MURFREESBORO (AP) - Health care real estate investment trust National Health Investors Inc. said Monday that its joint venture with Bickford Senior Living paid $135 million to buy 17 assisted living and memory care communities.

The joint venture purchased 14 of the properties from a Care Investment Trust Inc. subsidiary for about $123 million. It bought another three properties from affiliates of Bickford for approximately $12 million.

The properties are located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska and include 750 units.

The joint venture, which is 85 percent owned by NHI and 15 percent owned by Bickford, will now have 30 properties.

Bickford, which is based in Olathe, Kan., runs more than 45 assisting living, memory care and independent living facilities in Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Georgia, Nebraska and Michigan.

NHI, based in Murfreesboro, anticipates 2013 funds from operations between $3.48 and $3.54 per share.

Analysts polled by FactSet expect funds from operations of $3.41 per share.

Funds from operations, or FFO, is a key measure of profitability for REITs that adds back items like amortization and depreciation to net income.

National Health Investors Inc. shares closed at $59.86 on Friday. Care Investment Trust Inc. shares closed at $7 per share.