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):

July 15, 2013 (July 15, 2013)

NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 001-10822 (Commission File Number) 62-1470956 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

222 Robert Rose Drive,Murfreesboro, TN 37129

(Address of principal executive offices)

(615) 890-9100

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

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 July 15, 2013, National Health Investors, Inc. issued a press release announcing a $9.1 million loan to affiliates of Bickford Senior Living (“Bickford”) to fund a portion of Bickford's recent acquisition of six senior housing communities. The loan has a two-year maturity with 12% annual interest and was funded from NHI's revolving credit facility. The NHI/Bickford joint venture has a $97 million purchase option on the properties.

The press release is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 99.

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

A list of exhibits filed herewith is contained on the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.

Exhibit Index

Number	Exhibit
99	HTML version of press release issued July 15, 2013 titled “NHI Broadens Bickford Partnership.”

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 Financial Officer

Date:July 15, 2013