Ownership Submission
FORM 4
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
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(Print or Type Responses)
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person *
CHAPMAN GEORGE L
  2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
HEALTH CARE REIT INC /DE/ [HCN]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
__X__ Director _____ 10% Owner
__X__ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below)
Chairman, CEO and President
(Last)
(First)
(Middle)
4500 DORR STREET
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
01/10/2011
(Street)

TOLEDO, OH 43615
4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed(Month/Day/Year)
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing(Check Applicable Line)
_X_ Form filed by One Reporting Person
___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
(City)
(State)
(Zip)
Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1.Title of Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5)
5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 3 and 4)
6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
Common Stock 01/10/2011   J(1) V 79,159.2953 D $ 0 249,955.9482 D  
Common Stock               12,809.664 I IRA (2)

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
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Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 4. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4, and 5)
6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date
(Month/Day/Year)
7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities
(Instr. 3 and 4)
8. Price of Derivative Security
(Instr. 5)
9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 4)
10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 24.42 01/10/2011   J(1) V   5,000 12/15/2006(3) 12/12/2011 Common Stock 5,000 $ 0 (4) 0 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 25.82 01/10/2011   J(1) V   17,879 01/15/2007(5) 01/27/2013 Common Stock 17,879 $ 0 (4) 0 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 37 01/10/2011   J(1) V   21,131 01/15/2005(6) 01/26/2014 Common Stock 21,131 $ 0 (4) 16,905 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 34.88 01/10/2011   J(1) V   11,599 01/15/2006(7) 01/24/2015 Common Stock 11,599 $ 0 (4) 11,599 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 36.5 01/10/2011   J(1) V   4,445 01/15/2007(8) 01/23/2016 Common Stock 4,445 $ 0 (9) 6,666 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 36.5 01/10/2011   J(1) V   18,349 01/15/2007(10) 01/23/2016 Common Stock 18,349 $ 0 (9) 27,523 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 45.73 01/10/2011   J(1) V   3,218 01/15/2008(11) 01/22/2017 Common Stock 3,218 $ 0 (9) 7,509 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 45.73 01/10/2011   J(1) V   9,527 01/15/2008(12) 01/22/2017 Common Stock 9,527 $ 0 (9) 22,229 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 40.83 01/10/2011   J(1) V   2,468 01/15/2009(13) 01/21/2018 Common Stock 2,468 $ 0 (9) 9,873 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 40.83 01/10/2011   J(1) V   12,138 01/15/2009(14) 01/21/2018 Common Stock 12,138 $ 0 (9) 48,550 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 37 01/10/2011   J(1) V   10,992 01/15/2010(15) 01/29/2019 Common Stock 10,992 $ 0 (9) 98,922 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 36.5 01/10/2011   J(1) V   889 01/15/2011(16) 01/23/2016 Common Stock 889 $ 0 (9) 5,777 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 36.5 01/10/2011   J(1) V   3,670 01/15/2011(17) 01/23/2016 Common Stock 3,670 $ 0 (9) 23,853 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 45.73 01/10/2011   J(1) V   1,448 01/15/2011(18) 01/22/2017 Common Stock 1,448 $ 0 (9) 6,061 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 45.73 01/10/2011   J(1) V   4,287 01/15/2011(19) 01/22/2017 Common Stock 4,287 $ 0 (9) 17,942 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 40.83 01/10/2011   J(1) V   1,932 01/15/2011(20) 01/21/2018 Common Stock 1,932 $ 0 (9) 7,941 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 40.83 01/10/2011   J(1) V   9,504 01/15/2011(21) 01/21/2018 Common Stock 9,504 $ 0 (9) 39,046 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 37 01/10/2011   J(1) V   14,102 01/15/2011(22) 01/29/2019 Common Stock 14,102 $ 0 (9) 84,820 D  

Reporting Owners

Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships
 Director  10% Owner  Officer  Other
CHAPMAN GEORGE L
4500 DORR STREET
TOLEDO, OH 43615
  X     Chairman, CEO and President  

