UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant  x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o
Check the appropriate box:
o	Preliminary Proxy Statement
o	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o	Definitive Proxy Statement
x	Definitive Additional Materials
o	Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x	No fee required.
o	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
	(1)		Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
	(2)		Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
	(3)		Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
	(4)		Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
	(5)		Total fee paid:
o	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
	(1)	Amount Previously Paid:
	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
	(3)	Filing Party:
	(4)	Date Filed:

M52866-P35032 You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the company named above. This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the internet or by mail. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on May 9, 2013. SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST TWO NEWTON PLACE 255 WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 300 NEWTON, MA 02458 Meeting Information Meeting Type: Annual For holders as of: 2/19/2013 Date: 5/9/2013 Time: 9:30 a.m., local time Location: Senior Housing Properties Trust Two Newton Place 255 Washington Street, Suite 100 Newton, MA 02458 See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

M52867-P35032 How To Vote Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods Before You Vote How to Access the Proxy Materials Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. How to View Online: Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com. If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed below on or before April 25, 2013, to facilitate timely delivery. How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy for the 2013 Annual Meeting and for Shareholder Meetings in the Future: 1) BY INTERNET: www.proxyvote.com 2) BY TELEPHONE: 1-800-579-1639 3) BY E-MAIL*: sendmaterial@proxyvote.com * If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) in the subject line. The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com. . XXXX XXXX XXXX Vote in Person: Shareholders of record of the company as of February 19, 2013, or their duly authorized proxies are entitled to vote in person at the meeting. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares. To obtain directions for the annual meeting, please call 617-796-8234. Authorize Your Proxy by Internet: To vote now by internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) available and follow the instructions. Authorize Your Proxy by Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card. . XXXX XXXX XXXX . XXXX XXXX XXXX

Voting Items M52868-P35032 Our Board of Trustees Recommends You Vote "FOR" the Nominees for Trustee in Proposals 1 and 2 and "FOR" Proposals 3 and 4. 1. To elect the nominee named in our proxy statement to our Board of Trustees as the Independent Trustee in Group II. 2. To elect the nominee named in our proxy statement to our Board of Trustees as the Managing Trustee in Group II. Nominee: John L. Harrington Nominee: Adam D. Portnoy Our Board recommends you vote FOR proposal 1. Our Board recommends you vote FOR proposal 2. 3. To approve a nonbinding advisory resolution on our executive compensation. 4. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. Our Board recommends you vote FOR proposal 3. Our Board recommends you vote FOR proposal 4.

M52869-P35032