8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 18, 2009

NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland	1-9028	95-3997619
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1150 Newport Beach, California	92660
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(ZIP Code)

(949) 718-4400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencements communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events

On November 18, 2009, Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (the “Company”) distributed a notice to the participants in its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), announcing that the optional cash purchase component of the Plan has been suspended, effective November 27, 2009. This suspension will remain in effect until further notice. Participants in the Plan will still be able to purchase additional shares of Common Stock by automatically reinvesting all or any part of the cash dividends paid on their shares of common stock. A copy of the Company’s notice to participants is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Notice to Plan Participants.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES, INC.
Date: November 18, 2009	By:	/s/    ABDO H. KHOURY
	Name:	Abdo H. Khoury
	Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial & Portfolio Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Notice to Plan Participants.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

November 18, 2009

Re: Suspension of Optional Cash Purchases for Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan

Dear Shareholder:

This notice is being sent to the attention of the participants in the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) for the Common Stock of Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (“NHP”). I am writing to inform you that the optional cash purchase component of the Plan has been suspended effective November 27, 2009. Participants in the Plan will still be able to purchase additional shares of Common Stock by automatically reinvesting all or any part of the cash dividends paid on their shares of Common Stock.

As a result of the suspension of the optional cash purchase component of the Plan, no payment with respect to optional cash purchases will be accepted after November 25, 2009. The Administrator will return any payments that it receives from participants that are intended to be used for optional cash purchases. The suspension of the optional cash purchase component will remain in effect until further notice.

If you have any questions, or want more information about your account, you may log into your account online at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd, call the Administrator at 1-866-248-4020 or send a written inquiry to the Administrator at the following address:

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services

P.O. Box 358035

Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035

Sincerely,

/s/ Abdo H. Khoury

Abdo H. Khoury

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial & Portfolio Officer