Signatures

 By: Erin C. Ibele Attorney-in-Fact For: George L. Chapman   01/14/2011
**Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
(1) Represents a transfer of 79,159.2953 shares and 116,746 stock options to the reporting person's ex-spouse pursuant to a divorce decree. An additional 36,513 shares and 35,832 stock options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision. The reporting person no longer reports as beneficially owned any securities which are beneficially owned by his ex-spouse.
(2) George L. Chapman III SSB IRA Rollover Custodian.
(3) Options for the purchase of 175,000 shares of common stock at $24.42 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on December 12, 2001, which grant has been previously reported. The partial exercise of these options for the purchase of 170,000 shares has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 5,000 shares vested on December 15, 2006.
(4) The options were granted under the Health Care REIT, Inc. 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and had no acquisition price.
(5) Options for the purchase of 104,395 shares of common stock at $25.82 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 27, 2003, which grant has been previously reported. The partial exercise of these options for the purchase of 86,516 shares has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 7,440 shares vested on January 15, 2007 and options for the purchase of 10,439 shares vested on January 15, 2008.
(6) Options for the purchase of 42,262 shares of common stock at $37.00 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 26, 2004, which grant has been previously reported. The partial exercise of these options for the purchase of 4,226 shares has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 4,227 shares vested on January 15, 2005, options for the purchase of 8,453 shares vested on January 15, 2006, and options for the purchase of 8,452 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2007, 2008 and 2009.
(7) Options for the purchase of 23,198 shares of common stock at $34.88 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 24, 2005, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 4,640 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2006, 2007 and 2008, and options for the purchase of 4,639 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2009 and 2010.
(8) Options for the purchase of 11,111 shares of common stock at $36.50 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 23, 2006, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 2,223 shares vested on January 15, 2007, options for the purchase of 2,222 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2008, 2009 and 2010 and options for the purchase of 2,222 shares will vest on January 15, 2011.
(9) The options were granted under the Health Care REIT, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan and had no acquisition price.
(10) Options for the purchase of 45,872 shares of common stock at $36.50 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 23, 2006, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 9,175 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2007 and 2008, options for the purchase of 9,174 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2009 and 2010 and options for the purchase of 9,174 will vest on January 15, 2011.
(11) Options for the purchase of 10,727 shares of common stock at $45.73 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 22, 2007, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 2,146 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2008 and 2009, options for the purchase of 2,145 shares vested on January 15, 2010 and options for the purchase of 2,145 shares will vest on January 15 of each of 2011 and 2012.
(12) Options for the purchase of 31,756 shares of common stock at $45.73 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 22, 2007, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 6,352 shares vested on January 15, 2008, options for the purchase of 6,351 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2009 and 2010 and options for the purchase of 6,351 shares will vest on January 15 of each of 2011 and 2012.
(13) Options for the purchase of 12,341 shares of common stock at $40.83 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 21, 2008, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 2,469 shares vested on January 15, 2009, options for the purchase of 2,468 shares vested on January 15, 2010 and options for the purchase of 2,468 will vest on January 15 of each of 2011, 2012 and 2013.
(14) Options for the purchase of 60,688 shares of common stock at $40.83 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 21, 2008, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 12,138 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2009 and 2010, options for the purchase of 12,138 will vest on January 15, 2011 and options for the purchase of 12,137 shares will vest on January 15 of each of 2012 and 2013.
(15) Options for the purchase of 109,914 shares of common stock at $37.00 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 29, 2009, which grant has been previously reported. Options for the purchase of 21,983 shares vested on January 15, 2010, options for the purchase of 21,983 shares will vest on January 15 of each of 2011, 2012 and 2013 and options for the purchase of 21,982 will vest on January 15, 2014.
(16) Options for the purchase of 11,111 shares of common stock at $36.50 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 23, 2006, which grant has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 889 shares will vest on January 15, 2011. These options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision.
(17) Options for the purchase of 45,872 shares of common stock at $36.50 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 23, 2006, which grant has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 3,670 shares will vest on January 15, 2011. These options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision.
(18) Options for the purchase of 10,727 shares of common stock at $45.73 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 22, 2007, which grant has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 805 shares will vest on January 15, 2011 and options for the purchase of 643 shares will vest on January 15, 2012. These options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision.
(19) Options for the purchase of 31,756 shares of common stock at $45.73 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 22, 2007, which grant has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 2,382 shares will vest on January 15, 2011 and options for the purchase of 1,905 shares will vest on January 15, 2012. These options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision.
(20) Options for the purchase of 12,341 shares of common stock at $40.83 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 21, 2008, which grant has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 822 shares will vest on January 15, 2011, options for the purchase of 617 shares will vest on January 15, 2012 and options for the purchase of 493 shares will vest on January 15, 2013. These options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision.
(21) Options for the purchase of 60,688 shares of common stock at $40.83 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 21, 2008, which grant has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 4,042 shares will vest on January 15, 2011, options for the purchase of 3,035 shares will vest on January 15, 2012 and options for the purchase of 2,427 shares will vest on January 15, 2013. These options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision.
(22) Options for the purchase of 109,914 shares of common stock at $37.00 per share were granted to Mr. Chapman on January 29, 2009, which grant has been previously reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 5,496 shares will vest on January 15, 2011, options for the purchase of 3,660 shares will vest on January 15, 2012, options for the purchase of 2,748 shares will vest on January 15, 2013 and options for the purchase of 2,198 shares will vest on January 15, 2014. These options are subject to Notice of Appeal filed October 4, 2010 in connection with the divorce decree and will be placed in escrow pending final decision.

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