ------------
                                                                                  
George L. Chapman,                   2001    $454,230     $454,230     $  610,500      175,000        $69,380
  Chairman, Chief Executive          2000     441,000      418,950        420,250      175,000         33,639
  Officer and President              1999     420,000      393,222        496,875      125,000         20,000

Raymond W. Braun,                    2001     252,865      233,900        335,775       96,250         46,342
  Executive Vice President,          2000     231,958      209,903        231,138       96,250         26,289
  Chief Financial Officer and        1999     210,000      172,035        248,438       62,500         20,000
  Chief Operating Officer

Charles J. Herman, Jr.               2001     200,000       75,000        183,150       52,500              0
  Vice President, Operations         2000      83,333       50,000        126,075       52,500              0
                                     1999         N/A          N/A            N/A          N/A            N/A

Michael A. Crabtree                  2001     130,643       65,322        146,520       42,000         30,824
  Treasurer and Controller           2000     116,005       60,248        100,860       42,000         21,309
                                     1999      99,000       46,344         99,375       25,000         18,002

Erin C. Ibele,                       2001     110,043       55,022        122,100       35,000         32,591
  Vice President,                    2000     106,838       50,748         84,050       35,000         20,571
  Corporate Secretary                1999     101,750       47,631         99,375       25,000         18,553
</Table>

- ---------------
(1) The restricted stock awards vest ratably over five years. The restricted
    stock awards set forth above are valued at the time of grant. The table
    below shows the aggregate amounts of restricted stock held at December 31,
    2001 and the value of such restricted stock (calculated by multiplying the
    amount of restricted stock by the closing market price of $24.35 on the last
    trading day of 2001). Dividends are paid on the restricted shares at

                                        6


    the same rate as on all other shares of common stock of the Company. Such
    dividends are not included in the Summary Compensation Table.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                                              RESTRICTED
                                                                                             STOCK GRANTS
                                       NUMBER OF SHARES OF                                       WITH
                                       RESTRICTED STOCK AT     VALUE OF RESTRICTED STOCK        RESPECT
                                        DECEMBER 31, 2001        AT DECEMBER 31, 2001           TO 2001
                                       -------------------     -------------------------     -------------
                                                                                    
George L. Chapman...................         95,621                   $2,328,371                25,000
Raymond W. Braun....................         49,961                    1,216,550                13,750
Charles J. Herman, Jr...............         13,500                      328,725                 7,500
Michael A. Crabtree.................         18,778                      457,244                 6,000
Erin C. Ibele.......................         20,110                      489,679                 5,000
</Table>

(2) Includes $97,236, $76,445 and $76,555 for 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively,
    that were or will be contributed in connection with the Company's Retirement
    Plan and Trust and Money Purchase Pension Plan. "All Other Compensation"
    also includes $81,901 and $25,362 of principal otherwise payable to the
    Company that was forgiven in 2001 and 2000, respectively, pursuant to the
    terms of the Company's Executive Loan Program established in connection with
    the Stock Incentive Plan. See "Stock Incentive Plan."

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

     The Company and Mr. Chapman entered into a three-year employment agreement
effective January 1, 1997, subject to optional successive three-year renewal
terms. Mr. Chapman will serve as the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and President and receive a minimum annual base salary of $350,000 per annum for
1997 and $400,000 per annum for subsequent years, as well as discretionary
annual bonuses and stated fringe benefits. Mr. Chapman's annual base salary was
increased to $467,857, effective January 1, 2002. If Mr. Chapman is terminated
without cause, he would receive severance pay for the remaining term of the
agreement or for 24 months, whichever is greater. If he resigns during the 12
months following a "change in corporate control" (as defined in the employment
agreement), he would receive severance pay for 36 months. These severance
benefits would be made in a series of monthly payments, in an amount equal to
one-twelfth of the sum of his annual base salary and the greater of the average
of his annual bonuses for the two fiscal years immediately preceding the
termination or change in corporate control or a minimum bonus equal to 50% of
his annual base salary. At Mr. Chapman's election, the Company would instead
make an immediate lump sum payment equal to the present value of such monthly
payments, calculated using a discount rate equal to the interest rate on 90-day
Treasury Bills reported at the date the election is delivered. Mr. Chapman's
stock option and restricted stock awards under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
would become vested and immediately exercisable in the event of a change in
corporate control, or upon his death, disability or termination without cause.
In addition, if it is determined that any payment by the Company to Mr. Chapman
would be a golden parachute subject to excise tax, the amount of the payments to
him would be increased to cover such excise tax.

