Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Senior Housing Properties Trust and its subsidiaries, or we, us, or our, are unaudited.  Certain information and disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted.  We believe the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  However, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, or our Annual Report.  In the opinion of our management, all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  All intercompany transactions and balances among us and our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated.  Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  Reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.  These reclassifications were made to conform the prior periods’ property operating expenses and impairment of assets to the current classification.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity.