SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549



SCHEDULE 13G

(Rule 13d-102)



INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO RULE 13D-1(b), (c) and (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

RULE 13d-2



LTC Properties, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)



Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)



502175102

(CUSIP Number)



Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.

General Counsel

National Health Investors, Inc.

100 Vine Street, Suite 1200

Murfreesboro, TN 37130

615-890-9100

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of

Person Authorized to Receive

Notice and Communications)



December 31, 2002

(Date of Event which Requires Filing

of this Statement)



Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:



____ Rule 13d-1(b)

X Rule 13d-1(c)

____ Rule 13d-1(d)



(Continued on Following page(s))



(Page 1 of 4 Pages)







CUSIP NO. 50217510213G

Page 2 of 4 Pages







(1) NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

National Health Investors, Inc. (hereinafter "NHI") EIN 62-1470956



(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*

(a) [ ]



(b) [ ]

(3) SEC USE ONLY





(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Maryland



NUMBER OF SHARES (5) SOLE VOTING POWER 2,774,800

BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER -0-

OWNED BY EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,774,800

REPORTING PERSON (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER -0-

(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

2,774,800



(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ]

(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

15.4%

(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *

Corporation (CO)





CUSIP NO. 50217510213G

Page 3 of 4 Pages



Item 1. Security and Issuer



This Statement on Schedule 13G relates to the common stock (the "Common Stock") of LTC Properties, Inc. (the "Issuer"). The address of the Issuer is 300 Esplanade Drive, Suite 1860, Oxnard, CA 93030.



Item 2. Identity and Background



This Schedule 13G is being filed by National Health Investors, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("NHI").The address of NHI's principal office is 100 Vine Street, Suite 1200, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. All of the directors and executive officers of NHI are citizens of the United States. NHI owns 774,800 shares of LTC Properties, Inc.'s Common Stock, CUSIP #502175102 and 2,000,000 shares of LTC Properties, Inc.'s 8.5% Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.



Item 3. None



Item 4. Ownership.



Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.



N/A



Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.



N/A



Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.



N/A







CUSIP NO. 50217510213G

Page 4 of 4 Pages





Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.



None.



Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.



N/A



Item 10. Certifications.



By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.



SIGNATURES



After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.



Date: February 13, 2003

s/Richard F. LaRoche, Jr.

Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., General Counsel