     The Company has entered into similar employment agreements with the
Company's other Executive Officers, which provide for two-year terms, minimum
annual salaries, stated benefits, and severance payments in the event of a
termination without cause or a change in corporate control.

STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

     The Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan")
authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board to grant eligible officers
and key employees of the Company awards consisting of options to purchase shares
of common stock, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, shares
of restricted stock or performance shares. Pursuant to the Executive Loan
Program established in connection with the Stock Incentive Plan, in January and
December 2001, the Company loaned an aggregate of $543,116 to the Company's
Executive Officers and one key employee to assist such individuals with paying
taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock awards. The Compensation
Committee has the discretion to select the particular

                                        7


officers and key employees who will receive awards. At March 1, 2002, 11
officers and key employees of the Company were eligible to participate.

                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

<Table>
<Caption>
                                    NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL
                                      SHARES        OPTIONS
                                    UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO     EXERCISE
                                     OPTIONS       EMPLOYEES      OR BASE                        GRANT
                                    GRANTED(#)     IN FISCAL       PRICE       EXPIRATION        DATE
               NAME                  (1),(2)          YEAR         ($/SH)         DATE        VALUE($)(3)
- ----------------------------------  ----------     ----------     --------     ----------     -----------
                                                                               
George L. Chapman.................   175,000           37%         $24.42      12/12/11        $250,250
Raymond W. Braun..................    96,250           20%          24.42      12/12/11         137,638
Charles J. Herman, Jr.............    52,500           11%          24.42      12/12/11          75,075
Michael A. Crabtree...............    42,000            9%          24.42      12/12/11          60,060
Erin C. Ibele.....................    35,000            7%          24.42      12/12/11          50,050
</Table>

- ---------------

(1) All of the options granted vest between the years 2002 and 2006.

(2) The terms of the options granted permit cashless exercises and payment of
    the option exercise price by delivery of previously owned shares.

(3) Calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation methodology. In using
    such methodology, the following variables were used: risk-free interest rate
    of 3.44%, dividend yields of 9.30%, expected lives of seven years, and
    expected volatility of .243%. The actual value, if any, that an Executive
    Officer may realize will depend upon the excess of the closing market price
    over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised so that there is
    no assurance that the value realized by an Executive Officer will be at or
    near the value estimated by the Black-Scholes model.

                AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                         NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                            UNDERLYING                     VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                        UNEXERCISED OPTIONS                IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                          SHARES       VALUE            AT FISCAL YEAR END               AT FISCAL YEAR END($)(2)
                        ACQUIRED ON   REALIZED   ---------------------------------   ---------------------------------
         NAME           EXERCISE(#)    ($)(1)    EXERCISABLE(#)   UNEXERCISABLE(#)   EXERCISABLE($)   UNEXERCISABLE($)
- ----------------------  -----------   --------   --------------   ----------------   --------------   ----------------
                                                                                    
George L. Chapman.....    58,000      $364,470      506,692           486,076          $1,815,365        $1,489,544
Raymond W. Braun......    20,000       144,300      226,034           260,466             699,700           836,113
Charles J. Herman,
  Jr..................         0           N/A       10,500            94,500              79,170           316,680
Michael A. Crabtree...         0           N/A       47,900           103,600             127,361           330,069
Erin C. Ibele.........    29,800       186,007       84,100            94,775             172,880           290,645
</Table>

- ---------------

(1) Value at exercise is the difference between the closing market price on the
    date of exercise less the exercise price per share, multiplied by the number
    of shares acquired on exercise.

(2) Calculated based on the closing market price on the last trading day of 2001
    multiplied by the number of applicable shares covered by in-the-money
    options, less the total exercise price for such shares.

