NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES INC
424B2, 1998-09-23
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>
 
                                                FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(2)
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-17061

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED AUGUST 19, 1998)
 
                               1,500,000 SHARES
 
                                 [LOGO OF NHP]
                      NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES, INC.
 
                                 COMMON STOCK
 
                               ----------------
 
  Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"),
was organized in 1985 to qualify as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") to
invest in health care related real estate located throughout the United
States, including long-term health care facilities, assisted living facilities
and acute care and rehabilitation hospitals.
 
  The Company's shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common
Stock"), are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the
symbol "NHP." On September 21, 1998, the last reported sale price of the
Common Stock as reported by the NYSE was $20.8125 per share. The Company is
hereby offering (the "Offering") 1,500,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock. All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby (the "Shares") are
being sold by the Company.
 
                               ----------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE  SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION,  NOR  HAS  THE
  SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION
   PASSED UPON  THE ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT OR
    THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
     IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               ----------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   PLACEMENT AGENT  PROCEEDS TO
                                    PRICE TO PUBLIC     FEE(1)       COMPANY(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>             <C>
Per Share.........................      $20.25          $0.25         $20.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.............................    $30,375,000      $375,000     $30,000,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The Shares are being offered by the Company to selected institutional
    investors. Schroder & Co. Inc. ("Schroders") has been retained to act as
    placement agent for the Company in connection with the arrangement of such
    offers and sales on a best efforts, all or none basis. The Company has
    agreed (i) to pay Schroders a fee in connection with the arrangement of
    this transaction and (ii) to indemnify Schroders against certain
    liabilities including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended (the "Securities Act"). It is anticipated that the Shares will be
    delivered against payment therefor on September 25, 1998; the Offering
    will not continue after such date. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $75,000 payable by the Company.
 
                               ----------------
 
         The date of this Prospectus Supplement is September 22, 1998.
<PAGE>
 
                STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING DISCLOSURE
 
  CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND IN THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS INCLUDES FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD LOOKING TERMINOLOGY SUCH AS "MAY", "WILL",
"EXPECT", "SHOULD" OR COMPARABLE TERMS OR THE NEGATIVE THEREOF. THESE
STATEMENTS INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO
DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE STATEMENTS. THESE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES INCLUDE (WITHOUT LIMITATION) THE FOLLOWING: THE EFFECT OF
ECONOMIC AND MARKET CONDITIONS AND CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES, GOVERNMENTAL
REGULATIONS, INCLUDING CHANGES IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PAYMENT LEVELS,
CHANGES IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, THE AMOUNT OF ANY ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS,
ACCESS TO CAPITAL MARKETS AND CHANGES IN THE RATINGS OF THE COMPANY'S DEBT
SECURITIES.
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation organized in
October 1985 (the "Company"), is a real estate investment trust ("REIT") which
invests primarily in health care facilities, assisted living facilities and
acute care and rehabilitation hospitals and provides financing to health care
providers. As of June 30, 1998, the Company had direct ownership of 152
skilled nursing facilities, 84 assisted living facilities, 8 continuing care
retirement communities, 14 residential care facilities for the elderly, 2
rehabilitation hospitals and 3 medical clinics. As of June 30, 1998, the
Company held 32 mortgage loans secured by 43 skilled nursing facilities, 6
assisted living facilities and 5 continuing care retirement communities.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
  Subsequent to June 30, 1998, the Company acquired 2 skilled nursing
facilities, 8 assisted living facilities, 1 continuing care retirement
community and 1 residential care facility for the elderly in 11 separate
transactions for an aggregate investment of approximately $36,578,000.
Construction of 4 assisted living facilities was also completed in which the
Company's total aggregate investment was approximately $20,030,000. Upon
acquisition or completion of construction, as applicable, the facilities were
concurrently leased under terms generally similar to the Company's existing
leases. The acquisitions and construction were funded by bank borrowings on
the Company's revolving bank line of credit and by cash on hand.
 
  Subsequent to June 30, 1998, the Company provided 3 mortgage loans secured
by 1 skilled nursing facility and 2 assisted living facilities in 2 separate
transactions in the aggregate amount of $11,615,000. The loans were financed
by bank borrowings under the Company's revolving bank line of credit and cash
on hand.
 
  Subsequent to June 30, 1998, the Company issued $105,150,000 in aggregate
principal amount of medium-term notes. The notes bear fixed interest at a
weighted average interest rate of 6.93% and have a weighted average maturity
of 17.6 years. The proceeds were used to repay borrowings on the Company's
revolving bank line of credit.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The Company intends to use the net proceeds of approximately $29,925,000
received by it from the Offering (after payment of the placement agent fee and
other expenses of the Offering) for the repayment of indebtedness outstanding
under the Company's revolving bank line of credit. As of September 21, 1998,
the aggregate amount of such indebtedness was approximately $79,000,000,
having interest rates of between approximately 6.125% and 8.5% and a maturity
date of March 31, 2001. Such indebtedness was incurred for general corporate
purposes, including the acquisition or construction of health care facilities
and the funding of mortgage loans secured by health care facilities.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Shares are being offered for sale by the Company principally to selected
unaffiliated institutional investors. Some of the Shares may be offered to
institutional investors outside the United States. Schroders has been retained
to act as placement agent for the Company in connection with the arrangement
of such offers and sales on a best efforts, all or nothing, basis. It is
anticipated that Schroders will obtain indications of interest from potential
investors for the amount of the Offering and that no investor funds will be
accepted until indications of interest have been received for the full
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
 
amount of the Offering. Confirmations and definitive prospectuses will be
distributed to all investors at the time of pricing, informing investors of
the closing date, which will be scheduled for three business days after the
date hereof. Prior to the closing date, all investor funds will promptly be
placed in escrow with Citibank N.A., or similar national banking institution
as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"), in an escrow account established for the
benefit of the investors. The Escrow Agent will invest such funds in
accordance with Rule 15c2-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Prior to the closing, the Escrow Agent will advise the Company that
payments for the purchase of the Shares have been affirmed by the investors
and that the investors have deposited the requisite funds in the escrow
account. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company will deposit with the
Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as Depository, the Shares to be credited to
the respective accounts of the investors. Investor funds together with
interest thereon, if any, will only be collected by the Company through the
facilities of the Escrow Agent on the scheduled closing date. The Offering
will not continue after the closing date. In the event that investor funds are
not received in the full amount necessary to satisfy the requirements of the
Offering, the Escrow Agent will return all escrowed investor funds to the
respective investors as promptly as practicable. The Company has agreed (i) to
pay Schroders an aggregate of $375,000 or $0.25 per share and (ii) to
indemnify Schroders against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the issuance of the Shares offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Venable, Baetjer & Howard, LLP, Baltimore, Maryland.
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by O'Melveny & Myers
LLP, Newport Beach, California, and for Schroders by Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
LLP, New York, New York. O'Melveny & Myers LLP and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
LLP will rely upon Venable, Baetjer & Howard, LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, as to
certain matters of Maryland law.
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                      NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES, INC.
                                  SECURITIES
 
  Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (the "Company") may offer from time to
time, in one or more series, its unsecured debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"), warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt Securities
Warrants"), shares of its Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
"Preferred Stock"), warrants to purchase Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock
Warrants"), warrants to purchase Depositary Shares (as defined below) (the
"Depositary Shares Warrants"), shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.10 per
share (the "Common Stock") and warrants to purchase Common Stock (the "Common
Stock Warrants," and with the Debt Securities Warrants, the Preferred Stock
Warrants and the Depositary Shares Warrants, being collectively referred to
herein as the "Securities Warrants"). The Debt Securities, the Preferred
Stock, the Common Stock and the Securities Warrants are collectively referred
to herein as the "Securities." The Securities will have an aggregate offering
price of $300,000,000 and will be offered on terms to be determined at the
time of offering.
 
  In the case of Debt Securities, the specific title, the aggregate principal
amount, the purchase price, the maturity, the rate and time of payment of any
interest, any redemption or sinking fund provisions, any conversion provisions
and any other specific term of the Debt Securities will be set forth in the
accompanying supplement to this Prospectus (the "Prospectus Supplement"). In
the case of Preferred Stock, the specific number of shares, designation,
stated value per share, liquidation preference per share, issuance price,
dividend rate (or method of calculation), dividend payment dates, any
redemption or sinking fund provisions, any conversion rights and other
specific terms of the series of Preferred Stock will be set forth in the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. In addition, the Prospectus Supplement
will describe whether interests in the Preferred Stock will be represented by
depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares") evidenced by depositary receipts.
In the case of Common Stock, the specific number of shares and issuance price
per share will be set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. In the
case of Securities Warrants, the duration, offering price, exercise price and
detachability, if applicable, will be set forth in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. The Prospectus Supplement will also disclose whether the
Securities will be listed on a national securities exchange and if they are
not to be listed, the possible effects thereof on their marketability.
 
  Securities may be sold directly, through agents from time to time or through
underwriters or dealers. If any agent of the Company or any underwriter is
involved in the sale of the Securities, the name of such agent or underwriter
and any applicable commission or discount will be set forth in the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." The net
proceeds to the Company from such sale also will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  The Debt Securities, if issued, may rank on parity with all other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company or may be subordinated to
certain other indebtedness of the Company. See "Description of Debt
Securities."
 
                               ---------------
 
 THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED BY THE  SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE
     COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES COMMISSION  PASSED  UPON  THE
       ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY OF  THIS PROSPECTUS  ANY REPRESENTATION TO
        THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               ---------------
 
       THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE  OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON
              OR  ENDORSED  THE  MERITS OF  THIS  OFFERING.  ANY
                      REPRESENTATION TO  THE CONTRARY IS
                             UNLAWFUL.
 
                               ---------------
 
  This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                The date of this Prospectus is August 19, 1998
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other the information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the Public
Reference Room of the Commission, Room 1024, at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at 7 World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies
of such material can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of
the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. In addition, such materials may also be inspected at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). This Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement do not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement,
certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference is made to
the Registration Statement, which may be examined without charge at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at the Public Reference Room
of the Commission, Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Copies thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon payment of the
prescribed fees.
 
                               ----------------
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1997 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
31, 1998, June 30, 1998 are incorporated in and made a part of this
Prospectus. All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date
of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the
Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a
part hereof from the date of filing such documents. A statement contained
herein, in a Prospectus Supplement or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein, in a Prospectus Supplement or in any subsequently filed
document which is incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any such statements so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, on the request of any such person, a copy of any or
all the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to
such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into the documents that this Prospectus incorporates). Requests for
such copies should be directed to Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., 610
Newport Center Drive, Suite 1150, Newport Beach, California 92660, Attention:
Mark L. Desmond (telephone number (949) 718-4400).
 
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation organized in
October 1985 (the "Company"), is a real estate investment trust ("REIT") which
invests primarily in health care related facilities and provides financing to
health care providers. As of June 30, 1998, the Company had investments in 317
facilities located in 32 states. The facilities include 195 skilled nursing
facilities, 90 assisted living facilities, 13 continuing care retirement
communities, 14 residential care facilities for the elderly, 2 rehabilitation
hospitals and 3 medical clinics. The facilities are operated by 60 health care
providers including the following publicly traded companies: Alternative
Living Services, Inc., American Retirement Corporation, ARV Assisted Living,
Inc., Beverly Enterprises, Inc., Harborside Healthcare Corporation,
HEALTHSOUTH Corporation, Integrated Health Services, Inc., Lexington
Healthcare Group, Inc., Mariner Health Group, Inc., New Care Health
Corporation, Paragon Health Network, Res-Care, Inc. and Sun Healthcare Group,
Inc. Of the operators of the facilities, only Alternative Living Services,
Inc. and Beverly Enterprises, Inc. account for more than 10% of the Company's
revenues.
 
  As of June 30, 1998, the Company had direct ownership of 152 skilled nursing
facilities, 84 assisted living facilities, 8 continuing care retirement
communities, 14 residential care facilities for the elderly, 2 rehabilitation
hospitals and 3 medical clinics. All of the Company's owned facilities are
leased under "net" leases (the "Leases"), which are accounted for as operating
leases.
 
  The Leases have initial terms ranging from 10 to 19 years, and generally the
Leases have two or more multi-year renewal options. The Company earns fixed
monthly minimum rents and may earn periodic additional rents. The additional
rent payments are generally computed as a percentage of facility net patient
revenues in excess of base amounts or as a percentage of the increase in the
consumer price index. Additional rents are generally calculated and payable
monthly or quarterly. Most leases contain provisions such that the total rent
cannot decrease from one year to the next. Most Leases contain cross
collateralization and cross default provisions tied to other Leases with the
same Lessee, as well as grouped lease renewals and grouped purchase options.
Obligations under the Leases have corporate guarantees, and Leases covering
172 facilities are backed by irrevocable letters of credit or security
deposits which cover 1 to 12 months of monthly minimum rents. Under the terms
of the Leases, the Lessee is responsible for all maintenance, repairs, taxes
and insurance on the leased properties.
 
  As of June 30, 1998, the Company held 32 mortgage loans secured by 43
skilled nursing facilities, 6 assisted living facilities and 5 continuing care
retirement communities. As of June 30, 1998, the mortgage loans had a net book
value of approximately $196,472,000 with individual outstanding balances
ranging from approximately $601,000 to $21,400,000 and maturities ranging from
1998 to 2031.
 
  As of June 30, 1998, 49 of the Company's owned facilities and 4 of the
facilities securing the Company's mortgage loans were being operated by
subsidiaries of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. ("Beverly"). Beverly has guaranteed
certain obligations of its subsidiaries and of certain parties unaffiliated
with Beverly in connection with 26 properties operated by such parties. Rental
and interest income from Beverly accounted for 27%, 23% and 17% of the
Company's total revenues for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, and for 15% of the Company's total revenues for the six months
ended June 30, 1998.
 
  As of June 30, 1998, 47 of the Company's owned facilities were leased to
subsidiaries of Alternative Living Services, Inc. ("ALS"). ALS has guaranteed
certain of the obligations of its subsidiaries. Rental income from ALS
accounted for 0.3%, 6%, and 8% of the Company's total revenues for the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, and for 12% of the
Company's revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
 
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
  The Company anticipates providing lease or mortgage financing for health
care facilities to qualified operators and acquiring additional health care
related facilities, including long-term health care facilities, assisted
living facilities, acute care hospitals and medical office buildings.
Financing for such future investment may be provided by borrowings under the
Company's bank line of credit, private placements or public offerings of debt
or equity, and the assumption of indebtedness.
 
  The Company operates so as to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856 through
860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As a REIT,
the Company distributes to its stockholders substantially all of its cash flow
from operations and, in any event, at least 95% of its taxable income. If the
Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT, it will generally not be subject to
federal corporate income taxes on its net income that is currently distributed
to stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation"
(e.g., at the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from
investment in stock of a corporation.
 
  The Company's principal executive offices are located at 610 Newport Center
Drive, Suite 1150, Newport Beach, California 92660 and its telephone number is
(949) 718-4400.
 
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The following selected consolidated financial information of the Company,
restated for the two-for-one stock split effective March 8, 1996, for each of
the five years ended December 31, 1997 is derived from the Company's audited
consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent accountants. The selected consolidated financial information
for the six month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 has been derived from
the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company and
includes, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of
normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial position and results of operations as of and for such periods. Such
financial information has been derived from financial information included in
the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and the Company's Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q. The selected consolidated financial information set forth below
should be read in conjunction with the detailed information, consolidated
financial statements and related notes and applicable "Management's Discussion
and Analysis" included in the 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 Annual Reports
on Form 10-K.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                              JUNE 30,                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         --------------------  --------------------------------------------------
                                            1998       1997       1997       1996      1995      1994      1993
                                         --------------------  --------------------------------------------------
                                                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                      <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>     
OPERATING DATA:
Revenues:
 Minimum rent........................... $   48,536  $ 36,747  $   79,587  $ 66,536  $ 54,504  $ 47,805  $ 40,758
 Interest and other income..............     11,396    10,095      22,454    17,104    14,759    12,413    11,210
 Additional rent and additional
  interest..............................      7,717     6,658      13,664    12,136    11,776     9,767     8,417
                                         ----------  --------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                             67,649    53,500     115,705    95,776    81,039    69,985    60,385
Expenses:
 Interest and amortization of deferred
  financing costs.......................     16,836    12,767      28,899    20,797    14,628     9,921     6,186
 Depreciation and non-cash charges......     12,803     9,252      19,825    16,723    13,885    12,244    10,115
 General and administrative.............      2,295     1,812       3,993     3,312     3,144     3,007     3,088
                                         ----------  --------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                             31,934    23,831      52,717    40,832    31,657    25,172    19,389
                                         ----------  --------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Income from operations..................     35,715    29,669      62,988    54,944    49,382    44,813    40,996
Gain on sale of facilities..............      2,321        --         829        --       989        --        --
Extraordinary charge (1)................         --        --          --        --        --        --    (2,004)
                                         ----------  --------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net income..............................     38,036    29,669      63,817    54,944    50,371    44,813    38,992
Preferred stock dividends...............     (3,839)       --      (1,962)       --        --        --        --
                                         ----------  --------  ----------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net income available to common
 stockholders........................... $   34,197  $ 29,669  $   61,855  $ 54,944  $ 50,371  $ 44,813  $ 38,992
                                         ==========  ========  ==========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Dividends paid on common stock.......... $   36,945  $ 32,607  $   65,734  $ 59,581  $ 53,182  $ 47,751  $ 42,883

PER SHARE DATA
Basic/ diluted income from operations
 available to common stockholders....... $     0.73  $   0.71  $     1.45  $   1.36  $   1.30  $   1.23  $   1.17
Basic/diluted net income available to
 common stockholders....................       0.78      0.71        1.47      1.36      1.33      1.23      1.11
Dividends paid on common stock..........       0.84      0.78        1.56      1.48      1.41      1.31      1.21
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Investments in real estate, net......... $1,174,146  $820,596  $1,053,273  $722,506  $652,231  $501,862  $428,473
Total assets............................  1,207,052   843,939   1,077,394   744,984   670,111   513,809   440,165
Senior unsecured notes due 2000-2037....    375,000   275,000     355,000   190,000   100,000        --        --
Bank borrowings.........................     87,700    46,300      19,600    32,300    93,900    80,200     3,800
Convertible debentures..................     58,875    64,720      64,512    64,920    65,000    67,920    73,609
Notes and bonds payable.................     65,234     9,189      58,297     9,229    23,364    20,520    23,047
Stockholders' equity....................    584,250   426,064     553,046   428,588   371,822   336,106   332,927
OTHER DATA:
Net cash provided by operating
 activities............................. $   52,666  $ 39,562  $   86,010  $ 74,129  $ 66,972  $ 56,756  $ 49,725
Net cash used in investing activities...   (121,237) (106,282)   (267,302)  (85,034) (151,476)  (83,185)  (56,261)
Net cash provided by financing
 activities.............................     72,293    65,697     179,775    14,667    88,699    26,544     1,882
Funds from operations available to
 common stockholders(3).................     44,679    38,921      80,851    71,667    63,267    57,057    51,111
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding.....     43,760    41,802      42,164    40,373    37,808    36,356    35,188
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) The Company incurred an extraordinary charge representing the write-off of
    unamortized deferred financing costs and fees in connection with the
    prepayment of a substantial portion of the Company's secured debt.
 
(2) For per share purposes, income from continuing operations is defined as
    income before the effect of any gains or losses on sales of properties.
 
(3) Industry analysts generally consider funds from operations to be an
    alternative measure of the performance of an equity REIT. The Company
    therefore discloses funds from operations, although it is a measurement
    that is not defined by generally accepted accounting principles. The
    Company uses the NAREIT measure of funds from operations, which is
    generally defined as income before extraordinary items plus certain non-
    cash items, primarily real estate depreciation, less gains on sales of
    facilities. The NAREIT measure may not be comparable to similarly titled
    measures used by other REITs. Consequently, the Company's funds from
    operations may not provide a meaningful measure of the Company's
    performance as compared to that of other REITs. Funds from operations does
    not represent cash generated from operating activities as defined by
    generally accepted accounting principles (funds from operations does not
    include changes in operating assets and liabilities) and, therefore,
    should not be considered as an alternative to net income as the primary
    indicator of operating performance or to cash flow as a measure of
    liquidity.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                      RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SIX MONTHS
                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,    ENDED
                                             ------------------------  JUNE 30,
                                             1993 1994 1995 1996 1997    1998
                                             ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------
   <S>                                       <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
   Ratio.................................... 7.63 5.52 4.44 3.64 3.03    2.88
</TABLE>
 
                         RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED
                  FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SIX MONTHS
                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,    ENDED
                                             ------------------------  JUNE 30,
                                             1993 1994 1995 1996 1997    1998
                                             ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------
   <S>                                       <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
   Ratio.................................... 7.63 5.52 4.44 3.64 2.85    2.61
</TABLE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement which accompanies
this Prospectus, the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities offered from
time to time hereby will be used for general corporate purposes, including the
repayment of bank lines of credit and investments in health care related
properties. The Company uses its existing revolving bank credit facility
primarily to provide financing for the acquisitions of health care related
facilities. To the extent that the Company has amounts outstanding under the
credit facility at the time it issues Securities, it is currently required to
use the proceeds of such issuance to repay amounts outstanding under the
credit facility.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
  Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in series under an Indenture
(the "Indenture") to be entered into between the Company and The Bank of New
York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). As used under this caption, unless the
context otherwise requires, Offered Debt Securities shall mean the Debt
Securities offered by this Prospectus and the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement. The statements under this caption are brief summaries of certain
provisions contained in the Indenture, do not purport to be complete and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the
definition therein of certain terms, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The following
sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities.
Further terms of the Offered Debt Securities will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Indenture provides for the issuance of Debt Securities in series, and
does not limit the principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued
thereunder.
 
  Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms of
the Offered Debt Securities: (1) the specific title of the Offered Debt
Securities; (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities;
(3) the percentage of their principal amount at which the Offered Debt
Securities will be issued; (4) the date on which the Offered Debt Securities
will mature; (5) the rate or rates per annum or the method for determining
such rate or rates, if any, at which the Offered Debt Securities will bear
interest; (6) the times at which any such interest will be payable; (7) any
provisions relating to optional or mandatory redemption of the Offered Debt
Securities at the option of the Company or pursuant to sinking fund or
analogous provisions; (8) the denominations in which the Offered Debt
Securities are authorized to be issued; (9) any provisions relating to the
conversion or exchange of the Offered Debt Securities into Common Stock,
Preferred Stock or into Debt Securities
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
of another series; (10) whether the Offered Debt Securities are to be issued
in fully registered form without coupons or in bearer form with interest
coupons or both; (11) the place or places at which the Company will make
payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, and the
method of payment; (12) whether the Offered Debt Securities will be issued in
whole or in part in global form; (13) any additional covenants and Events of
Default and the remedies with respect thereto not currently set forth in the
Indenture; (13) whether the Offered Debt Securities will be subordinated to
other indebtedness of the Company; and (14) any other specific terms of the
Offered Debt Securities.
 
  One or more series of the Debt Securities may be issued as discounted Debt
Securities (bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate which at the
time of issuance is below market rates) to be sold at a substantial discount
below their stated principal amount. Tax and other special considerations
applicable to any such discounted Debt Securities will be described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
STATUS OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company and may be
ranking on a parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness
or may be subordinated to certain other indebtedness of the Company.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
  The terms, if any, on which Debt Securities of a series may be exchanged for
or converted into shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities
of another series will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto. To protect the Company's status as a REIT, a Holder may not convert
any Debt Security, and such Debt Security shall not be convertible by any
Holder, if as a result of such conversion any person would then be deemed to
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 9.9% or more of the Company's shares
of Common Stock.
 
ABSENCE OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
 
  Except as noted below under "Dividends, Distributions and Acquisitions of
Capital Stock," the Company is not restricted by the Indenture from paying
dividends or from incurring, assuming or becoming liable for any type of debt
or other obligations or from creating liens on its property for any purpose.
The Indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or
specified levels of net worth or liquidity. Except as may be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, there are no provisions of the Indenture which afford
holders of the Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction involving the Company.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
  The Debt Securities will be subject to redemption, in whole or from time to
time in part, at any time for certain reasons intended to protect the
Company's status as a REIT, at the option of the Company in the manner
specified in the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount, plus interest accrued to the date of redemption. The
Indenture does not contain any provision requiring the Company to repurchase
the Debt Securities at the option of the Holders thereof in the event of a
leveraged buyout, recapitalization or similar restructuring of the Company,
even though the Company's creditworthiness and the market value of the Debt
Securities may decline significantly as a result of such transaction. The
Indenture does not protect Holders of the Debt Securities against any decline
in credit quality, whether resulting from any such transaction or from any
other cause.
 
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND ACQUISITIONS OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company will not (i) declare or pay any
dividend or make any distribution on its capital stock or to holders of its
capital stock (other than dividends or distributions
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
payable in its capital stock or other than as the Company determines is
necessary to maintain its status as a REIT) or (ii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any of its capital stock, or any
warrants, rights or options or other securities to purchase or acquire any
shares of its capital stock (other than the Debt Securities) or permit any
subsidiary to do so, if at the time of such action an Event of Default (as
defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing or would exist
immediately after giving effect to such action.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  An Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series is defined
in the Indenture as being: (a) failure to pay principal of or any premium on
any Debt Security of that series when due; (b) failure to pay any interest on
any Debt Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (c) failure
to deposit any sinking fund payment when due, in respect of any Debt Security
of that series; (d) failure to perform any other covenant of the Company in
the Indenture (other than a covenant included in the Indenture solely for the
benefit of one or more series of Debt Securities other than that series),
continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (e)
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, conservatorship, receivership or
reorganization; (f) a default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
evidencing any indebtedness for borrowed money by the Company (including the
Indenture) resulting in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000
becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its maturity date or
constituting a failure to pay at maturity an aggregate principal amount
exceeding $10,000,000, unless such acceleration has been rescinded or annulled
or such indebtedness has been discharged within 10 days after written notice
to the Company by the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities declaring a default or the
Company is contesting the validity of such default in good faith by
appropriate proceedings; and (g) any other Event of Default provided with
respect to the Debt Securities of that series.
 
  If an Event of Default with respect to the outstanding Debt Securities of
any series occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of
that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of
that series are original issue discount Debt Securities, such portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all the
outstanding Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
At any time after the declaration of acceleration with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree based
on acceleration has been obtained, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under
certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration.
 
  The Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during
default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee will be under
no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at
the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provisions for
the indemnification of the Trustee and subject to certain limitations, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt
Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Debt Securities of that series.
 
  The Company is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to
the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
  Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee without the consent of any Holders to, among other things, (a)
evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, (b) add to the
covenants of the Company or surrender any right or power conferred upon the
Company, (c) cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision which may
be
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
defective or inconsistent or make any other provisions with respect to matters
or questions arising under the Indenture, provided that such action does not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series
in any material respect, or (d) evidence and provide for a successor Trustee.
 
  Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by
such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification
or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Debt
Security affected thereby, (a) change the stated maturity date of the
principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest, if any, on any
Debt Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or premium or interest if
any, on any Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an original
issue discount Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the maturity
thereof, (d) change the currency of payment of the principal of, or premium or
interest, if any, on any Debt Security, (e) impair the right to institute suit
for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security,
(f) modify the conversion provisions, if any, of any Debt Security in a manner
adverse to the Holder of that Debt Security, or (g) reduce the percentage in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Security of any series, the consent
of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of that Indenture
or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of that Indenture or for
waiver of certain defaults.
 
  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Debt Securities of each series may, on behalf of all Holders of the Debt
Securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned,
compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the
Indenture. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of each series may, on behalf of all Holders of
the Debt Securities of that series, waive any past default under the Indenture
with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, except a default in the
payment of principal or premium or interest, if any, or a default in respect
of a covenant or provision which under the terms of the Indenture cannot be
modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Debt
Security of the series affected.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
  The Indenture provides that the Company, without the consent of the Holders
of any of the Debt Securities, may consolidate or merge with or into, or
transfer its assets substantially as an entirety to, any corporation organized
under the laws of the United States or any state, provided that the successor
corporation assumes the Company's obligations under the Indenture, that after
giving effect to the transaction no Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing, and that certain other conditions are met.
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
  The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in global
form (the "Global Securities"). The Global Securities will be deposited with a
depositary (the "Depositary"), or with a nominee for a Depositary, identified
in the Prospectus Supplement. In such case, one or more Global Securities will
be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of
the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of the series to
be represented by such Global Security or Securities. Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive form, a Global
Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such
Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such Depositary or a nominee
of such successor.
 
  The specific material terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to
any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a Global
Security will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. The Company
anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depositary
arrangements.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
  Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global
Security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Global
Security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such Depositary
("participants"). The accounts to be credited shall be designated by any
underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of such Debt
Securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be
limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through
participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will
be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary for such Global Security (with respect to
interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold through
participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants).
So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
Indenture; provided, however, that for purposes of obtaining any consents or
directions required to be given by the Holders of the Debt Securities, the
Company, the Trustee and its agents will treat a person as the holder of such
principal amount of Debt Securities as specified in a written statement of the
Depositary. Except as set forth herein or otherwise provided in the Prospectus
Supplement, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be
entitled to have the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security
registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of such Debt
Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or Holders
thereof under the Indenture.
 
  Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on Debt Securities
represented by a Global Security registered in the name of a Depositary or its
nominee will be made to such Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the registered owner of such Global Security. None of the Company, the Trustee
or any Paying Agent for such Debt Securities will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests in such Global Security or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
 
  The Company expects that the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented
by a Global Security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if
any, or interest will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments
in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
principal amount of such Global Security as shown on the records of such
Depositary. The Company also expects that payments by participants will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case
with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in "street
names" and will be the responsibility of such participants.
 
  If the Depositary for any Debt Securities represented by a Global Security
is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor
Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue such Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for such Global
Security. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion
determine not to have any of the Debt Securities of a series represented by
one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue Debt Securities
of such series in definitive form in exchange for all of the Global Security
or Securities representing such Debt Securities.
 
  The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair
the ability to transfer beneficial interests in Debt Securities represented by
Global Securities.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain other terms of any series of the
Preferred Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be described in such
Prospectus Supplement. The description of certain provisions of the Preferred
Stock set forth below and in any Prospectus Supplement does not purport to be
complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles of
Incorporation"), and the articles supplementary (the "Articles Supplementary")
relating to each series of the Preferred Stock which will be filed with the
Commission and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part at or prior to the time of the
issuance of such series of the Preferred Stock.
 
GENERAL
 
  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, $1.00 par value per share ("preferred stock of the Company," which
term, as used herein, includes the Preferred Stock offered hereby). See
"Description of Common Stock."
 
  Under the Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the Company
is authorized without further stockholder action to provide for the issuance
of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock of the Company, in one or more
series, with such voting, dividend, conversion or liquidation rights,
designations, preferences, powers and relative participating, optional or
other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of shares
of such series as shall be stated in the resolution providing for the issue of
a series of such stock, adopted, at any time or from time to time, by the
Board of Directors of the Company.
 
  As described under "Description of Depositary Shares," the Company may, at
its option, elect to offer Depositary Shares evidenced by depositary receipts
(the "Depositary Receipts"), each representing a fraction (to be specified in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of the Preferred
Stock) of a share of the particular series of the Preferred Stock issued and
deposited with a depositary, in lieu of offering full shares of such series of
the Preferred Stock.
 
