8-K

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): August 6, 2012 (August 6, 2012)
National Health Investors, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland	001-10822	62-1470956
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)
222 Robert Rose DriveMurfreesboro, TN 37129
(Address of principal executive offices)
(615) 890-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications 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-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)

Item 8.01.   Other Events.

On August 6, 2012, National Health Investors issued a press release announcing its dividend for the third quarter for shareholders of record September 28, 2012. 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 August 6, 2012

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 thereunto duly authorized.

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

By:       /s/Roger R. Hopkins             

Name:   Roger R. Hopkins                

Title:     Principal Accounting Officer   

Date:    August 6, 2012

EX-99

Exhibit 99

Contact: Roger R. Hopkins, Chief Accounting Officer

Phone: (615) 890-9100

NHI Announces Increase in Third Quarter Dividend

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.--(August 6, 2012)-- National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI) announced today that it will increase its third quarter dividend to $.67 per common share to shareholders of record on September 28, 2012 and payable on November 9, 2012.

National Health Investors, Inc. is a healthcare real estate investment trust that specializes in the financing of healthcare real estate by purchase and leaseback transactions and by mortgage loans. NHI's investments involve skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, medical office buildings, and hospitals. The common stock of the company trades on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol NHI. Additional information about NHI, including its most recent press releases, may be obtained on NHI's web site at www.nhireit.com.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. NHI cautions investors that any forward-looking statements may involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements represent NHI's judgment as of the date of this release.Investors are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by NHI in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors and other information disclosed in NHI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year. Copies of these filings are available at no cost on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov or on NHI's web site at http://www.nhireit.com.