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

     Effective January 1, 2001, the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"), a
non-qualified defined benefit pension plan that provides certain executives
selected by the Compensation Committee with supplemental deferred retirement
benefits. The SERP provides an opportunity for participants to receive
retirement benefits that cannot be paid under the Company's

                                        8


tax-qualified 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Money Purchase Pension Plan because
of the restrictions imposed by ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

     The amount of the participant's benefit is calculated using pay and years
of service as an employee. The SERP benefit is designed to provide a benefit
equal to 35% of the participant's average compensation at retirement, offset by
the actuarial equivalent of the benefit provided by the Company's qualified
plans. Since the SERP benefit accrues over the career of the participant, the
benefit will be subject to a reduction for proration of length of service and
early retirement prior to age 65. Average compensation is defined under the SERP
to mean the average of the three highest years of salary and bonus compensation
considering all years completed prior to the date of retirement.

     The actuarial equivalent of the benefit provided by the Company's qualified
plans represents the value of Company contributions to the participant's
qualified retirement plan accounts projected to age 65 and expressed as a
monthly benefit payable for life. The projected value of Company contributions
is determined by using all contributions made on behalf of the participant for
plan years completed prior to the date of retirement and a 7.5% interest rate
compounded annually.

     The SERP is unfunded and all benefits will be paid from the general assets
of the Company. Eligibility is limited to a select group of management or highly
compensated employees whose qualified plan benefits are limited by ERISA and the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Compensation Committee has
selected George Chapman and Raymond Braun to participate in the SERP. The table
below illustrates, for a range of average compensation, the anticipated annual
benefit if the participant retired and chose to receive benefits at age 65
calculated prior to any offset for the Company contributions to the
participant's qualified plans:

<Table>
<Caption>
AVERAGE COMPENSATION                                 AGE 65
- --------------------                                --------
                                                 
$  500,000........................................  $175,000
$  600,000........................................  $210,000
$  700,000........................................  $245,000
$  800,000........................................  $280,000
$  900,000........................................  $315,000
$1,000,000........................................  $350,000
$1,100,000........................................  $385,000
$1,200,000........................................  $420,000
$1,300,000........................................  $455,000
$1,400,000........................................  $490,000
</Table>

     If the participant chooses to retire prior to age 65, his benefit will be
subject to a reduction for proration of length of service and early retirement.
Based on current compensation, ages and years of service, if Mr. Chapman and Mr.
Braun would have elected early retirement at the end of 2001, Mr. Chapman and
Mr. Braun would have been eligible for an annual benefit of $10,945 and $0,
respectively, prior to any offset from their qualified retirement plan accounts.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     In 2001, each Director received a fee of $20,000 for his or her services as
such, which fee did not increase in 2002. In addition, each Director received a
fee of $1,500 for each Board meeting attended. For 2001 and 2002, members of the
Audit and Compensation Committees received or will receive $1,000 for each
meeting attended, and for the same time period, members of the Investment and
Planning Committees will receive $1,200 and $1,500, respectively, for each such
committee meeting attended.

     Director's fees are not paid to Mr. Chapman. The fees paid to all other
Directors totaled $240,400 in 2001.

     During 1997, the Company adopted the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
Pursuant to this Plan, in January 2001 each Director not employed by the Company
was granted 1,000 shares of restricted stock and stock

                                        9


options to purchase 5,000 shares. In future years, each eligible Director will
receive additional stock options to purchase 5,000 shares and annual grants of
1,000 shares of restricted stock. All of the options have an option exercise
price equal to the fair value of the shares at the time the options were
granted. The options granted to a Director under this Plan may not be exercised
more than 10 years after the date the options are granted. Option awards
generally become exercisable in three equal installments on the first three
anniversaries of the date of grant, so that one-third of the shares subject to
the options will first become available for purchase by the Director on each of
these anniversaries. Restricted stock awards generally become vested on the six
month anniversary of the date of the grant. The other terms of these awards are
set forth in detail in the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

     The Compensation Committee of the Board is generally responsible for
determining the nature and amount of compensation for Executive Officers. The
Committee currently consists of three non-employee directors, Pier C. Borra,
Jeffrey H. Donahue and Richard A. Unverferth. During the year ended December 31,
2001, the Compensation Committee of the Board met three times. The Compensation
Committee utilizes the services of FPL Associates, a nationally recognized
executive compensation consulting firm, to assist the Compensation Committee in
reviewing and developing the Company's executive compensation program. Based
largely on comparative compensation information provided by FPL Associates,
which included a detailed survey of the compensation practices of other REITs in
the health care industry, the Compensation Committee believes that the Company's
executive compensation program remains within the market range for the Company's
peer group of companies, and is well-designed to support the Company's
incentive-based compensation philosophy.

