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): December 12, 2008 (December 12, 2008)
National Health Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
001-10822	62-1470956
(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer
	Identification Number)
750-B South Church Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(615) 890-9100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 8.01.   Other Events.

On December 12, 2008, National Health Investors, Inc. issued a press release announcing a special dividend.  A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit Index

Number	Exhibit
99	Press release, dated December 12, 2008

SIGNATURES

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

	National Health Investors, Inc.
	By:  /s/Roger R. Hopkins­­­
	Name: Roger R. Hopkins
	Title: Chief Accounting Officer
Date: December 12, 2008