  The Preferred Stock shall have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and
voting rights set forth below unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus
Supplement relating to a particular series of the Preferred Stock. Reference
is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of the
Preferred Stock offered thereby for specific terms, including: (i) the
designation and stated value per share of such Preferred Stock and the number
of shares offered; (ii) the amount of liquidation preference per share; (iii)
the initial public offering price at which such Preferred Stock will be
issued; (iv) the dividend rate (or method of calculation), the dates on which
dividends shall be payable and the dates from which dividends shall commence
to cumulate, if any; (v) any redemption or sinking fund provisions; (vi) any
conversion rights; (vii) whether the Company has elected to offer Depositary
Shares as described below under "Description of Depositary Shares;" and (viii)
any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and
other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
 
  The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and
will have no preemptive rights. Unless otherwise stated in a Prospectus
Supplement relating to a particular series of the Preferred Stock, each series
of the Preferred Stock will rank on a parity as to dividends and distributions
of assets with each other series of the Preferred Stock. The rights of the
holders of each series of the Preferred Stock will be subordinate to those of
the Company's general creditors.
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
 
  See "Description of Common Stock--Redemption and Business Combination
Provisions" for a description of certain provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation, including provisions relating to redemption rights and
provisions which may have certain anti-takeover effects.
 
DIVIDEND RIGHTS
 
  Holders of the Preferred Stock of each series will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of
funds of the Company legally available therefor, cash dividends on such dates
and at such rates as are set forth in, or as are determined by the method
described in, the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of the
Preferred Stock. Such rate may be fixed or variable or both. Each such
dividend will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on the stock
books of the Company (or, if applicable, the records of the Depositary (as
hereinafter defined) referred to under "Description of Depositary Shares") on
such record dates, fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company, as
specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred
Stock.
 
  Such dividends may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock. If the Board
of Directors of the Company fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend
payment date on any series of Preferred Stock for which dividends are
noncumulative, then the right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend
period ending on such dividend payment date will be lost, and the Company
shall have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period, whether
or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future dividend
payment dates. Dividends on the shares of each series of Preferred Stock for
which dividends are cumulative will accrue from the date on which the Company
initially issues shares of such series.
 
  So long as the shares of any series of the Preferred Stock shall be
outstanding, unless (i) full dividends (including if such Preferred Stock is
cumulative, dividends for prior dividend periods) shall have been paid or
declared and set apart for payment on all outstanding shares of the Preferred
Stock of such series and all other classes and series of preferred stock of
the Company (other than Junior Stock, as defined below) and (ii) the Company
is not in default or in arrears with respect to the mandatory or optional
redemption or mandatory repurchase or other mandatory retirement of, or with
respect to any sinking or other analogous fund for, any shares of Preferred
Stock of such series or any shares of any other preferred stock of the Company
of any class or series (other than Junior Stock), the Company may not, other
than as the Company determines is necessary to maintain its status as a REIT,
declare any dividends on any shares of Common Stock of the Company or any
other stock of the Company ranking as to dividends or distributions of assets
junior to such series of Preferred Stock (the Common Stock and any such other
stock ranking junior to such series of Preferred Stock being herein referred
to as "Junior Stock"), or make any payment on account of, or set apart money
for, the purchase, redemption or other retirement of, or for a sinking or
other analogous fund for, any shares of Junior Stock or make any distribution
in respect thereof, whether in cash or property or in obligations or stock of
the Company, other than Junior Stock which is neither convertible into, nor
exchangeable or exercisable for, any securities of the Company other than
Junior Stock.
 
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
 
  In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each series of the Preferred Stock
will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company available for
distribution to stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to the
holders of Common Stock or any other shares of stock of the Company ranking
junior as to such distribution to such series of Preferred Stock, the amount
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
relating to such series of the Preferred Stock. If, upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the amounts
payable with respect to the Preferred Stock of any series and any other shares
of preferred stock of the Company (including any other series of the Preferred
Stock) ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with such series of the
Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the holders of the Preferred Stock of
such series and of such other shares of preferred stock of the Company will
share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Company in proportion
to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After
payment to the holders of the Preferred Stock of each series of the full
preferential amounts of the liquidating distribution to which they are
entitled, the holders of each such series of the Preferred Stock will be
entitled to no further participation in any distribution of assets by the
Company.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  A series of the Preferred Stock may be redeemable, in whole or from time to
time in part, at the option of the Company, and may be subject to mandatory
redemption pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise, in each case upon terms,
at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series. Shares of the Preferred Stock redeemed by
the Company will be restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares
of preferred stock of the Company.
 
  In the event that fewer than all of the outstanding shares of a series of
the Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional
redemption, the number of shares to be redeemed will be determined by lot or
pro rata (subject to rounding to avoid fractional shares) as may be determined
by the Company or by any other method as may be determined by the Company in
its sole discretion to be equitable. From and after the redemption date
(unless default shall be made by the Company in providing for the payment of
the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any), dividends
shall cease to accumulate on the shares of the Preferred Stock called for
redemption and all rights of the holders thereof (except the right to receive
the redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any) shall
cease.
 
  So long as any dividends on shares of any series of the Preferred Stock or
any other series of preferred stock of the Company ranking on a parity as to
dividends and distribution of assets with such series of the Preferred Stock
are in arrears, no shares of any such series of the Preferred Stock or such
other series of preferred stock of the Company will be redeemed (whether by
mandatory or optional redemption) unless all such shares are simultaneously
redeemed, and the Company will not purchase or otherwise acquire any such
shares; provided, however, that the foregoing will not prevent the purchase or
acquisition of such shares pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on
the same terms to holders of all such shares outstanding.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
  The terms, if any, on which shares of Preferred Stock of any series may be
exchanged for or converted (mandatorily or otherwise) into shares of Common
Stock or another series of Preferred Stock will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. See "Description of Common Stock."
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Except as indicated below or in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of the Preferred Stock, or except as required by applicable
law, the holders of the Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote for any
purpose.
 
  So long as any shares of the Preferred Stock of a series remain outstanding,
the consent or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the
votes entitled to be cast with respect to the
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
then outstanding shares of such series of the Preferred Stock together with
any Other Preferred Stock (as defined below), voting as one class, either
expressed in writing or at a meeting called for that purpose, will be
necessary (i) to permit, effect or validate the authorization, or any increase
in the authorized amount, of any class or series of shares of the Company
ranking prior to the Preferred Stock of such series as to dividends, voting or
upon distribution of assets and (ii) to repeal, amend or otherwise change any
of the provisions applicable to the Preferred Stock of such series in any
manner which adversely affects the powers, preferences, voting power or other
rights or privileges qualifications, limitations and other characteristics of
such series of the Preferred Stock. In case any series of the Preferred Stock
would be so affected by any such action referred to in clause (ii) above in a
different manner than one or more series of the Other Preferred Stock then
outstanding, the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock of such series,
together with any series of the Other Preferred Stock which will be similarly
affected, will be entitled to vote as a class, and the Company will not take
such action without the consent or affirmative vote, as above provided, of at
least 66 2/3% of the total number of votes entitled to be cast with respect to
each such series of the Preferred Stock and the Other Preferred Stock
similarly affected, then outstanding, in lieu of the consent or affirmative
vote hereinabove otherwise required.
 
  With respect to any matter as to which the Preferred Stock of any series is
entitled to vote, holders of the Preferred Stock of such series and any other
series of preferred stock of the Company ranking on a parity with such series
of the Preferred Stock as to dividends and distributions of assets and which
by its terms provides for similar voting rights (the "Other Preferred Stock")
will be entitled to cast the number of votes set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement with respect to that series of Preferred Stock. As a result of the
provisions described in the preceding paragraph requiring the holders of
shares of a series of the Preferred Stock to vote together as a class with the
holders of shares of one or more series of Other Preferred Stock, it is
possible that the holders of such shares of Other Preferred Stock could
approve action that would adversely affect such series of Preferred Stock,
including the creation of a class of capital stock ranking prior to such
series of Preferred Stock as to dividends, voting or distributions of assets.
 
  As more fully described below under "Description of Depositary Shares," if
the Company elects to issue Depositary Shares, each representing a fraction of
a share of a series of the Preferred Stock, each such Depositary Share will,
in effect, be entitled to such fraction of a vote per Depositary Share.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, The
Bank of New York will be the transfer agent, dividend and redemption price
disbursement agent and registrar for shares of each series of the Preferred
Stock.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
  The description set forth below and in the Prospectus Supplement of certain
provisions of the Deposit Agreement (as defined below) and of the Depositary
Shares and Depositary Receipts do not purport to be complete and are subject
to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the Deposit Agreement and
Depositary Receipts relating to each series of the Preferred Stock which will
be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part at or prior to
the time of the issuance of such series of the Preferred Stock. The forms of
Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt are filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of
Preferred Stock rather than full shares of Preferred Stock. In the event such
option is exercised, the Company will issue to the public
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
receipts for Depositary Shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of the
Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of the Preferred Stock as
described below.
 
  The shares of any series of the Preferred Stock represented by Depositary
Shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement (the "Deposit
Agreement") among the Company, a bank or trust company selected by the Company
(the "Depositary") and the holders from time to time of the Depositary
Receipts. Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a
Depositary Share will in general be entitled, in proportion to the applicable
fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Share,
to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock represented thereby
(including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).
 
  The Depositary Shares relating to any series of the Preferred Stock will be
evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued pursuant to the related Deposit
Agreement. Depositary Receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing
such Depositary Shares in accordance with the terms of the offering made by
the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Upon surrender of Depositary Receipts at the office of the Depositary equal
to one or more whole Depositary Shares and upon payment of the charges
provided in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the terms thereof, a holder
of Depositary Receipts is entitled to have the Depositary deliver to such
holder certificates representing the whole shares of Preferred Stock
underlying the Depositary Shares evidenced by the surrendered Depositary
Receipts.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received in respect of the Preferred Stock to the record holders
of Depositary Receipts relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion, insofar
as practicable, to the respective numbers of Depositary Shares evidenced by
such Depositary Receipts held by such holders on the relevant record date. The
Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed
without attributing to any holder of Depositary Receipts a fraction of one
cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be added to and treated as part
of the next sum received by the Depositary (without liability for the interest
thereon), for distribution to record holders of Depositary Receipts then
outstanding.
 
  In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Depositary will
distribute such amounts of the securities or property received by it as are,
as nearly as practicable, in proportion to the respective numbers of
Depositary Shares evidenced by the Depositary Receipts held by such holders on
the relevant record date, unless the Depositary determines that it is not
feasible to make such distribution, in which case the Depositary may, with the
approval of the Company, adopt such method as it deems equitable and
practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale
of such securities or property.
 
  The Deposit Agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in
which any subscription or similar rights offered by the Company to holders of
the Preferred Stock shall be made available to holders of Depositary Receipts.
 
  The amount distributed in all of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any
amounts required to be withheld by the Company or the Depositary on account of
taxes and governmental charges.
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
  If a series of the Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares is
subject to redemption, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the
proceeds received by the Depositary resulting from the
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
redemption, in whole or in part, of such series of the Preferred Stock held by
the Depositary. The Depositary shall mail notice of redemption not less than
30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the
record holders of the Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares to
be so redeemed at their respective addresses appearing in the Depositary's
books. The redemption price per Depositary Share will be equal to the
applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to
such series of the Preferred Stock plus all money and other property, if any,
payable with respect to such Depositary Share, including all amounts payable
by the Company in respect of any accumulated but unpaid dividends; provided,
however, the Depositary may deduct such fees and charges as are expressly
provided in the Deposit Agreement for the account of the holders of Depositary
Receipts. Whenever the Company redeems shares of Preferred Stock held by the
Depositary, the Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the
number of Depositary Shares representing shares of Preferred Stock so
redeemed. If less than all the Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the
Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata (subject
to rounding to avoid fractions of Depositary Shares) as may be determined by
the Depositary.
 
  After the date fixed for redemption, the Depositary Shares so called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares will cease,
except the right to receive without interest the moneys payable upon such
redemption and any money or other property to which such holders were entitled
upon such redemption upon surrender to the Depositary of the Depositary
Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares.
 
VOTING THE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Upon receipt of notice of any meeting or action to be taken by written
consent at or as to which the holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to
vote or consent, the Depositary will mail the information contained in such
notice of meeting or action to the record holders of the Depositary Receipts
evidencing the Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock. Each record
holder of such Depositary Receipts on the record date (which will be the same
date as the record date for the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct
the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights or the giving or
refusal of consent, as the case may be, pertaining to the number of shares of
the Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such
holder's Depositary Receipts. The Depositary will endeavor, insofar as
practicable, to vote, or give or withhold consent with respect to, the maximum
number of whole shares of the Preferred Stock represented by all Depositary
Shares as to which any particular voting or consent instructions are received,
and the Company will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by
the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to do so. The Depositary will
abstain from voting, or giving consents with respect to, shares of the
Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from
the holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares representing
such Preferred Stock.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
 
  The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares relating to
any series of Preferred Stock and any provision of the related Deposit
Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement
between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem
necessary or desirable.
 
  However, any amendment which imposes or increases any fees, taxes or charges
upon holders of Depositary Shares or Depositary Receipts relating to any
series of Preferred Stock or which materially and adversely alters the
existing rights of such holders will not be effective unless such amendment
has been approved by the record holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing at
least a majority of such Depositary Shares then outstanding. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no such amendment may impair the right of any holder of
Depositary Shares or Depositary Receipts to receive
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
any moneys or other property to which such holder may be entitled under the
terms of such Depositary Receipts or the Deposit Agreement at the times and in
the manner and amount provided for therein. A Deposit Agreement may be
terminated by the Company or the Depositary only after (i) all outstanding
Depositary Shares relating thereto have been redeemed and any accumulated and
unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares,
together with all other moneys and property, if any, to which holders of the
related Depositary Receipts are entitled under the terms of such Depositary
Receipts or the related Deposit Agreement, have been paid or distributed as
provided in the Deposit Agreement or provision therefor has been duly made,
(ii) there has been a final distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock of
the relevant series in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of
the related Depositary Receipts, or (iii) in the event the Depositary Shares
relate to a series of Preferred Stock which is convertible into shares of
Common Stock, all outstanding Depositary Shares have been converted into
shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that resignation and removal of the
Depositary, and appointment of a successor Depositary shall not constitute a
termination of a Deposit Agreement.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
  The Depositary will forward to record holders of Depositary Receipts, at
their respective addresses appearing in the Depositary's books, all reports
and communications from the Company which are delivered to the Depositary and
which the Company is required to furnish to the holders of the Preferred Stock
or Depositary Receipts.
 
  The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company
will pay charges of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of
the Preferred Stock and the initial issuance of the Depositary Receipts
evidencing the Depositary Shares, any redemption of the Preferred Stock and
any withdrawals of Preferred Stock by the holders of Depositary Shares.
Holders of Depositary Shares will pay other transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the
Deposit Agreement to be for their accounts which may be deducted from payments
otherwise due to such holders with respect to their Depositary Receipts.
 
  The Deposit Agreement will contain provisions relating to adjustments in the
fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented by a Depositary Share in
the event of a change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other
reclassification of the Preferred Stock or upon any recapitalization, merger
or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
  Neither the Depositary nor any of its agents nor any registrar nor the
Company will be (i) liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any
circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the
Deposit Agreement, (ii) subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement
to holders of Depositary Receipts other than for the relevant party's gross
negligence or willful misconduct or (iii) obligated to prosecute or defend any
legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Receipts, Depositary Shares or
the Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. They may rely
upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by
holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons in good faith believed to be
competent and on documents reasonably believed to be genuine.
 
RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
 
  The Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the Company notice of
its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove the Depositary,
any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a
successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor
Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of
resignation or removal.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  All shares of Common Stock participate equally in dividends payable to
stockholders of Common Stock when and as declared by the Board of Directors
and in net assets available for distribution to stockholders of Common Stock
on liquidation or dissolution, have one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of the stockholders and do not have cumulative voting
rights in the election of directors. All issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock are, and the Common Stock offered hereby will be upon issuance,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of the Common Stock do
not have preference, conversion, exchange or preemptive rights. The Common
Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Symbol: NHP).
 
REDEMPTION AND BUSINESS COMBINATION PROVISIONS
 
  If the Board of Directors shall, at any time and in good faith, be of the
opinion that direct or indirect ownership of at least 9.9% or more of the
voting shares of capital stock has or may become concentrated in the hands of
one beneficial owner, the Board of Directors shall have the power (i) by lot
or other means deemed equitable by it to call for the purchase from any
stockholder of the Company a number of voting shares sufficient, in the
opinion of the Board of Directors, to maintain or bring the direct or indirect
ownership of voting shares of capital stock of such beneficial owner to a
level of no more than 9.9% of the outstanding voting shares of the Company's
capital stock, and (ii) to refuse to transfer or issue voting shares of
capital stock to any person whose acquisition of such voting shares would, in
the opinion of the Board of Directors, result in the direct or indirect
ownership by that person of more than 9.9% of the outstanding voting shares of
capital stock of the Company. Further, any transfer of shares, options,
warrants or other securities convertible into voting shares that would create
a beneficial owner of more than 9.9% of the outstanding voting shares shall be
deemed void ab initio and the intended transferee shall be deemed never to
have had an interest therein. The purchase price for any voting shares of
capital stock so redeemed shall be equal to the fair market value of the
shares reflected in the closing sales price for the shares, if then listed on
a national securities exchange, or the average of the closing sales prices for
the shares if then listed on more than one national securities exchange, or if
the shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the latest
bid quotation for the shares if then traded over-the-counter, on the last
business day immediately preceding the day on which notices of such
acquisitions are sent by the Company, or, if no such closing sales prices or
quotations are available, then the purchase price shall be equal to the net
asset value of such stock as determined by the Board of Directors in
accordance with the provisions of applicable law. From and after the date
fixed for purchase by the Board of Directors, the holder of any shares so
called for purchase shall cease to be entitled to distributions, voting rights
and other benefits with respect to such shares, except the right to payment of
the purchase price for the shares.
 
  The Articles of Incorporation require that, except in certain circumstances,
Business Combinations (as defined) between the Company and a beneficial holder
of 10% or more of the Company's outstanding voting stock (a "Related Person")
be approved by the affirmative vote of at least 90% of the outstanding voting
shares of the Company.
 
  A Business Combination is defined in the Articles of Incorporation as (a)
any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into a Related Person, (b)
any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition, including without
limitation a mortgage or any other security device, of all or any "Substantial
Part" (as defined below) of the assets of the Company (including without
limitation any voting securities of a subsidiary) to a Related Person, (c) any
merger or consolidation of a Related Person with or into the Company, (d) any
sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or any Substantial
Part of the assets of a Related Person to the Company, (e) the issuance of any
securities (other than by way of pro rata distribution to all stockholders) of
the Company to a Related
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
Person, and (f) any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any
of the transactions described in the definition of Business Combination. The
term "Substantial Part" shall mean more than 10% of the book value of the
total assets of the Company as of the end of its most recent fiscal year
ending prior to the time the determination is being made.
 
  Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, the Company's Board of Directors
is classified into three classes. Each class of directors serves for a term of
three years, with one class being elected each year. As of the date of this
Prospectus, there are six directors, divided into three classes consisting of
one, two and three directors, respectively.
 
  The foregoing provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and certain other
matters may not be amended without the affirmative vote of at least 90% of the
outstanding voting shares of the Company.
 
  The foregoing provisions may have the effect of discouraging unilateral
tender offers or other takeover proposals which certain stockholders might
deem in their interests or in which they might receive a substantial premium.
The Board of Directors' authority to issue and establish the terms of
currently authorized Preferred Stock, without stockholder approval, may also
have the effect of discouraging takeover attempts. See "Description of
Preferred Stock." The provisions could also have the effect of insulating
current management against the possibility of removal and could, by possibly
reducing temporary fluctuations in market price caused by accumulations of
shares, deprive stockholders of opportunities to sell at a temporarily higher
market price. However, the Board of Directors believes that inclusion of the
Business Combination provisions in the Articles of Incorporation may help
assure fair treatment of stockholders and preserve the assets of the Company.
 
  The foregoing summary of certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation
does not purport to be complete or to give effect to provisions of statutory
or common law. The foregoing summary is subject to, and qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the provisions of applicable law and the Articles of
Incorporation, a copy of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The Bank of New York is the transfer agent and registrar of the Common
Stock.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WARRANTS
 
  The Company may issue Securities Warrants for the purchase of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock. Securities
Warrants may be issued independently or together with Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock offered by any Prospectus
Supplement and may be attached to or separate from such Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock. Each series of Securities
Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (a "Securities
Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust
company, as Securities Warrant agent, all as set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to the particular issue of offered Securities Warrants.
The Securities Warrant agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in
connection with the Securities Warrant certificates relating to the Securities
Warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust
for or with any holders of Securities Warrant certificates or beneficial
owners of Securities Warrants. The following summaries of certain provisions
of the Securities Warrant Agreement and Securities Warrants do not purport to
be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the Securities Warrant Agreement and the
Securities Warrant certificates relating to each series of Security Warrants
which will be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part at or
prior to the time of the issuance of such series of Securities Warrants.
 
  If Securities Warrants are offered, the applicable Prospectus Supplement
will describe the terms of such Securities Warrants, including, in the case of
Securities Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities, the following where
applicable: (i) the offering price; (ii) the denominations and terms of the
series of Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Securities
Warrants; (iii) the designation and terms of any series of Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares with which such Securities Warrants are
being offered and the number of such Securities Warrants being offered with
each such Debt Security, Preferred Stock or Depositary Share; (iv) the date,
if any, on and after which such Securities Warrants and the related series of
Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares will be transferable
separately; (v) the principal amount of the series of Debt Securities
purchasable upon exercise of each such Securities Warrant and the price at
which such principal amount of Debt Securities of such series may be purchased
upon such exercise; (vi) the date on which the right to exercise such
Securities Warrants shall commence and the date (the "Expiration Date") on
which such right shall expire; (vii) whether the Securities Warrants will be
issued in registered or bearer form; (viii) any special United States Federal
income tax consequences; (ix) the terms, if any, on which the Company may
accelerate the date by which the Securities Warrants must be exercised; and
(x) any other terms of such Securities Warrants.
 
  In the case of Securities Warrants for the purchase of Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares or Common Stock, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will
describe the terms of such Securities Warrants, including the following where
applicable: (i) the offering price; (ii) the aggregate number of shares
purchasable upon exercise of such Securities Warrants, the exercise price, and
in the case of Securities Warrants for Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares,
the designation, aggregate number and terms of the series of Preferred Stock
purchasable upon exercise of such Securities Warrants or underlying the
Depositary Shares purchasable upon exercise of such Securities Warrants; (iii)
the designation and terms of the series of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or
Depositary Shares with which such Securities Warrants are being offered and
the number of such Securities Warrants being offered with each such Debt
Security, Preferred Stock or Depositary Share; (iv) the date, if any, on and
after which such Securities Warrants and the related series of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock will be
transferable separately; (v) the date on which the right to exercise such
Securities Warrants shall commence and the Expiration Date; (vi) any special
United States Federal income tax consequences; and (vii) any other terms of
such Securities Warrants.
 
  Securities Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new Securities Warrant
certificates of different denominations, may (if in registered form) be
presented for registration of transfer, and may
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Securities Warrant agent or
any other office indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Prior to
the exercise of any Securities Warrant to purchase Debt Securities, holders of
such Securities Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the
Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive
payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Debt
Securities or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture. Prior to the
exercise of any Securities Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares or Common Stock, holders of such Securities Warrants will not have any
rights of holders of such Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock,
including the right to receive payments of dividends, if any, on such
Preferred Stock or Common Stock, or to exercise any applicable right to vote.
 
CERTAIN RISK CONSIDERATIONS
 
  Any Securities Warrants issued by the Company will involve a certain degree
of risk, including risks arising from fluctuations in the price of the
underlying securities and general risks applicable to the stock market (or
markets) on which the underlying securities are traded.
 
  Prospective purchasers of the Securities Warrants should recognize that the
Securities Warrants may expire worthless and, thus, purchasers should be
prepared to sustain a total loss of the purchase price of their Securities
Warrants. This risk reflects the nature of a Securities Warrant as an asset
which, other factors held constant, tends to decline in value over time and
which may, depending on the price of the underlying securities, become
worthless when it expires. The trading price of a Securities Warrant at any
time is expected to increase if the price, or, if applicable, dividend rate on
the underlying securities, increases. Conversely, the trading price of a
Securities Warrant is expected to decrease as the time remaining to expiration
of the Securities Warrant decreases and as the price or, if applicable,
dividend rate on the underlying securities, decreases. Assuming all other
factors are held constant, the more a Securities Warrant is "out-of-the-money"
(i.e., the more the exercise price exceeds the price of the underlying
securities and the shorter its remaining term to expiration), the greater the
risk that a purchaser of the Securities Warrant will lose all or part of his
or her investment. If the price of the underlying securities does not rise
before the Securities Warrant expires to an extent sufficient to cover a
purchaser's cost of the Securities Warrant, the purchaser will lose all or
part of his or her investment in such Securities Warrant upon expiration.
 
  In addition, prospective purchasers of the Securities Warrants should be
experienced with respect to options and option transactions and understand the
risks associated with options and should reach an investment decision only
after careful consideration, with their financial advisers, of the suitability
of the Securities Warrants in light of their particular financial
circumstances and the information discussed herein and, if applicable, the
Prospectus Supplement. Before purchasing, exercising or selling any Securities
Warrants, prospective purchasers and holders of Securities Warrants should
carefully consider, among other things, (i) the trading price of the
Securities Warrants, (ii) the price of the underlying securities at such time,
(iii) the time remaining to expiration and (iv) any related transaction costs.
Some of the factors referred to above are in turn influenced by various
political, economic and other factors that can affect the trading price of the
underlying securities and should be carefully considered prior to making any
investment decisions.
 
  Purchasers of the Securities Warrants should further consider that the
initial offering price of the Securities Warrants may be in excess of the
price that a purchaser of options might pay for a comparable option in a
private, less liquid transaction. In addition, it is not possible to predict
the price at which the Securities Warrants will trade in the secondary market
or whether any such market will be liquid. The Company may, but is not
obligated to, file an application to list any Securities Warrants issued on a
United States national securities exchange. To the extent that any Securities
Warrants are exercised, the number of Securities Warrants outstanding will
decrease, which may result in a
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
lessening of the liquidity of the Securities Warrants. Finally, the Securities
Warrants will constitute direct, unconditional and unsecured obligations of
the Company and as such will be subject to any changes in the perceived
creditworthiness of the Company.
 
EXERCISE OF SECURITIES WARRANTS
 
  Each Securities Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such
principal amount of Debt Securities or number of shares of Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares or Common Stock, as the case may be, at such exercise price
as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the Prospectus
Supplement relating to the offered Securities Warrants. After the close of
business on the Expiration Date (or such later date to which such Expiration
Date may be extended by the Company), unexercised Securities Warrants will
become void.
 
  Securities Warrants may be exercised by delivering to the Securities Warrant
agent payment as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement of the
amount required to purchase the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares or Common Stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon such exercise
together with certain information set forth on the reverse side of the
Securities Warrant certificate. Securities Warrants will be deemed to have
been exercised upon receipt of payment of the exercise price, subject to the
receipt within five (5) business days, of the Securities Warrant certificate
evidencing such Securities Warrants. Upon receipt of such payment and the
Securities Warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the
corporate trust office of the Securities Warrant agent or any other office
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will, as soon
as practicable, issue and deliver the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares or Common Stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon such
exercise. If fewer than all of the Securities Warrants represented by such
Securities Warrant certificate are exercised, a new Securities Warrant
certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of Securities Warrants.
 
AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO SECURITIES WARRANT AGREEMENT
 
  The Securities Warrant Agreements may be amended or supplemented without the
consent of the holders of the Securities Warrants issued thereunder to effect
changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Securities
Warrants and that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the
Securities Warrants.
 
COMMON STOCK WARRANT ADJUSTMENTS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
exercise price of, and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by, a
Common Stock Warrant are subject to adjustment in certain events, including
(i) payment of a dividend on the Common Stock payable in capital stock and
stock splits, combinations or reclassifications of the Common Stock, (ii)
issuance to all holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for
or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than their current market price (as
defined in the Securities Warrant Agreement for such series of Common Stock
Warrants), and (iii) certain distributions of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (including securities but excluding cash dividends or distributions
paid out of consolidated earnings or retained earnings or dividends payable in
Common Stock) or of subscription rights and warrants (excluding those referred
to above).
 
  No adjustment in the exercise price of, and the number of shares of Common
Stock covered by, a Common Stock Warrant will be made for regular quarterly or
other periodic or recurring cash dividends or distributions or for cash
dividends or distributions to the extent paid from consolidated earnings or
retained earnings. No adjustment will be required unless such adjustment would
require a change of at least 1% in the exercise price then in effect. Except
as stated above, the exercise price of, and the number of shares of Common
Stock covered by, a Common Stock Warrant will not be
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into
or exchangeable for Common Stock, or carrying the right or option to purchase
or otherwise acquire the foregoing, in exchange for cash, other property or
services.
 
  In the event of any (i) consolidation or merger of the Company with or into
any entity (other than a consolidation or a merger that does not result in any
reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares
of Common Stock), (ii) sale, transfer, lease or conveyance of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company or (iii) reclassification,
capital reorganization or change of the Common Stock (other than solely a
change in par value or from par value to no par value), then any holder of a
Common Stock Warrant will be entitled, on or after the occurrence of any such
event, to receive on exercise of such Common Stock Warrant the kind and amount
of shares of stock or other securities, cash or other property (or any
combination thereof) that the holder would have received had such holder
exercised such holder's Common Stock Warrant immediately prior to the
occurrence of such event. If the consideration to be received upon exercise of
the Common Stock Warrant following any such event consists of common stock of
the surviving entity, then from and after the occurrence of such event, the
exercise price of such Common Stock Warrant will be subject to the same
anti-dilution and other adjustments described in the second preceding
paragraph, applied as if such common stock were Common Stock.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company may sell the Securities to one or more underwriters for public
offering and sale by them or may sell the Securities to investors directory or
through agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale
of Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The
Company has reserved the right to sell Securities directly to investors on its
own behalf in those jurisdictions where and in such manner as it is authorized
to do so.
 
  Underwriters may offer and sell Securities at a fixed price or prices, which
may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The Company
also may offer and sell Securities in exchange for one or more of its
outstanding issues of the Securities or other securities. The Company also
may, from time to time, authorize dealers, acting as the Company's agents, to
offer and sell Securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of
Securities, underwriters may receive compensation from the Company in the form
of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from
purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may
sell Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as
agent.
 
  Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of Securities, and any discounts, concessions
or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Dealers and agents
participating in the distribution of Securities may be deemed to be
underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any
profit realized by them on resale of the Securities may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions. Underwriters, dealers and agents may
be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Company, to
indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities.
 
  If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase the Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement pursuant to
delayed delivery contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on
the date or dates stated in such
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an amount not less than, and
the aggregate principal amount of the Securities sold pursuant to Contracts
shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom Contracts, when
authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions, and other institutions but will in all cases be subject to the
approval of the Company. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions
except (i) the purchase by an institution of the Securities covered by its
Contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of
any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject,
and (ii) if the Securities are being sold to underwriters, the Company shall
have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of such Securities
less the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts.
 
  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Securities will be the
purchase price of the Securities less any such discounts or commissions and
the other attributable expenses of issuance and distribution.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by O'Melveny & Myers LLP. In addition, O'Melveny & Myers LLP has
passed upon certain federal income tax matters relating to the Company.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 1997,
1996, 1995, 1994, and 1993 and the consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the five years in the period
ended December 31, 1997, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and
elsewhere in the Registration Statement, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with
respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said
reports.
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
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  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
The Company................................................................ S-3
Recent Developments........................................................ S-3
Use of Proceeds............................................................ S-3
Plan of Distribution....................................................... S-3
Legal matters.............................................................. S-4
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
Available Information......................................................   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................   2
The Company................................................................   3
Selected Consolidated Financial Information................................   5
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.........................................   6
Use of Proceeds............................................................   6
Description of Debt Securities.............................................   6
Description of Preferred Stock.............................................  11
Description of Depositary Shares...........................................  14
Description of Common Stock................................................  18
Description of Securities Warrants.........................................  20
Plan of Distribution.......................................................  23
Legal Matters..............................................................  24
Experts....................................................................  24
</TABLE>
 
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                                1,500,000 SHARES
 
                                 [LOGO OF NHP]
                      NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
 
                               ----------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                               ----------------
 
 
 
                               September 22, 1998
 
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