     The Compensation Committee believes that compensation for the Chief
Executive Officer and other Executive Officers should be generally competitive
with other REITs in order to retain and attract top management. The three key
components of the Company's Executive Officer compensation system are annual
salaries, annual incentive bonuses and long-term incentives. In determining
compensation for each of these three components, the Compensation Committee
reviewed and considered data compiled by the Company's compensation consultants
on salary, bonus and incentive compensation paid to executive officers by a
number of peer groups with which the Company was compared.

     The Executive Officers' base salaries are established in their employment
agreements and the Compensation Committee may adjust those base salaries from
time to time, as it deems appropriate. For 2002, following discussions with the
Chief Executive Officer and the Company's compensation consultants, the
Compensation Committee approved salary increases for each Executive Officer,
providing an adjustment for increased cost of living and to keep their
compensation levels consistent with the pay levels other peer-group REITs
provide for similar executive officer positions.

     Annual bonus compensation payments are based on attaining certain financial
and non-financial business objectives of the Company on an annual basis. The
2001 bonuses for the Executive Officers were based on the 2001 program of
performance goals approved by the Compensation Committee. For 2001, goals
related in part to creating value for the Company's stockholders and
debtholders, including efforts to maintain and pursue improvements to the
Company's credit ratings, improve the Company's portfolio and increase real
property owned, as well as the Committee's subjective appraisal of each
officer's satisfaction of certain individual non-financial goals.

     Long-term incentives are primarily based on more closely aligning
incentives with increasing stockholder value, individual performance and an
individual's potential contributions to the Company's profitability and long-
term growth. The Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan is the Company's primary
vehicle for providing long-term incentive compensation, and is intended to
enable the Company to continue to provide its Executive Officers and other key
employees with competitive equity-based compensation in order to create
appropriate long-term incentives. Under the terms of the Company's 1995 Stock
Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee has authority to approve stock option
awards, restricted shares or other equity-based incentive awards to Executive
Officers and key employees and to determine the terms of these awards.

                                        10


     At its December 2001 meeting, the Compensation Committee granted Executive
Officers of the Company stock options to purchase an aggregate of 400,750
shares, as well as an aggregate of 57,250 shares of restricted stock, the same
number of option and restricted stock shares as in 2000. The Compensation
Committee's decision to grant these stock options and restricted stock awards
was based on, among other things, the Company's success during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001, including obtaining new capital through both debt and
equity offerings, increasing the market valuation of the Company's stock and
total return for stockholders, increasing new investments from the prior year,
and improving the Company's portfolio through increased real property owned, as
well as the Compensation Committee's subjective evaluation of the individuals'
past and expected future contributions to the Company's long-term performance,
and the Compensation Committee's goal of increased stock retention by Executive
Officers.

     At its October 2001 meeting, the Compensation Committee increased Mr.
Chapman's annual base salary for 2002 from $454,230 to $467,857, an increase
based upon the recommendation of the Committee's consultants, in light of the
base salaries paid to CEOs of similarly situated REITs and increases in the cost
of living during the prior year. In addition to his base salary, Mr. Chapman was
eligible in 2001 to receive an annual bonus based on a percentage of his annual
base salary, with the percentage earned to depend on achievement of the
performance goals established by the Committee early in 2001. For 2001, these
goals related in part to creating value for the Company's stockholders and
debtholders, and obtaining better access to the capital markets for the Company,
by developing an approach to improve the capital markets' recognition of the
Company's strengths, maintaining and pursuing improvements to the Company's
credit ratings, and improving the Company's portfolio, as well as Mr. Chapman's
satisfaction of certain individual non-financial goals. In evaluating Mr.
Chapman's performance, the Committee noted the increase in the Company's stock
price during a difficult year, the 63% total return for stockholders for the
year, the successful debt and equity offerings completed by the Company during
2001, the increase in new investments from the prior year, and the improvements
in the Company's portfolio, including achievement of equity REIT status. Based
upon Mr. Chapman's achievement of the specified goals and his overall
performance in 2001, he was awarded an annual bonus of $454,230, 100% of his
annual base salary. The Compensation Committee believes that the amount of Mr.
Chapman's compensation is consistent with general compensation levels within the
healthcare REIT industry and appropriate in view of the Company's performance in
2001.

     The Compensation Committee has considered the anticipated tax treatment to
the Company regarding the compensation and benefits paid to the Executive
Officers of the Company in light of the enactment of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Compensation Committee will
strive to provide Executive Officers with attractive, well-designed compensation
packages that will generally preserve the deductibility of such payments for the
Company. However, certain types of compensation payments and their deductibility
depend upon the timing of an Executive Officer's vesting or exercise of
previously granted rights. Moreover, interpretations of any changes in the tax
laws and other factors beyond the Compensation Committee's control may affect
the deductibility of certain compensation payments. The Compensation Committee
will consider various alternatives to preserve the deductibility of compensation
payments to Executive Officers and benefits to the extent reasonably practical
and to the extent consistent with its other compensation objectives, but
reserves the right to make incentive-based awards not exempt from these limits
where such awards are appropriate and will not have material impact on
stockholder value.

     The Compensation Committee is committed to maintaining a compensation
program that appropriately aligns the Company's executive compensation with
corporate performance and the interests of its stockholders. The Compensation
Committee periodically reviews its program in order to make any further changes
it considers necessary to achieve such objectives.

Pier C. Borra, Compensation Committee Chair
Jeffrey H. Donahue, Compensation Committee Member
Richard A. Unverferth, Compensation Committee Member
March 29, 2002

                                        11


STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION

     Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change and
the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's shares against the
cumulative total return of the S & P Composite-500 Stock Index and the NAREIT
Hybrid Index. Nine companies comprise the NAREIT Hybrid Index. The Index
consists of REITs identified by NAREIT as hybrid (those REITs which have both
mortgage and equity investments). The graph also presents data for the NAREIT
Equity Index since the Company attained equity REIT status in 2001. One hundred
fifty companies comprise the NAREIT Equity Index. Upon written request to the
Vice President/Corporate Secretary, Health Care REIT, Inc., One SeaGate, Suite
1500, P.O. Box 1475, Toledo, Ohio, 43603-1475, the Company will provide
stockholders with the names of the component issuers. The data are based on the
last closing prices as of December 31 for each of the five years. 1996 equals
$100 and dividends are assumed to be reinvested.
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH]

<Table>
                           12/31/96      12/31/97      12/31/98      12/31/99      12/31/00      12/31/01
                                                                               
S & P 500                   100.00        133.36        171.48        207.56        188.66        166.24
Company                     100.00        107.50        116.58        134.08        153.34        168.08
Hybrid                      100.00        110.75         73.07         46.84         52.28         78.81
Equity                      100.00        120.26         99.21         94.63        119.58        136.24
</Table>

     Except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this information
by reference, the foregoing Report of the Compensation Committee and Stockholder
Return Performance Presentation shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by
any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. This information shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

SECTION 16(a) COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's Directors and Executive Officers, and persons who own beneficially
more than 10% of the shares of common stock of the Company, to file reports of
ownership and changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and The New York Stock Exchange. Copies of all filed reports are required to be
furnished to the Company pursuant to

                                        12


Section 16(a). Based solely on the reports received by the Company and on
written representations from reporting persons, the Company believes that the
Directors and Executive Officers complied with all applicable filing
requirements during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.

                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The Company has provided direct loans and credit enhancements to two
partnerships in connection with two assisted living and retirement facilities.
First Toledo Corporation, of which Mr. Thompson owns 50%, serves as a general
partner in each partnership. The partnership structures facilitated industrial
development bond financing. Credit enhancements were provided in the form of the
Company's agreement to purchase the facilities or the bonds in the event of
default by the partnerships. The Company has contingent obligations under the
agreements to purchase, which currently total $7,925,000. For the years ended
2001, 2000 and 1999, the Company received $177,000, $177,000, and $177,000,
respectively, in connection with its contingent obligations pursuant to the
agreements to purchase. An affiliate of Mr. Thompson, Kingston HealthCare
Company ("Kingston") operates both facilities. For the years ended 2001, 2000
and 1999, the Company recorded interest income with respect to these facilities
of $108,000, $153,000, and $148,000, respectively. All of the related party
matters were approved by a majority of Directors unaffiliated with the
transactions. For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, revenues
from related parties totaled $285,000, $499,000, and $1,156,000, or .21%, .36%,
and .90%, respectively, of the revenues of the Company.

                 PROPOSAL 2 -- RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
                            OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     The firm of Ernst & Young LLP served as independent auditors of the Company
for the year ended December 31, 2001 and has been selected by the Company to
serve as its independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2002. Ernst &
Young LLP has served as independent auditors of the Company since the Company's
inception in 1970. Although the submission of this matter for approval by
stockholders is not legally required, the Board believes that such submission
follows sound business practice and is in the best interests of the
stockholders. If this appointment is not ratified by the holders of a majority
of the shares of voting securities present in person or by proxy at the Annual
Meeting, the Directors will consider the selection of another accounting firm.
If such a selection were made, it may not become effective until 2003 because of
the difficulty and expense of making a substitution. The 2001 annual audit fees
were $110,000. Fees for all other services totaled $229,875, including audit
related services of $67,100. Audit related services include fees for accounting
consultations and SEC registration statements. Representatives of the firm of
Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have
an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions.

     THE MANAGEMENT AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of voting securities present in
person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be required for such ratification.

                               VOTING PROCEDURES

     All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the
meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes,
abstentions and broker non-votes. A "broker non-vote" occurs when a broker or
other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner votes on one proposal, but
does not vote on another proposal because the broker does not have discretionary
voting power for the other proposal and has not received instructions from the
beneficial owner. Broker non-votes are counted as present or represented for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the Annual
Meeting, but are not counted for purposes of determining the number of shares
entitled to vote with respect to any proposal for which the broker lacks
discretionary authority.

                                        13


                                 OTHER MATTERS

     Management is not aware of any matters to be presented for action at the
Annual Meeting other than the matters set forth above. If any other matters do
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof, it is intended that
the person named in the proxy will vote in accordance with his judgment on such
matters.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR PRESENTATION AT THE 2003 ANNUAL MEETING

     The Board of Directors requests that any stockholder proposals intended for
inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for the 2003 Annual Meeting be
submitted to Erin C. Ibele, Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the
Company, in writing no later than November 29, 2002. Unless the Company has been
given written notice by February 12, 2003 of a stockholder proposal to be
presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting other than by means of inclusion in the
Company's proxy materials for the Meeting, persons named in the proxies
solicited by the Board of Directors for the Meeting may use their discretionary
voting authority to vote against the proposal.

                                          BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                          Erin C. Ibele
                                          Vice President and Corporate Secretary

                                        14


                               HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.

                      PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                 The undersigned hereby appoints G. L. Chapman with full
            power of substitution, to vote all shares of voting
P           securities of Health Care REIT, Inc. (the "Company") that the
            undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of the
R           Stockholders of the Company to be held on Thursday, May 2,
            2002 or any adjournments thereof.
O
                 YOU MAY REVOKE THIS PROXY AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE
X                      TAKING OF A VOTE ON THE MATTERS HEREIN.

Y                Returned proxy cards will be voted: (1) as specified on
            the matters listed below; (2) in accordance with the
            Directors' recommendations where a choice is not specified;
            and (3) in accordance with the judgment of the proxies on any
            other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

                                     (Over)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -


                                                            PLEASE MARK     X
                                                            YOUR CHOICE
                                                            LIKE THIS
                                                            IN BLUE OR
                                                            BLACK INK.


PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. THE MANAGEMENT AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMEND VOTES "FOR" ALL OF THE FOLLOWING.

<Table>
                                                                                                        
                                         WITHHOLD
                             FOR ALL      FOR ALL                                         FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of three           [ ]          [ ]    2. Ratification of the appointment of  [ ]   [ ]     [ ]    3. With discretionary
   Directors for a                                    Ernst & Young LLP as independent                            authority on any
   term of three years:                               auditors for the fiscal year 2002.                          other business
                                                                                                                  that may properly
     WILLIAM C. BALLARD, JR.,                                                                                     come before the
     PETER J. GRUA                                                                                                meeting or any
     R. SCOTT TRUMBULL.                                                                                           adjournment
                                                                                                                  thereof.
     TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY
     NOMINEE, PLEASE WRITE THE PERSON'S NAME
     IN THE FOLLOWING SPACE:

     -----------------------                                                                            ----
                                                                                                            |
                                                                                                            |
    Signature  __________________________________  Signature if Held Jointly  __________________________________ Date ________, 2002
    Please sign exactly as your name appears herein. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
    administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. Corporate or partnership proxies should be signed by an
    authorized person with the person's title indicated.
</Table>



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -